Dust extractor head for a vacuum cleaning appliance

Abstract

A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaning appliance comprises a housing, a front agitator and a rear agitator. A suction chamber is located between the front agitator and the rear agitator. A baffle is located within the suction chamber, between the agitators. During use of the cleaner head, debris is entrained in air drawn towards the suction chamber. A guide member mounted on the housing directs the entrained debris towards the suction chamber, while the baffle directs the air upwards towards a central suction port of the suction chamber.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application (application number: 202080069706.7, application date: September 23, 2020, invention title: vacuum cleaner head for vacuum cleaning appliances). Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner head for a vacuum cleaning appliance. Background Technology

[0003] A vacuum cleaner typically includes a main body containing a dirt and dust separation unit, a vacuum cleaner head connected to the main body and having a suction inlet, and a motor-driven fan unit for drawing dirt-laden air into the main body through the suction inlet and the vacuum cleaner head. The suction inlet points downwards to face the floor surface to be cleaned. The dirt-laden air is delivered to the separation unit, allowing dirt and dust to be separated from the air before it is expelled into the atmosphere. The separation unit may include one or more of a filter, a filter bag, and a cyclone arrangement.

[0004] A driven agitator, typically in the form of a brush handle, can be rotatably mounted within the suction chamber of the vacuum cleaner head. The brush handle usually comprises an elongated cylindrical core that carries bristles extending radially outward from the core. The suction inlet can be in the form of an orifice, typically an elongated rectangular opening, defined by a base plate located on the base of the vacuum cleaner head. The brush handle can be mounted within the suction chamber such that the bristles protrude a short distance beyond the suction inlet.

[0005] The brush handle is primarily activated when the vacuum cleaner is used to clean carpet surfaces. The rotation of the brush handle can be driven by an electric motor powered by the vacuum cleaner body, or by a turbine driven by airflow passing through or entering the vacuum cleaner head. The brush handle can be driven by a motor via a drive belt, or directly by the motor, to rotate within the suction chamber. The rotation of the brush handle causes the bristles to sweep across the carpet surface, agitating the carpet fibers and any dust or other debris located on and / or between the carpet fibers, resulting in a significant amount of energy being applied to the dust. As the brush handle rotates in a direction where the bristles move from the front edge to the rear edge of the suction inlet, the rotating bristles sweep the dust backward through the suction inlet and into the suction chamber. Air suction causes air to circulate under the baseplate and around the brush handle to help remove dirt and dust from the carpet surface, then carry the dirt and dust from the suction inlet through the vacuum cleaner head towards the separation unit.

[0006] A vacuum cleaner head is known to include a pair of brushes that rotate in opposite directions. For example, WO 2018 / 127680 describes a vacuum cleaner head including a front brush bar located at the front of the vacuum cleaner head and a rear brush bar located at the rear of the vacuum cleaner head. The brush bars rotate in opposite angular directions such that the bristles of the front brush bar sweep backward across the floor surface, and the bristles of the rear brush bar sweep forward across the floor surface. A suction chamber is located between the brush bars, and a suction port is centrally located at the top of the suction chamber.

[0007] During use, as the vacuum cleaner head moves forward across the floor surface, larger debris (such as rice or oatmeal) carried in the air drawn towards the head cannot pass under the brush handles due to contact with the floor surface. Therefore, it enters the suction chamber around the ends of the front brush handles. From there, the larger debris flows through the suction chamber from both ends of the front agitator towards the suction port. When the vacuum cleaner head moves in the opposite direction, this debris enters the suction chamber from around the ends of the rear agitator and flows through the suction chamber from both ends of the rear agitator towards the suction port. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner head for a vacuum cleaning appliance, the vacuum cleaner head comprising:

[0009] shell;

[0010] The front agitator is supported to rotate relative to the housing in a first rotational direction;

[0011] The rear agitator is supported to rotate relative to the housing in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction;

[0012] The suction chamber located between the front agitator and the rear agitator; and

[0013] A baffle located within the suction chamber;

[0014] The suction chamber includes a suction port located above a baffle. During use, the baffle directs air towards the suction port.

[0015] Each agitator preferably includes a brush bar that rotates about its longitudinal axis. The front agitator rotates in a first rotational direction to sweep dirt and debris backward toward the suction chamber, and the rear agitator rotates in a second rotational direction to sweep dirt and debris forward toward the suction chamber. The agitators preferably rotate at the same angular velocity, such that the traction forces generated by the agitators are equal and opposite in direction. The agitators are preferably cylindrical. The agitators are preferably arranged such that their longitudinal axes are parallel, and the longitudinal axes of the agitators are preferably horizontal when the vacuum cleaner head is on the floor surface. The housing preferably defines a front opening and a rear opening, the front opening exposing the first agitator at the front of the vacuum cleaner head, and the rear opening exposing the second agitator at the rear of the vacuum cleaner head.

[0016] In use, air enters the suction chamber through at least one suction inlet and exits the suction chamber through the suction inlet. The suction chamber preferably includes a central suction inlet, i.e., an opening located between the front and rear agitators and between the side edges of the suction chamber. As described above, the vacuum cleaner head includes a baffle located within the suction chamber, and thus between the agitators. The baffle is preferably located below the suction inlet, preferably such that the baffle is vertically below the suction inlet during use of the vacuum cleaner head.

[0017] The baffle is preferably disposed on a baffle plate, more preferably integral with the baffle plate, the baffle plate extending across the suction chamber, preferably longitudinally across the suction chamber (extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the agitator in the length direction). The baffle plate is preferably located at the bottom of the suction chamber, preferably such that the lower surface of the baffle plate is substantially coplanar with the lowest part of the agitator. The baffle plate is preferably spaced apart from each agitator. Thus, the baffle plate preferably at least partially defines a front suction inlet located between the front agitator and the baffle plate, and a rear suction inlet located between the rear agitator and the baffle plate. The front suction inlet and the rear suction inlet face downwards, are coplanar, and preferably have the same shape and the same size.

[0018] The baffle plate is preferably detachably attached to the vacuum cleaner head. The baffle plate is preferably directly attached to the housing of the vacuum cleaner head, preferably via a user-accessible snap-fit ​​connection or capture mechanism, to facilitate manufacturing and quick maintenance of any blockages appearing in the suction port.

[0019] The baffle plate has a front edge positioned adjacent to the front agitator and a rear edge positioned adjacent to the rear agitator. As the vacuum cleaner head moves forward on the floor surface, larger debris entrained in the air drawn towards the front of the vacuum cleaner head is guided along the front edge of the baffle plate to the suction port. As the vacuum cleaner head moves backward on the floor surface, larger debris entrained in the air drawn towards the vacuum cleaner head is guided along the rear edge of the baffle plate to the suction port. This facilitates the direct movement of entrained debris towards the suction port, thereby improving the performance of the vacuum cleaner head. The front and rear edges of the baffle plate preferably taper inward toward the suction port, such that the width of the baffle plate at its center (measured perpendicular to its length) is smaller than the width of the baffle plate at its ends.

[0020] As described above, the baffle plate includes a baffle that, during use, directs air toward the suction port. During use of the vacuum cleaner head, the baffle is preferably located vertically below the suction port. The baffle preferably extends toward the suction port and preferably tapers toward the suction port to direct airflow at a 90° angle toward the suction port. The baffle can be curved or conical. In a preferred embodiment, the baffle is substantially pyramidal in shape, with each face of the baffle arranged to direct a corresponding airflow toward the suction port. During use, air tends to enter the vacuum cleaner head from the end of the agitator and move in the opposite direction toward the suction port. Without a baffle, there is a risk that the opposing airflows may collide within the suction chamber and create a low-velocity, high-turbulence "dead zone" directly below the suction chamber. Within this dead zone, there may not be sufficient airflow velocity to expel any debris trapped within, resulting in debris stagnating on the floor surface and leaving debris accumulation. The presence of the baffle suppresses the formation of dead zones by guiding the air in the suction chamber upwards toward the suction port, thereby promoting the smooth merging of the reverse airflow in the suction chamber and the movement of entrained debris toward the suction port.

[0021] The vacuum cleaner head preferably includes a front guide member and a rear guide member. The front guide member is attached to the housing and is used to guide debris from the end of the front agitator to the suction chamber during use. The rear guide member is attached to the housing and is used to guide debris from the end of the rear agitator to the suction chamber during use.

[0022] We have found that using guide members to direct debris, particularly but not exclusively larger debris (such as rice and cereal), into the suction chamber can reduce the risk of blockage in the paths extending inward from the end of the agitator into the suction chamber. Any blockage in these paths can prevent larger debris from traveling into the suction chamber, resulting in debris remaining on the floor surface when the appliance is turned off.

[0023] The front guide member and the rear guide member are preferably located between the agitators. Each front guide member is preferably positioned adjacent to the corresponding end of the front agitator. Each front guide member is preferably located directly behind the front agitator. As the vacuum cleaner head moves forward across the floor surface, each front guide member preferably defines a corresponding front channel, at least partially together with the front agitator, along which entrained debris is guided to the front suction inlet (and thus to the suction chamber).

[0024] Similarly, each rear guide member is preferably positioned adjacent to the corresponding end of the rear agitator. Each rear guide member is preferably located directly in front of the rear agitator. As the vacuum cleaner head moves backward across the floor surface, each rear guide member preferably defines a corresponding rear channel, at least partially together with the rear agitator, along which entrained debris is guided to the rear suction inlet (and thus to the suction chamber).

[0025] The front and rear guide members are preferably arranged to rotate relative to the housing in response to changes in the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner head on a surface (e.g., a hard floor or a carpeted surface). The vacuum cleaner head preferably includes a plurality of wheels for engaging surfaces on which the vacuum cleaner head is manipulated by the user. The vacuum cleaner head preferably includes a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels. The wheels are preferably located between the agitators. Each wheel is preferably in the form of a caster, but the wheel can be in the form of a ball or other rolling element. Each wheel is preferably arranged to rotate relative to the housing about a first axis perpendicular to the suction inlet, thereby allowing changes in the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner head on the surface. Each wheel is preferably arranged to rotate freely about the first axis, and thus at an angle of approximately 360°. This allows the vacuum cleaner head to be manipulated on the floor surface, for example, in any direction selected by the user. For example, the user can move the vacuum cleaner head back and forth, left and right, and / or along a flexural direction. Each wheel is also preferably arranged to rotate relative to the guide members about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

[0026] Each of the front and rear guide members is preferably arranged to rotate with the corresponding wheel, most preferably about a first axis. This allows the guide members to optimally guide entrained debris into the suction chamber. When the vacuum cleaner head moves forward, the front guide member rotates with the front wheel to define a front channel for guiding debris into the suction chamber, while when the vacuum cleaner head moves backward, the rear guide member rotates with the rear wheel to define a rear channel for guiding debris into the suction chamber.

[0027] Each of the front and rear guide members preferably includes a guide surface for guiding entrained debris into the suction chamber. The guide surface is preferably arranged orthogonal to the suction port and thus orthogonal to a second axis of rotation of the wheel relative to the guide member about it.

[0028] As described above, the wheel is preferably in the form of a caster, which is preferably mounted on a support member that can rotate relative to the housing about a first axis. The caster is mounted on an axle that snaps into the support member to allow the wheel to rotate relative to the support member about a second axis. The support member for the caster can conveniently define a guide member for guiding debris into the suction chamber, while the outer surface of the support member can define a guide surface for guiding debris into the suction chamber (through collision between the debris and the guide surface). The guide surface is preferably shaped such that the angle of incidence of the debris on the guide surface causes the debris to move toward the suction chamber as it bounces back from the guide surface. The guide surface preferably has a raised shape. For example, the guide surface can have one of a curved shape and a polygonal shape. The curved shape can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The polygonal shape can be regular or irregular.

[0029] As an alternative to using a support member for the casters to provide a guide member for directing debris into the suction chamber, the guide member may extend at least partially around the support member. The guide member may be mounted on the support member. Alternatively, the guide member and support member may be mounted on a common base or on other vacuum cleaner head components that are rotatable relative to the housing. This allows the guide member to be formed of a different material than the support member for the casters. For example, while the support member may be formed of a relatively rigid material, such as a plastic material like polycarbonate, the guide member may be formed of a relatively flexible material, such as polyurethane, like TPU. By selecting the shape and / or material forming the guide member, making it a separate component from the support member for the wheels allows for greater control over the direction and / or speed at which impacting debris is removed from the guide member.

[0030] Front and / or rear guide members can be used in other types of vacuum cleaner heads to direct debris into the suction chamber. For example, a passive vacuum cleaner head, i.e., one that does not include any moving agitator to agitate debris from a floor surface, may include a guide member and wheel arrangement for directing debris into the suction chamber. The wheels may be mounted on a base plate that defines the suction inlet of the vacuum cleaner head. For example, a pair of front wheels may be positioned adjacent to the front edge of the vacuum cleaner head, and a pair of rear wheels may be positioned adjacent to the rear edge of the vacuum cleaner head. Each wheel may be positioned adjacent to the front corner of the vacuum cleaner head, and each wheel is associated with a guide member that rotates with the wheel relative to the housing to direct debris into the suction inlet. As another example, the vacuum cleaner head may include a single agitator or brush bar that may be positioned towards the front of the vacuum cleaner head, with the front and rear wheels, and therefore the front and rear guide members, located behind the agitator.

[0031] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner head for a vacuum cleaning appliance, the vacuum cleaner head comprising:

[0032] A housing defining a suction chamber, the suction chamber having a downward-facing suction inlet and a suction port; and

[0033] Multiple wheels are used to support the vacuum cleaner head, each wheel being rotatable relative to the housing about a first axis perpendicular to the suction inlet; and

[0034] Multiple guide members are used to guide debris entrained in the air being drawn toward the suction inlet into the suction chamber, each guide member being arranged to rotate about a first axis together with a corresponding wheel.

[0035] The wheels can be directly mounted on the housing of the vacuum cleaner head for rotation relative to the housing. Alternatively, the wheels can be rotatably mounted on one or more boxes attached to the housing. For example, the vacuum cleaner head may include a first box located on one side of the suction inlet and a second box located on the other side of the suction inlet. Each box may include a corresponding one of the front wheels and a corresponding one of the rear wheels.

[0036] In embodiments where the vacuum cleaner head includes both a front agitator and a rear agitator, each cartridge preferably includes a corresponding one of a front guide member and a rear guide member. Each cartridge is preferably located between the front and rear agitators, and more preferably on a corresponding side of the suction chamber. Each cartridge preferably includes a plurality of holes, each hole positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of the agitators, and entrained debris enters through these holes into a corresponding channel along which the debris is guided to the suction chamber.

[0037] In the case where the vacuum cleaner includes a single agitator, each cartridge also preferably includes a pair of wheels and a pair of guide members, each guide member being rotatable relative to the cartridge with respect to a corresponding one of the wheels. Each cartridge is preferably located behind the agitator and is preferably positioned on a corresponding side of the suction chamber.

[0038] Each cartridge is preferably arranged such that the first axis of the cartridge's wheel lies in a plane orthogonal to the suction inlet. In the case where the vacuum cleaner head includes an agitator that rotates about an axis extending parallel to the suction inlet, this plane is preferably orthogonal to the agitator's axis of rotation.

[0039] The features described in conjunction with the first aspect of the invention also apply to the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa. The terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “front,” and “rear” are used in the context of this application to refer to the relative orientation or position of the components of the vacuum cleaner head during normal use. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Preferred features of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner head;

[0042] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner head from below;

[0043] Figure 3 This is a front view of the vacuum cleaner head;

[0044] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the vacuum cleaner head;

[0045] Figure 5 This is a top view of the vacuum cleaner head;

[0046] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the vacuum cleaner head, with the casters of the vacuum cleaner head in the first orientation relative to the outer shell of the vacuum cleaner head;

[0047] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner head section cut by line AA;

[0048] Figure 8 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner head section cut by line BB;

[0049] Figure 9 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner head section cut off by line CC;

[0050] Figure 10 (a) is a front view of the outer casing of the vacuum cleaner head. Figure 10 (b) is a bottom view of the outer shell;

[0051] Figure 11 (a) is along Figure 10 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the outer shell taken by line DD;

[0052] Figure 11 (b) is along Figure 10 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the shell taken by line EE;

[0053] Figure 12 (a) is a top view of the outer shell's baffle. Figure 12 (b) is a side view of the baffle. Figure 12 (c) is a bottom view of the baffle;

[0054] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner head's caster box from above;

[0055] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of the caster box from below; and

[0056] Figure 15 This is another bottom view of the vacuum cleaner head, with the vacuum cleaner head's casters in a second orientation relative to the outer casing. Detailed Implementation

[0057] Figures 1 to 15 An example of a vacuum cleaner head 10 for a vacuum cleaning appliance is shown. The vacuum cleaner head 10 includes a housing 12, a front agitator 14 and a rear agitator 16, and a neck 18 connected to the housing 12. The front agitator 14 and the rear agitator 16 are each mounted on the housing 12 to rotate relative to the housing 12.

[0058] Each agitator 14, 16 is in the form of a brush handle, including an elongated body 20 to which bristles, a shimmering strip, or other means 22 for agitating surfaces are attached. In this embodiment, the elongated body 20 is covered with plush synthetic fibers 24. The housing 12 is shaped to expose the front surface of the front agitator 14 and the rear surface of the rear agitator 16, such that the agitators 14, 16 can provide relatively soft front and rear buffers for the vacuum cleaner head 10.

[0059] Agitators 14 and 16 are driven to rotate in opposite directions about rotation axes X1 and X2, which are parallel to each other and each collinear with the longitudinal axis of its respective agitator 14 or 16. When the vacuum cleaner head is on the floor surface or other surface to be cleaned, the rotation axes are horizontal. The angle of rotation of agitators 14 and 16 is selected such that dirt and debris are swept from the floor surface into the suction chamber 26 located between agitators 14 and 16. Therefore, in Figure 7 In the middle, the front agitator 14 rotates clockwise relative to the outer casing 12 about axis X1, and the rear agitator 16 rotates counterclockwise relative to the outer casing 12 about axis X2.

[0060] The vacuum cleaner head 10 includes a drive assembly for driving the agitators 14, 16 to rotate relative to the housing 12. The drive assembly is arranged to drive the agitators to rotate relative to the housing 12 at the same angular velocity. Specific details of the drive assembly are not relevant to the invention, but generally, the drive assembly includes an electric motor and a transmission mechanism for transmitting torque generated by the motor to each of the agitators 14, 16. The motor may be mounted in the housing 12. Alternatively, the motor may be mounted in one of the agitators 14, 16. Power is supplied to the motor from a vacuum cleaning appliance. Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the neck 18 includes an electrical terminal pair 28 for engaging electrical contacts located on the appliance to supply power from the appliance to the motor. Cable 30 (in...) Figure 9 (As can be seen in the image) it extends between terminal 28 and the motor. The transmission may include a gear train and a belt and pulley system, the gear train for transmitting torque from the motor to one of the driven agitators 14, 16, and the belt and pulley system for transmitting torque from the driven agitator to the other agitator.

[0061] The drive assembly may include two electric motors, each driving its own agitator 14, 16, instead of using a single motor to drive both agitators 14, 16. Alternatively, the drive assembly may include an air turbine to generate the torque required to drive the agitators 14, 16, instead of using one or more electric motors.

[0062] Neck 18 is pivotally connected to the top of housing 12. Neck 18 pivots relative to housing 12 about pivot axis P1, which is parallel to the rotation axes X1 and X2 of agitators 14 and 16. Neck 18 is pivotally attached to housing 12 at a midpoint between agitators 14 and 16. As a result, pivot axis P1 of neck 18 is equidistant from the rotation axes X1 and X2 of agitators 14 and 16. Neck 18 includes a lower neck section 32 and an upper neck section 34, the lower neck section 32 being pivotally connected to housing 12 and the upper neck section 34 being pivotally connected to lower neck section 32 for pivoting movement about pivot axis P2 orthogonal to pivot axis P1. Neck 18 includes a conduit 36 ​​extending from an outlet 38 located at the free end of neck 18 to a suction port 40 formed in the top of housing 12, through which air enters conduit 36 ​​from suction chamber 26. The suction port 40 is centrally located, that is, it is situated between the agitators 14 and 16 and between the sides of the suction chamber 26. The free end of the neck 18 can be attached to a rod (not shown) of the vacuum cleaner. The rod is then used to manipulate the vacuum cleaner head 10 on the floor surface and to supply electrical power to the motor via the electrical terminal 28.

[0063] The vacuum cleaner head 10 includes a baffle plate 42 located within a suction chamber 26. The baffle plate 42 is located at the bottom of the suction chamber 26, preferably such that the bottom surface of the baffle plate 42 is substantially coplanar with the lowermost ends of the agitators 14, 16. The baffle plate 42 is connected to the housing 12, preferably by a snap-fit ​​connection, which allows the baffle plate 42 to be removably removed from the housing 12 for maintenance of the vacuum cleaner head 10. The baffle plate 42 preferably extends longitudinally through the suction chamber 26 from one side to the other. The baffle plate 42 has a front edge 44 and a rear edge 48, the front edge 44 defining a front suction inlet 46 of the suction chamber 26 together with the front agitator 14, and the rear edge 48 defining a rear suction inlet 50 of the suction chamber 26 together with the rear agitator 16. As described in more detail below, the baffle plate 42 includes a baffle 52 for directing air to the suction inlet 40 of the suction chamber 26. Baffle 52 is centrally positioned on baffle plate 42 such that it is vertically below suction port 40, and preferably integral with baffle plate 42. Baffle 52 extends upward toward suction port 40, and preferably tapers toward suction port 40. In this embodiment, baffle 52 is generally pyramidal in shape and includes a plurality of surfaces 54 of the same size, each surface guiding a corresponding portion of the air passing through suction chamber 26 to suction port 40.

[0064] The vacuum cleaner head 10 also includes a plurality of wheels for supporting the vacuum cleaner head 10 on a floor surface. The wheels are located between the front agitator 14 and the rear agitator 16. In this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head 10 includes a pair of front wheels 56 and a pair of rear wheels 58. The front wheels 56 are located on opposite sides of the front suction opening 46, and each is positioned adjacent to a corresponding end of the front agitator 14. The rear wheels 58 are located directly behind the front wheels 56 and on opposite sides of the rear suction opening 50. Each of the rear wheels 58 is positioned adjacent to a corresponding end of the rear agitator 16.

[0065] Specific reference Figure 13 and Figure 14 In this embodiment, wheels 56 and 58 are in the form of casters. Each front wheel 56 is mounted on a front support 60, and each rear wheel 58 is mounted on a rear support 62. Each support 60 and 62 is connected to the housing 12 such that the support, and therefore each wheel 56 and 58, can rotate relative to the housing 12 about a first axis of rotation W1, which is orthogonal to the axes of rotation X1 and X2 of the agitators 14 and 16, and therefore orthogonal to the front suction inlet 46 and the rear suction inlet 50. Each wheel 56 and 58 is connected to its respective support 60 and 62 by an axle 64, which snaps into the support 60 and 62. This allows each wheel 56 and 58 to rotate relative to its support 60 and 62 about a second axis of rotation W2, which is orthogonal to the first axis of rotation W1. The degrees of freedom of motion of wheels 56 and 58 around the first axis of rotation W1 and the second axis of rotation W2 allow the vacuum cleaner head 10 to be manipulated on the floor surface in any selected direction, such as forward and backward, left and right, or along a curved path.

[0066] Although supports 60, 62 can be directly mounted to housing 12, in this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head 10 includes pairs 66, 68 of housings connected to housing 12 by bolts 70, and each housing includes a corresponding one of the front wheels 56 and a corresponding one of the rear wheels 58. Each support 60, 62 for these wheels 56, 58 is mounted to housing 66, 68 for rotation relative to it. See also Figure 6 As described in more detail below, each box 66, 68 includes opposing end walls 72, each end wall including a respective hole 74, 76. Supports 60, 62 are mounted on boxes 66, 68 such that each front support 60 is positioned adjacent to a corresponding front hole 74, and each rear support 62 is positioned adjacent to a corresponding rear hole 76.

[0067] During use, air from the external environment is drawn into the suction chamber 26 by the suction generator located within the vacuum cleaner. When the vacuum cleaner head 10 is positioned on the floor surface, relatively large debris, such as rice or oatmeal, cannot pass under the rotating agitator due to their adhesion to the floor surface. Instead, this relatively large debris is entrained in the suction chamber 26 by an airflow (hereinafter referred to as "side airflow") that flows inward from the ends of the agitators 14, 16 toward the suction port 40.

[0068] As the vacuum cleaner head 10 moves forward toward a pile of relatively large debris on the floor surface, this debris is typically carried along by the side airflow that enters the suction chamber 26 through the front suction inlet 46. A first side airflow passes through the front opening 74 of the housing 66 from the first end of the front agitator 14 and enters the suction chamber 26 via the front suction inlet 46. A second side airflow passes through the front opening 74 of the housing 68 from the first end of the front agitator 14 and enters the suction chamber 26 via the front suction inlet 46. Two side airflows also enter the suction chamber 26 from around the end of the rear agitator 16, although these additional side airflows tend not to carry as much of the relatively large debris as the vacuum cleaner head moves forward.

[0069] Each of the supports 60 and 62 is provided with a guide member for directing debris entrained in the respective side airflow containing debris into the suction chamber 26. The outer surfaces of the supports 60 and 62 are each shaped to define a respective guide surface 78 and 80. The guide surfaces 78 and 80 are generally convex and shaped such that when debris impacts the guide surfaces 78 and 80, the debris bounces off towards the suction chamber 26.

[0070] First refer to Figure 6 When the vacuum cleaner head 10 moves forward on the floor surface (in the direction of arrow A1), the friction between the floor surface and the wheels 56, 58 causes the wheels 56, 58 and their supports 60, 62 to rotate. Figure 6 The orientation is shown. The guide surfaces 78 of the front support 60 are oriented such that they, together with the front agitator 14 and housings 66, 68, define a relatively narrow channel 82 extending from the front aperture 74 to the suction chamber 26. When a side airflow carrying debris enters the channel 82, the guide surfaces 78 of the front support 60 guide the debris towards the front suction inlet 46. The width of the channel 82 is designed to accelerate the airflow as it moves along the channel 82, which also facilitates the passage of debris into the suction chamber 26.

[0071] When the direction of the vacuum cleaner head's movement is reversed, causing the vacuum cleaner head to move backward toward the remaining debris (along... Figure 15(In the direction of the middle arrow A2), the two side airflows entering the suction chamber 26 from around the end of the rear agitator 16 carry more debris. The friction generated between the floor surface and the wheels 56, 58 causes the wheels 56, 58 and their supports 60, 62 to rotate 180° to Figure 15 The orientation is shown. The guide surfaces 80 of the rear support 62 are oriented such that they, together with the rear agitator 16 and the housings 66, 68, define a relatively narrow channel 84 that extends from the rear aperture 76 to the suction chamber 26. When a side airflow carrying debris enters the channel 84, the guide surfaces 80 of the rear support 62 guide the debris to the rear suction inlet 50.

[0072] Inside the suction chamber 26, the front edge 44 of the baffle plate 42 guides debris entrained in the two side airflows entering the suction chamber 26 via the channel 82 to the suction port 40, while the rear edge 48 of the baffle plate 42 guides debris entrained in the two side airflows entering the suction chamber 26 via the channel 84 to the suction port 40. Towards the center of the suction chamber 26, the four side airflows are each directed upwards by the corresponding surface 54 of the baffle 52 to the suction port 40, thereby carrying the entrained debris towards the duct 36 of the neck 18. The side airflows converge downstream of the baffle 52 and pass through the duct 36 into a vacuum cleaner, which separates the debris from the air.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner head for use in vacuum cleaning appliances, the vacuum cleaner head comprising: shell; A front agitator, the front agitator being supported to rotate relative to the housing in a first rotational direction; A rear agitator, which is supported to rotate relative to the housing in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction; The suction chamber located between the front agitator and the rear agitator; and A baffle located within the suction chamber; The suction chamber includes a suction port located above a baffle. During use, the baffle directs air towards the suction port. The vacuum cleaner head includes a front guide member and a rear guide member. The front guide member is attached to the housing and is used to guide debris from the end of the front agitator to the suction chamber during use. The rear guide member is attached to the housing and is used to guide debris from the end of the rear agitator to the suction chamber during use. Each of the front guide member and the rear guide member is rotatable relative to the housing.

2. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 1, wherein, The baffle is located directly below the suction port.

3. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 1, wherein, The baffle extends toward the suction port.

4. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 2, wherein, The baffle is roughly pyramidal in shape.

5. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 4, wherein, The baffle is disposed on a baffle plate and extends across the suction chamber.

6. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 5, wherein, The baffle plate is detachably connected to the housing.

7. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 5, wherein, The baffle plate is located at the bottom of the suction chamber.

8. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 5, wherein, The baffle plate at least partially defines a front suction inlet located between the baffle plate and the front agitator, and a rear suction inlet located between the baffle plate and the rear agitator.

9. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 8, wherein, The front suction inlet and the rear suction inlet are substantially the same size and the same shape.

10. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 5, wherein, The baffle plate includes a front edge adjacent to the front agitator and a rear edge adjacent to the rear agitator, wherein both the front edge and the rear edge taper inward toward the suction port.

11. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 1, wherein, The respective ends of each adjacent front agitator in the front guide member are positioned, and the respective ends of each adjacent rear agitator in the rear guide member are positioned.

12. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the front guide member and the rear guide member is rotatable relative to the housing about an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of the agitator.

13. The vacuum cleaner head of claim 1, comprising a plurality of boxes connected to the housing, each box including one of the front guide members and one of the rear guide members mounted to rotate relative to the box.

14. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 13, wherein, Each box engages with the corresponding side surface of the baffle.

15. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, Each of the front guide members, together with the front agitator, defines a corresponding channel along which entrained debris is guided by the front suction inlet, and each of the rear guide members, together with the rear agitator, defines a corresponding channel along which entrained debris is guided by the rear suction inlet.

16. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 15, wherein, Each of the front guide member and the rear guide member includes a convex guide surface for defining a corresponding channel in the channels.

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