U.S. patent application number 10/909034 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-03 for nozzle assembly with high efficiency agitator cavity.
Invention is credited to Hafling, Danielle M., Hitzelberger, Joel E..
Application Number | 20050022340 10/909034 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34135130 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050022340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hafling, Danielle M. ; et
al. |
February 3, 2005 |
Nozzle assembly with high efficiency agitator cavity
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly, a canister
assembly, a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel. The
nozzle assembly includes a housing having a transverse axis and a
bulkhead defining at least a portion of an agitator cavity in the
housing. A suction port is provided in the bulkhead. An air guide
carried on the housing has a portion curving toward an inlet end
and a first side of the suction port. The bulkhead is angled away
from a transverse axis of the housing toward the inlet end and a
second side of the suction port.
Inventors: |
Hafling, Danielle M.;
(Lancaster, KY) ; Hitzelberger, Joel E.;
(Danville, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KING & SCHICKLI, PLLC
247 NORTH BROADWAY
LEXINGTON
KY
40507
US
|
Family ID: |
34135130 |
Appl. No.: |
10/909034 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60491867 |
Aug 1, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/415.1 ;
15/384 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/30 20130101; A47L
9/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/415.1 ;
015/384 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/02 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A nozzle assembly for a floor cleaning apparatus, comprising: a
housing including a transverse axis and a bulkhead defining at
least a portion of an agitator cavity in said housing; and a
suction port provided in said bulkhead in fluid communication with
said agitator cavity, said suction port including a first side, a
second side, an inlet end and an outlet end; said nozzle assembly
being characterized by an air guide carried on said housing having
a portion thereof curving toward said inlet end and said first side
of said suction port and said bulkhead being angled away from said
transverse axis toward said inlet end and said second side of said
suction port.
2. The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein said first end has a
cross sectional area A.sub.1 and said second end has a cross
sectional area A.sub.2 and a ratio of A.sub.1 to A.sub.2 is between
about 1:3 and about 1:4.
3. The nozzle assembly of claim 2, wherein A.sub.1 is between about
700 and about 900 mm.sup.2 and A.sub.2 is between about 3000 and
about 3200 mm.sup.2.
4. The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein said curved portion of
said air guide has a radius of curvature of between about 40 and
about 50 mm.
5. The nozzle assembly of claim 4, wherein said bulkhead defines an
included angle with said transverse axis of between about 2 and
about 2.5 degrees.
6. The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein said bulkhead defines an
included angle with said transverse axis of between about 2 and
about 2.5 degrees.
7. The nozzle assembly of claim 1, further including a first rotary
agitator carried in said agitator cavity on said housing.
8. The nozzle assembly of claim 7, further including a second
rotary agitator carried in said agitator cavity on said housing
adjacent said first rotary agitator.
9. The nozzle assembly of claim 8, wherein said second rotary
agitator is provided between said first rotary agitator and said
bulkhead.
10. The nozzle assembly of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of
said air guide is provided on said housing above said first rotary
agitator.
11. The nozzle assembly of claim 10, wherein said air guide has a
height of between about 3.0 and about 4.0 mm.
12. The nozzle assembly of claim 1 wherein said housing includes an
opening overlying said agitator cavity and a transparent agitator
shield closing said opening.
13. The nozzle assembly of claim 12, wherein said air guide is
carried on said agitator shield.
14. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: a nozzle assembly including a
housing having a transverse axis and a bulkhead defining at least a
portion of an agitator cavity in said housing; a canister assembly;
a suction generator carried on one of said nozzle assembly and said
canister assembly; a dirt collection vessel carried on one of said
nozzle assembly and said canister assembly; said vacuum cleaner
being characterized by; a suction port provided in said bulkhead in
fluid communication with said agitator cavity and said suction
generator, said suction port including a first side, a second side,
an inlet end and an outlet end; and an air guide carried on said
housing having a portion thereof curving toward said inlet end of
said first side of said suction port and said bulkhead being angled
away from said transverse axis toward said inlet end and said
second side of said suction port.
15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein said first end has a
cross sectional area A.sub.1 and said second end has a cross
sectional area A.sub.2 and a ratio of A.sub.1 to A.sub.2 is between
about 1:3 and about 1:4.
16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein A.sub.1 is between
about 700 and about 900 mm.sup.2 and A.sub.2 is between about 3000
and about 3200 mm.sub.2.
17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein said curved portion of
said air guide has a radius of curvature of between about 40 and
about 50 mm.
18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein said bulkhead defines
an included angle with said transverse axis of between about 2 and
about 2.5 degrees.
19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14 including at least one rotary
agitator in said agitator cavity of said nozzle assembly.
20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of
said air guide is provided on said housing overlying a first rotary
agitator and a second rotary agitator is provided between said
first rotary agitator and said bulkhead.
21. The vacuum cleaner of claim 20, wherein said air guide has a
height of between about 3.0 and about 4.0 mm.
22. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein said housing includes an
opening overlying said agitator cavity and a transparent agitator
shield closing said opening.
23. The vacuum cleaner of claim 22, wherein said air guide is
carried on said agitator shield.
24. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein said dirt collection
vessel is a filter bag.
25. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein said dirt collection
vessel is a dirt cup.
26. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein said canister assembly
is pivotally connected to said nozzle assembly.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/491,867 filed on Aug. 1, 2003.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the floor care
equipment field and, more particularly, to a nozzle assembly
incorporating an agitator cavity of unique design that functions to
enhance airflow and, therefore, cleaning efficiency.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Upright, canister and hand-held vacuum cleaners have long
been known in the art. Many such vacuum cleaners incorporate one or
more rotary agitators that are held in an agitator cavity in the
nozzle assembly. These rotary agitators are equipped with cleaning
structures including but not limited to beater bars, wipers,
brushes and bristle tufts. As the agitators are rotated relative to
the floor being cleaned, these cleaning structures function to beat
dirt and debris from the nap of an underlying carpet.
[0004] The present invention relates to a nozzle assembly
explicitly designed to provide smooth and efficient airflow from
the agitator cavity into the suction port leading to the suction
generator of a floor cleaning apparatus such as a vacuum cleaner or
extractor. Advantageously, the design of the housing and related
structures functions to enhance the cleaning efficiency of the
apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as
described herein, a nozzle assembly is provided for a floor
cleaning apparatus. The nozzle assembly comprises a housing
including a transverse axis and a bulkhead defining at least a
portion of an agitator cavity in the housing. Additionally, the
nozzle assembly includes a suction port provided in the bulkhead in
fluid communication with the agitator cavity. The suction port
includes a first side, a second side, an inlet end and an outlet
end.
[0006] The nozzle assembly is characterized by an air guide carried
on the housing. A portion of the air guide curves toward the inlet
end and the first side of the suction port. Additionally, the
bulkhead is angled away from the transverse axis toward the inlet
end and the second side of the suction port. Together, the air
guide and angled bulkhead function to reduce turbulence in the
agitator cavity caused by the rotary agitators. As a result, air
flows more smoothly and efficiently toward and into the inlet end
of the suction port from which it is drawn through the floor
cleaning apparatus by the suction generator.
[0007] More specifically describing the invention, the first end of
the suction port has a cross sectional area A, and the second end
of the suction port has a cross sectional area A.sub.2 and the
ratio of A.sub.1 to A.sub.2 is between about 1:3 and about 1:4.
More particularly, the cross sectional area A.sub.1 of the inlet
end is between about 700 mm.sup.2 and about 900 mm.sup.2 and the
cross sectional area of A.sub.2 of the outlet end is between about
3000 mm.sub.2 and about 3200 mm.sup.2.
[0008] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention the curved portion of the air guide has a radius of
curvature of between about 40 and about 50 mm. Additionally, the
bulkhead defines an included angle with the transverse axis of the
housing of between about 2 and about 2.5 degrees.
[0009] Still further, a first rotary agitator is carried in the
agitator cavity on the housing. Optionally, a second rotary
agitator may also be carried in the agitator cavity on the housing
adjacent the first rotary agitator. The second rotary agitator is
provided between the first rotary agitator and the bulkhead. In a
two agitator arrangement, at least a portion of the air guide is
provided on the housing above the first rotary agitator. Further,
the air guide has a height of between about 3.0 mm and about 4.0
mm.
[0010] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, the housing includes an opening overlying the agitator
cavity. A transparent agitator shield closes this opening. In one
possible embodiment the air guide is carried on this agitator
shield.
[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, a vacuum cleaner is provided incorporating the
above-described nozzle assembly. That vacuum cleaner may comprise
an upright vacuum cleaner, the powerhead of a canister vacuum
cleaner and/or a hand-held vacuum cleaner.
[0012] In the following description there is shown and described a
preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of
illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the
invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of
other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of
modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from
the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part
of this specification, illustrates several aspects of the present
invention, and together with the description serves to explain
certain principles of the invention. In the drawing:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner
incorporating the nozzle assembly of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a partially schematical and cross sectional view
of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the inside of the
first or upper section of the housing of the nozzle assembly of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the inside surface
of the agitator shield that fits in the opening in the first or
upper housing section illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the inside surfaces
of the first or upper section of the housing with the agitator
shield positioned therein to close the opening; and
[0019] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the inner surface
of the second or lower section of the housing of the nozzle
assembly.
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating an upright
vacuum cleaner 10 incorporating the nozzle assembly 12 of the
present invention. The vacuum cleaner 10 also includes a canister
assembly 14 that is pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly 12.
The canister assembly 14 includes a cavity 16 for holding a
removable dirt cup 18 for collecting dirt and debris. The dirt cup
18 may or may not include structures to produce cyclonic airflow in
order to assist in separation of dirt from the airstream as it
passes through the vacuum cleaner. A filter 19 is provided behind
the dirt cup 18 (see also FIG. 2). In the alternative, the cavity
16 may simply house a state-of-the-art bag filter of a type well
known in the art behind an access door or cover.
[0022] As illustrated the canister assembly 14 also includes a
control handle 20 equipped with a hand grip 22 and an actuator
switch 24 for turning the vacuum cleaner on and off. The canister
assembly also includes an internal chamber 26 for housing the
suction generator 28 comprising a fan and motor assembly (again,
see FIG. 2). The vacuum cleaner 10 is powered from an electrical
wall outlet via a power cord (not shown). Alternatively, the vacuum
cleaner could, of course, include one or more onboard batteries as
a source of power.
[0023] The nozzle assembly 12 includes a housing 32 including a
first or upper section 34 and a cooperating second or lower section
36 that may be secured together by fasteners to define an agitator
cavity 38. The first housing section 34 includes an opening 60 that
overlies the agitator cavity 38 (see FIGS. 1-3). The agitator
shield 62 illustrated in FIG. 4 is received in the first housing
section 34 and closes the opening 60. The agitator shield 62 is
made from transparent plastic material in order to allow the
operator to view the agitators 40, 42 in the agitator cavity 38
when operating the vacuum cleaner 10. This allows the operator to
conveniently confirm proper operation of the agitators 40, 42
during the vacuuming operation and/or the presence of a jam should
one develop.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, two rotary agitators 40, 42
are carried on the housing 32 in the agitator cavity 38 (see FIG.
2). As illustrated, the first rotary agitator 40 is provided in
front of and adjacent to the second rotary agitator 42. The rotary
agitators may be driven to rotate relative to the housing 32 by a
power transmission connected either to the motor of the suction
generator 28 or a separate, dedicated agitator drive motor.
[0025] A first set of ground engaging wheels 44 are carried at the
bottom of the canister assembly 14. A second set of ground engaging
wheels 46 are carried on the lower section 36 of the housing 32.
The wheels 46 are connected to a height adjustment mechanism, of a
type well known in the art, to allow the height of the nozzle
assembly 12 to be adjusted relative to the floor being cleaned by
manipulation of an actuator 47. A foot latch 30 is carried on the
nozzle assembly 12. The foot latch 30 functions to lock the
canister assembly 14 relative to the nozzle assembly 12 in the
upright position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The foot latch 30
may be depressed to release the canister assembly 14 and allow it
to be pivoted relative to the nozzle assembly 12 as the vacuum
cleaner 10 is manipulated by the operator back and forth across the
floor during cleaning.
[0026] As illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, the housing 32 of the nozzle
assembly 12 includes a bulkhead 48 that defines at least a portion
of the agitator cavity 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the
bulkhead 48 defines the rear wall thereof. More specifically, in
the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the bulkhead 48 is
provided on the second housing section 36 (see FIG. 6) and another
portion of the bulkhead is provided on the agitator shield 62 (see
FIGS. 4 and 5). The two portions of the bulkhead 48 are connected
together when the housing sections 34, 36 are joined together with
the shield 62 to complete the housing 32.
[0027] A suction port 50 is provided in the bulkhead 48. More
specifically, part of the suction port 50 is formed in each of the
agitator shield 62 and second housing section 36. The suction port
50 includes an inlet end 52, an outlet end 54, a first side 56 and
a second side 58.
[0028] The inlet end 52 has a cross sectional area A.sub.1 and the
outlet end has a cross sectional area A.sub.2 where the ratio of
A.sub.1 to A.sub.2 is between about 1:3 and about 1:4. Further, the
cross sectional area A.sub.1 is between about 700 mm.sup.2 and
about 900 mm.sup.2 and the cross sectional area A.sub.2 is between
about 3000 mm.sup.2 and about 3200 mm.sup.2.
[0029] As best illustrated in FIG. 6, it should also be appreciated
that the bulkhead 48 is angled away from the transverse axis TA of
the housing 32 toward the inlet end 52 and second side 58 of the
suction port 50. Specifically, the bulkhead 48 defines an included
angle .crclbar. with the transverse axis TA of between about 2 and
about 2.5 degrees.
[0030] As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, an air guide 64 is
provided on the agitator shield 62 and is therefore carried on the
housing 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the air guide 64 takes
the form of an elongated vane including an arcuate portion 66
having a radius of curvature of between about 40 and about 50 mm.
As illustrated, the arcuate portion 66 curves toward the inlet end
52 and first side 56 of the suction port 50. A gap 68 of between
about 10-20 mm in width is provided between the end 70 of the
arcuate portion 66 and the inlet end 52 of the suction port 50. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the relatively straight, elongated portion
72 of the air guide 64 overlies the first agitator 40 in the
agitator cavity 38. The air guide 64, like the agitator shield 62,
may be made from a transparent material so as not to obstruct the
view of the underlying agitator 40.
[0031] Advantageously, the air guide 64 and the angled bulkhead 48
function together to reduce air turbulence in the agitator cavity
38 produced by the rotary agitators 40, 42 so that air is more
smoothly and efficiently directed into the suction port 50. More
particularly, a first air path is provided along the front wall 74
of the air guide 64. More specifically, the airstream follows the
first air path smoothly flowing along the front wall 74 around the
arcuate portion 66 and through the gap 68 into the inlet end 52 of
the suction port 50 adjacent the first side 56 (see action arrow
F.sub.1in FIG. 4).
[0032] Simultaneously, a second air path is provided along the rear
wall 76 of the air guide 64. The airstream flowing along the second
air path flows along the rear wall 76 and is directed by the
arcuate portion 66 into the center of the suction port 50 (see
action arrow F.sub.2 in FIG. 4).
[0033] Simultaneously, a third air path is provided along the
bulkhead 48. The airstream in the third air path flows along the
bulkhead 48 to the inlet end 52 of the suction port 50 adjacent the
second side 58 (see action arrow F.sub.3 in FIG. 4). As should be
appreciated, all three air paths flow smoothly into the suction
port 50 where they are then drawn through a conduit system into the
dirt cup 18 by the suction generator 28. Dirt and debris becomes
entrapped in the dirt cup 28 and the associated filter 19. Clean
air is then drawn into the internal compartment 26, washes over the
motor of the suction generator 28 to provide cooling and then it is
exhausted through a final filter (not shown) and an exhaust port 78
into the environment.
[0034] In summary, numerous benefits result from employing the
concepts of the present invention. Advantageously, the nozzle
assembly 12 incorporates a unique air guide 64 and angled bulkhead
48 arrangement that reduces turbulence and smooths airflow from the
agitator cavity 38 into the suction port 50. This results in
overall enhanced cleaning efficiency.
[0035] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of
this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best
illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical
application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to
utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All
such modifications and variations are within the scope of the
invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in
accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and
equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiment do not
and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims
and their fair and broad interpretation in any way.
* * * * *