GB2402608A

GB2402608A - Turbine nozzle with ribbed suction aperture

Info

Publication number: GB2402608A
Application number: GB0404681A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sung-Tae Joo
Original assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-09
Filing date: 2004-03-02
Publication date: 2004-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-02
Also published as: CN1286422C; CA2451921A1; CN1572213A; DE10357497A1; RU2254800C1; US20040244140A1; GB2402608B; GB0404681D0; RU2003135431A; FR2855742A1; KR100531224B1; ITTO20040187A1; AU2003261467A1; JP2005000643A; ES2259506A1; KR20040105509A; JP3960986B2; CA2451921C; AU2003261467B2

Abstract

A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner comprises a brush body 10 having an upper casing 11 and a lower casing 12. The lower casing 12 has a suction slot 21 through which air is drawn in from a surface to be cleaned. An agitator unit 20, having bristles 25 at predetermined intervals, and a turbine unit 30 are rotatably supported within the lower casing 12. The agitator and turbine are rotated by the air drawn into the nozzle by suction force generated by the vacuum cleaner. A power transfer unit 50 is provided to cause the agitator unit 20 and the turbine unit 30 to rotate in association with each other. When cleaning surfaces comprise loose material, such as a blanket or other fabric, the suction slot of the lower casing includes a plurality of ribs 22 to inhibit the blanket or other fabric from being drawn into the brush body by the suction force generated by the vacuum cleaner. The bristles contact the surface to be cleaned by passing through apertures in the suction slot defined by the ribs. Preferably, the upper casing 11 is made of a transparent material.

Description

P513048GB Turbine Brush This invention relates to a turbine brush for a

vacuum cleaner, and in particular to a turbine brush having ribs to prevent adsorption at the bottom of the turbine brush. s

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner having a turbine brush 7 which can be moved along, and in contact with, a surface to be cleaned. The turbine brush forms an air suction path from the surface to be cleaned to a main body 9 of the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, air, containing dust and other foreign substances (hereinafter "dust") that has been removed from the surface to be cleaned, is drawn into the main body 9 of the vacuum cleaner through the turbine brush 7.

The air suction path includes an extension pipe 8a connected to the turbine brush 7, an operation handle 8b, and a flexible hose assembly 8c.

If the surface to be cleaned is a textile fabric, such as a carpet, the dust can be effectively removed if separated from that surface. Accordingly, a brush having an agitator has been proposed. Repetitive rotation of the agitator, such as scratching or striking, separates the dust from the surface to be cleaned.

The turbine brush 7 (see Figure 2) has an agitator-receiving chamber 14, including a suction slot in a brush body, and a turbine-receiving chamber 1 S. these two chambers being separated by a partition 17. The turbinereceiving chamber 15 is in fluid communication with the agitatorreceiving chamber via an air path 16.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective detail view partially depicting a conventional turbine brush 7. As shown in Figure 2, the turbine brush 7 of the conventional vacuum cleaner comprises a turbine brush body 10, an agitator unit 20, and a turbine unit 30.

The turbine brush body 10 includes an upper casing 11, and a lower casing 12 coupled to the upper casing. The upper casing 11 is made of a translucent plastics material. A suction slot 21 is formed at a front portion of the bottom of the lower casing 12, nearest to the surface to be cleaned.

A discharge pipe 60 is disposed at the rear of the brush body 10, the discharge pipe being connected to the extension pipe 8a of the main body 9 of the vacuum cleaner.

The discharge pipe 60 is removably connected to the extension pipe 8a by a connector 41, which includes spring-biased ball catch.

A projection 22 is formed along the outer circumference of the lower casing 12, the projection being engagable with a complementary recess (not shown) formed in the upper casing 1 1. The upper casing 1 1 and the lower casing 12, therefore, are coupled in tight contact with each other by connection of the projection 22 and the recess, and are fixed to each other, for example, by screws or other appropriate connectors.

The brush body 10 houses the agitator-receiving chamber 14 and the turbine-receiving chamber 15. At the lower portion of the lower casing 12, the suction slot 21 is in fluid communication with the agitator- receiving chamber 14. The suction slot 21 is rectangular in shape, and extends axially at the bottom of the lower casing 12. The agitator unit 20 comes, in use, into contact with the surface to be cleaned through the suction slot 21.

The agitator-receiving chamber 14 and the turbine-receiving chamber 15 are separated by the partition 17. The air path 16 is formed at the central portion of the partition 17, this air path providing fluid communication between the agitator-receiving chamber 14 and the turbine- receiving chamber 15.

The agitator unit 20 is rotatably disposed in the agitator-receiving chamber 14, and the turbine unit 30 is rotatably disposed in the turbine-receiving chamber 15. Radially- extending, regularly-spaced bristles 25 are disposed on the agitator unit 20.

The agitator unit 20 and the turbine unit 30 are drivably connected by a power transfer unit 50, such as a timing belt or other appropriate means.

The turbine unit 30 comprises a turbine 35, a turbine shaft 37 passing axially through the turbine, retainers 39 connected to both ends of the turbine shaft, and bearing members 33 in tight contact with the lower casing 12 and interposed between the retainers and the turbine. When a suction force is provided to the turbine brush 7, the turbine 35 is rotated, thereby rotating the agitator unit 20 via the power transfer unit 50.

Thus, the turbine 35 is rotated by the air drawn into the discharge pipe 60 via the suction slot 21, the agitator-receiving chamber 14, the air path 16, and the turbine-receiving chamber 15. Accordingly, the rotating agitator unit 20 scratches or strikes, and thus separates, dust from the surface to be cleaned.

The vacuum cleaner having the conventional turbine brush described above has the following shortcomings.

Firstly, while the agitator unit 20 rotates, the surface to be cleaned may be trapped at the suction slot 21 or may become stuck to the agitator unit, since the suction slot has a rectangular shape and extends axially over substantially the entire length of the agitator unit, the cleaning operation can stress and overload the main body 9 of the vacuum cleaner, and this can cause mechanical trouble.

Secondly, since the upper casing 11 of the conventional turbine brush 7 is formed of translucent or opaque plastics material, it is hard to observe the inside of the brush body 10.

While opening the upper casing 11 enables the user to check the inner state of the brush body 10, the opening/closing structure is complicated and so this operation is difficult.

Thirdly, in opening and turning over the upper casing 11 of the brush body 10, the turbine unit 30 is likely to be released from the brush body 10 under the force of gravity, and the parts comprising the unit may become dislodged or separated from their proper locations.

An aim of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner turbine brush which does not cause a surface to be cleaned, such as a blanket or a carpet, to be trapped at a suction slot at the bottom of the turbine brush.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner turbine brush having an improved structure for convenient maintenance.

The present invention provides a turbine brush for a vacuum cleaner, the turbine brush comprising: a brush body including an upper casing and a lower casing, the lower casing having sidewalls and a suction slot through which air is drawn in from a surface to be cleaned; an agitator unit rotatably supported by the lower casing and having bristles at predetermined intervals; a turbine unit rotatably supported adjacent to the lower casing and being rotatable by the air drawn into the vacuum cleaner by suction force; and a power transfer unit connecting the agitator unit and the turbine unit so as to rotate the agitator unit in association with the turbine unit, wherein the suction slot of the lower casing has a plurality of ribs to prevent the surface to be cleaned from being drawn in to the brush body by the suction force generated by the vacuum cleaner, and the bristles are positioned at the predetermined intervals between the ribs of the suction slot so that at least parts of the bristles pass through the suction slot and come into contact with the surface to be cleaned, whereby the ribs inhibit any loose material of the surface to be cleaned from being drawn into the turbine brush.

The upper casing preferably is transparent to allow observation of the interior of the brush body by a user.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower casings include complementing configurations for attachment to each other, said configurations comprising at least one first tab formed at a front portion of the upper casing and at least one second tab formed at a rear portion of the upper casing, and a respective slot corresponding to the or each first tab formed at a front portion of the lower casing, and a respective locking member corresponding to the or each second tab formed at rear portion of the lower casing.

The agitator unit may further comprise an agitator and a respective connecting member fixed at each of the sidewalls of the lower casing to support the agitator.

Preferably, each connecting member comprises a bearing to support a rotatable shaft of the agitator and a retainer surrounding the bearing, a guide wall being formed at each of the sidewalls of the lower casing for removably supporting the retainer.

The turbine unit may comprises a turbine, a turbine shaft, and retainer means to support the turbine shaft.

The power transfer unit may comprise a first pulley disposed around the shaft of the turbine unit, a second pulley disposed around the rotatable shaft of the agitator, and an endless belt connecting the first pulley and the second pulley.

Each of the ribs may be shaped and configured to increase in width from its middle towards one end thereof.

The invention also provides a turbine brush for a vacuum cleaner, the turbine brush comprising: a brush body in fluid communication with the vacuum cleaner, the brush body comprising a lower casing having a suction slot through which air is drawn into the brush body from a surface to be cleaned, and an upper casing made from a transparent material; an agitator unit rotatably supported by the lower casing and having bristles at predetermined intervals; a turbine unit rotatably supported by the lower casing and rotatable by action of air drawn into the brush body by a suction force generated by the vacuum cleaner; a power transfer unit connecting the agitator unit and the turbine unit so as to rotate the agitator unit in association with the turbine unit, and a discharge pipe connected to a rear portion of the brush body, wherein the suction slot of the lower casing has a plurality of ribs to prevent the surface to be cleaned from being drawn into the brush body by the suction force generated by the vacuum cleaner, and the bristles are positioned at predetermined intervals between the ribs of the suction slot so that at least parts of the bristles pass through the suction slot and come into contact with the surface to be cleaned.

The discharge pipe may include a locking unit to connect the discharge pipe with an extension pipe of the vacuum cleaner.

Advantageously, the locking unit comprises a hook and an actuation button removable from the locking unit.

Preferably, at least one first tab is formed at a front portion of the upper casing, and at S least one second tab is formed at a rear portion of the upper casing, and a respective slot corresponding to the or each first tab is formed at a front portion of the lower casing, and a respective locking member corresponding to the or each second tab is formed at rear portion of the lower casing.

The agitator unit may comprise an agitator and a respective connecting member fixed at each of the sidewalls of the lower casing to support the agitator.

Each connecting member may comprise a bearing to support a rotatable shaft of the agitator and a first retainer surrounding the bearing, a respective guide wall being formed at each of the sidewalls of the lower casing for removably supporting the retainer.

Preferably, the turbine unit comprises a turbine, a turbine shaft, and retainer means to support the turbine shaft.

Advantageously, the power transfer unit comprises a first pulley disposed in the turbine unit, a second pulley disposed in the agitator unit, and a belt connecting the first pulley and the second pulley so that rotation of the turbine causes rotation of the agitator.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional vacuum cleaner; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a turbine brush of the conventional vacuum cleaner; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the main portion of a vacuum cleaner turbine brush constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 is a crosssectional side view of the turbine brush of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective detail view of the turbine unit forming part of the turbine brush of Figure 3; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the turbine brush of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 3 shows a turbine brush 7 which comprises a brush body 10, an agitator unit 20 and a turbine unit 30 disposed in the brush body, a power transfer unit 50 for driving the agitator unit and the turbine unit together, and a discharge pipe 60 connected at the rear of the brush body.

The brush body 10 comprises a lower casing 12 and an upper casing 11, the lower casing having a suction slot 21 through which air is drawn in from a surface to be cleaned, and the upper casing being coupled to the lower casing. As shown in Figure 4, an agitator-receiving chamber 14 and a turbine-receiving chamber 15 are formed within the brush body 10. The agitator-receiving chamber 14 and the turbine-receiving chamber 15 are separated by a partition 17. An air path 16 is formed at the centre of the partition 17, the air path providing fluid communication between the agitator-receiving chamber 14 and the turbine-receiving chamber 15. The shape of the partition 17 may take different forms. For example, the ends of the two sections of the partition 17 adjacent to the air path 16 may be perpendicular to the bottom of the lower casing 12, as shown in Figure 3, or they may extend laterally towards the turbine unit 30 in a converging profile, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The upper casing 11 is formed of a transparent material to allow the user to observe the inside of the brush body 10, thereby facilitating maintenance of the vacuum cleaner.

Preferably, the upper casing 11 is formed of a transparent plastics material.

The agitator unit 20 is rotatably received in the agitator-receiving chamber 14, and the turbine unit 30 is received in the turbine-receiving chamber 15. The turbine unit 30 is rotated by the air drawn into the brush body 10 by the vacuum cleaner (not shown).

The agitator unit 20 has radially-extending, regularly spaced bristles 25 formed on an agitator body 27.

The upper casing 11 has at least one first tab 31 at a front portion thereof, and at least one second tab 33 at a rear portion thereof. A respective slot 71 is provided at the front portion of the lower casing 12, the or each slot complementing the or each first tab 31; and a respective locking member 72 is provided at the rear of the lower casing, the or each locking member complementing the or each second tab 33.

Accordingly, the upper casing 11 is easily separated from the lower casing 12 by the pressing on both sides of the locking member(s) 72, permitting easy separation of the lower casing from the upper casing, and maintenance of the interior of the turbine brush 7 thereby becomes more convenient.

The suction slot 21 of the lower casing 12 has a plurality of longitudinally-extending ribs 22 to prevent loose material being cleaned, such as a loose carpet, a blanket or other fabric, from being drawn into the brush body 10 by the suction force generated by the vacuum cleaner. The bristles 25 are disposed on the agitator body 27 to extend through these portions of the suction slot 21 not covered by the ribs 22, so that the bristles 22 can pass through the suction slot and come into contact with the surface to be cleaned. Preferably, the bristles 25 are disposed in a spiral fashion at regular predetermined intervals, and the agitator unit has a plurality of bristles to correspond to every opening between the ribs 22 of the suction slot 21, as shown. Preferably, each rib 22 has a flared configuration towards one end, thereof, as shown. Thus, the bristles 25 can be easily received in the openings between the ribs 22, and are thus free to strike the surface to be cleaned. Alternatively, the ribs 22 may increase in width from the middle towards both ends thereof.

The agitator body 27 is provided, at each end, with a connecting member 29. The connecting members 29 cooperate with the sidewalls of the lower casing 12 to support the agitator body 27 within the turbine brush 7. Each connecting member 29 comprises a bearing 29a to support a shaft (not shown) of the agitator body 27 and a retainer 29b surrounding that bearing. A guide wall 75 is formed at each of the sidewalls of the lower casing 12, each guide wall having a respective guide protrusion 77. The guide walls 75 constitute means for removably connecting the retainers 29b within the lower casing 12.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the turbine unit 30 comprises a turbine 35, a turbine shaft 37, and retainers 39 to support the turbine shaft. The turbine unit 30 requires a fewer number of parts than conventional turbine unit 20 of Figure 2. Also, in separating the upper casing 11 from the lower casing 12, dislocation of the turbine unit 30 is prevented, because the retainers 39 are directly disposed in recesses 18 of the turbine receiving chamber 15 at the rear of the lower casing 12.

As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the power transfer unit 50 comprises a first pulley 51 disposed around the shaft of the turbine unit 30, a second pulley 53 disposed around the shaft of the agitator unit 20, and a belt 55 drivably connecting the first pulley to the second pulley, so that rotation of the turbine 35 causes a similar rotation of the agitator body 27.

The discharge pipe 60 has a locking unit 65 to connect with an extension pipe 8a of the vacuum cleaner (see Figure 4). The locking unit 65 comprises a hook 61 formed at an inner wall of a rear portion of the discharge pipe 60, and a button 63 which is movable in association with the hook.

When the extension pipe 8a is connected to the turbine brush 7 at the discharge pipe 60, the hook 61 is coupled with a complementary coupling recess 89 formed in the extension pipe. As the button 63 is depressed, the hook 61 is moved upwardly in association with the button, and is released from the coupling recess 89 of the extension pipe 8a. Accordingly, the extension pipe 8a can be separated from the turbine brush 7 by withdrawing the extension pipe from the discharge pipe 60.

The suction force provided to the turbine brush 7 by the vacuum cleaner (not shown in Figures 3 to 6), causes the rotation of the turbine 35, subsequently rotating the agitator unit 20 via the power transfer unit 50. The turbine 35 is rotated by the air drawn into the discharge pipe 60 through the suction slot 21, the agitator-receiving chamber 14, the air path 16, and the turbine-receiving chamber 15. Accordingly, the agitator unit 20 is also rotated, and separates dust on the surface to be cleaned by means of scratching or striking action thereon.

When cleaning a loose carpet, a blanket or other fabric, the ribs 22 of the suction slot 21 inhibit or prevent the carpet, blanket or fabric from being drawn in to the brush body through the suction slot. In addition, the bristles 25, disposed on the agitator body 27 at predetermined intervals between the ribs 22, are rotated in association with the agitator body, and thereby strike the carpet, blanket or fabric, and effectively separate dust there.

Any malfunction inside the brush body 10 during the cleaning operation is easily observed by the user. The operation of the turbine brush 7 can be observed immediately through the transparent exterior of the upper casing 11, and the upper casing 11 may be easily separated from the lower casing 12 to provide access to the inside of the brush body 10 for easy maintenance.

When the upper casing 11 is separated from the lower casing 12 without overturning the upper casing 11, the turbine unit 30 is not easily released from the lower casing 12 due to the tight connection of the turbine unit with the lower casing.

The turbine brush 7 is conventionally used as an auxiliary brush of the vacuum cleaner, can also used as a general brush for carpets when provided with a longer suction slot 21.

The ribs 22 prevent a loose carpet, blanket or other textile fabric from being trapped at the suction slot 21, thereby inhibiting breakdown of the vacuum cleaner due to fabric catching in the agitator.

In addition, the transparent upper casing 1 1 of the brush body 10 enables the user easily to observe the operation of the turbine brush 7 and the inside of the brush body 10. In case of malfunction of the vacuum cleaner turbine brush 7, the upper casing 11 is easily separated, while the turbine brush remains secured in position, thereby to facilitate the management and the maintenance of the turbine brush.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, additional variations and modifications from those embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art once an understanding of the basic inventive concepts is achieved.

Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims shall be construed to include both the preferred embodiments described herein and all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A turbine brush for a vacuum cleaner, the turbine brush

comprising: a brush body including an upper casing and a lower casing, the lower casing having sidewalls and a suction slot through which air is drawn in from a surface to be cleaned; an agitator unit rotatably supported by the lower casing and having bristles at predetermined intervals; a turbine unit rotatably supported adjacent to the lower casing and being rotatable by the air drawn into the vacuum cleaner by suction force; and a power transfer unit connecting the agitator unit and the turbine unit so as to rotate the agitator unit in association with the turbine unit, wherein the suction slot of the lower casing has a plurality of ribs to prevent the surface to be cleaned from being drawn in to the brush body by the suction force generated by the vacuum cleaner, and the bristles are positioned at the predetermined intervals between the ribs of the suction slot so that at least parts of the bristles pass through the suction slot and come into contact with the surface to be cleaned, whereby the ribs inhibit any loose material of the surface to be cleaned from being drawn into the turbine brush.
2. A turbine brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper casing is transparent, thereby allowing for observation of the interior of the brush body by a user.
3. A turbine brush as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upper and lower casings include complementing configurations for attachment to each other, said configurations comprising at least one first tab formed at a front portion of the upper casing and at least one second tab formed at a rear portion of the upper casing, and a respective slot corresponding to the or each first tab formed at a front portion of the lower casing and a respective locking member corresponding to the or each second tab formed at rear portion of the lower casing.
4. A turbine brush as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, wherein the agitator unit S further comprises an agitator and a respective connecting member fixed at each of the sidewalls of the lower casing to support the agitator.
5. A turbine brush as claimed in claim 4, wherein each connecting member comprises a bearing to support a rotatable shaft of the agitator and a retainer l O surrounding the bearing, a guide wall being formed at each of the sidewalls of the lower casing for removably supporting the retainer.
6. A turbine brush as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the turbine unit comprises a turbine, a turbine shaft, and retainer means to support the turbine shaft.
7. A turbine brush as claimed in claim 6 when appended to claim 5, wherein the power transfer unit comprises a first pulley disposed around the shaft of the turbine unit, a second pulley disposed around the rotatable shaft of the agitator, and an endless belt connecting the first pulley and the second pulley.
8. A turbine brush as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the ribs is shaped and configured to increase in width from its middle towards one end thereof.
9. A turbine brush for a vacuum cleaner, the turbine brush comprising: a brush body in fluid communication with the vacuum cleaner, the brush body comprising a lower casing having a suction slot through which air is drawn into the brush body from a surface to be cleaned, and an upper casing being made from a transparent material; an agitator unit rotatably supported by the lower casing and having bristles at predetermined intervals; a turbine unit rotatably supported by the lower casing and rotatable by action of air drawn into the brush body by a suction force generated by the vacuum cleaner; a power transfer unit connecting the agitator unit and the turbine unit so as to rotate the agitator unit in association with the turbine unit, and a discharge pipe connected to a rear portion of the brush body, wherein the suction slot of the lower casing has a plurality of ribs to prevent the surface to be cleaned from being drawn into the brush body by the suction force generated by the vacuum cleaner, and the bristles are positioned at predetermined intervals between the ribs of the suction slot so that at least parts of the bristles pass through the suction slot and come into contact with the surface to be cleaned.
10. A turbine brush as claimed in claim 9, wherein the discharge pipe includes a locking unit to connect the discharge pipe with an extension pipe of the vacuum cleaner.
11. A turbine brush as claimed in claim 10, wherein the locking unit comprises a hook and an actuation button removable from the locking unit.
12. A turbine brush as claimed in any one of claims 9 to I 1, wherein at least one first tab is formed at a front portion of the upper casing and at least one second tab is formed at a rear portion of the upper casing, and a respective slot corresponding to the or each first tab is formed at a front portion of the lower casing and a respective locking member corresponding to the or each second tab is formed at rear portion of the lower casmg.
13. A turbine brush as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the agitator unit further comprises an agitator and a respective connecting member fixed at each of the sidewalls of the lower casing to support the agitator.
14. A turbine brush as claimed in claim 13, wherein the connecting member comprises a bearing to support a rotatable shaft of the agitator and a retainer surrounding the bearing, a guide wall being formed at each of the sidewalls of the lower casing for removably supporting the retainer.
1 S. A turbine brush as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the turbine unit comprises a turbine, a turbine shaft, and retainer means to support the turbine shaft.
16. A turbine brush as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the power transfer unit comprises a first pulley disposed in the turbine unit, a second pulley disposed in the agitator unit, and a belt connecting the first pulley and the second pulley so that rotation of the turbine causes rotation of the agitator.
17. A turbine brush as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein each of the ribs is shaped and configured to increase in width from its middle towards one end thereof.
18. A turbine brush as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said loose material of the surface to be cleaned is a blanket or other fabric.

l9. A turbine brush substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figures 3 to 6 of the drawings.