A rotating brush head

Abstract

A rotating brush head 100 comprises a fan 10 with a plurality of blades 11 mounted on a shaft 20 that is provided in a housing 30. The housing has at least one conduit 40 with a first end 41 adapted

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotating brush head, in particular a rotating brush cleaning head for attaching to a pressurised fluid source. Background It is common to use pressurised fluid, to clean and lubricate intricate and hard to reach areas and items. Although pressurised air aerosols, used as an air duster, are designed to shift dust, this cannot always be achieved when dust has settled for a period of time and becomes encrusted or layered too thickly that it cannot be removed by pressured air alone. In these situations a user may also use a brush in combination with applying pressurised air in attempt to dislodge fixed or caked on dust. However, it can be difficult to fit a brush on a compressed air nozzle in the area to be cleaned and this may compromise cleaning. The present invention overcomes these problems. Prior Art CN109940447 (TIANJIN) discloses pneumatic portable cleaning tool. CN2335445 (YANG SONG) discloses a cleaning brush. CN109770531 (XIAN) discloses a computer hardware dust removal device. US2020 / 0329855 (LIU) discloses a brush device. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a rotating brush head comprising a fan with a plurality of blades mounted on a shaft that is provided in a housing; the housing has at least one conduit with a first end adapted to be connected to a source of pressurised fluid and a second end through which fluid exits and is directed towards the blades of the fan; wherein a brush is connected to and projects from the fan, so that when pressurised fluid passes through the conduit from the first end to the second end, fluid flows across the blades so the fan and thereby the brush rotate. In this way the fan and the brush are spun when pressurised fluid (air or liquid) is dispensed from the pressurised fluid source (such as a compressed air canister) through the at least one conduit. This enables the rotating (spinning) brush to directly clean or lubricate objects against which the brush contacts by the combined agitation of brushing and pressurised fluid flow. The fan is mounted on the shaft so that as the shaft rotates the brush on the fan also rotates. In a preferred embodiment a first end of the shaft is received into the housing towards the first end and a second end of the housing houses the fan. In this way the fan is arranged substantially within and rotates within the housing. Ideally the shaft has a substantially conical outer surface with a central bore through which a shaft support is received. The fan has a plurality of blades that extend around an outer perimeter of the shaft. The blades are aligned with the egress of the conduit(s) so that fluid flow is funnelled towards the blades to initiate and accelerate rotation. In a preferred embodiment tips of the blades are connected to a ring that surrounds and protects the blade tips. The shaft is received to a shaft support so that the shaft rotates about the shaft support. Preferably the shaft support has a low friction surface or lining to permit free rotation of the shaft relative to the shaft support. In a preferred embodiment the shaft support passes through the shaft and a channel on the housing so that both parts are connected together in use. Preferably only the shaft is permitted to rotate about the shaft support and the housing is fixed in position by the shaft support and by the nature of the housing being connected to the pressurised fluid source. In a preferred embodiment the shaft support is a tube with a threaded end that receives a nut to lock the shaft and housing together. Preferably the housing has a profile that corresponds to the shape of the shaft and fan. In a preferred embodiment the housing is substantially funnel shaped so that the fan and shaft are seated within the housing and the overall size of the brush head is kept to a minimum. The housing includes at least one conduit along which fluid flows towards the blades. In some embodiments more than one conduit and more than one pressurised fluid source may be connected to create enhance rotation. Ideally the conduit follows the profile of part of the housing from a first end to a second end so that the conduit is offset relative to the shaft axis. The conduit second end (fluid exit) is provided behind the fan blades and pressurised fluid flow is thereby directed to the fan blades to initiate and quickly accelerate rotation by forcing fluid past and through the blades. Ideally the conduit is tubular tunnel through a wall of the housing. Alternatively the conduit may be formed by a tube that is mounted on or partially embedded to the housing. A first end of the conduit receives the fluid source, such as a tube fitted by an interference fit to the entrance. In a preferred embodiment the fan has a collar on an outward face for receiving a ferule from which a brush extends. This allows the ferule to be connected to the collar on the fan and optionally may facilitate interchanging of different ferules with different brush types. Preferably the collar is fixed to the fan, but in some embodiments the collar may be displaceable enabling different collars to be connected and permitting easier cleaning and maintenance of the brush head. For example the collar may connect to part of the fan by an interlocking mechanism or screw thread. Typically each brush is formed from a plurality of flexible filaments or bristles and the length, orientation and shape of the bristles / filaments may be varied for different uses or to achieve more precision cleaning or lubrication. It is appreciated that for the purposes of this application the term bristle or filament may be used interchangeably. Preferably the brush does not completely cover the fan blades so that fluid can pass through the plurality of blades to enable rotation to be continuous. Typically the brush is arranged to extend from a central second end of the shaft and an outer perimeter of the where the fan blades are arranged is substantially unobstructed by the brush. In some embodiments the brush may be a plurality of flexible bristles that are angled towards a central axis of the shaft to resist splaying during rotation. This type of brush may be useful for precision cleaning as a tip region is formed from the bristles that can be directed to a specific area. In some embodiments the bristles are arranged in a ring extending from the fan. In another embodiment the bristles are arranged in a solid frusto-conical form extending from the fan. In some embodiments an antistatic rotating brush head is provided. This type of rotating brush head is particularly useful for intricate work on electrical components, for example for cleaning circuit boards. For example the brush may include antistatic materials including natural fibres combined with synthetic fibres and dissipative nylons that have antistatic properties preventing electrostatic discharges. Using these materials is important for ensuring no electrostatic charges reaches areas that could be affected such as circuit boards. In some embodiments an inner face of the conduit has raised and lowered surfaces to direct fluid flow. For example one or both of the opposing faces of the shaft and housing that define the conduit may include fins that assist with generating rotation of the fan, by further directing fluid flow towards the fan. For example, the fins may be configured in an array to direct pressurised fluid to the fan blades at a preferred angle. Alternatively or additionally fins or recesses may be helical that correspond to the direction of rotation of the fan so that fluid hits the fan blades as the preferred orientation to maximise rotation. In a preferred embodiment the first end of the housing is adapted to receive the shaft support so that the housing and shaft are connected and the shaft is free to rotate within the housing by rotating about the shaft support. For example the shaft support may inserted through the first end of the housing, through the shaft and secured in place by a shaft nut. In some embodiments the first end of the conduit is adapted to receive a source of pressurised fluid, or a tube connected to the pressurised fluid source. For example the first end of the conduit may have a threaded portion for connection to a corresponding threaded sleeve on the pressurised fluid source. Alternatively the conduit may have a raised and lowered surface such as a ridged surface for connection to a source of pressurised fluid by an interference fit. The brush head is intended for intricate precision cleaning. In a preferred embodiment the housing has a diameter of less than 200mmmm and more preferably less than 140mm in diameter. This allows the brush head to fit into small spaces. It is appreciated that brushes of different shapes and sizes may be used for the brush head to accommodate different cleaning and lubricating requirements. It is appreciated that the rotating brush head may be used with various different types of pressurised fluids depending upon the task to be completed. The pressurised fluid source is typically a supply of pressurised air that is forced through or drawn through the conduit. An advantage is that the pressurised air helps clean intricate parts, and the addition of the brush enhances removal of debris and detritus. In another embodiment the pressurised fluid source is a supply of pressurised lubricant. For example when lubricating small intricate parts the brush may enable the lubricant to be spread more easily and evenly. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a front view of a rotating brush head connected to a canister of compressed fluid by a tube; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a rear view of a rotating brush head connected to a canister of compressed fluid by a tube; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric front view of the rotating brush head and tube with part of the housing cutaway to show the internal shape and location of the tube; Figure 4 shows an exploded isometric rear view of the rotating brush head and tube with part of the housing cutaway to show the internal shape and location of the tube; Figure 5 shows a front isometric view of the rotating brush head with part of the housing cutaway; Figure 6 shows a rear isometric view of the rotating brush head with part of the housing cutaway; Figure 7 shows a side view of the rotating brush head with part of the housing cutaway; Figure 8 shows an exploded isometric front view of the rotating brush head with part of the housing cutaway; Figure 9 shows an exploded isometric rear view of the rotating brush head with part of the housing cutaway; Figure 10A shows a rear isometric view of a rotating brush head with a cutaway region to reveal the conduit; Figure 10B 10A shows a front isometric view of a rotating brush head with a cut away region to reveal the conduit; Figure 11A shows a transparent front isometric view of a rotating brush head; and Figure 11B shows a transparent rear isometric view of a rotating brush head. Detailed Description of Figures The Figures 1 to 11 show a preferred embodiment of a rotating brush head 100 having a fan 10 with a plurality of blades 11 mounted on a shaft 20 that is provided in a housing 30. The housing 30 has a conduit 40 with a first end 41 adapted to be connected to a source of pressurised fluid 300 and a second end 42 through which fluid exits and is directed to the blades 11 of the fan 10. A brush 50 is connected to and projects from the fan 10, so that when pressurised fluid passes through the conduit 40 from the first end 41 to the second end 42, the fan 10 and thereby the brush 50 rotate to facilitate cleaning and / or lubrication. The fan 10 with a plurality of blades 11 and a shaft 20 are a single part that is connected to the housing by a shaft support 60 that is secured through the housing 30 via channel 33 and the shaft 20 by a threaded nut 61. The shaft 20 has a conical outer surface and the blades 11 extend from the widest part of the conical shaft 20 all around the perimeter. Each blade 11 is the same size and shape and is evenly spaced about the shaft 20 to act to facilitate fluid flow by rotation. The blades 11 are connected to the shaft 20 at a first end and connect to a ring 12 that surrounds the blade tips. A collar 13 extends from an outward face of the fan 10. The collar 13 is for receiving a ferrule 51 which is part of the brush 50. The ferrule 51 allows connection to the collar 13 on the fan 10 and optionally may facilitate interchanging of different ferules 51 with different brush types. The pictured collar 13 is fixed to the fan, but in some embodiments the collar 13 may be displaceable enabling different collars to be connected and permitting easier cleaning and maintenance of the brush head 100. The ferrule 51 may fit to the collar 13 in different ways. For example the parts may connect by an interference fit, a twist lock, or a threaded connection. Each brush 50 has a plurality of flexible filaments or bristles 52 and the length, orientation, and shape of the bristles / filaments 52 may be varied for different uses or to achieve more precision cleaning or lubrication. The shaft 20 and fan 10 are seated in the housing 30. In this way the fluid is directed to the fan 10 through the conduit 40 and the fan 10 is protected, for example to prevent interrupted rotation by erroneous contact with the fan 10. The housing 30 has a profile that corresponds to the shape of the shaft 20 and fan 10. In the pictured embodiment the housing 30 is substantially funnel shaped with a first end 31 that flares to a second wider end 32. The first end 31 has a channel 33 through which the shaft support 60 is received. The fan 10 is received through the second end of the housing 32 and is secured in place when the shaft support 60 is passed through the shaft 20 and the channel 33 to reach and be secured in position by the shaft support nut 61. A tube 200 is received into the first end 41 of the conduit 40. The conduit 40 is a separate passageway provided on the housing 30 that passes from the first end of the housing 31 to a part of the housing before the blades 11. In this way fluid exits the conduit 40 from the second end 42 at the blades 11 so that fluid is direct at the blades 11 to encourage and accelerate rotation so that fluid is expelled from the fan towards the brush and the item being cleaned and / or lubricated. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A rotating brush head comprises: a fan with a plurality of blades mounted on a shaft that is provided in a housing; the housing has at least one conduit with a first end adapted to be connected to a source of pressurised fluid and a second end through which fluid exits and is directed towards the blades of the fan; wherein a brush is connected to and projects from the fan, so that when pressurised fluid passes through the conduit from the first end to the second end, fluid flows across the blades so the fan and thereby the brush rotate.

2. A rotating brush head according to claim 1 wherein the shaft has a conical outer face with a central bore through which a shaft support is received.

3. A rotating brush head according to claim 2 wherein the shaft support has a low friction surface or lining to permit rotation of the shaft relative to the shaft support.

4. A rotating brush head according to any preceding claim wherein the blades are aligned after the egress of the conduit(s) so that fluid flow is funnelled towards the blades to initiate and accelerate rotation.

5. A rotating brush head according to any preceding claim wherein tips of the blades are connected to a ring that surrounds and protects the blade tips.

6. A rotating brush head according to any preceding claim wherein the fan has a collar on an outward face for receiving a ferule from which brush filaments extend.

7. A rotating brush head according to any preceding claim wherein brush is formed from a plurality of flexible bristles.

8. A rotating brush head according to claim 7 wherein distal ends of the flexible bristles are angled towards a central axis of the shaft to resist splaying during rotation.

9. A rotating brush head according to either claim 7 or 8 wherein bristles are arranged in a ring extending from the fan.

10. A rotating brush head according to any of claims 6 to 9 wherein bristles are arranged in a solid frusto-conical form extending from the fan.11 .A rotating brush head according to any preceding claim wherein an inner face of the conduit has raised and lowered surfaces to direct fluid flow.

12. A rotating brush head according to any preceding claim wherein the pressurised fluid is a supply of pressurised air.

13. A rotating brush head according to any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the pressurised fluid is a supply of pressurised lubricant.

14. A rotating brush head according to any preceding claim including a threaded portion for connection to a corresponding threaded sleeve.

15. A rotating brush head according to any preceding claim wherein the first end of the conduit has a ridged surface for connection to a source of pressurised fluid by an interference fit.

16. A rotating brush head according to any preceding claim that has a diameter of less than 200mm and more preferably less than 140mm.

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