Conductive bristles

Abstract

Conductive bristles (403, 503) comprising at least one synthetic material with an electrically conductive layer covering the surface of the synthetic fiber (501).

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a brush element. More precisely, the invention relates to an electrically conductive brush cleaning element that is attached to the brush strip of vacuum cleaners. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vacuum cleaners have a motor-driven rotating roller in the form of a cylindrical brush strip. One type of brush strip has a cylindrical core wrapped in felt. The felt is wrapped completely around the brush strip and permanently attached with an adhesive.

[0003] The felt pad features rows of bristles that extend radially outwards. As the brush strip rotates, the bristles agitate dirt and debris upon contact with the surface being cleaned. The vacuum cleaner's suction power then draws this agitated dirt and debris from the surface into the cleaning head.

[0004] The bristles are typically made of synthetic material such as nylon. While synthetic bristles offer acceptable cleaning performance on carpets, they generate static electricity on hard floors like wood or vinyl. This static charge causes fine dirt and debris to cling to the hard floor surface despite the brush strip's agitation.

[0005] This problem can be solved with electrically conductive bristles. Electrically conductive bristles dissipate static charges that can build up when the bristles come into contact with the hard floor. This loosens fine dirt particles and deposits from the hard floor when they are stirred up.

[0006] Electrically conductive bristles are preferably made of carbon or a metallic composite material. The selection of a suitable bristle material determines the cleaning performance of the vacuum cleaner.

[0007] Cleaning performance can be measured using surface resistance. Surface resistance, measured in ohms per unit area, determines the material's conductivity. For brush strip applications, low surface conductivity is desirable to achieve high charge conductivity. Metallic materials generally exhibit a surface conductivity of less than 1 Ω / unit area, while carbon composites have a surface resistance in the range of 1 x 10⁻⁶ Ω / unit area. 3 Ω / area unit up to 1 x 10 6 Ω / unit area. Improvements in the dissipation of static electricity would increase the vacuum cleaner's absorption capacity and lead to energy savings.

[0008] There is a need for electrically conductive brushes to address the performance problems associated with conventional technology. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention is a felt sheet consisting of electrically conductive bristles. The bristles consist of a synthetic material coated with an electrically conductive layer. The electrically conductive layer can consist of either a carbon composite material or metallic elements.

[0010] According to an advantageous point of view, an embodiment of the present invention improves the performance of the vacuum cleaner by providing a brush with a low surface resistance to dissipate static charges between the fine dirt and debris and the hard floor surface.

[0011] According to a further advantageous aspect, an embodiment of the present invention improves the performance of the vacuum cleaner by providing uniform and permanent electrical conductivity over the entire length of the brush strip.

[0012] According to another advantageous aspect, an embodiment of the present invention increases the intake capacity of the vacuum cleaner and leads to energy savings. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the brush strip. Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the felt track. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the felt strip on a brush strip. Fig. Figure 3 is a close-up of the felt track. Fig. Figure 4 shows a side view of the bristles. Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the bristles. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following description contains specific details of certain embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the drawings, in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of these embodiments. However, it should be noted that the present invention can be expressed in further embodiments and that the invention can also be implemented without some of the details mentioned in the following description.

[0014] The various embodiments, including the exemplary embodiments, are now described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the different embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be understood as being limited to the embodiments presented here. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is comprehensive and complete and fully conveys the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The dimensions of the components may be exaggerated in the drawings for clarity.

[0015] It is understood that when an element or layer is described as being "attached" or "coupled" to, "with," or "at" another element or layer, it may be located directly on top of, connected to, or coupled to that other element or layer. The term "and / or" is used here to encompass any and all combinations of one or more of the elements listed.

[0016] Spatially relative terms such as "strip," "brush," "cleaning elements," and the like can be used here to simplify the description and describe the relationship of one element or feature to one or more other elements or features, as shown in the drawings. It is understood that these spatially relative terms are intended to encompass not only the orientation shown in the drawings but also different orientations of the structure during use or operation.

[0017] The embodiments described herein refer to top and / or cross-sectional views in the form of idealized schematic representations. Accordingly, the views may be modified depending on simplified assembly or manufacturing technologies and / or tolerances. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to those shown in the views but include modifications in configurations formed based on the assembly process. Thus, the areas illustrated in the drawings have schematic properties, and the shapes of areas shown in the drawings illustrate specific shapes or areas of elements and do not limit the various embodiments, including the exemplary embodiments.

[0018] The subject matter of the embodiments disclosed herein is described in detail to meet legal requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Rather, the inventors have considered that the claimed subject matter could also be embodied in other ways to include other features or combinations of features similar to those described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies.

[0019] With reference to Fig. 1 The brush strip (100) comprises an elongated body (101) and two shafts (103 and 105). The brush strip (100) is connected to a drive mechanism on one of the shafts (105) to allow the brush strip (100) to be driven about a central axis by a motor.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 1B and Fig. 2 A felt strip (111) is arranged around the brush strip body (201). The felt strip is permanently attached to the body of the brush strip using an adhesive.

[0021] The felt sheets are woven from synthetic yarn in the warp direction (301) and weft direction (305). The individual bristles (401) are created through successive processes during the production of the felt sheet.

[0022] The bristles (401) extend along the entire brush strip body and project radially from the central axis. The length of the bristles (401) can vary depending on the required application. Short bristles are relatively stiff, while long bristles are relatively soft. The length of the bristles (401) can range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm.

[0023] When the brush bar is rotated, the bristles (401) can loosen dirt and deposits from the surface to be cleaned. When a vacuum cleaner creates a vacuum, the loosened dirt and deposits are sucked into the cleaning device by the airflow.

[0024] Traditionally, the bristles (401) are made of synthetic material. These bristles (401) have a relatively high surface resistance. When the brush strip is used on a hard floor surface, the rotating contact of the bristles (401) with the dirt and debris would generate static charges. The dirt and debris would be attracted to the bristles (401) or the hard floor surface. The airflow from the suction power would not be sufficient to detach the dirt and debris from the bristles (401) or the hard floor surface and transport it into the cleaning device.

[0025] One solution for reducing the effects of static electricity when vacuuming is the use of electrically conductive bristles. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the electrically conductive bristles are synthetic fibers (501) coated with metals such as silver, tin, nickel, stainless steel, or carbon composites (503). The electrically conductive bristles (503) can also be a combination of the metals and carbon composites.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the felt web consists of a combination of non-conductive bristles (401) and electrically conductive bristles (403).

[0027] In another embodiment of the invention, the felt sheet consists entirely of electrically conductive bristles (403).

[0028] When the cleaning head is on a hard floor surface, static charges on the surface are dissipated upon contact with the electrically conductive bristles (503). The static charges are then dissipated via the metallic surface. Dirt and deposits on the hard floor surface are loosened and drawn into the cleaning device by the airflow.

[0029] It is understood that the language or terminology used here serves for descriptive purposes and does not constitute a limitation. Although the embodiments described herein are presented as preferred embodiments, it will therefore be clear to those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can also be implemented in modified form within the scope and scope of the claims.

Claims

[1] Conductive bristles (403, 503) comprising at least one synthetic material with an electrically conductive layer covering the surface of the synthetic fiber (501). [2] Conductive bristles according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive layer is made of carbon composite materials or metallic elements or a combination thereof. [3] Conductive bristles according to claim 1, wherein the length of the bristles is in the range of 0.5 to 10 mm. [4] Conductive bristles according to claim 1, wherein the bristles are woven into a felt web (111) consisting of warp and weft threads. [5] Felt strip (111) according to claim 4, wherein the felt strip (111) is wrapped around the body (101) of a brush strip (100) and adheres to the body (101) by means of an adhesive. [6] Felt web according to claim 4, wherein the felt web (111) is a combination of non-conductive synthetic bristles (401) and electrically conductive bristles (403, 503). [7] Felt sheet according to claim 4, wherein the felt sheet (111) consists exclusively of electrically conductive bristles (403, 503).

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