EP3166464B1 - Floor tool - Google Patents
Floor tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3166464B1 EP3166464B1 EP15732896.4A EP15732896A EP3166464B1 EP 3166464 B1 EP3166464 B1 EP 3166464B1 EP 15732896 A EP15732896 A EP 15732896A EP 3166464 B1 EP3166464 B1 EP 3166464B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- floor tool
- chamber
- cleaning member
- floor
- 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.)
- Active
Links
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 59
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC#N.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 20
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010421 standard material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- A47L9/06—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
- A47L9/0606—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like rigidly anchored brushes, combs, lips or pads
-
- 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
-
- 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
- A47L9/0405—Driving means for the brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0411—Driving means for the brushes or agitators driven by electric motor
-
- 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
-
- 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
- A47L9/0455—Bearing means therefor
-
- 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
- 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
- A47L9/06—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
Definitions
- This invention relates to a floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface and/or such an apparatus including the floor tool.
- this invention relates to an apparatus which utilises a source of suction to draw dirt and/or debris from a floor surface being cleaned for storage in a dirt chamber or bag for emptying by a user.
- Such apparatus are typically known as "vacuum cleaners”.
- the performance of vacuum cleaners is judged on a number of parameters which includes how efficient a cleaner is in extracting dirt/debris for a given suction power, i.e. energy efficiency, and how much noise is generated during use. In order to maximise these efficiencies it is advantageous to reduce suction losses in the suction air flow path and to reduce turbulence in the suction air flow path.
- Known vacuum cleaners have a floor tool which has a chamber having a chamber inlet through which dirt/debris entrained air enters the tool and flows towards the dirt chamber.
- the chamber inlet has a small cross-sectional area compared to the chamber.
- the suction air flow rate through the inlet and chamber is the same and so the limited inlet cross-sectional area means that the suction air flow has a higher velocity near the inlet in comparison to areas upstream of the inlet. This makes the chamber susceptible to ambient air being drawn into the chamber through any such high velocity areas which are not adequately sealed thereby causing suction losses and/or turbulence in the chamber.
- US2003/0145422 discloses a front brush attachment device for a vacuum cleaner comprising a multi-component housing, a brush roller and a rotating and tilting joint for connecting the vacuum cleaner.
- FR1207160 discloses a cleaning tool for use in cleaning surfaces.
- DE102004005144 discloses a method for the action of a vacuum cleaner nozzle on carpeted surfaces has a sliding shoe in front of the rotating brush which withdraws in the backward direction.
- a floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface said apparatus including a source of suction
- the floor tool including: a housing having an interior surface that defines a chamber for receiving at least a portion of a cleaning member, the housing including:
- a floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
- the apparatus 10 includes an upright part 12 including a user graspable handle 13 and a floor tool 14.
- the apparatus 10 includes a source of suction (not shown) which is in fluid communication with the floor tool 14 to provide suction thereto.
- the floor tool 14 is supported on wheels 15 provided on a rear part thereof and can be pushed and pulled over a floor surface S to clean the surface as required by the user grasping the handle 13 of the upright part 12.
- the floor tool 14 includes a housing 16 having an interior surface 18 which defines a chamber 20 for receiving a cleaning member 22.
- the housing 16 further includes a chamber inlet 24 for receiving dirty air and a chamber outlet 26 that communicates with the suction source.
- the upright part 12 is pivotably connected to the floor tool 14 remote from a leading edge of the floor tool 14.
- the upright part 12 contains operative components of the apparatus 10 such as the suction source in the form of a suction motor and fan to provide suction to the floor tool 14, and a dirt chamber (not shown) for receiving any dirt entrained in the suction air flow drawn through the floor tool 14.
- operative component parts could be located elsewhere, however, in other embodiments.
- the upright part 12 includes a dirt separator in the form of a cyclonic separator for separating dirt entrained in the suction air flow from the floor tool 14.
- This embodiment includes a cyclonic separator, other embodiments of the invention may not have such a separator, but instead rely on a bag for separation/collection of dirt from the air flow.
- the floor tool 14 has a main body 17 which provides the pivotal connection to the upright part 12.
- the housing 16 is a separate part from the main body 17 and is supported by the main body 17.
- the housing 16 is positioned forwardly of the pivotal connection to the upright part 12, and forms the leading edge of the floor tool 14.
- the housing 16 provides part of the suction air flow path from the chamber inlet 24, whilst the main body 17 contains no part of the suction air flow path. In other embodiments, the main body 17 may contain part of the suction air flow path.
- the housing 16 is generally elongate with a curved upper surface thereof (see figure 5 ).
- the housing 16 extends in a direction transverse to the normal direction of movement of the apparatus 10 with the chamber outlet 26 being positioned at one of the transversely remote ends thereof, to the side of the main body 17.
- the outlet 26 extends in a rearward direction towards the upright part 12 and has a connector formed thereon for connection to a hose of the apparatus 10 so as to provide fluid communication between the chamber 20 and the source of suction.
- the housing 16 is formed of first and second housing portions 28, 30 which provide the interior surface 18 that defines the chamber 20 and all of the housing portions 28, 30 are permanently connected or permanently joined to each other.
- the first housing portion 28 includes a floor facing surface 32 and the chamber inlet 24 is formed therein.
- the second housing portion 30 has a downwardly facing perimeter which is connected to an upwardly facing perimeter of the first housing portion 28.
- Laterally facing side walls of the housing portions 28, 30 each have a recess 29, 31 which together form an opening 34 at a nearside position of the housing 16 and through which the cleaning member 22 passes into the chamber 20.
- the opening 34 is thus formed in a laterally facing side wall 36 of the housing 16.
- the housing 16 is generally cylindrical in shape with the cleaning member 22 being positioned along an elongate axis thereof.
- the cleaning member 22 is a brush bar which is rotatably supported at one end of the interior part of the housing 16 and at the other end has a drivable portion 38.
- the floor tool 14 includes a driving device 40, in the form of a motor positioned in the main body 17, for effecting rotation of the cleaning member 22.
- the device 40 is connected to the drivable portion 38 which is positioned outside of the chamber 20 by a belt in a manner which is known in the art and so is not described in further detail here. Other types of driving connection could be utilised.
- the housing 16 further includes a closing member 42 in the form of a plate-like member which is removably connectable to the side wall 36 and co-operates with the cleaning member 22 so as to substantially seal the remainder of the opening 34 in a fluid tight manner.
- the closing member 42 separates the chamber 20 from the drivable portion 38 of the cleaning member 22 to prevent ambient air flow into the chamber 20 via the opening 34.
- the closing member 42 includes two closing member parts 44, 46 which engage each other at respective ends thereof. The respective ends include a recess 45, 47 through which at least a portion of the cleaning member 22 is received.
- the floor tool 14 includes a removable cover member 48 which, together with the housing 16, forms a space 50 for receiving the drivable portion 38 of the cleaning member 22.
- a substantially disc shaped support member 52 Positioned between the closing member 42 and the cover member 48 is a substantially disc shaped support member 52.
- the support member 52 has a central aperture through which a spindle of the cleaning member 22 extends and is rotatably supported thereby.
- the housing portions 28, 30 each have a respective threaded projection 51a, 51b which is long enough to extend through a respective aperture 53a, 53b, 53a', 53b' of the closing member 42 and the support member 52.
- the cover member 48 has apertures 49a, 49b that align with the threaded projections 51a, 51b and through which a user can pass through screws or the like to screw them within the threaded projections 51a, 51b so as to fix the cover member 48, support member 52 and the closing member 42 to the housing 16.
- the housing portions 28, 30 are ultrasonically welded to each other about their respective perimeters such that the chamber 20 is substantially sealed in a fluid tight manner at this connection.
- Each of the portions 28, 30 are formed by moulding of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS).
- ABS Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
- other materials such as polypropylene, polycarbonate and/or die-cast aluminium may be used.
- the housing may be formed of a unitary construction, i.e. as a one-piece component. This could be achieved by, for example, 3-D printing or other manufacture methods known in the art.
- the connection may take other forms such as a permanent screw-threaded connection.
- the housing may be formed of more than two parts and/or only a portion of the connection between the parts is permanently made.
- the floor tool may not have a cleaning member and instead, the housing may only have a chamber with a chamber inlet for receiving dirty air and a chamber outlet for communication with the suction source, with the housing being formed as a unitary component.
- the housing may only have a chamber with a chamber inlet for receiving dirty air and a chamber outlet for communication with the suction source, with the housing being formed as a unitary component.
- surface 32 includes the chamber inlet 24 as an integral part thereof.
- Known floor tools have a housing to which a sole plate is attached to a floor facing surface thereof and which provides the inlet for dirt/debris entrained air. The connection therebetween is therefore susceptible to ambient air entering therethrough and the present invention has no such problem because it has no separate sole plate.
- the user will operate the apparatus 10 in a known manner, i.e. the cleaning member 22 rotates to engage with carpet piles of the floor surface S so as to loosen dirt present therein.
- the dirt is then entrained in the suction air flow.
- the dirt entrained air enters the chamber 20 through the chamber inlet 24 and the dirt is separated and collected in the dirt chamber, with the clean air being exhausted to atmosphere.
- a user removes the cover member 48 by unscrewing the screws passing therethrough to provide access to the space 50 in which the drivable portion 38 of the cleaning member 22 is positioned.
- the user removes the support member 52 and pulls the closing member parts 44, 46 in an upward and downward direction respectively away from the cleaning member 22.
- the cleaning member 22 is then free to move within the chamber 20 and can be pulled in a sideways direction out through the opening 34.
- laterally facing sidewall 36 and the opposing laterally facing sidewall 37 each have a respective passage 54, 55 which extends away from the inlet 24 in a direction transverse to the normal direction of movement of the apparatus 10.
- Each passage 54, 55 is identical and so for the purpose of this description, only passage 54 will be described.
- a portion of the passage 54 has a cross-section which is substantially trapezoidal in that the portion has sides A, B which are relatively short, and a side C which is relatively long.
- the portion of passage 54 is in the form of a recess which is open in a direction towards the floor surface. The recess is substantially closed by the floor surface S during use and thus the fourth side of the trapezoid is the floor surface S.
- the portion of passage 54 thus has an open side D opposite side C, and which is longer than side C, whilst sides A and B are relatively short in comparison to D.
- Side A forms an angle ⁇ with respect to side C
- side B forms an angle ⁇ with respect to side C.
- ⁇ and/or ⁇ is between 110° to 122°, and more preferably 116°.
- C extends a distance of between 18 and 24mm, and more preferably, extends a distance of 21mm. Improvements in performance have also been found if D is between 20 and 26mm, and more preferably, D is 23mm or about 23mm.
- the portion of passage 54 may not be formed as a recess but rather as a trapezoidal aperture formed in side walls of the housing and configured to have the shape described above.
- floor facing surface 32 of the floor tool 14 which defines the inlet 24 is positioned in a first plane 56 and a planar portion 58 of the floor facing surface 32 which is positioned forwardly (in normal use) of the inlet 24 subtends an angle ⁇ of 5 to 10° with respect to the first plane 56. It has been found that performance is unexpectedly improved if ⁇ is in this range. More preferably, it has been found that an angle of 7° is highly advantageous.
- the floor facing surface 32 also includes a substantially flat portion 60 which extends between the planar portion 58 and the inlet 24. The flat portion 60 is positioned in a second plane 62 which is substantially parallel with the first plane 56.
- the cleaning member 22 is arranged to have cleaning elements 68 which each extend radially away from an elongate axis of the cleaning member 22.
- the cleaning elements 68 are elongate and made from a standard material such as nylon or the like.
- the cleaning elements 68 are positioned in a helical pattern on the surface of the cleaning member 22.
- Each cleaning element 68 may be made of a plurality elements which are closely packed together. All that is required is that one or more cleaning elements extend radially away from the elongate axis of the cleaning member and are positioned thereon. In other embodiments the cleaning elements could be arranged in other patterns on the cleaning member.
- the cleaning elements 68 have respective distal portions 70 which extend through the inlet 24 so as to engage the floor surface S during use.
- the floor tool 14 further includes a pair of floor engaging support elements 72, 74 positioned to the rear of the housing 16 and forwardly of the rear wheels 15. Support elements 72, 74 support the floor tool and are in the form of rollers, and arranged to space, at a pre-determined distance X, the chamber inlet 24 from the floor surface S.
- the support elements 72, 74 may not be rollers and could be wheels, or a projection (rotatable or non-rotatable) which extends away from the underside of the floor tool 14 to space the chamber inlet 24 a pre-determined distance X away from the floor surface S.
- the cleaning elements 68 extends further away from the chamber inlet 24 than the distance X. In use, this arrangement ensures that the cleaning elements 68 extend a further distance into the carpet piles of the floor surface S than the support elements 72, 74. Thus, the cleaning elements 68 can agitate and loosen dirt/debris which may be lodged deep within the carpet piles and not otherwise accessible for cleaning. It has been found to be advantageous for the cleaning elements 68 to extend at least twice as far away from the chamber inlet 24 than the pre-determined distance X and more advantageously for the cleaning elements 68 to extend a distance Y of between 0.7 to 1.3mm away from the chamber inlet 24, and more preferably a distance of 1mm. It has been further found to be advantageous for the support elements 72, 74 to extend a distance X of between 0.3 to 0.7mm and more advantageously a distance of 0.5mm.
- the floor facing surface of the floor tool 14 includes forward and rear portions 64, 66 which define respective portions of a periphery of the inlet 24. In particular, they define sides of the inlet 24 which extend in a transverse direction to the normal direction of travel of the apparatus 10 in use.
- the forward portion 64 and rearward portion 66 are substantially wedge-shaped and taper in thickness as they each extend towards the inlet 24. It has been found that having such wedge-shaped portions is advantageous with respect to performance in comparison to portions which are curved or include a curved portion.
- FIG. 13(a) shows an embodiment for which the forward portion 64 has an upwardly facing surface 80 and a downwardly facing surface 82.
- the upwardly facing surface 80 tapers towards the floor surface S as it extends in a direction towards the downwardly facing surface 82.
- Fig. 13(b) shows an embodiment for which the downwardly facing surface 82' tapers away from the floor surface S as it extends towards the upwardly facing surface 80'.
- Fig. 13(c) shows an embodiment for which the upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces 80", 82" taper towards each other as they extend towards the inlet 24.
- forward and rearward portions 64, 66 need not be identical and may each take any of the configurations described above and any combination thereof as permitted within the scope of the appended claims.
- the features described in relation to embodiments having one or more aspects of the invention are not necessarily features required in relation to the other of the one or more aspects of the invention as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
- the invention need not be limited to a floor tool that forms part of an upright floor cleaning apparatus.
- the invention could be embodied on a floor tool which connects to a wand of a cylinder cleaner or the like.
- the apparatus may also be a wet cleaning apparatus.
- the cleaning member described with reference to one or more of the embodiments need not be driven by a motor and could be, for example, driven by a wind-turbine.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface and/or such an apparatus including the floor tool. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus which utilises a source of suction to draw dirt and/or debris from a floor surface being cleaned for storage in a dirt chamber or bag for emptying by a user. Such apparatus are typically known as "vacuum cleaners".
- The performance of vacuum cleaners is judged on a number of parameters which includes how efficient a cleaner is in extracting dirt/debris for a given suction power, i.e. energy efficiency, and how much noise is generated during use. In order to maximise these efficiencies it is advantageous to reduce suction losses in the suction air flow path and to reduce turbulence in the suction air flow path.
- Known vacuum cleaners have a floor tool which has a chamber having a chamber inlet through which dirt/debris entrained air enters the tool and flows towards the dirt chamber. The chamber inlet has a small cross-sectional area compared to the chamber. The suction air flow rate through the inlet and chamber is the same and so the limited inlet cross-sectional area means that the suction air flow has a higher velocity near the inlet in comparison to areas upstream of the inlet. This makes the chamber susceptible to ambient air being drawn into the chamber through any such high velocity areas which are not adequately sealed thereby causing suction losses and/or turbulence in the chamber.
-
US2003/0145422 discloses a front brush attachment device for a vacuum cleaner comprising a multi-component housing, a brush roller and a rotating and tilting joint for connecting the vacuum cleaner. -
FR1207160 -
DE102004005144 discloses a method for the action of a vacuum cleaner nozzle on carpeted surfaces has a sliding shoe in front of the rotating brush which withdraws in the backward direction. - According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a housing having an interior surface that defines a chamber for receiving at least a portion of a cleaning member, the housing including: - a chamber inlet for receiving dirty air; and
- a chamber outlet for communication with the suction source,
- Further features of the first aspect of the invention are set out in the dependent claims thereto which are appended hereto.
- According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a floor tool for an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
- a housing including:
- a chamber inlet for receiving dirty air; and a chamber outlet for communication with the suction source,
- wherein the housing is a unitary component.
- Further features of the second aspect of the invention are set out in the dependent claims thereto which are appended hereto.
- Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures, of which:
-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface in accordance with the present invention; -
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a floor tool of the apparatus offigure 1 ; -
Figure 3a is a rear perspective view of a floor tool of the apparatus offigure 1 ; -
Figure 3b is an underside view of a floor tool of the apparatus offigure 1 ; -
Figure 4 is a first side view of a floor tool of the apparatus offigure 1 ; -
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a component part of a floor tool of the apparatus offigure 1 ; -
Figure 6 is a second side view (opposite tofigure 4 ) of a floor tool of the apparatus offigure 1 ; -
Figure 7 is a perspective view of another component part of a floor tool of the apparatus offigure 1 ; -
Figure 8 is a perspective of a floor tool of the apparatus offigure 1 with certain component parts removed and other certain component parts shown in exploded view; -
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a floor tool of the apparatus offigure 1 with certain component parts removed; -
Figure 10 is a magnified side view of a portion of the floor tool offigure 2 ; -
Figure 11 is a magnified side view of another portion of the floor tool offigure 2 ; -
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional side view of a component part of a floor tool of the apparatus offigure 1 with a cleaning member removed thereform; and -
Figures 13 (a)-(c) are magnified side views of component parts for use with the floor tool offigure 2 . - With reference to the figures, these show an embodiment of an
apparatus 10 embodying various aspects of the invention. Theapparatus 10 includes anupright part 12 including a usergraspable handle 13 and afloor tool 14. Theapparatus 10 includes a source of suction (not shown) which is in fluid communication with thefloor tool 14 to provide suction thereto. Thefloor tool 14 is supported onwheels 15 provided on a rear part thereof and can be pushed and pulled over a floor surface S to clean the surface as required by the user grasping thehandle 13 of theupright part 12. Thefloor tool 14 includes ahousing 16 having aninterior surface 18 which defines achamber 20 for receiving acleaning member 22. Thehousing 16 further includes a chamber inlet 24 for receiving dirty air and achamber outlet 26 that communicates with the suction source. - The
upright part 12 is pivotably connected to thefloor tool 14 remote from a leading edge of thefloor tool 14. Theupright part 12 contains operative components of theapparatus 10 such as the suction source in the form of a suction motor and fan to provide suction to thefloor tool 14, and a dirt chamber (not shown) for receiving any dirt entrained in the suction air flow drawn through thefloor tool 14. These operative component parts could be located elsewhere, however, in other embodiments. Theupright part 12 includes a dirt separator in the form of a cyclonic separator for separating dirt entrained in the suction air flow from thefloor tool 14. These components are not shown in the figures but are well known in the art and so will not be discussed in any further detail. Although this embodiment includes a cyclonic separator, other embodiments of the invention may not have such a separator, but instead rely on a bag for separation/collection of dirt from the air flow. - The
floor tool 14 has amain body 17 which provides the pivotal connection to theupright part 12. Thehousing 16 is a separate part from themain body 17 and is supported by themain body 17. Thehousing 16 is positioned forwardly of the pivotal connection to theupright part 12, and forms the leading edge of thefloor tool 14. Thehousing 16 provides part of the suction air flow path from thechamber inlet 24, whilst themain body 17 contains no part of the suction air flow path. In other embodiments, themain body 17 may contain part of the suction air flow path. Thehousing 16 is generally elongate with a curved upper surface thereof (seefigure 5 ). Thehousing 16 extends in a direction transverse to the normal direction of movement of theapparatus 10 with thechamber outlet 26 being positioned at one of the transversely remote ends thereof, to the side of themain body 17. Theoutlet 26 extends in a rearward direction towards theupright part 12 and has a connector formed thereon for connection to a hose of theapparatus 10 so as to provide fluid communication between thechamber 20 and the source of suction. - An aspect of the present invention is that the
housing 16 is formed of first andsecond housing portions interior surface 18 that defines thechamber 20 and all of thehousing portions - The
first housing portion 28 includes afloor facing surface 32 and thechamber inlet 24 is formed therein. Thesecond housing portion 30 has a downwardly facing perimeter which is connected to an upwardly facing perimeter of thefirst housing portion 28. Laterally facing side walls of thehousing portions recess opening 34 at a nearside position of thehousing 16 and through which thecleaning member 22 passes into thechamber 20. The opening 34 is thus formed in a laterally facingside wall 36 of thehousing 16. Thehousing 16 is generally cylindrical in shape with thecleaning member 22 being positioned along an elongate axis thereof. Thecleaning member 22 is a brush bar which is rotatably supported at one end of the interior part of thehousing 16 and at the other end has adrivable portion 38. When the cleaningmember 22 is in position, thedrivable portion 38 of the cleaningmember 22 extends outside of the chamber 20 (seefigure 9 ). Thefloor tool 14 includes a drivingdevice 40, in the form of a motor positioned in themain body 17, for effecting rotation of the cleaningmember 22. Thedevice 40 is connected to thedrivable portion 38 which is positioned outside of thechamber 20 by a belt in a manner which is known in the art and so is not described in further detail here. Other types of driving connection could be utilised. - The
housing 16 further includes a closingmember 42 in the form of a plate-like member which is removably connectable to theside wall 36 and co-operates with the cleaningmember 22 so as to substantially seal the remainder of theopening 34 in a fluid tight manner. In other words, the closingmember 42 separates thechamber 20 from thedrivable portion 38 of the cleaningmember 22 to prevent ambient air flow into thechamber 20 via theopening 34. - The closing
member 42 includes two closingmember parts recess member 22 is received. Thefloor tool 14 includes aremovable cover member 48 which, together with thehousing 16, forms aspace 50 for receiving thedrivable portion 38 of the cleaningmember 22. Positioned between the closingmember 42 and thecover member 48 is a substantially disc shapedsupport member 52. Thesupport member 52 has a central aperture through which a spindle of the cleaningmember 22 extends and is rotatably supported thereby. - The
housing portions projection respective aperture member 42 and thesupport member 52. Thecover member 48 hasapertures projections projections cover member 48,support member 52 and the closingmember 42 to thehousing 16. - The
housing portions chamber 20 is substantially sealed in a fluid tight manner at this connection. Each of theportions - The permanent connection between the
housing portions chamber 20 is advantageous.Chamber 20 forms a highly negatively pressurised part of the suction air flow path and the suction pressure is maintained by sealing the main connection portions of thehousing 16 susceptible to suction losses due to inflow of ambient air during operation. In other embodiments, rather than the housing being made of two parts, the housing may be formed of a unitary construction, i.e. as a one-piece component. This could be achieved by, for example, 3-D printing or other manufacture methods known in the art. The connection may take other forms such as a permanent screw-threaded connection. In certain embodiments the housing may be formed of more than two parts and/or only a portion of the connection between the parts is permanently made. In other embodiments, the floor tool may not have a cleaning member and instead, the housing may only have a chamber with a chamber inlet for receiving dirty air and a chamber outlet for communication with the suction source, with the housing being formed as a unitary component. Advantageously, there is no separate sole plate for connection to theflow facing surface 32 of thehousing 16. Instead, in this embodiment,surface 32 includes thechamber inlet 24 as an integral part thereof. Known floor tools have a housing to which a sole plate is attached to a floor facing surface thereof and which provides the inlet for dirt/debris entrained air. The connection therebetween is therefore susceptible to ambient air entering therethrough and the present invention has no such problem because it has no separate sole plate. - In use, the user will operate the
apparatus 10 in a known manner, i.e. the cleaningmember 22 rotates to engage with carpet piles of the floor surface S so as to loosen dirt present therein. The dirt is then entrained in the suction air flow. The dirt entrained air enters thechamber 20 through thechamber inlet 24 and the dirt is separated and collected in the dirt chamber, with the clean air being exhausted to atmosphere. Should the cleaningmember 22 need to be replaced or repaired, a user removes thecover member 48 by unscrewing the screws passing therethrough to provide access to thespace 50 in which thedrivable portion 38 of the cleaningmember 22 is positioned. The user removes thesupport member 52 and pulls the closingmember parts member 22. The cleaningmember 22 is then free to move within thechamber 20 and can be pulled in a sideways direction out through theopening 34. - With reference to
figure 10 , laterally facingsidewall 36 and the opposing laterally facingsidewall 37 each have arespective passage inlet 24 in a direction transverse to the normal direction of movement of theapparatus 10. Eachpassage passage 54 will be described. A portion of thepassage 54 has a cross-section which is substantially trapezoidal in that the portion has sides A, B which are relatively short, and a side C which is relatively long. The portion ofpassage 54 is in the form of a recess which is open in a direction towards the floor surface. The recess is substantially closed by the floor surface S during use and thus the fourth side of the trapezoid is the floor surface S. The portion ofpassage 54 thus has an open side D opposite side C, and which is longer than side C, whilst sides A and B are relatively short in comparison to D. Side A forms an angle α with respect to side C and side B forms an angle β with respect to side C. It has been found that performance of theapparatus 10 is unexpectedly improved if α and/or β is between 110° to 122°, and more preferably 116°. Similarly, it has been found that performance is improved if C extends a distance of between 18 and 24mm, and more preferably, extends a distance of 21mm. Improvements in performance have also been found if D is between 20 and 26mm, and more preferably, D is 23mm or about 23mm. - The portion of
passage 54 may not be formed as a recess but rather as a trapezoidal aperture formed in side walls of the housing and configured to have the shape described above. - With reference to
figure 11 ,floor facing surface 32 of thefloor tool 14 which defines theinlet 24 is positioned in afirst plane 56 and aplanar portion 58 of thefloor facing surface 32 which is positioned forwardly (in normal use) of theinlet 24 subtends an angle γ of 5 to 10° with respect to thefirst plane 56. It has been found that performance is unexpectedly improved if γ is in this range. More preferably, it has been found that an angle of 7° is highly advantageous. Thefloor facing surface 32 also includes a substantiallyflat portion 60 which extends between theplanar portion 58 and theinlet 24. Theflat portion 60 is positioned in asecond plane 62 which is substantially parallel with thefirst plane 56. - With reference to
figure 11 , the cleaningmember 22 is arranged to havecleaning elements 68 which each extend radially away from an elongate axis of the cleaningmember 22. Thecleaning elements 68 are elongate and made from a standard material such as nylon or the like. Thecleaning elements 68 are positioned in a helical pattern on the surface of the cleaningmember 22. Each cleaningelement 68 may be made of a plurality elements which are closely packed together. All that is required is that one or more cleaning elements extend radially away from the elongate axis of the cleaning member and are positioned thereon. In other embodiments the cleaning elements could be arranged in other patterns on the cleaning member. Thecleaning elements 68 have respectivedistal portions 70 which extend through theinlet 24 so as to engage the floor surface S during use. Thefloor tool 14 further includes a pair of floor engagingsupport elements housing 16 and forwardly of therear wheels 15.Support elements chamber inlet 24 from the floor surface S. In other embodiments, thesupport elements floor tool 14 to space the chamber inlet 24 a pre-determined distance X away from the floor surface S. It will be seen that a portion of thecleaning elements 68 extends further away from thechamber inlet 24 than the distance X. In use, this arrangement ensures that thecleaning elements 68 extend a further distance into the carpet piles of the floor surface S than thesupport elements cleaning elements 68 can agitate and loosen dirt/debris which may be lodged deep within the carpet piles and not otherwise accessible for cleaning. It has been found to be advantageous for thecleaning elements 68 to extend at least twice as far away from thechamber inlet 24 than the pre-determined distance X and more advantageously for thecleaning elements 68 to extend a distance Y of between 0.7 to 1.3mm away from thechamber inlet 24, and more preferably a distance of 1mm. It has been further found to be advantageous for thesupport elements - With reference to
figure 12 , the floor facing surface of thefloor tool 14 includes forward andrear portions inlet 24. In particular, they define sides of theinlet 24 which extend in a transverse direction to the normal direction of travel of theapparatus 10 in use. Theforward portion 64 andrearward portion 66 are substantially wedge-shaped and taper in thickness as they each extend towards theinlet 24. It has been found that having such wedge-shaped portions is advantageous with respect to performance in comparison to portions which are curved or include a curved portion. - With reference to
fig. 13(a)-(c) , various configurations of the forward andrear portions Fig. 13(a) shows an embodiment for which theforward portion 64 has an upwardly facingsurface 80 and a downwardly facingsurface 82. The upwardly facingsurface 80 tapers towards the floor surface S as it extends in a direction towards the downwardly facingsurface 82. -
Fig. 13(b) shows an embodiment for which the downwardly facing surface 82' tapers away from the floor surface S as it extends towards the upwardly facing surface 80'. -
Fig. 13(c) shows an embodiment for which the upwardly and downwardly facingsurfaces 80", 82" taper towards each other as they extend towards theinlet 24. - It will be appreciated that the forward and
rearward portions - It will be appreciated that the features described in relation to embodiments having one or more aspects of the invention are not necessarily features required in relation to the other of the one or more aspects of the invention as will be understood by those skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that the invention need not be limited to a floor tool that forms part of an upright floor cleaning apparatus. For example, the invention could be embodied on a floor tool which connects to a wand of a cylinder cleaner or the like. The apparatus may also be a wet cleaning apparatus. Furthermore, the cleaning member described with reference to one or more of the embodiments need not be driven by a motor and could be, for example, driven by a wind-turbine.
- When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
Claims (10)
- A floor tool (14) for an apparatus (10) for cleaning a floor surface, said apparatus including a source of suction, the floor tool including:
a housing (16) having an interior surface (18) (that defines a chamber (20) for receiving at least a portion of a cleaning member (22), the housing including:a chamber inlet (24) for receiving dirty air; anda chamber outlet (26) for communication with the suction source,wherein the housing is formed of at least two housing portions (28, 30) which provide said interior surface and all of said housing portions are permanently connected or permanently joined to each other to form a unitary construction. - A floor tool according to claim 1, wherein one of the housing portions (28, 30) includes a floor facing surface (32) and the chamber inlet is formed at least partially, and preferably completely, in said housing portion (28, 30).
- A floor tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing has an opening through which the cleaning member can pass into the chamber, and optionally or preferably the opening (34) is formed in a laterally facing side wall (36) of the housing.
- A floor tool according to any preceding claim including a cleaning member positioned at least partially in the chamber; and optionally or preferably a portion of the cleaning member extends outside of the chamber; and optionally or preferably when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 3, the housing includes a closing member (42) that co-operates with the cleaning member so as to substantially seal a remainder of the opening in a fluid tight manner.
- A floor tool according to claim 4, wherein the closing member includes two closing member parts (44, 46) which engage each other; and optionally or preferably one or both closing member parts include a recess to receive a portion of the cleaning member.
- A floor tool according to any preceding claim, including a removable cover member (48) which together with the housing forms a space (50) for receiving a drivable portion of the cleaning member.
- A floor tool according to claim 5 or 6, including a driving device (40) for effecting rotation of the cleaning member, which device is arranged to connect to the portion of the cleaning member which is positioned outside of the chamber.
- A floor tool according to any preceding claim, including one or more or all of the following:a) all of said housing portions are ultrasonically welded to each other;b) all of said housing portions are formed by moulding;c) the housing is formed from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene;d) when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 5, the cleaning member is a rotatable brush bar.
- An apparatus for cleaning a floor surface including a floor tool according to any preceding claim.
- An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the apparatus is an upright cleaner.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1412051.3A GB2528051B (en) | 2014-07-07 | 2014-07-07 | Floor tool |
PCT/GB2015/051803 WO2016005725A1 (en) | 2014-07-07 | 2015-06-19 | Floor tool |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3166464A1 EP3166464A1 (en) | 2017-05-17 |
EP3166464B1 true EP3166464B1 (en) | 2023-09-13 |
Family
ID=51410730
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP15732896.4A Active EP3166464B1 (en) | 2014-07-07 | 2015-06-19 | Floor tool |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US20170135540A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3166464B1 (en) |
CN (2) | CN106488730B (en) |
AU (2) | AU2015287429A1 (en) |
GB (3) | GB2528051B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016005725A1 (en) |
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USD944478S1 (en) * | 2019-04-11 | 2022-02-22 | Bissell Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
USD943850S1 (en) * | 2019-04-11 | 2022-02-15 | Bissell Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
USD929053S1 (en) * | 2019-08-23 | 2021-08-24 | Yan Dong | Floor cleaning machine |
USD940972S1 (en) * | 2019-08-26 | 2022-01-11 | Cunzhu Pei | Floor cleaning machine |
USD928435S1 (en) * | 2019-09-05 | 2021-08-17 | Bissell Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
USD946220S1 (en) * | 2020-10-27 | 2022-03-15 | Techtronic Cordless Gp | Floor cleaner |
USD1017156S1 (en) | 2022-05-09 | 2024-03-05 | Dupray Ventures Inc. | Cleaner |
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-
2014
- 2014-07-07 GB GB1412051.3A patent/GB2528051B/en active Active
- 2014-07-07 GB GB1621980.0A patent/GB2542522B/en active Active
- 2014-10-10 GB GB1417996.4A patent/GB2528143A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2015
- 2015-06-19 WO PCT/GB2015/051803 patent/WO2016005725A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-06-19 AU AU2015287429A patent/AU2015287429A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-06-19 EP EP15732896.4A patent/EP3166464B1/en active Active
- 2015-06-19 US US15/323,466 patent/US20170135540A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-06-19 CN CN201580036841.0A patent/CN106488730B/en active Active
- 2015-09-28 US US15/518,032 patent/US20170296009A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-09-28 AU AU2015329765A patent/AU2015329765B2/en active Active
- 2015-09-28 CN CN201580064213.3A patent/CN106998979A/en active Pending
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US20170135540A1 (en) | 2017-05-18 |
AU2015329765A1 (en) | 2017-06-01 |
CN106998979A (en) | 2017-08-01 |
GB2528051A (en) | 2016-01-13 |
GB201412051D0 (en) | 2014-08-20 |
GB2542522A (en) | 2017-03-22 |
EP3166464A1 (en) | 2017-05-17 |
GB2528051B (en) | 2017-05-24 |
GB201417996D0 (en) | 2014-11-26 |
WO2016005725A1 (en) | 2016-01-14 |
GB2528143A (en) | 2016-01-13 |
AU2015287429A1 (en) | 2017-02-02 |
GB201621980D0 (en) | 2017-02-08 |
CN106488730A (en) | 2017-03-08 |
GB2542522B (en) | 2017-09-13 |
AU2015329765B2 (en) | 2019-02-14 |
CN106488730B (en) | 2019-12-13 |
US20170296009A1 (en) | 2017-10-19 |
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