U.S. patent application number 12/791470 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for cleaner head.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dyson Technology Limited. Invention is credited to Stephen Benjamin Courtney, Thomas James Dunning Follows.
Application Number | 20100306958 12/791470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40937114 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100306958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Follows; Thomas James Dunning ;
et al. |
December 9, 2010 |
CLEANER HEAD
Abstract
Agitating apparatus for a surface treating appliance includes a
rotatable body having an outer surface comprising an electrically
conductive pile formed from filaments having a surface resistivity
in the range from 1.times.10.sup.-5 to 1.times.10.sup.12
.OMEGA./sq.
Inventors: |
Follows; Thomas James Dunning;
(Malmesbury, GB) ; Courtney; Stephen Benjamin;
(Malmesbury, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
1650 TYSONS BOULEVARD, SUITE 400
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
Dyson Technology Limited
Malmesbury
GB
|
Family ID: |
40937114 |
Appl. No.: |
12/791470 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/383 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/40 20130101;
A47L 9/0477 20130101; A47L 9/0466 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/383 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/26 20060101
A47L005/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 9, 2009 |
GB |
0909899.7 |
Claims
1. Agitating apparatus for a surface treating appliance, comprising
a rotatable body having an outer surface which is substantially
covered with filaments having a surface resistivity in the range
from 1.times.10.sup.-5 to 1.times.10.sup.12 .OMEGA./sq.
2. The agitating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filaments are
formed from one of metallic, carbon fiber, conductive acrylic and
composite material.
3. The agitating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filaments are
woven on to a flexible carrier member located about the body.
4. The agitating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the carrier member
is wound about the body.
5. The agitating apparatus of claim 4, wherein the carrier member
is adhered to the body.
6. The agitating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is
substantially cylindrical.
7. The agitating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filaments have a
diameter in the range from 5 to 20 .mu.m.
8. The agitating apparatus of claim 1, in the form of a rotatable
brush bar.
9. A cleaner head for a surface treating appliance comprising the
agitating apparatus of claim 1.
Description
[0001] REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application claims the priority of United Kingdom
Application No. 0909899.7, filed Jun. 9, 2009, the entire contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to agitating apparatus for a
surface treating application, and to a cleaner head for a surface
treating appliance. In its preferred embodiment, the present
invention relates to a cleaner head for a vacuum cleaning
appliance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A vacuum cleaner typically comprises a main body containing
dirt and dust separating apparatus, a cleaner head connected to the
main body and having a suction opening, and a motor-driven fan unit
for drawing dirt-bearing air through the suction opening. The
dirt-bearing air is conveyed to the separating apparatus so that
dirt and dust can be separated from the air before the air is
expelled to the atmosphere.
[0005] The suction opening is directed downwardly to face the floor
surface to be cleaned. The separating apparatus can take the form
of a filter, a filter bag or, as is known, a cyclonic arrangement.
The present invention is not concerned with the nature of the
separating apparatus and is therefore applicable to vacuum cleaners
utilizing any of the above arrangements or another suitable
separating apparatus.
[0006] A driven agitator, usually in the form of a brush bar, is
supported in the cleaner head so as to protrude to a small extent
from the suction opening. The brush bar is activated mainly when
the vacuum cleaner is used to clean carpeted surfaces. The brush
bar comprises an elongate cylindrical core bearing bristles which
extend radially outward from the core. The brush bar may be driven
by an air turbine or by an electric motor powered by a power supply
derived from the main body of the cleaner. The brush bar may be
driven by the motor via a drive belt, or may be driven directly by
the motor, so as to rotate within the suction opening. Rotation of
the brush bar causes the bristles to sweep along the surface of the
carpet to be cleaned to loosen dirt and dust, and pick up debris.
The suction of air causes air to flow underneath the sole plate and
around the brush bar to help lift the dirt and dust from the
surface of the carpet and then carry it from the suction opening
through the cleaner head towards the separating apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The bristles of the brush bar are usually formed from nylon.
While the use of nylon bristles provides an acceptable cleaning
performance on carpeted floor surfaces, we have found that the use
of nylon bristles generates static electricity when the floor tool
is used on some hard floor surfaces, such as laminate, wood and
vinyl surfaces, which attracts fine dust and powders, such as
talcum powder, on to the floor surface. This can impair the
cleaning performance on the cleaner head on such floor surfaces, as
the sweeping action of the nylon bristles is insufficient to
overcome the force attracting the fine dust to the floor
surface.
[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides agitating
apparatus for a surface treating appliance, comprising a rotatable
body having an outer surface comprising an electrically conductive
pile.
[0009] Providing the rotatable body with an electrically conductive
outer surface can enable static electricity residing on a floor
surface to be cleaned to be discharged upon contact between the
body and the floor surface. This enables fine dust and powder which
would otherwise be attracted to the floor surface to be dislodged
from the floor surface by the body. Having an outer surface
comprising a pile, which is preferably similar to the raised or
fluffy surface of a carpet, rug or cloth, can inhibit scratching or
other marking of the floor surface upon contact with the rotating
body.
[0010] The surface resistivity of the pile is preferably in the
range from 1.times.10.sup.-5 to 1.times.10.sup.12 .OMEGA./sq (ohms
per square). Values of surface resistivity discussed herein are as
measured using the test method ASTM D257. The selection of material
having a surface resistivity in this range can ensure that any
static electricity on the floor surface is effectively discharged
by the agitating apparatus.
[0011] The pile preferably covers at least half of the outer
surface of the body, more preferably at least 80% of the outer
surface, and even more preferably substantially covers the outer
surface of the body so that no patterns of dirt or dust are formed
on the floor surface as a cleaner head including the apparatus is
manoeuvred over a floor surface. Therefore, in a second aspect the
present invention provides agitating apparatus for a surface
treating appliance, comprising a rotatable body having an outer
surface which is substantially covered with filaments having a
surface resistivity in the range from 1.times.10.sup.-5 to
1.times.10.sup.12 .OMEGA./sq.
[0012] The apparatus preferably comprises filaments formed from one
of metallic, carbon fiber, carbon composite, conductive acrylic,
such as Thunderon.RTM., or other composite material. For example,
material comprising carbon particles and carbon fibers generally
has a surface resistivity in the range from 1.times.10.sup.3 to
1.times.10.sup.6 .OMEGA./sq, whereas metallic material generally
has a much lower surface resistivity, generally lower than 1
.OMEGA./sq. Other static dissipative materials generally have a
surface resistivity in the range from 1.times.10.sup.5 to
1.times.10.sup.12 .OMEGA./sq.
[0013] The filaments are preferably woven on to a flexible carrier
member located about the body. For example, the carrier member may
be in the form of a strip which is wound about the body, preferably
so that there are substantially no gaps between the turns of the
carrier member. The carrier member is preferable attached to the
body using an adhesive.
[0014] The length of the filaments is preferably in the range from
4 to 10 mm. Preferably, the filaments have a diameter in the range
from 5 to 20 .mu.m.
[0015] The rotatable body may comprise further surface agitating
means. The further surface agitating means may be configured to
agitate dirt and dust from a carpeted floor surface, and so is
preferably relatively stiff in comparison to the electrically
conductive pile or filaments. For example, bristles or filaments of
the further surface agitating means may have a greater diameter
than bristles or filaments of the electrically conductive pile.
[0016] The further surface agitating means may be formed from
electrically insulating, plastics material, such as nylon, and so
may have a surface resistivity which is different to that of the
electrically conductive pile or filaments. The surface resistivity
of the further surface agitating means is preferably in the range
from 1.times.10.sup.12 to 1.times.10.sup.16 .OMEGA./sq.
Alternatively, the further surface agitating means may be formed
from a similar material as the electrically conductive pile or
filaments.
[0017] The further surface agitating means may be dispersed within
the filaments of the electrically conductive pile. The further
surface agitating means is preferably arranged in a plurality of
rows along the body, with these rows being preferably
discontinuous. For example, where the further surface agitating
means comprises a plurality of bristles these bristles are
preferably arranged in one or more rows of clusters or tufts of
bristles connected to and spaced along the body.
[0018] The agitating apparatus is preferably in the form of a
rotatable brush bar.
[0019] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a cleaner
head for a surface treating appliance, the cleaner head comprising
a housing and apparatus as aforementioned. Where the agitating
apparatus is in the form of a rotatable brush bar, the cleaner head
may comprise two such brush bars. The brush bars are preferably
rotatable in opposing directions.
[0020] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a surface
treating appliance comprising a cleaner head or agitating apparatus
as aforementioned.
[0021] The term "surface treating appliance" is intended to have a
broad meaning, and includes a wide range of machines having a main
body and a head for travailing over a surface to clean or treat the
surface in some manner. It includes, inter alia, machines which
simply agitate the surface, such as carpet sweepers, machines which
only apply suction to the surface, such as vacuum cleaners (dry,
wet and wet/dry), so as to draw material from the surface, and
machines which apply material to the surface, such as
polishing/waxing machines, pressure washing machines and shampooing
machines.
[0022] Features described above in connection with the first aspect
of the invention are equally applicable to any of the second to
fourth aspects of the invention, and vice versa.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] An embodiment of the present invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view, from above, of a floor
tool;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view, from below, of the floor
tool of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the floor tool of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the brush bar of the floor
tool of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the brush bar of FIG. 4;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a top view of the brush bar of FIG. 4;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a section taken along line A-A illustrated in FIG.
3 when the floor tool is located on a carpeted floor surface;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a section taken along line A-A illustrated in FIG.
3 when the floor tool is located on a hard floor surface;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified version of the
brush bar of FIG. 4; and
[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative brush bar
for use with the floor tool of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] With reference first to FIGS. 1 to 3, a floor tool 10
comprises a cleaner head 12 rotatably attached to a coupling 14.
The free end of the coupling 14 is attachable to a wand, hose or
other such duct of a cleaning appliance (not shown). The cleaner
head 12 comprises a housing 16 and a lower plate, or sole plate 18,
comprising a suction opening 20 through which a dirt-bearing fluid
flow enters the cleaner head 12. The housing 16 defines a suction
passage extending from the suction opening 20 to an outlet duct 22
located at the rear of the housing 16. The housing 16 preferably
comprises a front bumper 23. The sole plate 18 comprises a
plurality of support members 24 in the form of rolling elements
mounted within recessed portions of the sole plate 18 for
supporting the cleaner head 12 on a floor surface. With reference
to FIGS. 7 and 8, the support members 24 are preferably arranged to
support the sole plate 18 above the floor surface when the cleaner
head 12 is located on a hard floor surface 66, and, when the
cleaner head 12 is located on a carpeted floor surface 64, to sink
into the pile of the carpet to enable the bottom surface of the
sole plate 18 to engage the fibers of the carpet. The sole plate 18
is preferably pivotable relative to the housing 16 to allow the
sole plate 18 to ride smoothly over the carpeted floor surface 64
during cleaning.
[0035] The coupling 14 comprises a conduit 26 supported by a pair
of wheels 28, 30. The conduit 26 comprises a forward portion 32
connected to the outlet duct 22, a rearward portion 34 pivotably
connected to the forward portion 32 and connectable to a wand, hose
or other such duct of a cleaning appliance which comprises dirt and
dust separating apparatus and a motor-driven fan unit for drawing
dirt-bearing air through the suction opening 20 from the floor
surface. A flexible hose 36 is held within and extends between the
forward and the rearward portions 32, 34 of the conduit 26.
[0036] The cleaner head 12 comprises agitating apparatus for
agitating dirt and dust located on the floor surface. In this
example the agitating apparatus comprises a rotatable brush bar 40
which is mounted within a brush bar chamber 42 of the housing 16.
The brush bar chamber 42 is partially defined by a generally
semi-cylindrical portion 43 of the housing 16, which is preferably
formed from transparent material. The brush bar 40 is driven by a
motor (not shown) located in a motor housing 44 of the housing 16.
The motor is electrically connected to a terminal located in the
rearward portion 34 of the conduit 26 for connection with a
conformingly profiled terminal located in a duct of the cleaning
appliance to enable electrical power to be supplied to the
motor.
[0037] The brush bar 40 is connected to the motor by a drive
mechanism located, at least in part, within a drive mechanism
housing 46 so that the drive mechanism is isolated from the air
passing through the suction passage. One end of the brush bar 40 is
connected to the drive mechanism to enable the brush bar 40 to be
driven by the motor, whereas the other end of the brush bar 40 is
rotatably supported by an end cap 48 mounted on a side wall of the
brush bar chamber 42.
[0038] The brush bar 40 is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 4 to
6. The brush bar 40 comprises an elongate body 50 bearing two
different types of agitating means for agitating dirt and dust from
the floor surface as the brush bar 40 is rotated by the motor. Each
of the different types of agitating means protrudes from the
suction opening 20 in the sole plate 18 as the brush bar 40 is
rotated by the motor. A spindle 51 is mounted on one end of the
body 50, with the spindle 51 being in turn connected to the end cap
48.
[0039] A first agitating means mounted on the body 50 of the brush
bar 40 comprises relatively short, preferably relatively stiff,
bristles 52. These bristles 52 are preferably formed from nylon. In
this embodiment the relatively short bristles 52 are arranged in
two angularly spaced, helical rows extending along the body 50.
Within each row, the relatively short bristles 52 are arranged in a
series of clusters or tufts 53 regularly spaced along the row. Each
tuft 53 preferably comprises around 100 to 150 bristles, with each
tuft 53 having a diameter in the range from 2 to 4 mm. The diameter
of each bristle 52 is preferably in the range from 100 to 200
.mu.m. The length of the relatively short bristles 52 is chosen so
that, when the floor tool 50 is assembled, the tips of these
bristles 52 do not protrude beneath a plane extending between the
lowermost extremities of the support members 24 during rotation of
the brush bar 40.
[0040] A second agitating means mounted on the body 50 of the brush
bar 40 comprises relatively long, preferably relatively soft,
bristles 54. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the relatively long bristles
54 protrude radially outwardly from the body 50 beyond the
relatively short bristles 52. During rotation of the body 50, the
relatively short bristles 52 sweep a cylindrical volume having a
diameter D1, whereas the relatively long bristles 54 sweep a
cylindrical volume having a diameter D2 which is greater than D1.
The difference between D1 and D2 is preferably in the range from 1
to 10 mm, more preferably in the range from 2 to 6 mm. In contrast
to the relatively short bristles 52, the length of the relatively
long bristles 54 is chosen so that the relatively long bristles 54
protrude beyond the plane extending between the lowermost
extremities of the support members 24 during rotation of the brush
bar 40.
[0041] The relatively long bristles 54 are formed from material
having a lower surface resistivity than the material from which the
relatively short bristles 52 are formed. The surface resistivity of
the relatively long bristles 54 is preferably in the range from
1.times.10.sup.-5 to 1.times.10.sup.12 .OMEGA./sq. In comparison,
the surface resistivity of the relatively short bristles 52 is
preferably higher than 1.times.10.sup.12 .OMEGA./sq. The relatively
long bristles 54 may be formed from electrically conductive
material. The bristles may be formed from metallic, graphite,
conductive acrylic or other composite material, but in this example
the relatively long bristles 54 comprise carbon fiber bristles. The
diameter of each bristle 54 is preferably in the range from 5 to 20
.mu.m.
[0042] The body 50 comprises a plurality of angularly spaced,
continuous rows of the relatively long bristles 54, which
preferably also extend helically along the body 50. In this
embodiment the body 50 comprises four continuous rows of the
relatively long bristles 54, with each row being angularly spaced
from a row of tufts 53 formed from the relatively short bristles
52. Each row of the relatively long bristles 54 preferably contains
in the range from 20 to 100 bristles per mm length, and has a
thickness in the range from 0.25 to 2 mm.
[0043] With particular reference to FIG. 4, in this embodiment
adjacent rows of the relatively long bristles 54 are formed from a
single strip 56 of bristles. Each strip 56 is preferably formed by
attaching an elongate, generally rectangular flexible carrier
member to a row of bristles so that each row of bristles 54
protrudes outwardly from a respective long side edge of the carrier
member. The carrier member may be attached to the row of bristles
by stitching or by using an adhesive. Each strip 56 is then located
within a respective helical groove 58 formed in the body 50 so that
the ends of the bristles protrude outwardly from the body 50. The
strips 56 are connected to the body 50 by helical connectors 60
which are mounted on the strips 56 and connected to the body 50
using screws 62 into apertures formed in the connectors 60. The
screws 62 may be pushed through the carrier member, or inserted
through apertures formed in the carrier member. An adhesive tape
may be applied to at least one side of each carrier member to allow
the strips 56 to be aligned within the grooves 58 so that the ends
of the bristles protrude from the body 50 by a regular amount along
the length of the body 50.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 7, when the cleaner head 12 is
located on a carpeted floor surface 64 the support members 24 sink
into the pile of the carpet so that the bottom surface of the sole
plate 18 engages the fibers of the carpet. As both the relatively
short bristles 52 and the relatively long bristles 54 protrude from
the suction opening 20 as the brush bar 40 rotates, both the
different types of bristles are able to agitate dirt and dust from
the floor surface. When an air flow is generated through the
suction passage of the cleaner head 12, this dirt and dust becomes
entrained within the air flow and is conveyed through the floor
tool 10 to the cleaning appliance.
[0045] When the cleaner head 12 is moved from the carpeted floor
surface 64 on to a hard floor surface 66, as illustrated in FIG. 8,
the sole plate 18 becomes spaced from the hard floor surface 66. As
the tips of the relatively short bristles 52 do not protrude
beneath the plane extending between the lowermost extremities of
the support members 24, these bristles do not come into contact
with the hard floor surface 66, thereby preventing scratching or
other marking of the hard floor surface 66 by these bristles.
However, as the relatively long bristles 54 protrude beyond this
plane, these bristles engage, and are swept across, the hard floor
surface 66 with rotation of the brush bar 40. Due to the relatively
low surface resistivity of the relatively long bristles 54, any
static electricity residing on the hard floor surface 66 is
discharged upon contact with the relatively long bristles 54,
thereby enabling fine dust and powder which would otherwise be
attracted to the hard floor surface 66 to be dislodged from the
floor surface by these bristles and entrained within the air
flow.
[0046] The invention is not limited to the detailed description
given above. Variations will be apparent to the person skilled in
the art.
[0047] For example, in the embodiment described above, the cleaner
head 12 includes a brush bar 40 that is driven by a motor. However,
the cleaner head 12 may include alternative means for agitating or
otherwise working a surface to be cleaned. By way of example, the
brush bar 40 may be driven by an air turbine rather than a
motor.
[0048] The relatively short bristles 52 may be formed from similar
material as the relatively long bristles 54 in order to discharge
any static material residing on a carpeted floor surface, and so
may also have a surface resistivity in the range from
1.times.10.sup.-5 to 1.times.10.sup.12 .OMEGA./sq.
[0049] Each strip 56 may be modified so that the bristles protrude
from only one of the relatively long side edges of the carrier
member. Thus, each strip 56 may be in the form of a brush, with
bristles extending outwardly from only one side of the brush. A
modified version of the brush bar 40', in which each strip 56 has
been modified as discussed above, is illustrated in FIG. 9. This
modification of the strips 56 results in the bristles 54 protruding
outwardly from one side only of each connecting member 60.
Consequently, this brush bar 40' contains only two continuous rows
of relatively long bristles 54, with the rows of tufts 53 and the
rows of relatively long bristles 54 being alternately arranged
about the body 50 of the brush bar 40'. As with the brush bar 40,
the relatively long bristles 54 protrude radially outwardly from
the body 50 beyond the relatively short bristles 52.
[0050] The different types of bristles 52, 54 need not be spaced
apart. The brush bar 40 may comprise a plurality of rows, clumps or
tufts of bristles, with each row, clump or tuft comprising both
types of bristles. For example, relatively short bristles 52 may be
dispersed within each row of relatively long bristles 54.
Alternatively, relatively long bristles 54 may be dispersed within
each tuft 53 of relatively short bristles 52.
[0051] The agitating means may take forms other than bristles, such
as flexible or rigid strips of material mounted on the body 50, or
filaments sewn into a backing material connected to the body
50.
[0052] In the event that the floor tool 10 is not to be used on a
carpeted surface, the relatively short bristles 52 may be dispensed
with so that the brush bar 40 comprises only electrically
conductive agitating members. Consequently, the brush bar 40 may
comprise solely the continuous rows of surface agitating members
defined by the relatively long bristles 54 illustrated in FIGS. 2
to 8. Alternatively, the brush bar 40 may comprise a different
arrangement of surface agitating members for discharging static
electricity residing on a floor surface.
[0053] For example, with reference to FIG. 10 an alternative brush
bar 80 for use in the floor tool 10 comprises a rotatable body 82
having an outer surface comprising an electrically conductive pile
84. In this example, the pile 84 is similar to the raised or fluffy
surface of a carpet, rug or cloth, and comprises filaments woven on
to a fabric carrier member 86 attached to the body 82, for example
using an adhesive. The length of the filaments of the pile 84 is
preferably in the range from 4 to 15 mm, and the filaments have a
diameter which is preferably in the range from 5 to 20 .mu.m.
[0054] These filaments are preferably formed from carbon fibers,
but alternatively they may be formed from metallic material,
conductive acrylic material or other composite material.
Consequently, the surface resistivity of the filaments of the pile
84 is preferably in the range from 1.times.10.sup.-5 to
1.times.10.sup.12 .mu./sq. The fabric carrier member may be in the
form of a strip wound on to the body 82 so that the pile 84 is
substantially continuous, substantially covering the outer surface
of the body 82. Alternatively, the carrier member may be in the
form of a cylindrical sleeve into which the body 82 is
inserted.
[0055] If so desired, clumps of relatively stiff bristles may be
dispersed within the pile 84. Alternatively, a strip of the pile 84
may be wound around one or more helical rows of relatively stiff
bristles previously attached to the body 82. These bristles may be
similar to the relatively short bristles 52 of the brush bar 40,
and so may be arranged so as to not protrude radially outwardly
beyond the filaments of the pile 84.
* * * * *