阅读说明：本技术 清洁器头 (Cleaner head ) 是由 S.盖恩 R.考克斯 M.斯塔布斯 于 2019-01-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于清洁器具的清洁器头,该清洁器头包括:限定抽吸室的壳体；以及底板,该底板限定向下定向的开口,脏物可通过该开口进入抽吸室。清洁器头还包括中空可变形密封件,其从壳体的后部部分延伸,所述中空可变形密封件具有至少等于底板中的开口的宽度的宽度,且具有下部密封表面,其从壳体的后部边缘向下和向后方向延伸以使,在使用中,所述中空可变形密封件被偏压抵靠且符合被清洁的表面,以保持清洁器头和被清洁的表面之间的密封。(A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance, the cleaner head comprising a housing defining a suction chamber; and a floor defining a downwardly directed opening through which dirt may enter the suction chamber. The cleaner head further comprises a hollow deformable seal extending from a rear portion of the housing, the hollow deformable seal having a width at least equal to the width of the opening in the sole plate and having a lower sealing surface extending in a downward and rearward direction from a rear edge of the housing such that, in use, the hollow deformable seal is biased against and conforms to the surface being cleaned to maintain a seal between the cleaner head and the surface being cleaned.)

1. A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance comprising:

a housing defining a suction chamber; and

a floor defining a downwardly directed opening through which dirt enters the suction chamber;

wherein the cleaner head further comprises a hollow deformable seal extending from a rear portion of the housing, the hollow deformable seal having a width at least equal to the width of the opening in the sole plate and having a lower sealing surface extending in a downward and rearward direction from a rear edge of the housing such that, in use, the hollow deformable seal is biased against and conforms to the surface being cleaned to maintain a seal between the cleaner head and the surface being cleaned.

2. A cleaner head according to claim 1, wherein the hollow deformable seal extends across the entire width of the cleaner head.

3. A cleaner head according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hollow deformable seal together with a portion of the housing defines a cavity within the hollow deformable seal.

4. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow deformable seal is formed from an elastomeric material.

5. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a peripheral edge of the hollow deformable seal is mounted to the housing.

6. A cleaner head according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the hollow deformable seal is not secured to the housing to enable air to enter and escape from the hollow deformable seal.

7. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the unbiased position, the lower sealing surface is located at an angle of between 10 ° and 45 ° to the plane defined by the sole plate.

8. A cleaner head according to claim 7, wherein in the unbiased position, the lower sealing surface is located at an angle of between 20 ° and 35 ° to the plane defined by the sole plate.

9. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow deformable seal extends partially around a side portion of the suction opening.

10. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when in use on a floor surface, the lower sealing surface is deformed upwardly by the floor surface and the hollow deformable seal is compressed to reduce the volume of the cavity within the hollow deformable seal.

11. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow deformable seal comprises an inclined surface extending from a rear edge of the lower sealing surface, the inclined surface sloping upwardly and rearwardly.

12. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow deformable seal is formed from Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU).

13. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leading edge of the opening of the sole plate comprises at least one roller.

14. A cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suction chamber houses a brush bar.

15. A vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head according to any one of the preceding claims.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cleaner head, particularly for a vacuum cleaner.

Background

There is a continuing need to improve the pick-up performance of vacuum cleaners. The cleaner head of a vacuum cleaner plays an important role in the level of dust pick-up that can be achieved. There are many ways in which pick-up performance can be improved, the most important of which is to maintain a suitable pressure differential between the inside of the cleaner head and the outside of the cleaner head.

However, when the vacuum cleaner is used, the cleaner head moves across the surface being cleaned in a forward and backward movement, and as the cleaner head moves, it can be partially lifted off the surface in each movement. This has the effect of reducing the pressure differential and thus the pick-up performance. The reduction in pressure differential caused by the cleaner head separating from the surface being cleaned is particularly pronounced if the cleaner head travels over uneven surfaces, such as textured hard surfaces, or floor transitions, such as threshold bars.

Disclosure of Invention

A first aspect of the invention provides a cleaner head for a cleaning appliance, the cleaner head comprising a housing defining a suction chamber; and a floor defining a downwardly directed opening through which dirt may enter the suction chamber. The cleaner head further comprises a hollow deformable seal extending from a rear portion of the housing, the hollow deformable seal having a width at least equal to the width of the opening in the sole plate and having a lower sealing surface extending in a downward and rearward direction from a rear edge of the housing such that, in use, the hollow deformable seal is biased against and conforms to the surface being cleaned to maintain a seal between the cleaner head and the surface being cleaned.

As a result, during use on a floor surface, it is easier to maintain a pressure differential within the suction chamber compared to ambient pressure, particularly if the floor surface is not perfectly flat. This in turn will improve the ability of the cleaner head to remove dirt and dust from the floor surface and the cleaner head can achieve a higher pick-up performance. The term "seal" herein does not mean air impermeable but means that there is a limit to the gap between the cleaner head and the surface being cleaned sufficient to maintain a pressure differential during use.

The hollow deformable seal may extend across the entire width of the cleaner head. This ensures that an adequate seal is maintained across the cleaner head. This is particularly beneficial in cleaner heads where the suction chamber extends across the entire width of the cleaner head.

The hollow deformable seal defines a cavity within the hollow deformable seal with a portion of the housing. As a result, the cavity allows the deformable seal to deform more easily and the seal can better maintain a seal against the ground, particularly if the ground surface is uneven.

The hollow deformable seal may be formed from an elastomeric material. This allows the seal to return to its original position and provide a biasing force against the ground surface without the need for a separate biasing means to press the seal against the ground surface during use.

The peripheral edge of the seal may be mounted to the housing. This allows the seal to be secured to the housing while keeping the seal hollow.

At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the seal is not secured to the housing to enable air to enter and escape from the hollow seal. As a result, air is not trapped by the seal, resulting in an increase in pressure as the seal deforms. Thus, the seal is more easily deformed and is more able to conform to the surface being cleaned as the cleaner head travels across the surface being cleaned and a better seal is achieved between the cleaner head and the surface being cleaned.

In the unbiased position, the lower sealing surface is located at an angle of between 10 ° and 45 ° to the plane defined by the bottom plate, and preferably at an angle of between 20 ° and 35 ° to the plane defined by the bottom plate. This range of lie angles for the rear seal provides a good balance, i.e. provides sufficient downward force to ensure that a good seal is maintained, while reducing the likelihood of the seal lifting the suction opening off the surface being cleaned.

The hollow deformable seal may extend partially around a side portion of the suction opening. Thus, the seal additionally conforms to the floor surface partially around the sides of the suction opening and a better seal with the surface being cleaned is achieved.

When used on a ground surface, the lower sealing surface may be deformed upwardly by the ground surface and the hollow deformable seal may be compressed to reduce the volume of the cavity within the hollow deformable seal. As a result, the deformed seal provides a downward force against the ground surface, and the seal can better conform to the ground surface.

The hollow deformable seal may include a sloped surface extending from a rear edge of the lower sealing surface, the sloped surface sloping upwardly and rearwardly. As a result, the cleaner head travels better over lower objects, such as larger debris, edges of carpet, or transitions between floor types, when moving in a rearward direction, for example, during rearward movement.

The hollow deformable seal may be formed from Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). The front edge of the opening of the bottom plate may comprise at least one roller. The suction chamber may receive a brush bar.

The invention also provides a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head as described above.

Drawings

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a rear perspective view of a cleaning head;

figure 2 shows a bottom view of the cleaner head of figure 1;

figure 3 shows a first cross-section through the cleaner head of figures 1 and 2;

figure 4 shows a second cross-section through the cleaner head of figures 1 and 2;

figure 5 shows a front perspective view of the cleaner head of figures 1 and 2;

figures 6A, 6B and 6C show the cleaner head of figure 5 with a portion removed to reveal the actuating mechanism;

figure 7 shows a bottom view of the cleaner head;

figures 8A and 8B show a large debris channel portion of the cleaner head of figure 7;

FIG. 9 shows an actuatable door for opening and closing the large debris passage of FIGS. 8A and 8B; and

figure 10 shows a vacuum cleaner incorporating the cleaner head shown in the preceding figures.

Detailed Description

Directional terms used herein, such as "front" and "rear", are relative to the direction of forward and rearward movement of the cleaner head in normal use. Similarly, "downwardly" refers to a direction towards the floor surface on which the cleaner head is located in a normal cleaning operation.

Figure 1 shows a cleaner head 1 comprising a head portion 2 and an articulated neck portion 3 rotatably connected to the head portion 2. The head portion 2 comprises a base plate 5 and a housing 4 which defines a suction chamber in which the brush bar is received. A rear seal 6 is located at the rear of the cleaner head so that it extends downwardly and rearwardly from the rear of the housing 4. At the front of the cleaner head 1, a leading edge housing 8 is attached to the housing 4. The front edge housing 8 houses an actuation mechanism, which will be described in more detail later. A removable end cap 9 is provided on one side of the housing 4 to provide access to the brush bar when the end cap 9 is removed. The articulated neck 3 comprises wheels 7 which, during use, support the cleaner head 1 on a surface to be cleaned. The articulated neck 3 further comprises a connecting portion 10 configured to releasably attach the cleaner head 1 to a vacuum cleaner, typically by means of a wand or hose.

Figure 2 shows an underside view of the cleaner head 1. The sole plate 5 defines a downwardly directed opening 11 through which dirt can enter a suction chamber 12 defined by the housing 4. The view of figure 2 shows the brush bar 13 suction chamber housed within the suction chamber 12. The brush bar 13 has a bristle row which extends helically around the length of the brush bar 13. The bristles 14 may include one or more of continuous nylon bristles, tufted nylon bristles, and carbon fiber bristles, or combinations thereof. During use, the brush bar 13 is driven by a motor housed within the brush bar 13 so that dirt and debris is swept by the bristles 14 towards the dirty air outlet through which the dirt and debris exits the suction chamber and passes through the hinged neck 3.

The front edge shell 8 has a ground-facing surface 15 which forms a front portion of the floor panel 5 in front of the downwardly directed opening 11. Two debris channels 16 (sometimes referred to as large debris channels) are provided on the floor-facing surface 15 which allow larger dirt and debris to enter the suction chamber 12 from the front of the cleaner head 1. The debris passage 16 will be described in more detail below. Passive rollers 17 are also provided in the ground-facing surface 15 at the front of the sole plate 5. These passive rollers 17 support the cleaner head 1 when used on a hard floor surface, ensuring that the separation distance between the hard floor surface being cleaned and the sole plate is tightly controlled. The rear seal 6 extends across the entire width of the cleaner head 1 behind the suction opening 11.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the cleaner head 1 at the line a-a shown in figure 2. The brush bar 13 is housed within a suction chamber 12 defined by the housing 4. A rear seal 6 is located at the rear of the housing 4. The rear seal 6 is hollow as seen in cross-section. The peripheral edge 20 of the seal 6 is mounted to the housing 4 such that the hollow deformable rear seal 6 forms a cavity 21 within the seal 6 with the housing 4. The peripheral edge 20 is clamped to the housing by mounting brackets, but may be secured to the housing 4 in other ways, such as by overmolding the peripheral edge to the housing. The hollow nature of the rear seal 6 and the rear seal 6 being formed of an elastically deformable material, such as Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), allows the rear seal 6 to be easily deformed. The rear seal 6 has a lower sealing surface 22 which is the surface which contacts the floor surface on which the cleaner head 1 is located. Figure 3 shows the rear seal 6 in an unbiased position, for example when the cleaner head 1 is not located on a surface, allowing the rear seal 6 to adopt the unbiased position. In this unbiased position, the lower sealing surface 22 of the rear seal 6 forms an angle θ with the plane defined by the bottom plate 5 (indicated by the dashed line labeled P in fig. 3). The angle θ is at least 10 °, and preferably at least 20 °. The angle θ is at most 45 °, and preferably at most 35 °. In the unbiased position, the lower sealing surface is located at an angle θ between 10 ° and 45 ° of the plane P defined from the bottom plate 5, and preferably at an angle θ between 20 ° and 35 ° of the plane P defined from the bottom plate 5.

The inclined surface 23 extends upward and rearward from the rear edge of the lower sealing surface 22. This inclined surface 23 provides a surface that is better able to clear debris and low obstructions when moving in the rearward direction. Therefore, the cleaner head 1 can more easily surmount obstacles that may be encountered during the backward movement of the cleaning operation.

When the cleaner head 1 is placed on a surface, the hollow deformable rear seal 6 deforms, allowing the chamber 21 to partially collapse. Since the rear seal 6 is formed of an elastic material, the rear seal 6 itself provides a reaction force downward over the entire width of the rear seal. As a result, the rear seal 6 can conform to any surface on which the cleaner head is located, thereby enabling the cleaner head 1 to achieve a better seal with the surface and improve pick-up performance during use.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section through the cleaner head 1 at the line B-B shown in figure 2. This view shows the duct 25 extending from the suction chamber 12 through the articulated neck 3. When the cleaner head 1 is attached to a vacuum cleaner, dust and dirt is agitated and swept by the brush bar 13 and is drawn into the suction chamber 12, the suction generated by the vacuum cleaner then draws a dirty airflow comprising dust and dirt through the duct 25 and into the vacuum cleaner.

At the point where the cross-section is taken along line B-B through the cleaner head 1, a portion 24 of the peripheral edge of the rear seal 6 is not secured or mounted to the housing 4. As a result, air can enter and exit the cavity within the hollow rear seal 6. This means that when the rear seal 6 is deformed, air enters and exits the hollow deformable rear seal 6. If air is not able to freely enter and exit the hollow rear seal 6 when the seal is deformed, the trapped air is under pressure and the rear seal 6 is not able to conform to the surface. In the cleaner head 1 as shown, a portion of the peripheral edge 20 of the rear seal 6 is not secured to the housing 4 in a central region below the connection of the neck 3 to the housing 4. Thus, the neck 3 provides some protection to that portion of the rear seal 6 which is not mounted to the housing, and reduces the likelihood of interference with the free portion 24 of the peripheral edge 20 during use, resulting in damage to the rear seal 6.

Figure 5 shows a front perspective view of the cleaner head 1 of figures 1 and 2. It can be seen that two large debris channels 16 are formed in the ground facing surface 15 of the front edge shell 8. An actuatable door 30 is located within the large debris passage 16 and can be raised or lowered to open or close the large debris passage 16. When the actuatable door 30 is opened, larger dirt and debris can pass through the channel 16 and into the suction chamber to be picked up by the cleaner head 1. However, opening the actuatable door 30 reduces the pressure differential between the inside of the suction chamber and the outside of the cleaner head 1, which may negatively impact the pick-up performance of the cleaner head 1. To increase the pressure differential again, the actuatable doors 30 are lowered so that they block the large debris passage 16.

An actuator 32 projecting through a window 34 of the front edge housing 8 is used to raise and lower the actuatable door 30. Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show the cleaner head of figure 5 with a portion of the leading edge housing 8 removed so as to allow the actuation mechanism contained therein to be seen. The actuating mechanism includes a plate 36 with some of the tracks 38 formed therein. The actuator 32 is secured to the plate 36 so that a user can slide the plate 36 side-to-side using the actuator 32. Each actuatable door 30 has two projections 40 that slidably engage in tracks 38 in the plate 36. As the plate 36 slides side to side, the protrusions slide within the tracks 38, causing the door to raise or lower. The track 38 has three spaced levels at which the projections can rest to provide the actuatable door 30 with three position settings, fully open, semi closed or fully closed. Of course, if more positional arrangements of the actuatable door 30 are desired, the tracks 38 may have more levels of spacing.

In fig. 6A, the actuatable door is fully closed. By moving the actuator 32 in the direction of arrow C, the projections 40 on the actuatable door 30 are forced to follow the track 38 until they reach the mid-level of the track 38, drawing the actuatable door 30 upward. This is shown in fig. 6B. At this time, the actuatable door 30 is half-opened. By subsequently continuing to move the actuator 32 in the direction of arrow C, the projections 40 on the actuatable door 30 are forced to follow the track 38 until they reach the top level of the track 38, drawing the actuatable door 30 further upward. This is shown in fig. 6C. At this point, the actuatable door 30 is fully open and the large debris passage 16 is open. Moving the actuator 32 in the direction opposite to arrow C will reverse direction, causing the actuatable door 30 to lower again.

Figures 8A and 8B show in more detail the large debris passage 16 highlighted in the area marked E in figure 7. Figure 7 shows the cleaner head 1 including two large debris channels 16, each including an actuatable door 30. Both actuatable doors 30 are actuated by a single actuator 32, as previously described with respect to fig. 5 and 6A-C. Fig. 9 shows an actuatable door 30. In fig. 8A, the actuatable door 30 has been removed from view. The large debris passage 16 is formed in the ground facing surface 15 of the front edge housing 8. The front edge housing has a door cavity 51 that houses the actuatable door 30. The door cavity 51 comprises a guide channel 50. The actuatable door 30 includes a guide flange 56 that is slidably engaged within the guide channel 50 such that the guide flange 56 slides up and down within the guide channel 50 as the actuatable door is raised and lowered. The actuatable door 30 includes two projections 40, one of which can be seen in fig. 9, which engage within the tracks 38 in the plate 36 on the previously described actuation mechanism. The actuatable door 30 also includes a door seal 58 that seals against a portion of the front edge housing 8. The door seal 58 helps reduce air leakage around the actuatable door 30 by sealing against the front edge housing 8. Any such air leakage reduces the pressure differential between the inside of the suction chamber and the outside of the cleaner head 1. Therefore, the door seal 30 is essential to maximize the pick-up performance of the cleaner head 1.

The door seal 58 is overmolded onto a portion of the guide flange 56 to the remainder of the actuatable door and is formed from a lubricated polyester Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), although alternative rubber materials may alternatively be used. The guide channel 50 passes through the leading edge housing 8 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the large debris channel 16 extends. The guide channel 50 comprises a first section 52 and a second section 54, the first section 52 and the second section 54 being separated by a protruding rib 53. The guide flange 56 slides through the first section 52 of the guide channel 50 and the door seal 58 slides through the second section 54 of the guide channel 50.

Figure 10 shows a vacuum cleaner in the form of a stick vacuum cleaner 60 which includes the cleaner head 1 described above. The wand vacuum cleaner 60 is formed by a hand-held vacuum cleaner 62 attached to a first end of a wand 64. The cleaner head 1 is attached to a second end of the wand 64. The embodiment shown is a stick vacuum cleaner 60, however, the cleaner head 1 may be used with other types of vacuum cleaners, such as upright or cylinder vacuum cleaners, which are sometimes referred to as cylinder or bucket vacuums. Further, the cleaner head or aspects thereof may be used in conjunction with a cleaner head for robotic vacuum.

While particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

For example, the cleaner head may have only one large debris channel, or more than two. The embodiments described herein describe two large debris channels commonly driven by a single actuation mechanism, however, each large debris channel may have its own actuation mechanism to give the user separate control of the opening and closing of the large debris channel.