Vacuum cleaner head for vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A cleaner head (20) for a vacuum cleaner comprises a housing, at least two rotatable brush strips (22, 24) and a hair diverter (50, 52). The housing defines a suction chamber including an outlet (34). The brush strip has an outer surface and is at least partially disposed inside the housing. The brush strip includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends of the two strips face each other such that a gap is formed therebetween facing the outlet. The hair diverter is located between the gap and the outlet and makes direct contact with the outer surfaces of the two brush strips. The width of the hair diverter spans over the entire width of the void.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner comprising such a cleaner head. Background Art

[0002] The cleaner head of a vacuum cleaner typically includes a housing that defines a suction chamber. The housing is configured to move over a floor or other surface to be cleaned while air is drawn into the suction chamber along with dust, hair and other dirt to be removed from the surface. The outlet of the housing is connected to a motor via a wand or hose. The motor provides the suction required to generate an airflow through the suction chamber. In many modern vacuum cleaners, the cleaner head includes one or more brush bars or other types of agitator elements that rotate as the housing moves over the surface to be cleaned. The brush bars are used to separate dirt from the surface and increase the chances of dirt being picked up, thereby improving the cleaning performance of the vacuum cleaner.

[0003] Typically, a vacuum cleaner head will have some degree of hair ingress during use, which means that hair can get into or between parts of the vacuum cleaner head. This is common, for example, within the rotating brush bar. In order for the brush bar to rotate freely with minimal wear on the parts, there is usually a small gap between the two surfaces that move relative to each other. This in turn can cause hair to get into the brush bar assembly. If the buildup is not checked, the hair can cause mechanical problems such as reduced bearing life or increased load on the motor. The buildup of hair can also cause a burning sensation, or produce an unpleasant odor. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner. The cleaner head comprises a housing, at least two rotatable brush strips and a hair deflector. The housing defines a suction chamber including an outlet. The brush strip has an outer surface and is at least partially arranged inside the housing. The brush strip comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends of the two brush strips face each other, thereby forming a gap facing the outlet therebetween. The hair deflector is located between the gap and the outlet and is in direct contact with the outer surfaces of the two brush strips. The width of the hair deflector spans over the entire width of the gap.

[0005] Since the hair deflector is located between the gap and the outlet, it helps prevent hair from entering the gap or void between the two brush bars and finding its way into the rotating brush bar or inside the brush bar drive unit. In use, when the cleaner head encounters hair bridging the two brush bars, the hair deflector picks up the hair from the outer surface of the two brush bars and ensures that the hair is not transferred into the small gap between them. Instead, the hair is transferred under the hair deflector. From there, the hair can be transferred from the gap to the outer surface of only one of the two brush bars, or left on the floor to be picked up later in another pass of the cleaner head. In both cases, the hair will not get tangled inside the rotating brush bar.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the hair deflector may include a rounded nose positioned in direct contact with the outer surfaces of the two brush bars and shaped to strip hair from the outer surfaces and guide the hair under the hair deflector. The rounded shape of the nose reduces the risk of hair sticking to the hair deflector itself and ensures a smooth transfer of hair from the gap and under the hair deflector.

[0007] The outer surface of the rotatable brush bar may be at least partially deformable, for example because it comprises bristles and / or a fabric covering. The hair deflector may interact with the partially deformable surface by pushing slightly into the surface to effectively remove any hair located on top of it.

[0008] Preferably, the hair diverter widens in a direction away from the gap and towards the outlet. The narrower portion of the hair diverter is wide enough to avoid hair being transferred to the interior of the brush bar, and the narrower portion may be partially located inside the gap and in direct contact with the outer surface of the brush bar. As the hair is directed away from the gap towards the outlet, the widening shape of the hair diverter ensures that if hair is picked up by one of the brush bars, this will occur at a safe lateral distance from the gap. Thus, hair will not be caught in the gap.

[0009] The hair deflector may be wedge-shaped to allow efficient airflow around the hair deflector while providing sufficient structural support to ensure that the hair deflector is not easily damaged during use of the vacuum cleaner.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the brush bars taper from a wider base at the proximal end to a narrower tip at the distal end. It has been found that such frustoconical brush bars are able to drive any hair, dust or other dirt that may be adhering to the outer surface of one of the brush bars outwardly to the distal end of the cleaner head. When combined with the hair deflector, the frustoconical brush bar provides a very effective way to ensure that hair does not enter the brush bar or the brush bar drive unit. Firstly, the hair deflector ensures that hair does not get stuck inside the gap between the two brush bars. Instead, the hair is diverted under the hair deflector. From there, the hair can be picked up by one of the brush bars, which, due to its conical shape, moves the hair further away from the gap to the distal end of the cleaner head.

[0011] In some embodiments of the cleaner head according to the invention, the housing comprises a base plate from which the hair diverter extends. An advantage of arranging the hair diverter on the base plate is that it is close to the floor surface from which the hair is initially picked up. This enables the hair diverter to engage the hair as soon as it encounters the brush bar and to guide the hair away from the gap at an early stage. Part or all of the hair diverter may be located below the outlet so as not to interfere with the airflow through the suction chamber into the outlet.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, the cleaner head may include a drive housing for including a drive mechanism for rotating the brush bar, and the hair diverter may extend from the drive housing. Other structural components of the cleaner head are equally suitable for use as the base of the hair diverter. The hair diverter may be mounted on such other structural components, or may be an integral part of their design. If at least a portion of the hair diverter is located at the height of the outlet, it preferably has an aerodynamic shape that is designed so that the hair diverter has little or no effect on the airflow entering the outlet through the suction chamber. In some embodiments, at least a portion or all of the hair diverter may be located above the height of the outlet to avoid affecting the airflow.

[0013] Note that the cleaner head may include more than one hair deflector. For example, one hair deflector may extend from the base plate and another from the drive housing. It is also possible that more than one hair deflector extends from the same cleaner head component. When a cleaner head includes two or more hair deflectors, each hair deflector will contact the brush bar at a different height. Whenever the first hair deflector is unable to pick up and guide away hair bridging two brush bars, the following one will still be able to do so and avoid the hair being transferred deeper into the gap and inside the brush bar. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handheld vacuum cleaner;

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a perspective view of the cleaner head of the illustrated vacuum cleaner;

[0016] Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a cleaner head according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A bottom view of a vacuum cleaner head;

[0018] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A perspective cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner head;

[0019] Figure 6 is a partial side view of a cleaner head according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0020] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Close-up of another partial side view of the vacuum cleaner head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1A handheld vacuum cleaner 2 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown, comprising a main body 4, a wand 6 and a cleaner head 20. The main body 4 comprises a separation system 10 in the form of a cyclonic separator, a motor and an impeller (not visible) arranged to draw air through the separation system 10, and a power supply 12 in the form of a battery for powering the motor. The main body 4 has a handle 14 for gripping by a user and a clean air outlet 16 through which air that has passed through the separation system 10 is discharged. The wand 6 is attached to the main body 4 at one end and to the cleaner head 20 at the other end. The wand 6 provides fluid communication between the cleaner head 20 and the separation system 10 and supports the cleaner head 20 during use.

[0022] Figure 2 A cleaner head 20 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The cleaner head 20 has a housing 32 which at least partially defines a suction chamber including an outlet 34 for exhausting air and debris to the vacuum cleaner 2. The cleaner head 20 comprises a first agitator element 22 and a second agitator element 24. In this embodiment, the agitator elements 22, 24 are implemented as frustoconical brush strips 22, 24 having an at least partially deformable outer surface. The outer surface may, for example, comprise a fabric covering, such as a felt-like material. Optionally, the outer surface may comprise bristles. The bristles may be applied in the form of a straight line or a spiral band. The first and second brush strips 22, 24 are each mounted to rotate about a respective axis R1, R2. Each brush strip 22, 24 comprises a distal free end 26a, 26b and a proximal end 28a, 28b, which are proximally mounted to the cleaner head 20. In this embodiment, the brush strips 22, 24 have a truncated cone shape, which tapers toward the distal ends 26a, 26b in the direction along the rotation axes R1, R2. The two brush strips 22, 24 are cantilevered from opposite sides of the hub portion 30 of the cleaner head 20 at their respective second ends 28a, 28b. It should be understood that a portion of one or both brush strips 22, 24 may not be conical. For example, the shape of one or both brush strips 22, 24 may be a combination of a cylindrical portion and a truncated cone portion. In other embodiments, the brush strips 22, 24 may be completely cylindrical.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the hub portion 30 is located at a laterally central position relative to the entire cleaner head 20, although this may not always be the case. For example, if the first and second brush bars 22, 24 have different lengths, the hub portion 30 may be laterally offset relative to the laterally central portion of the cleaner head 20. The hub portion 30 is used to rotatably support the proximal ends 28a, 28b of the brush bars 22, 24, and may include a drive housing that holds a drive mechanism for rotating the brush bars 22, 24. Due to the conical geometry of the brush bars 22, 24, and in part to allow the brush bars 22, 24 to rotate freely with minimal wear of the parts, there may be a small gap or gap 31 between the two proximal ends 28a, 28b that move relative to each other. It has been observed that such a gap 31 may cause hair to enter the brush bar assembly. If the accumulation is not checked, the hair may cause mechanical failures, such as shortened bearing life or increased motor load. The accumulation of hair may also cause a burning sensation, or produce an unpleasant odor.

[0024] exist Figures 3 to 7 , various aspects of different embodiments of a cleaner head 20 with hair deflectors 50, 52 are shown. The hair deflectors 50, 52 are used to prevent hair from getting caught and tangled in the gap 31 between the two brush bars 22, 24. For example, Figure 3 A partial perspective view of a cleaner head 20 according to a first embodiment is shown. Figure 4 and 5 They are shown respectively Figure 3 Bottom view and perspective cross-sectional view of a vacuum cleaner head.

[0025] Figures 3 to 5 The cleaner head 20 comprises a housing, two rotatable brush strips 22, 24 and a hair diverter 50. The housing defines a suction chamber including an outlet 34. Figure 3 As shown, the outlet 34 is configured to be coupled to the wand 6 of the vacuum cleaner 2. The brush strips 22, 24 have an at least partially deformable outer surface 221 (see Figure 5 ) and are at least partially arranged inside the housing. The brush strips 22, 24 include proximal ends 28a, 28b and distal ends 26a, 26b. The proximal ends 28a, 28b of the two brush strips 22, 24 face each other, thereby forming a gap 31 facing the outlet therebetween. Even though the gap 31 may be narrow, if the hair deflector 50 is not in the gap 31, the hair can find their way in. Figure 3 , 45, the hair diverter 50 is located between the gap 31 and the outlet 34 and is in direct contact with the at least partially deformable outer surface 221 of the two brush bars 22, 24. The width of the hair diverter 50 spans greater than the entire width of the gap 31. As shown, the hair diverter 50 may include a rounded nose 51, which is positioned to be in direct contact with the at least partially deformable outer surface 221 of the two brush bars 22, 24 and is shaped to strip hair from the outer surface 221 and guide the hair under the hair diverter 50. Preferably, the edges of the nose 51 are rounded in all directions. The rounded shape of the nose 51 reduces the risk of hair sticking to the hair diverter 50 itself and ensures a smooth transfer of hair from the gap 31 and under the hair diverter 50. It should be noted that although the hair diverter 50 may function best in conjunction with the at least partially deformable brush bar surface 221 of this embodiment, it may function in a similar manner when in contact with a more rigid brush bar surface.

[0026] In this first embodiment, the hair deflector 50 extends from the base plate 40 of the cleaner head housing. Figure 4 ) is mostly flat and slides or floats on the floor surface during use. The top surface of the base plate 40 (see Figure 3 ) is inclined with respect to the underside and provides a slope that directs the airflow in the direction of the outlet 34. In this embodiment, the hair deflector forms an integral part of the base plate 40. In other embodiments, it may be provided as a separate part and mounted to the base plate 40 at a later time.

[0027] Because the hair diverter 50 is arranged at the bottom plate 40, it is located close to the floor surface where the hair is initially picked up. This enables the hair diverter 50 to engage the hair as soon as it is encountered by the brush bars 22, 24 and guide the hair away from the gap 31 at an early stage. A portion or all of the hair diverter 50 may be located below the outlet 34 so as not to interfere with the airflow through the suction chamber into the outlet 34.

[0028] The hair deflector 50, because it is located between the gap 31 and the outlet 34, helps prevent hair from entering the gap or gap 31 between the two brush bars 22, 24. In use, when the cleaner head 20 encounters hair bridging the two brush bars 22, 24, the hair deflector 50 picks up the hair from the outer surfaces 221 of the two brush bars 22, 24 and ensures that the hair is not transferred into the small gap 31 between them. Instead, the hair is transferred under the hair deflector 50. From there, the hair can be transferred outwardly away from the gap 31 onto the outer surface 221 of only one of the two brush bars 22, 24. If this does not happen, the hair may be left on the floor to be picked up later in another pass of the cleaner head 20. In both cases, the hair will not get tangled together inside the rotating brush bars 22, 24.

[0029] Preferably, the hair diverter widens in a direction away from the gap 31 and towards the outlet. The narrower portion of the hair diverter may be partially located within the gap 31 and in direct contact with the brush bar, the narrower portion being wide enough to avoid hair being transferred into the interior of the brush bar. As the hair is directed away from the gap 31 towards the outlet, the widening shape of the hair diverter ensures that if hair is picked up by one of the brush bars, this will occur at a safe lateral distance from the gap 31. As a result, the hair will not subsequently be caught in the gap 31.

[0030] like Figure 3 and 5 As clearly shown in the figure, the hair deflector 50 of this embodiment is wedge-shaped with an aerodynamically shaped top surface to allow effective airflow around the hair deflector 50 while providing sufficient structural support to ensure that the hair deflector 50 is not easily damaged during use of the vacuum cleaner 20. A properly designed wedge shape can bring additional advantages, namely that it can result in higher flow rates and improved dirt pickup by the cleaner head 20.

[0031] Tests have shown that the combined use of the frustoconical brush bars 22, 24 and the hair deflector 50 provides a very effective way to ensure that hair does not end up inside the brush bars 22, 24 or the brush bar drive unit. Firstly, the hair deflector 50 ensures that hair does not get stuck inside the gap 31 between the two brush bars 22, 24. Instead, the hair is transferred under the hair deflector, from where it is picked up by one of the brush bars 22, 24, which, due to their tapered shape, moves the hair further away from the gap 31 to one of the distal ends of the cleaner head 20.

[0032] Figure 6 and 7 A partial side view and a close-up of another partial side view of a cleaner head 20 according to a second embodiment are shown, respectively. In this embodiment, the hair deflector 52 extends from a drive housing 60. The drive housing 60 is part of the central hub portion 30 and is used to hold a drive mechanism (not shown) that is used to rotate the brush bars 22, 24. When extending from the drive housing 60, the hair deflector 52 is located at a higher position than when extending from the base plate 40, which means that hair will be caught by the hair deflector slightly later, but at a point where the nose of the hair deflector 52 forms a greater angle with the outer surface 221 of the brush bars 22, 24, which can help to strip the hair from the outer surface 221. In addition, by being located deeper inside the cleaner head 20, the hair deflector 52 based on the drive housing can be better protected from damage because it will not come into contact with the floor surface and any obstacles located thereon.

[0033] Other structural components besides the base plate 40 or the drive housing 60 are equally suitable for use as the base of the hair diverters 50, 52. The hair diverters 50, 52 may be mounted to such other structural components, or be an integral part of their design. If at least a portion of the hair diverter 50, 52 is located at the height of the outlet 34, it preferably has an aerodynamic shape that is designed so that the hair diverter 50, 52 has little or no effect on the airflow through the suction chamber into the outlet 34. In some embodiments, at least a portion or all of the hair diverter 50, 52 may be located above the height of the outlet 34 to avoid affecting this airflow.

[0034] Note that the cleaner head may include more than one hair deflector. For example, one hair deflector may extend from the base plate and another from the drive housing. It is also possible that more than one hair deflector extends from the same cleaner head component. When a cleaner head includes two or more hair deflectors, each hair deflector will contact the brush bar at a different height. Whenever the first hair deflector fails to pick up and guide away hair bridging the two brush bars, the following one may still be able to do so and avoid the hair being transferred deeper into the gap 31 and inside the brush bar.

Claims

1. A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner, the cleaner head comprising: a housing defining a suction chamber including an outlet, at least two rotatable brush bars having an outer surface, the brush bars being at least partially disposed inside the housing and comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends of the two brush bars facing each other such that a gap facing the outlet is formed between the proximal ends of the two brush bars, and A hair diverter is located between the gap and the outlet and is in direct contact with the outer surfaces of the two brush bars, and the width of the hair diverter spans greater than the entire width of the gap.

2. A cleaner head according to claim 1, wherein the hair deflector comprises a rounded nose positioned in direct contact with the outer surfaces of the two brush bars and shaped to strip hair from the outer surfaces and guide the hair under the hair deflector.

3. A cleaner head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hair deflector widens in a direction away from the gap and towards the outlet.

4. A vacuum cleaner head according to any preceding claim, wherein the hair deflector is wedge-shaped.

5. A cleaner head as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the brush bar tapers from a wider base at a proximal end to a narrower tip at a distal end.

6. A cleaner head according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises a sole plate and the hair diverter extends from the sole plate.

7. A cleaner head as claimed in claim 6, wherein, in use, at least a part of the hair diverter is located below the outlet.

8. A cleaner head as claimed in claim 7, wherein, in use, the entirety of the hair diverter is located below the outlet.

9. A cleaner head as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a drive housing for comprising a drive mechanism for rotating the brush bar, wherein the hair diverter extends from the drive housing.

10. A cleaner head as claimed in claim 9, wherein, in use, at least a part of the hair diverter is located at the level of the outlet.

11. A cleaner head as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein, in use, at least a part of the hair diverter is located above the level of the outlet.

12. A cleaner head according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer surface of the rotatable brush bar is at least partially deformable.

13. A cleaner head as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least part of the deformable outer surface of the rotatable brush bar comprises a fabric covering.

14. A cleaner head as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein at least part of the deformable outer surface of the rotatable brush bar comprises bristles.

15. A vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head according to any preceding claim.

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