BACKGROUND
Cleaning tools such as vacuum cleaners have been used for decades to aid in cleaning dirt and other debris from floors. Most vacuum cleaners have a built-in motor to facilitate air suction and an area to collect dirt, but the units are often heavy and bulky, thus making it difficult to deftly maneuver the unit around a given floorspace. The vacuum cleaner may also not pick up debris from every surface as effectively. Accordingly, there exist some drawbacks and other unsolved issues that limit the convenience of vacuum cleaners.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Features and advantages of embodiments of the claimed subject matter will become apparent as the following Detailed Description proceeds, and upon reference to the Drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric, three-dimensional view of a vacuum cleaner, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2A illustrates a three-dimensional view of the nozzle assembly with interchangeable cassettes, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2B illustrates a three-dimensional view of the nozzle assembly with an installed cassette in the nozzle assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrates a three-dimensional view of another nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 illustrates a three-dimensional view of changing a brushroll from the nozzle assembly of FIG. 3, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5A illustrates a three-dimensional view of another nozzle assembly having an installed cassette, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5B illustrates a three-dimensional view of the cassette from FIG. 5A, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5C illustrates a three-dimensional view of the cover from the cassette of FIG. 5A, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 5D and 5E illustrate methods of coupling a given cassette with a nozzle assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6A illustrates another nozzle assembly with a cassette having no agitation structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6B illustrates the cover of the cassette having no agitation structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 illustrates a cassette having more than one agitation structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent in light of this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As noted above, there are some non-trivial issues with the designs of most vacuum cleaners. Many of the issues pertain to matters of convenience for the user. For example, vacuum cleaners include a nozzle assembly having a brushroll or similar agitation member to facilitate the collection of debris off of a surface. A given brushroll may effectively collect dirt from one type of surface, but may not be as effective on another type of surface. Surface types can include carpet, tile, hardwood floor, rug, concrete, or linoleum to name a few examples. Changing the brushroll to a different type is either not possible on most vacuum designs or requires inconveniently changing the entire nozzle assembly or connecting various parts.
According to an embodiment, a vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly at a distal end of the vacuum cleaner. The nozzle assembly has a base unit. The vacuum cleaner also includes a handle at a proximal end of the vacuum cleaner, a waste receptacle, a motor configured to draw air through the nozzle assembly and into the waste receptacle, a mechanical motor disposed on the nozzle assembly, and a cassette configured to detachably couple to a portion of the base unit. The cassette includes an agitation member and a cover over the agitation member. The mechanical motor is configured to rotate the agitation member when the cassette is coupled to the portion of the base unit.
According to another embodiment, a vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly at a distal end of the vacuum cleaner. The nozzle assembly has a base unit. The vacuum cleaner also includes a handle at a proximal end of the vacuum cleaner, a waste receptacle, a motor configured to draw air through the nozzle assembly and into the waste receptacle, a mechanical motor disposed on the nozzle assembly, an agitation member detachably coupled to the base unit, and a cover over the agitation member and fixed to the base unit. The agitation member is configured to be removed from the base unit or installed into the base unit independently from the cover.
According to another embodiment, a nozzle structure configured for use on a vacuum cleaner includes a base unit, a first arm extending from a front face of the base unit, a second arm extending from the front face of the base unit parallel to the first arm, a mechanical motor, a cover fixed to a hinge on the first arm and configured to rotate about the hinge towards the second arm, and a mechanical catch or latch on the first arm, the second arm, or both the first and second arms configured to couple with an agitation member.
These and other such embodiments will be described in more detail herein.
The description uses the phrases “in an embodiment” or “in embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous. When used to describe a range of dimensions, the phrase “between X and Y” represents a range that includes X and Y.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective three-dimensional view of a vacuum cleaner 100, according to an embodiment. Vacuum cleaner 100 has the general shape of a stick vacuum, however, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein with regards to the nozzle assembly may be used on any type of vacuum cleaner, such as a stick vacuum cleaner, canister vacuum cleaner, or upright vacuum cleaner. In some embodiments, vacuum cleaner 100 includes a nozzle assembly 102 at a distal end of vacuum cleaner 100 while a handle 104 may be coupled to a proximal end of vacuum cleaner 100. Nozzle assembly 102 can include a rotatable brush head or any other type of cleaning head for facilitating the gathering of debris from the floor or other surfaces.
According to some embodiments, vacuum cleaner 100 also includes at least a motor 106 and a waste receptacle 108. Motor 106 may be any suitable vacuum motor, such as a universal motor, that draws air up through nozzle assembly 102 and into waste receptacle 108.
According to some embodiments, the waste receptacle 108 may have a substantially cylindrical shape to fit with the overall form factor of vacuum cleaner 100. Waste receptacle 108 may have any suitable elongated geometry.
FIG. 2A illustrates a three-dimensional illustration of nozzle assembly 102 along with interchangeable cassettes to be placed into nozzle assembly 102, according to some embodiments. A first cassette 104 may be designed to effectively pick up debris from a first type of floor surface while a second cassette 106 may be designed to effectively pick up debris from a second type of floor surface. For example, first cassette 104 may include a first agitation member 108 and a liquid interface 110 to clean hardwood floors with the aid of liquid added to the cleaning surface, and second cassette 106 may include a second agitation member 114 designed to clean a carpeted surface. More generally, first cassette 104 may be a “wet” cassette that is designed to interface with liquid provided by the vacuum cleaner during cleaning and second cassette 106 may be a “dry” cassette that does not interface with any liquid provided by the vacuum cleaner. In the illustration, first agitation member 108 and second agitation member 114 are brushrolls with any number of bristles, however, any number of other agitation structures can be used to pick up debris.
According to some embodiments, first cassette 104 includes a first cover 112 and second cassette 106 includes a second cover 116. First and second covers 112 and 116 may serve various purposes. For examples, the covers protect the underlying agitation members and may also form a vacuum seal to allow debris to be sucked up further into the vacuum cleaner. In some embodiments, first and second covers 112 and 116 can include agitation structures that aid in dislodging debris from agitation members 108 and 114, respectively. Covers 112 and 116 may be opaque, transparent, or translucent.
According to some embodiments, first cassette 104 and second cassette 106 are interchangeable within nozzle assembly 102. In one example, a mechanical motor 118 extends upwards from a base unit 120 and either cassette may be placed over mechanical motor 118 and rotated into base unit 120. Mechanical motor 118 may be a stepper motor or any other suitable motor design that provides mechanical rotation to a corresponding agitation member. The cassette may snap into place once rotated down into base unit 120 to form the nozzle assembly as illustrated in FIG. 2B. Any cassette installed into base unit 120 may be mechanically coupled to motor 118 for driving the agitation member. In some embodiments, mechanical motor 118 is located elsewhere on nozzle assembly 102 or on another part of the vacuum cleaner and the cassette is instead placed over a connection member or otherwise snapped into place within base unit 120.
To remove a given cassette from within base structure 120, a pedal 122 may be depressed (by using a user's foot, for example) to release the cassette from base unit 120. In some embodiments, the release of the cassette may automatically rotate the cassette and/or motor 118 upwards to any angle above base unit 120 or to a substantially 90-degree angle about base unit 120. The upwards rotation of the cassette and/or motor 118 may be facilitated using a torsion spring and a rotary damper to slow its motion as it approaches the final angle. The cassette may then be slipped off of mechanical motor 118 or any other connection member. Any cassettes not loaded into base unit 120 may be stored on the vacuum cleaner itself, such as placed in a compartment coupled to the body of the vacuum cleaner, or clipped to the body of the vacuum cleaner.
In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner may include a liquid reservoir 124 for holding any type of cleaning fluid or water. The cleaning fluid may be dispensed onto the cleaning surface when used in conjunction with a “wet” cassette designed to interface with liquid reservoir 124, such as first cassette 104, according to some embodiments. An inlet 126 may also be provided into liquid reservoir 124 to fill it with any desirable liquid.
According to some embodiments, nozzle assembly 102 includes one or more sensors that determine what cassette has been loaded into base unit 120. Each cassette may include any type of unique identifier (e.g., barcode, RFID tag, pin arrangement, etc.) that is read by a sensor on base unit 120 or on some other part of nozzle assembly 102. One or more different actions may be performed upon determining what cassette has been loaded into base unit 120. For example, upon determining that first cassette 104 has been loaded into base unit 120, liquid flow from liquid reservoir 124 may be unlocked or otherwise enabled. In contrast, loading a dry cassette, such as second cassette 106, into base unit 102 may cause liquid flow to be blocked or otherwise disabled from liquid reservoir 124. In some examples, the rotational speed of the agitation member of a loaded cassette may be adjusted based on what type of cassette it is. In some examples, the suction power of the vacuum cleaner may also be adjusted based on what cassette has been loaded into base unit 102.
Although two cassettes are discussed with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, it should be understood that any number of different cassettes can be used with nozzle assembly 102. Each of the different cassettes may have a corresponding agitation structure for picking up debris, with different agitation structures used for the efficient removal of debris from different surfaces. Each cassette can be quickly installed and removed from base unit 120 of nozzle assembly 102. Furthermore, each cassette can be easily cleaned and/or stored as the motor and any corresponding gear structures remain on nozzle assembly 102 or elsewhere on the vacuum cleaner. Any of the cassettes may also include other features not explicitly illustrated such as, for example, receptacles for debris, cleaning solutions, air fresheners, or sensors.
FIG. 3 illustrates another example of a nozzle assembly 102 having a translucent cover 302. A second pedal 304 may be provided along the vacuum cleaner to remove nozzle assembly 102 from the end of the vacuum cleaner.
In some examples, only the agitation member (e.g., a brushroll) may be replaced within nozzle assembly 102. FIG. 4 illustrates the removal of a first agitation member 402 to be replaced with a second agitation member 404 within nozzle assembly 102, according to some embodiments. In this example, first agitation member 402 is a brushroll having any number of bristles or flaps. Both agitation member 402 and cover 302 may be rotated upwards and away from base unit 120 about a hinge or other similar structure as indicated by the arrow, to facilitate the removal of first agitation member 402. Agitation member 402 and cover 302 may be rotated to any angle above base unit 120, such as a substantially 90 degree angle, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Once rotated into an unloading position, first agitation member 402 may be slid upwards and away from base unit 120 while cover 302 remains. Second agitation member 404 may then be slid down onto any connection structure and rotated back towards base unit 120 along with cover 302. In this example, second agitation member 404 is a brushless roll. Any type of agitation member can be removed and/or installed in this way. According to some embodiments, a mechanical motor 406 is located separately from where the agitation members are installed. In some examples, mechanical motor 406 rotates along with agitation member 404 and cover 302.
FIG. 5A illustrates another example of a nozzle assembly 500 having a base structure 502 and a cassette 504 removably coupled with base structure 502. Cassette 504 may be similar to any of the cassettes described above. Accordingly, cassette 504 includes at least a cover 506 and an agitation member 508 to assist in picking up debris. According to some embodiments, a front face of cover 506 includes any number of entrance elements 510 that help to direct debris towards agitation member 508. In some examples, entrance elements 510 also block large debris from entering into the system to prevent jamming. According to some embodiments, cassette 504 is coupled to or otherwise rests upon a first arm 512 and a second arm 514 of base unit 502. Each of first arm 512 and second arm 514 extend parallel to one another away from a front-facing surface of base unit 502, according to some embodiments. As mentioned above, cover 506 may form a vacuum or suction seal around agitation member 508 such that debris is drawn back into an exit port 516, according to some embodiments. Exit port 516 may be located anywhere along the front facing surface of base structure 502 or along any side surfaces of base structure 502.
FIG. 5B illustrates an example of cassette 504 removed from base unit 502. Entrance elements 510 may have any size or shape to allow passage for different sized debris. In some examples, different cassettes include covers having differently sized and/or shaped entrance elements 510.
FIG. 5C illustrates an example of cover 506 with agitation member 508 removed. According to some embodiments, the inside surface of cover 506 may include one or more cover structures 518, such as a blade or rib structure. Cover structure 518 may be positioned to scrape along a portion of agitation member 508 as it rotates to dislodge debris from agitation member 508. The debris can then be sucked further into the vacuum cleaner via exit port 516. In other examples, cover structure 518 is designed to squeegee liquid off of the surface of agitation member 508 as it rotates.
FIG. 5D illustrates another example of placing cassette 504 into base unit 502 of the vacuum cleaner. In this example, cassette 504 is lowered onto base unit 502 and may snap or clamp into place. A mechanical catch or latch may be engaged to snap or clamp cassette 504 into place. In some embodiments, first arm 512 and second arm 514 of base unit 502 each includes a mechanical catch or latch to engage with cassette 504. In some embodiments, one of first arm 512 or second arm 514 of base unit 502 includes a mechanical catch or latch to engage with cassette 504. In some embodiments, cassette 504 merely rests upon first arm 512 and second arm 514 and engages with a mechanical latch or catch located on a front face of base unit 502.
FIG. 5E illustrates another example of placing cassette 504 into base unit 502 of the vacuum cleaner. In this example, cassette 504 is first placed on or near an edge of first arm 512 and then rotated downwards onto base unit 502 to engage with or otherwise contact second arm 514. In some embodiments, cassette 504 may couple with a mechanical catch or latch on first arm 512 combined with a hinge that allows cassette 504 to rotate about the hinge and into void 520 between first arm 512 and second arm 514. Another mechanical catch or latch may be present on second arm 514 to engage with cassette 504.
Not all cassettes need to include an agitation member. FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a cassette 602 having a cover 604 that engages with one or both of first arm 512 and second arm 514. No agitation structure is present such that suction alone is used to pick up debris and pull it into exit port 516 from underneath cover 604. FIG. 6B illustrates a view of cassette 602 following its removal from base unit 502. Cassette 602 may include entrance elements 606 similar to those discussed above.
FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a cassette 700 having a cover 702 that is wide enough to fit more than one agitation member, according to some embodiments. In the illustrated example, cover 702 includes a first agitation member 704 and a second agitation member 706. According to some embodiments, first agitation member 704 and second agitation member 706 are the same type of agitation member (e.g., same type of brushrolls or brushless rolls). In other examples, first agitation member 704 is a different type compared to second agitation member 706. First agitation member 704 may be the same size as second agitation member 706, or they may be different sizes. In an embodiment, first agitation member 704 and second agitation member 706 rotate in the same direction during operation to pick up debris while in other embodiments, first agitation member 704 rotates in the opposite direction compared to second agitation member 706. Any number of agitation members may be used depending on the available space beneath cover 702.
It should be understood that the nozzle assembly and/or cassette designs illustrated, for example, in any of FIGS. 2A-7 can be utilized within any type of vacuum cleaner. For example, the illustrated nozzle assembly and/or cassette designs can be used within any standard upright vacuum cleaner, any stick vacuum cleaner, or any canister vacuum cleaner.
Numerous specific details have been set forth herein to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be understood in light of this disclosure, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known operations and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. It can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments. In addition, although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described herein. Rather, the specific features and acts described herein are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
Patent Application
20240415348
