Background
[0001] Vacuum cleaners are a well-known form of appliance. Most vacuum cleaners today operate
in a fundamentally similar way. The vacuum cleaner comprises a cleaner head (pick-up
head) which is pushed across a surface, a separation system which can separate dirt/dust
from an airflow, and a suction source (typically a motor and an impeller) to generate
an airflow through the cleaner head and separation system. Dust/dirt is drawn from
the surface to be cleaned and entrained in an airflow. The dirty airflow is pulled
from the cleaner head to the separation system. Cleaned air is exhausted to the room.
As the air is exhausted, a negative pressure is created at the pickup head.
[0002] There are many variations of separation systems: (filter bags, cyclonic separators,
water tank) and sizes and designs of motor.
[0003] Different types of floor surface present different challenges. For carpeted floors,
it is known to use a cleaner head with an agitator, such as a beater bar or a brush
bar with stiff bristles for beating the carpet. The beater bar can be driven by an
electric motor at high speeds, commonly between 2,000-8,000RPM to beat the carpet.
The beater bar employs radially protruding stiff bristles, such as those disclosed
in
US 1,886,129, to part the carpet pile as the agitator is rotated. This high speed rotation greatly
improves the amount of dust that can be freed from within the carpet pile, to be entrained
in an airflow and then collected in the vacuum bag or collection chamber. This has
the advantage that the stiff bristles agitate the carpet to release debris from within
the pile and a higher dust pick up efficiency can be attained on carpet compared to
a cleaner head without an agitator.
[0004] On hard floor surfaces, an agitator is generally not used as the high speed rotation
of the agitator and contact with the floor surface can mark and damage hard floors.
In some types of cleaner, such as an upright machine provided with an agitator, the
agitator can be turned off when the cleaner is used to clean hard floors. On other
cleaners, a cleaner head without an agitator may be provided. This is known as a passive
head in the art. A passive cleaner head may be provided with linear brush seals. An
example of a passive head with seals is described in
GB 2,374,523 A. This improves sealing between the cleaner head and the floor surface. A disadvantage
of this type of cleaner head is that the brush seals prevent large debris from entering
the cleaner head. Debris is pushed along in front of the cleaner head. Cleaner heads
of this type have to be lifted off the surface to pick up large debris, losing the
effect of the suction when trying to draw dust out from crevices and cracks underneath
the head.
[0005] WO 2015/015167 A2 describes a cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner with an agitator in the form of a brush
bar at a front of the cleaner head. The agitator comprises radially extending carbon
fibre bristles and a sealing material disposed between the bristles. This cleaner
head can seal against the surface to be cleaned and enable large debris to be brought
into the head. This cleaner head is primarily intended for use on hard floors.
[0006] Finally,
WO 2015/075481 A1 discloses a cleaner head according to the preamble of claim 1.
[0007] Some types of vacuum cleaner, such as some cylinder (canister) machines and some
hand-held machines, are provided with multiple cleaner heads which are suited to cleaning
different types of floor. A user can select the cleaner head best suited to the type
of floor to be cleaned. While this can offer good cleaning performance, it is more
costly, requires increased storage space for the multiple cleaner heads, and requires
additional time and nuisance of changing cleaner heads.
[0008] Vacuum cleaners which only have a single cleaner head attempt to provide an acceptable
quality of pick-up across a range of floor types but often only achieve a good quality
of pick-up on one type of surface (carpeted floors or hard floors).
[0009] In any of the examples, the fluid may be air, water, cleaning fluid, or some other
fluid. Typically, the fluid will be air.
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention seek to improve the performance of a vacuum
cleaner head intended for on multiple floor types.
Summary
[0011] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form
that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not
intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
[0012] An aspect provides a cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner comprising:
a housing configured to be movable across a floor surface, the housing having a lower
face;
a suction inlet defined in the lower face of the housing;
a suction passageway through the housing, the suction passageway in fluid communication
with the suction inlet;
a rotatable sealing element located at a front of the housing, the rotatable sealing
element having a rotational axis which is parallel to the lower face of the cleaner
head, the housing at least partially surrounding the rotatable sealing element;
an agitator positioned rearwards of the rotatable sealing element;
wherein the suction passageway is located between the agitator and rotatable sealing
element.
[0013] At least one example of the present disclosure has an advantage of providing good
pick up performance on large debris, in particular on hard floors while also allowing
a good degree of sealing to a range of floor surfaces. The rotatable sealing element
allows debris to enter the cleaner head while a good degree of sealing is maintained,
enabling dust to be drawn out of cracks and crevices without the need to lift the
head up to permit entry of large debris.
[0014] At least one example of the present disclosure has an advantage of allowing debris
to reach the suction passageway without having to pass under the agitator. This can
protect hard floors from potential damage. In some prior art cleaner heads, large
debris can become trapped under the agitator and scrape along a floor surface.
[0015] The agitator may be turned off for some floor types, such as hard floors. This can
also protect hard floors from potential damage.
[0016] At least one example of the present disclosure has an advantage of providing good
pick up performance on carpet as the secondary agitator acts as a beater bar that
can rotate at high rpm to part carpet pile with stiff protruding members.
[0017] The cleaner head may comprise a shielding member located between the agitator and
the rotatable sealing element. The suction passageway is in fluid communication with
a portion of the rotatable sealing element above the shielding member.
[0018] The shielding member can improve pick-up performance by reducing disturbance of debris
brought into the cleaner head.
[0019] The shielding member may guide debris to a position where it can be released into
the suction passageway with a higher chance of being carried out of the cleaner head.
[0020] The shielding member may extend to the lower face, the shielding member configured
to shield a rearward side of the rotatable sealing element, proximate the lower face
of the cleaner head.
[0021] The cleaner head may comprise a roller mounted rotatably with respect to the shielding
member, the roller configured to provide a seal between the shielding member and a
floor surface.
[0022] The shielding member may have a surface on the rearward side configured to guide
fluid flow away from rearward side of the rotatable sealing element, proximate the
lower face of the cleaner head.
[0023] The shielding member may have a surface on the forward side which is coaxial with
the rotational axis of the rotatable sealing element.
[0024] There may be a clearance between the surface on the forward side of the shielding
member and an outer surface of the rotatable sealing element. The clearance may be
less than 3mm, and optionally less than 1 mm.
[0025] The cleaner head may comprise an agitator housing which partially encloses the agitator,
the agitator housing having an opening on a front side, the opening defined by a lip
of the agitator housing, wherein the shielding member extends to a height which is
substantially the same as the lip of the agitator housing. This can help to improve
transfer of debris to flow through the suction passageway.
[0026] The rotatable sealing element may comprise a continuous outer layer of deformable
material. The deformable material may be resiliently deformable material, such as
closed cell foam.
[0027] The rotatable sealing element may comprise a plurality of flexible radially-extending
blades or splines in combination with deformable material between the blades/splines.
Alternatively, the rotatable sealing element may comprise a plurality of flexible,
radially-extending blades without deformable material between the blades/splines.
[0028] The cleaner head may comprise a drive, such as a motor, which is configured to rotate
the rotatable sealing element independently of movement of the cleaner head across
a surface.
[0029] The rotatable sealing element may be rotated at a speed which is less than a rotational
speed of the agitator. For example, rotatable sealing element may be rotated at a
speed in the range 30 - 500 RPM and the agitator may be rotated at a speed up to 20000
RPM.
[0030] The cleaner head may comprise a seal between a side face of the rotatable sealing
element and the housing.
[0031] The cleaner head may comprise a brush seal located at a perimeter of the cleaner
head on at least one of: side edges of the cleaner head; rear edge of the cleaner
head. The brush seal may be adjustable in height.
[0032] The cleaner head may comprise a sealing element to provide a seal between the housing
and the rotatable sealing element.
[0033] The sealing element may be located on a rearward side of the rotatable sealing element,
within the housing.
[0034] The sealing element may be configured to scrape debris from an outer surface of the
rotatable sealing element.
[0035] The cleaner head may comprise a scraper which is configured to scrape debris from
an outer surface of the rotatable sealing element.
[0036] The agitator may comprise a plurality of radially-extending brush filaments. The
agitator may be a beater bar.
[0037] The agitator may comprise a plurality of radially-extending blades.
[0038] The cleaner head may comprise a drive configured to rotate the agitator independently
of movement of the cleaner head across a surface. The agitator may be rotated at a
speed of up to 20000 RPM.
[0039] The agitator may be oscillated about a longitudinal axis of the agitator.
[0040] The cleaner head may be used with any type of vacuum cleaner, such as: an upright
cleaner; a cylinder (canister) cleaner; a stick-vac; a hand-held cleaner; a robotic
cleaner.
[0041] Another aspect provides a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head as described or
claimed.
[0042] The preferred features may be combined as appropriate, as would be apparent to a
skilled person, and may be combined with any of the aspects of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0043] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference
to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a vacuum cleaner with a cleaner head;
Figure 2 shows a front view of the cleaner head of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a cross section of the cleaner head of Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows another cross section of the cleaner head, illustrating pick up of
debris;
Figure 5A shows a view of the underside of the cleaner head;
Figures 5B and 5C show detail of the housing in the region where the rotatable element
is located;
Figure 6 shows a cross section of the cleaner head, illustrating an alternative form
of the rotatable element;
Figure 7 shows a cross section of the cleaner head, illustrating an alternative form
of the rotatable element;
Figure 8 shows a cross section of the cleaner head, illustrating operation on a non-porous
floor surface;
Figure 9 shows a cross section of the cleaner head, illustrating operation on a porous
floor surface;
Figures 10A and 10B shows a cross section of an alternative form of the cleaner head
without a shielding member;
Figure 11A shows a view of the agitator;
Figures 11B, 11C and 11D show views of alternative forms of an agitator;
[0044] Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures to indicate similar features.
Detailed Description
[0045] Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only.
These examples represent the best ways of putting the invention into practice that
are currently known to the Applicant, although they are not the only ways in which
this could be achieved. The description sets forth the functions of the example and
the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same
or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.
[0046] Figure 1 shows a vacuum cleaner 1 comprising a cleaner head 10, a separation system
2, a suction source 3 and duct 7 which connects to the cleaner head 10. The separation
system 2 and the suction source 3 may be housed within a housing 6. The vacuum cleaner
1 comprises a handle 9 for pushing the cleaner head across a floor surface.
[0047] Duct 7 is fluidly connected to the cleaner head 10 and to the separation system 2.
Duct 7 is configured to carry dirt-laden fluid (e.g. air) from the cleaner head 10
to the separation system 2. Duct 7 may be a flexibles hose, rigid pipe or any other
type of fluid-carrying duct.
[0048] The separation system 2 is configured to separate dirt/dust/debris from the fluid
received via duct 7. The separation system 2 can be of any kind, such as a filter
bag, a cyclonic separation system (with one or more cyclonic separation stages), a
water filter, an electrostatic filter. The separation system may comprise a porous
filter, or may not comprise a porous filter. The suction source 3 may comprise an
electrical motor 4 and an impeller 5. The suction source 3 may be located downstream
of the separation system 2, or the suction source 3 may be located upstream of the
separation system 2. Locating the suction source 3 downstream of the separation system
2 is advantageous, as the suction source operates upon cleaned fluid (air) rather
than dirt-laden fluid. The "fluid" that is carried along duct 7 may be air. Alternatively,
the fluid may be water, a cleaning fluid, or some other fluid.
[0049] Figure 2 shows the cleaner head 10 with duct 7. Although the duct shown is central
it could be offset or positioned anywhere along the width of the cleaner head 10.
[0050] Figure 3 shows a cross-section A-A through the cleaner head of Figure 2. The cleaner
head 10 comprises a housing 11. The housing 11 has a lower face 12. This is often
called a sole plate. The lower face is the part of the cleaner head 10 which faces
a floor surface. The lower face 12 comprises a frame of the housing 11 with apertures
defined in it to allow air flow to/from the floor surface, and to allow components
such as the rotatable element 40 and an agitator 60 to make contact with the floor
surface. The agitator in this embodiment is constructed of radially protruding stiff
nylon bristles 63 which are design to impart a parting force to the carpet pile. The
lower face 12 is configured to move across a surface to be cleaned. The housing may
comprise one or more wheels 16, rollers or other features to assist movement of the
cleaner head 10 across a floor surface.
[0051] The cleaner head 10 comprises a suction inlet 20 defined in the lower face (sole
plate) 12 of the housing. There is a suction passageway 20A through the housing 11.
The suction passageway 20A is in fluid communication with the suction inlet 20 and
with the duct 7. The cleaner head 10 comprises a rotatable sealing element 40 located
at a front of the housing 11. The rotatable sealing element 40 is configured for rotation
about a rotational axis 41. For example, the rotatable sealing element 40 may be supported
by the housing 12 at each end. The rotational axis 41 is parallel to the lower face
12 of the cleaner head. The housing 11 at least partially surrounds the rotatable
sealing element 40. In this example, the housing 11 surrounds an upper portion of
the rotatable sealing element 40, above the rotational axis 41. A lower portion of
the rotatable sealing element 40 is configured to make contact with the surface to
be cleaned. The front of the rotatable sealing element 40 is exposed, allowing the
rotatable sealing element 40 to serve as a bumper when the cleaner head 10 pushes
against an upright object, such as a skirting board or furniture.
[0052] In the example of Figure 3 the rotatable sealing element 40 is in the form of a roller
with a continuous outer layer of resiliently deformable material. The resiliently
deformable material may be a closed-cell foam or other elastomeric material, such
as polyurethane. A material such as closed cell foam is advantageous as the material
is non-porous, and therefore blocks fluid flow. However, the closed-cell material
is resiliently deformable, i.e. it can be deformed from an initial state to accommodate
debris and then return to its initial state after the debris has been removed. The
rotatable sealing element 40 can form a seal between the cleaner head 10 and a surface
to be cleaned. On non-porous surfaces, such as hard floors, the rotatable sealing
element 40 can form a seal, or partial seal, to limit air being drawn into the head
from the front of the head and encourage air to be drawn from underneath the head.
The rotatable sealing element 40 can allow debris to enter the cleaner head 10, rather
than pushing the debris in front of the cleaner head, while also maintaining a seal.
[0053] Figure 3 shows the cleaner head comprising an agitator, such as a beater bar (brush
bar) 60. A drive, such as an electric motor, is provided to drive the agitator 60.
The agitator 60 may rotate at speeds of up to 20000 RPM for effective agitation of
carpets and rugs. The drive for the agitator 60 may be turned on and off, such as
by a switch on the vacuum cleaner. For example, a user may choose to switch the agitator
off when cleaning hard floors, where there is not a need to "beat" the carpet. A single
drive may be provided for both the agitator 60 and the rotatable element 40, with
transmission to distribute motor power to the agitator 60 and the rotatable element
40. The rotatable sealing element is preferable rotated at speeds in the range of
30 - 500 RPM for example but could equally operate in the range of 500 - 2000 RPM.
High speed rotation of the rotatable sealing element 40 is not required to seal and
adequately bring in debris to suction passageway 20A in comparison to the high speed
rotation required for the agitator to beat the carpet pile. This has the advantage
of reducing energy consumption, eliminating the risk of damage to hard floors and
enable each of the rotatable sealing element and agitator to perform its function
accordingly, to "seal" and to "agitate".
[0054] The cleaner head comprises a shield 50. In Figure 3 the shielding member is a shielding
member 50. The shielding member 50 is located between the agitator 60 and the rotatable
sealing element 40. The shielding member 50 extends substantially to the level of
the lower face 12 of the housing. The shielding member 50 extends across the width
of the cleaner head. The shielding member 50 is configured to shield a rearward side
of the rotatable sealing element 40, proximate the lower face 12 of the cleaner head.
The shielding member 50 shields the rearward lower portion of the rotatable sealing
element 40 from debris and air from the agitator 60. The shielding member 50 also
has a function of guiding debris which enters the cleaner head via two possible routes:
(i) a route via the rotatable element 40; and (ii) a route via agitation by from the
agitator 60 and suction of suction inlet 20. The shielding member prevents negative
interaction between the two debris paths in the region proximate the floor surface.
From Figure 3, it can be seen that the suction passageway 20A is located between the
agitator 60 and the rotatable sealing element 40. The suction passageway 20A is in
fluid communication with a portion of the rotatable sealing element 40 above the shielding
member 50.
[0055] A feature of the cleaner head 10 shown in Figure 3 is that both large debris (e.g.
debris lying on, or close to, the surface to be cleaned) and small debris/dust can
enter the cleaner head 10. This eliminates the need to lift the cleaner head 10 off
the surface whilst passing over debris, thus preventing a leakage of air into the
head.
[0056] Figure 4 shows operation of the rotatable sealing element 40 to pick up debris 49.
As the cleaner head 10 is moved across a surface to be cleaned, the rotatable sealing
element 40 deforms to allow the debris 49 to pass under the rotatable sealing element
40. A seal is maintained between the rotatable sealing element 40 and the surface.
The rotatable sealing element 40 deforms as the cleaner head 10 passes over uneven
surfaces, to maintain a seal. Debris 49 is guided into the suction passageway 20A
via two possible routes: (i) through the front of the cleaner head 10 via the rotatable
sealing element 40; and (ii) from the action of the optional beater bar 60 on the
surface. The rotatable sealing element 40 rotates in a clockwise direction, as shown
by the arrow in Figure 4. Debris 49 which enters the cleaner head via the rotatable
sealing element 40 is 'trapped' between the rotatable sealing element 40 and a forward
side 52 of the shielding member 50. As the rotatable sealing element 40 continues
to rotate, the debris is released when the debris clears the top 54 of the shielding
member 50. The deformable properties of the rotatable sealing element 40 have the
effect of "pushing" debris radially outwards (towards the left in Figure 4) when the
debris clears the top 54 of the shielding member 50. This pushes the debris into the
airflow path towards the suction passageway 20A.
[0057] In the example shown in Figure 4 a surface on the forward side 52 of the shielding
member 50 is coaxial with the rotational axis 41 of the rotatable sealing element
40. The forward side 52 of the shielding member 50 can have a clearance with respect
to the outer surface of the rotatable element 40. An example range for the clearance
is 0.5-3mm. Providing a clearance can allow debris to transfer to suction passageway
20A without falling down, or jamming the rotation of, the rotatable sealing element
40.
[0058] The agitator is located within an agitator housing 61. The agitator housing 61 partially
encloses the agitator 60. The agitator housing 61 surrounds the agitator on the rear
face, top and part of the front face of the agitator. The agitator housing 61 has
an opening on the front side. The opening in the agitator housing 61 is defined by
an edge or lip 62. The suction passageway 20A extends from the suction inlet 20, through
the lower part of the agitator 60 and through the opening in the agitator housing
61 beneath lip 62. In some examples, the highest point 54 of the shield can be level
with, or at a similar level to, the feature 62. This can help to ensure large debris
is transferred to the suction passageway 20A. If the highest point 54 of the shield
50 is lower than feature 62 there is a higher possibility that large/heavy debris
which is transferred via the rotatable element 40 may drop downwards towards the agitator
60 when it is released from the rotatable sealing element 40. The highest point 54
of the shield 50 can be higher than feature 62, but debris has a longer path to travel
before it is released from the rotatable sealing element 40 and transferred towards
the suction passageway 20A.
[0059] The beater bar 60 rotates in a direction towards the suction passageway. This is
against the direction of forward motion of the cleaner head (i.e. the beater bar 60
rotates anti-clockwise in Figure 4). Stated another way, the beater bar rotates such
that stiff protruding members 63 are driven down from the back of the beater bar,
and rotated towards the front of the cleaner head. This direction of rotation parts
the carpet pile and guides debris forwards towards the suction passageway 20A. This
direction of rotation is opposite to conventional cleaner heads, where the beater
bar typically rotates with the direction of forward motion of the cleaner head.
[0060] A seal 48 extends parallel to the rotational axis 41 of the rotatable sealing element
40. The seal 48 extends along the length of the rotatable sealing element 40. The
seal 48 forms a seal between the housing 11 and the rotatable sealing element 40,
thereby preventing leakage of air between the housing and the top of the rotatable
sealing element 40. The seal 48 also acts as a scraper. The seal 48 is in contact
with the outer surface of the rotatable sealing element 40 and can scrape debris from
the outer surface of the rotatable sealing element 40. In another example, a scraper
may be provided separately from the seal 48. A portion 55 of the rotatable sealing
element 40 between the top 54 of the shield and below the seal 48 is in fluid communication
with the suction passageway 20A.
[0061] In Figures 3 and 4 the shielding member 50 comprises an auxiliary roller 51. The
auxiliary roller 51 has the same length as the shielding member 50 such that the auxiliary
roller extends across the width of the cleaner head 10.
[0062] The purpose of the auxiliary roller 51 is to provide an additional seal. Roller 51
provides a second line of sealing. In the absence of the auxiliary roller 51, when
the rotatable sealing element 40 deforms to accommodate larger debris (e.g. greater
than 1mm mean diameter), the seal formed between the rotatable sealing element 40
and the surface to be cleaned may be compromised enough to allow a (small) detrimental
leak path underneath the shield 50 into the cleaner head 10. The addition of the auxiliary
roller 51 helps to seal the cleaner head, even when the rotatable sealing element
40 deforms to allow debris to pass. Small debris (e.g. 1mm or less mean diameter)
can pass under the auxiliary roller 51 of the shield 50. The small debris will be
acted upon by the beater bar 60 or suction in the vicinity of the beater bar 60. In
a similar fashion to the rotatable sealing element 40, the auxiliary roller 51 can
deform to accommodate this small debris and bring it into the cleaner head 10.
[0063] The shielding member 50 is shown in the drawings as a single element with a forward
side 52, a rearward side 53 and a base with a roller 51. In other examples, the shielding
member 50 can be implemented as a single wall, or as a pair of separate walls 52,
53 which extend laterally across the housing 11. Advantageously, wall 52 should be
continuous with wall 53 in region 54 so that debris cannot fall into a gap between
the walls 52, 53. A surface on a forward side 52 of the shielding member 50 may be
vertical, but a surface which is coaxial with the rotational axis 41 of the rotatable
sealing element 40 has advantages of improved sealing and of guiding debris to a higher
position within the cleaner head.
[0064] The rotatable sealing element 40 can be driven in one direction (forwards, clockwise
in Figure 4) by an electric motor, or it can rotate in either direction by friction
between the rotatable element 40 and the surface to be cleaned.
[0065] Figure 5A shows a view of the underside of the cleaner head 10. Figures 5B and 5C
show detail of the housing in the region where the rotatable sealing element 40 is
located. Figure 5B shows part of the housing 11 which fits alongside one end of the
rotatable sealing element 40. In Figures 5A-5C the rotatable sealing element 40 is
missing, to more clearly show detail of sealing in this area. A seal 14 fits between
a side face of the rotatable sealing element 40 and the housing 11. The seal 14 reduces,
or prevents, leakage of air around the side of the rotatable sealing element 40.
[0066] Figure 5A shows brush seals 25, 26, 27 that extend from the cleaner head 10 onto
the surface to be cleaned, in order to allow the cleaner head to seal better to the
surface to be cleaned such as a hard floor and enable more dust to be sucked out of
cracks and crevices. The relative vertical position of the brush seals 25, 26, 27
may be adjusted according to floor type. One form of control is a manually-operated
two-state latching mechanism. Other forms of control are possible, including an automatic
adjustment to floor type.
[0067] Some other possible forms of the rotatable sealing element 40 are shown in Figures
6 and 7. Figure 6 shows a rotatable sealing element 40 comprising a core 44 with flexible/deformable
radial elements 45 extending radially from the core 44. Radial elements 45 resemble
blades or paddles. The blades 45 have the same, or similar, length as the core 44,
so that the blades 45 across the full length of the core 44. The blades 45 extend
a radial distance such that outer edges of the blades 45 can contact a floor surface.
Optionally, the blades 45 can extend a radial distance such that they sweep against
the forward side 52 of the shielding member 50 and the part 13 of the housing hood
which surrounds the upper portion of the rotatable element 40. The blades 45 sweep
larger debris into the cleaner head whilst maintaining a seal to the surface to be
cleaned. In this example, the seal 48 may be provided, or may be omitted, as the blades
provide a seal to the housing. A scraper may be provided, or may be omitted.
[0068] Figure 7 shows a rotatable sealing element 40 which is a hybrid of the designs of
Figures 3 and 6. A roller 46 (e.g. of resiliently deformable material) has a smaller
diameter compared to the one shown in Figure 3. Radial elements 47 project radially
beyond an outer surface of the roller 46. The radial elements 47 will be called splines.
Outer edges of the splines 47 can contact a floor surface. Optionally, the splines
47 can extend a radial distance such that they sweep against the forward side 52 of
the shielding member 50 and the part 13 of the housing hood which surrounds the upper
portion of the rotatable element 40. The splines 47 sweep larger debris into the cleaner
head whilst maintaining a seal to the surface to be cleaned. The roller 46 can deform
to accommodate larger debris and/or uneven floor surfaces. In this example, the splines
are spaced sufficiently regularly such that one spine is always forming a seal. In
this example, the seal 48 may be provided, or may be omitted, as the splines provide
a seal to the housing. A scraper may be provided, or may be omitted.
[0069] Figures 8 and 9 show the cleaner head 10 on different types of floor surface. Figure
8 shows the cleaner head 10 on a non-porous floor surface, such as a hard floor (e.g.
wood floor, concrete, linoleum, tiles). Figure 9 shows the cleaner head 10 on a porous
floor surface, such as carpet. Referring first to Figure 8, the lower surface 12 of
the housing of the cleaner head is spaced a small distance above the non-porous floor
surface. This spacing is achieved by a combination of: the wheels 16 at the rear of
the housing; the auxiliary roller 51; and the rotatable sealing element 40. As described
previously, with reference to Figure 4, debris can enter the cleaner head via two
possible routes: (i) a route via the rotatable sealing element 40; and (ii) a route
via the underside of the agitator 60 and suction of suction inlet 20 (optionally with
additional agitation by beater bar 60). A seal is maintained around a perimeter of
the cleaner head 10 by the rotatable sealing element 40 (front) and brush seals (rear,
sides). The rear brush seal 26 is shown in Figure 8.
[0070] Figure 9 shows the cleaner head 10 on a carpeted floor surface. The lower face 12
of the housing contacts the surface. In effect, the lower face 12 rides along the
floor surface. Wheels 16, auxiliary roller 51 and the rotatable sealing element 40
sink into the carpet. Optionally, the brush seals 26 can retract, as shown in Figure
9 or if they are static can compress into the carpet. The agitator 60 and can agitate
the carpet pile by beating the carpet to effectively release dirt and debris, rotating
at high speeds of up to 20000 RPM. As described previously, with reference to Figure
4, debris can enter the cleaner head via two possible routes: (i) a route via the
rotatable sealing element 40; and (ii) a route via the underside of the agitator 60
and suction of suction inlet 20 (optionally with additional agitation by beater bar
60)
[0071] The vacuum cleaner 1 may be battery powered (cordless) or mains powered.
[0072] Some other possible alternative examples will now be described.
[0073] Referring again to Figure 3, an upper part of the rotatable sealing element 40 is
covered by the housing 11. In another example, the upper part of the rotatable sealing
element 40 may be exposed. The housing may extend as far as, or just beyond, the seal
48.
[0074] Referring again to Figure 4, there is a portion 55 of the rotatable sealing element
40 between the top 54 of the shield and below the seal/scraper 48 which is exposed
to suction in the suction passageway 20A. This portion 55 of the rotatable sealing
element 40 is close to the suction passageway 20A. In another example, the portion
55 of the rotatable element 40 may be located further away from the suction passageway
20A. A downward incline (chute) may connect the portion 55 of the rotatable sealing
element 40 to the suction passageway 20A.
[0075] Figure 10A and 10B shows an example of the cleaner head 10 with an alternative arrangement.
The shielding member 50 and shielding member roller 51 are not present and a wider
pathway to the suction passageway 20A is formed between the agitator 60 and sealing
element 40. The ability seal to hard floors and agitate carpet pile is maintained
all be it to a lesser degree but complexity and cost is reduced. In Figure 10A the
rotation of the agitator is anticlockwise towards the suction passageway 20A. Figure
10B shows an example of an agitator that can rotate in either direction, clockwise
and anti-clockwise, in an oscillating fashion. This can be of benefit in reducing
noise; as the agitator is not continuously rotating at high speed the beating noise
of the agitator can be reduced, whilst maintaining the ability to agitate the carpet
and guide dirt towards the suction passageway 20A. This can be achieved for example
with a motor that can be switched in direction, use of a solenoid to oscillate the
agitator or any other suitable means.
[0076] Figure 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D show examples of possible agitator construction. Figure
11A shows the agitator embodied in Figures 3 to 10. The agitator is constructed from
a core 60, members 63 protrude from the core that are resilient to deformation so
as to exert a parting force on carpet pile and are made from any suitable material
such as nylon, or polypropylene bristles/filaments. Figure 11B shows a helical arrangement
of agitator filaments which has the benefit of offering a lower resistance to turn
when parting through the carpet pile. Figures 11C and 11D show an agitator constructed
of a core 60 and blades 64 and 64A which extend the length of the core in helical
and linear fashions. The blades can be constructed from any material that are resilient
to deformation so as to exert a parting force on carpet pile such as rubber, plastic,
steel or a composite material. The blades 64 and 64A in Figures 11C and 11D could
equally be interspersed across length of the core 60. The blades 64 and 64A shown
in 11C and 11D could equally be combined with the members 63 in a hybrid design.
[0077] It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate
to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited
to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all
of the stated benefits and advantages.
[0078] Any reference to 'an' item refers to one or more of those items. The term 'comprising'
is used herein to mean including the method blocks or elements identified, but that
such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus
may contain additional blocks or elements.
[0079] The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order,
or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted
from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject
matter described herein. Aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined
with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples without
losing the effect sought.
[0080] It will be understood that the above description of a preferred embodiment is given
by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled
in the art. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain
degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments,
those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments
without departing from the scope of this invention.
1. A cleaner head (10) for a vacuum cleaner (1) comprising:
a housing (11) configured to be movable across a floor surface, the housing (11) having
a lower face (12);
a suction inlet (20) defined in the lower face of the housing;
a suction passageway (20A) through the housing, the suction passageway in fluid communication
with the suction inlet (20);
a rotatable sealing element (40) located at a front of the housing, the rotatable
sealing element having a rotational axis (41) which is parallel to the lower face
(12) of the cleaner head, the housing (11) at least partially surrounding the rotatable
sealing element (40);
the cleaner head characterized by:
an agitator (60) positioned rearwards of the rotatable sealing element;
wherein the suction passageway (20A) is located between the agitator (60) and the
rotatable sealing element (40).
2. A cleaner head according to claim 1 comprising a shielding member (50) located between
the agitator (60) and the rotatable sealing element, (40) wherein the suction passageway
(20A) is in fluid communication with a portion of the rotatable sealing element (40)
above the shielding member;
optionally wherein the shielding member extends to the lower face (12), the shielding
member configured to shield a rearward side of the rotatable sealing element (40),
proximate the lower face (12) of the cleaner head.
3. A cleaner head according to claim 2 comprising a roller (51) mounted rotatably with
respect to the shielding member (50), the roller configured to provide a seal between
the shielding member and a floor surface.
4. A cleaner head according to any one of claims 2 to 3 wherein the shielding member
(50) has a surface on the rearward side configured to guide fluid flow away from rearward
side of the rotatable sealing element, (40) proximate the lower face (12) of the cleaner
head.
5. A cleaner head according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the shielding member
(50) has a surface on the forward side which is coaxial with the rotational axis (41)
of the rotatable sealing element;
optionally wherein there is a clearance between the surface on the forward side of
the shielding member (50) and an outer surface of the rotatable sealing element (40);
optionally wherein the clearance is less than 3mm, and optionally less than 1mm.
6. A cleaner head according to any one of claims 2 to 5 comprising an agitator housing
(61) which partially encloses the agitator, (60) the agitator housing having an opening
on a front side, the opening defined by a lip (62) of the agitator housing (61), wherein
the shielding member (50) extends to a height which is substantially the same as the
lip of the agitator housing.
7. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rotatable
sealing element (40) comprises an outer layer of deformable material;
optionally wherein the deformable material is resiliently deformable material, such
as closed cell foam.
8. A cleaner head according to any preceding claim wherein the rotatable sealing element
comprises a plurality of flexible, radially-extending blades (45).
9. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a drive configured
to rotate the rotatable sealing element independently of movement of the cleaner head
across a surface;
optionally wherein the drive is a motor.
10. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a seal (14)
between a side face of the rotatable sealing element and the housing.
11. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a sealing element
(48) to provide a seal between the housing and the rotatable sealing element;
optionally wherein the sealing element is located on a rearward side of the rotatable
sealing element, within the housing;
optionally wherein the sealing element is configured to scrape debris from an outer
surface of the rotatable sealing element.
12. A cleaner head according to any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising a scraper (48) which
is configured to scrape debris from an outer surface of the rotatable sealing element
(40)
13. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims where the agitator (60)
comprises a plurality of radially-extending brush filaments (63); and/or
wherein the agitator is a beater bar; or
wherein the agitator comprises a plurality of radially-extending blades (64; 64A)
14. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:
the agitator (60) is oscillated about a longitudinal axis of the agitator; or
the cleaner head comprises a drive configured to rotate the agitator independently
of movement of the cleaner head across a surface; and
optionally wherein the agitator is rotated at a speed of up to 20000 RPM.
15. A vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a cleaner head (10) according to any one of the preceding
claims.
1. Reinigungskopf (10) für einen Staubsauger (1), Folgendes umfassend:
ein Gehäuse (11), das dazu ausgelegt ist, über eine Bodenfläche beweglich zu sein,
wobei das Gehäuse (11) eine Unterseite (12) aufweist;
einen Saugeinlass (20), der in der Unterseite des Gehäuses definiert ist;
einen Saugkanal (20A) durch das Gehäuse, wobei der Saugkanal mit dem Saugeinlass (20)
in Fluidverbindung steht;
ein drehbares Dichtungselement (40), das sich an der Vorderseite des Gehäuses befindet,
wobei das drehbare Dichtungselement eine Drehachse (41) aufweist, die parallel zur
Unterseite (12) des Reinigungskopfes verläuft, wobei das Gehäuse (11) das drehbare
Dichtungselement (40) zumindest teilweise umgibt;
wobei der Reinigungskopf gekennzeichnet ist durch:
ein Rührwerk (60), das hinter dem drehbaren Dichtungselement positioniert ist;
wobei sich der Saugkanal (20A) zwischen dem Rührwerk (60) und dem drehbaren Dichtungselement
(40) befindet.
2. Reinigungskopf nach Anspruch 1, ein Abschirmungselement (50) umfassend, das sich zwischen
dem Rührwerk (60) und dem drehbaren Dichtungselement (40) befindet, wobei der Saugkanal
(20A) über dem Abschirmungselement mit einem Abschnitt des drehbaren Dichtungselements
(40) in Fluidverbindung steht; optional wobei sich das Abschirmungselement zur Unterseite
(12) erstreckt, wobei das Abschirmungselement dazu ausgelegt ist, eine Rückseite des
drehbaren Dichtungselements (40) in der Nähe der Unterseite (12) des Reinigungskopfes
abzuschirmen.
3. Reinigungskopf nach Anspruch 2, eine Rolle (51) umfassend, die in Bezug zum Abschirmungselement
(50) drehbar montiert ist, wobei die Rolle dazu ausgelegt ist, eine Abdichtung zwischen
dem Abschirmungselement und einer Bodenfläche vorzusehen.
4. Reinigungskopf nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 3, wobei das Abschirmungselement (50)
in der Nähe der Unterseite (12) des Reinigungskopfes eine Fläche auf der Rückseite
aufweist, die dazu ausgelegt ist, die Fluidströmung von der Rückseite des drehbaren
Dichtungselements (40) weg zu leiten.
5. Reinigungskopf nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, wobei das Abschirmungselement (50)
eine Fläche auf der Vorderseite aufweist, die koaxial zur Drehachse (41) des drehbaren
Dichtungselements verläuft;
optional wobei es einen Abstand zwischen der Fläche auf der Vorderseite des Abschirmungselements
(50) und einer Außenfläche des drehbaren Dichtungselements (40) gibt; optional wobei
der Abstand weniger als 3 mm und optional weniger als 1 mm beträgt.
6. Reinigungskopf nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 5, ein Rührwerkgehäuse (61) umfassend,
das das Rührwerk (60) teilweise umschließt, wobei das Rührwerkgehäuse auf einer Vorderseite
eine Öffnung aufweist,
wobei die Öffnung durch eine Lippe (62) des Rührwerkgehäuses (61) definiert ist, wobei
sich das Abschirmungselement (50) bis zu einer Höhe erstreckt, die im Wesentlichen
der Höhe der Lippe des Rührwerkgehäuses entspricht.
7. Reinigungskopf nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das drehbare Dichtungselement
(40) eine Außenschicht aus verformbarem Material umfasst;
optional wobei das verformbare Material ein elastisch verformbares Material, zum Beispiel
geschlossenzelliger Schaum, ist.
8. Reinigungskopf nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das drehbare Dichtungselement
mehrere flexible, sich radial erstreckende Lamellen (45) umfasst.
9. Reinigungskopf nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, einen Antrieb umfassend, der
dazu ausgelegt ist, das drehbare Dichtungselement unabhängig von der Bewegung des
Reinigungskopfes über eine Oberfläche zu drehen;
optional wobei der Antrieb ein Motor ist.
10. Reinigungskopf nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, eine Dichtung (14) zwischen
einer Seitenfläche des drehbaren Dichtungselements und dem Gehäuse umfassend.
11. Reinigungskopf nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, ein Dichtungselement (48) umfassend,
um eine Dichtung zwischen dem Gehäuse und dem drehbaren Dichtungselement vorzusehen;
optional wobei sich das Dichtungselement auf einer Rückseite des drehbaren Dichtungselements,
innerhalb des Gehäuses befindet;
optional wobei das Dichtungselement dazu ausgelegt ist, Verschmutzungen von einer
Außenfläche des drehbaren Dichtungselements abzuschaben.
12. Reinigungskopf nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, einen Schaber (48) umfassend, der
dazu ausgelegt ist, Verschmutzungen von einer Außenfläche des drehbaren Dichtungselements
(40) zu schaben.
13. Reinigungskopf nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Rührwerk (60) mehrere
sich radial erstreckende Bürstenfilamente (63) umfasst; und/oder wobei das Rührwerk
eine Schlagleiste ist; oder
wobei das Rührwerk mehrere sich radial erstreckende Lamellen (64; 64A) umfasst.
14. Reinigungskopf nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei:
das Rührwerk (60) um eine Längsachse des Rührwerks gedreht wird; oder
der Reinigungskopf einen Antrieb umfasst, der dazu ausgelegt ist, das Rührwerk unabhängig
von der Bewegung des Reinigungskopfes über eine Oberfläche zu drehen; und
optional wobei das Rührwerk mit einer Geschwindigkeit von bis zu 20.000 U/min gedreht
wird.
15. Staubsauger (1), einen Reinigungskopf (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche umfassend.
1. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage (10) pour un aspirateur (1) comprenant :
un carter (11) configuré pour être mobile sur une surface de sol, le carter (11) ayant
une face inférieure (12) ;
une entrée d'aspiration (20) définie dans la face inférieure du carter ;
un passage d'aspiration (20A) traversant le carter, le passage d'aspiration étant
en communication fluide avec l'entrée d'aspiration (20) ;
un élément d'étanchéité rotatif (40) situé à l'avant du carter, l'élément d'étanchéité
rotatif possédant un axe de rotation (41) qui est parallèle à la face inférieure (12)
de la tête de dispositif de nettoyage, le carter (11) entourant au moins partiellement
l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif (40) ;
la tête de dispositif de nettoyage étant caractérisée par :
un agitateur (60) positionné derrière l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif ;
le passage d'aspiration (20A) étant situé entre l'agitateur (60) et l'élément d'étanchéité
rotatif (40).
2. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon la revendication 1, comprenant un élément de
protection (50) situé entre l'agitateur (60) et l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif (40),
dans laquelle le passage d'aspiration (20A) est en communication fluide avec une partie
de l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif (40) au-dessus de l'élément de protection ;
éventuellement dans laquelle l'élément de protection s'étend jusqu'à la face inférieure
(12), l'élément de protection étant configuré pour protéger un côté arrière de l'élément
d'étanchéité rotatif (40), à proximité de la face inférieure (12) de la tête de dispositif
de nettoyage.
3. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon la revendication 2, comprenant un rouleau (51)
monté de manière rotative par rapport à l'élément de protection (50), le rouleau étant
configuré pour assurer l'étanchéité entre l'élément de protection et une surface de
sol.
4. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 et 3,
dans laquelle l'élément de protection (50) présente une surface sur le côté arrière
configurée pour guider l'écoulement de fluide à l'écart du côté arrière de l'élément
d'étanchéité rotatif (40) à proximité de la face inférieure (12) de la tête de dispositif
de nettoyage.
5. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, dans
laquelle l'élément de protection (50) présente une surface sur le côté avant qui est
coaxiale avec l'axe de rotation (41) de l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif ;
éventuellement dans laquelle il y a un jeu entre la surface du côté avant de l'élément
de protection (50) et une surface extérieure de l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif (40)
;
éventuellement dans laquelle le jeu est inférieur à 3 mm, et éventuellement inférieur
à 1 mm.
6. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 5, comprenant
un carter d'agitateur (61) qui entoure partiellement l'agitateur (60), le carter d'agitateur
ayant une ouverture sur un côté avant, l'ouverture étant définie par un rebord (62)
du carter d'agitateur (61), dans laquelle l'élément de protection (50) s'étend à une
hauteur qui est sensiblement la même que celle du rebord du carter d'agitateur.
7. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans laquelle l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif (40) comprend une couche extérieure de
matériau déformable ;
éventuellement dans laquelle le matériau déformable est un matériau élastiquement
déformable, tel que de la mousse à cellules fermées.
8. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans laquelle l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif comprend une pluralité de lames flexibles
(45) s'étendant radialement.
9. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
comprenant un entraînement configuré pour faire tourner l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif
indépendamment du mouvement de la tête de dispositif de nettoyage sur une surface
;
éventuellement dans laquelle l'entraînement est un moteur.
10. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
comprenant un joint d'étanchéité (14) entre une face latérale de l'élément d'étanchéité
rotatif et le carter.
11. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
comprenant un élément d'étanchéité (48) pour assurer l'étanchéité entre le carter
et l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif ;
éventuellement dans laquelle l'élément d'étanchéité est situé sur un côté arrière
de l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif, à l'intérieur du carter ;
éventuellement dans laquelle l'élément d'étanchéité est configuré pour racler les
débris à partir d'une surface extérieure de l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif.
12. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11,
comprenant un racleur (48) qui est configuré pour racler les débris à partir d'une
surface extérieure de l'élément d'étanchéité rotatif (40).
13. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans laquelle l'agitateur (60) comprend une pluralité de filaments de brosse (63)
s'étendant radialement ; et/ou
dans laquelle l'agitateur est une brosse batteuse ; ou
dans laquelle l'agitateur comprend une pluralité de lames (64; 64A) s'étendant radialement.
14. Tête de dispositif de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans laquelle :
l'agitateur (60) est mis en oscillation autour d'un axe longitudinal de l'agitateur
; ou
la tête de dispositif de nettoyage comprend un entraînement configuré pour faire tourner
l'agitateur indépendamment du mouvement de la tête de dispositif de nettoyage sur
une surface ; et
éventuellement dans laquelle l'agitateur tourne à une vitesse pouvant atteindre 20
000 tours/minute.
15. Aspirateur (1) comprenant une tête de dispositif de nettoyage (10) selon l'une quelconque
des revendications précédentes.