TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner as well as to a vacuum cleaner comprising such a cleaner head.

BACKGROUND

A cleaner head of a vacuum cleaner usually comprises a housing defining a suction chamber. The housing is configured to be moved over a floor or other surface that needs to be cleaned while air is drawn into the suction chamber together with dust, hair, and other dirt that is thereby removed from the surface. An outlet of the housing is coupled to a motor via a wand or hose. The motor provides for the suction needed to generate the airflow through the suction chamber. In many modem vacuum cleaners, the cleaner head comprises one or more brush bars or other types of agitator elements that rotate while the housing moves over the surface to be cleaned. The agitator elements serve to detach dirt from the surface and to increase the chance that it is picked up, thereby improving the cleaning performance of the vacuum cleaner.

Typically, vacuum cleaner heads experience some degree of hair ingress during use, which means that hair can ingress into or between parts of the cleaner head. Hair can also become wound around the agitator elements which can damage the agitator elements and which can also reduce their ability to detach dirt and hair from the floor, especially if a thick layer of hair becomes wrapped around the agitator elements.

It is desirable for a vacuum cleaner to pick up as much dirt from the floor surface as possible with as few passes of the cleaner head over the floor surface as possible so as to reduce the labour involved in vacuuming a floor. It is therefore desirable for the vacuum cleaner head to be able to move freely in all directions and for it to be able to collect dirt from the floor regardless of the direction in which it is moved. In addition, it is desirable for the vacuum cleaner head to be able to collect dirt from the edges of a room or furniture so that no part of the floor is left uncleaned.

It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner, the cleaner head comprising: a housing defining a suction chamber comprising an outlet, wherein the housing comprises a first side and a second side; a first agitator element being mounted for rotation about a first axis; and a second agitator element being mounted for rotation about a second axis, wherein the first agitator element comprises a first end and a second end, and has a shape which tapers towards the first end in a direction along the first axis of rotation, and wherein the first agitator element is located at the first side of the housing, and the second agitator element is located at the second side of the housing.

The cleaner head of the present invention is advantageous as it allows for dirt to be detached from the floor surface to be cleaned by an agitator element before it is subject to the suction within the suction chamber no matter whether the cleaner head is moving with the first or second agitator element leading. In addition, the provision of a tapered agitator element helps to prevent hair and other long fibres from becoming wrapped around the agitator elements since hair and other long fibres tend to migrate along the length of the tapered agitator element towards the tapered end where they can be removed.

Optionally the second agitator element comprises a first end and a second end, and has a shape which tapers towards the first end in a direction along the second axis of rotation so that hair and long fibre collection and removal may be effected by both of the agitator elements. The first and second agitator elements may optionally be configured to rotate in opposite senses to one another in use. This allows for the rotation direction to be optimised relative to the direction of travel of the cleaner head in use to maximise dirt removal an direction of dirt towards the suction chamber.

The cleaner head may comprise a third agitator element being mounted for rotation about a third axis, wherein: the first end of the first agitator element comprises a free end; the third agitator element comprises a first, free end and a second end, and has a shape which tapers towards its first end in a direction along the third axis of rotation; the first and third agitator elements are cantilevered from opposing sides of a first hub portion of the cleaner head at their respective second ends; and wherein the first and third agitator elements are located at the first side of the housing.

In this arrangement two shorter tapered agitator elements may be used to separate dirt from the same width of the floor as one long agitator element. Shorter tapered agitator elements are beneficial as the angle of taper can be steeper (within the available packaging space) which facilitates movement of hair and other long fibres along the length of the agitator element towards the tapered end. The arrangement of agitator elements having free ends helps to provide floor cleaning right up to the edges of walls and furniture so there is no strip of floor left unreached by the agitator elements. In addition, attachment of the agitator elements to opposing sides of a single hub facilitates rotation of both agitator elements by a common drive mechanism.

In one example, the cleaner head comprises a fourth agitator element being mounted for rotation about a fourth axis, wherein: the first end of the second agitator element comprises a free end; the fourth agitator element comprises a first, free end and a second end, and has a shape which tapers towards its first end in a direction along the fourth axis of rotation; the second and fourth agitator elements are cantilevered from opposing sides of a second hub portion of the cleaner head at their respective second ends; and wherein the second and fourth agitator elements are located at the second side of the housing. This arrangement provides the same advantages as mentioned above in relation to the first side of the cleaner head also on the second side of the cleaner head.

Optionally the cleaner head comprises a motor for rotating the first or second agitator element in use, wherein the motor is located at least partially within the first or the second agitator element. Location of at least part of the motor in the agitator elements is beneficial for efficient packaging so that the overall size of the cleaner head may be reduced.

The first or second agitator element may optionally be configured to rotate about the motor in use so that the motor remains stationary in use.

The cleaner head may comprise a transmission system configured to transmit drive from the motor to the first and second agitator elements in use so that only one motor need be used.

In one example, the cleaner head comprises a further motor, wherein the motor is located at least partially within the first agitator element and wherein the further motor is located at least partially within the second agitator element.

Optionally the housing comprises a cover element configured to cover an upper surface portion of one or more of the agitator elements to help protect the agitator elements from impacts during use and storage.

One or more of the agitator elements may optionally comprise a fabric covering, and/or bristles located on an outermost surface of the agitator element, to assist with the removal of dirt from the floor surface.

In a second aspect, the present invention provided a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head as described above. Features described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention are equally applicable to the second aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a vacuum cleaner head; and

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of the vacuum cleaner head of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 and 2 show a vacuum cleaner head 1 comprising a housing 10 and four agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23. The housing 1 has cover element 40, a first side 13, a second side 14, a first edge 15 and a second edge 16 which define a suction chamber 11 comprising an outlet 12. The agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 are rotatably mounted at either side 13, 14 of the housing 10 as will be described in greater detail below.

The terms “lowermost” and “uppermost” are used throughout the description which follows with reference to the orientation of the vacuum cleaner head 1 in use. It will be understood that these terms are used for clarity and convenience and are not to be understood as limiting.

The vacuum cleaner head 1 is removably attachable to a wand (not shown) of a vacuum cleaner via a wand connector 5. The wand connector 5 is in fluidic communication with the outlet 12 of the suction chamber 11 via a flexible hose 3. Pivotable connectors 2, 4 provide a multi axial connection between the wand connector 5 and the vacuum cleaner head 1.

The agitator elements comprise a first agitator element 20, a second agitator element 21, a third agitator element 22 and a fourth agitator element 23. Each of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 have a shape which tapers from a second end 25 of the respective agitator element towards a first end 24 of the respective agitator element in a direction along an axis of rotation of the agitator element. As such, the agitator elements are frustoconical is shape with their smallest ends 24 being located at the outermost edges 15, 16 of the housing 10. Although not shown in the Figures, one or more of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 may comprise a fabric covering and/or bristles located on an outermost surface of the agitator element.

The frustoconical shape of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 is advantageous as any hair or other long fibres which become wrapped around the agitator elements tends to move along the agitator elements in a direction from the second 25, larger diameter, ends of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 to the first 24, smaller diameter, ends of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23. When the hair reaches the first ends of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 it tends to fall off in the form of a hair ball. The vacuum cleaner head 1 can then be passed over the so formed hair ball to be picked up and removed to a bin by suction along with the rest of the dirt from the floor. Because the strands of hair are now in the form of a hair ball, the hair does not become entangled on the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 for a second time.

The first 20 and third 22 agitator heads are cantilevered from opposing sides of a first hub portion 26 of the vacuum cleaner head 1 at their respective second ends 25. Similarly, the second 21 and fourth 23 agitator heads are cantilevered from opposing sides of a second hub portion 27 of the vacuum cleaner head 1 at their respective second ends 25. The cantilevered arrangement of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 is advantageous as there is no requirement for a hub or bearing at the outermost edges of the vacuum cleaner head 1 thereby allowing the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 to extend to the edges of the vacuum cleaner head 1 so that the floor surface to be cleaned can be cleaned effectively up to the edges of walls and furniture.

The first hub portion 26 is located next to the first side 13 of the housing 10 and the second hub portion is located next the second side 14 of the housing 10. The agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 are supported by the hub portions 26, 27 such that the lowermost surface of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 in use are located adjacent to the floor surface to be cleaned. To achieve this, the axis of rotation 30 of the first agitator element 20 is angled with respect to the axis of rotation 32 of the third agitator element 22, and the axis of rotation 31 of the second agitator element 21 is angled with respect to the axis of rotation 33 of the fourth agitator element 23 such that the lowermost edges of the second ends 25 of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 are positioned next to one another.

The positioning of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 on either side of the housing 10 is advantageous as it facilitates use of the vacuum cleaner head 1 in either a forwards or backwards direction. This together with the pivoted connectors 2, 4 allows the vacuum cleaner head 1 to be easily moved in all directions whilst cleaning a floor. In a preferred embodiment, the agitator elements 20, 22 located on the first side 13 of the housing 10 rotate in a first direction, for example anti-clockwise, and the agitator elements 21, 23 located on the second side 14 of the housing 10 rotate in a second opposite direction, for example clockwise. However, the direction of rotation of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 is not to be considered as limiting and will depend on the particular design and configuration of the vacuum cleaner head.

As discussed above, the housing 10 comprises cover element 40 which defines an uppermost surface 41 of the suction chamber 11. The outlet 12 of is located in the uppermost surface 41 of the cover element 40. The cover element has a first agitator element cover portion 42 and a second agitator element cover portion 44. In this example embodiment the first and second agitator element cover portions 42, 44 are integral with the uppermost surface 41. However, in other embodiments the agitator element cover portions 42, 44 may be formed separately from the uppermost surface 41 before being assembled together with the uppermost surface 41 to form the cover element 40. The first agitator element cover portion 42 is configured to cover the uppermost surfaces of the first and third agitator elements 20 and 22, and the second agitator element cover portion 44 is configured to cover the uppermost surfaces of the second and fourth agitator elements 21 and 23. The cover portions 42, 44 server to protect the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 from impacts during use and storage.

The agitator element cover portions 42, 44 have a shape which generally conforms to the shape of the uppermost surfaces of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23, and the agitator element cover portions 42, 44 are positioned so that only a gap exists between the uppermost surfaces of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 and the agitator element cover portions 42, 44 so that the cover portions 42, 44 do not impede rotation of the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 in use. The agitator element cover portions 42, 44 are not essential and one or both of the agitator element cover portions 42, 44 may be dispensed with or replace by a cover of a different trpe.

Referring to Figure 2, the vacuum cleaner head 1 has a first electric motor 50 for rotating the first 20 and third 22 agitator elements in use, and a second electric motor 52 for rotating the second 21 and fourth 22 agitator elements in use. The first motor 50 is located within the first hub portion 26 and protrudes into the interior of each of the first 20 and third 22 agitator elements. Similarly, the second motor 52 is located within the second hub portion 27 and protrudes into the interior of each of the second 21 and fourth 23 agitator elements.

In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum cleaner head 1 may have only one electric motor for rotating the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23. For example a single motor may be located within the first 20 and third 22 agitator elements and connected to drive the second 21 and fourth 23 agitator elements by gearing which passes through the suction chamber 11 or over the uppermost surface 41 of the cover element 40. It will be appreciated that this arrangement could be reversed such that a single motor is located within the second 21 and fourth 23 agitator elements and connected to drive the first 20 and third 22 agitator elements by gearing. In a further alternative embodiment, one or more electric motors may be located within a housing above or below the cover element 40 of the housing 10 and connected to the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 via suitable gearing.

It will be apparent to the skilled person that there are many different configurations of vacuum cleaner head possible. For example, in one example embodiment the vacuum cleaner head 1 may have only one frustoconical agitator element located on each side of the housing 10. In this case, hair collected by the agitator elements travels in one direction only on each side of the vacuum cleaner head so that the hair balls fall off the agitator elements at one edge 15, 16 on each side 13, 14 of the cleaner head 1. In this example embodiment the frustoconical agitator elements may be orientated in the same or opposite senses to one another such that the smallest diameter ends of the agitator elements are located at the same edge of the housing 10 or at opposing edges of the housing 10. Preferably the agitator elements in this embodiment extend across the entire width of the vacuum cleaner head 1 to maximise the width of floor which may be cleaned in one pass of the cleaner head.

In a further example, the vacuum cleaner head 1 may have one or more cylindrical agitator elements located at one side of the housing 10, and one or more frustoconical agitator heads located on the other side of the housing 10. In this case it is preferrable that the vacuum cleaner head 1 is provided with indicia to indicate to a user the direction in which the vacuum cleaner head 1 should first be moved in order to pick up hair with the frustoconical element(s) to avoid hair becoming wrapped around the cylindrical element(s).

For embodiments having more than one frustoconical agitator element located on at least one side of the housing 10, the agitator elements may be arranged with their largest diameter ends facing one another (as described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2), with their smallest diameter ends facing one another, or with the largest diameter end of one agitator element facing the smallest end of a neighbouring agitator element. In cases where the smallest ends of the agitator elements are not located at an edge 15, 16 of the vacuum cleaner head 1, a hair ball removal device such a comb may be employed to remove the hair balls from the smallest ends of the agitator elements so that they may be released into the suction chamber 11 for removal to the bin. In the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 the agitator elements 20, 21, 22, 23 are cantilevered from the hub portions 26, 27. The skilled person will appreciate that this is not essential to the operation of the vacuum cleaner head 1 and that any of the agitator element configurations described above may be mounted in any suitable manner including being mounted from both ends.