WO2022113009A1

WO2022113009A1 - Cleaning heads of a suction cleaning apparatus and suction apparatuses comprising same

Info

Publication number: WO2022113009A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/061001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fu Yuen FONG
Original assignee: Talentone Hong Kong Limited
Priority date: 2020-11-26
Filing date: 2021-11-26
Publication date: 2022-06-02
Also published as: US20230329493A1; CN116456883A

Abstract

A cleaning head (100) of a suction cleaning apparatus (10) comprising a brush head (140) configured for agitation cleaning during suction cleaning and the suction cleaning apparatus (10) comprising the cleaning head (100) are disclosed. The cleaning head (100) comprises a tubular housing comprising an inlet portion (122) including an inlet nozzle (132) which extends along a centre axis defining an axial direction, an outlet portion (124) having an outlet end, and an intermediate portion (126) interconnecting the inlet portion (122) and the outlet portion (124); the brush head (140) comprising a plurality of bristles (142) arranged to form a bristle skirt having a forward end; and a motor (152) conﬁgured to drive the brush head (140) to rotate or oscillate about a rotation axis.

Description

CLEANING HEADS OF A SUCTION CLEANING APPARATUS AND SUCTION APPARATUSES COMPRISING SAME

Field

[001] The present disclosure relates to cleaning heads of a suction cleaning apparatus and to suction cleaning apparatuses comprising a cleaning head.

Background

[002] Suction cleaning apparatuses such as vacuum cleaners are useful for removing loose solid particles from a surface by suction. Where dirt and debris are deposited on a surface, especially an uneven surface such as a corrugated surface, for example, the outer corrugated surface of a pleated filter, suction heads comprising a brush head to perform agitated cleaning would be desirable. A suction cleaning apparatus comprising such a suction head would enhance dirt removal performance.

Summary

[003] A powered cleaning head of a suction cleaning apparatus comprising a brush head configured for agitation and suction cleaning and a suction cleaning apparatus comprising a powered suction source and the cleaning head are disclosed.

[004] A cleaning head for a powered suction source comprises:- a main body comprising an inlet portion, an outlet portion and an intermediate portion which is an intermediate tubular portion interconnecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion; a brush head comprising a plurality of bristles mounted on a bristle base, the plurality of bristles being arranged to form a bristle skirt to surround the inlet nozzle; and a drive mechanism configured to drive the bristle base whereby the bristle skirt is to rotate or oscillate about a rotation axis and about the inlet nozzle. The inlet portion comprises an inlet tubular portion which defines an inlet nozzle at its forward end and an inlet aperture at forward end of the inlet nozzle. The outlet portion comprises an outlet tubular portion which defines an outlet nozzle at its rearward end and an outlet aperture at rearward end of the outlet nozzle, the outlet nozzle being configured for coupling to a powered suction source whereby suction and electrical power are to be received from the powered suction source.

[005] The inlet tubular portion may be a first tubular portion which extends along a first axis which is a longitudinal center axis of the inlet tubular portion, the center axis defining a forward direction. The bristle skirt extends forwardly to protrude beyond the forward end of the inlet tubular portion and define the forward end of the cleaning head. [006] The inlet portion may comprise an outer tubular portion which defines an outer periphery of the inlet portion, the outer tubular portion having a forward end which is distal to the intermediate portion and a rearward end which is in abutment with the intermediate portion. The outer tubular portion is coaxial with and surrounds the inlet tubular portion, and has an axial extent which is smaller than the axial extent of the inlet tubular portion so that the forward end of the outer tubular portion is intermediate the forward end of the inlet tubular portion. The outer tubular portion and the inlet tubular portion cooperate to define a bristle receptacle inside which the bristle base is rotatably received.

[007] The bristles of the bristle skirt may be arranged to form a screen of bristles which defines a third tubular portion, the third tubular portion being intermediate the inlet tubular portion and the outer tubular portion.

[008] The bristle receptacle may have a forward -facing receptacle base which is in abutment with the bristle base and the bristle skirt projects forwardly from the bristle base. The outer tubular portion has a forward end which surrounds the bristle base.

[009] The bristle skirt may have an axial extent which is larger than the axial extent of the inlet tubular portion so that the bristle skirt extends to protrude beyond the forward end of the inlet tubular portion, which is an inner tubular portion.

[010] The drive mechanism may comprise a motor having a motor shaft and a power coupling arrangement which is configured to couple driving power generated by the motor to the bristle base whereby the bristle skirt is rocked or rotated about a rotation axis which is a longitudinal center axis of the inlet tubular portion. The motor is outside of and in abutment with the inlet portion, and the motor shaft is parallel to and offset from the center axis.

[011] The drive mechanism may comprise a power coupler which extends through the inlet portion orthogonally in a direction orthogonal to the center axis to interconnect the bristle base and the motor.

[012] The bristle base may be configured as a wheel having an inner periphery which surrounds the inlet nozzle and an outer periphery which surrounds the inner periphery. The drive mechanism is configured to couple driving power to the bristle base at the outer periphery of the bristle base.

[013] The power coupler may comprise a rocker arm which extends orthogonally from the outer periphery of the wheel to connect with an eccentric driving pin which is connected to the motor shaft. [014] The bristle base may be a teethed wheel and the drive mechanism may comprise a teeth wheel which is in engagement with the bristle base to transmit driving power thereto.

[015] The main body may comprise an outer peripheral wall which defines an outer periphery of the inlet portion and the intermediate portion. The drive mechanism is mounted inside a drive housing which is in abutment with the outer periphery.

[016] The drive housing may be elongate and extends along the inlet portion and the intermediate portion.

[017] The drive mechanism may comprise a power connector which is configured to connect with the powered suction source to obtain electrical power to operate the drive mechanism. The power connector is disposed at a longitudinal end of the drive housing which is proximal to the outlet aperture of the outlet portion.

[018] The inlet portion may extend along a first axial direction, and the intermediate portion may extend along a second axial direction which is at a non-zero angle to the first axial direction. The drive housing comprises a first portion which is in abutment with the inlet portion and extends along the first axial direction, and a second portion which is in abutment with the intermediate portion and extends along the second axial direction.

[019] The inlet portion and the intermediate portion may cooperate to define a junction having a junction angle of between 115 and 165 degrees.

[020] The cleaning head comprises a tubular housing comprising an inlet portion including an inlet nozzle which extends along a center axis defining an axial direction, an outlet portion having an outlet end, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion; a brush head comprising a plurality of bristles arranged to form a bristle skirt having a forward end; and a motor configured to drive the brush head to rotate or oscillate about a rotation axis. The inlet nozzle defines a first channel portion having a first channel axis and the skirt defines a second channel portion forward of the first channel portion. The first channel portion and the second channel portion cooperate to form an inlet channel of the cleaning head. The inlet channel is surrounded by the skirt and extends through the brush head so that loosened particles in vicinity of the skirt are to move inwardly from the skirt to enter the second channel portion and then to move into the first channel portion.

[021] The second channel portion has a second channel axis which is a centre axis of the second channel portion, the first channel axis of the first channel portion is a centre axis of the first channel portion, and the inlet channel has an inlet channel axis which is a centre axis of the inlet channel formed by the first channel axis and the second axis in axial concatenation along the inlet channel axis. Since the inlet nozzle is surrounded by the skirt, loosened solid particles of dirt and debris tend to move towards the inlet channel axis after leaving the skirt, thereby mitigating outflow of dirt and debris from the skirt in a direction away from the inlet channel axis.

[022] The first channel portion and the second channel portion are coaxial in some embodiments. Axially aligned first and second channel portions promote smoother transition of loosened particles from the skirt to the inlet aperture of the inlet nozzle.

Figures

[023] The disclosure is made by way of embodiments and examples with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure,

[025] Figure 1 A is a perspective view showing an example application of the vacuum cleaner,

[026] Figure 1 B is a schematic diagram showing paths of dust and debris flow along the vacuum cleaner,

[027] Figure 2A is a perspective view of a cleaning head of the present disclosure,

[028] Figure 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G are, respectively, front view, rear view, left side view, right side view, bottom view, and top view of the cleaning head,

[029] Figure 3A is a partly exposed view of the cleaning head of Figure 1 showing the drive mechanism,

[030] Figure 3B shows mechanical coupling between the brush head and the motor of the cleaning head of Figure 1 ,

[031 ] Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning head of Figure 1 ,

[032] Figure 3D is an exploded view of the cleaning head of Figure 1 .

[033] Figure 4A is a perspective view of a cleaning head of the present disclosure,

[034] Figure 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G are, respectively, right side view, left side view, front view, rear view, bottom view, and top view of the cleaning head,

[035] Figure 5A is a partly exposed view of the cleaning head of Figure 4A showing mechanical coupling between the brush head and the motor, and

[036] Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning head of Figure 4A. Description of embodiments

[037] A suction cleaning apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a powered suction source and a cleaning head. Referring to Figure 1 , an example suction cleaning apparatus 10 comprises a main housing 12, a suction inlet 14, an air outlet 16, a powered suction source interconnecting the air inlet and the air outlet, a storage chamber 18 interconnecting the suction inlet and the powered suction source, and a dirt filter mounted inside the storage chamber. The powered suction source may comprise a DC brushless motor or other types of suction power generator. The cleaning head comprises a brush head which is configured to perform powered suction cleaning and/or powered agitation cleaning.

[038] Referring to Figures 1 , 1 A, 2A to 2G, and 3A to 3D, the cleaning head 100 comprises a main body 120, a brush head 140 and a drive mechanism devised for driving the brush head to move about a rotation axis to perform agitation cleaning.

[039] The main body 120 comprises a tubular housing including an inlet portion 122, an outlet portion 124, and an intermediate portion 126 interconnecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The inlet portion 122 comprises an inlet end which is a forward end of the main housing and a junction end which is a rearward end that is in abutment with the intermediate portion 126. The inlet portion 122 comprises an inlet nozzle which defines an inlet aperture. The inlet aperture is devised for collection of debris and dust in proximity of the inlet aperture. The inlet nozzle has an inlet end which is the forward end of the inlet portion 122. Debris and dust are to enter the inlet nozzle at the inlet end and through the inlet nozzle. The outlet portion 124 comprises an outlet end which is a rearward end of the main housing and a junction end which is a forward end that is in abutment with the intermediate portion 126. The outlet portion 124 comprises an outlet nozzle which defines an outlet aperture. The outlet nozzle has an outlet end which is the rearward end of the outlet portion 124. Debris and dust are to leave the cleaning head 100 at the outlet end and enters the powered suction source after passing through the outlet nozzle. The main body 120 may be formed of hard engineering plastics, for example polycarbonate or ABS, and integrally molded as a single piece.

[040] The intermediate portion has a center axis which is a longitudinal axis X-X’ defining a longitudinal direction X X’. The inlet portion has a center axis A-A’ which defines an axial direction A A’, as shown in Figure 2D.

[041] The brush head 140 is a bristle head comprising an ensemble of bristles 142 mounted on a bristle base 144. The bristle base is mounted on a bristle receptacle, with the bristles projecting forwards of the bristle base and extending in the axial direction A A’ away from the bristle base. The bristles may be made of substances which are suitable for performing cleaning by powered agitation. For example, the bristles may be fibers made of nylon, elastomeric substances such as natural or synthetic rubber, or a combination thereof. The bristles are flexible and elongate, and may have a purpose-specific length and width. In example domestic applications, the bristles may have a diameter of between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm, and an effective length of between 1 cm to 6 cm, for example, between 1 .5 cm and 3 cm. The effective length is a measure of the axial extent of the bristles protruding forwardly from the bristle base 144, measured in the axial direction A A’. For industrial applications, the bristles may have a larger diameter and/or larger length without loss of generality.

[042] The inlet portion of the example cleaning head 100 comprises an inner tubular portion which defines the inlet nozzle 132 at its forward end and an outer tubular portion 134 which surrounds the inner tubular portion. The inner tubular portion extends from a base and extends to project in a forward axial direction A A’ to protrude beyond the outer tubular portion 134 and define the inlet aperture 132A at its forward end. The inner tubular portion and the outer tubular portion 134 cooperate to define a bristle receptacle for receiving and retaining the bristle base 144. The bristle receptacle is on the forward end of the outer tubular portion 134, extends transversely between the inner tubular portion and the outer tubular portion 134, and comprises a forward-facing receptacle base surface in front of which the bristle base is mounted. The forward-facing receptacle base surface is intermediate the inlet nozzle 132 and the outer tubular portion 134. The example bristle receptacle is circular and surrounds an intermediate portion of the inner tubular portion. The bristle base 144 is surrounded by the froward portion of the outer tubular portion 134 and is rotatable about the center axis A-A’ as a rotation axis.

[043] The example bristle receptacle has an outer peripheral wall which is defined by the outer tubular housing 134, an inner peripheral wall which is defined by the inner tubular portion, and the receptacle base surface is a base surface which is delimited by cooperation of the outer tubular housing and the inner tubular portion. The outer peripheral wall, the inner peripheral wall and the base surface cooperate to define a channel which is a receptacle channel. The receptacle channel surrounds the inlet nozzle and the bristles protrude from the receptacle channel and extend forwards in the axial direction. The bristles of the example brush head are distributed on the bristle base to surround the inlet nozzle.

[044] The base surface of the example receptacle is orthogonal to the axial direction and the channel is a circular channel adapted to receive a ring-shaped bristle base. The circular receptacle channel and the inlet nozzle are coaxial, with the center axis A-A’ as a common center axis.

[045] The ensemble of bristles comprises a plurality of bristles which may be arranged into a plurality of bristle groups each comprising a plurality of bristles. Each bristle group is a bristle tuft and immediately adjacent bristle tufts may be separated by a separation distance which defines an inter-tuft spacing. A bristle tuft has a tuft axis and bristles forming a tuft are distributed to surround the tuft axis and extend in a direction substantially parallel to the tuft axis. The bristles for domestic applications may have a transversal extent (measured in a direction orthogonal to and intercepting the tuft axis) of between 1 mm and 4 mm at its base. A bristle tuft for industrial applications may have a larger transversal extent of between 1 mm and 4 mm at its base. In example embodiments, the inter-tuft spacing is uniform and the inter-tuft separation distance, which defines a pitch of the tufts, may be comparable to the diameter of a bristle tuft.

[046] The bristle base 144 of the example brush head comprises a base member. The example base member is a ring-shaped base member 144a comprising a body portion and an internal aperture delimited by an interior periphery of the body portion. The bristles are mounted on the body portion of the base member and project in a direction substantially orthogonal to the body portion. The body portion of the example base member extends along a circular path and the bristles mounted thereon form a skirt which is a skirt of bristles surrounding the internal aperture of the base portion. The skirt has a forward end which is the forward end of the ensemble of bristles and a rear end which is affixed on the bristle base.

[047] When the bristle head comprising the bristles and the base member is mounted in the bristle receptacle, the base member is mounted between the inlet nozzle and the outer tubular portion, and the skirt of bristles surrounds the inlet nozzle, such that the inlet nozzle is intermediate the skirt and the inlet aperture. The skirt of bristles has an inner peripheral surface which is an inward-facing surface and an outer peripheral surface which is an outward-facing surface surrounding the inner surface. The inner peripheral surface is proximal and surrounds the inlet nozzle and the outer peripheral surface surrounds both the inner peripheral surface and the inlet nozzle such that the inner peripheral surface is intermediate the inlet nozzle and the outer peripheral surface. The example skirt extends along a circular track having a track axis which is coaxial with the center axis A-A’. The skirt may extend along a non-circular track such as an oval track or a polygonal track.

[048] The skirt projects for an axial extent beyond the inlet nozzle and defines a second inlet channel which is a skirt channel. The second inlet channel is a continuation of a first inlet channel which is defined by the inlet nozzle. The first inlet channel has a forward end which defines the inlet aperture. The skirt channel has a channel boundary which is defined by the ensemble of bristles, and more specifically, the inner peripheral surface of the ensemble of bristles.

[049] The skirt channel is a leakage channel having a channel boundary defined by the inner peripheral surface of the skirt of bristles and has a skirt channel clearance defined by the inner peripheral surface of the skirt. The skirt channel clearance is larger than channel clearance of the first inlet channel. Channel clearance herein is measured in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The first inlet channel has an airtight or non-air permeable peripheral wall which surrounds the inlet aperture while the second inlet channel is a leakage channel having a porous or air permeable peripheral wall. The first inlet channel and the second inlet channel are in series, and the second inlet channel is forward of the first inlet channel. The first inlet channel is a first channel portion and the second inlet channel is a second channel portion which cooperate to form an inlet channel of the brush head. The inlet channel is a combined channel comprising a first channel portion which is a skirt channel defined by the skirt and a second channel portion which is a nozzle channel defined by the inlet nozzle and in series with the first channel portion.

[050] The nozzle channel permits flow of air in the axial direction only while the skirt channel permits flow of air in both axial and radial directions due to spacings between the tufts and/or bristles. The combined channel is a tapered channel which narrows on progressing towards the bristle receptacle. In example embodiments such as the present, the portion of the brush head 140 which is axially forward of the inlet nozzle is free and clear of bristles. In example embodiments, the skirt flares to widen on progressing from the rear end to the forward end.

[051] The skirt channel comprises an inlet aperture which is on the forward end of the skirt and a peripheral wall defined by the bristles. The peripheral wall permits passage of air and loose particles in a direction orthogonal to the peripheral wall and orthogonal to the axial direction.

[052] The skirt is configured such that, loose dirt or solid particles, including dirt or solid particles loosened by agitation of the bristles or loose dirt or solid particles radially outside of the skirt, will move radially inwards into the skirt channel before moving axially into the inlet nozzle when suction power appears at the inlet aperture.

[053] The example inlet nozzle protrudes for an axial extent with respect to the outer tubular portion and stops short of the forward axial end of the bristle skirt. The axial extent of protrusion of the inlet nozzle with respect to the outer tubular portion may be more than 30% and less than 80% of the axial extent of protrusion of the skirt with respect to the outer tubular portion. The axial extent may be 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or a range or ranged selected from a combination of any of the aforesaid values.

[054] The outer tubular portion may have a length of between 2cm and 8cm, and the inlet nozzle may protrude beyond the outer tubular portion for an axial extent of say between 1cm and 2cm.

[055] The skirt protrudes for an axial extent beyond the axial extent of the inlet nozzle. The axial extent of protrusion of the skirt with respect to the inlet may be more than 30% and less than 80% of the axial extent of protrusion of the skirt with respect to the outer tubular portion. The axial extent may be 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or a range or ranged selected from a combination of any of the aforesaid values. In example embodiments, the skirt projects forward and extends beyond the inlet nozzle for an axial extent of more than 0.5 cm, for example, 0.6 cm, 0.8 cm, 1 cm. 1 .2 cm, 1 .4 cm, 1 .6 cm, 1 .8 cm, 2 cm or more.

[056] The intermediate portion has a length which is substantially larger than the length of the inlet portion. The inlet portion may have a length of 2 cm or more, and can be 2.5 cm, 3 cm, 3.5 cm, 4 cm, 4.5 cm or more. The length of the intermediate portion may be, 3 times, 4 times, 5 times, 6 times, 7 times, 8 times, 9 times, 10 times or more the length of the inlet portion or the outer tubular housing. The length of the inlet portion is measured in the axial direction while the length of the intermediate portion is measured in the longitudinal direction.

[057] In example embodiments such as the present, the inlet portion extends at an angle to the intermediate portion. The inlet portion and the intermediate portion of the example brush head cooperate to define an angled junction having an obtuse included angle. The obtuse angle facilitates a more effective and convenient agitation cleaning. The obtuse angle may be between 120 and 165 degrees. In some embodiments, the inlet portion and the intermediate portion may be in line so that the longitudinal axis and the center axis are aligned in line.

[058] The outlet portion couples the brush head to a powered suction source so that loose particles collected by the inlet nozzle are transported out of the cleaning head via the outlet portion. In embodiments where the cleaning head is detachable from a powered suction source, the outlet portion comprises a power coupler for making pneumatic and electrical coupling with the powered suction source.

[059] The brush head is devised to perform powered assisted agitation cleaning. To facilitate performance of power-assisted agitation by the bristle head, the bristle head is movably mounted on the inlet portion and is connected to a drive mechanism which is configured to drive the brush head to perform agitation cleaning motion. The agitation cleaning motion may be in the form of rotation about the rotation axis, oscillation about the rotation axis, pulsation along the rotation axis, or a combination thereof. The drive mechanism may be a motor-drive mechanism comprising a motor and a power coupling arrangement which is configured to couple mechanical power required for performing agitation cleaning from the motor to the brush head. The power coupling arrangement of the example embodiments is configured to couple power to the brush head in an off-centered or eccentric manner.

[060] The drive mechanism may be mounted inside a drive housing 180. The drive housing 180 may be an adjunct housing formed as an annex on the main body 120. The main body is a primary housing defining the tubular portion of the cleaning head. Referring to Figures 3A and 3D, the main body 120comprises a top side 126A and a bottom side 126B. A drive mechanism comprising a motor 152 which is a brushless motor, a motor control board 154, and a power coupler 156 is contained in a drive compartment. The adjunct housing is formed on the bottom side of the main housing and the drive compartment is formed by the adjunct housing in cooperation with the main housing. The motor may be a brushed or a brushless DC motor. The adjunct housing may be a detachable housing which is detachably mounted on the main housing, and the drive mechanism is accessible, for service or repair, when the adjunct housing is detached from the main housing, as shown in Figure 3A. The adjunction housing has a width which is smaller than the width of the tubular portion so that the adjunction housing does not protrude laterally beyond the tubular portion, the width being a transversal dimension measured in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X-X’, and orthogonal to a plan defined by the axes X-X’ and A-A’. The example brush head 140 is configured to oscillate about the center axis as a rotation axis and the motor 152 is connected to the brush head via a motion-conversion mechanism which converts rotary motion of the motor into oscillation of the bristle head about the rotation axis. The motor control board comprises a drive circuitry which is configured to control motor on/off, drive speed and/or drive direction. The drive circuitry may comprise a PWM drive circuitry to facilitate motor control. The example drive mechanism is mounted inside the drive housing which is in abutment with the outer periphery of the main body and extends between the inlet portion 122 and the outlet portion 124. The example drive mechanism comprises a power coupler which is configured to transmit power from outside the primary body to inside the primary body, for example, in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the brush head.

[061 ] In this example, the motor 152 and the bristle base 144 are connected by a power coupling arrangement comprising a cam mechanism, as shown in Figures 3B and 3C. The cam mechanism comprises a rocking arm connected to the bristle base and an off-centered driving pin which is configured to drive the rocking arm to perform oscillator motion about the rotation axis. The motor is mounted on the outer tubular portion and a cam 158 is mounted on the shaft of the motor to drive a cam shaft 158a which protrudes from the outer periphery of the cam 158. The cam follower 144b protrudes from the bristle base 144 and extends radially outwards through the outer tubular portion to mechanically connect with the cam 158. When the motor rotates, rotation of the motor shaft drives the cam and the cam drives the bristle member into an oscillatory reciprocating motion about the rotation axis. The control board comprises electronic circuitry which is operable to turn on or turn off the motor, to control motor speed, and/or to control rotation direction. To reduce friction between the bristle base 144 and the receptacle base surface, a bearing 136 is provided between the bristle base and the receptacle base surface.

[062] In some embodiment, the tubular housing 120 further comprises an inner tubular housing, which has a center axis aligned with that of the outer tubular housing. The bristle base is held inside the receptacle defined by the outer tubular housing and inner tubular housing. The inlet nozzle 132 is connected to the inner tubular housing via an adaptor ring 138. A bearing 136 is provided between the bristle base 144 and the adaptor ring 138.

[063] During power assisted operations when the powered suction source is turned on, suction power from the powered suction source will generate a low-pressure region in the inlet channel. Loose solid particles in vicinity of the brush skirt will move radially inwards towards the center axis and then axially inwards toward the inlet nozzle to finally reach the suction cleaning apparatus.

[064] During example use of the suction cleaning apparatus as shown in Figure 1 A, the forward end of the brush head is to approach a target to be cleaned, which in the example is a pleated air filter comprising pleated filter elements. When the brush head encounters the target, some of the bristles will encounter the troughs of the filter pleats and some will encounter the peaks of the pleated filter element. Movement of the brush head relative to the filter while the brush skirt is in contact with the pleated filter elements will agitate the elements, thereby loosening solid particles deposited thereon. The suction power originating from the vacuum power source will operate to move the loosen particles into the dust collection area of the suction cleaner, as shown in Figure 1 B. Loosen particles in the vicinity of the brush head may move axially inwards towards the inlet nozzle, or move in a radial direction through the periphery of the brush skirt, as indicated by the arrows of Figure 1 B.

[065] While the brush head of the embodiment of Figure 2A is driven by a cam mechanism, the cam mechanism can be replaced by a gear or a gear mechanism, for example, a gear or a gear mechanism comprising a reduction gear. For example, the bristle base may comprise a teethed wheel having external teeth which are in engagement with a teethed wheel on the motor shaft, so that rotation or oscillation of the motor will be transmitted into rotation or oscillation of the brush head about the rotation axis.

[066] Referring to Figures 4A to 4G and 5A to 5B, a cleaning head 200 comprises a main body, a brush head and a drive mechanism devised for driving the brush head to move about a rotation axis to perform agitation cleaning is shown.

[067] The main body comprises a tubular housing including an inlet portion 222, an outlet portion 224, and an intermediate portion 226 interconnecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The inlet portion comprises an inlet end which is a forward end of the main housing and a junction end which is a rearward end that is in abutment with the intermediate portion. The inlet portion comprises an inlet nozzle which defines an inlet aperture. The inlet aperture is devised for collection of debris and dust in proximity of the inlet aperture. The inlet nozzle has an inlet end which is the forward end. Debris and dust are to enter the inlet nozzle at the inlet end.

[068] The cleaning head 200 is identical to the cleaning head 100 in almost all material aspects except the drive mechanism and the drive housing. The description herein on and in relation to the cleaning head 100 is incorporated herein by reference and to apply mutatis mutandis to the cleaning head 200 where the context permits.

[069] The cleaning head 200 has a drive housing which is mounted on the top side of the main housing, compared to the drive housing of the cleaning head 100 which is mounted on the bottom side of the main housing. The motor 252 and the bristle head of the cleaning head 200 are connected by a gear train, comprising a teeth gear wheel 258 mounted on the motor shaft and external teeth formed on the base member 244a. Other gear arrangements can be used without loss of generality.

[070] While the cleaning heads are detachable from the powered suction source, it should be appreciated that the cleaning head may be an integral part of a suction cleaning apparatus without loss of generality.

[071] The powered suction source may be a vacuum cleaner, for example a portable vacuum cleaner. An example powered suction source suitable for using the cleaning head comprises a main body, a suction mechanism, a dust inlet, a dust outlet, a filter compartment interconnecting the dust inlet and the dust outlet, and a battery pack, as shown in Figures 1 , 1 A and 1 B. The dust inlet includes an inlet portion for making detachable coupling with the cleaning head 100 whereby suction generated by the suction mechanism is transmitted to the inlet nozzle of the cleaning head. The cleaning head may be fixedly or detachable attached to the powered suction source. Where the cleaning head is detachably attachable to the powered suction source, the cleaning head is a cleaning attachment.

[072] While the present disclosure is described with reference to example embodiments, the embodiments should not be construed as restricting the scope of disclosure.

Claims

1 . A cleaning head for a powered suction source, comprising: a main body comprising an inlet portion (122), an outlet portion (124) and an intermediate portion (126) which is an intermediate tubular portion interconnecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion; wherein the inlet portion comprises an inlet tubular portion (132) which defines an inlet nozzle at its forward end and an inlet aperture at forward end of the inlet nozzle; wherein the outlet portion comprises an outlet tubular portion which defines an outlet nozzle at its rearward end and an outlet aperture at rearward end of the outlet nozzle, the outlet nozzle being configured for coupling to a powered suction source whereby suction and electrical power are to be received from the powered suction source; a brush head (140) comprising a plurality of bristles mounted on a bristle base (144), the plurality of bristles being arranged to form a bristle skirt to surround the inlet nozzle; and a drive mechanism configured to drive the bristle base whereby the bristle skirt is to rotate or oscillate about a rotation axis and about the inlet nozzle.

2. The cleaning head of claim 1 , wherein the inlet tubular portion is a first tubular portion which extends along a first axis (A-A’) which is a longitudinal center axis of the inlet tubular portion, the center axis defining a forward direction (A A’), and wherein the bristle skirt extends forwardly to protrude beyond the forward end of the inlet tubular portion and define the forward end of the cleaning head.

3. The cleaning head of claims 1 or 2, wherein the inlet portion (122) comprises an outer tubular portion (134) which defines an outer periphery of the inlet portion, the outer tubular portion (134) having a forward end which is distal to the intermediate portion (126) and a rearward end which is in abutment with the intermediate portion (126), wherein the outer tubular portion (134) is coaxial with and surrounds the inlet tubular portion, and has an axial extent which is smaller than the axial extent of the inlet tubular portion so that the forward end of the outer tubular portion is intermediate the forward end of the inlet tubular portion, and wherein the outer tubular portion (134) and the inlet tubular portion cooperate to define a bristle receptacle inside which the bristle base is rotatably received.

4. The cleaning head of claim 3, wherein the bristles of the bristle skirt are arranged to form a screen of bristles which defines a third tubular portion, the third tubular portion being intermediate the inlet tubular portion and the outer tubular portion (134).

5. The cleaning head of claims 3 or 4, wherein the bristle receptacle has a forward-facing receptacle base which is in abutment with the bristle base and the bristle skirt projects forwardly from the bristle base, and wherein the outer tubular portion has a forward end which surrounds the bristle base.

6. The cleaning head of any preceding claims, wherein the bristle skirt has an axial extent which is larger than the axial extent of the inlet tubular portion so that the bristle skirt extends to protrude beyond the forward end of the inlet tubular portion, which is an inner tubular portion.

7. The cleaning head of any preceding claims, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a motor having a motor shaft and a power coupling arrangement which is configured to couple driving power generated by the motor to the bristle base whereby the bristle skirt is rocked or rotated about a rotation axis which is a longitudinal center axis of the inlet tubular portion, and wherein the motor is outside of and in abutment with the inlet portion, and the motor shaft is parallel to and offset from the center axis.

8. The cleaning head of claim 7, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a power coupler which extends through the inlet portion orthogonally in a direction orthogonal to the center axis to interconnect the bristle base and the motor.

9. The cleaning head of claims 7 or 8, wherein the bristle base is configured as a wheel having an inner periphery which surrounds the inlet nozzle and an outer periphery which surrounds the inner periphery, and wherein the drive mechanism is configured to couple driving power to the bristle base at the outer periphery of the bristle base.

10. The cleaning head of claim 9, wherein the power coupler comprises a rocking arm which extends orthogonally from the outer periphery of the wheel to connect with an eccentric driving pin which is connected to the motor shaft.

11 . The cleaning head of claim 9, wherein the bristle base is a teethed wheel and the drive mechanism comprise a teethed wheel which is in engagement with the bristle base to transmit driving power thereto.

12. The cleaning head of any preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises an outer peripheral wall which defines an outer periphery of the inlet portion and the intermediate portion, and wherein the drive mechanism is mounted inside a drive housing which is in abutment with the outer periphery.

13. The cleaning head of claim 11 , wherein the drive housing is elongate and extends along the inlet portion and the intermediate portion.

14. The cleaning head of claim 12, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a power connector which is configured to connect with the powered suction source to obtain electrical power to operate the drive mechanism, and wherein the power connector is disposed at a longitudinal end of the drive housing which is proximal to the outlet aperture of the outlet portion.

15. The cleaning head of any preceding claims, wherein the inlet portion extends along a first axial direction, and the intermediate portion extends along a second axial direction which is at a non-zero angle to the first axial direction; and wherein the drive housing comprises a first portion which is in abutment with the inlet portion and extends along the first axial direction, and a second portion which is in abutment with the intermediate portion and extends along the second axial direction.

16. The cleaning head of any preceding claims, wherein the inlet portion and the intermediate portion cooperate to define a junction having a junction angle of between 115 and 165 degrees.

17. A suction cleaning apparatus comprising a powered suction source and a cleaning head according to any of the preceding claims.