US20250295280A1

US20250295280A1 - Cleaning head for vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: US20250295280A1
Application number: US19/037,405
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric Jon Stuive
Original assignee: Bissell Inc
Current assignee: Bissell Inc
Priority date: 2024-03-22
Filing date: 2025-01-27
Publication date: 2025-09-25
Also published as: EP4623781A1; CN120678359A

Abstract

A cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner includes a brushroll chamber and defining an air path, an inlet into the brushroll chamber, and dual counterrotating brushrolls mounted in the brushroll chamber. The brushrolls have sets of tines that are timed to interfere with each other as the brushrolls rotate to pull pet hair and other debris into the air path.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/568,675, filed Mar. 22, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Vacuum cleaners have one or more cleaning heads with an inlet to the air path for cleaning a surface to be clean. One type of cleaning head is a floor base adapted to be moved over floor surfaces. Another type of cleaning head is an accessory tool. Vacuum cleaners are often provided with various types of accessory tools used for cleaning in places that the regular vacuum cleaner floor base cannot fit or are adapted for specialized cleaning operations. An accessory tool typically attaches to the vacuum cleaner via an auxiliary flexible vacuum hose and/or a rigid wand.
Removing hair from a surface to be cleaned is one cleaning operation for which specialized accessory tools have been developed. Pet hair tends to become imbedded on upholstery, making the removal of hair from upholstery particularly difficult. Many accessory tools do not perform well with imbedded hair on upholstery as hair tends to ball up when a tool is passed over the surface. This is mitigated by using a tool with a rotating agitator; however, a drawback of this solution is that hair commonly gets caught in the rotating agitator and/or in the bearings mounting the rotating agitator. Providing effective removal of pet hair from upholstery remains a challenge in the floor cleaning industry.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner is provided with an improved hair cleaning features.
In one aspect of the disclosure, a cleaning head includes a housing having a brushroll chamber and defining an air path, an inlet into the brushroll chamber, the inlet in fluid communication with the air path, an attachment tube extending from the housing, the attachment tube being in fluid communication with the air path, a first brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a first axis in first direction, the first brushroll including a first set of tines, and a second brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a second axis in a second direction that is counter to the first direction, the second brushroll including a second set of tines, wherein the second set of tines are timed to interfere with the first set of tines as the first and second brushrolls counterrotate to pull hair into the air path above the first and second brushrolls.
In another aspect of the disclosure, an accessory tool for a vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a brushroll chamber and defining an air path, an inlet into the brushroll chamber, the inlet in fluid communication with the air path, an attachment tube extending from the housing, the attachment tube being in fluid communication with the air path, a first brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a first axis in first direction, the first brushroll including a first set of tines, a second brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a second axis in a second direction that is counter to the first direction, the second brushroll including a second set of tines, wherein the second set of tines are timed to interfere with the first set of tines as the first and second brushrolls counterrotate to pull hair into the air path above the first and second brushrolls.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, an accessory tool for a vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a brushroll chamber and an air turbine chamber, and defining an air path, an inlet into the brushroll chamber, the inlet in fluid communication with the air path, an attachment tube extending from the housing, the attachment tube being in fluid communication with the air path, a first brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a first axis in first direction and comprising a first set of tines, a second brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a second axis in a second direction that is counter to the first direction and comprising a second set of tines, and an air turbine mounted in the air turbine chamber and configured to rotate about a turbine axis, the air turbine coupled with the first and second brushrolls to drive the rotation of the first and second brushrolls, wherein the second set of tines are timed to interfere with the first set of tines as the first and second brushrolls counterrotate to pull hair into the air path above the first and second brushrolls.
In still another aspect of the disclosure a vacuum cleaner includes a suction source configured to generate a working airstream through a working air path, a separating and collection assembly configured to separate hair and other debris from the working airstream, and an accessory tool including a housing having a brushroll chamber and defining a tool air path, an inlet into the brushroll chamber, the inlet in fluid communication with the tool air path, an attachment tube extending from the housing, the attachment tube fluidly connecting the tool air path with the working air path, a first brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a first axis in first direction, the first brushroll including a first set of tines, and a second brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a second axis in a second direction that is counter to the first direction, the second brushroll including a second set of tines, wherein the second set of tines are timed to interfere with the first set of tines as the first and second brushrolls counterrotate to pull hair into the air path above the first and second brushrolls
These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning head comprising an accessory tool for a surface cleaning apparatus, or vacuum cleaner, according to one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the accessory tool of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory tool taken through line III-III of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4A is a bottom perspective view of the accessory tool of FIG. 1 showing an inlet of the accessory tool and a portion of the brushrolls;

FIG. 4B is a close-up view of section IVB of FIG. 4A, showing interfering tines of the brushrolls;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus, or vacuum cleaner, having the accessory tool of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory tool showing an operation of the accessory to comb hair on a surface to be cleaned;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory tool showing an operation of the accessory to pinch and pull hair upwardly between the brushrolls; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory tool showing an operation of the accessory to release pet hair into an internal air path of the accessory tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An accessory tool having improved pet hair cleaning features is described below. The accessory tool has multiple rotating brushrolls which counter-rotate to comb pet hair and other debris toward the middle of the brushrolls. As but one example, the brushrolls have agitating elements that interfere with each other to pull pet hair in between the brushrolls and into the air path of the tool. The pet hair is then released from the brushrolls into the air path internally within the tool.
As will be appreciated from the description herein, the accessory tool has myriad use applications, but is generally used to remove pet hair and other debris not limited to pet hair, from upholstered surfaces. The accessory tool also works well for non-upholstered surfaces and can be used for general vacuum cleaning as well. At least some aspects of the accessory tool provided herein function through the various elements thereof, as described below, to improve pet hair removal by combing the surface to be cleaned to initiate release of pet hair from the surface and pinching pet hair between rotating tines to complete the release of pet hair. By the dual combing and pinching action, pet hair is quickly and effectively removed from upholstered surfaces. Furthermore, pet hair is not retained on the brushroll and/or in the bearings of the brushroll. As such, certain features of the surface cleaning apparatus may be considered functional but may also be implemented in different aesthetic configurations.
In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 , wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a cleaning head in the form of an accessory tool is illustrated and generally designated at 10. As discussed in further detail below, the accessory tool 10 is provided with various features and improvements, including improved pet hair cleaning features to remove pet hair and other debris not limited to pet hair, from upholstered surfaces. Generally, the term “debris” as used herein includes pet hair, pet fur, non-pet hair, dirt, dust, stains, soil, and other debris.
For purposes of description related to the figures, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inner,” “outer,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the accessory tool 10 as oriented in FIG. 1 from the perspective of a user holding the tool 10 in one hand. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary.
The accessory tool 10 includes a housing 12 that can be coupled to a vacuum cleaner, an inlet 14, a first brushroll 16, and a second brushroll 18. The housing 12 can include a brushroll chamber 20 and defines an air path 22, indicated by arrows in FIG. 3 . The brushroll chamber 20 includes the inlet 14 and mounts the first and second brushrolls 16, 18 therein. The brushrolls 16, 18 are rotatable about respective axes 16A, 18A, and can be driven by an air turbine or a motor to counterrotate, as described in further detail below.
An attachment tube 24 extends from the housing 12 and is configured to selectively connect to a portion of a vacuum cleaner, such as a hose and/or wand of a vacuum cleaner. The attachment tube 24 is in fluid communication with the air path 22. The attachment tube 24 can form a handhold or grip for the tool 10. It is contemplated that the attachment tube 24 and/or the housing 12 can be adapted to fit in one hand of a user. Thus, the accessory tool 10 can a handheld accessory tool.
The housing 12 in one embodiment, is generally formed by an upper housing 26 and a lower housing 28 that are attached to one another by screws, snap fittings, welding, or other suitable attachments. In one embodiment, the upper and lower housings 26, 28 may be secured together by a retaining ring 27, which may be removable to separate the housings 26, 28 to clean the interior components.
The upper and lower housings 26, 28 preferably form an ergonomic shape that can be held in, and controlled by, one hand of a user, providing the tool 10 with a “handheld” housing 12. One or both of the upper and lower housings 26, 28 may be made of a transparent material, or have one or more windows therethrough, to provide visual feedback on the operation of the tool 10. As shown in FIG. 1 , in one example the upper housing 26 may be transparent to view the brushrolls 16, 18 and/or turbine 32.
At least a portion of the attachment tube 24 is hollow to defines a portion of a suction pathway of the tool 10, the suction pathway extending through the housing 12 and including the air path 22 and inlet 14. The tube 24 can be somewhat tapered and sized to slide into (or around) the hose and/or wand of the vacuum cleaner and be retained thereon or therein by a friction fit. Alternatively, conventional bayonet fittings, threads, snap connectors, or other fittings may be used for this purpose.
Various configurations for the attachment tube 24 are possible. In one embodiment, the attachment tube 24 is integrally formed with one or both of the housings 26, 28. In another embodiment, the tube 24 is a separate part that is captured between the upper and lower housings 26, 28.
The attachment tube 24 may be rotationally fixed on the housing 12 or may pivot relative to the housing 12. For example, the attachment tube 24 may be mounted to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the tube 24. The attachment tube 24 is shown as a generally cylindrical part having a circular profile, although other shapes for the tube 24 are possible.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, the housing 12 can include an air turbine chamber 30, and an air turbine 32 is mounted in the air turbine chamber 30 and is configured to rotate about a turbine axis 32A. The air turbine 32 is coupled with the first and second brushrolls 16, 18, to drive the rotation of the first and second brushrolls 16, 18 about their respective axes 16A, 18A.
In one configuration, the brushroll axes 16A, 18A line in a plane, and the turbine axis 32A is disposed outside the plane. The benefit is that both brushrolls 16, 18 can be engagement with a surface to be cleaned with the tool 10 held in an ergonomic position via the attachment tube 25 with the wrist elevated and comfortable.
The air turbine 32 comprises a vaned turbine wheel 34 rotatably mounted within the housing on a pair of bearings 36. The turbine wheel 34 can, for example, be captured between the upper and lower housings 26, 28, with the bearings 36 fit into corresponding slots 38 in the upper and lower housings 26, 28 (only visible on the lower housing 28 in FIG. 2 ) and suspend the vaned turbine wheel 34 so that it freely rotates within the air turbine chamber 30.
The air turbine 32 can be coupled with the brushrolls 16, 18 by a belt, a gear set, and/or another drive mechanism. In the embodiment shown, a belt 40 directly couples the air turbine with the first brushroll 16. The air turbine 32 can include a drive gear 42 that drives the belt 40, which, in turn, drives a driven gear 44 on the first brushroll 16. The second brushroll 18 is indirectly coupled with the air turbine 32 by a set of enmeshed gears 46, 48 on the brushrolls 16, 18.
The air turbine chamber 30 is in fluid communication with the brushroll chamber 20 by way of a turbine inlet 50. The turbine chamber 30 is also in fluid communication with the attachment tube 24 by way of a turbine outlet 52. In this manner, the turbine chamber 30 is fluidly interposed between the brushroll chamber 20 and the attachment tube 24 and is driven by air passing therebetween.
Air can exit the brushroll chamber 20 above and/or between the brushrolls 16, 18. The turbine inlet 50, which can also define an air exit from the brushroll chamber 20 in some embodiments, can be disposed above and rearward of the brushroll chamber 20.
The air turbine 32 may alternatively be configured to be driven by air that is separate from the air entering the brushroll chamber 20. In such an embodiment, the brushroll chamber 20 communicates directly with the attachment tube 24, and a separate turbine inlet (not shown) is provided through the housing 12 at a location remote from the brushroll chamber 20 to allow ambient air to enter the turbine chamber 30. The turbine inlet 50 between the brushroll chamber 20 and turbine chamber 30 is eliminated, but the turbine outlet 52 is still in fluid communication with the attachment tube 24 so that the vacuum draws air through the air turbine 32 to drive its rotation.
While the turbine 32 is shown in this embodiment as rotating about an axis 32A that is parallel to the brushroll axes 16A, 18A, it will be appreciated that it may be oriented at any other suitable angle to the brushroll axes 16A, 18A.
It will be appreciated that the air turbine 32 may be replaced by other brushroll drive devices. For example, the air turbine 32 can be replaced by an electric motor (not shown) powered by batteries or by electrical leads connected to the power source of the vacuum cleaner to which the tool 10 is attached. The motor is coupled with the first and second brushrolls 16, 18, to drive the rotation of the first and second brushrolls 16, 18 about their respective axes 16A, 18A.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, the first and second brushrolls 16, 18 counterrotate. The first brushroll 16 rotates about a first brushroll axis 16A in a first direction 16R and the second brushroll 18 rotates about a second brushroll axis 18A in a second direction 18R opposite to or opposing the first direction 16R.
Each brushroll 16, 18 respectively comprises an elongated agitator body, referred to herein as a dowel 54, 56 to which a plurality of tines 58, 60, also referred to herein as a set of tines, are affixed, and which extend outwardly therefrom. The elongated agitator body or dowel 54, 56 is configured to extend along and rotate about axis 16A, 18A, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the dowel 54, 56 have a generally cylindrical cross-section, though other cross-sectional shapes (such as, but not limited to, oval, hexagonal, rectangular, octagonal, concaved, convex, and the like) are also possible.
Referring to FIG. 3 , according to one aspect of the disclosure, the tines 58, 60 are configured to interrupt each other as the brushrolls 16, 18 counterrotate, pulling pet hair (and other debris) into the air path 22. As but one example, the tines 58, 60 comb the surface to be cleaned, and pull pet hair toward the middle of the inlet 14. The tines 58, 60 are timed to interfere with each other to pull pet hair in between the brushrolls 16, 18 and into the air path 22 above the brushrolls 16, 18. The pet hair is then released from the brushrolls 16, 18 into the air path 22 internally within the tool 10.
The brushrolls 16, 18 are rotatably mounted within the housing 12 on a pair of bearings 62, 64, respectively, that pivotally mounted at each end of the dowel 54, 56 (only one of the pair of bearings 62, 64 is visible in FIG. 2 ). The brushrolls 16, 18 can, for example, be captured between the upper and lower housings 26, 28, with the bearings 62, 64 fit into corresponding slots 66, 68 in the upper and lower housings 26, 28 (only visible on the lower housing 28 in FIG. 2 ) and suspend the dowel 54, 56 so that the brushrolls 16, 18 freely rotate within the brushroll chamber 20.
The bearings 62, 64 are preferably located in bearing compartments 70, 72 that are generally isolated from the remainder of the brushroll chamber 20 to prevent pet hair and other debris from clogging the bearings 62. As such, the compartments 70, 72 can be disposed on the lateral sides of the brushroll chamber 20, with the bearings 62, 64 at or near corresponding lateral ends of the brushrolls 16, 18.
The driven gear 44, over which the belt 40 fits, and first enmeshed gear 46 are located along the length of the first dowel 54 and the second enmeshed hear 48 is located along the length of the second dowel 56. The gears 44, 46, 48 can be in one bearing compartment 70 to prevent pet hair and other debris from clogging the gears 44, 46, 48. As such, the gears 44, 46, 48 can be at or near a lateral end of the brushrolls 16, 18 corresponding to the bearing compartment 70.
The housing 12 can have an air leak hole 74 in the bearing compartment 70. The air leak hole 74 allows a small amount of sacrificial air to flow through the bearing compartment 70 and into the brushroll chamber 20, preventing pet hair and other debris from being pulled from the brushroll chamber 20 into the bearing compartment 70. A similar air leak hole 76 (FIG. 4A) can be provided in the other bearing compartment 72. The air leak holes 74, 76 can be at or near the lateral sides of the housing 12.
The brushroll chamber 20 is formed on one side by the upper housing 26, and on the other side by the lower housing 28. The inlet 14 can be formed in the lower housing 28 and is generally below the axes 16A, 18A of the brushrolls 16, 18. The brushrolls 16, 18 are positioned within the brushroll chamber 20 such that the tines 58, 60, including at least tips 58T, 60T of the tines 58, 60, pass through the inlet 14 as the brushrolls 16, 18 rotate.
Referring to FIGS. 4A-4B, in an embodiment where an air turbine 32 drives the brushrolls 16, 18, the tool 10 can comprise one or more relief cutouts 78, 80 on an underside 82 of the housing 12 around the inlet 14. The relief cutouts 78, 80 ensure air turbine 32 runs smoothly by maintaining proper airflow through the inlet 14 even when the underside 82 of the housing 12 around the inlet 14 is sealed by an underlying surface to be cleaned. As but one example, one or more relief cutouts 78 can be disposed on a front edge 84 of the inlet 14 and/or one or more relief cutouts 80 can be disposed on a rear edge 86 of the inlet 14.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, the tool 10 can include one or more suction-focusing notches 88, 90 on the underside 82 of the housing 12 around the inlet 14. The suction-focusing notches 88, 90 focus suction between the brushrolls 16, 18 by directed incoming air toward a center of the inlet 14. As but one example, one suction-focusing notch 88 can be disposed on a first lateral edge 92 of the inlet 14 and/or one suction-focusing notch 90 can be disposed on a second lateral edge 94 of the inlet 14. The suction-focusing notch 88 on the side of the inlet 14 corresponding to the driven side of the brushrolls 16, 18 may be longer than the second suction-focusing notch 90 to accommodate for the drive mechanism.
The dowels 54, 56 are separated by a gap 96, which may lie generally at the center of the inlet 14, and preferably the suction-focusing notches 88, 90 are aligned with the gap 96 to focus suction at the gap 96, thereby working in concert with the counterrotating brushrolls 16, 18 to direct pet hair and other debris toward the center of the inlet 14 and into the gap 96.
The tines 58, 60 extend from a first end or root 58R, 60R that abuts, is attached to, or is integral with the dowel 54, 56 to a second end or tip 58T, 60T. One or more of the tines 58, 60 can extend radially from the dowel 54, 56, respectively, e.g., in a straight line extending from the axis 16A, 18A. It is also contemplated that one or more of the tines 58, 60 can extend at an angle from the dowel 54, 56 in a straight line that does not pass through the axis 16A, 18A. For tines that extend in a straight line, the root 58R, 60R and tip 58T, 60T line in a plane. It is further contemplated that one or more of the tines 58, 60 can be curved, with the root 58R, 60R extending radially or angularly from the dowel 54, 56 and the tip 58T, 60T being out of plane with the root 58R, 60R.
In the embodiment shown, the tines 58, 60 generally extend radially from the dowel 54, 56 when not subjected to external force. When subjected to an external force, the tines 58, 60 may flex and bend, such as when in contact with the surface to be cleaned or each other. The tips 58T, 60T are configured to bend out of plane with the root 68R. 60R when in interference with each other or with the surface.
The tines 58, 60 each have an engagement surface 58S, 60S that contacts the surface to be cleaned or another tine during rotation of the brushrolls 16, 18. The tips 58T, 60T of the tines preferably extend below and/or through the inlet 14 (see FIG. 3 ) so that at least of a portion of the engagement surfaces 58S, 60S rub across the surface to be cleaned to comb hair from the surface. The tines 58, 60 also each have a non-engagement surface 58N, 60N opposite the engagement surface 58S, 60S that does not contact the surface to be cleaned or another tine during rotation of the brushrolls 16, 18.
One or more of the tines 58, 60 can have a flat, paddle-like body including the root 58R, 60R and tip 58T, 60T and defining the engagement surface 58S, 60S. The flat, paddle-like body has a width W greater than its thickness T. Each tine 58, 60 has a length L, defined as the distance between its root 58R, 60R at the dowel surface and its tip 58T, 60T, a width W defined as the distance between lateral sides 58L, 60L of the tine, and a thickness T defined as the distance between the engagement surface 58S, 60S and non-engagement surface 58N, 60N. The lateral sides 58L, 60L can join the engagement surface 58S, 60S and non-engagement surface 58N, 60N.
In the embodiment shown, the tines 58, 60 may include one or a plurality of rectilinear or generally rectilinear bodies, e.g., where the lateral sides 58L, 60L are parallel or generally parallel to each other and where the engagement surface 58S, 60S is parallel or generally parallel to the non-engagement surface 58N, 60N. It is contemplated that tines 58, 60 may have alternate configurations, such as, for example, rounded, cylindrical, triangular, square, polygonal, irregular, uniform, non-uniform, and/or tapered. It is also contemplated that the tines 58, 60 may have a different configuration at the tip 58T, 60T and at the root 58R, 60R. The tines 58, 60 can have a smooth outer surfaces 58S, 60S, 58N, 60N as shown in the figures; however, in other embodiments, the tines 58, 60 can have a textured outer surface.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, the tine width W is greater than the tine thickness T, alternatively tine width W is at least 3× of the tine thickness T, alternatively tine width W is at least 4× of the tine thickness T, alternatively tine width W is at least 5× of the tine thickness T. Tines that are wider than they are thick have be found to be better for picking up hair by providing more tine surface area, e.g., a larger engagement surface 58S, 60S, for combing the surface to be cleaned while keeping the tines flexible. The tine length L is greater than either the tine width W or thickness T. While dimensions of the tines may vary, in one embodiment the tine length L is about 12 mm, the tine width W is about 4.5 mm, and the tine thickness T is about 1.5 mm. It is also contemplated that the width W and thickness T can be constant from root to tip or may vary. It is further contemplated that the dimensions of the tines can be the same for each tine and each brushroll or may differ.
The tines 58, 60 in the illustrated example are arranged in multiple rows, with each row extending in a generally helical formation from a first lateral end to a second lateral end of the brushroll. It is contemplated that in alternative embodiments a single row of tines may be provided. It is also contemplated that rows may be arranged in a formation other than helical, such as a straight row extending linearly between the ends of the brushroll, a double helical pattern (e.g., ‘wrapping’ around the circumference of the brushroll two or more times), a chevron or V-shaped pattern, or in any other suitable formation.
In being timed to interfere with each other, the position of the tines 58, 60 are synchronized with each other and with the rotation of the brushrolls 16, 18 to produce interference of the tines 58, 60 during at least a portion of the rotation, such as during a portion of brushroll rotation in which the tines 58, 60 are moving through the gap 96 in between the dowels 54, 56. It is envisioned that the brushrolls 16, 18 may include any number of tines 58, 60 and/or any timing configuration, including where the tines 58, 60 are timed to interfere one at time or more than one at a time. Preferably, at least one tine 58, 60 on each brushroll 16, 18 are timed to engage each other during a portion of the brushroll rotation in which the tines 58, 60 are moving through the gap 96 between the dowels 54, 56. The tines 58, 60 can be offset and/or staggered around each brushroll 16, 18 such that the engagement moves laterally back and forth from one lateral end to the other lateral end of the brushroll. It is further contemplated either brushroll 16, 18 may have one or more tines that do not interfere with a tine on the other brushroll. However, in a preferred embodiment, the first brushroll 16 has multiple tines 58 that interfere with a corresponding set of multiple tines 60 on the second brushroll 18.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, at least one of the tines 58 on the first brushroll 16 and at least one of the tines 60 on the second brushroll 18 are timed to interfere with each other through a number of degrees of rotation during a period in which said tines 58, 60 are moving through the gap 96 in between the dowels 54, 56, for example through at least 60 degrees of rotation of the brushrolls 16, 18, alternatively through at least 90 degrees of rotation of the brushrolls 16, 18, alternatively through at least 75 degrees of rotation of the brushrolls 16, 18 alternatively through at least 120 degrees of rotation of the brushrolls 16, 18. During the interference period, the amount of interference between the tines 58, 60 changes, with the tines 58, 60 initially contacting at the tips 58T, 60T, then more of the engagement surfaces 58S, 60S coming into contact, and then moving out of contact until the tines 58, 60 contact at the tips 58T, 60T again, until finally the tines 58, 60 disengaging from each other. FIG. 4B shows some examples of different stages of interface between tines 58, 60.
The brushrolls 16, 18 may have tines 58, 60 as the only agitation element thereon. However, in other embodiments of the tool 10, the brushrolls 16, 18 may have bristles (not shown) and/or other agitation elements such as, but not limited to, fabric, felt, nap, and/or pile (or any combination thereof) in addition to the tines 58, 60. Disposing bristles or other agitation elements on the brushrolls 16, 18 may increase the agitation of the surface to be cleaned, thereby more effectively loosening debris thereon.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, the tines 58, 60 are silicone rubber or another suitable elastomer that assists in frictionally gripping and/or electrostatically attracting pet hair and is suitably flexible to bend when in contact with the floor or with each other without permanent deforming. Non-limiting examples of other suitable elastomers are nitrile, urethane, and thermoplastic elastomers. Other materials for the tines 58, 60 that demonstrate the hair collection and flexibility disclosed herein are possible.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, the dowels 54, 56 are separated by a gap distance D measured along a perpendicular line between the axes 16A, 18A. The gap distance D is more specifically the distance between a first intersection point between the surface of the first dowel 54 and the perpendicular line between the axes 16A, 18A and a second intersection point between the surface of the second dowel 56 and the perpendicular line between the axes 16A, 18A.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, the tine length L is greater than at least one half of the gap distance D, alternatively tine length L is at least ¾ of the gap distance D, alternatively tine length L is greater than one half of the gap distance D and less than the gap distance D (e.g., ½D<L <D). This ensures that tines 58, 60 will engage each other during a portion of the brushroll rotation in which the tines 58, 60 are moving through the gap 96 between the brushrolls 16, 18.
As discussed above, the tines 58, 60 interfere with each other to pinch pet hair and pull it upwardly between the brushrolls 16, 18. By “interfere”, at least one tine 58 on the first brushroll 16 contacts at least one tine 60 on the second brushroll 18 and presses together to pinch pet hair or other debris between the interfering tines 58, 60. The tines 58, 60 can be shaped and positioned to contact each other fully, with the floor engaging surfaces 58S, 60S in alignment with each other to overlap their rotational paths. In other embodiments, the tines 58, 60 can contact each other partially, with the floor engaging surfaces 58S, 60S partially in alignment with each other such that their rotational paths partially, but do not fully, overlap.
The amount of interference changes during the rotation of the brushrolls 16, 18. FIG. 4B shows some examples of different stages of interface between tines 58, 60.
FIG. 5 shows a floor cleaner 100 comprising the accessory tool 10. The floor cleaner 100 can be a vacuum cleaner that can be used to clean hard surfaces such as tile and hardwood and soft surfaces such as carpet, area rugs, and upholstery. The floor cleaner 100 can include at least one cleaning system, including a vacuum cleaning system to recover debris (which may include pet hair, pet fur, dirt, dust, stains, soil, and other debris) from a surface to be cleaned.
The floor cleaner 100 illustrated is an upright-type vacuum cleaner with an upright assembly 102 pivotally mounted to a cleaning head or base 106. The upright assembly 102 can include a grip 110 on one end to facilitate movement by a user. The upright assembly 102 can contain a suction source 120, which may be a vacuum fan/motor assembly, and which is configured to generate a working airstream through a working air path of the vacuum cleaner 100 that extends from a “dirty” air inlet to a “clean” air outlet. The suction source 120 can form a portion of the working air path. Furthermore, the base 106 includes a suction nozzle 118 that is in fluid communication with the suction source 120.
The upright assembly 102 receives a separating and collection assembly 124 for separating hair and other debris from the working airstream. The separating and collection assembly 124 is illustrated herein as including a cyclone module having a cyclone separator for separating entrained debris from the working airstream and a collection chamber for collecting the separated debris. It is understood that other types of dirt separating and collection assemblies can be used, such as centrifugal separators or bulk separators. In yet another conventional arrangement, the filtration system can include a filter bag. Regardless of its configuration, the filtration system can form a portion of the working air path through the floor cleaner 100.
At least a portion of the working air path leading to the separating and collection assembly 124 can be formed by a vacuum hose 126. The accessory tool 10 is configured to be operably coupled with the vacuum cleaner 100 and can be coupled with the vacuum hose 126 in fluid communication with the suction source 120. For example, one end 128 of the vacuum hose 126 can be selectively disconnected from the vacuum cleaner 100 and connected to the accessory tool 10 for cleaning using the accessory tool 10, while the other end (not shown) remains in fluid communication with the separating and collection assembly 124. When the accessory tool 10 is in use and the end 128 the vacuum hose 126 is coupled with the accessory tool 10, the accessory tool 10 can form the “dirty” air inlet for the working air path of the vacuum cleaner 100. Thus, the floor cleaner 100 can draw in dirt-laden air through the accessory tool 10 and the hose 126 and into the filtration system, such as the separating and collection assembly 124, where the dirt is trapped for later disposal. When the accessory tool 10 is not in use, the end 128 of the vacuum hose 126 is connected to the floor cleaner 100 and the suction nozzle 118 can form the “dirty” air inlet. Alternatively, the accessory tool 10 can be selectively connectable to a wand (not shown) that is coupled with the vacuum hose 126 rather than directly to the vacuum hose 126.
While not shown herein, the base 106 can comprise counterrotating brushrolls having tines timed to interfere with each other during at least a portion of their rotation, substantially as described before for brushrolls 16, 18.
It is noted that while the floor cleaner 100 is illustrated as an upright device, it is understood that the functional systems of the floor cleaner 100 can be arranged into any desired configuration, such as a portable device adapted to be hand carried by a user, a canister device having a cleaning implement connected to a wheeled base by a vacuum hose, or a commercial device. Any of the aforementioned cleaners can be adapted to include a flexible vacuum hose and/or a rigid wand, which can form a portion of a conduit between a nozzle and a suction source.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5 , the operation of the tool 10 is shown and described in more detail. Air drawn into the air path 22 by a vacuum source such as vacuum cleaner 100 (FIG. 5 ) enters the brushroll chamber 20 through the inlet 14. The air then enters the turbine chamber 30 by way of the turbine inlet 50, drives the air turbine 32, and passes through the turbine outlet 52 and into the attachment tube 24. From there, the air proceeds through the vacuum hose 126 (FIG. 5 ) and to the collection assembly 124 of the vacuum cleaner 100. The turbine 32 drives the belt 40 through the drive gear 42, and the belt 40 directly drives the first brushroll 16 through the driven gear 44 and indirectly drives the second brushroll 18 through the enmeshed gears 46, 48.
Referring to FIGS. 6-8 , the operation of the tool 10 to remove pet hair from a surface to be cleaned S is shown and described in more detail. A single pet hair H is shown in FIGS. 6-8 as an example. As the brushrolls 16, 18 rotate, the tines 58, 60 comb the surface to be cleaned S to help release the pet hair F from the surface S (FIG. 6 ). Counterrotation of the brushrolls 16, 18 in directions 16R, 18R, respectively, toward the center of the inlet 14 ensures the pet hair F, whether in front of or behind the brushrolls 16, 18, is pulled toward the center of the inlet 14 in between the brushrolls 16, 18. Interference of the tines 58, 60 pinch the pet hair H and pull the pet hair H upward into the gap 96 between the brushrolls 16, 18 (FIG. 7 ), which may preferably be aligned with the center of the inlet 14. The pet hair H is then released from the brushrolls 16, 18 into the air path 22 internally within the tool 10 (FIG. 8 ).
The accessory tool 10 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure uses multiple physical actions to effectively remove pet hair and other debris from a surface to be cleaned, including a combing action provided by the tines 58, 60, a rotational interference action (pinch and pull) provided by the counterrotating brushrolls 16, 18 and interfering tines 58, 60, a vacuum collection action through the air path 22 that is centerally located between and above the brushrolls 16, 18.
Another advantage that can be realized according to aspects of the present disclosure is that moving the accessory tool 10 in a backward or forward direction works equally well since the brushrolls 16, 18 are counterrotating. The counterrotating dual brushrolls cancels the differential force experienced when using a single brushroll, where more force is placed on the brushroll when pulling against its rotational direction, which means that the brushroll slows down when pulling against its rotation and speeds up when pulling with its rotation. The accessory tool 10 does not experience that speed change, providing consistence cleaning performance regardless of how the user moves the tool 10.
The accessory tool 10 described herein can be utilized with a suction source, including of a cleaning apparatus such as the floor cleaner as described, to form a system for cleaning and removing pet hair. Further, the counterrotating brushrolls with tines timed to interfere with each other during at least a portion of their rotation can be used on a cleaning head other than an accessory tool, such as on the base 106 of vacuum cleaner 100. Further still, it will be understood that the accessory tool 10 described herein can be utilized in a method for removing pet hair.
The terms “comprising” or “comprise” are used herein in their broadest sense to mean and encompass the notions of “including,” “include,” “consist(ing) essentially of,” and “consist(ing) of. The use of “for example,” “e.g.,” “such as,” and “including” to list illustrative examples does not limit to only the listed examples. Thus, “for example” or “such as” means “for example, but not limited to” or “such as, but not limited to” and encompasses other similar or equivalent examples.
The above description relates to general and specific embodiments of the disclosure. However, various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. As such, this disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the disclosure or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. Any reference to elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
Likewise, it is also to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to express and particular compounds, compositions, or methods described in the detailed description, which may vary between particular embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims. With respect to any Markush groups relied upon herein for describing particular features or aspects of various embodiments, different, special, and/or unexpected results may be obtained from each member of the respective Markush group independent from all other Markush members. Each member of a Markush group may be relied upon individually and or in combination and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning head for a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a housing having a brushroll chamber and defining an air path;

an inlet into the brushroll chamber, the inlet in fluid communication with the air path;

a first brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a first axis in first direction, the first brushroll including a first set of tines; and

a second brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a second axis in a second direction that is counter to the first direction, the second brushroll including a second set of tines;

wherein the second set of tines are timed to interfere with the first set of tines as the first and second brushrolls counterrotate to pull hair into the air path above the first and second brushrolls.

2. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the first brushroll comprises an elongated agitator body to which the first set of tines is affixed, with the first set of tines extending outwardly from the elongated agitator body.

3. The cleaning head of claim 2, wherein the first set of tines extend radially from the elongated agitator body, and the first set of tines comprise a root at the elongated agitator body and a tip opposite the root, wherein the root and tip lie in a plane when not subject to external force, and wherein the tip is configured to bend out of the plane when in interference with the second set of tines.

4. The cleaning head of claim 2, wherein the first set of tines comprise a plurality of first tines having roots at the elongated agitator body and tips opposite the roots, wherein the tips are configured to extend through the inlet as the first brushroll rotates.

5. The cleaning head of claim 4, wherein the plurality of first tines comprise an engagement surface that contacts a surface to be cleaned during rotation of the first brushroll, wherein the tips are configured to extend below and through the inlet so that at least of a portion of the engagement surface rubs across the surface to be cleaned to comb hair from the surface to be cleaned.

6. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the first set of tines and the second set of tines comprise silicone rubber.

7. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the first set of tines and the second set of tines comprise a plurality of tines each having a flat rectilinear body having a root, a tip opposite the root, an engagement surface configured to contact a surface to be cleaned or another tine during rotation of the first and second brushrolls, a non-engagement surface opposite the engagement surface, and lateral sides joining the engagement surface and the non-engagement surface.

8. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the first set of tines and the second set of tines comprise a plurality of tines having a tine length, a tine width, and a tine thickness, wherein the tine length is greater than the tine width and the tine thickness, and the tine width is greater than the tine thickness.

9. The cleaning head of claim 8, wherein the tine width is at least three times greater than the tine thickness.

10. The cleaning head of claim 8, wherein the first brushroll comprises a first elongated agitator body and the second brushroll comprises a second elongated agitator body separated from the first elongated agitator body by a gap distance measured along a perpendicular line between the first and second axes, wherein the tine length is greater than at least one half of the gap distance.

11. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the first set of tines comprises a plurality of tines arranged in multiple rows, each row extending in a generally helical formation from a first lateral end of the first brushroll to a second lateral end of the first brushroll.

12. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the first brushroll comprises a first elongated agitator body and the second brushroll comprises a second elongated agitator body separated from the first elongated agitator body by a gap, and the second set of tines are timed to interfere with the first set of tines as the first and second set of tines move through the gap.

13. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein individual tines of the first set of tines are arranged on the first brushroll to interfere with respective individual tines of the second set of tines for at least a predetermined number of degrees of rotation as the first and second brushrolls counterrotate.

14. The cleaning head of claim 1, comprising an attachment tube extending from the housing, the attachment tube being in fluid communication with the air path.

15. An accessory tool for a vacuum cleaner, comprising:

a housing having a brushroll chamber and defining an air path;

an attachment tube extending from the housing, the attachment tube being in fluid communication with the air path;

a first brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a first axis in first direction, the first brushroll comprising a first set of tines; and

a second brushroll mounted in the brushroll chamber and configured to rotate about a second axis in a second direction that is counter to the first direction, the second brushroll comprising a second set of tines;

16. The accessory tool of claim 15, wherein the housing comprises an air turbine chamber, and comprising an air turbine mounted in the air turbine chamber and configured to rotate about a turbine axis, the air turbine coupled with the first and second brushrolls to drive the rotation of the first and second brushrolls.

17. The accessory tool of claim 16, comprising:

a belt coupling the air turbine with the first brushroll, wherein the air turbine and first brushroll rotate in same direction; and

a gear set coupling the first brushroll with the second brushroll, wherein the air turbine and second brushroll rotate in opposing directions.

18. The accessory tool of claim 15, comprising at least one suction-focusing notch on an underside of the housing and disposed on a lateral edge of the inlet.

19. The accessory tool of claim 15, wherein the first set of tines and the second set of tines comprise a plurality of tines each having a flat rectilinear body having a root, a tip opposite the root, an engagement surface configured to contact a surface to be cleaned or another tine during rotation of the first and second brushrolls, a non-engagement surface opposite the engagement surface, and lateral sides joining the engagement surface and the non-engagement surface.

20. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a suction source configured to generate a working airstream through a working air path;

a separating and collection assembly configured to separate hair and other debris from the working airstream; and

an accessory tool comprising:

a housing having a brushroll chamber and defining a tool air path;

an inlet into the brushroll chamber, the inlet in fluid communication with the tool air path;

an attachment tube extending from the housing, the attachment tube fluidly connecting the tool air path with the working air path;