U.S. patent application number 14/391848 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-07 for vacuum cleaner head including insufflation and pulling fans.
This patent application is currently assigned to UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY. The applicant listed for this patent is UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to Saleh Abdullah Saleh AL SALAMEH.
Application Number | 20160095486 14/391848 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55629474 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160095486 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AL SALAMEH; Saleh Abdullah
Saleh |
April 7, 2016 |
VACUUM CLEANER HEAD INCLUDING INSUFFLATION AND PULLING FANS
Abstract
Embodiments include a vacuum head portion and a combined suction
and blowing mechanism configured to agitate and remove debris. A
set of powered fans provide an external pressured air source to
provide pressured air for the blowing mechanism. The vacuum head
portion may include blowing and suction nozzles arranged with the
blowing nozzles flanking the suction nozzles. The set of powered
fans may be driven an electric motor or via air turbines disposed
in an air stream of the suction nozzles. The blowing nozzles may be
in parallel rows adjacent to the suction nozzles. The blowing
mechanism may be operated to act as a suction device by reversing
the rotational direction of the set of powered fans via a switching
mechanism to create a negative pressure or suction to assist the
suction nozzles. The vacuum head portion may be formed as a
removable detachment to the vacuum cleaner.
Inventors: |
AL SALAMEH; Saleh Abdullah
Saleh; (Al Rass, SA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY |
Makkah |
|
SA |
|
|
Assignee: |
UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY
Makkah
SA
|
Family ID: |
55629474 |
Appl. No.: |
14/391848 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
October 3, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2014/002033 |
371 Date: |
October 10, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/319 ;
15/345 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/08 20130101; A47L
9/2857 20130101; A47L 9/2847 20130101; A47L 9/2842 20130101; A47L
9/2821 20130101; A47L 9/04 20130101; A47L 5/14 20130101; A47L 5/30
20130101; A47L 9/0477 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/28 20060101
A47L009/28; A47L 9/04 20060101 A47L009/04; A47L 5/30 20060101
A47L005/30 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a housing including a suction portion
having a suction source connected to a motor connected to a power
source; a suction pipe connected to the housing and the suction
portion; a head portion connected to the suction hose via an inlet
opening; and a set of rotating fans connected to a drive mechanism
and disposed in the head portion, wherein the set of rotating fans
is further disposed adjacent to the inlet opening, and the set of
rotating fans are configured to synchronously push or pull air to
or from a surface to be cleaned when the suction portion is in
operation.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a roller
mechanism disposed in the head portion, wherein the roller
mechanism is attached to an arm holder having an area slip
configured for translational motion of the roller mechanism,
wherein the arm holder is attached to an electric switch having
electric contacts separated by at least one compression spring, the
electric switch is configured to turn on the set of rotating fans
based on pressure applied to the head portion and the at least one
compression spring.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism
includes at least one turbine disposed in an air stream of the
inlet opening and configured to rotate the set of rotating fans via
a rotational axis arm in communication with a rotational arm of the
set of rotating fans.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one
turbine is further disposed adjacent a wall of the suction pipe and
the at least one turbine has an axis of rotation orthogonal to an
axis of rotation of the set of rotating fans.
5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one
turbine is further disposed in parallel to the set of rotating fans
and parallel to the air stream, where the at least one turbine
includes a horizontally aligned axis arm in rotational
communication with the set of rotating fans.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: at least
one roller brush disposed in the head portion adjacent the inlet
opening, wherein the at least one roller brush being configured to
rotate in a direction toward the inlet opening.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotational
direction of the set of rotating fans is configured to be
reversible via an electric switch spaced apart from the head
portion.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rotational
direction of the set of rotating fans is configured to be
reversible based on a predetermined amount of pressure applied to
the roller mechanism upon contact with the surface to be
cleaned.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an air
duct disposed adjacent to the set of rotating fans; and at least
one valve disposed at a distal end within the air duct and adjacent
to the set of rotating fans, wherein the at least one valve is
configured to direct air flow during synchronous pulling or pushing
air via the set of rotating fans and the suction source.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rotational speed
of the set of rotating fans is configured to change based on a
predetermined amount of pressure applied to the roller mechanism
upon contact with the surface to be cleaned.
11. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electric switch
is further configured to trigger opening and closing of a set of
shutters configured to either allow an airstream from the set of
fans when opened or to block the airstream from the set of fans
when closed.
12. An apparatus, comprising: a base; a head portion connected to
the base via a suction pipe; a suction inlet in the head portion;
and a set of rotating fans connected to a drive mechanism and
disposed in the head portion adjacent to the suction inlet, wherein
the set of rotating fans are configured to synchronously push or
pull air to or from a surface to be cleaned.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a
roller mechanism disposed in the head portion, wherein the roller
mechanism is attached to an arm holder having an area slip
configured for translational motion of the roller mechanism,
wherein the arm holder is attached to an electric switch having
electric contacts separated by at least one compression spring, the
electric switch is configured to turn on the set of rotating fans
based on pressure applied to the head portion and the at least one
compression spring.
14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the drive
mechanism includes at least one turbine disposed in an air stream
of the suction inlet and configured to rotate the set of rotating
fans via a rotational axis arm in communication with a rotational
arm of the set of rotating fans.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the at least one
turbine is further disposed adjacent a wall of the suction pipe and
the at least one turbine has an axis of rotation orthogonal to an
axis of rotation of the set of rotating fans.
16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the at least one
turbine is further disposed in parallel to the set of rotating fans
and parallel to the air stream, where the at least one turbine
includes a horizontally aligned axis arm in rotational
communication with the set of rotating fans.
17. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: at
least one roller brush disposed in the head portion adjacent the
inlet opening, wherein the at least one roller brush being
configured to rotate in a direction toward the suction inlet.
18. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the rotational
direction of the set of rotating fans is configured to be
reversible via an electric switch spaced apart from the head
portion.
19. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the rotational
direction of the set of rotating fans are configured to be
reversible based on the amount of pressure applied to the roller
mechanism at the surface to be cleaned.
20. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: an air
duct disposed adjacent to the set of rotating fans; and at least
one valve disposed at a distal end within the air duct and adjacent
to the set of rotating fans, wherein the at least one valve is
configured to direct air flow during synchronous pulling or pushing
air via the set of rotating fans and the suction inlet.
21. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a rotational speed
of the set of rotating fans is configured to change based on a
predetermined amount of pressure applied to the roller mechanism
upon contact with the surface to be cleaned.
22. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the electric
switch is further configured to trigger opening and closing of a
set of shutters configured to either allow an airstream from the
set of fans when opened or to block the airstream from the set of
fans when closed.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The "background" description provided herein is for the
purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work
of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in
this background section, as well as aspects of the description
which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing,
are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against
the present invention.
[0002] A conventional vacuum cleaner may include a head portion
that is in contact with a surface to be cleaned, a tube or flexible
hose or a combination thereof to connect the head portion to a main
body, and an air suction mechanism housed in the main body. When
the suction mechanism is switched on, the tube provides a suction
flow path from the head portion to the main body, so dirt, dust and
other debris may be removed from the surface to be cleaned. The
main body typically includes a dirt bag or other container to
collect the debris.
[0003] The suction mechanism in the main body is conventionally
generated by an electric motor driving a fan. A suction flow path
connects the low pressure side of the fan to the head portion.
Conventionally, an exhaust flow path connects the high pressure
side of the fan to a filtered exhaust to establish an exhaust air
flow from the high pressure side of the fan to outside the main
body.
[0004] As similarly above, vacuum cleaners typically use a suction
nozzle that is movable across a surface to be cleaned. The suction
created at an inlet in the nozzle results in the removal of free
dirt particles accumulated on the surface. However, ground in dirt
is frequently encountered when cleaning carpets or other textured
surfaces, and reliance on suction for removal of such ground-in
dirt has proven to be unsatisfactory.
[0005] The head portion of a vacuum cleaner is conventionally
equipped with a mechanical agitator, mimicking a sweeping function.
The agitator may be in the form of a stationary brush or a rotating
brush which rolls as the head portion is moved against the cleaning
surface. Alternatively, the brush may be mechanically driven by an
electric motor which is primarily used for the mechanical agitator.
Alternatively, the brush may be mechanically driven by a belt to
connect to the electric motor within the main body which is
primarily used for the suction mechanism.
[0006] The mechanical agitator is sometimes undesirable due to the
nature of the surface to be cleaned. One disadvantage of a
mechanical agitator is damage to the surface being cleaned.
Delicate material or surfaces prohibit the use of a mechanical
brush as it might cause damage to the surface. One remedy may be to
substitute the mechanical agitator with a touchless agitation
mechanism such as a sonic agitator which relies on fluctuation in
air flow through the nozzle opening to dislodge dirt particles.
Although sonic agitators avoid physical damage to a carpet often
caused by mechanical agitators, they are not as effective in
dislodging dirt on the surface of a carpet pile. At the same time,
mechanical agitators are not as effective in removing particles
embedded deeply in the carpet pile. Also, mechanical agitators tend
to push dirt particles down into the carpet, thereby making it more
difficult to effectively clean the carpet.
SUMMARY
[0007] Another remedy may be to instead use a touchless agitator
where the debris is agitated by a pressured air flow blown to the
surface to be cleaned. This option also provides for better dusting
when the surface to be cleaned has hard to reach dusty grooves, an
example of which is a keyboard. The touchless agitation mechanism
may also be used in conjunction with the conventional mechanical
agitator for improved debris removal.
[0008] To provide the pressured air flow for the touchless
agitation mechanism, the touchless agitation mechanism may be
provided by a separate motor or drive mechanism driving a fan,
wherein a blowing flow path connects the high pressure side of the
fan to the head portion.
[0009] Embodiments include an apparatus, which includes a housing
including a suction portion having a suction source connected to a
motor connected to a power source; a suction pipe connected to the
housing and the vacuum suction portion; a head portion connected to
the suction hose via an inlet opening; and a set of rotating fans
connected to a drive mechanism and disposed in the head portion.
The set of rotating fans is further disposed adjacent to the inlet
opening, and the set of rotating fans are configured to
synchronously push or pull air to or from a surface to be cleaned
when the vacuum suction portion is in operation.
[0010] Embodiments also include an apparatus, which includes a
base; a head portion connected to the base via a suction pipe; a
suction inlet in the head portion; and a set of rotating fans
connected to a drive mechanism and disposed in the head portion
adjacent to the suction inlet. The set of rotating fans are
configured to synchronously push or pull air to or from a surface
to be cleaned.
[0011] The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of
general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of
the following claims. The described embodiments, together with
further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of
the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the
same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of a head portion of a vacuum
cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrative views of a roller-activated
switch according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of a vacuum cleaner having a
plug-in head portion according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrative views a vacuum cleaner
having a battery-powered head portion according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of a head portion of a vacuum
cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIGS. 6A to 6D are illustrative views of a head portion
having shutters of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an illustrative view of a head portion of a vacuum
cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIGS. 8A and 8B are illustrative views of a head portion of
a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrative views of a head portion of
a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of a head portion of a
vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views.
[0024] FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of a head portion 100 of a
vacuum cleaner. FIG. 1 shows head portion 100 including roller
mechanism 105, a set of rotating powered fans 110, vacuum inlet
115, and suction pipe or hose 120. In certain embodiments, the set
of rotating powered fans 110 are adjacent to and flank the vacuum
inlet 115 although the rotating fans 110 could be located above or
below the vacuum inlet 115 or elsewhere on the head portion 100. In
certain embodiments, roller mechanism 105 may be configured to be
operable as a switch or control mechanism which synchronously
operates or turns on both fans 110 and a suction device (as shown
in FIG. 3 at 320) simultaneously. For example, roller mechanism 105
may be electrically coupled to both the fans 110 and the suction
device 320 to operate as a mutual switch, thereby causing suction
and insufflation to be synched.
[0025] Further, roller mechanism 105 may be configured to act as a
pressure-sensitive switch in which a predetermined amount of
pressure will cause both fans 110 and the suction device to operate
at the same time, as discussed above. In some embodiments, roller
mechanism 105 may be configured to also change the speed of fans
110 when a predetermined amount of pressure is placed upon roller
mechanism 105. For example, if an operator wishes or needs
increased agitation of the surface to be cleaned, then by
increasing pressure applied towards head portion 100 may affect an
increase in insufflation (blowing) by fans 110.
[0026] Further, fans 110 may be configured with a reversible motor
(not shown) for insufflation or blowing of air towards a surface to
be cleaned thereby effecting a more efficient cleaning of the
surface.
[0027] In some embodiments, head portion 100 may be configured as a
removable detachment from suction hose 120 for cleaning purposes or
the like.
[0028] FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrative views of a roller-activated
pressure switch 200 of roller mechanism 105. In some embodiments,
roller-activated switch 200 may be configured to control and/or
activate fans 110. In certain embodiments, switch 200 may be
configured to control the rotational speed and/or direction of fans
110 via a reversible motor (not shown). In addition, in certain
embodiments, the rotational direction of fans 110 may be controlled
via a separate switch or control (as shown in FIG. 5 at 525)
disposed on or near the handle of the vacuum cleaner within easy
reach of an operator. Further, in certain embodiments, the
rotational speed may be directly or indirectly proportional to the
amount of pressure placed on roller mechanism 105.
[0029] The high pressure side of fans 110 may be changed by
changing the rotational direction of fans 110, thus effecting
whether an operator wishes to blow/push air or suction/pull air
near the surface to be cleaned.
[0030] FIG. 2A shows roller mechanism 105 configured in a pressure
switch arrangement including springs 205 disposed between poles of
the switch 200, an arm holder 215 of the roller 105, where the
holder 215 includes an area slip 220 which allows roller axle 225
to freely move in translation therein when pressure is applied. In
FIG. 2A, roller mechanism 105 and switch 200 are shown in a
position spaced-apart from the surface 230 to be cleaned and
therefore switch 200 is in an open position at electrical contacts
210. FIG. 2B shows roller mechanism 105 in a position in contact
with the surface 230 to be cleaned and therefore switch 200 is in a
closed position at electrical contacts 210.
[0031] Alternatively, embodiments of the invention are not limited
to the pressure switch arrangement shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and may
be a combination of elements which come into contact with the
surface to be cleaned in order to activate fans 110 without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of a vacuum cleaner 300
having a plug-in head portion 305. In some embodiments, vacuum
cleaner 300 may include a plug-in head portion 305 connected to a
hose handle 310. Handle 310 may be connected to a suction hose 315
connected to a suction device 320. Suction device 320 may be
electrically wired (at 325) to a power source (not shown). Head
portion 305 may include an electrical contact 330 electrically
wired (at 335) to the same or another power source (not shown)
configured to power fans 110.
[0033] Alternatively, FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrative views of a
vacuum cleaner 400 having a battery-powered head portion 405. In
some embodiments, vacuum cleaner 400 may include a battery-powered
head portion 405 connected to a hose handle 410. Handle 410 may be
connected to a suction hose 415 connected to a suction device 420.
Suction device 420 may be electrically wired (at 425) to a power
source (not shown), such as a standard electrical outlet. Referring
to FIG. 4B, head portion 405 may include an internal rechargeable
battery power source 430 configured to power fans 110. Head portion
405 may be configured such that battery power source 430 is fixed
or removable for easy replacement when needed. Battery power source
430 may be configured to be chargeable from electrical wire 425
when plugged into a power source (not shown), such as a standard
electrical outlet or via a separate electrical wire and plug-in
arrangement, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art.
[0034] Alternatively, in some embodiments, fans 110 may be
incorporated into either vacuum cleaner 300 or vacuum cleaner 400
such that fans 110 are directly powered by the vacuum cleaner (300,
400) itself via wires (325, 425).
[0035] FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of a head portion 500 for a
vacuum cleaner. In certain embodiments, head portion 500 may
include separate air ducts 505, 510 in communication with fans 110
to a main air duct 515. Air ducts 505, 510 may be configured to
allow for the pulled (suction) air to enter a vacuum cleaner debris
container (not shown). Further, air ducts 505, 510 may be
configured to include air flow valve control elements 520 disposed
at or near fans 110 configured to control the direction of air flow
either to main air duct 515 in the case of pulling (suction) air
via fans 110 or from outside air in the case of insufflation
(blowing) of air via fans 110. Air flow valve control elements 520
may be configured to open in the case of pulling air via fans 110
and thereby allowing air to flow towards main air duct 515.
Further, air flow valve control elements 520 may be configured to
close in the case of blowing air via fans 110 and thereby
preventing air to flow from main air duct 515. In addition, air
flow valve control elements 520 may include an outside air vent
(not shown) to provide fresh air in the case of the blowing air
fans 110. Switch 525 may be disposed at a distal end of main air
duct 515 proximal an operator and switch 525 may be configured to
control whether fans 110 are pulling (suction) or performing
insufflation (blowing) by reversing the rotational direction of
fans 110.
[0036] FIGS. 6A to 6D are illustrative views of a head portion 600
of a vacuum cleaner including roller mechanism 605, fans 610, and
fan shutters 615. Head portion 600 further includes a suction inlet
620 and a suction hose 625. In some embodiments, in the instance of
the roller mechanism 605, disposed in head portion 600, comes into
contact with or engages a surface, such as a floor or carpet,
shutters 615 may be configured to open, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B
to allow fans 610 to perform in a manner as described above with
regard to FIGS. 2A and 2B. For example, a spring-loaded switch
mechanism (as similarly shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) may be coupled to
roller mechanism 605 to operably cause shutters 615 to open when
roller mechanism 605 contacts or engages a surface, thereby
allowing an airstream from fans 610. In the instance of the roller
mechanism 605 lifting from or disengaging a surface, shutters 615
may be configured to close, thereby blocking the airstream from
fans 610, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D. For example, when roller
mechanism 605 disengages the surface, the spring-loaded switch
mechanism (as similarly shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) may be configured
to cause shutters 615 to close, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D.
[0037] Shutters 615 may provide the advantages of preventing any
possible upheaval of dust or debris via blowing fans 610 by closing
off the air stream from blowing fans 610 when removing head portion
600 from a surface. Further, shutters 615 may also provide some
safety advantages by limiting access to the rotating fans 610 when
not in a normal operation position parallel to a surface to be
cleaned. This may even be an advantage when the fans 610 are
powering down but still in rotation.
[0038] FIG. 7 is an illustrative view of a head portion 700 of a
vacuum cleaner showing fans 705, turbines 710, axis arms 715,
suction hose 720, fan duct 725, suction inlet 730, and housing
portion 735. In FIG. 7, turbines 710 take advantage of the suction
airflow of the vacuum cleaner to use the air stream to power fans
705. For example, turbines 710 may be operably connected to fans
705 via axis arms 715, so that the rotation of turbines 710 leads
to the rotation of axis arms 715, which in turn rotate fans 705 to
initiate the insufflation process. Further, turbines 710 may be
disposed adjacent to the walls of housing portion 735 to prevent
impeding airflow to suction hose 720 and turbines 710 and have an
axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation of fans 705.
In addition, the use of the suction airflow to power fans 705 via
turbines 710 may lead to overall power savings. Thus, there may be
a reduced need or no need at all to power fans 705 disposed in head
portion 700 by other means, such as, the wired electrical power
configuration or battery powered configuration, discussed
above.
[0039] FIGS. 8A and 8B are an illustrative view of a head portion
800 of a vacuum cleaner showing fans 805, turbine mechanism 810
which may include turbine blades 812, axis arms and gears (807,
809, 814, 815), suction hose 820, fan duct 825, suction inlet 830,
and housing portion 835. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, turbine blades 812
take advantage of the suction airflow of the vacuum cleaner to use
the air stream to power fans 805. For instance, turbine blades 812
may be operably connected to fans 805 via axis arms 807, 809, 814,
815, so that the rotation of turbine blades 812 leads to the
rotation of axis arms 807, 809, 814, 815, which in turn rotate fans
805 to initiate the insufflation process. Further, turbine
mechanism 810 may be disposed adjacent to the walls of housing
portion 835 to prevent impeding airflow to suction hose 820 and
turbine blades 812 have an axis of rotation perpendicular or
orthogonal to the axis of rotation of fans 805. In addition, the
use of the suction airflow to power fans 805 via turbine blades 812
may lead to overall power savings. Thus, there may be a reduced
need or no need at all to power fans 805 disposed in head portion
800 by other means, such as, the wired electrical power
configuration or battery powered configuration, discussed
above.
[0040] FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrative views of a head portion 900
of a vacuum cleaner showing fans 905, turbine mechanism 910 which
may include turbine blades 909, axis arms and gear couplings (907,
911, 913), suction hose 920, fan duct 925, suction inlet 930, and
housing portion 935. In FIG. 9B, gear couplings and axis arms 907
and 913 may be configured to align with a rotational axis of fans
905 and turbine blades 909, respectively. Further, axis arm 911 may
be configured to horizontally align in rotational communication
with fans 905 via turbine blades 909. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, turbine
blades 909 takes advantage of the suction airflow of the vacuum
cleaner to use the air stream to power fans 905. In other words,
turbine mechanism 910 may include a plurality of separate turbine
blades 909 configured to rotate when a suction airflow occurs
within housing portion 935, and turbines blades 909 may be coupled
to fans 905. For example, turbine mechanism 910 may be operably
connected to fans 905 via axis arms 907, 911, 913, so that the
rotation of turbine blades 909 leads to the rotation of axis arms
907, 911, 913 which in turn rotate fans 905 to initiate the
insufflation process. Further, turbine blades 909 may be disposed
in parallel with respect to fans 905 and horizontally with respect
to the air stream of the vacuum cleaner. In addition, turbine
blades 909 may further be disposed slightly to the air stream to
prevent impeding airflow to suction hose 920.
[0041] FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of a head portion 1000 of a
vacuum cleaner showing fans 1005, forward rotational brushes 1010,
rearward rotational brushes 1015, suction hose 1020, fan duct 1025,
suction inlet 1030, and housing portion 1035. In FIG. 10, forward
rotational brushes 1010 are configured to rotate towards suction
inlet 1030 and rearward rotational brushes 1015 are also configured
to rotate towards suction inlet 1030. Thus, forward rotational
brushes 1010 and rearward rotational brushes 1015 rotate in
opposing directions towards suction inlet 1030 to assist in
sweeping a surface and pushing air with dust or debris towards
suction inlet 1030 and thereby into the vacuum cleaner to be
inhaled or suctioned by the air stream.
[0042] Brushes 1010 and 1015 may be driven by a conventional drive
mechanism (not shown) or by other driving means, for example,
brushes 1010 and 1015 may be configured to be coupled to wheels
105, 605, for example, to provide the proper rotational direction
of brushes 1010 and 1015, that is, forward rotational brushes 1010
and rearward rotational brushes 1015, rotate in opposing directions
towards suction inlet 1030 to assist in sweeping a surface and
pushing air with dust or debris towards suction inlet 1030. In
other words, when wheels 105, 605 rotate, then in turn brushes 1010
and 1015 rotate as well. Alternatively, brushes 110 and 1015 may be
configured to be coupled to drive belts, for example, to provide
the rotation, as discussed above.
[0043] Thus, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes
merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As will be
understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may
be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the
spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the
disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative,
but not limiting of the scope of the invention, as well as other
claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants
of the teachings herein, define, in part, the scope of the
foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter
is dedicated to the public.
[0044] The above disclosure also encompasses the embodiments noted
below.
[0045] (1) An apparatus, comprising: a housing including a suction
portion having a suction source connected to a motor connected to a
power source; a suction pipe connected to the housing and the
suction portion; a head portion connected to the suction hose via
an inlet opening; and a set of rotating fans connected to a drive
mechanism and disposed in the head portion, wherein the set of
rotating fans is further disposed adjacent to the inlet opening,
and the set of rotating fans are configured to synchronously push
or pull air to or from a surface to be cleaned when the suction
portion is in operation.
[0046] (2) The apparatus according to (1), further comprising: a
roller mechanism disposed in the head portion, wherein the roller
mechanism is attached to an arm holder having an area slip
configured for translational motion of the roller mechanism,
wherein the arm holder is attached to an electric switch having
electric contacts separated by at least one compression spring, the
electric switch is configured to turn on the set of rotating fans
based on pressure applied to the head portion and the at least one
compression spring.
[0047] (3) The apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the drive
mechanism includes at least one turbine disposed in an air stream
of the inlet opening and configured to rotate the set of rotating
fans via a rotational axis arm in communication with a rotational
arm of the set of rotating fans.
[0048] (4) The apparatus according to (1) to (3), wherein the at
least one turbine is further disposed adjacent a wall of the
suction pipe and the at least one turbine has an axis of rotation
orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the set of rotating fans.
[0049] (5) The apparatus according to (1) to (4), wherein the at
least one turbine is further disposed in parallel to the set of
rotating fans and parallel to the air stream, where the at least
one turbine includes a horizontally aligned axis arm in rotational
communication with the set of rotating fans.
[0050] (6) The apparatus according to (1) to (5), further
comprising: at least one roller brush disposed in the head portion
adjacent the inlet opening, wherein the at least one roller brush
being configured to rotate in a direction toward the inlet
opening.
[0051] (7) The apparatus according to (1) to (6), wherein the
rotational direction of the set of rotating fans is configured to
be reversible via an electric switch spaced apart from the head
portion.
[0052] (8) The apparatus according to (1) to (7), wherein a
rotational direction of the set of rotating fans is configured to
be reversible based on a predetermined amount of pressure applied
to the roller mechanism upon contact with the surface to be
cleaned.
[0053] (9) The apparatus according to (1) to (8), further
comprising: an air duct disposed adjacent to the set of rotating
fans; and at least one valve disposed at a distal end within the
air duct and adjacent to the set of rotating fans, wherein the at
least one valve is configured to direct air flow during synchronous
pulling or pushing air via the set of rotating fans and the suction
source.
[0054] (10) The apparatus according to (1) to (9), wherein a
rotational speed of the set of rotating fans is configured to
change based on a predetermined amount of pressure applied to the
roller mechanism upon contact with the surface to be cleaned.
[0055] (11) The apparatus according to (1) to (10), wherein the
electric switch is further configured to trigger opening and
closing of a set of shutters configured to either allow an
airstream from the set of fans when opened or to block the
airstream from the set of fans when closed.
[0056] (12) An apparatus, comprising: a base; a head portion
connected to the base via a suction pipe; a suction inlet in the
head portion; and a set of rotating fans connected to a drive
mechanism and disposed in the head portion adjacent to the suction
inlet, wherein the set of rotating fans are configured to
synchronously push or pull air to or from a surface to be
cleaned.
[0057] (13) The apparatus according to (12), further comprising: a
roller mechanism disposed in the head portion, wherein the roller
mechanism is attached to an arm holder having an area slip
configured for translational motion of the roller mechanism,
wherein the arm holder is attached to an electric switch having
electric contacts separated by at least one compression spring, the
electric switch is configured to turn on the set of rotating fans
based on pressure applied to the head portion and the at least one
compression spring.
[0058] (14) The apparatus according to (12) or (13), wherein the
drive mechanism includes at least one turbine disposed in an air
stream of the suction inlet and configured to rotate the set of
rotating fans via a rotational axis arm in communication with a
rotational arm of the set of rotating fans.
[0059] (15) The apparatus according to (12) to (14), wherein the at
least one turbine is further disposed adjacent a wall of the
suction pipe and the at least one turbine has an axis of rotation
orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the set of rotating fans.
[0060] (16) The apparatus according to (12) to (15), wherein the at
least one turbine is further disposed in parallel to the set of
rotating fans and parallel to the air stream, where the at least
one turbine includes a horizontally aligned axis arm in rotational
communication with the set of rotating fans.
[0061] (17) The apparatus according to (12) to (16), further
comprising: at least one roller brush disposed in the head portion
adjacent the inlet opening, wherein the at least one roller brush
being configured to rotate in a direction toward the suction
inlet.
[0062] (18) The apparatus according to (12) to (17), wherein the
rotational direction of the set of rotating fans is configured to
be reversible via an electric switch spaced apart from the head
portion.
[0063] (19) The apparatus according to (12) to (18), wherein the
rotational direction of the set of rotating fans are configured to
be reversible based on the amount of pressure applied to the roller
mechanism at the surface to be cleaned.
[0064] (20) The apparatus according to (12) to (19), further
comprising: an air duct disposed adjacent to the set of rotating
fans; and at least one valve disposed at a distal end within the
air duct and adjacent to the set of rotating fans, wherein the at
least one valve is configured to direct air flow during synchronous
pulling or pushing air via the set of rotating fans and the suction
inlet.
[0065] (21) The apparatus according to (12) to (20), wherein a
rotational speed of the set of rotating fans is configured to
change based on a predetermined amount of pressure applied to the
roller mechanism upon contact with the surface to be cleaned.
[0066] (22) The apparatus according to (12) to (21), wherein the
electric switch is further configured to trigger opening and
closing of a set of shutters configured to either allow an
airstream from the set of fans when opened or to block the
airstream from the set of fans when closed.
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