CN115243591A

CN115243591A - Floor cleaner

Info

Publication number: CN115243591A
Application number: CN202080096061.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·凯格; D·卡里尔; K·保拉; A·什拉维奇; M·里德
Original assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-14
Filing date: 2020-12-29
Publication date: 2022-10-25
Also published as: EP4090209A1; AU2020423700A1; US20210212535A1; WO2021146050A1

Abstract

A cleaning head for a floor cleaner is disclosed that includes a brush roller assembly configured to clean a surface to be cleaned and reduce brush roller maintenance, such as removing hair and debris wrapped around the brush roller assembly and removing debris from bearings of the brush roller assembly. The brush roller assembly may include agitator members to assist in cleaning and maintenance.

Description

Floor cleaner

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/960,826, filed on 14/1/2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background

The present invention relates to a cleaning head for a floor cleaner.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, a floor cleaner is disclosed that includes a dirt collection chamber and a cleaning head in fluid communication with the dirt collection chamber. The cleaning head includes a housing, a brush roller chamber, and a brush roller. The brushroll chamber has an opening in the bottom side of the housing. The brush roll is operably mounted in the brush roll chamber. The brush roll includes an agitator body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. The agitator body is rotatable about the longitudinal axis and includes first and second concentric annular protrusions on the first end extending along the longitudinal axis. The cleaner head further includes a bearing in rotatable communication with the first end of the agitator body. An end cap retains the bearing and is removably mounted to the housing to position the first end of the brushroll in the brushroll chamber. The end cap includes an outer side facing away from the agitator body and an inner side facing the first end of the agitator body. The inner side includes a first concentric annular rib and a second concentric annular rib. The first and second annular ribs overlap the first and second annular protrusions to form a plurality of annular recesses between adjacent annular ribs and annular protrusions. An outermost annular recess is formed between the first annular rib and the first annular protrusion. The cleaner head comprises a plurality of agitating members extending along the agitator body between the first and second ends, the plurality of agitating members extending through the opening. Deformable members extend from the agitator body transverse to the longitudinal axis and are positioned along the circumference of the agitator body between the plurality of agitating members and the end cap. The deformable member is positioned adjacent to the outermost annular recess and is configured to inhibit debris from encountering the outermost annular recess.

In another embodiment, a cleaning head for a floor cleaner is disclosed that includes a housing, a brush roller chamber, and a brush roller. The brushroll chamber has an opening in the bottom side of the housing. The brush roll is operably mounted in the brush roll chamber. The brush roll includes an agitator body extending between a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The agitator body includes a plurality of agitating members extending through the opening and configured to contact a surface to be cleaned. The agitating members comprise blades extending longitudinally along the agitator body. The blades are connected to the agitator body along a first blade edge and a second blade edge such that the blades form a loop extending outwardly from the agitator body. The blade includes a plurality of apertures along the longitudinal direction that align with a corresponding plurality of bristle holes in the agitator body below the ring. A row of bristles extends from the plurality of bristle holes in the agitator body through a corresponding plurality of holes aligned therewith. The bristles are configured to contact a surface to be cleaned.

A cleaning head for a floor cleaner includes a housing, a brush roller chamber, and a brush roller assembly. The brush roller assembly is mounted in the brush roller chamber. The brush roller assembly includes an agitator body and a cleaning member coupled to the agitator body between a first end and a second end. The cleaning member comprises a plurality of cylindrical portions extending outwardly from the agitator body, the plurality of cylindrical portions being spaced apart in a longitudinally extending pattern along the agitator body. Each cylindrical portion is connected to adjacent spaced apart cylindrical portions by webbed portions. The webbed portion extends outwardly from the agitator body.

In another embodiment, a cleaning head for a floor cleaner is disclosed that includes a housing, a brush roller chamber, and a brush roller. The brushroll chamber has an opening in the bottom side of the housing. The brush roll is operably mounted in the brush roll chamber. The brush roll includes an agitator body extending between a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The agitator body includes a plurality of agitating members that extend through the opening to contact a surface to be cleaned during operation. The agitating members comprise blades extending longitudinally along the agitator body. The blades are connected to the agitator body along a first blade edge and a second blade edge such that the blades form a loop extending outwardly from the agitator body. The blade includes a plurality of bristle receivers integrally molded along a longitudinal direction. A row of bristles tufts into the bristle receivers and extends outwardly from the ring such that the row of bristles is configured to contact a surface to be cleaned.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floor cleaner according to one embodiment.

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the floor cleaner of fig. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of a brush roller assembly of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3a is an exploded view of the brush roller assembly of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1, showing the two deformable members in a removed position.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the brush roller assembly of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1, showing the bearing and end cap in a removed position.

FIG. 4a is an exploded view of the alternative brush roller assembly of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1, showing the alternative deformable member in a removed position.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the housing and brush roller assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an alternative cross-sectional view through the housing and brush roller assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through the brushroll assembly of FIG. 3, showing end caps and bearings of the brushroll assembly.

Fig. 7a is a detailed view of the cross section of fig. 7.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative brush roll embodiment of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative brushroll embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative brushroll embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative brushroll embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative brushroll embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the brush roll of FIG. 11 shown without bristles.

FIG. 13a is a schematic perspective view of the brush roll of FIG. 11 shown with bristles.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative brushroll embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative brush roll shown in fig. 14.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to a brush roller assembly 20 for a floor cleaner, such as a vacuum cleaner, extractor, or the like. Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate a floor cleaner 10. The floor cleaner 10 includes a cleaning head 12 having a housing 14, a brushroll chamber 16 and a longitudinal brushroll assembly 20. The brushroll assembly 20 is rotatably mounted within the housing 14 and is configured to rotate about bearings 28 located on at least one end thereof. In one embodiment, the brush roller assembly 20 includes a deformable member 38 adjacent the bearing 28 that is configured to inhibit debris, hair, wires, etc. from entering the bearing 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable member 38 is an endless felt material.

The brush roller chamber 16 includes an opening 18 in the bottom side of the housing 14. The brushroll assembly 20 is operably mounted longitudinally in the brushroll chamber 16 and extends through the opening 18 to contact a surface 50 to be cleaned. The brush roller assembly 20 includes an agitator body 22 that rotates relative to the housing 14 about a longitudinal axis 100. The longitudinal axis 100 extends through the first and second ends 24, 26 of the agitator body 22. The bearing 28 facilitates rotation of the agitator body 22 about the longitudinal axis 100.

The brushroll assembly 20 further includes end caps 30 on one or both ends of the brushroll body 22, which rotatably support and position the brushroll in the brushroll chamber 16. The cleaner head 12 may include an agitator drive mechanism in the housing 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the brushroll body 22 includes an end cap 30 which positions the first end 24 of the brushroll in the brushroll chamber 16, and the drive mechanism includes a drive element 54 which is operatively engaged with the second end 26 of the agitator body 22, such as by coaxial spline or gear drive engagement with a spline recess 55 on the second end. In one embodiment, the brush roller assembly 20 includes end caps 30 on the first and second ends 24, 26, and the drive element 54 is operably engaged with the brush roller body, such as by gears or belts. In operation, the drive mechanism drives rotation of the agitator body 22 about the bearing 28, thereby forming the longitudinal axis 100 shown in fig. 3. The bearing 28 may be operably mounted on an end cap 30. The agitator body 22 is rotatable to agitate, wipe and clean the surface 50 to be cleaned.

The agitator body 22 includes a plurality of agitating members 32. In one embodiment, the agitating members 32 include a plurality of blades 34 and at least one row of bristles 36. The agitating members 32 extend between the first and second ends 24, 26 and extend outwardly from the agitator body 22 spaced around a circumferential surface 47 of the agitator body 22. In the illustrated embodiment shown in fig. 3-6, the bristles 36 are schematically illustrated. Any suitable material may be used for the bristles, such as polymeric bristles, fibrous or rubber bristles, strips or pads, stirring bars, wipers, bristle bars, microfibers, and the like.

The agitator body 22 extends along a longitudinal axis 100 with the end cover 30 received on the agitator body 22 to enclose the bearing 28 and the deformable member 38 positioned around the circumferential surface of the agitator body 22. The deformable members 38 are in contacting engagement with at least one of the end cover 30 and the agitator body 22, however, the deformable members 38 may be in contacting engagement with both the end cover 30 and the agitator body 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable member 38 is positioned between the plurality of agitating members 32 and the end cap 30. The deformable member 38 extends radially outward from the agitator body 22 and is configured to inhibit hairs and debris from entering the bearing 28. The agitating members 32 extend a radial distance from the agitator body, and in one embodiment the deformable members 38 extend beyond the radial distance of the agitating members 32. In one embodiment, the deformable member 38 extends through the opening 18 to contact the surface to be cleaned 50 during operation. The deformable member 38 may be constructed of felted material, tufted bristles, microfibers, felt, thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, sponge, foam, non-woven fabric, or the like. The deformable member 38 is compressible and configured to allow the brushroll assembly 20 to be removed from the lateral side 15 of the housing for cleaning and/or maintenance.

In one embodiment, the end cap 30 includes an outer side 53 facing away from the agitator body 22 and an inner side 51 facing the first end 24 of the agitator body. When the end cap 30 is installed in the housing 14, the outer side 53 forms a portion of the outer surface 57 of the housing. The inner side 51 includes a plurality of concentric annular ribs facing the first end 24. In one embodiment, there is a first concentric annular rib 64' located radially outward from the second concentric annular rib 64 ". The first end 24 of the agitator body includes a corresponding plurality of concentric annular protrusions 66 that extend axially toward the end cover 30. In one embodiment, there is a first concentric annular protrusion 66' located radially outward from a second concentric annular protrusion 66 ". The first and second annular ribs 64' and 64 "are configured to overlap the respective first and second annular projections 661 and 66" to form a plurality of annular recesses 67 between adjacent annular ribs and annular projections. An outermost annular recess 67' is formed between the first annular rib 64' and the first annular protrusion 66'. The deformable member 38 is positioned adjacent the outermost annular recess 67 'and is configured to inhibit debris from encountering the outermost annular recess 67'. In one embodiment, the deformable member 38 is an annular seal adjacent the first end 24 of the agitator body and adjacent the end cover 30, wherein the deformable member 38 is configured to inhibit debris from encountering the outermost annular recess 67' of the end cover. In order for the deformable member 38 to effectively inhibit debris from entering the bearing 28 or adjacent areas, it is useful to receive and retain the deformable member 38 between the plurality of agitating members 32 and the end cap 30. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3a, the peripheral surface 47 of the agitator body 22 includes a groove or recess 37 at the first end 24 between the plurality of agitating members 32 and the end cap 30. The recess 37 is configured to receive and retain the deformable member 38 during operation of the floor cleaner 10. The groove 37 inhibits movement of the deformable member 38, particularly inward along the longitudinal axis 100 away from the end cap 30 during operation. In one embodiment, the deformable member 38 fits within the groove 37 such that the outer diameter of the deformable member 38 corresponds with the end cap 30. The deformable member 38 is attached to the agitator body in the recess 37 by friction fit, adhesive, press fit, mechanical fasteners or similar mechanisms.

In one embodiment, illustrated schematically in fig. 4a, the deformable member 38 comprises an inner region and an outer region, the inner region having a first connecting member 43 which is coupled to a second connecting member 45 on a circumferential surface 47 of the agitator body 22, thereby retaining the deformable member 38 on the agitator body 22 in operation. In one embodiment, the inner region may be a rigid material, and a deformable outer region having a flexible elastomer coupled to a circumferentially outer portion forms the remainder of the deformable member 38. The deformable outer region may have a felt, foam, microfiber, or other deformable material coupled to the circumferential outer portion to complete the deformable member 38.

Most of the dust, hair and debris is drawn into the working air path of the floor cleaner 10 by the working air flow and into the dirt collection chamber 52. However, some amount of hair, strings, wires or debris may become entangled around the brush roller assembly 20 and agitator body 22, and eventually may migrate toward the

ends

24 and 26 of the agitator body 22, toward the bearing 28. The deformable member 38 acts as a barrier between the hair/debris and the bearing 28. As shown in fig. 3 and 3a, the brush roller assembly 20 further includes a second deformable member 38'. The second deformable member 38' extends from the agitator body 22 between the plurality of agitating members 32 and the drive element 54. The second deformable member 38' is configured to inhibit debris from entering the drive mechanism. The second deformable member 38 'may be received and retained by the second groove 37' on the agitator body 22. In one embodiment, the height of the second deformable member 38 'extending outwardly from the agitator body 22 is greater than or equal to the height of the adjacent agitating member 32 extending outwardly from the agitator body 22, such that any hair or debris that becomes entangled around the agitating members 32 is blocked by the second deformable member 38' before reaching the drive mechanism. In the event that the height of the hair or debris on the agitating members 32 exceeds the height of the second deformable member 38', the hair or debris may then enter the drive mechanism. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3 and 7, the deformable member 38 and the second deformable member 38' extending outwardly from the agitator body 22 have a height equal to or slightly less than the height of the adjacent agitating members 32. The deformable member 38 and the second deformable member 38' act as a first line of defense to inhibit hair and debris from reaching the bearing 28 and the drive mechanism, respectively.

Hair and debris entering the end cap 30 and the bearing 28 can interfere with the rotation of the agitator body 22 on the bearing 28, which negatively impacts the overall cleaning performance of the floor cleaner 10 and may require repair or maintenance. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the labyrinth seal 52 arrangement is defined in the relationship between the overlapping relationship of the annular rib 64 of the end cover and the annular protrusion 66 of the agitator body. Labyrinth seal 52 forms a tortuous path to inhibit hairs and debris that pass over deformable member 38 from entering bearing 28 through outermost annular recess 67'. The plurality of annular recesses 67 create space making it more difficult for hair and debris to reach the bearing 28. The arrangement of the labyrinth seal 52 between the end cover 30 and the agitator body 22 inhibits hairs and debris from entering the bearing 28 or drive element 54.

The agitator body 22 extends between a first end 24 and a second end 26 opposite the first end 24. The agitating members 32 rotate with the agitator body 22 to contact the surface 50 through the opening 18 and assist in surface debris pick-up. The agitator members 32 are configured to improve surface debris pick-up and reduce brushroll maintenance by inhibiting hair and debris from becoming entangled around the brushroll. In the embodiment shown in fig. 14 and 15, the agitating member 32 includes only a plurality of blades 34. The plurality of vanes 34 inhibit tangling of hair, in part, by increasing the circumference of the agitator body 22 and preventing hairs and debris below a predetermined length from wrapping completely around the agitator body 22. In addition, the solid nature of the lobes 34 from the first end 24 to the second end 26 creates a surface that is more difficult for hair to snag when compared to tufted bristles having gaps between adjacent tufts. The vanes 34 may be made of rubber, nylon, vinyl, thermoplastic elastomer, non-woven fabric, or the like. The flexibility of the blades 34 allows bending and flexing during operation, which further reduces debris from becoming entangled around the agitator body 22 by not allowing hair and debris to become entangled around stationary portions.

In one embodiment, the plurality of blades 34 have a first blade end 31 adjacent the first end 24 and a second blade end 33 adjacent the second end 26. The vanes 34 include surface engaging portions 35 extending longitudinally along the agitator body 22 between the first and second vane ends 31, 33. The surface engaging portions 35 promote surface debris pick-up and inhibit hair and debris from becoming entangled around the agitator body 22. In this embodiment, the deformable member 38 is positioned between the first blade end 31 and the end cap 30 to inhibit debris from hitting the end cap 30. The second deformable member 38' is positioned between the second blade end 33 and the drive element 54 to inhibit debris from encountering the drive element 54.

In one embodiment, the plurality of agitating members 32 are wrapped around the agitator body 22 in a helical pattern between the first end 24 and the second end 26. The helical pattern may be defined by a single helix such that all of the agitating members 32 are located in a single common helix relative to the longitudinal axis 100. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3 and 4, the agitating members 32 may be a plurality of blades 34 and bristles 36 having the same spiral pattern around the brush-roller assembly 20, but each having a different starting point. The uniform helical pattern of the agitating members 32 helps to provide uniform and consistent debris pick-up while inhibiting hair and debris from wrapping around the brush roll 20.

In one embodiment, the helical pattern of the plurality of blades and the helical pattern of bristles extend in opposite directions around the agitator body. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of blades 234 spiral wrap about the agitator body about 180 degrees between the first and second ends 224, 226 in a first direction, while the bristles 236 spiral wrap about 360 degrees about the agitator body in a second direction opposite the first direction. In another embodiment, the plurality of blades 234 spiral wrap around the agitator body about 200 to 400 degrees in a first direction and the bristles 236 spiral wrap about 360 to 720 degrees in a second direction. A greater difference between the opposing spiral patterns (i.e., where the opposing spiral patterns have a higher rotation about the agitator body) results in a greater angle of intersection at the blade 234 and the bristle intersection 236. A larger angle of intersection may be advantageous because it results in fewer bristles being removed by interference with the blade.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 8, the blades 34 define a constant helical pattern around the agitator body 22 from the first end 24 to the second end 26, and the one or more rows of bristles 36 define an oscillating or variable pattern around the agitator body 22 from the first end 24 to the second end 26. An oscillating pattern of bristles 36 extends between two adjacent blades 34. This oscillating pattern allows for a variable distance between a row of bristles 36 and adjacent blades 34, which can result in improved cleaning and reduced tangling of hair and debris around the agitator body 22. In addition, it has been found that hair and debris become most prevalent in the spaces between adjacent tufted bristles. Having the bristles in a rocking pattern provides a more angled path for hair and debris to embed in the spaces between adjacent bristles, thereby creating a more difficult path and reducing tangling of hair and debris around the agitator body 22.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 10, the agitator body 322 has two or more cleaning members 332 extending between the first end 324 and the second end 326 of the agitator body 322. The cleaning member 332 includes a plurality of spaced apart cylindrical portions 336 between the first end 324 and the second end 326, which are connected by a webbed portion 334. The spaced cylindrical portions 336 provide agitation to the surface 50 to be cleaned to enhance debris pick-up, while the webbed portions 334 inhibit hair, wires and debris from becoming entangled between the cylindrical portions 336 and around the agitator body 322. The cleaning member 332 may be an elastomer, vinyl, or any suitable material. It has been found that such an arrangement increases the time between required cleaning and maintenance whilst providing the desired pick-up of surface debris.

In the embodiment schematically illustrated in fig. 11 to 13, the brush roller assembly 420 has a plurality of

couplings

440a, 440b circumferentially arranged on the circumferential surface of the agitator body 422, the couplings extending axially along the agitator body 422. The first cleaning blade 434 has a longitudinal first edge 434a and a longitudinal second edge 434b. The first and

second edges

434a and 434b of the cleaning blade 434 are slidably connected to respective first and

second couplers

440a and 440b of a plurality of couplers 440. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 13, the cleaning blades 434 cover the length of the agitator body 422, however, in other embodiments, the cleaning blades 434 cover only a portion of the length of the agitator body 422. In one embodiment, the first and

second ends

434a, 434b of the cleaning blade 434 are integrally molded with the first and

second couplers

440a, 440b, respectively. When the first and

second ends

434a, 434b are coupled to the agitator body, the first cleaning blades 434 form a loop 435 between the longitudinal edges, which loop extends outwardly away from the agitator body 422. In one embodiment, the cleaning blade 434 includes a plurality of apertures 442 extending through the cleaning blade 434 between the first and

second edges

434a, 434b. A row of bristles 436 may be tufted through a plurality of apertures 442 in the cleaning blade 434 and attached to a corresponding plurality of brush holes 437 on the agitator body 422 (fig. 11). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of bristle receivers 439 are integrally molded with the cleaning blade 434 along the length of the cleaning blade. A row of bristles 436 is tufted into the bristle receiver 439. The bristle receiver 439 secures and holds bristles 436. In this embodiment, the bristles 436 and bristle receiver 439 are separate and apart from the agitator body 422.

The first cleaning blade 434 may be constructed of an elastomeric material, vinyl, woven fabric, or similar material. The flexibility of the material of the first cleaning blade 434 increases the durability and longevity of the cleaner. In addition, the flexibility of the first cleaning blades 434 allows the cleaner to flex and bend during operation, which reduces debris from wrapping around the agitator body 422 by not allowing hair and debris to wrap around stationary portions. An array of bristles 436 provides agitation to the surface 50 to be cleaned to improve cleaning performance and debris pick-up. The ring 435 of the first cleaning blades 434 increases the circumference of the agitator body 422. By increasing the circumference of the agitator body 422, less hair can be wrapped completely around the agitator body 422, resulting in overall less hair, cord, and debris wrapping. Additionally, the agitator body 422 may include auxiliary cleaning members 444 configured to further enhance debris pick-up and inhibit debris and hair from becoming entangled around the agitator body 422. The auxiliary cleaning member 444 may be composed of the same material as the first cleaning blade 434 or a different material.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5 and 6, the housing 14 further includes an extension or protrusion 56 that points inwardly toward the agitator body 22. The extension or protrusion 56 may extend from a central location of the housing 14, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, however the protrusion may extend anywhere in the housing 14 between the first end 24 and the second end 26. The extension portion 56 is configured to contact the surface engagement portion 35 of the agitating member. The extensions 56 provide a flicking action to the agitating members 32 to inhibit hairs and debris from becoming entangled around the agitator body 22. The flicking action primarily inhibits the entanglement of hair and debris by producing vibration and movement of the agitating members 32 which then vibrate and move the hair and debris to facilitate removal through the suction opening 58. Another beneficial aspect of the flicking action of the extension 56 is direct contact with hair and debris. This direct contact helps to inhibit hair and debris from tightly wrapping around the agitator body 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the extension portion 56 is positioned adjacent the suction opening 58 to facilitate drawing dislodged hair and debris into the working air path. In one embodiment, the extension portion 56 has a length in the longitudinal direction along the brush roll axis of between 3 millimeters and 25 millimeters such that in operation the surface engaging portions 35 of the blade are contacted as the blade rotates past the extension portion 56. In other embodiments, the extension portion 56 has a length in the longitudinal direction of between 25 and 50 millimeters, thereby contacting the surface engaging portion 35 of the blade as the blade rotates past the extension portion 56 in operation. The extensions 56 also inhibit hairs and debris from passing over the deformable member 38 and into the bearing 28 by helping to remove and inhibit entanglement of hairs around the agitator body 22.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A floor cleaner comprising:

a dust collecting chamber; and

a cleaner head in fluid communication with the dirt collection chamber, the cleaner head comprising

A housing;

a brush roller chamber having an opening in a bottom side of the housing; and

a brush roller assembly operably mounted in the brush roller chamber and having

An agitator body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, the agitator body being rotatable about the longitudinal axis, and the agitator body further comprising first and second concentric annular protrusions on the first end extending along the longitudinal axis,

a bearing in rotatable communication with the first end of the agitator body,

an end cap retaining the bearing, the end cap being removably mounted to the housing to position the first end of the brushroll in the brushroll chamber, the end cap including an outer side facing away from the agitator body and an inner side facing the first end of the agitator body, the inner side including a first concentric annular rib and a second concentric annular rib,

wherein the first annular rib and the second annular rib overlap the first annular protrusion and the second annular protrusion to form a plurality of annular recesses between adjacent annular ribs and the annular protrusions, an outermost annular recess being formed between the first annular rib and the first annular protrusion,

a plurality of agitating members extending along the agitator body between the first end and the second end, the plurality of agitating members extending through the opening, an

A deformable member extending from the agitator body transverse to the longitudinal axis and positioned along a circumferential surface of the agitator body between the plurality of agitating members and the end cap, the deformable member positioned adjacent the outermost annular recess and configured to inhibit debris from encountering the outermost annular recess.

2. The cleaner head of claim 1, wherein the deformable member comprises an annular seal adjacent the first end of the agitator body and adjacent the end cap, the deformable member being configured to inhibit debris from encountering the outermost annular recess.

3. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the end cap includes a labyrinth seal surrounding the bearing.

4. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the deformable member comprises a felt material.

5. The cleaner head of claim 1, wherein the agitator body includes a groove along the circumferential surface at the first end between the plurality of agitating members and the end cap, the groove configured to receive and retain the deformable member during operation.

6. The cleaner head of claim 1, wherein the deformable member is attached to and rotatable with the agitator body.

7. The cleaner head of claim 1, wherein the deformable member is positioned between the end cover and the agitator body and in contacting engagement with at least one of the end cover and the agitator body.

8. A cleaner head as claimed in claim 1, in which the deformable member extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the agitator body.

9. The cleaner head of claim 1, further comprising an agitator drive mechanism in the housing, the drive mechanism having a drive element operatively engaging the second end of the agitator body; the brush roller assembly further comprises

A second deformable member extending radially from the agitator body, the second deformable member being positioned along a circumferential surface of the agitator body between the plurality of agitating members and the drive element.

10. The cleaning head of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first deformable member and the second deformable member extends through the opening to contact the surface to be cleaned during operation.

11. The cleaning head of claim 10, wherein the plurality of agitating members comprises one or more blades and the second deformable member is positioned at an end of the one or more blades.

12. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein each blade has a surface engaging portion extending longitudinally along the agitator body between a first blade end adjacent the first end and a second blade end adjacent the second end, and wherein the second deformable member is positioned between the second blade end and the drive element.

13. The cleaner head of claim 1, wherein the deformable member has an interior region with a first connecting member coupled to a second connecting member on a circumferential surface of the agitator body.

14. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of agitating members comprise a bristle pattern.

15. The cleaning head of claim 14, wherein the bristle pattern extends in a helical row between the first end and the second end.

16. The cleaner head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of agitating members comprises a plurality of blades spaced about the circumference of the agitator body and extending outwardly from the agitator body.

17. The cleaner head of claim 16, wherein the plurality of agitating members further comprises at least one bristle pattern extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the at least one bristle pattern is spaced apart from adjacent blades along the agitator body in a circumferential direction by at least 5 millimeters.

18. The cleaning head of claim 16, wherein each blade has a surface engaging portion extending longitudinally along the agitator body between a first blade end adjacent the first end and a second blade end adjacent the second end, wherein the housing includes an extension portion directed inwardly toward the agitator body, the extension portion being positioned within the brushroll chamber between the first end and the second end, the extension portion being configured to contact the blade surface engaging portion as the blade rotates past the extension portion in the brushroll chamber during operation.

19. The cleaning head of claim 18, wherein the extension portion has a length along a brushroll axis of between 3 and 25 millimeters, so as to contact the surface engaging portion as the blade rotates past the extension portion in operation.

20. The cleaning head of claim 18, wherein the extension has a length along the brushroll axis that exceeds 25 millimeters, so as to contact the surface engaging portion when the vanes rotate past the extension in operation.

21. The cleaner head of claim 1, wherein each of the three or more blades extends between the first end and the second end along a constant helical pitch around the agitator body, and the one or more rows of bristles define a variable or oscillating pattern around the agitator body between the first end and the second end, wherein each of the one or more rows of bristles extends between two adjacent blades.

22. The cleaner head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of agitating members comprises three or more blades and one or more rows of bristles extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the plurality of agitating members extend helically around the agitator body between the first end and the second end.

23. The cleaning head of claim 22, wherein the helix of the three or more blades extends in a first direction and the helix of the one or more rows of bristles extends in a second direction opposite the first direction.

24. The cleaner head of claim 23, wherein the three or more blades spiral wrap about 180 degrees around the agitator body between the first end and the second end in the first direction, and the one or more rows of bristles spiral wrap about 360 degrees around the agitator body in the second direction.

25. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an outer surface of the cleaning head, and wherein the end cap includes an outer side facing away from the brush roll body and an inner side facing the first end, wherein the end cap is mounted in the housing such that the outer side of the end cap forms a portion of the outer surface.

26. A cleaning head for a floor cleaner comprising:

a housing;

a brush roll chamber having an opening in a bottom side of the housing; and

a brushroll assembly operably mounted in the brushroll chamber, the brushroll assembly having an agitator body extending between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of agitating members extending through the opening and configured to contact a surface to be cleaned,

wherein the agitating members comprise

A blade extending longitudinally along the agitator body and connected to the agitator body along a first blade edge and a second blade edge such that the blade forms a ring extending outwardly from the agitator body, the blade having a plurality of apertures along the longitudinal direction that align with a corresponding plurality of bristle holes in the agitator body below the ring, and

a row of bristles extending from the plurality of bristle holes in the agitator body through a corresponding plurality of apertures aligned therewith and configured to contact the surface to be cleaned.

27. The cleaner head of claim 26, wherein the first blade edge and the second blade edge are connected to the agitator body at least 4mm apart.

28. The cleaner head of claim 26, wherein the housing includes an extension directed inwardly toward the agitator body, the extension being configured to contact at least a portion of the agitating members.

29. The cleaner head of claim 26, further comprising a first coupler connected to the first blade edge and a second coupler connected to the second blade edge, the first coupler being connected to the agitator body adjacent the second coupler such that the blades form a loop extending outwardly from the agitator body.

30. The cleaning head of claim 26, wherein the housing includes an extension directed inward toward the agitating body, the extension positioned between the first end and the second end within the brushroll chamber, the extension configured to contact at least a portion of the blade as the blade rotates past the extension in the brushroll chamber during operation.

31. A cleaning head for a floor cleaner comprising:

a housing;

a brush roller chamber;

a brush roller assembly mounted in the brush roller chamber,

wherein the brush roller component comprises

A main body of the agitator is provided with a water inlet,

a cleaning member coupled to the agitator body between a first end and a second end, the cleaning member comprising a plurality of cylindrical portions extending outwardly from the agitator body, the plurality of cylindrical portions being spaced apart in a longitudinally extending pattern along the agitator body, each cylindrical portion being connected to an adjacent spaced apart cylindrical portion by a web portion, the web portion extending outwardly from the agitator body.

32. The cleaner head of claim 31, wherein the height of the spaced apart cylindrical portions extending outwardly from the agitator body is greater than the height of adjacent webbed portions extending outwardly from the agitator body.

33. A cleaner head as claimed in claim 31, wherein the cleaning member extends helically along the agitator body.

34. The cleaning head of claim 31, wherein the cleaning member is an elastomer.

35. A cleaning head for a floor cleaner comprising:

a housing;

a brush roller chamber having an opening in a bottom side of the housing; and

a brush roller assembly operably mounted in the brush roller chamber, the brush roller assembly having an agitator body extending between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of agitating members extending through the opening configured to contact a surface to be cleaned,

wherein the agitating members comprise

A blade extending longitudinally along the agitator body and connected to the agitator body along a first blade edge and a second blade edge such that the blade forms a loop extending outwardly from the agitator body, the blade having a plurality of bristle receptacles integrally molded along the longitudinal direction, and

a row of bristles tufted into the bristle receivers and extending outwardly from the ring such that the row of bristles is configured to contact the surface to be cleaned.

36. The cleaner head of claim 35, wherein the bristle receptacles are spaced apart from the agitator body.

37. The cleaner head of claim 35, wherein the first blade edge and the second blade edge are connected to the agitator body at least 4mm apart.

38. The cleaner head of claim 35, wherein housing includes an extension directed inwardly toward the agitator body, the extension being configured to contact at least a portion of the agitating members.