Cleaning head for vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum cleaner accessory tools struggle to effectively remove embedded pet hair from upholstery without causing the hair to become entangled in rotating agitators or bearings.

Innovation Solution

A dual brushroll system with counter-rotating brushrolls featuring interlocking tines that pull pet hair into the air path by combing and pinching actions, ensuring hair is released into the air path without getting trapped.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a rotating agitator is used to remove embedded pet hair from upholstery, then the agitation action improves hair removal capability, but hair gets caught in the rotating agitator and/or in the bearings mounting the rotating agitator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehair removal capabilityVSAvoidhair entanglement in agitator and bearings

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The single rotating agitator is divided into two separate brushrolls that counterrotate. Each brushroll has tines that extend through the inlet, and they work in coordination to comb and pinch hair without the entanglement problems of a single rotating agitator. The segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while avoiding the harmful effect of hair getting caught in rotating parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single agitator that rotates in one direction, the invention uses two brushrolls that rotate in opposite directions (counterrotation). This inversion of the rotation direction resolves the contradiction by allowing the tines to interfere with each other in a controlled manner to pinch and pull hair upward without getting entangled in the rotation itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If a single brushroll is used, then the structure is simpler, but the cleaning performance is inconsistent when moved in different directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrushroll structureVSAvoidcleaning performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces asymmetry through counterrotation of the two brushrolls, where one rotates clockwise and the other counterclockwise. This asymmetric rotation pattern ensures that regardless of which direction the tool is pulled, the tines of both brushrolls work together to comb and pinch hair effectively, providing consistent cleaning performance in both forward and backward directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The counterrotating brushrolls create a dynamic system where the relative motion between the two sets of tines adapts to the direction of tool movement. When pulled in either direction, the rotating tines maintain their combing and pinching action, dynamically adjusting to provide consistent hair removal performance regardless of movement direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4623781A1Cleaning head for vacuum cleaner

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 BISSELL INC

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AI summary

A cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner includes a brushroll chamber and defining an air path, an inlet into the brushroll chamber, and dual counterrotating brushrolls mounted in the brushroll chamber. The brushrolls have sets of tines that are timed to interfere with each other as the brushrolls rotate to pull pet hair and other debris into the air path.