Vacuum Cleaner Roller Head With Sealed Perpendicular Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum cleaner attachments with rotatable rollers face issues such as motor overheating due to closed roller designs and dust contamination, and belt drives suffer from decreased elasticity, tearing, and negative pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cleaner attachment with a motor shaft extending perpendicular to the roller axis, using a rigid shaft and minimizing gaps with sealants, and incorporating a gear system within a bearing housing to protect components from dust and optimize suction pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a direct drive motor is used with the rotor as part of the roller, then the motor structure is compact and integrated, but the motor heats up easily and can be contaminated by dust particles
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is extracted from the roller structure and mounted separately on the attachment body. The motor shaft extends through the roller cover to drive the roller externally, separating the motor from the dust-prone roller environment while maintaining drive functionality
Solution Approach 2:
A belt drive system is introduced as an intermediary between the motor and roller. The belt transmits rotational force from the motor shaft to the roller, allowing the motor to remain outside the roller assembly while still providing effective drive, and the belt acts as a flexible connector that accommodates misalignment
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a belt drive is used to transmit motor rotation to the roller, then the motor can be mounted away from the roller, but the belt loses elasticity with aging, can tear, and occupies space that cannot be filled with bristles
Solution Approach 1:
The belt is designed as a replaceable, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced when worn or damaged. This allows the system to maintain reliability by periodically replacing the consumable belt rather than designing a permanent, maintenance-free drive mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The roller is divided into multiple sections with the belt drive occupying only the central portion, while bristle sections are placed on either side. This segmentation allows the belt drive to function without preventing bristle coverage of the rolling surface, maintaining cleaning effectiveness
3Device complexity
If the motor shaft extends through the roller cover, then the motor can be mounted externally, but gaps may allow dust and dirt to pass from the roller area to the motor
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal (such as a lip seal or garter seal) is installed around the motor shaft where it passes through the roller cover. This flexible membrane allows the shaft to rotate while maintaining a tight seal that prevents dust and dirt from entering the motor area through the opening
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment (1) for a vacuum cleaner, comprising a rotatable roller (21) equipped with bristles (24, 48) or lamellar agitators, the axis of rotation (Y) of which extends transversely to the feed direction (X) of the attachment (1) or vacuum cleaner, and a motor (14) which rotates a motor shaft (15) to drive the roller (21). To achieve a good cleaning result, the motor shaft (15) extends perpendicular to the axis of rotation (Y) of the roller (21).