Dust collector head of hard floor dust collector

Abstract

A cleaner head (6) for a hard floor cleaner (2) is provided. The vacuum cleaner head (6) comprises an elongated roller (10), a helical screw (22), a carrier head (25) and a contact member (40). The elongate roller (10) is configured to rotate about a roller axis (16) and the helical screw (22) is configured to rotate about a screw axis (26), the screw axis (26) being offset from the roller axis (16). The carrier head (25) is mounted to the helical screw (22) and is configured to travel along the screw axis (26) upon rotation of the helical screw (22). A contact member (40) extends from the carrier head (25) and is arranged to contact an outer surface of the roller (10) so as to urge debris (18) located on the outer surface towards an end (12b) of the roller (10).

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Wet floor vacuum cleaners with motor-driven rotating mop rollers are becoming increasingly popular. These vacuum cleaners outperform traditional mops because the motor-driven mop roller can make far more passes over a contaminated area of ​​the floor in any given time period than a traditional mop could.

[0002] However, as the mop roller rotates against the floor, fibrous debris (such as hair) is drawn around the roller, where it accumulates and becomes tangled. This buildup of debris on the mop roller reduces its cleaning performance and can cause blockages inside the vacuum cleaner, preventing the roller from rotating as usual. Removing such debris from the roller usually requires the user to manually untangle or cut the debris from the roller. This is not only time-consuming and difficult, but this manual handling can also damage the cleaning surface of the mop roller.

[0003] It is against this backdrop that the present invention was designed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the present invention, a vacuum cleaner head for a hard floor vacuum cleaner is provided. A hard floor vacuum cleaner including the vacuum cleaner head is also provided. The vacuum cleaner head includes an elongated roller or mop roller configured to rotate about a roller axis. The vacuum cleaner head also includes a helical screw configured to rotate about a screw axis offset from the roller axis. The vacuum cleaner head further includes a carrier head or housing mounted to the helical screw and configured to travel along the screw axis as the helical screw rotates. The vacuum cleaner head also includes a contact member extending from the carrier head and arranged to contact the outer surface of the roller to push debris located on the outer surface toward an end of the roller.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides an apparatus for automatically removing debris, particularly filamentous debris, from rollers when a vacuum cleaner head is in use.

[0006] The bearing head can be configured to reciprocate along the screw axis as the screw rotates. This reciprocating motion can be achieved by providing a screw with a double helical thread. Therefore, the screw only needs to rotate in one direction to move the bearing head back and forth in both directions along the screw axis. This simplifies the drive arrangement used to drive the screw rotation.

[0007] The forward direction can be defined as along the screw axis toward the end of the roller. The contact member can define a front surface extending toward the outer surface of the roller. The front surface of the contact member can extend perpendicularly toward the outer surface of the roller. Alternatively, the front surface can extend toward the outer surface at an angle. The front surface can be angled from the bearing head toward the end of the roller. The contact member can also define a rear surface extending from the bearing head toward the outer surface of the roller. The rear surface can be congruent to and spaced apart from the front surface. The rear surface can also be parallel to the front surface.

[0008] A vacuum cleaner head may include multiple contact members having such front and rear surfaces. These contact members, or each contact member, may be rigid. Alternatively, the contact members may be flexible, for example, in the form of a brush. Such a brush may have tough yet flexible bristles.

[0009] The roller may include a flexible outer layer of material for contacting the surface to be cleaned. The outer layer may be an absorbent material for applying cleaning fluid to the surface. The outer surface of the roller may include microfiber material or foam, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foam.

[0010] The vacuum cleaner head may also include a pressure member that extends from the carrier head and is arranged to compress the outer surface of the roller during use as the roller rotates. By compressing the outer surface of the roller, the pressure member can be used to remove excess moisture from the roller. The pressure member may be in the form of a rectangular plate, but other shapes are conceivable. In the case where the pressure member has a generally rectangular shape, the corners may be rounded. For example, the pressure member may be made of metal, hard plastic, or compliant plastic (such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)). The pressure member may be integrally formed with the carrier head or may be mounted to the carrier head as a separate part.

[0011] The helical screw may include a first helical screw thread arranged to engage with a bearing head, such that the bearing head travels along the screw axis as the helical screw rotates. The helical screw may also include a second helical screw thread having a direction of rotation opposite to that of the first helical screw thread. This provides reciprocating motion such that when the bearing head engages with the second helical thread, the bearing head travels along the screw in the opposite direction to when the bearing head engages with the first thread. The first and second screw threads may be connected toward one or both ends of the screw to allow the bearing head to move between the screw threads. The screw threads may be female or male threads, engaging with corresponding male or female portions on the bearing head.

[0012] The pitch of the second helical screw thread can differ from that of the first helical screw thread. This allows the carrier head to move at different speeds as it travels along the length of the roller in opposite directions, even when the helical screw is rotating at the same rate. A larger pitch will mean the carrier head travels faster along the length of the roller, while a smaller pitch will mean the carrier head travels slower.

[0013] In some embodiments, the pitch of the first helical screw thread and / or the pitch of the second helical screw thread vary along the length of the helical screw. This allows the bearing head to travel at different speeds at different locations along the length of the roller.

[0014] For example, the pitch of the first and / or second helical screw threads may be larger toward at least one end of the helical screw than the center of the helical screw. This can be particularly advantageous when the hydration element or fluid inlet is located on the bearing head, as it will provide less hydration at the edge of the roll and more hydration at the center of the roll without altering the flow rate of the fluid from the fluid inlet.

[0015] In another example, the pitch of the first helical screw thread and / or the pitch of the second helical screw thread are smaller toward at least one end of the helical screw compared to the center of the helical screw. This can be particularly advantageous when the bearing head has contact members for pushing debris away from the roller, as this allows the velocity of the contact members to slow down toward the end of the roller, which can improve the ease with which debris is pushed away from the end of the roller. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a wet floor vacuum cleaner with a vacuum cleaner head according to an example of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the interior of a vacuum cleaner head, which includes rollers and roller cleaning components;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A close-up perspective view of the rollers and roller cleaning components;

[0019] Figures 4a to 4c yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the rollers and roller cleaning assembly in use;

[0020] Figure 5a and 5b yes Figure 1 A schematic close-up view of the rollers of the vacuum cleaner head and other examples of roller cleaning components;

[0021] Figure 6a and 6b yes Figure 1 A schematic close-up view of the rollers of the vacuum cleaner head and other examples of roller cleaning components;

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another example of the rollers and roller cleaning assembly of a vacuum cleaner head. Detailed Implementation

[0023] In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide a vacuum cleaner head for a hard floor vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner head being adapted to automatically remove filamentous debris from a cleaning roller. The vacuum cleaner head includes a roller cleaning assembly that utilizes a carrier head mounted on a auger screw for reciprocating motion along the length of the roller during use of the floor vacuum cleaner. The carrier head includes a contact member for pushing or sweeping debris away from one or both ends of the roller during the reciprocating motion of the carrier head.

[0024] To provide context for the present invention, Figure 1 A wet floor vacuum cleaner 2 is shown, comprising a body 4 having a vacuum cleaner head 6 attached to its lower end. An elongated handle 8 extends upward from the body 4 and is arranged to allow a user to operate the wet floor vacuum cleaner 2 from a standing position on a hard floor surface. Typically, the vacuum cleaner head 6 is adapted to collect debris and moisture from the floor surface when operating the wet floor vacuum cleaner 2.

[0025] Figure 2 The interior of the vacuum cleaner head 6 is shown in more detail. The vacuum cleaner head 6 includes a housing (not shown) that defines a cavity or roller cavity that opens to the floor surface; and an elongated roller 10 arranged within the cavity to contact the floor surface when the floor vacuum cleaner 2 is positioned for use.

[0026] The elongated roller 10 is typically cylindrical in shape and extends between two ends 12a and 12b, thereby defining an axis 16, or roller axis, around which the roller 10 can rotate. The roller 10 is mounted within a cavity such that, as the floor vacuum cleaner 2 moves across the floor surface, the roller axis 16 is substantially parallel to the floor surface and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner head 6. Therefore, in use, the roller 10 rotates against the floor surface, thereby drawing filamentous debris 18 (such as hair) into the roller cavity, where the filamentous debris 18 wraps around the roller 10 as it continues to rotate.

[0027] Roller 10 includes a body made of, for example, hard plastic and an outer surface that includes a softer material, such as microfibers or PVA foam, which is particularly suitable for trapping debris and absorbing moisture.

[0028] A motor (not shown) is coupled to one or both ends 12a and 12b of roller 10 and arranged to drive roller 10 to rotate about roller axis 16. Alternatively, the motor may be positioned inside roller 10. More specifically, in use, the motor drives roller 10 in the rolling direction (R), in which the foremost side of roller 10 rotates downward toward the floor surface. In the context of this specification, it should be understood that when the vacuum cleaner head 6 is in a forward direction away from the user (…),… Figure 1 As the roller (as indicated by arrow A) pushes across the floor surface, the foremost part of the roller 10 is the portion located in front of the roller axis 16.

[0029] The roller cleaning assembly 20 is also arranged inside the housing of the vacuum cleaner head 6. The roller cleaning assembly 20 includes a screw 22, a guide rod 24, and a carrier head 25 mounted to the screw 22 and the guide rod 24.

[0030] As shown, the helical screw 22 is in the form of an elongated rod with a longitudinal axis 26 or screw axis arranged from the elongated roller 10, offset from and parallel to the roller axis 16. A motor (not shown) is arranged to drive the helical screw 22 to rotate about its screw axis 26. The helical screw 22 can be driven by the same motor that drives the roller 10, for example via a gear arrangement or a drive belt.

[0031] The elongated rod of the helical screw 22 includes a pair of continuous grooves 28a and 28b formed in its surface; the first groove 28a spirals around the rod in a clockwise direction from one end 30a to the other end 30b, and the second groove 28b spirals around the rod in a counterclockwise direction from one end 30a to the other end 30b. The two grooves 28a and 28b have the same constant helical pitch, such that they intersect at regular intervals along the length of the elongated rod, thereby forming a female double-helix screw thread.

[0032] In an alternative embodiment, the grooves 28a and 28b can be arranged with different helical pitches, such that the bearing head 25 travels faster along the helical screw 22 in one direction than in the other. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when paired with a contact member 40 (described further below) having an asymmetrical shape, which sweeps away debris as the bearing head 25 travels in one direction but not when traveling in the other direction.

[0033] Furthermore, the pitch of each groove 28a, 28b can vary along the length of the elongated rod, causing the bearing head 25 to travel at a varying speed along the length of the helical screw 22. In this way, the bearing head 25 can be slowed down or paused at locations on the roller where extra care may be required. For example, the grooves 28a, 28b can be configured to slow down or pause the bearing head 25 at the ends 30a, 30b of the roller 10, thereby allowing additional time for debris 18 to accumulate in front of the contact member 40 and fall off from the ends 30a, 30b of the roller 10. Similarly, the grooves 28a, 28b can be configured to slow down the bearing head 25 at the center of the roller 10 to allow the installed fluid inlet 50 (described further below) to more thoroughly wet the central portion of the roller.

[0034] Figure 3 The bearing head 25 is shown in more detail. The bearing head 25 is formed in two halves that are joined together to form a body 31. When assembled, the body 31 includes a through hole 32 with a male internal thread corresponding to the female double-helix thread of the helical screw 22. Thus, when assembled, the thread of the helical screw 22 engages with the internal thread of the bearing head 25, such that the bearing head 25 is mounted around the helical screw 22, which extends through the through hole 32.

[0035] Turn to Figure 2 The guide rod 24 is a slender rod with its longitudinal axis 36 arranged parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axes 26 and 16 of both the screw 22 and the roller 10. The length of the guide rod 24 is approximately the same as the length of the screw 22.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown more clearly in the diagram, the bearing head 25 also includes a guide hole 34, which is arranged to slide around a guide rod 24 when the bearing head 25 is mounted to the helical screw 22. Therefore, as the helical screw 22 rotates about the screw axis 26, the guide rod 24 prevents the engaged bearing head 25 from rotating as well. As a result, the bearing head 25 is instead pushed along the double helical screw thread to travel from one end 30a to the other end 30b of the helical screw 22. When the bearing head 25 reaches the other end 30b of the helical screw 22, the double helical screw thread forces the bearing head 25 to change direction and travel along the helical screw 22 to return to the starting end 30a. In this way, and as indicated by arrow B, the bearing head 25 reciprocates along the screw axis 26 of the helical screw 22 as the helical screw 22 rotates.

[0037] The roller cleaning assembly 20 also includes a contact member 40 extending from the carrier head 25 and arranged to contact the outer surface of the roller 10, such that as the roller 10 rotates, the contact member 40 pushes debris 18 collected on the outer surface of the roller 10 toward one end 12a, 12b of the roller 10. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the example shown, the contact member 40 takes the form of a rigid rectangular tab that extends away from the body 31 of the support head 25, such that the farthest surface 42 of the tab is parallel to and contacts the outer surface of the roller 10. Thus, the tab defines opposing surfaces 44a and 44b that are used to sweep or plow over the outer surface of the roller 10 as the support head 6 reciprocates along the screw axis 26 of the helical screw 22. The contact member 40 may extend from one or both halves of the body 31 of the support head 25. The farthest surface 42 is typically defined to have a length much shorter than the length of the roller 10. For example, the length of the farthest surface 42 may be about 2% to 15% of the length of the roller 10. In a preferred embodiment, the farthest surface 42 has about 2% to 8% of the length of the roller 10. Such a ratio allows for a greater stroke along the length of the roller 10, which can aid in debris removal. This also helps reduce power consumption due to reduced interference between the contact member 40 and the roller 10.

[0038] like Figures 4a to 4c As shown, with each pass of the carrier head 25, the contact member 40 pushes the linear debris 18a that has been wrapped around the roller 10 toward the ends 12a, 12b of the roller 10, and the carrier head 25 travels toward the ends 12a, 12b until the debris 18 is finally pushed away from the ends 12a, 12b of the roller 10, where the debris 18 can be easily removed from the vacuum cleaner head 6.

[0039] More in detail, Figure 4a and 4b The image depicts the bearing head 25 moving along the helical screw 22 from end 30a to end 30b. This forward direction of travel is determined by... Figure 4a Arrow D indicates this. As the bearing head 25 travels, the front surface 44b of the contact member 40 pushes the debris 18a together and then along the roller 10 to the end 12b. Once the bearing head 25 reaches the end 30b of the screw 22, the passage of the bearing head 25 is complete.

[0040] Then, the direction of travel of the bearing head 25 is reversed, causing it to return toward the end 30a of the screw 22, as... Figure 4c As indicated by arrow D in the diagram. This direction of travel now defines the forward direction of the bearing head 25. (As shown in the diagram...) Figure 4c As shown, when the carrier head 25 performs its first pass, the debris 18b, which was pulled onto the roller 10 and located behind the carrier head 25, is now in front of the carrier head 25 and in place so that the contact member 40 can remove it on the next pass. Therefore, as the carrier head 25 travels from end 30b to end 30a, the front surface 44a of the contact member 40 pushes the debris 18b together and along the roller 10 toward end 12a of the roller 10.

[0041] Figure 5a and 5b An alternative embodiment of the contact member 40 is shown. Figure 5a In the illustrated embodiment, the contact member 40 has a trapezoidal shape and includes opposing surfaces 44a and 44b that extend from the support head 25 toward the outer surface of the roller 10 at an angle (α). More specifically, surface 44b is angled from the support head 25 toward the end 30b of the roller 10, while the opposing surface 44a is angled from the support head 25 toward the other end 30a of the roller 10. In the illustrated example, the trapezoidal shape of the contact member 40 is symmetrical, such that the angle (α) of each of the opposing surfaces 44a and 44b is the same. However, in other examples, the trapezoidal shape may be asymmetrical, such that surfaces 44a and 44b contact the outer surface of the roller 10 at different angles of inclination.

[0042] Because the nearest corresponding ends 12a, 12b of the roller 10 are angled, each surface 44a, 44b is better able to scoop the debris 18 onto the contact member 40, making it easier to push it to the corresponding ends 30a, 30b of the roller 10.

[0043] according to Figure 5b In the embodiment shown, the contact member 40 has an asymmetrical parallelogram shape and includes opposing surfaces 44a and 44b that extend from the support head 25 toward the outer surface of the roller 10 at an angle (α). More specifically, the two surfaces 44a and 44b are angled from the support head 25 toward one end 30b of the axis 10. In this way, the surface 44b closest to the roller end serves as a pushing surface, while the other surface 44a (referred to herein as the rear surface) does not serve as a pushing surface. That is, the rear surface 44a is congruent to and spaced apart from the front surface 44b to extend from the support head 25 to the outer surface of the roller 10. In the example shown, the rear surface 44a is parallel to the front surface 44b, but this is not always the case.

[0044] More specifically, as the carrier head 25 travels forward from end 30a to 30b, as indicated by arrow D', the front surface 44a pushes the debris 18 together and then along axis 10 toward end 12b, as previously described. Then, as the carrier head 25 travels in the opposite direction from end 30b to 30a, as indicated by arrow D'", the rear surface 44b passes over any debris 18 remaining on the outer surface of roller 10 without disrupting its position. Then, as the carrier head 25 again passes forward along the helical screw 22 in direction D', the front surface 44b pushes the remaining debris 18 toward end 12b of the roller. This configuration of the contact member 40 ensures that the debris 18 is continuously pushed to the same end 12b of the roller. In this way, the debris 18 removed from roller 10 will only collect at one end 12b, thus allowing for easier removal from the vacuum cleaner head 6.

[0045] Figure 6a Another embodiment of the roller cleaning assembly 20 is shown. In this embodiment, a plurality of rigid contact members 40 extend in series from the carrier head 25 to form a comb 46. In the example shown, the comb 46 includes a front surface 44a and a rear surface 44b, which are aligned with a reference surface. Figure 5b The contact members 40 are arranged in the same manner as described. In the example shown, each of the contact members 40 is identical and spaced regularly in the longitudinal direction. The contact members 40 are angled from the end 30b of the bearing head 25 toward the roller 10.

[0046] Figure 6b Another embodiment of a roller cleaning assembly 20 including a plurality of contact members 40 is shown. In this example, the plurality of contact members 40 are non-rigid and are in the form of bristles, which are bundled together to form a brush 48 having a front surface 44a and a rear surface 44b, which are aligned with the above reference. Figure 5b The same arrangement is described. The bristles are angled from the bearing head 25 toward one end 30b of the roller 10. In similar embodiments, the contact members may be in the form of multiple discrete bristle clusters.

[0047] Figure 7 A modified version of the roller cleaning assembly 20 described above is shown. Although the example shown has the same references as above... Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figures 4a to 4cThe contact member 40 is described, but it should be understood that the contact member 40 can take any of the forms described above. In some examples, the contact member 40 is not present at all. The roller cleaning assembly 20 also includes a fluid inlet 50, which is attached to the carrier head 25 and arranged to deliver fluid to the roller cavity to wet the roller 10. More specifically, the fluid inlet 50 is arranged to wet the roller 10 directly in front of the carrier head 25. Thus, as the roller 10 rotates, it applies a cleaning wetting fluid to the floor surface, which helps to clean stains and residues on the floor. When the fluid inlet 50 is attached to the carrier head 25, the wetting fluid is distributed along the length of the roller as the carrier head 25 reciprocates, such that the entire roller 10 is wetted.

[0048] The roller cleaning assembly 20 also includes a compactor or pressure member 52 that extends from the bearing head 25 toward the roller and is arranged to compress the outer surface of the roller 10 as the roller rotates. In the example shown, the pressure member 52 is arranged to extend toward the outer surface of the roller behind the fluid inlet 50, relative to the rolling direction (R) of the roller 10. Thus, as the roller 10 rotates, the pressure member 52 is used to squeeze the outer surface of the roller 10 to remove excess fluid from it. When the pressure member 52 is positioned behind the fluid inlet 50 relative to the rotation direction (R) of the roller, the outer surface of the roller 10 is first “dried” by the pressure member 52 and then rewetted by the fluid inlet 50 as the roller 10 rotates. In this way, the roller 10 is continuously wetted with cleaning fluid while dirty fluid is continuously removed.

[0049] In other embodiments, the pressure member 52 may be positioned in front of the fluid inlet 50 relative to the rotational direction (R) of the roller, such that excess dirty cleaning fluid on the outer surface of the roller 10 is diluted with fresh cleaning fluid before being expelled from the roller 10 by the pressure member 52. Such an arrangement can result in improved removal of dirt and debris from the roller 10.

[0050] When the pressure member 52 is attached to the bearing head 25, the wetting and drying actions are performed along the entire length of the roller 10 as the bearing head 25 reciprocates. The pressure member 52 can be integrally formed with the bearing head 25 to achieve the same effect.

[0051] The pressure member 52 is arranged in front of the contact member 40 relative to the rolling direction (R), such that during use, the contact member 40 operates on the wet, uncompressed portion of the roller 10. Thus, as described above, the contact member 40 easily collects debris 18 from the roller 10.

[0052] More specifically, the pressure member 52 is in the form of a rectangular plate and includes a contact edge 54 parallel to the roller axis. The pressure member 52 is made of a rigid material such as hard plastic, but other materials are also suitable. In this way, the contact edge 54 of the pressure member 52 presses into the outer surface of the roller 10 to perform a scraper-like action that forces moisture out of the roller 20, where it can be collected in a reservoir or tank (not shown) below. The corners 56a, 56b of the pressure member 52 are rounded to prevent debris from accumulating on the pressure member 52 as the bearing head 25 reciprocates along the helical screw 22.

[0053] In some embodiments, the roller cleaning assembly 20 may include a fluid inlet 50 mounted to the carrier head 25, but without a contact member 40 or a pressure member 52. Thus, this roller cleaning assembly 20 is arranged to provide hydration only to the roller 10, without providing means for removing filamentous debris or moisture from the roller.

[0054] The roller cleaning assembly 20 can be used in a vacuum cleaner head 6, which includes, for example, a pair of rollers 10 arranged adjacent to each other in a forward / backward direction (i.e., the long sides of the rollers are adjacent to each other, rather than end-to-end). In such an embodiment, the roller cleaning assembly 20 includes a common helical screw 22, a guide rod 24, and a carrier head 25 configured to reciprocate along the helical screw 22, as described above.

[0055] However, in order to remove debris from the two rollers 10, the roller cleaning assembly 20 includes two contact members 40, such as Figure 3 As shown. A first contact member 40 is disposed in contact with the outer surface of the first roller 10, and a second contact member 40' is disposed in contact with the outer surface of the second roller (not shown). In addition, in order to wet and dry the two rollers, the roller cleaning assembly 20 may include two fluid inlets 50 and two corresponding pressure members 52: the first of each is arranged to wet and dry the first roller 10 respectively, and the second of each is arranged to wet and dry the second roller 10 respectively.

[0056] A common helical screw 22 can be arranged between the two rollers 10, such that the roller cleaning assembly 20 is symmetrical about the screw axis 26. Alternatively, the helical screw 22 can be arranged closer to one of the rollers 10, such that the roller cleaning assembly 20 is asymmetrical.

[0057] In both single-roller and double-roller arrangements, the roller 10 can be arranged to be suspended within the roller cavity, such that one end 30b of the roller 10 is free. This arrangement facilitates easier removal of linear debris from the free end 30b. This suspended roller 10 also provides improved edge-to-edge cleaning of floor surfaces.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner head for a hard floor vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner head comprising: An elongated roller configured to rotate about a roller axis; A helical screw, the helical screw being configured to rotate about a screw axis, wherein the screw axis is offset from the roller axis; A bearing head, which is mounted to the screw and configured to travel along the screw axis as the screw rotates; and A contact member extending from the bearing head and arranged to contact the outer surface of the roller to push debris located on the outer surface toward the end of the roller.

2. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 1, wherein, The bearing head is configured to reciprocate along the screw axis when the screw rotates.

3. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The forward direction is defined as along the screw axis toward the end of the roller, and the contact member defines a front surface that extends at an inclined angle toward the outer surface of the roller.

4. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 3, wherein, The front surface is angled from the end of the bearing head toward the roller.

5. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The contact member defines a rear surface that is congruent to the front surface, wherein the rear surface is spaced apart from the front surface and extends toward the outer surface of the roller.

6. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 5, wherein, The rear surface is parallel to the front surface.

7. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 6, comprising a plurality of contact members.

8. The vacuum cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The contact member, or each contact member, is rigid.

9. The vacuum cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The contact member or each contact member is integrally formed with the bearing head.

10. The vacuum cleaner head according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The contact components are in the form of brushes.

11. The vacuum cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The roller includes a flexible material outer layer for contacting the surface to be cleaned.

12. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 11, wherein, The outer layer is an absorbent material used to apply cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned.

13. The vacuum cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The outer surface of the roller comprises microfiber material or foam, preferably PVA foam.

14. The vacuum cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims further includes a pressure member extending from the bearing head and arranged to compress the outer surface of the roller during use when the roller rotates.

15. The vacuum cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The helical screw includes a first helical screw thread arranged to engage with a bearing head such that the bearing head travels along the screw axis as the helical screw rotates.

16. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 15, wherein, The helical screw also includes a second helical screw thread having a rotational direction opposite to that of the first helical screw thread, preferably wherein the pitch of the second helical screw thread is different from that of the first helical screw thread.

17. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, The pitch of the first helical screw thread and / or the pitch of the second helical screw thread vary along the length of the helical screw.

18. The vacuum cleaner head according to claim 17, wherein, Compared to the center of the helical screw, the pitch of the first helical screw thread and / or the pitch of the second helical screw thread is smaller toward at least one end of the helical screw.

19. A hard floor vacuum cleaner, comprising a vacuum cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims.

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