U.S. patent application number 11/887165 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for surface cleaning apparatus.
Invention is credited to Nicholas Gerald Grey.
Application Number | 20090300873 11/887165 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35462116 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090300873 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grey; Nicholas Gerald |
December 10, 2009 |
Surface Cleaning Apparatus
Abstract
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a debris retrieval body
(3), and a first collection means (47) and a second collection
means (13) provided within the debris retrieval body for
accumulating debris from a surface to be cleaned. A rotatable
elongate brush arrangement (27) is provided within the debris
retrieval body and is adapted to retrieve a first portion of debris
from the surface to be cleaned and to direct the first portion of
the debris along a first pathway (311) into the first collection
means (47). A first inlet aperture (75) is provided in the debris
retrieval body for the passage along a second pathway (315),
independent of the first pathway, of a second portion of debris
from the surface to be cleaned to the second collection means, the
first inlet aperture communicating with a first means for creating
suction (17). A second inlet aperture (85) is provided in the
debris retrieval body for the passage along a third pathway (313),
independent of the first and second pathways, of a third portion of
debris from the surface to be cleaned to means for connection to a
second means for creating suction.
Inventors: |
Grey; Nicholas Gerald;
(Worcester, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Law Office of;Ira S. Dorman
330 Roberts Street, Suite 200
East Hartford
CT
06108
US
|
Family ID: |
35462116 |
Appl. No.: |
11/887165 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
April 8, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2005/001381 |
371 Date: |
June 2, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 7/02 20130101; A47L
11/4005 20130101; A47L 11/4025 20130101; A47L 11/4013 20130101;
A47L 11/4041 20130101; A47L 5/30 20130101; A47L 11/33 20130101;
A47L 11/4044 20130101; A47L 9/0411 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/349 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/04 20060101
A47L009/04 |
Claims
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a debris retrieval body
(3); a first collection means (47) and a second collection means
(13) provided within the debris retrieval body for accumulating
debris from a surface to be cleaned; a rotatable elongate brush
arrangement (27) provided within the debris retrieval body and
adapted to retrieve a first portion of debris from the surface to
be cleaned and to direct the first portion of the debris along a
first pathway (311) into the first collection means (47); a first
inlet aperture (75) provided in the debris retrieval body for the
passage along a second pathway (315), independent of the first
pathway, of a second portion of debris from the surface to be
cleaned to the second collection means, the first inlet aperture
communicating with a first means for creating suction (17); and a
second inlet aperture (85) provided in the debris retrieval body
for the passage along a third pathway (313), independent of the
first and second pathways, of a third portion of debris from the
surface to be cleaned to means for connection to a second means for
creating suction.
2. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
first means for creating suction (17) is provided within the debris
retrieval body (3).
3. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
second means for creating suction is provided remotely from the
debris retrieval body (3).
4. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
remotely provided means for creating suction is incorporated into a
cleaner body adapted for attachment to the debris retrieval
body.
5. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
first means for creating suction (17) is a cyclonic suction
generating system.
6. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
second means for creating suction is a cyclonic suction generating
system.
7. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
first inlet aperture (75) is elongate.
8. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
first inlet aperture (75) is spaced from the elongate brush
arrangement (27).
9. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
plurality of perforations is provided in a removable plate (77)
covering the first inlet aperture (75).
10. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
second inlet aperture (85) is elongate.
11. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
second inlet aperture (85) is spaced from the elongate brush
arrangement (27).
12. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
plurality of perforations is provided in a removable plate (77)
covering the second inlet aperture (85).
13. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
debris retrieval body is provided with an opening (32) through
which bristles of the elongate brush arrangement extend for
retrieving the first portion of debris.
14. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein
the opening (32) for the bristles is separate from the first inlet
aperture (75).
15. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein
the first inlet aperture (75) extends substantially parallel and
adjacent to the opening for the bristles of the elongate brush
arrangement.
16. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
opening (32) for the bristles is separate from the second inlet
aperture (85).
17. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein
the second inlet aperture (85) extends substantially parallel and
adjacent to the opening for the bristles of the elongate brush
arrangement.
18. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
second inlet aperture has a greater area than the first inlet
aperture.
19. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
apparatus is adapted to convey the first portion of debris directly
to the first collection means (47).
20. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
first collection means (47) is in the form of a removable tray.
21. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
second collection means is in the form of a removable tray.
22. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
lower edge (33) of a front wall (31) of the debris retrieval body
is maintained at a distance from the surface to be cleaned.
23. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein
the lower edge (33) of the front wall (31) of the debris retrieval
body is provided with a recess (35).
24. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
battery (51) is provided to pro-vide power to rotate the elongate
brush arrangement (27) and to power the first means for creating
suction (17).
25. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
mains power supply is provided to power the second means for
creating suction.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus
utilising both a rotatable brush assembly and a plurality of
separate means for creating suction to retrieve debris from a
surface.
[0002] In conventional vacuum cleaners, debris, for example dirt
and dust, is retrieved from a surface by means of motor generated
suction and the debris is collected in a suitable collection means,
for example a filter bag or receptacle. The quantity of debris that
can be picked up from the surface being cleaned depends on the
efficiency of the motor generating the suction. Further, it is
impractical simply to replace a mains-powered motor with a
battery-powered motor due to the lower suction power that can be
generated.
[0003] Vacuum cleaners are not suitable for the collection of large
debris. The generated suction can cause the debris collecting
aperture of the vacuum cleaner to become substantially sealed to a
surface to be cleaned, preventing large debris from entering the
aperture and being removed from the surface. Also, if large pieces
of debris are sucked up it is known for them to cause a blockage of
the pathways through which suction draws the debris.
[0004] Vacuum cleaners with a hose and a battery powered head are
known, including cleaners in which the cleaning head can be
detached and used independently of the vacuum cleaner in what is
known as a sweeper mode. The independent battery powered head has a
rotating brush and a debris collection means independent of the
collection means of the vacuum cleaner. The debris collection means
has a port to which a suction creating means of the vacuum cleaner
can be connected when used in a vacuum cleaning mode.
[0005] The problem with the known vacuum cleaners with an
independent cleaning head is that blocking of the pathway from the
independent collection means and the suction means can occur. A
relatively large amount of debris can be collected in the
collection means of the independent head during use in the sweeper
mode. On reconnecting the head to the suction means, the relatively
large amount of debris is drawn substantially as one single mass
towards the suction means and can lead to blockages.
[0006] A known solution to the problem of blockages is the
provision of a filter means which only allows particles below a
certain size to enter a connection between the independent head and
the suction means. However, the filter relatively quickly becomes
blocked due to the relatively small surface area of the filter and
the potentially large amount of debris that can be present in the
collection means of the independent head. Therefore, the
performance of such vacuum cleaners can be impaired and such vacuum
cleaners have reduced suction power.
[0007] Conventional sweepers use a brush arrangement to retrieve
debris from a surface. The brush arrangement is adapted to gather
up and remove relatively large pieces of debris from a surface, but
fine particles of dust, for example, are not efficiently removed
from the surface being cleaned, especially from crevices and deep
inside soft furnishings. Further, conventional sweepers do not
efficiently remove light debris, for example fine particles of
dust, from hard floors
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a surface cleaning apparatus utilising both a rotatable
brush assembly and a plurality of separate means for creating
suction to retrieve debris from a surface and to overcome, or at
least ameliorate, the problems of known apparatus.
[0009] According to the present invention there is provided a
surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
a debris retrieval body; a first collection means and a second
collection means provided within the debris retrieval body for
accumulating debris from a surface to be cleaned; a rotatable
elongate brush arrangement provided within the debris retrieval
body and adapted to retrieve a first portion of debris from the
surface to be cleaned and to direct the first portion of the debris
along a first pathway into the first collection means; a first
inlet aperture provided in the debris retrieval body for the
passage along a second pathway, independent of the first pathway,
of a second portion of debris from the surface to be cleaned to the
second collection means, the first inlet aperture communicating
with a first means for creating suction; and a second inlet
aperture provided in the debris retrieval body for the passage
along a third pathway, independent of the first and second
pathways, of a third portion of debris from the surface to be
cleaned to means for connection to a second means for creating
suction.
[0010] The first means for creating suction may be provided within
the debris retrieval body.
[0011] The second means for creating suction may be provided
remotely from the debris retrieval body.
[0012] The remotely provided means for creating suction may be
incorporated into a cleaner body adapted for attachment to the
debris retrieval body.
[0013] The first means for creating suction and/or the second means
for creating suction may be a cyclonic suction generating
system.
[0014] The first inlet aperture and/or the second inlet aperture
may be elongate.
[0015] The first inlet aperture and/or the second inlet aperture
may be spaced from the elongate brush arrangement.
[0016] A plurality of perforations may be provided in a removable
plate covering the first inlet aperture and/or the second inlet
aperture.
[0017] The debris retrieval body may be provided with an opening
through which bristles of the elongate brush arrangement extend for
retrieving the first portion of debris.
[0018] The opening for the bristles may be separate from the first
and/or the second inlet aperture.
[0019] The first inlet aperture and/or the second inlet aperture
may extend substantially parallel and adjacent to the opening for
the bristles of the elongate brush arrangement.
[0020] The second inlet aperture may have a greater area than the
first inlet aperture.
[0021] The apparatus may be adapted to convey the first portion of
debris directly to the first collection means.
[0022] The first collection means and/or the second collection
means may be in the form of a removable tray.
[0023] A lower edge of a front wall of the debris retrieval body
may be maintained at a distance from the surface to be cleaned. The
lower edge of the front wall of the debris retrieval body may be
provided with a recess.
[0024] A battery may be provided to provide power to rotate the
elongate brush arrangement and to power the first means for
creating suction.
[0025] A mains power supply may be provided to power the second
means for creating suction.
[0026] For a better understanding of the present invention and to
show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will
now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a
surface cleaning apparatus according to the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective cut-away view, from above, of the
surface cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view, from below, of the surface
cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and
[0030] FIG. 4 is the perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus shown in FIG. 3 with a portion of the lower surface
removed.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a surface cleaning apparatus 1
has a debris retrieval body 3 comprising five compartments 5, 7, 9,
11 and 13 and a handle 15 which acts as a means for connection to a
first suction creating means (not shown), for example a mains
powered vacuum cleaner, preferably a cyclonic suction generating
vacuum cleaner, provided external to the debris retrieval body.
[0032] As will be described hereinafter, the cleaning apparatus 1
can be used in an external vacuum mode to remove debris from a
surface to be cleaned by means of the first suction creating means.
The cleaning apparatus 1 can also be used in an internal vacuum
mode to remove debris from a surface to be cleaned by means of a
second suction creating means 17 provided within a first rear
compartment 11 of the debris retrieval body suction. Consequently,
the apparatus can be used independently of any external suction
creating means.
[0033] The handle 15 is in the form of an elongate tubular member
provided at the rear 19 of the debris retrieval body 3. The handle
15 is pivotably attached to the rear 19 of the debris retrieval
body 3 by means of a pivot member 21. Swivel means 23 is provided
between the pivot member 21 and the handle 15, as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2. The swivel means 23 allows the handle 15 to rotate about the
axis thereof relative to the debris retrieval body 3 and the pivot
member 21 allows the handle 15 to pivot about an axis transverse to
the axial direction of the handle 15.
[0034] The pivot member 21 and the swivel means 23 enable the
sweeping apparatus 1 to be steered by the user.
[0035] The tube of the handle 15 forms the means for connection to
the first suction creating means by providing a portion of a
channel 25 (see FIG. 1) which passes down the length of the
elongate handle, through the swivel means 23 and the pivot member
21, and through which suction created by the external suction
means, for example a vacuum cleaner apparatus, can be transmitted
to within the debris retrieval body 3.
[0036] An upper end 26 of the connection means 15, furthest from
the debris retrieval body 3, is shaped to be complementary with
connecting portions of, for example, a hose member of the suction
creating means, such that the connecting portions of the suction
creating means can be, for example, push fitted onto the upper end
26 when the apparatus is used in external vacuum mode.
[0037] The shape of the upper end 26 also enables extension members
to be added to the handle when the apparatus is used in the
internal vacuum mode.
[0038] A front compartment 5 houses an elongate rotatable brush
arrangement 27 comprising rows of tufts of bristles attached to a
cylindrical member 29. For convenience, a front wall 31 of the
front compartment 5 (see FIG. 1) is arcuate and extends around the
periphery of the brush arrangement 27. The front wall 31 may be
removable. The bottom of the front compartment 5 is provided with
an opening 32 to allow the bristles of the brush arrangement 27 to
contact a floor, carpet or like surface over which the surface
cleaning apparatus 1 is to be moved.
[0039] The front wall 31 of the front compartment 5 forms the front
wall of the surface cleaning apparatus 1. In use, a lower edge 33
of the front wall is maintained a distance from the surface to be
cleaned. The distance between the lowest portion of the lower edge
33 of the front wall 31 and the surface to be cleaned is in a range
from 5 mm to 8 mm. The lower edge 33 of the front wall 31 is
non-planar (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The lower edge 33 incorporates a
recess 35, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, with a width, for example, in
a range from about 20 mm to about 150 mm, preferably about 60 mm.
The depth of the recess 35, that is the distance between the top of
the recess 35 and the lowest portion of the lower edge 33, is
nominally about 10 mm but may, for example, be in the range from
about 4 mm to about 20 mm. The recess 35 allows debris, such as
dust, dirt and the like, too large to pass under the lowest portion
of the lower edge 33 to pass into the front compartment 5 and be
picked up by means of the brush arrangement 27.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, a narrow elongate flange 37,
substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned, is provided
along the lower edge 33 of the front wall 31 extending both outward
and inward of the front compartment. The flange is adapted to
substantially prevent air turbulence, generated by the rotation of
the brush arrangement 27, forcing debris away from the front of the
apparatus 1. The inward extending edge of the flange extends from
the front wall 31 towards the elongate brush arrangement 27. The
end of the flange 37 nearest to the brush arrangement 27 is
positioned such that there is no contact between the flange and the
bristles of the elongate brush arrangement.
[0041] At the rear of the front compartment 5 is a rearwardly
inclined wall 39 which allows debris, such as dust, dirt and the
like, to be propelled up the wall 39 due to rotation of the brush
arrangement 27 (shown by arrow 311 in FIG. 1) and to pass over the
wall 39 into a first intermediate compartment 7 which will be
described in more detail hereinafter. The wall 39 extends upwardly
to about the same height as the top of the brush arrangement 27 and
is angled rearwardly (i.e. away from the front compartment 5) at an
angle of about 18 degrees. The precise angle is not important, but
the inclination facilitates the passage of the debris up and over
the wall 39 and at the same time facilitates retention of the
debris within the rear compartment.
[0042] The brush arrangement 27 in the front compartment 5 extends
substantially the entire width of the front compartment 5 and is
provided with two helically arranged rows of bristles. The length
of the bristles, for example, is in a range from 8 mm to 25 mm,
preferably a range from 14 mm to 17 mm. The thickness of individual
bristles is in a range from 0.04 mm to 0.3 mm, preferably in a
range from 0.06 mm to 0.25 mm. The bristles are arranged in tufts
and the tufts have a diameter in a range from 1.5 mm to 5 mm,
preferably a range from 2 mm to 3 mm.
[0043] The elongate brush arrangement 27 is arranged such that it
can be detached from retaining portions (not shown) of the debris
retrieval body 3, for example for cleaning or for replacement.
[0044] An auxiliary rotary brush 41 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) is
provided at one side of the brush arrangement 27. Such an auxiliary
brush 41 is described, for example, in GB-A-1 547 286 or GB-A-2 393
900. Such an auxiliary brush 41 is able to sweep debris into the
path of the brush arrangement 27. The auxiliary brush 41 is driven
by gearing from the brush arrangement 27. Alternative means of
driving the auxiliary brush 41, for example by friction with the
surface to be swept, may also be used. The auxiliary brush 41 is
provided in a support member 43 and extends outwardly beyond the
debris retrieval body 3. The auxiliary brush 41 comprises a
cylindrical body rotatable about an axis which is inclined to the
vertical by about 10 degrees so as to extend outwardly beyond the
debris retrieval body 3. Bristles protrude radially outwardly from
the periphery of the cylindrical body, preferably at an angle of
about 80 degrees to the axis of rotation, so as to form a cone
which increases in cross-section with increasing distance from the
debris retrieval body 3.
[0045] The support member 43 of the auxiliary brush 41 is
detachable from the debris retrieval body 3, for example for the
cleaning or replacement of the auxiliary brush 41. The support
member 43 is held in position, for example, by two protruding
members which fit within complementary apertures in the debris
retrieval body 3. The support member 43 is secured to the debris
retrieval body 3, for example, by means of a releasable catch on
the side of the support member 43 furthest from the front wall 31
of the debris retrieval body 3.
[0046] The first intermediate compartment 7, shown in FIGS. 1 to 4,
is provided in the form of a removable tray 47 positioned in a
recess provided in the debris retrieval body 3 between the rear
wall 39 of the front compartment 5, front walls of the first rear
compartment 11 and a second rear compartment 13, and an upper wall
of the debris retrieval body. The first intermediate compartment 7
is open on an upper face and on its front side in a position
corresponding to the region between the top of the rearwardly
inclined wall 39 of the front compartment and the upper side of the
debris retrieval body 3. Debris propelled over the rear wall 39 of
the front compartment can enter the tray 47 through the opening in
the front side.
[0047] The first intermediate compartment 7 in the form of the tray
47 is removable from the debris retrieval body 3, for example for
emptying, by sliding the tray 47 in a lateral direction out of the
recess in the debris retrieval body. A transparent window may be
provided in the first intermediate compartment to enable a user to
determine if the first intermediate compartment requires
emptying.
[0048] The second intermediate compartment 9 (shown in FIG. 2) is
provided to one side of the recess 49 of the debris retrieval body.
The second intermediate compartment 9 houses a rechargeable battery
pack 51. The battery pack 51 may be connected to a mains power
supply (not shown) for recharging the battery pack 51. The battery
pack 51 may be connected either to the mains supply whenever the
apparatus 1 is not in use or at suitable times when the battery
pack 51 has become depleted. As an alternative to a rechargeable
battery pack 51, the apparatus 1 could employ disposable batteries
or be mains powered.
[0049] The rear 19 of the debris retrieval body comprises a first
rear compartment 11 and a second rear compartment 13 arranged side
by side behind the rear walls of the first and second intermediate
compartments 7, 9 as shown in FIG. 2. The first rear compartment 11
and the second rear compartment 13 are separated from each other by
an internal wall 63.
[0050] The first rear compartment 11 houses an electric motor (not
shown). The motor is used to rotate the brush arrangement 27 by way
of toothed rollers attached to each of the motor and the brush
arrangement 27 and a toothed belt 55, for example of elastomeric
material, extending around the rollers (see FIG. 2 where the upper
wall of the debris retrieval body and the brush arrangement have
been omitted to show a portion of the belt arrangement). The motor
is powered by the rechargeable battery pack in the second
intermediate compartment 9.
[0051] Electrical connections including a printed circuit board 52
are provided between the rechargeable battery pack 51 and the
motor. Switch means 53 (shown in FIG. 2) is provided on an upper
region of the first rear compartment 11 to permit a user to
energise and de-energise the motor as desired.
[0052] The first rear compartment 11 also houses the second suction
creating means 17 which is in the form of a cyclonic suction
creating assembly as known to a person skilled in the art. As shown
in FIG. 3, the second suction creating means 17 includes a cyclone
body, a cyclonic separator 57 and an impeller 59 to create suction
in the debris retrieval body 3. A truncated conical-shaped end 61
of the cyclone body, furthest from the impeller 59, protrudes into
the second rear compartment 13 through an aperture in the internal
wall 63 between the first rear compartment 11 and the second rear
compartment 13.
[0053] The second suction creating means 17 may be powered by the
same motor as that used to rotate the elongate brush arrangement or
may be powered by a separated motor (not shown), for example
energised/de-energised by an additional switch means (not
shown).
[0054] The exhaust from the cyclonic separator 57 exits the
apparatus 1 through an apertured region in the form of a removable
section (not shown) of an upper surface of the first rear
compartment 11. The apertured region is provided with a replaceable
filter member to minimise the possibility of any debris particles
exiting the body.
[0055] The second rear compartment 13, in the form of a removable
compartment, is provided in a recess provided in the debris
retrieval body 3 between a rear wall 39 of the debris retrieval
body and a rear wall of the first intermediate compartment 7. The
second rear compartment 13 is only open in a central region of a
face nearest to the internal wall 63. The open central region
corresponds to the position of the aperture in the internal wall 63
through which the truncated conical end 61 of the cyclone body
protrudes. Debris propelled out of the truncated conical end 61 of
the cyclone body is deposited in the second rear compartment
13.
[0056] The second rear compartment 13 is removable from the debris
retrieval body 3, for example for emptying, by sliding the second
rear compartment 13 in a horizontal direction away from the first
rear compartment 11 of the debris retrieval body. A transparent
window may be provided in the second rear compartment 13 to enable
a user to determine if the second rear compartment requires
emptying.
[0057] Ground-engaging wheels 67 to assist mobility of the surface
cleaning apparatus 1 are provided on the rear of the debris
retrieval body.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a first elongate chamber 69,
enclosed at its upper surface, is provided rearward of the inclined
wall 39 of the front compartment 5. The first elongate chamber 69
is provided with an outlet 71 from the chamber 69 which is
positioned in the region of one end of the chamber 69.
[0059] A duct 73 (shown in FIG. 4) connects the outlet 71 provided
in the rear wall of the first elongate chamber 69 with the second
suction creating means 17 in the first rear compartment 11. The
duct 73 is substantially the width of the outlet 71 and is
positioned beneath the first intermediate compartment 7. An upper
wall of the duct 73 is positioned adjacent to a portion of the
lower wall of the first intermediate compartment 7. The lower wall
of the duct 73 is formed by a section 74 of the lower wall of the
surface cleaning apparatus 1 (see FIG. 3). The section 74 of the
lower wall is removable to enable the duct to be cleaned.
[0060] FIGS. 1 and 3 show a nozzle in the form of an elongate inlet
aperture 75 in a lower face of the first chamber 69. The inlet
aperture 75 is separate from the opening 32 for the brush bristles
of the front compartment 5. During the use of the apparatus 1, the
inlet aperture 75 enables suction created by the internal second
suction means within the first chamber 69 to be applied in close
proximity to a surface to be cleaned. The application of suction
via the inlet aperture 75 in close proximity to the surface to be
cleaned enables debris to be removed from the surface as will be
described hereinafter.
[0061] The area of the inlet aperture 75 is less than the
cross-sectional area of the first chamber 69.
[0062] For a given power usage of a motor associated with suction
creating means of a vacuum cleaner, a relatively constant volume of
air will be drawn through the suction creating means. To enable
debris to be retrieved from a surface, the debris must be entrained
in the air that enters the apparatus through an aperture forming a
nozzle. To achieve this, a relatively high air speed must be
generated through the nozzle. In conventional vacuum cleaners the
width of the aperture is relatively large to enable relatively
large amounts of debris on a surface to be removed by a single pass
of the aperture over the surface. Therefore, a relatively large
volume of air must be drawn though the nozzle of a conventional
vacuum cleaner in order to achieve sufficient air speed to entrain
debris. As such, a motor using relatively high amounts of power is
required in order to draw such relatively large volumes of air
through the wide apertured nozzle.
[0063] For a given volume of air drawn into an apparatus in
accordance with the present invention for a given power usage of a
motor, the presence of the narrow inlet aperture 75 and the
associated lower area compared to the cross-sectional area of the
first chamber 69 and/or the cross-sectional area of a passage
through which the air is drawn causes the speed of the air on
passing through the inlet aperture 75 and/or the passage to be
increased compared to the speed of the air which passes through the
first chamber 69 to the second suction creating means 17. As the
use of the suction means is directed to retrieving fine dust, which
has not been removed along with larger pieces of debris by the
rotating brush arrangement, there is no need for a wide aperture
for retrieving larger pieces of debris. Therefore, it is possible
to generate sufficiently high air speed through the inlet aperture
forming the nozzle, to entrain fine dust, by means of the narrow
width of the inlet aperture 75 constricting the volume of air as it
passes through the inlet aperture. As such, the flow of air through
the inlet aperture can have a high air speed generated in this way
for a relatively low power usage by the motor of the second suction
means. The narrow, elongate inlet aperture enables effective
cleaning of the surface over which the inlet aperture is positioned
in use.
[0064] The increased cross-sectional area of the chamber 69
compared to the area of the inlet aperture 75 and the resultant
lower speed of air flow in the chamber 69 is also beneficial in
that losses resulting from friction between the air flow and walls
of the chamber are reduced by the slowing of the air flow on
entering the chamber. The power usage by the motor of the second
suction means can be minimised by the reduction of the frictional
losses in the chamber by means of the difference between the area
of the inlet aperture and the cross-sectional area of the
chamber.
[0065] The provision of a chamber with a relatively large
cross-sectional area also helps to minimise the potential of a
blockage being formed in the chamber by the dust entrained in the
air flow entering the chamber from the inlet aperture.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 3, the inlet aperture 75 of the first
chamber 69 extends along substantially the entire length of the
longitudinal extent of the opening 32 in the front compartment
5.
[0067] A cover 77 (see FIG. 3) is provided over the entire length
of the inlet aperture 75 of the first chamber 69, releasably
secured to the debris retrieval body 3 by fastening means, for
example screw fasteners. The cover 77 has a series of elongate
apertures to further reduce the width of the inlet aperture 75
between the surface to be cleaned and the first chamber 69.
[0068] Provided rearward of the first chamber 69 is a second
elongate chamber 79 enclosed at its upper surface, as shown in FIG.
1. The second chamber 79 is provided with an outlet 81 from the
chamber 79 which is positioned substantially equidistant from the
side walls of the debris retrieval body (as shown in FIG. 4).
[0069] A duct 83 (shown in FIG. 4) connects the outlet 81 provided
in the rear wall of the second elongate chamber 79 with the first
suction creating means. The duct 83 has a fluted shape such that in
a region of the duct adjacent to the outlet 81, the duct 83 widens
to extend substantially across the entire width of the outlet 81.
The duct 83 between the outlet 81 of the second chamber 79 and the
first suction creating means is separate from the duct 73 between
the outlet 71 of the first chamber 69 and the second suction
creating means 17.
[0070] An upper wall of the duct 83 is positioned adjacent to a
portion of the lower wall of the first intermediate compartment 7.
The lower wall of the duct 83 is formed by the section 74 of the
lower wall of the surface cleaning apparatus 1. The section 74 of
the lower wall, as described hereinbefore, is removable to enable
the duct 83 to be cleaned.
[0071] FIG. 3 shows a nozzle in the form of an elongate inlet
aperture 85 in a lower face of the second chamber 79. The inlet
aperture 85 of the second chamber 69 is separate from the opening
32 for the brush bristles of the front compartment 5 and from the
inlet 75 of the first chamber 69. During the use of the apparatus
1, the inlet aperture 85 enables suction created by the external
first suction means within the second chamber 79 to be applied in
close proximity to a surface to be cleaned. The application of
suction via the inlet aperture 85 in close proximity to the surface
to be cleaned enables debris to be removed from the surface as will
be described hereinafter.
[0072] As with the inlet aperture 75 of the first chamber 69, the
area of the inlet aperture 85 of the second chamber 79 is less than
the cross-sectional area of the chamber 79. The difference in area
results in an increase in the speed of air flow through the inlet
aperture 75, as described hereinbefore. Therefore, it is possible
to generate sufficiently high air speed through the inlet aperture
forming the nozzle, to entrain dust and small debris, by means of
the width of the inlet aperture constricting the volume of air as
it passes through the inlet aperture. As such, the flow of air
through the inlet aperture can have a high air speed generated in
this way for a relatively low power usage by the motor of the first
suction means. The narrow, elongate inlet aperture enables
effective cleaning of the surface over which the aperture is
positioned in use.
[0073] As discussed hereinbefore, the increased cross-sectional
area of the chamber 79 compared to the area of the inlet aperture
85 and the resultant lower speed of air flow in the chamber 79 is
also beneficial in that losses resulting from friction between the
air flow and walls of the chamber are reduced by the slowing of the
air flow on entering the chamber. The power usage by the motor of
the first suction means can be minimised by the reduction of the
frictional losses in the chamber by means of the difference between
the area of the inlet aperture and the cross-sectional area of the
chamber.
[0074] The provision of a chamber with a relatively large
cross-sectional area also helps to minimise the potential of a
blockage being formed in the chamber by the dust entrained in the
air flow entering the chamber from the inlet aperture.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 3, the inlet aperture 85 of the second
chamber 79 extends along substantially the entire length of the
longitudinal extent of the opening 32 in the front compartment
5.
[0076] The width of the inlet apertures 75, 85 are relatively
narrow, for example in a range from 1 to 20 mm, or in a range from
1 to 10 mm. If desired, the width of the inlet aperture may be in a
range from 2 to 4 mm.
[0077] The width, and thus the area, of the inlet aperture 85 of
the second chamber 79 is greater than the width, and thus the area,
of the inlet aperture 75 of the first chamber 69.
[0078] The inlet aperture 85 of the second chamber 79 can, and
generally does, have a greater area than the inlet aperture 75 of
the first chamber 69 as there can be more power available to the
external first means to create suction compared to the power
available from the battery pack 51 for the internal second means to
create suction 17.
[0079] The cover 77, described hereinbefore, is provided over the
entire length of the inlet aperture 85. The cover 77 has a series
of elongate apertures to further reduce the width of the inlet
aperture 85 between the surface to be cleaned and the chamber
79.
[0080] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, provided between the inlet
aperture 75 of the first chamber 69 and the inlet aperture 85 of
the second chamber 79 is a cleaning strip assembly 87, for example
for cleaning hard floor surfaces, as known to a person skilled in
the art.
[0081] Ground-engaging wheels 89 to assist mobility of the surface
cleaning apparatus 1 are provided in a region adjacent to the
inlets 75, 85 of the debris retrieval body 3 (see FIGS. 1 and
3).
[0082] In use in the external vacuum mode, a surface cleaning
apparatus 1 in accordance with the present invention is placed upon
a surface to be cleaned, such as a carpet, and the switch 53 is
operated to energise the brush assembly motor. The brush
arrangement 27 is rotated to sweep debris from the surface to be
cleaned and then propel the debris up and over the inclined wall 39
and into the removable tray 47 where it is temporarily stored. That
is, the debris passes along path 311 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0083] As the surface cleaning apparatus 1 is moved over the
surface to be cleaned, with the brush arrangement 27 rotating,
further debris is similarly swept from the surface and propelled up
and over the wall 39 into the first intermediate compartment 7.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 4, due to the external first suction
creating means creating a vacuum in the debris retrieval body of
the apparatus 1, debris passes through the inlet aperture 85 of the
second elongate chamber 79 into the duct 83 via the outlet 81
provided in the rear wall of the elongate chamber 79. The duct 83
transfers the debris, in the direction of arrow 313, from the inlet
aperture 85 beneath the first intermediate compartment 7 and on to
a collection means provided in the first suction creating means via
the handle 15.
[0085] In use in the internal vacuum mode, a surface cleaning
apparatus 1 in accordance with the present invention is placed upon
a surface to be cleaned, such as a carpet, the motor is energised
to rotate the brush assembly and the internal second suction
creating means 17 is also energised. The brush arrangement 27 is
rotated to sweep debris from the surface to be cleaned as described
for the external vacuum mode.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 4, vacuum created within the debris
retrieval body by the internal second suction creating means 17
causes debris to pass through the inlet aperture 75 of the first
elongate chamber 69 into the duct 73 via the outlet 71 provided in
the rear wall of the elongate chamber 69. The duct 73 transfers the
debris, in the direction of arrow 315, from the inlet aperture 75
beneath the first intermediate compartment 7 to the cyclonic
separator 57. In the cyclonic separator 57 the fine particles of
dust are separated from the air stream and deposited, via the
truncated conical end 61 of the cyclone body into the second rear
compartment 13.
[0087] It should be appreciated that the apparatus 1 can be used in
both the internal vacuum mode and the external vacuum mode
simultaneously. As the brush arrangement 27 is rotated to sweep
debris from the surface, the debris is propelled up and over the
inclined wall 39 and conveyed directly into the first intermediate
compartment 7 where it is temporarily stored. Simultaneously,
debris that is not swept up and propelled into the first
intermediate compartment 7 by the brush arrangement 27 is drawn
through the inlet aperture 75 into the first elongate chamber 69 by
the suction created by the internal second suction creating means
17 and is drawn through the inlet aperture 85 into the second
elongate chamber 79 by the suction created by the external first
suction creating means. The two portions of debris removed by
suction means follow separate and distinct pathways 313 and 315
through the apparatus 1 (as shown in FIG. 4). The two portions of
debris removed by suction means also follow separate and distinct
pathways from the pathway 311 of the debris removed from the
surface by the rotatable brush arrangement.
[0088] There is no connection pathway between the first
intermediate compartment 7, the duct 73 between the first chamber
69 and the second suction creating means 17, and the duct 83
between the second chamber 79 and the first suction creating means
that would enable debris in the first intermediate compartment 7 to
be conveyed towards either of the suction creating means. As such,
there is no possibility that the debris collected during use of the
apparatus in the sweeper mode can be drawn towards either the first
or the second suction creating means and cause a blockage.
[0089] Although the nozzles in the form of inlet apertures 75, 85
have been described as being provided rearward of the brush
assembly, it should be appreciated that at least one of the inlet
apertures could be provided forward of the elongate brush assembly
with associated ducting passing over or to the side of the front
compartment.
[0090] It should also be appreciated that, although a single
removable plate covering the inlet apertures 75, 85 has been
described, either of the inlet apertures 75, 85 could be uncovered.
It should also be appreciated that the inlet 75 of the first
chamber 69 and the inlet aperture 85 of the second chamber 79 may
be covered by separate removable plates.
[0091] It should be appreciated that debris can be collected
directly in a non-removable form of the first intermediate
compartment and/or the second rear compartment wherein a closure is
provided which can be opened for the emptying of debris
therein.
[0092] It should also be appreciated that debris picked up by the
brush arrangement and debris picked up by the internal suction
generating means can be collected into two separate collecting
means of a single collection body, where the two collecting means
are sealed relative to each other to maintain suction within the
apparatus.
[0093] Although an auxiliary brush 41 is described, it should be
appreciated that a surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with
the present invention need not have the auxiliary brush.
[0094] Although the means of creating suction within a surface
cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention has
been described hereinbefore as a cyclonic system, it should be
appreciated that other methods of creating suction within a surface
cleaning apparatus, known to a person skilled in the art, could be
used, for example a suction creating assembly using a porous bag
for the accumulation of debris.
* * * * *