CA2312827A1 - A brush bar - Google Patents
A brush bar Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2312827A1 CA2312827A1 CA002312827A CA2312827A CA2312827A1 CA 2312827 A1 CA2312827 A1 CA 2312827A1 CA 002312827 A CA002312827 A CA 002312827A CA 2312827 A CA2312827 A CA 2312827A CA 2312827 A1 CA2312827 A1 CA 2312827A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- brush bar
- cleaner head
- central core
- cleaner
- inlet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 10
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007790 scraping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0461—Dust-loosening tools, e.g. agitators, brushes
- A47L9/0466—Rotating tools
- A47L9/0477—Rolls
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
- A47L5/30—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0427—Gearing or transmission means therefor
- A47L9/0444—Gearing or transmission means therefor for conveying motion by endless flexible members, e.g. belts
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
- Brushes (AREA)
- Rolls And Other Rotary Bodies (AREA)
- Motor Or Generator Current Collectors (AREA)
- Polishing Bodies And Polishing Tools (AREA)
Abstract
The invention provides a brush bar (1) for a vacuum cleaner comprising a central core (8) at least one radially extending flange (17) and a plurality of bristles (19), the bristles (19) being mounted on the at least one flange (17) so that the bristles (19) are spaced from the central core (8), wherein the or each flange extends radially outwardly from the central core to a distance more than the diameter of the central core (8).
Description
' v CA 02312827 2000-06-02 '.t n i i . N~ p 4''~~ ~ ~ n ~ ' n ~ f i n n t ~ a A Brush Bar The present invention relates to a brush bar. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a brush bar for a cleaner head of a vacuum cleaner.
The cleaner head of a vacuum cleaner comprises a downwardly directed dirty air inlet through which dirty air is sucked into the vacuum cleaner. A brush bar is supported in the dirty air inlet so that it partly protrudes from the inlet and is driven by a motor via a drive belt so that it rotates within the inlet. The brush bar comprises an elongate cylindrical core from which bristles radially extend along its length. Rotation of the brush bar causes the bristles to sweep along the surface to be cleaned, for example a carpet, agitating the fibres of the carpet to loosen dirt and dust and picking up debris. The suction of air causes air to flow around the brush bar and underneath it into the fibres of the carpet to help lift the dirt and dust from the carpet and into the dirty air inlet and hence into the dust separation chamber of the vacuum cleaner via an inlet passage.
The bristles are mounted directly onto the cylindrical core of the brush bar and the length of the bristles is substantially less than the diameter of the central core. An example of this type of brush bar mounted in the cleaner head of a vacuum cleaner is shown in EP 0 727 171A. Typically, the cylindrical brush bar will have a diameter of 30-40mm and the bristles will have a length of 5-l5mm. The bristles are mounted directly, normally in a helical formation, onto the cylindrical core in clusters at regular intervals around the entire circumference of the cylindrical core and along its entire length or the majority thereof. Due to the size of the cylindrical core the space defined by the dirty air inlet is substantially filled by the core and there is therefore very little space within the dirty air inlet through which the air can pass. Also, the size of the core relative to the length of the bristles limits the passage of air beneath the brush bar and into the carpet. This diminishes the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. Also due to the limited space within the dirty air inlet, there is a substantial risk of clogging within the cleaner head, particularly around the brush bar.
As mentioned above, the bristles are usually set in a helical formation.
Therefore, in areas of the dirty air inlet in which the brush bar is located close to the walls of the air flow path, air flows around the brush bar along the path of the helix O
~'t,~O~c, P
The cleaner head of a vacuum cleaner comprises a downwardly directed dirty air inlet through which dirty air is sucked into the vacuum cleaner. A brush bar is supported in the dirty air inlet so that it partly protrudes from the inlet and is driven by a motor via a drive belt so that it rotates within the inlet. The brush bar comprises an elongate cylindrical core from which bristles radially extend along its length. Rotation of the brush bar causes the bristles to sweep along the surface to be cleaned, for example a carpet, agitating the fibres of the carpet to loosen dirt and dust and picking up debris. The suction of air causes air to flow around the brush bar and underneath it into the fibres of the carpet to help lift the dirt and dust from the carpet and into the dirty air inlet and hence into the dust separation chamber of the vacuum cleaner via an inlet passage.
The bristles are mounted directly onto the cylindrical core of the brush bar and the length of the bristles is substantially less than the diameter of the central core. An example of this type of brush bar mounted in the cleaner head of a vacuum cleaner is shown in EP 0 727 171A. Typically, the cylindrical brush bar will have a diameter of 30-40mm and the bristles will have a length of 5-l5mm. The bristles are mounted directly, normally in a helical formation, onto the cylindrical core in clusters at regular intervals around the entire circumference of the cylindrical core and along its entire length or the majority thereof. Due to the size of the cylindrical core the space defined by the dirty air inlet is substantially filled by the core and there is therefore very little space within the dirty air inlet through which the air can pass. Also, the size of the core relative to the length of the bristles limits the passage of air beneath the brush bar and into the carpet. This diminishes the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. Also due to the limited space within the dirty air inlet, there is a substantial risk of clogging within the cleaner head, particularly around the brush bar.
As mentioned above, the bristles are usually set in a helical formation.
Therefore, in areas of the dirty air inlet in which the brush bar is located close to the walls of the air flow path, air flows around the brush bar along the path of the helix O
~'t,~O~c, P
before being directed to the dust separation apparatus via the inlet passage.
This unnecessarily lengthens the path length of the true airflow within the vacuum cleaner.
US 3,909,871 illustrates an alternative configuration in which the bristles are mounted in a channel located at the end of a web extending radially from a central portion.
However, the web and channel are stamped from a metal, which increases the weight of the brush bar and, in the embodiment shown, the diameter of the central portion is still considerable with respect to the overall diameter.
The cleaner head of the vacuum cleaner is freely rotatably mounted on the main body of the vacuum cleaner, which houses the motor and dust separation apparatus. In use, the vacuum cleaner is moved over the surface to be cleaned, e.g. a carpeted surface.
The cleaner head, therefore, "floats" over the surface collecting dust and dirt via the dirty air inlet. However, the cleaner head may not maintain contact on all sides of the dirty air inlet when the vacuum cleaner is used on carpets or floor coverings of different pile depths. Some suction may be lost.
Furthermore, in use, the vacuum cleaner is moved backwards and forwards by the user over the surface to be cleaned. Due to the action of the user in dragging the cleaner back towards them, the cleaner head can be tilted backwards so that the mouth of the dirty air inlet is lifted from the surface to be cleaned particularly when it is moved over deep pile carpets. Therefore, maximum suction is not always maintained and the vacuum cleaner may not clean at maximum efficiency.
Furthermore, the tilt of the main body of the vacuum cleaner to the cleaner head may cause the dirty air inlet to be lifted from the surface to the cleaned.
Therefore maximum suction is not always maintained.
The present invention seeks to provide apparatus having a better airflow within the cleaner head hence providing improved cleaning efficiency of a vacuum cleaner.
According to the present invention there is provided a brush bar for a vacuum cleaner comprising a central core, at least one flange extending radially from the central core and a plurality of bristles, the bristles being mounted on the at least one flange so that the bristles are spaced from the central core, characterised in that the or each flange extends radially outwardly from the central core to a distance of 1.3 to 2.2 times the diameter of the central core.
0~~~
'~,~5,~0~
This unnecessarily lengthens the path length of the true airflow within the vacuum cleaner.
US 3,909,871 illustrates an alternative configuration in which the bristles are mounted in a channel located at the end of a web extending radially from a central portion.
However, the web and channel are stamped from a metal, which increases the weight of the brush bar and, in the embodiment shown, the diameter of the central portion is still considerable with respect to the overall diameter.
The cleaner head of the vacuum cleaner is freely rotatably mounted on the main body of the vacuum cleaner, which houses the motor and dust separation apparatus. In use, the vacuum cleaner is moved over the surface to be cleaned, e.g. a carpeted surface.
The cleaner head, therefore, "floats" over the surface collecting dust and dirt via the dirty air inlet. However, the cleaner head may not maintain contact on all sides of the dirty air inlet when the vacuum cleaner is used on carpets or floor coverings of different pile depths. Some suction may be lost.
Furthermore, in use, the vacuum cleaner is moved backwards and forwards by the user over the surface to be cleaned. Due to the action of the user in dragging the cleaner back towards them, the cleaner head can be tilted backwards so that the mouth of the dirty air inlet is lifted from the surface to be cleaned particularly when it is moved over deep pile carpets. Therefore, maximum suction is not always maintained and the vacuum cleaner may not clean at maximum efficiency.
Furthermore, the tilt of the main body of the vacuum cleaner to the cleaner head may cause the dirty air inlet to be lifted from the surface to the cleaned.
Therefore maximum suction is not always maintained.
The present invention seeks to provide apparatus having a better airflow within the cleaner head hence providing improved cleaning efficiency of a vacuum cleaner.
According to the present invention there is provided a brush bar for a vacuum cleaner comprising a central core, at least one flange extending radially from the central core and a plurality of bristles, the bristles being mounted on the at least one flange so that the bristles are spaced from the central core, characterised in that the or each flange extends radially outwardly from the central core to a distance of 1.3 to 2.2 times the diameter of the central core.
0~~~
'~,~5,~0~
Since the bristles are mounted on a flange and spaced from the core of the brush bar, more space is provided in the dirty air inlet which helps to prevent clogging and to improve the air flow within the dirty air inlet and hence to improve the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, since the brush bar is smaller than conventional brush bars, the overall weight of the brush bar and hence the cleaner head of the vacuum cleaner, is reduced. Reduced weight of the cleaner head allows the cleaner head to "float" with more sensitivity on a carpet to be cleaned.
Preferably, the at least one flange extends along the length of the central core.
The brush bar may comprise two diametrically opposing flanges which, in a preferred embodiment, extend along the length of the central core in the form of a helix, or a reverse helix.
A reverse helix is formed by a first helix rotating in one direction and extending along a part of the central core and a second helix rotating in the opposite direction along the remainder of the central core. With this arrangement the air flow around the brush bar is directed towards the centre of the brush bar and into the vicinity of the inlet passage which carries the dirty air into the interior where the dust separation apparatus is located. This mininuses any unnecessary elongation of the true airflow path within the cleaner.
The central core of the brush bar preferably comprises a hollow, metal or composite carbon fibre tube over-moulded with a plastics or rubber material.
Preferably, the hollow tube is formed of aluminium and is over-moulded with a plastics material. More preferably, the at least one flange is moulded integrally with the over-moulding of the metal tube.
The brush bar above may be incorporated in a cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner. The cleaner head comprises a housing having an inlet for dirty air, the housing supporting the brush bar. In a preferred embodiment, the housing has an inlet portion, the inlet portion defining a dirty portion having a cradle portion mounted in the dirty air inlet and being rotatable with respect to the inlet portion.
c The rolatable moveanent of the cradle portion with respect to the inlet portion of the cleaner head ensures that the dirty air inlet remains in contact with the surface to be cleanai on all sides of the brush bar. Therefore, even during the backward movement of the vacuum cleaner, towards the user, the dirty air inlet maintains contact, improving the cleaning efficiency even during the backward stroke. The dirty air inlet also remains in contact with the surface to be cleaned irrespective of the pile depth.
Preferably, the cradle portion is sealingly mounted in the difiy air inlet to prevail the ingress of air between the cleaner head casing and the cradle portion.
The inlet portion may support a plurality of rollers for contacting the surface to be cleaned to aid movement of the cleaner head over the surface to be cleaned Further, the housing of the cleaner head may comprise a sole plate fastened by a quick-release mechanism, for example by means of a plurality of quarter-turn screws or by snap-fitting clips. Therefore, the sole plate can be easily removed to provide access to the inlet passage to clear any blockages. The sole plate may be integral with the inlet portion and cradle. Therefore, removal of the sole plate also removes the dirty air inlet cradle and brush bar to give access to the interior of the cleaner head making it easier to clear any blockages and for maintenance, for example replacement of the brush bar. At least a part of the sole plate may be transparent so that any blockages are clearly visible.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described and fully explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a parspecrive view of a brash bar according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the brush bar of Figure 1 with a part of an end suction of the brush bar cut away;
Figure 3 is a section though the brush bar of Figure 2 taken along the line A-A;
Figure 4 is a side view of a cleaner head of a vacuum cleaaer according to the invention; and Figure 5 is an underside view of the cleaaer head of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.
With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the brush bar according to the present invention will be described in more detail.
The brush bar 1 comprises a central core 8 formed of an inner metal (aluminium) tube 6 over-moulded with a layer 7 of plastics or rubber-like material. The central core 8 surrounds a spindle 3. The central core 8 (over-moulded tube) is fitted between a pair of bearings 5 so that the over-moulded tube 8 is freely rotatable with respect to the spindle 3.
The central core 8 further comprises at each end thereof an enlarged portion 9 which houses one of the bearings 5 to protect it from dirt and dust. Each enlarged portion 9 is formed of moulded plastics or rubber-like material and is integrally formal with the over-moulded layer 7. Each enlarged portion 9 comprises an end disc having a central aperture 12. The end of the spindle 3 protrudes beyond the disc 11 through the aperture 12 so that the bush bar 1 can be fitted into the dirty air inlet of a vacuum cleaner as shown for example in Figures 4 and 5.
Towards one end of the over-moulded tube 8 is a pulley 13. The pulley 13 is located between two discs 15 and is fitted to the over-moulded tube 8 so that when a drive belt of a motor is fitted around the pulley 13 the over-moulded tube 8 can be rotated with respect to the spindle 3 by means of the drive belt. The pulley I3 cam also be integrally moulded with the over-moulded layer 7.
The brush bar 1 further comprises a pair of flanges 17 extending radially from the over-mouldod tube 8 along its entire length (except where the pulley 13 is located) at a distance 1.3 to 2.2 times the diameter of the central core 8. The flanges 17 are integrally moulded with the layer 7 of plastics or rubber-like material. They are located diametrically opposite each other and are dimensionally similar.
Each flange 17 is am~nged in a helical pattern to form a reverse helix along the length of the over-moulded tube 8. The reverse helix is formed by a first helix in which the flanges 17 are rotated or twisted in a first direction along one half of the over-moulded tube 8 and a second helix in which the flanges are rotated in the opposition direction along the other half. Each helix rotates the flanges through 180°. The first helix and second helix are separated from each other by a disc 18 which helps to reinforce and strengthen the flanges 17. The diameter of the end discs 11 and discs IS
and 18 is the same and corresponds to the distance between the opposite edges of the flanges 17.
Bristles 19 are fixed along the outer edge of each flange 17 along the length of the brush bar 1. The bristles 19 are fixed in clusters, each cluster comprising a plurality of bristles 19. The bristles 19 are fixed to the flanges 17 by folding each cluster in two, placing them into a corresponding hole 20 in each flange 17 and stapling the bristles 19 into the base of the hole 20. The holes 20 can be formed by moulding, drilling or any other suitable method.
At intervals, approximately one third of the distance between the end discs 11, each flange 17 has a flattened area 21. This area 21 has no bristles and corresponds to the position of reinforcement bars 23, shown in Figure 5, of the housing surrounding the dirty air inlet of the cleaner head of the vacuum cleaner and prevents unnecessary drag on the brush bar by the reinforcement bars 23.
With the arrangement described above, the bristles are held spacod from the central core 7 by means of the pair of flanges 17. In this way, more space is provided within the dirty air inlet to help prevent clogging and to improve the airflow in the dirty air inlet. Furthermore, the reverse helix directs the air towards the centre of the brush bar into the inlet passage within the cleaner head, thus improving the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. The reduced size of the central core and the use of an over-moulded aluminium tube helps to reduce the overall weight of the vacuum cleaner.
A cleaner head 31 for a vacuum cleaner 100 incorporating a brush bar as described above is shown in Figures 4 and 5. The cleaner head 31 is froely rotatably attached to the main body 33 of a vacuum cleaner via a motor casing 34. The main body 33 of the vacuum cleaner houses the dust separating apparatus (not shown) for example a dust bag, cyclonic separator etc. A pair of wheels 35 are mounted on the motor casing 34 at the base of the main body 33.
The cleaner head 31 comprises a dirty air inlet 37 located at the forward end of the cleaner head 31 and facing downwardly so that, in use, the dirty air inlet 37 rests on the surface to be cleaned. The brush bar 1 is mounted within the dirty air inlet 37 via the spindle 3. The brush bar 1 extends across the entire width of the dirty air inlet 37.
A cradle portion 39 is rotatably mounted within an inlet portion 38. It is sealingly mounted within inlet portion 38 to prevent the ingress of air. The cradle portion 39 comprises four rollers 43 positioned at each corner of the cradle 39 to aid gliding of the cleaner head over the surface to be cleaned. The rollers 43 are level with the brush bar to enable the brush bar to loosen dirt on a hand hook without it scraping the floor. The cradle portion 39 has two reinforcement bars 23 positioned at one-third intervals along the cradle and above the flattened areas 21 of the brush bar i .
The cleaner head 31 further comprises a sole plate 45 which is fastened to the cleaner head by quick-release fasteners, for example, quarter-turn fasteners 47.
Alternatively, the sole plate 45 could be snap-fitted to the cradle by means of snap-fitting clips (not shown) or fitted by any other suitable quick-release mxhanisnn. The sole plate is integral with the inlet portion 38 and the cradle portion 39.
The quick-release sole plate 45 allows easy access to the interior of the cleaner head to clear any blockage. The sole plate 45 or at least a part of it may be transparent so that any blockages are immediately visible.
In use, the main body 33 of the vacuum cleaner is tilted rearwardly towards the user so that the cleaner head is pushed away from the user. As the vacuum cleaner is moved forwards and backwards across the surface to be cleaned, the cxadle portion 39 tilts with respect to the inlet portion 38 of the cleaner head 31 so that it remains in contact with the surface to be cleaned whether the surface comprises a deep pile carpet or a hard floor and irrespective of the angle of tilt of the main body of the cleaner head.
Therefore, the dirty air inlet 37 remains in contact with the surface to be cleaned during use, maintaining good suction and hence improving the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner.
In the light of this disclosure, modifications of the described embodiments as well as other embodiments, all within the scope of the appended claims, will now become apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Preferably, the at least one flange extends along the length of the central core.
The brush bar may comprise two diametrically opposing flanges which, in a preferred embodiment, extend along the length of the central core in the form of a helix, or a reverse helix.
A reverse helix is formed by a first helix rotating in one direction and extending along a part of the central core and a second helix rotating in the opposite direction along the remainder of the central core. With this arrangement the air flow around the brush bar is directed towards the centre of the brush bar and into the vicinity of the inlet passage which carries the dirty air into the interior where the dust separation apparatus is located. This mininuses any unnecessary elongation of the true airflow path within the cleaner.
The central core of the brush bar preferably comprises a hollow, metal or composite carbon fibre tube over-moulded with a plastics or rubber material.
Preferably, the hollow tube is formed of aluminium and is over-moulded with a plastics material. More preferably, the at least one flange is moulded integrally with the over-moulding of the metal tube.
The brush bar above may be incorporated in a cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner. The cleaner head comprises a housing having an inlet for dirty air, the housing supporting the brush bar. In a preferred embodiment, the housing has an inlet portion, the inlet portion defining a dirty portion having a cradle portion mounted in the dirty air inlet and being rotatable with respect to the inlet portion.
c The rolatable moveanent of the cradle portion with respect to the inlet portion of the cleaner head ensures that the dirty air inlet remains in contact with the surface to be cleanai on all sides of the brush bar. Therefore, even during the backward movement of the vacuum cleaner, towards the user, the dirty air inlet maintains contact, improving the cleaning efficiency even during the backward stroke. The dirty air inlet also remains in contact with the surface to be cleaned irrespective of the pile depth.
Preferably, the cradle portion is sealingly mounted in the difiy air inlet to prevail the ingress of air between the cleaner head casing and the cradle portion.
The inlet portion may support a plurality of rollers for contacting the surface to be cleaned to aid movement of the cleaner head over the surface to be cleaned Further, the housing of the cleaner head may comprise a sole plate fastened by a quick-release mechanism, for example by means of a plurality of quarter-turn screws or by snap-fitting clips. Therefore, the sole plate can be easily removed to provide access to the inlet passage to clear any blockages. The sole plate may be integral with the inlet portion and cradle. Therefore, removal of the sole plate also removes the dirty air inlet cradle and brush bar to give access to the interior of the cleaner head making it easier to clear any blockages and for maintenance, for example replacement of the brush bar. At least a part of the sole plate may be transparent so that any blockages are clearly visible.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described and fully explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a parspecrive view of a brash bar according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the brush bar of Figure 1 with a part of an end suction of the brush bar cut away;
Figure 3 is a section though the brush bar of Figure 2 taken along the line A-A;
Figure 4 is a side view of a cleaner head of a vacuum cleaaer according to the invention; and Figure 5 is an underside view of the cleaaer head of a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.
With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the brush bar according to the present invention will be described in more detail.
The brush bar 1 comprises a central core 8 formed of an inner metal (aluminium) tube 6 over-moulded with a layer 7 of plastics or rubber-like material. The central core 8 surrounds a spindle 3. The central core 8 (over-moulded tube) is fitted between a pair of bearings 5 so that the over-moulded tube 8 is freely rotatable with respect to the spindle 3.
The central core 8 further comprises at each end thereof an enlarged portion 9 which houses one of the bearings 5 to protect it from dirt and dust. Each enlarged portion 9 is formed of moulded plastics or rubber-like material and is integrally formal with the over-moulded layer 7. Each enlarged portion 9 comprises an end disc having a central aperture 12. The end of the spindle 3 protrudes beyond the disc 11 through the aperture 12 so that the bush bar 1 can be fitted into the dirty air inlet of a vacuum cleaner as shown for example in Figures 4 and 5.
Towards one end of the over-moulded tube 8 is a pulley 13. The pulley 13 is located between two discs 15 and is fitted to the over-moulded tube 8 so that when a drive belt of a motor is fitted around the pulley 13 the over-moulded tube 8 can be rotated with respect to the spindle 3 by means of the drive belt. The pulley I3 cam also be integrally moulded with the over-moulded layer 7.
The brush bar 1 further comprises a pair of flanges 17 extending radially from the over-mouldod tube 8 along its entire length (except where the pulley 13 is located) at a distance 1.3 to 2.2 times the diameter of the central core 8. The flanges 17 are integrally moulded with the layer 7 of plastics or rubber-like material. They are located diametrically opposite each other and are dimensionally similar.
Each flange 17 is am~nged in a helical pattern to form a reverse helix along the length of the over-moulded tube 8. The reverse helix is formed by a first helix in which the flanges 17 are rotated or twisted in a first direction along one half of the over-moulded tube 8 and a second helix in which the flanges are rotated in the opposition direction along the other half. Each helix rotates the flanges through 180°. The first helix and second helix are separated from each other by a disc 18 which helps to reinforce and strengthen the flanges 17. The diameter of the end discs 11 and discs IS
and 18 is the same and corresponds to the distance between the opposite edges of the flanges 17.
Bristles 19 are fixed along the outer edge of each flange 17 along the length of the brush bar 1. The bristles 19 are fixed in clusters, each cluster comprising a plurality of bristles 19. The bristles 19 are fixed to the flanges 17 by folding each cluster in two, placing them into a corresponding hole 20 in each flange 17 and stapling the bristles 19 into the base of the hole 20. The holes 20 can be formed by moulding, drilling or any other suitable method.
At intervals, approximately one third of the distance between the end discs 11, each flange 17 has a flattened area 21. This area 21 has no bristles and corresponds to the position of reinforcement bars 23, shown in Figure 5, of the housing surrounding the dirty air inlet of the cleaner head of the vacuum cleaner and prevents unnecessary drag on the brush bar by the reinforcement bars 23.
With the arrangement described above, the bristles are held spacod from the central core 7 by means of the pair of flanges 17. In this way, more space is provided within the dirty air inlet to help prevent clogging and to improve the airflow in the dirty air inlet. Furthermore, the reverse helix directs the air towards the centre of the brush bar into the inlet passage within the cleaner head, thus improving the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. The reduced size of the central core and the use of an over-moulded aluminium tube helps to reduce the overall weight of the vacuum cleaner.
A cleaner head 31 for a vacuum cleaner 100 incorporating a brush bar as described above is shown in Figures 4 and 5. The cleaner head 31 is froely rotatably attached to the main body 33 of a vacuum cleaner via a motor casing 34. The main body 33 of the vacuum cleaner houses the dust separating apparatus (not shown) for example a dust bag, cyclonic separator etc. A pair of wheels 35 are mounted on the motor casing 34 at the base of the main body 33.
The cleaner head 31 comprises a dirty air inlet 37 located at the forward end of the cleaner head 31 and facing downwardly so that, in use, the dirty air inlet 37 rests on the surface to be cleaned. The brush bar 1 is mounted within the dirty air inlet 37 via the spindle 3. The brush bar 1 extends across the entire width of the dirty air inlet 37.
A cradle portion 39 is rotatably mounted within an inlet portion 38. It is sealingly mounted within inlet portion 38 to prevent the ingress of air. The cradle portion 39 comprises four rollers 43 positioned at each corner of the cradle 39 to aid gliding of the cleaner head over the surface to be cleaned. The rollers 43 are level with the brush bar to enable the brush bar to loosen dirt on a hand hook without it scraping the floor. The cradle portion 39 has two reinforcement bars 23 positioned at one-third intervals along the cradle and above the flattened areas 21 of the brush bar i .
The cleaner head 31 further comprises a sole plate 45 which is fastened to the cleaner head by quick-release fasteners, for example, quarter-turn fasteners 47.
Alternatively, the sole plate 45 could be snap-fitted to the cradle by means of snap-fitting clips (not shown) or fitted by any other suitable quick-release mxhanisnn. The sole plate is integral with the inlet portion 38 and the cradle portion 39.
The quick-release sole plate 45 allows easy access to the interior of the cleaner head to clear any blockage. The sole plate 45 or at least a part of it may be transparent so that any blockages are immediately visible.
In use, the main body 33 of the vacuum cleaner is tilted rearwardly towards the user so that the cleaner head is pushed away from the user. As the vacuum cleaner is moved forwards and backwards across the surface to be cleaned, the cxadle portion 39 tilts with respect to the inlet portion 38 of the cleaner head 31 so that it remains in contact with the surface to be cleaned whether the surface comprises a deep pile carpet or a hard floor and irrespective of the angle of tilt of the main body of the cleaner head.
Therefore, the dirty air inlet 37 remains in contact with the surface to be cleaned during use, maintaining good suction and hence improving the cleaning efficiency of the vacuum cleaner.
In the light of this disclosure, modifications of the described embodiments as well as other embodiments, all within the scope of the appended claims, will now become apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Claims (20)
1. A brush bar for a vacuum cleaner comprising a central core, at least one flange extending radially from the central core and a plurality of bristles, the bristles being mounted on the at least one flange so that the bristles are spaced from the central core, characterised in that the or each flange extends radially outwardly from the central core to a distance of 1.3 to 2.2 times the diameter of the central core.
2. A brush bar according to claim 1, wherein the or each flange extends along the length of the central core.
3. A brush bar according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the brush bar comprises two diametrically opposing flanges.
4. A brush bar according to claim 3, wherein the flanges extend along the length of the central core in the form of a helix.
5. A brush bar according to claim 3, wherein the flanges extend along the length of the central core in the form of a reverse helix.
6. A brush bar according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central core comprises a hollow, metal or composite fibre tube over-moulded with a plastics or rubber material.
7. A brush bar according to claim 6, wherein the or each flange is moulded integrally with the over-moulding of the metal tube.
8. A brush bar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.
9. A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner comprising a housing having an inlet for dirty air, the housing supporting a brush bar according to any one of the preceding claims in the dirty air inlet.
10. A cleaner head according to claim 9, wherein the inlet portion has a cradle portion mounted in the inlet for dirty air and being rotatable with respect to the inlet portion.
11. A cleaner head according to claim 10, wherein the cradle portion is sealingly mounted in the dirty air inlet.
12. A cleaner head according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the housing of the cradle portion comprises a plurality of rollers for contacting the surface to be cleaned.
13. A cleaner head according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the housing of the cleaner head comprises a sole plate fastened by a quick release mechanism.
14. A cleaner head according to claim 13, wherein the quick release mechanism comprises a plurality of quarter-turn screws.
15. A cleaner head according to claim 13, wherein the quick release mechanism comprises snap-fitting clips.
16. A cleaner head according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the sole plate is integral with the inlet portion and the cradle portion.
17. A cleaner head according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein at least a part of the sole plate is transparent.
18. A cleaner head substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.
19. A vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head according to any one of claims 9 to 18.
20. A vacuum cleaner substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9725777.8A GB9725777D0 (en) | 1997-12-04 | 1997-12-04 | A cleaner head and brush bar therefor |
| GB9725777.8 | 1997-12-04 | ||
| PCT/GB1998/003608 WO1999027834A1 (en) | 1997-12-04 | 1998-12-03 | A brush bar |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2312827A1 true CA2312827A1 (en) | 1999-06-10 |
Family
ID=10823169
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002312827A Abandoned CA2312827A1 (en) | 1997-12-04 | 1998-12-03 | A brush bar |
Country Status (14)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1043947B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2001524337A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20010032709A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1283970A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE234587T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU736703B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9815121A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2312827A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69812424T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2194367T3 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9725777D0 (en) |
| ID (1) | ID25529A (en) |
| TR (1) | TR200001619T2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1999027834A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (27)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9822005D0 (en) * | 1998-10-08 | 1998-12-02 | Notetry Ltd | A cleaner head assembly for a vacuum cleaner |
| GB9822001D0 (en) * | 1998-10-08 | 1998-12-02 | Notetry Ltd | A cleaner head assembly for a vacuum cleaner |
| US7243393B2 (en) * | 2001-02-06 | 2007-07-17 | The Hoover Company | Agitator drive configuration |
| WO2004047605A1 (en) * | 2002-11-22 | 2004-06-10 | Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha | Rotary cleaning-body, and method of producing suction inlet body and the rotary cleaning-body |
| KR100504894B1 (en) * | 2003-05-07 | 2005-07-29 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Brush of upright type vacuum cleaner |
| CN100374063C (en) * | 2003-10-30 | 2008-03-12 | 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 | Rotary brush for vacuum cleaner |
| GB2469459B (en) | 2009-04-14 | 2013-05-22 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaner head |
| WO2010119279A1 (en) | 2009-04-14 | 2010-10-21 | Dyson Technology Limited | A cleaner head |
| GB2469454C (en) | 2009-04-14 | 2016-04-27 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaner head |
| GB2469456B (en) | 2009-04-14 | 2013-04-17 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaner head |
| GB2470919A (en) | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating means for a cleaning head |
| GB2470920A (en) * | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating menas for a cleaning head |
| GB2470918A (en) | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating means for a cleaning head |
| GB2470917A (en) | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating means for cleaning head |
| GB2476810B (en) * | 2010-01-08 | 2014-01-08 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner |
| CN102727136A (en) * | 2011-04-06 | 2012-10-17 | 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 | Rolling brush structure with spiral blades |
| ES2703800T3 (en) | 2012-12-18 | 2019-03-12 | Kaercher Alfred Se & Co Kg | Cleaning brush for a floor cleaning appliance and floor cleaning appliance with a cleaning brush |
| GB201313707D0 (en) * | 2013-07-31 | 2013-09-11 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner |
| DE102015100699A1 (en) * | 2015-01-19 | 2016-07-21 | Vorwerk & Co. Interholding Gmbh | brush roll |
| JP2017018413A (en) * | 2015-07-13 | 2017-01-26 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Vacuum cleaner |
| JP6623145B2 (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2019-12-18 | 日立グローバルライフソリューションズ株式会社 | Electric vacuum cleaner |
| US10888205B2 (en) | 2018-03-29 | 2021-01-12 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Rotatable brush for surface cleaning apparatus |
| US10722087B2 (en) | 2018-03-29 | 2020-07-28 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Rotatable brush for surface cleaning apparatus |
| US10765279B2 (en) | 2018-03-29 | 2020-09-08 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Rotatable brush for surface cleaning apparatus |
| US10932631B2 (en) | 2018-03-29 | 2021-03-02 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Rotatable brush for surface cleaning apparatus |
| US10722022B2 (en) | 2018-03-29 | 2020-07-28 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc | Rotatable brush for surface cleaning apparatus |
| EP3766398B1 (en) * | 2019-07-19 | 2022-04-13 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Brush roller bar for a cleaning device |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1349765A (en) * | 1917-07-28 | 1920-08-17 | Hoover Suction Sweeper Co | Method of and apparatus for protecting the bearings of suction-cleaners |
| US3909871A (en) * | 1973-07-18 | 1975-10-07 | Superior Brush Co | Rotary brush assembly |
| US5148569A (en) * | 1990-10-17 | 1992-09-22 | Bissell Inc. | Debris impeller |
| US5495634A (en) * | 1994-06-30 | 1996-03-05 | Bruns Brush Inc. (Ohio Corporation) | Vacuum sweeper roller brush |
| DE19505106C2 (en) * | 1995-02-16 | 1997-04-17 | Stein & Co Gmbh | Device for floor care equipment |
-
1997
- 1997-12-04 GB GBGB9725777.8A patent/GB9725777D0/en not_active Ceased
-
1998
- 1998-12-03 ID IDW20001259A patent/ID25529A/en unknown
- 1998-12-03 CA CA002312827A patent/CA2312827A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-12-03 ES ES98957024T patent/ES2194367T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-03 DE DE69812424T patent/DE69812424T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-03 KR KR1020007005998A patent/KR20010032709A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-12-03 AT AT98957024T patent/ATE234587T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-03 WO PCT/GB1998/003608 patent/WO1999027834A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-12-03 AU AU13452/99A patent/AU736703B2/en not_active Expired
- 1998-12-03 CN CN98813476A patent/CN1283970A/en active Pending
- 1998-12-03 TR TR2000/01619T patent/TR200001619T2/en unknown
- 1998-12-03 BR BR9815121-5A patent/BR9815121A/en active Search and Examination
- 1998-12-03 JP JP2000522826A patent/JP2001524337A/en active Pending
- 1998-12-03 EP EP98957024A patent/EP1043947B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69812424T2 (en) | 2003-12-18 |
| WO1999027834A1 (en) | 1999-06-10 |
| BR9815121A (en) | 2000-10-10 |
| AU736703B2 (en) | 2001-08-02 |
| EP1043947A1 (en) | 2000-10-18 |
| ATE234587T1 (en) | 2003-04-15 |
| CN1283970A (en) | 2001-02-14 |
| GB9725777D0 (en) | 1998-02-04 |
| ID25529A (en) | 2000-10-12 |
| AU1345299A (en) | 1999-06-16 |
| EP1043947B1 (en) | 2003-03-19 |
| JP2001524337A (en) | 2001-12-04 |
| ES2194367T3 (en) | 2003-11-16 |
| TR200001619T2 (en) | 2001-01-22 |
| KR20010032709A (en) | 2001-04-25 |
| DE69812424D1 (en) | 2003-04-24 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |