Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
  • A47L9/02—Nozzles
  • A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
  • A47L9/0461—Dust-loosening tools, e.g. agitators, brushes
  • A47L9/0466—Rotating tools
  • A47L9/0477—Rolls
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
  • A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
  • A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
  • A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
  • A47L5/30—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
  • A47L9/02—Nozzles
  • A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
  • A47L9/0405—Driving means for the brushes or agitators
  • A47L9/0411—Driving means for the brushes or agitators driven by electric motor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
  • A47L9/02—Nozzles
  • A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
  • A47L9/0427—Gearing or transmission means therefor
  • A47L9/0444—Gearing or transmission means therefor for conveying motion by endless flexible members, e.g. belts

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to vacuum cleaners having powered roller- brush nozzles for collection of dirt and debris from floors and other surfaces, and, more particularly, to a roller brush vacuum cleaner nozzle having a secondary flow of air the is selectively introduced proximate to and in front of the roller brush to reduce resistance to movement over high-pile carpets without reducing the cleaning performance of the nozzle. b. Related Art
• the majority of modern vacuum cleaners include a nozzle assembly (referred to from time -to-time as a "power nozzle") having a suction intake that is disposed toward the floor surface and a powered roller brush located in or adjacent the intake.
• the roller brush which may include a beater bar or other rigid/semi-rigid features agitates and sweeps the carpet or other floor surface to dislodge dust and dirt, so that the particulate material is carried away on the flow of air entering the suction intake and collected in a bag or other container within the machine.
• the roller brush is powered by an electric motor (e.g., directly via a drive belt).
• the roller brush and associated suction opening are generally transverse to the normal forward-reverse direction of movement of the nozzle assembly.
• Power nozzles having the general configuration described in the preceding paragraph have been developed to achieve a high degree of efficacy and ease of use on the most commonly encountered types of floor surfaces, such as bare floors and short-pile carpets.
• significant problems have remained in use on carpets having particularly tall and/or thick piles, such as "shag” or "floppye pile” carpets, the latter featuring notably tall and thick piles with tightly twisted yams.
• the present invention addresses the problems cited above, and provides a vacuum cleaner power nozzle assembly having a secondary airflow that is introduced proximate and ahead of a roller brush of the assembly, so that the secondary airflow reduces downward suction of the nozzle assembly into a carpet while maintaining airflow over and agitation by the roller brush of the assembly to retain cleaning efficacy of the nozzle assembly.
• the nozzle assembly comprises (a) a vacuum intake formed on a lower side of the nozzle assembly, (b) a powered roller brush mounted in the intake so as to extend generally transverse to a front-to-back direction of motion of the nozzle assembly, and (c) at least one passage permitting entry of a secondary flow of air to the intake opening on a front side of the roller brush, so that the secondary flow of air reduces downward force exerted by vacuum in the opening and is drawn downwardly and under the roller brush by rotation of the latter so as to aid in dislodging and removing particulate matter from the carpet.
• the at least one passage may comprise at least one passage that communicates between the intake opening of the nozzle assembly and an exterior of the nozzle assembly so that the secondary flow of air is drawn from outside the nozzle assembly.
• the at least one opening may be selectively openable by an operator for use a on/high pile and/or dense nap carpet, and selectively closable by an operator for operation on a short and/or low density nap carpet or bare floor surface.
• the at least one opening for the secondary airflow may comprise a plurality of openings at spaced apart locations across a forward end of the nozzle assembly.
• the nozzle assembly may further comprise a mechanism by which the operator is able to open and close the plurality of openings for entry of the secondary flow therethrough.
• a mechanism by which the operator selectively opens and closes the plurality of intake openings may comprise a slider plate having a plurality of openings that are selectively positionable in and out of register with cooperating openings formed in a housing of the nozzle assembly.
• the conduit supplying the secondary airflow may comprise a discharge through which the secondary flow of air enters the intake forwardly at a constriction proximate the roller brush so that the secondary airflow is drawn downwardly and then rearwardly under the roller brush in response to rotation of the latter.
• the constriction may comprise a constriction formed between the roller brush and a stationary portion of the housing of the nozzle assembly.
• the nozzle assembly may further comprise a vacuum intake located in the housing rearwardly of the roller brush that receives the flow of air and particulate matter dislodged and carried by the flow of air passing under the roller brush.
• FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a power nozzle assembly that in accordance with the present invention includes openings on the front of the assembly to selectively admit a secondary flow of air at the leading edge of the roller brush of the power nozzle;
• FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the upper housing of the nozzle assembly of FIG. 1 , showing the configuration of the secondary airflow openings and a sliding control panel operable to open and close the openings according to carpet conditions;
• FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the housing of FIG. 2, with the sliding panel and retaining bracket removed to show the arrangement of the secondary openings airflow in greater detail;
• FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the sliding control panel and retainer of the housing of FIGS. 2-3;
• FIG. 5 is a lower perspective view of the power nozzle assembly of FIG. 1, looking from the rear towards the front, showing the relationship of the secondary airflow openings to the roller brush in greater detail;
• FIG. 6 is a lower perspective view of the power nozzle assembly of FIG. 1 , looking from the front towards the rear, showing the relationship between the roller brush and the suction intake of the nozzle assembly in greater detail;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the power nozzle assembly of FIG. 1, showing the positional relationship and flow path between the roller brush and other components of the assembly;
• FIG. 8 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the power nozzle assembly of FIG. 1 , similar to FIG. 7, showing in greater detail the relationship between the roller brush and the interior of the housing relative to the secondary airflow openings, that ensures the secondary airflow passes downwardly direction and then under the roller brush reduce the downward pulling force and also complement the action of the roller brush when the nozzle assembly is operating in deep pile carpet.
• FIG. 1 shows a power nozzle assembly 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the nozzle assembly includes a body 12 having a housing 14 and base plate 16 that enclose the major working components of the assembly, with a pivoting neck section 18 that connects the nozzle assembly to a tubular member leading to a particulate collection chamber/bag within the vacuum cleaner itself.
• the interior components of the power nozzle include a roller brush that is located in a bottom opening near the front 20 of the body 12 and that is aligned transverse to the main, longitudinal direction of motion of the assembly.
• the roller brush acts to agitate the carpet or other floor surface to dislodge dirt and other particulate material, that is then carried away by a suction that is supplied to the nozzle assembly from a blower (not shown) via neck 18 or when suiable conduit, plenum or other form of connection/common entry with the blower.
• the roller brush is rotated on its axis by a motor, typically electric, acting directly or through a belt or other suitable drive mechanism.
• a secondary airflow inlet assembly 30 is mounted in the forward side of housing 14, generally proximate the forward edge 20 of the housing and above the leading lower edge 32 of the base plate.
• the inlet assembly includes a plurality of openings 34, suitably arranged in a row across the front of and generally parallel the roller brush, through which a regulated amount of air is drawing from outside body 12 into the opening in which the roller brush is housed.
• the secondary airflow is particularly introduced at the forward side of the roller brush so that the flow travels along with rotation of the brush in order to pass under the rush to aid in dislodgement and removal of particulate material.
• the openings are preferably sized comparatively large in area, for example, a row of six roughly 0.5 X 0.65 inch (approx. 13 X 16.5mm) oval openings when using a nominal 12-inch (300mm) roller brush shaving an outside diameter of about 2 inches (25mm) rotated at typical speeds in the illustrated embodiment, It will be understood, however, that various other sizes, shapes and numbers of openings may be used, or single or multiple elongate slots, depending on the required airflow, aesthetics, and other design factors.
• Adjustable control over the secondary airflow is provided by a regulator plate 36, that is mounted to the front of housing 14 and that includes openings 38 that cooperate with corresponding openings 40 in the housing to define the secondary airflow passages 34.
• the regulator plate is retained for lengthwise sliding movement in a track defined between the outer shell of the housing and a surrounding frame 42, with a finger engagement pad 44 on the outer face of the regulator plate facilitating manual movement of the plate, hen in a first position (e.g., to the left in the view of FIG. 1) the openings 38, 40 in the regulator plate and housing respectively are aligned in register so that passages 34 are fully opened to maximize the secondary airflow, for example, as may be needed for operation on a long pile/thick nap carpet.
• the opening 38, 40 move out of register with one another so as to close off passages 34 and thereby block the secondary airflow, as may be desirable operation on a bare floor or low-pile carpet.
• the regulator plate similarly may be slid to intermediate positions so as to partially open/block the secondary airflow passages 34 and thereby adjust the secondary airflow between a maximum and minimum, as may be desirable or suitable for a variety of carpets or other floor surfaces.
• the frame 42 that retains the register plate is mounted to the front of the housing in a cooperatingly-shaped channel molding 46 having a channel recess 48 that receives the rearward edge of the frame, with the two pieces suitably being glued or otherwise joined together.
• the depending ends of the frame define stops at the ends of the channel for the register plate, with the length of the slider channel being longer than that of the register plate so that a gap 50 is formed at one end or the other to permit lateral sliding movement of the plate as indicated by doubled ended arrow 52.
• the lower edge of the register plate is in turn slidingly received in a channel formed in a lower frame piece 54 (see FIG. 1) that is mounted along the upper front edge of the base plate 16 of the nozzle assembly.
• FIGS. 5-8 illustrate in greater detail the relationship of the secondary airflow inlets with the roller brush and open intake opening of the power nozzle, and the associated flow path down and under the roller brush to the vacuum intake that is located more towards the rear of the nozzle assembly.
• the inner discharge ends of the secondary airflow openings 34 are located proximate to and generally forwardly of the roller brush 60 of the nozzle assembly.
• the roller brush in turn, is located within the suction opening 62 in the bottom of the nozzle assembly, proximate the forward edge 20 thereof.
• the discharge units of the secondary airflow openings 34 are formed in the forward wall of an elongate chamber having the suction opening at the bottom, with a slot 64 formed by a gap between the roller brush and the forward wall of the chamber. Rotational movement of the surface of the roller brush in this area is in a downward and then rearward direction, as indicated by arrow 66 in FIG.
• the downwardly-directed secondary airflow impinges the carpet surface and locally reduces the partial vacuum under the slot opening 64, reducing the down-force at the front of the nozzle assembly and thus relieving the leading edge of the base plate from digging into the carpet and reducing resistance to front-to-back movement of the nozzle assembly on high-pile carpets.
• the downward and rearward path of the secondary airflow augments and complements the agitation and propelling action of the roller brush, further helping to dislodge particulate material and direct it back towards the vacuum intake 68 at the rearward side of the suction opening 62.
• This combination of effects results in the machine being far easier to push and maneuver in tall/long pile carpet, while at the same time retaining an essentially uncompromised or even enhanced cleaning efficacy.
• the area above the secondary air openings is preferably constrained or restricted to prevent the flow from being drawn in the opposite direction, i.e., back over the top of the roller brush to the vacuum intake.
• this is achieved in the illustrated embodiment by locating the roller brush so that the upper, forward part of the brush is positioned in close proximity to the inside surface on the adjoining portion 72 of the housing, so as to minimize or even eliminate the gap 74 between the two in this area.
• the gap 74 at the chamber is suitably about 0.1 inch (2mm) or less, while due to the diverging curvature of the roller brush and front wall the chamber below widens to 0.25 inch (6.5mm) or more before opening out through the bottom slot. It will be understood that in various embodiments the location of this or other restriction or block to the flow of air is formed or positioned may vary from that of the illustrated embodiment.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=58163180

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

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Family Cites Families (12)

• 2017
  • 2017-01-27 CN CN201780020456.6A patent/CN109152503A/zh active Pending
  • 2017-01-27 WO PCT/US2017/000008 patent/WO2017136086A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2017-01-27 US US15/530,551 patent/US20170209009A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2017-01-27 EP EP17707421.8A patent/EP3429450A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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