Vacuum cleaner head for vacuum cleaner
By designing the conical agitator element and the arrangement of rotation in the vacuum cleaner head, the problems of hair tangling and direction limitations are solved, achieving more efficient dirt separation and all-round cleaning effects.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380041635.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-05-24
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-11
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing vacuum cleaner heads are prone to hair tangling problems during use, damage to the agitator elements and reduce cleaning performance, and it is difficult to move freely in all directions to collect dirt on the floor.
A vacuum cleaner head including a conical agitator element is designed, the conical agitator element shaped to move the hair toward the conical end along the length, reduce winding, and rotate and overhang arrangement through opposite directions of the two agitator elements. Achieve effective separation and collection of dirt, ensuring that the vacuum cleaner head can move in all directions and reach the walls and furniture edges to clean.
Effectively prevents hair tangling, improves dirt separation and collection efficiency, ensures that the vacuum cleaner head can move in all directions, reduces labor intensity during cleaning and avoids uncleaned parts of the floor.
Smart Images
Figure CN119233780A_ABST
Abstract
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 agitator elements 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, vacuum cleaner heads experience some degree of hair ingress during use, which means that hair can become lodged in or between components of the cleaner head. Hair can also become entangled in agitator elements, which can damage them and also reduce their ability to separate dirt and hair from the floor, particularly if a thick layer of hair becomes entangled in the agitator elements.
[0004] It is desirable for a vacuum cleaner to pick up as much dirt as possible from the floor surface with as few passes of the cleaner head over the floor surface as possible, so as to reduce the labor involved in vacuuming the floor. It is therefore desirable for the vacuum cleaner head to be able to move freely in all directions and to be able to collect dirt from the floor regardless of the direction of its movement. Furthermore, it is desirable for the vacuum cleaner head to be able to collect dirt from the edges of a room or furniture, so that no part of the floor is left uncleaned.
[0005] It is in this context that the present invention has been developed. Summary of the invention
[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner head comprising: a shell defining a suction chamber including an outlet, wherein the shell comprises a first side and a second side; a first agitator element mounted to rotate about a first axis; and a second agitator element mounted to rotate about a second axis, wherein the first agitator element comprises a first end and a second end, and has a shape that gradually tapers toward the first end in a direction along the first rotation axis, and wherein the first agitator element is located on the first side of the shell and the second agitator element is located on the second side of the shell.
[0007] The cleaner head of the present invention is advantageous because it allows dirt to be separated from the floor surface to be cleaned by the agitator elements before the dirt is sucked in the suction chamber, regardless of whether the cleaner head is moved under the guidance of the first or second agitator elements. In addition, the provision of the conical agitator elements helps prevent hair and other long fibers from becoming entangled in the agitator elements because hair and other long fibers tend to move along the length of the conical agitator elements towards the conical end where the hair and other fibers can be removed.
[0008] Optionally, the second agitator element comprises a first end and a second end, and has a shape tapering toward the first end in a direction along the second rotation axis, so that collection and removal of hair and long fibers can be achieved by two agitator elements.
[0009] The first and second agitator elements may optionally be configured to rotate in opposite directions to each other in use. This allows the direction of rotation to be optimized relative to the direction of travel of the cleaner head in use to maximize dirt removal in the direction of dirt towards the suction chamber.
[0010] The vacuum cleaner head may include a third agitator element mounted to rotate about a third axis, wherein: the first end of the first agitator element includes a free end; the third agitator element includes a first free end and a second end, and has a shape that tapers toward its first end in a direction along the third rotation axis; the first and third agitator elements extend from opposite sides of the first hub portion of the vacuum cleaner head at their respective second ends; and wherein the first and third agitator elements are located on the first side of the housing.
[0011] In this arrangement, two shorter tapered agitator elements can be used to separate dirt from the same width of the floor as one long agitator element. The shorter tapered agitator elements are beneficial because the cone angle can be steeper (within the available packaging space), which facilitates the movement of hair and other long fibers along the length of the agitator element toward the tapered end. The arrangement of the agitator elements with free ends helps provide floor cleaning right up to the edges of walls and furniture so that there are no strips of floor that are not touched by the agitator elements. In addition, the attachment of the agitator elements to opposite sides of a single hub facilitates rotation of the two agitator elements by a common drive mechanism.
[0012] In one example, the cleaner head includes a fourth agitator element mounted to rotate about a fourth axis, wherein: the first end of the second agitator element includes a free end; the fourth agitator element includes a first free end and a second end and has a shape that tapers toward its first end in a direction along the fourth axis of rotation; the second and fourth agitator elements are cantilevered from opposite sides of the second hub portion of the cleaner head at their respective second ends; and wherein the second and fourth agitator elements are located on the second side of the housing. This arrangement also provides the same advantages on the second side of the cleaner head as described above for the first side of the cleaner head.
[0013] Optionally, the cleaner head comprises a motor for rotating the first or second agitator element in use, wherein the motor is at least partially located within the first or second agitator element. Positioning at least part of the motor in the agitator element facilitates efficient packaging, thereby reducing the overall size of the cleaner head.
[0014] The first or second agitator element may optionally be configured to rotate about the motor in use, such that the motor remains stationary in use.
[0015] The cleaner head may comprise a transmission system arranged, in use, to transmit drive from the motor to the first and second agitator elements so that only one motor need be used.
[0016] In one example, the cleaner head comprises a further motor, wherein the motor is located at least partially within the first agitator element, and wherein the further motor is located at least partially within the second agitator element.
[0017] Optionally, the housing includes a cover element configured to cover an upper surface portion of the one or more agitator elements to help protect the agitator elements from impact during use and storage.
[0018] One or more of the agitator elements may optionally include a fabric covering and / or bristles on an outermost surface of the agitator element to aid in removing dirt from the floor surface.
[0019] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head as described above.
[0020] Features described in conjunction with the first aspect of the invention are equally applicable to the second aspect of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum cleaner head; and
[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional plan view of a vacuum cleaner head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Figure 1 and 2 A vacuum cleaner head 1 is shown comprising a housing 10 and four agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23. The housing 1 has a cover element 40, a first side 13, a second side 14, a first edge 15 and a second edge 16 which define a suction chamber 11 comprising an outlet 12. The agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 are rotatably mounted on either side 13, 14 of the housing 10, as will be described in more detail below.
[0024] The terms "lowermost" and "uppermost" are used in the following description with reference to the orientation of the vacuum cleaner head 1 in use. It should be understood that these terms are used for clarity and convenience and should not be construed as limiting.
[0025] The vacuum cleaner head 1 is detachably attached to a vacuum cleaner wand (not shown) via a wand connector 5. The wand connector 5 is in fluid communication with an outlet 12 of a suction chamber 11 via a flexible hose 3. The pivotable connectors 2, 4 provide a multi-axial connection between the wand connector 5 and the vacuum cleaner head 1.
[0026] The agitator elements include a first agitator element 20, a second agitator element 21, a third agitator element 22 and a fourth agitator element 23. Each agitator element 20, 21, 22, 23 has a shape that tapers from a second end 25 of the respective agitator element toward a first end 24 of the respective agitator element in a direction along the axis of rotation of the agitator element. In this way, the agitator elements are frustoconical, with their smallest end 24 being located at the outermost edge 15, 16 of the housing 10. Although not shown in the figures, one or more of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 may include a fabric covering and / or bristles located on the outermost surface of the agitator element.
[0027] The frustoconical shape of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 is advantageous because any hair or other long fibers that are entangled around the agitator elements tend to move along the agitator elements in a direction from the larger diameter second end 25 of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 to the smaller diameter first end 24 of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23. When the hair reaches the first end of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23, it tends to fall off in the form of a hair ball. The vacuum cleaner head 1 can then pass over the hair ball so formed in order to be picked up by suction and removed to a dustbin together with the remaining dirt on the floor. Because the hair strands are now in the form of a hair ball, the hair cannot be entangled again on the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23.
[0028] The heads of the first agitator 20 and the third agitator 22 cantilever at their respective second ends 25 from opposite sides of a first hub portion 26 of the vacuum cleaner head 1. Similarly, the heads of the second agitator 21 and the fourth agitator 23 cantilever at their respective second ends 25 from opposite sides of a second hub portion 27 of the vacuum cleaner head 1. The cantilevered arrangement of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 is advantageous in that no hub or bearing is required at the outermost edge of the vacuum cleaner head 1, thereby allowing the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 to extend to the edge of the vacuum cleaner head 1 so that the floor surface to be cleaned can be effectively cleaned to the edges of walls and furniture.
[0029] The first hub portion 26 is located adjacent the first side 13 of the housing 10 and the second hub portion is located adjacent the second side 14 of the housing 10. The agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 are supported by the hub portions 26, 27 such that the lowermost surfaces of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 are located adjacent the floor surface to be cleaned in use. To achieve this, the rotational axis 30 of the first agitator element 20 is angled relative to the rotational axis 32 of the third agitator element 22 and the rotational axis 31 of the second agitator element 21 is angled relative to the rotational axis 33 of the fourth agitator element 23 such that the lowermost edges of the second ends 25 of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 are located adjacent to each other.
[0030] The positioning of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 on either side of the housing 10 is advantageous as this facilitates use of the vacuum cleaner head 1 in either the forward or backward direction. This, together with the pivot connectors 2, 4, allows the vacuum cleaner head 1 to be easily moved in all directions when cleaning a floor. In a preferred embodiment, the agitator elements 20, 22 located on the first side 13 of the housing 10 rotate in a first direction, such as counterclockwise, while the agitator elements 21, 23 located on the second side 14 of the housing 10 rotate in an opposite second direction, such as clockwise. However, the direction of rotation of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 should not be considered limiting, but depends on the specific design and configuration of the vacuum cleaner head.
[0031] As described above, the housing 10 includes a cover element 40, which defines the uppermost surface 41 of the suction chamber 11. The outlet 12 is located in the uppermost surface 41 of the cover element 40. The cover element has a first agitator element cover portion 42 and a second agitator element cover portion 44. In the exemplary embodiment, the first and second agitator element cover portions 42, 44 are integral with the uppermost surface 41. However, in other embodiments, the agitator element cover portions 42, 44 can be formed separately from the uppermost surface 41 before being assembled with the uppermost surface 41 to form the cover element 40.
[0032] The first agitator element cover portion 42 is configured to cover the uppermost surfaces of the first and third agitator elements 20 and 22, and the second agitator element cover portion 44 is configured to cover the uppermost surfaces of the second and fourth agitator elements 21 and 23. The cover portions 42, 44 are used to protect the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 from impact during use and storage.
[0033] The agitator element cover portions 42, 44 have a shape that generally conforms to the shape of the uppermost surfaces of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23, and are positioned so that only a gap exists between the uppermost surfaces of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 and the agitator element cover portions 42, 44, so that the cover portions 42, 44 do not hinder the rotation of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 during use. The agitator element cover portions 42, 44 are not required, and one or both of the agitator element cover portions 42, 44 may be omitted or replaced by a different type of cover.
[0034] refer to Figure 2 The vacuum cleaner head 1 has a first motor 50 for rotating the first agitator element 20 and the third agitator element 22 in use, and a second motor 52 for rotating the second agitator element 21 and the fourth agitator element 23 in use. The first motor 50 is located in the first hub portion 26 and extends into the interior of the first agitator element 20 and the third agitator element 22. Similarly, the second motor 52 is located in the interior of the second hub portion 27 and extends into the interior of the second agitator element 21 and the fourth agitator element 23.
[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head 1 may have only one motor for rotating the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23. For example, a single motor may be located in the first agitator element 20 and the third agitator element 22 and connected to drive the second agitator element 21 and the fourth agitator element 23 via a gear, the gear passing through the uppermost surface 41 of the suction chamber 11 or the cover element 40. It should be understood that this arrangement can be reversed so that a single motor is located in the second agitator element 21 and the fourth agitator element 23 and is connected to drive the first agitator element 20 and the third agitator element 22 via a gear. In another alternative embodiment, one or more motors may be located in the housing above or below the cover element 40 of the housing 10 and connected to the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 via suitable gears.
[0036] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many different configurations of vacuum cleaner heads are possible. For example, in one example embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head 1 may have only one frustoconical agitator element located on each side of the housing 10. In this case, the hair collected by the agitator element travels in one direction only on each side of the vacuum cleaner head, so that the hair balls fall off the agitator element at one edge 15, 16 on each side 13, 14 of the cleaner head 1. In this example embodiment, the frustoconical agitator elements may be oriented in the same or opposite directions to each other, so that the smallest diameter ends of the agitator elements are located at the same edge of the housing 10 or at opposite edges of the housing 10. Preferably, the agitator elements in this embodiment extend across the entire width of the vacuum cleaner head 1 to maximize the width of the floor that can be cleaned in one pass of the cleaner head.
[0037] In another example, the vacuum cleaner head 1 may have one or more cylindrical agitator elements on one side of the housing 10, and one or more frustoconical agitator heads on the other side of the housing 10. In this case, preferably, the vacuum cleaner head 1 is provided with markings to indicate to the user the direction in which the vacuum cleaner head 1 should be moved first in order to pick up hair with the frustoconical elements, thereby avoiding hair from being entangled in the cylindrical elements.
[0038] For embodiments having more than one frustoconical agitator element on at least one side of the housing 10, the agitator elements may be arranged with their largest diameter ends facing each other (as described above with reference to Figure 1 and 2 1 ), their smallest diameter ends facing each other, or the largest diameter end of one agitator element facing the smallest end of an adjacent agitator element. In the event that the smallest ends of the agitator elements are not located at the edges 15, 16 of the vacuum cleaner head 1, a lint removal device such as a comb can be used to remove lint from the smallest ends of the agitator elements so that they can be released into the suction chamber 11 for removal into a dustbin.
[0039] Refer to above Figure 1 and 2 In the depicted embodiment, the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 are cantilevered from the hub portions 26, 27. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this is not critical to the operation of the vacuum cleaner head 1 and that any of the agitator element arrangements described above may be mounted in any suitable manner, including from both ends.
Claims
1. A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner, the cleaner head comprising: a housing defining a suction chamber including an outlet, wherein the housing includes a first side and a second side; a first agitator element mounted for rotation about a first axis; and a second agitator element mounted for rotation about a second axis, wherein the first agitator element comprises a first end and a second end, and has a shape that tapers toward the first end in a direction along the first rotation axis, and The first agitator element is located on a first side of the housing, and the second agitator element is located on a second side of the housing. 2 . The cleaner head according to claim 1 , wherein the second agitator element comprises a first end and a second end, and has a shape that tapers toward the first end in a direction along the second rotation axis.
3. A cleaner head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second agitator elements are arranged to rotate in opposite directions to each other in use.
4. A cleaner head according to any preceding claim, comprising a third agitator element mounted for rotation about a third axis, wherein: The first end of the first agitator element includes a free end; The third agitator element comprises a first free end and a second end, and has a shape tapering toward its first end in a direction along the third rotation axis; The first and third agitator elements cantilever at their respective second ends from opposite sides of the first hub portion of the cleaner head; and Wherein the first agitator element and the third agitator element are located on a first side of the housing.
5. A cleaner head according to any preceding claim, comprising a fourth agitator element mounted for rotation about a fourth axis, wherein: The first end of the second agitator element includes a free end; The fourth agitator element comprises a first free end and a second end, and has a shape tapering toward its first end in a direction along the fourth rotation axis; The second and fourth agitator elements cantilever at their respective second ends from opposite sides of a second hub portion of the cleaner head; and The second agitator element and the fourth agitator element are located on a second side of the housing.
6. A cleaner head as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a motor for rotating the first or second agitator element in use, wherein the motor is at least partly located within the first or second agitator element.
7. A cleaner head according to claim 6, wherein the first agitator element or the second agitator element is arranged to rotate about the motor in use.
8. A cleaner head as claimed in claim 6 or 7, comprising a transmission system arranged, in use, to transmit drive from the motor to the first and second agitator elements.
9. A cleaner head as claimed in claim 6 or 7, comprising a further motor, wherein the motor is located at least partly within the first agitator element, and wherein the further motor is located at least partly within the second agitator element.
10. A cleaner head as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises a cover element configured to cover an upper surface portion of one or more agitator elements.
11. A cleaner head as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more agitator elements comprises a fabric covering.
12. A cleaner head as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more agitator elements comprise bristles located on an outermost surface of the agitator element.
13. A vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head according to any preceding claim.