Patent Application
20100107356
This disclosure is generally related to vacuum cleaners and, more particularly to vacuum cleaner bases with rotating brush arrangements.
Vacuum cleaners are used to pick up dirt and debris that has become deposited or embedded into various floor types. To improve performance of vacuum cleaners, some vacuum cleaners employ a revolving brushroll to loosen up dirt and debris, so an air flow created by the vacuum cleaner may entrain such dirt and debris. Additionally, brushrolls have generally been configured to rotate in a manner to push the dirt and debris toward an opening to a vacuum chamber, in the pathway of the air flow, such that the dirt and debris get picked up and deposited into canister for disposal.
Brushrolls are generally contained in housings that prevent the brushroll from extending all the way to the edge or through the edge of the housing so as prevent the rotating brushroll from projecting dirt and debris up into the air rather than into the opening of a vacuum chamber. As a result, brushrolls are generally contained within a housing which, in turn, creates a gap between the outer edge of the housing and the brushroll. When vacuuming up against a wall in a room this gap prevents the brushroll from being able to loosen dirt and debris on the edge of the floor abutting the wall. While one solution to cleaning this edge of the floor abutting the wall is to use an attachment wand and nozzles that are connect to the vacuum chamber, such an arrangement requires reconfiguring the setup of a vacuum cleaner, increasing cleaning time.
Therefore, what is needed is a vacuum cleaner design that can effectively loosen dirt and debris, like the rotating brushroll, but also provide such action to the edge of a vacuum cleaner housing without requiring additional reconfiguration of the vacuum cleaner through the use of external attachment accessories.
A vacuum cleaner assembly is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner assembly comprises at least one brushroll and at least one nozzle brush. The brushroll is rotatably supported about a first axis within the vacuum cleaner and is operatively connected to a motor. The nozzle brush is operatively connected to the brushroll and configured to rotate about a second axis. When the brushroll is rotated about the first axis, the nozzle brush is actuated to rotate about the second axis.
Referring now to the drawings, illustrative and exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent some embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain characteristics may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. Further, the embodiments set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the disclosure to the precise forms and configurations disclosed in the following detailed description.
Referring now to
Wheels 16 are depicted in
In one exemplary embodiment, projection portion 18 may be pivotally attached to the body of the vacuum cleaner (not shown). Projection portion 18 serves as a conduit to deliver debris to a vacuum receptacle of the vacuum cleaner body (not shown). As shown, projection portion 18 may be configured to extend outwardly from the vacuum cleaner base 10. Further, projection portion 18 may serve to provide stability and support between vacuum cleaner base 10 and the vacuum cleaner body (not shown). For example, projection portion 10 may support an attached vacuum canister, vacuum motor and a handle in an upright vacuum cleaner arrangement. In yet another exemplary arrangement, projection portion 10 may support a handle and a hose leading to the vacuum cleaner body.
Further, projection portion 18 may be configured to facilitate a pivoting motion of the vacuum body with respect to vacuum cleaner base 10 during operation. Projection portion 18, together with wheels 16, facilitates the ease of moving vacuum cleaner base 10 over and across a targeted surface. Projection portion 18 may be made of the same material as outer portion 12. Projection portion 18 may also be made out of the same piece as outer portion 12 or may be made from a separate piece and then attached to vacuum cleaner base 10 using a variety of suitable fasteners. It is contemplated that other materials, such as those materials suitable for outer portion 12, may also be used to make projection portion 18.
In an alternative arrangement, bristles 27 may be mounted on a substrate. In such an arrangement, brushroll 26 includes a slot that is configured to receive bristles 27 such that bristles 27 extend outward from the slot (as explained below in connection with
In one exemplary embodiment, brushroll 26 is configured to be predominantly cylindrical in shape, but may include various grooves or channels formed in external surface 29 of brushroll 26 to facilitate mechanical communication with other structures within vacuum cleaner base 10. For example, a center portion 32 of the elongate brushroll 26 may be configured with a groove 34 to which a drive belt (not shown) is mounted to facilitate mechanical communication between a motor (not shown) and brushroll 26. In one particular arrangement, disposed on either side of groove 34 is a retaining flange 34 that assists with retaining the drive belt on brushroll 26. In another embodiment, a pair of brushrolls 26 are used, the brushrolls 26 being connected together with a mounting portion that receives the drive belt.
The brushroll 26 may be constructed from wood, or any other durable and sturdy material, as described above. It is also contemplated that brushroll 26 may vary in thickness throughout the span of brushroll 26. It may be tapered at certain portions or it may have a uniform thickness throughout.
In the embodiment shown in
In one exemplary embodiment, vacuum cleaner base 10 may be configured with an air flow groove 53 (shown in phantom in
Air flow groove 53 is configured to have a predetermined size to create a low pressure area inside vacuum base 10. Such a low pressure area assists in creating a relatively high air flow rate through cavity 28, the recess and aperture formed within vacuum cleaner base 10 (described in further detail in connection with the embodiment shown in
Referring to
A substantial portion of a cavity 128 is exposed through an opening 130 formed in the panel cover 114. A rotating brushroll 126 is positioned within cavity 128. Brushroll 126 is configured to carry bristles 127. Bristles 127 may be attached directly to an outer surface 129 of brushroll 126, or, alternatively, indirectly to brushroll 126. More specifically, bristles 127 may be mounted to a substrate that is removably received within brushroll such that bristle 127 may extend outwardly from a channel formed through outer surface 129 of brushroll.
Cavity 128 may be formed in part by a casing 152 as depicted in
Turning now to
Also contained within vacuum cleaner base 100 is a motor 140. In one exemplary arrangement, motor 140 is at least partially covered by both outer portion 112 and panel cover 114 (removed). Motor 140 is connected to a motor arm 136. In one exemplary arrangement, motor arm 136 extends axially into air channel 132. Many variations of motors are suitable for use in the vacuum cleaner; especially those used and sold by Rexair, Inc., the assignee of the present disclosure. Two examples of suitable motors are described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,949,175 and 6,777,844, each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Brushroll 126 is generally cylindrically-shaped but may include various grooves or channels formed in external surface 129 to facilitate mechanical communication with other structures within vacuum cleaner base 100. For example, a center portion 133 of brushroll 126 may be configured with a groove 134 to which a drive belt 138 is mounted to facilitate mechanical communication between motor 140 and brushroll 126. In one particular arrangement, disposed on either side of groove 134 is a retaining flange 135 that assists with retaining drive belt 138 on brushroll 126. In another embodiment, a pair of brushrolls 126 are used, the brushrolls 126 being connected together with a mounting portion that receives drive belt 138.
In one embodiment, brushroll 126 may be constructed from wood. However, it is also contemplated that brushroll 126 may be made from any number of durable and sturdy materials previously described above. It is also contemplated that brushroll 126 may vary in thickness throughout the span of brushroll 126. It may be tapered at certain portions or it can have a uniform thickness throughout.
In one embodiment, bristles 127 attached to brushroll 126 are arranged in a spiral pattern. More specifically, bristles 127 on brushroll 126 are depicted in
As discussed above, in some embodiments the bristles 127 are removably attached or replaceable as illustrated in
In addition, bristles 170 on nozzle brush 120 may be removably attached or replaceable. Bristles 170 of both nozzle brush 120 and the elongate brushroll 126 may be made of various materials exhibiting a variety of properties, wherein some are thicker, coarser, and stiffer in nature while others are finer, softer, and less stiff. A variety of types and materials the bristles are made of such as plastics, acrylics, resins, goat hair and so forth, that exist are known in the art and made to be adaptable to a particular surface that is to be cleaned. Bristles 170 of the nozzle brush 120 shown in
A recess 154 may be formed in vacuum cleaner base 100, as shown in
In some arrangements, as best seen in
Air flow groove 153 is configured to have a predetermined size to create a low pressure area inside vacuum base 100. In one exemplary arrangement, air flow groove 153 is approximately ¼ inches wide and ⅛ inches in height. Such a low pressure area assists in creating a relatively high air flow rate through cavity 128, recess 154 and aperture 156, into air channel 132. The high air flow forces dirt and debris (including hard objects) that may be continuously rotating about brushroll 126, due to centripetal forces, to be directed into air channel 132. Thus, the relatively high air flow allows a vacuum cleaner to effectively direct dirt and debris loosened up or pushed into the air channel 132 of the vacuum system by brushroll 126 and nozzle brush 120.
In one arrangement, positioned at each end of brushroll 126 are worm gears 124, seen best in
In another embodiment (not shown), a motor 140 operatively communicates with brushroll 126 and may be attached to a drive shaft (not shown) that causes brushroll 126 to rotate about the first axis, which may be oriented to be generally horizontal with respect to an engaged surface or ground. Additionally, in one embodiment, (not shown) a motor may be positioned externally of vacuum base 100 and in operative communication with brushroll 127 through a turbine system. The motor draws in air which in turn causes rotational movement of brushroll 127 through a turbine driven system. This particular embodiment may be incorporated into a handheld version of a vacuum base wherein at least one nozzle brush is rotated through brushroll 127 driven by a turbine motor system.
Referring specifically to the arrangements depicted in
One particular embodiment using a gear system to mechanically rotate a nozzle brush 120 through a brushroll 126 comprises using a bath of grease such as Molbilux EP 023 to ensure adequate lubrication and prevent wearing. However, in one particular embodiment a gear system devoid of any grease is possible. More specifically, where the driving portion is made of a stainless steel while the driven portion is made of plastic material. Such an arrangement of a greaseless or tubeless system is advantageous when cleaning floors as such lubricants may soil the engaged surface if they were to leak out of the system.
One particular advantage of a gear system driving nozzle brushes 120 through brushroll 126 is the ability to adjust the torque and speed relationships between brushroll 126 and the power nozzle brush 120. It has been found that rotating brushroll 126 at higher speeds tend to loosen dirt and debris caused by the rotating beating action of bristles 127. However, rotating nozzle brush 120 at a lower rotational speed than brushroll 126 has been found to be more effective than rotating nozzle brush 120 at a high rotational speed as too high of a speed tends to project dirt and debris beyond the intended intake of vacuum base 100. The ratio of the speeds of nozzle brush 120 to brushroll 126 may be of the range 1:1. 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 wherein brushroll 126 rotates 20 times faster than nozzle brush 120. Other non-gear systems are also conceived to adjust the ratio of speed as discussed below.
Nozzle brush 120 may be secured to vacuum base 100 or gear housing 150 within vacuum base by a suitable fastener 122 such as a stud, pin or a screw, traversing the center of nozzle brush 120, so as not to hinder rotation about the second axis. Plain or ball bearings (not shown) may be press fit onto or otherwise attached to 122 facilitating rotational movement. A gear such as spur gear 148 may be press fit, pinned or molded onto fastener 122. Other fastening means may be contemplated as alternatives for attaching nozzle brush 120 to vacuum base 100 as well. More particularly, those that may be easily removed and allow nozzle brush 120 to be selectively detached. Nozzle brush 120 is generally circular in shape with bristles 170 protruding from the outermost surface of nozzle brush 120; specifically, they protrude from the surface that engages the targeted surface.
It is further contemplated that additional nozzle brushes 120 may be added to vacuum cleaner base 100 in alternate embodiments. It is also contemplated that nozzle brush 120 may be positioned on the outer edges of vacuum cleaner base 100 or positioned more internally, for example, near the air channel 132 of the base 100.
As previously stated, it is contemplated that the number and position of nozzle brushes 20, 120 may vary between embodiments. It is contemplated that some nozzle brushes 20, 120 are powered by alternative means, other than through the operation of brushroll 26, 126. For instance, nozzle brushes 20, 120 may be directly powered by motor 140. It is also contemplated that nozzle brushes 20, 120 may be used to drive brushroll 26, 126. Other power mechanisms operatively communicating between brushroll 26, 126 and nozzle brush 20, 120 using a flex shaft, and magnetic clutches.
In all of the described embodiments, as vacuum cleaner base 10, 100 engages a targeted surface, the combination of rotation of brushroll 26, 126, and nozzle brush 20, 120, create a powerful source of agitation that promotes and enhances the loosening, collection and uptake of dirt and debris from the surface. Nozzle brush 20, 120 increases the area of the targeted surface that can be reached and cleared of dirt and debris by adding a substantial amount of spinning power that can grab more dirt and debris as compared to a vacuum cleaner without a nozzle brush 20, 120 configuration.
Rotation and beating of bristles 27, 127 of brushroll 26, 126 onto an engaged surface, mixed with the rotation and vibrations of the spinning bristles 170 on nozzle brush 20, 120, facilitate the uptake of dirt and debris particles as they are drawn into cavity 28, 128. The dirt and debris then pass through an opening or aperture 156 as shown in
In one exemplary embodiment, the height and position of vacuum cleaner base 10, 100 in relation to the surface to be cleaned may be selectively adjustable, such as raised away from the surface, to allow for thicker surfaces such as carpeting, or lowered to be closer to more planar-like surfaces such as wood floors. Additionally, it is contemplated the height of brushroll 26, 126 and nozzle brush 20, 120 may also be selectively adjusted with respect to the engaged surface. It is also contemplated that the angle of the second axis about which nozzle brush 20, 120 rotates may be selectively adjusted with respect to the engaged surface.
The appended claims have been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the invention defined by the appended claims. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments described herein may be employed in practicing the invention defined by the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in claims. The embodiments should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.
With regard to the processes, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes described herein are provided for illustrating certain embodiments and should in no way be construed to limit the appended claims.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/110,797 filed Nov. 3, 2008 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61110797 | Nov 2008 | US |
