US20210330152A1 - Brush and rotating brush - Google Patents
Brush and rotating brush Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210330152A1 US20210330152A1 US17/284,822 US201817284822A US2021330152A1 US 20210330152 A1 US20210330152 A1 US 20210330152A1 US 201817284822 A US201817284822 A US 201817284822A US 2021330152 A1 US2021330152 A1 US 2021330152A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bristles
- brush
- section
- fabric base
- sections
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 77
- 238000009941 weaving Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000007790 scraping Methods 0.000 abstract description 18
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 30
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 11
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229920000178 Acrylic resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004925 Acrylic resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002803 thermoplastic polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 244000007853 Sarothamnus scoparius Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000078283 Scirpus lacustris Species 0.000 description 1
- XTXRWKRVRITETP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Vinyl acetate Chemical compound CC(=O)OC=C XTXRWKRVRITETP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011247 coating layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000005201 scrubbing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010408 sweeping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920006186 water-soluble synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012866 water-soluble synthetic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002759 woven fabric Substances 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
- A47L9/04—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
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B13/00—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers
- A46B13/001—Cylindrical or annular brush bodies
-
- 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
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
- A47L11/4041—Roll shaped surface treating tools
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a brush and a rotating brush.
- Patent Document 1 discloses a raised fabric roller for a vacuum cleaner.
- the raised fabric roller of Patent Document 1 includes a roller core, a short-fiber raised fabric piece, and a long-fiber raised fabric piece.
- the roller core is rotationally supported in the main body of a suction tool of a vacuum cleaner.
- the short-fiber raised fabric piece and the long-fiber raised fabric piece are made of spun fabric with cut pile, and are alternately and continuously attached to the outer circumferential surface of the roller core along a longitudinal and helical direction.
- the length of fibers of the short-fiber raised fabric piece is set such that the distal ends contact a surface to be cleaned
- the length of fibers of the long-fiber raised fabric piece is set such that the fibers are largely bent by the surface to be cleaned and that the sides of the fibers contact the surface to be cleaned.
- the above-described suction tool reliably removes dust in small recesses on the surface of a wooden floor and dust in the mat rush of a tatami mat.
- Patent Document 1 Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-16182
- the raised fabric roller disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires that the short-fiber raised fabric piece and the long-fiber raised fabric piece be separately manufactured and attached to the roller core in order to deliver the scraping performance and the mopping performance. It is thus difficult to finely adjust the arrangement of the short-fiber raised fabric piece and the long-fiber raised fabric piece. That is, it is difficult to finely set the balance between the mopping performance and the scraping performance.
- a brush includes a fabric base formed by weaving warp and weft, and a brush portion that includes bristles, which are formed by pile.
- the pile is woven into the fabric base to project upright from an outer surface of the fabric base.
- the brush portion includes two or more types of the bristles between which at least one of a length, a diameter, or a density is different.
- the two or more types of the bristles are arranged to be adjacent to each other in a direction in which the warp extends.
- scraping performance in proportion to an increase in the length of bristles, an increase in the diameter of the bristles, and an increase in the density of the bristles, the performance of scraping dust by the brush (hereinafter, scraping performance) is improved, while the performance of wiping off fine dust and droplets (hereinafter, mopping performance) is reduced.
- mopping performance in accordance with a decrease in the length of bristles, a decrease in the diameter of the bristles, and a decrease in the density of the bristles, the mopping performance is improved. The balance between these performances is significantly important in order to efficiently collect various types of waste such as dust and droplets.
- the two or more types of bristles between which at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density is different are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the direction in which the warp extends.
- at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density of the bristles changes without a gap in the direction in which the warp extends. This allows for flexible setting of the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance.
- the two or more types of the bristles between which at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density is different may be adjacent to each other in a direction in which the weft extends.
- At least one of the length, the diameter, or the density of the bristles changes without a gap in the direction in which the weft extends. This allows for further flexible setting of the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance.
- the brush portion may include a first section that includes first bristles, and second sections that include second bristles. At least one of a length, a diameter, or a density of the second bristles may be different from that of the first bristles.
- the second sections may be adjacent to opposite sides of the first section in the direction in which the warp extends.
- the second sections are adjacent to the opposite sides of the first section in the direction in which the warp extends.
- the brush is formed such that the direction in which the warp extends agrees with the sliding direction of the brush, one of the second sections, the first section, and the other second section successively slide against the floor surface.
- This configuration is capable of continuously changing the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance when the brush slides against the floor surface.
- the brush portion may include a first section that includes first bristles, and second sections that include second bristles. At least one of a length, a diameter, or a density of the second bristles may be different from that of the first bristles.
- the second sections may be adjacent to opposite sides of the first section in the direction in which the weft extends.
- the second sections are adjacent to the opposite sides of the first section in the direction in which the weft extends.
- the first section and the second section which are arranged side by side in the direction in which the weft extends simultaneously slide against the floor surface. It is thus possible to easily adjust the resistance generated when the brush slides against something by changing at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density between the first bristles, which form the first section, and the second bristles, which form the second section.
- the first bristles may be shorter than the second bristles.
- the first section and the second sections on the opposite sides of the first section form a recess.
- the recess readily holds waste such as dust scraped off by the second sections. Since the waste is held by the recess in a concentrated manner, the waste can be removed easily.
- the fabric base and the pile may be formed by jacquard weaving.
- the brush portion of the above-described configuration easily achieves a configuration in which the two or more types of bristles between which at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density is different are adjacent to each other in the direction in which the warp extends.
- a rotating brush includes a rotor, and the above-described brush that is arranged on an outer surface of the rotor.
- the two or more types of bristles between which at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density is different are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the direction in which the warp extends. Accordingly, at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density of the bristles changes without a gap in the direction in which the warp extends. This allows for flexible setting of the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance.
- the present invention allows for flexible setting of the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance.
- FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a head of a vacuum cleaner equipped with a rotating brush according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a brush of the rotating brush.
- FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3 a - 3 a of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the brush of the embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a brush according to a modification.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a rotating brush according to another modification.
- FIGS. 1 to 3 An embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .
- a rotating brush 20 includes a rotor 21 and a brush 30 .
- the rotor 21 is rotationally supported in a case 11 of a head 10 of a vacuum cleaner.
- the brush 30 is attached to the outer surface of the rotor 21 .
- the rotor 21 is cylindrical and is made of hard plastic or metal. Any suitable method may be selected to attach the brush 30 to the rotor 21 .
- the brush 30 may be bonded to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 21 with adhesive or double-sided tape. Also, if the circumferential wall of the rotor 21 has a net-like structure, the brush 30 may be sewn to the rotor 21 .
- the brush 30 includes a fabric base 31 , and brush portions 34 , which are arranged on the outer surface of the fabric base 31 .
- Each brush portion 34 includes a first section 36 and second sections 37 adjacent to the opposite sides of the first section 36 in a sliding direction X of the brush 30 .
- the first section 36 formed by first bristles 51 .
- the second sections 37 are formed by second bristles 52 , which are longer than the first bristles 51 .
- FIGS. 2 and 3A schematically illustrate the bristles 51 , 52 .
- the sliding direction X of the brush 30 agrees with the up-down direction of FIG. 2 .
- An axial direction Y of the rotating brush 20 agrees with the left-right direction of FIG. 2 .
- the first section 36 and the second sections 37 each have a constant width in the sliding direction X of the brush 30 (measurement in the up-down direction of FIG. 2 ), and extend in a zigzag manner in the axial direction Y of the rotating brush 20 . Therefore, the second sections 37 are adjacent to the opposite sides of the first section 36 in the axial direction Y of the rotating brush 20 .
- each first section 36 and the second sections 37 on the opposite sides of the first section 36 form a recess 38 .
- the second sections 37 have a width greater than that of the first section 36 .
- the brush portions 34 are arranged with spaces in between in the sliding direction X of the brush 30 .
- a constant clearance 35 exists between the brush portions 34 .
- the bristles 51 , 52 do not exist in the clearance 35 .
- the fabric base 31 is made of a woven fabric that is formed by weaving warp 32 and weft 33 , which are made of, for example, polyester.
- the material for the warp 32 and the weft 33 , which form the fabric base 31 is not limited to polyester, but may be selected from synthetic resins such as polyethylene, polyamide, polypropylene, acrylic resin, and urethane resin.
- a warp direction X the direction in which the warp 32 extends
- a weft direction Y agrees with the axial direction Y of the rotating brush 20 .
- the first bristles 51 are formed by first pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , which are woven into the fabric base 31 to project upright from the outer surface of the fabric base 31 .
- the second bristles 52 are formed by second pile yarns 42 a , 42 b , which are woven into the fabric base 31 to project upright from the outer surface of the fabric base 31 .
- the pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , 42 a , 42 b correspond to the pile of the present invention.
- the first pile yarns 41 a , 41 b are formed by bundling fibers, for example, of heat-shrinkable polyester and are pile-woven into the fabric base 31 so as to project upright.
- Heat-shrinkable polyester fibers have excellent durability and elasticity.
- the second pile yarns 42 a , 42 b are formed by bundling fibers, for example, of polyamide and are pile-woven into the fabric base 31 so as to project upright. Having excellent abrasion resistance and restorability, polyamide fibers are suitable for the purpose.
- a heat applying process (for example, a coating process described below) is performed after the pile-weaving, so that the first pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , which are made of heat-shrinkable polyester fibers, shrink to reduce the projecting amount of the first bristles 51 .
- the polyester fibers used in the present embodiment shrink by approximately 40% in terms of the fiber length by heating.
- the surface of the fabric base 31 from which the pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , 42 a , 42 b project upright is referred to as an outer surface, and the opposite surface is referred to as a back surface.
- the fabric base 31 and the pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , 42 a , 42 b are formed by jacquard weaving.
- first pile yarns 41 a , 41 b are woven into the warps 32 of the fabric bases 31 A, 31 B in an alternately bridging manner.
- the first pile yarns 41 a and the other first pile yarns 41 b are respectively woven into the fabric base 31 A and the fabric base 31 B on the opposite sides at predetermined positions in the warp direction X.
- the second pile yarns 42 a , 42 b are woven into the warps 32 of the fabric bases 31 A, 31 B in an alternately bridging manner.
- the second pile yarns 42 a and the other second pile yarns 42 b are respectively woven into the fabric base 31 A and the fabric base 31 B on the opposite sides at predetermined positions in the warp direction X.
- the middle sections of the pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , 42 a , 42 b , which bridge the two fabric bases 31 A, 31 B are cut, so that the fibers forming the pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , 42 a , 42 b spread to form the bristles 51 , 52 made of pile as shown in FIG. 3B .
- the brush portions 34 are cut pile that are formed by cutting the pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , 42 a , 42 b , which bridge the wefts 33 of the two fabric bases 31 A, 31 B. Accordingly, two brushes 30 A, 30 B are formed simultaneously.
- a synthetic resin material having an adhesion function is applied to the back surfaces of the fabric bases 31 A, 31 B using an application device (not shown).
- the synthetic resin material in the present embodiment may be a water-soluble synthetic resin material such as an acrylic resin emulsion, a urethane resin emulsion, or a vinyl acetate resin emulsion.
- the synthetic resin material is selected considering the compatibility with the fibers forming the fabric bases 31 A, 31 B.
- the fabric bases 31 A, 31 B are passed through a drying device (not shown) to dry the synthetic resin material so that coating layers (not shown) are formed to join the roots of the bristles 51 , 52 and the fabric bases 31 A, 31 B (the coating process).
- the drying step in the coating process applies heat to the first bristles 51 , so that the fiber length of the first bristles 51 is reduced by 40%.
- the first bristles 51 are thus shorter than the second bristles 52 . That is, the projecting amount of the first bristles 51 is smaller than that of the second bristles 52 .
- the first pile yarns 41 a , 41 b are alternately woven into the two fabric bases 31 A, 31 B such that the first bristles 51 project upright.
- the second pile yarns 42 a , 42 b are alternately woven into the two fabric bases 31 A, 31 B such that the second bristles 52 project upright.
- the second sections 37 are arranged adjacent to the opposite sides of the first section 36 in the warp direction X as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B .
- the second pile yarn 42 a is woven into only the fabric base 31 B on the lower side as viewed in FIG. 3B
- the other second pile yarn 42 b is woven into only the fabric base 31 A on the upper side as viewed in FIG. 3B .
- first pile yarn 41 a is woven into only the fabric base 31 A on the upper side as viewed in FIG. 3B
- the other first pile yarn 41 b is woven into only the fabric base 31 B on the lower side as viewed in FIG. 3B .
- first pile yarn 41 a and the second pile yarn 42 a are woven into only the fabric base 31 A on the upper side as viewed in FIG. 3B
- the other first pile yarn 41 b , and the other second pile yarn 42 b are woven into only the fabric base 31 B on the lower side as viewed in FIG. 3B .
- the pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , 42 a , 42 b are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the weft direction Y.
- the present embodiment has the following advantages.
- the brush 30 of the rotating brush 20 includes the fabric base 31 and the brush portions 34 .
- the fabric base 31 is formed by weaving the warp 32 and the weft 33 .
- Each brush portion 34 includes the bristles 51 , 52 , which are formed by the pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , 42 a , 42 b .
- the pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , 42 a , 42 b are woven into the fabric base 31 to project upright from the outer surface of the fabric base 31 .
- Each brush portion 34 also includes the first section 36 and the second sections 37 , which are respectively formed by the two types of bristles 51 , 52 having different lengths.
- the first section 36 and the second sections 37 are adjacent to each other in the warp direction X, which is the direction in which the warp 32 extends.
- scraping performance in proportion to an increase in the length of bristles, an increase in the diameter of the bristles, and an increase in the density of the bristles, the performance of scraping dust by the brush (hereinafter, scraping performance) is improved, while the performance of wiping off fine dust and droplets (hereinafter, mopping performance) is reduced.
- scraping performance in proportion to an increase in the length of bristles, an increase in the diameter of the bristles, and an increase in the density of the bristles, the performance of scraping dust by the brush
- mopping performance wiping off fine dust and droplets
- the two types of bristles 51 , 52 having different lengths are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the warp direction X.
- the lengths of the bristles 51 , 52 change without a gap in the warp direction X. This allows for flexible setting of the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance.
- the two types of bristles 51 , 52 having different lengths are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the weft direction Y, which is the direction in which the weft extends.
- the lengths of the bristles 51 , 52 change without a gap in the weft direction Y. This allows for further flexible setting of the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance.
- Each brush portion 34 includes the first section 36 , which has the first bristles 51 , and the second sections 37 , which have the second bristles 52 .
- the second bristles 52 are longer than the first bristles 51 .
- the second sections 37 are adjacent to the opposite sides of the first section 36 in the warp direction X.
- the warp direction X of the brush 30 agrees with the sliding direction of the brush 30 .
- the second sections 37 are adjacent to the opposite sides of the first section 36 in the warp direction X (the sliding direction X of the brush 30 ).
- the second sections 37 , the first section 36 , and then the other second section 37 successively slide against the floor surface.
- This configuration is capable of continuously changing the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance when the brush 30 slides against the floor surface.
- the second sections 37 are adjacent to the opposite sides of the first section 36 in the weft direction Y.
- the second sections 37 are adjacent to the opposite sides of the first section 36 in the weft direction Y.
- the first section 36 and the second sections 37 which are arranged side by side in the weft direction Y simultaneously slide against the floor surface. It is thus possible to easily adjust the resistance generated when the brush 30 slides against something by changing the lengths of the bristles 51 , 52 between the first section 36 and the second sections 37 .
- the first bristles 51 are shorter than the second bristles 52 .
- the first section 36 and the second sections 37 on the opposite sides of the first section 36 form a recess 38 .
- the recess 38 readily holds waste such as dust scraped off by the second sections 37 , which is formed by the second bristles 52 . Since waste such as dust is held by the recess 38 in a concentrated manner, the waste can be removed easily.
- the fabric base 31 and the pile yarns 41 a , 41 b , 42 a , 42 b are formed by jacquard weaving.
- the width of the clearance 35 between the brush portions 34 is not limited to the one in the above-described embodiment, but may be changed. It is also possible to omit the clearance 35 .
- the sliding resistance and the waste scraping performance of the rotating brush 20 can be adjusted by properly adjusting the width of the clearance 35 .
- each first section 36 and the second sections 37 which form the brush portion 34 , do not necessarily extend in a zigzag manner in the axial direction Y (the weft direction Y).
- each first section 36 may have the shape of a rhombus, and the second section 37 may be located both on the opposite sides of the first section 36 in the warp direction X and on the opposite sides of the first section 36 in the weft direction Y.
- the first sections 36 are spaced at even distances both in the warp direction X and the weft direction Y as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the density of the first bristles 51 may be less than that of the second bristles 52 .
- the diameter of the first bristles 51 may be less than that of the second bristles 52 .
- the first section 36 which is formed by the first bristles 51 , readily holds waste such as dust scraped off by the second sections 37 , which are formed by the second bristles 52 . Accordingly, an advantage equivalent to the advantage (5) of the above-described embodiment is achieved.
- the first bristles 51 may be longer than the second bristles 52 .
- the warp direction X of the fabric base 31 and the sliding direction X of the brush 30 agree with each other
- the weft direction Y and the axial direction Y of the rotating brush 20 agree with each other.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- the weft direction of the fabric base 31 may agree with the sliding direction of a brush
- the warp direction of the fabric base 31 may agree with the axial direction of a rotating brush.
- a brush having a rectangular shape may be helically attached to the outer surface of the rotor 21 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates a rotating brush 120 , which includes a brush 130 .
- the brush 130 includes a brush portion 134 having a first section 136 formed by first bristles 151 , a second section 137 formed by second bristles 152 , and a third section 139 formed by third bristles 153 .
- the diameters of the bristles decrease in the order of the first bristles 151 , the second bristles 152 , and the third bristles 153 .
- the edge of the second section 137 is inclined such that the center in the axial direction Y is located forward in the sliding direction X.
- the first section 136 is adjacent to the trailing side in the sliding direction X of the second section 137 .
- the third section 139 is adjacent to the leading side in the sliding direction X of the second section 137 .
- the brush 30 may be attached to the outer surface of the rotor 21 in order to be used as the rotating brush 20 as in the above-described embodiment.
- the brush 30 may be attached to a plate-shaped portion to be used as a non-rotating brush.
- the non-rotating brush can be used to clean the filter of, for example, an air conditioner, an air cleaner, or a ventilator.
- the fabric bases and the pile are not limited to those formed by jacquard weaving. If the pattern of the bristles in the brush portion is simple, the fabric bases and the pile may be formed by dobby weaving.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
- Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
Abstract
A brush and a rotating brush are provided that are capable of flexibly setting the balance between scraping performance and mopping performance. The brush of the rotating brush includes a fabric base, which is formed by weaving warp and weft, and a brush portion, which includes bristles. The bristles are formed by pile yarns, which are woven into the fabric base to project upright from the outer surface of the fabric base. The bristles of the brush portion include two types of pile yarns that have different lengths and are arranged to be adjacent to each other in a warp direction, which is a direction in which the warp extends.
Description
- The present application is the U.S. national phase filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2018/040310, filed on Oct. 30, 2018.
- The present invention relates to a brush and a rotating brush.
- Patent Document 1 discloses a raised fabric roller for a vacuum cleaner. The raised fabric roller of Patent Document 1 includes a roller core, a short-fiber raised fabric piece, and a long-fiber raised fabric piece. The roller core is rotationally supported in the main body of a suction tool of a vacuum cleaner. The short-fiber raised fabric piece and the long-fiber raised fabric piece are made of spun fabric with cut pile, and are alternately and continuously attached to the outer circumferential surface of the roller core along a longitudinal and helical direction. The length of fibers of the short-fiber raised fabric piece is set such that the distal ends contact a surface to be cleaned, and the length of fibers of the long-fiber raised fabric piece is set such that the fibers are largely bent by the surface to be cleaned and that the sides of the fibers contact the surface to be cleaned. When the suction tool main body cleans the surface to be cleaned with the roller rotating, the fiber distal ends of the short-fiber raised fabric piece rub against the surface to be cleaned, and operate like a scrubbing brush (scraping performance). Subsequently, the sides of the fibers of the long-fiber raised fabric piece rub against the surface to be cleaned, and operate like a sweeping broom (mopping performance). As compared to a conventional suction tool with only a long-fiber raised fabric piece on the outer circumference of the roller, the above-described suction tool reliably removes dust in small recesses on the surface of a wooden floor and dust in the mat rush of a tatami mat.
- Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-16182
- However, the raised fabric roller disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires that the short-fiber raised fabric piece and the long-fiber raised fabric piece be separately manufactured and attached to the roller core in order to deliver the scraping performance and the mopping performance. It is thus difficult to finely adjust the arrangement of the short-fiber raised fabric piece and the long-fiber raised fabric piece. That is, it is difficult to finely set the balance between the mopping performance and the scraping performance.
- Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a brush and a rotating brush that are capable of flexibly setting the balance between scraping performance and mopping performance.
- To achieve the foregoing objectives, a brush includes a fabric base formed by weaving warp and weft, and a brush portion that includes bristles, which are formed by pile. The pile is woven into the fabric base to project upright from an outer surface of the fabric base. The brush portion includes two or more types of the bristles between which at least one of a length, a diameter, or a density is different. The two or more types of the bristles are arranged to be adjacent to each other in a direction in which the warp extends.
- In a typical brush, in proportion to an increase in the length of bristles, an increase in the diameter of the bristles, and an increase in the density of the bristles, the performance of scraping dust by the brush (hereinafter, scraping performance) is improved, while the performance of wiping off fine dust and droplets (hereinafter, mopping performance) is reduced. From the opposite point of view, in accordance with a decrease in the length of bristles, a decrease in the diameter of the bristles, and a decrease in the density of the bristles, the mopping performance is improved. The balance between these performances is significantly important in order to efficiently collect various types of waste such as dust and droplets.
- With the above-described configuration, the two or more types of bristles between which at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density is different are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the direction in which the warp extends. Thus, at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density of the bristles changes without a gap in the direction in which the warp extends. This allows for flexible setting of the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance.
- In the above-described brush, the two or more types of the bristles between which at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density is different may be adjacent to each other in a direction in which the weft extends.
- With the above-described configuration, at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density of the bristles changes without a gap in the direction in which the weft extends. This allows for further flexible setting of the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance.
- In the above-described brush, the brush portion may include a first section that includes first bristles, and second sections that include second bristles. At least one of a length, a diameter, or a density of the second bristles may be different from that of the first bristles. The second sections may be adjacent to opposite sides of the first section in the direction in which the warp extends.
- With the above-described configuration, the second sections are adjacent to the opposite sides of the first section in the direction in which the warp extends. Thus, if the brush is formed such that the direction in which the warp extends agrees with the sliding direction of the brush, one of the second sections, the first section, and the other second section successively slide against the floor surface. This configuration is capable of continuously changing the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance when the brush slides against the floor surface.
- In the above-described brush, the brush portion may include a first section that includes first bristles, and second sections that include second bristles. At least one of a length, a diameter, or a density of the second bristles may be different from that of the first bristles. The second sections may be adjacent to opposite sides of the first section in the direction in which the weft extends.
- With the above-described configuration, the second sections are adjacent to the opposite sides of the first section in the direction in which the weft extends. Thus, if the brush is formed such that the direction in which the warp extends agrees with the sliding direction of the brush, the first section and the second section, which are arranged side by side in the direction in which the weft extends simultaneously slide against the floor surface. It is thus possible to easily adjust the resistance generated when the brush slides against something by changing at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density between the first bristles, which form the first section, and the second bristles, which form the second section.
- In the above-described brush, the first bristles may be shorter than the second bristles. With the above-described configuration, the first section and the second sections on the opposite sides of the first section form a recess. The recess readily holds waste such as dust scraped off by the second sections. Since the waste is held by the recess in a concentrated manner, the waste can be removed easily.
- In the above-described brush, the fabric base and the pile may be formed by jacquard weaving.
- The brush portion of the above-described configuration easily achieves a configuration in which the two or more types of bristles between which at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density is different are adjacent to each other in the direction in which the warp extends.
- To achieve the foregoing objectives, a rotating brush includes a rotor, and the above-described brush that is arranged on an outer surface of the rotor.
- With the above-described configuration, the two or more types of bristles between which at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density is different are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the direction in which the warp extends. Accordingly, at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density of the bristles changes without a gap in the direction in which the warp extends. This allows for flexible setting of the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance.
- The present invention allows for flexible setting of the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance.
-
FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a head of a vacuum cleaner equipped with a rotating brush according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a brush of the rotating brush. -
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken alongline 3 a-3 a ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the brush of the embodiment. -
FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a brush according to a modification. -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a rotating brush according to another modification. - An embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 3 . - As shown in
FIG. 1 , a rotatingbrush 20 according to the present embodiment includes arotor 21 and abrush 30. Therotor 21 is rotationally supported in acase 11 of ahead 10 of a vacuum cleaner. Thebrush 30 is attached to the outer surface of therotor 21. Therotor 21 is cylindrical and is made of hard plastic or metal. Any suitable method may be selected to attach thebrush 30 to therotor 21. For example, thebrush 30 may be bonded to the outer circumferential surface of therotor 21 with adhesive or double-sided tape. Also, if the circumferential wall of therotor 21 has a net-like structure, thebrush 30 may be sewn to therotor 21. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3A , thebrush 30 includes afabric base 31, andbrush portions 34, which are arranged on the outer surface of thefabric base 31. - Each
brush portion 34 includes afirst section 36 andsecond sections 37 adjacent to the opposite sides of thefirst section 36 in a sliding direction X of thebrush 30. Thefirst section 36 formed byfirst bristles 51. Thesecond sections 37 are formed bysecond bristles 52, which are longer than the first bristles 51.FIGS. 2 and 3A schematically illustrate thebristles brush 30 agrees with the up-down direction ofFIG. 2 . An axial direction Y of the rotatingbrush 20 agrees with the left-right direction ofFIG. 2 . - The
first section 36 and thesecond sections 37 each have a constant width in the sliding direction X of the brush 30 (measurement in the up-down direction ofFIG. 2 ), and extend in a zigzag manner in the axial direction Y of the rotatingbrush 20. Therefore, thesecond sections 37 are adjacent to the opposite sides of thefirst section 36 in the axial direction Y of the rotatingbrush 20. - As shown in
FIG. 3A , eachfirst section 36 and thesecond sections 37 on the opposite sides of thefirst section 36 form arecess 38. In the present embodiment, thesecond sections 37 have a width greater than that of thefirst section 36. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3A , thebrush portions 34 are arranged with spaces in between in the sliding direction X of thebrush 30. Aconstant clearance 35 exists between thebrush portions 34. Thebristles clearance 35. - As shown in
FIG. 3B , thefabric base 31 is made of a woven fabric that is formed by weavingwarp 32 andweft 33, which are made of, for example, polyester. The material for thewarp 32 and theweft 33, which form thefabric base 31, is not limited to polyester, but may be selected from synthetic resins such as polyethylene, polyamide, polypropylene, acrylic resin, and urethane resin. In the present embodiment, the direction in which thewarp 32 extends (hereinafter, a warp direction X) agrees with the sliding direction X of thebrush 30. The direction in which the weft extends (hereinafter, a weft direction Y) agrees with the axial direction Y of the rotatingbrush 20. - The first bristles 51 are formed by
first pile yarns fabric base 31 to project upright from the outer surface of thefabric base 31. - The second bristles 52 are formed by
second pile yarns fabric base 31 to project upright from the outer surface of thefabric base 31. - The
pile yarns - The
first pile yarns fabric base 31 so as to project upright. Heat-shrinkable polyester fibers have excellent durability and elasticity. - The
second pile yarns fabric base 31 so as to project upright. Having excellent abrasion resistance and restorability, polyamide fibers are suitable for the purpose. - A heat applying process (for example, a coating process described below) is performed after the pile-weaving, so that the
first pile yarns - In some cases, the surface of the
fabric base 31 from which thepile yarns - The
fabric base 31 and thepile yarns - When forming the
pile yarns fabric base 31, twofabric bases bristles fabric base 31A and thefabric base 31B. - Subsequently, the
first pile yarns warps 32 of thefabric bases first pile yarns 41 a and the otherfirst pile yarns 41 b are respectively woven into thefabric base 31A and thefabric base 31B on the opposite sides at predetermined positions in the warp direction X. - Also, the
second pile yarns warps 32 of thefabric bases second pile yarns 42 a and the othersecond pile yarns 42 b are respectively woven into thefabric base 31A and thefabric base 31B on the opposite sides at predetermined positions in the warp direction X. - Then, the middle sections of the
pile yarns fabric bases pile yarns bristles FIG. 3B . That is, thebrush portions 34 are cut pile that are formed by cutting thepile yarns wefts 33 of the twofabric bases brushes - Thereafter, a synthetic resin material having an adhesion function is applied to the back surfaces of the
fabric bases fabric bases fabric bases bristles fabric bases - In the
first section 36, thefirst pile yarns fabric bases second section 37, thesecond pile yarns fabric bases second sections 37 are arranged adjacent to the opposite sides of thefirst section 36 in the warp direction X as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B . - In the
first section 36, thesecond pile yarn 42 a is woven into only thefabric base 31B on the lower side as viewed inFIG. 3B , and the othersecond pile yarn 42 b is woven into only thefabric base 31A on the upper side as viewed inFIG. 3B . - In each
second section 37, thefirst pile yarn 41 a is woven into only thefabric base 31A on the upper side as viewed inFIG. 3B , and the otherfirst pile yarn 41 b is woven into only thefabric base 31B on the lower side as viewed inFIG. 3B . - In each
clearance 35 between thefirst section 36 and the correspondingsecond section 37, thefirst pile yarn 41 a and thesecond pile yarn 42 a are woven into only thefabric base 31A on the upper side as viewed inFIG. 3B , and the otherfirst pile yarn 41 b, and the othersecond pile yarn 42 b are woven into only thefabric base 31B on the lower side as viewed inFIG. 3B . - In the
brush 30 of the present embodiment, thepile yarns - The present embodiment has the following advantages.
- (1) The
brush 30 of the rotatingbrush 20 includes thefabric base 31 and thebrush portions 34. Thefabric base 31 is formed by weaving thewarp 32 and theweft 33. Eachbrush portion 34 includes thebristles pile yarns pile yarns fabric base 31 to project upright from the outer surface of thefabric base 31. Eachbrush portion 34 also includes thefirst section 36 and thesecond sections 37, which are respectively formed by the two types ofbristles first section 36 and thesecond sections 37 are adjacent to each other in the warp direction X, which is the direction in which thewarp 32 extends. - In a typical brush, in proportion to an increase in the length of bristles, an increase in the diameter of the bristles, and an increase in the density of the bristles, the performance of scraping dust by the brush (hereinafter, scraping performance) is improved, while the performance of wiping off fine dust and droplets (hereinafter, mopping performance) is reduced. From the opposite point of view, in accordance with a decrease in the length of bristles, a decrease in the diameter of the bristles, and a decrease in the density of the bristles, the mopping performance is improved.
- With the above-described configuration, the two types of
bristles bristles - (2) The two types of
bristles - With the above-described configuration, the lengths of the
bristles - (3) Each
brush portion 34 includes thefirst section 36, which has the first bristles 51, and thesecond sections 37, which have the second bristles 52. The second bristles 52 are longer than the first bristles 51. Thesecond sections 37 are adjacent to the opposite sides of thefirst section 36 in the warp direction X. The warp direction X of thebrush 30 agrees with the sliding direction of thebrush 30. - With the above-described configuration, the
second sections 37 are adjacent to the opposite sides of thefirst section 36 in the warp direction X (the sliding direction X of the brush 30). Thus, one of thesecond sections 37, thefirst section 36, and then the othersecond section 37 successively slide against the floor surface. This configuration is capable of continuously changing the balance between the scraping performance and the mopping performance when thebrush 30 slides against the floor surface. - (4) The
second sections 37 are adjacent to the opposite sides of thefirst section 36 in the weft direction Y. - With the above-described configuration, the
second sections 37 are adjacent to the opposite sides of thefirst section 36 in the weft direction Y. Thus, thefirst section 36 and thesecond sections 37, which are arranged side by side in the weft direction Y simultaneously slide against the floor surface. It is thus possible to easily adjust the resistance generated when thebrush 30 slides against something by changing the lengths of thebristles first section 36 and thesecond sections 37. - (5) The first bristles 51 are shorter than the second bristles 52.
- With the above-described configuration, the
first section 36 and thesecond sections 37 on the opposite sides of thefirst section 36 form arecess 38. Therecess 38 readily holds waste such as dust scraped off by thesecond sections 37, which is formed by the second bristles 52. Since waste such as dust is held by therecess 38 in a concentrated manner, the waste can be removed easily. - (6) The
fabric base 31 and thepile yarns - The above-described configuration readily achieves the above-described advantages (1) to (5).
- The above-described embodiment may be modified as follows. The above-described embodiment and the following modifications can be combined as long as the combined modifications remain technically consistent with each other.
- The width of the
clearance 35 between thebrush portions 34 is not limited to the one in the above-described embodiment, but may be changed. It is also possible to omit theclearance 35. The sliding resistance and the waste scraping performance of the rotatingbrush 20 can be adjusted by properly adjusting the width of theclearance 35. - The
first section 36 and thesecond sections 37, which form thebrush portion 34, do not necessarily extend in a zigzag manner in the axial direction Y (the weft direction Y). For example, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 , eachfirst section 36 may have the shape of a rhombus, and thesecond section 37 may be located both on the opposite sides of thefirst section 36 in the warp direction X and on the opposite sides of thefirst section 36 in the weft direction Y. In this case, thefirst sections 36 are spaced at even distances both in the warp direction X and the weft direction Y as shown inFIG. 4 . - The density of the first bristles 51 may be less than that of the second bristles 52. The diameter of the first bristles 51 may be less than that of the second bristles 52. Even in this case, the
first section 36, which is formed by the first bristles 51, readily holds waste such as dust scraped off by thesecond sections 37, which are formed by the second bristles 52. Accordingly, an advantage equivalent to the advantage (5) of the above-described embodiment is achieved. - The first bristles 51 may be longer than the second bristles 52.
- In the above-described embodiment and modifications, the warp direction X of the
fabric base 31 and the sliding direction X of thebrush 30 agree with each other, and the weft direction Y and the axial direction Y of the rotatingbrush 20 agree with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the weft direction of thefabric base 31 may agree with the sliding direction of a brush, and the warp direction of thefabric base 31 may agree with the axial direction of a rotating brush. Also, a brush having a rectangular shape may be helically attached to the outer surface of therotor 21. -
FIG. 6 illustrates arotating brush 120, which includes abrush 130. Thebrush 130 includes abrush portion 134 having afirst section 136 formed byfirst bristles 151, asecond section 137 formed bysecond bristles 152, and athird section 139 formed bythird bristles 153. The diameters of the bristles (fiber diameters) decrease in the order of thefirst bristles 151, thesecond bristles 152, and thethird bristles 153. In this case, the edge of thesecond section 137 is inclined such that the center in the axial direction Y is located forward in the sliding direction X. Thefirst section 136 is adjacent to the trailing side in the sliding direction X of thesecond section 137. Thethird section 139 is adjacent to the leading side in the sliding direction X of thesecond section 137. - The
brush 30 may be attached to the outer surface of therotor 21 in order to be used as the rotatingbrush 20 as in the above-described embodiment. Alternatively, thebrush 30 may be attached to a plate-shaped portion to be used as a non-rotating brush. The non-rotating brush can be used to clean the filter of, for example, an air conditioner, an air cleaner, or a ventilator. - The fabric bases and the pile are not limited to those formed by jacquard weaving. If the pattern of the bristles in the brush portion is simple, the fabric bases and the pile may be formed by dobby weaving.
Claims (13)
1. A brush, comprising:
a fabric base formed by weaving warp and weft; and
a brush portion that includes bristles, which are formed by pile, the pile being woven into the fabric base to project upright from an outer surface of the fabric base,
wherein the brush portion includes two or more types of the bristles between which at least one of a length, a diameter, or a density is different, the two or more types of the bristles being arranged to be adjacent to each other in a direction in which the warp extends.
2. The brush according to claim 1 , wherein the two or more types of the bristles between which at least one of the length, the diameter, or the density is different are adjacent to each other in a direction in which the weft extends.
3. The brush according to claim 1 , wherein
the brush portion includes
a first section that includes first bristles, and
second sections that include second bristles, at least one of a length, a diameter, or a density of the second bristles being different from that of the first bristles, and
the second sections are adjacent to opposite sides of the first section in the direction in which the warp extends.
4. The brush according to claim 2 , wherein
the brush portion includes
a first section that includes first bristles, and
second sections that include second bristles, at least one of a length, a diameter, or a density of the second bristles being different from that of the first bristles, and
the second sections are adjacent to opposite sides of the first section in the direction in which the weft extends.
5. The brush according to claim 3 , wherein the first bristles are shorter than the second bristles.
6. The brush according to claim 1 , wherein the fabric base and the pile are formed by jacquard weaving.
7. A rotating brush, comprising:
a rotor; and
the brush according to claim 1 , the brush being arranged on an outer surface of the rotor.
8. The brush according to claim 3 , wherein the second sections are adjacent to opposite sides of the first section in the direction in which the weft extends.
9. The brush according to claim 4 , wherein the first bristles are shorter than the second bristles.
10. The brush according to claim 8 , wherein the first bristles are shorter than the second bristles.
11. The brush according to claim 1 , further comprising a constant clearance in which the bristles do not exist.
12. The brush according to claim 1 , wherein the fabric base is one continuous piece of fabric.
13. The brush according to claim 12 , wherein the fabric base and the pile are formed by jacquard weaving.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2018/040310 WO2020090001A1 (en) | 2018-10-30 | 2018-10-30 | Brush and rotating brush |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20210330152A1 true US20210330152A1 (en) | 2021-10-28 |
Family
ID=70463605
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/284,822 Abandoned US20210330152A1 (en) | 2018-10-30 | 2018-10-30 | Brush and rotating brush |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20210330152A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPWO2020090001A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020090001A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4961243A (en) * | 1989-05-18 | 1990-10-09 | Stockwell Group, Inc. | Carpet cleaning pad |
JP2798837B2 (en) * | 1992-01-20 | 1998-09-17 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Floor suction device |
JPH0716182A (en) * | 1993-07-02 | 1995-01-20 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Sucking device for vacuum cleaner |
JP4452289B2 (en) * | 2007-04-13 | 2010-04-21 | 和彦 森 | Towel manufacturing method |
JP5129996B2 (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2013-01-30 | 株式会社コーワ | Cleaning body cloth, cleaning body, rotary cleaning body, suction tool for vacuum cleaner, vacuum cleaner and air conditioner constituting rotary cleaning body |
JP2015073740A (en) * | 2013-10-09 | 2015-04-20 | 槌屋ティスコ株式会社 | Brush and rotary brush |
JP6546753B2 (en) * | 2015-02-27 | 2019-07-17 | 槌屋ティスコ株式会社 | Rotating brush |
-
2018
- 2018-10-30 WO PCT/JP2018/040310 patent/WO2020090001A1/en active Application Filing
- 2018-10-30 US US17/284,822 patent/US20210330152A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-10-30 JP JP2020554640A patent/JPWO2020090001A1/en active Pending
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WO2020090001A1 (en) | 2020-05-07 |
JPWO2020090001A1 (en) | 2021-09-30 |
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