US20210330161A1 - Rotary working element - Google Patents
Rotary working element Download PDFInfo
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- US20210330161A1 US20210330161A1 US17/239,082 US202117239082A US2021330161A1 US 20210330161 A1 US20210330161 A1 US 20210330161A1 US 202117239082 A US202117239082 A US 202117239082A US 2021330161 A1 US2021330161 A1 US 2021330161A1
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- US
- United States
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- squeegee
- floor cleaner
- segment
- rotary
- squeegee element
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- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000010006 flight Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000004323 axial length Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 18
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229920002803 thermoplastic polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004433 Thermoplastic polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/29—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid
- A47L11/30—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid by suction
- A47L11/302—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid by suction having rotary tools
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
- A47L11/4044—Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
- A47L5/30—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
- A47L7/0004—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners
- A47L7/0009—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0405—Driving means for the brushes or agitators
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/04—Nozzles with driven brushes or agitators
- A47L9/0461—Dust-loosening tools, e.g. agitators, brushes
- A47L9/0466—Rotating tools
- A47L9/0477—Rolls
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a rotary working element for a cleaning device.
- the invention provides a floor cleaner including a suction source, a body, and a rotary working element.
- the body includes a working element chamber having an opening facing toward a surface to be cleaned and a suction inlet in fluid communication with the suction source.
- the rotary working element is positioned within the working element chamber and includes a body rotatable about an axis having silicone features extending outwardly from the body to contact the surface to be cleaned though the opening.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with a cover removed exposing a rotary working element.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-section view taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 1 with the rotary working element not shown.
- FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a suction inlet and the rotary working element removed with a single convergence area.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotary working element shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 7 is a cross-section view taken along line 7 - 7 of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element.
- FIG. 9 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element.
- FIG. 11 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 10 .
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element.
- FIG. 13 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 14 is a cross-section view taken along line 14 - 14 of FIG. 13 .
- FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing two suction inlets and another embodiment of a rotary working element with two convergence areas.
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of rotary working element of FIG. 15 .
- FIG. 17 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 16 .
- FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing two suction inlets and another embodiment of a rotary working element with four convergence areas.
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the rotary working element of FIG. 18 .
- FIG. 20 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 18 .
- FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element.
- FIG. 22 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 21 .
- FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element.
- FIG. 24 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 23 .
- FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element.
- FIG. 26 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 25 .
- FIG. 27 is a cross-section view taken along line 27 - 27 of FIG. 26 .
- FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element.
- FIG. 29 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 28 .
- FIG. 30 is a cross-section view taken along line 30 - 30 of FIG. 29 .
- FIG. 31 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element.
- FIG. 32 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 31 .
- FIG. 32 a is a detail view of the rotary working element of FIG. 32 .
- FIG. 33 is a cross-section view taken along line 30 - 30 of FIG. 32 .
- FIG. 34 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element.
- FIG. 35 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 34 .
- FIG. 36 is a cross-section view taken along line 36 - 36 of FIG. 35 .
- FIG. 37 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element.
- FIG. 38 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 37 .
- FIG. 39 is a cross-section view taken along line 39 - 39 of FIG. 38 .
- FIG. 40 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element.
- FIG. 41 is a front view of the rotary working element of FIG. 40 .
- FIG. 42 is a cross-section view taken along line 42 - 42 of FIG. 41 .
- FIG. 1 illustrates a floor cleaning device 10 .
- the floor cleaning device 10 is illustrated as an upright hard floor cleaner including an upper body 12 coupled to a surface cleaning head 14 with a steerable joint 16 for rotation and pivoting.
- the upper body 12 rotates relative to the surface cleaning head 14 in a front-to-back direction between an upright storage position (as shown in FIG. 1 ) and an inclined in-use position where the upper body 12 is rotated downwardly closer to the surface to be cleaned 18 .
- the upper body 12 pivots relative to the surface cleaning head 14 in a side-to-side direction between a leftward-leaning direction and a rightward-leaning direction.
- the upper body 12 includes a user-graspable handle 20 allowing an operator to steer the surface cleaning head 14 around obstacles as the surface cleaning head 14 is moved over the surface to be cleaned 18 .
- a user-graspable handle 20 allowing an operator to steer the surface cleaning head 14 around obstacles as the surface cleaning head 14 is moved over the surface to be cleaned 18 .
- the invention is described for use in an upright hard floor cleaner, the invention is not limited to only this use. Rather, the invention could be used with other floor cleaning devices such as upright carpet extractors, portable extractors, canister-type cleaners, wet/dry utility vacuum cleaners, and the like.
- the surface cleaning head 14 includes a housing 22 , rear wheels 24 supporting the housing 22 for movement across the surface to be cleaned 18 , a working element chamber 26 , a suction inlet 28 disposed at the rear of the working element chamber 26 , an opening 30 facing the surface to be cleaned 18 , a rotary working element 32 rotatably mounted within the working element chamber 26 , a distribution nozzle 34 , and a motor (not shown) for selectively rotating the rotary working element 32 about an axis 36 .
- the working element chamber 26 and suction inlet 28 are defined by a removable cover 38 . When the cover 38 is removed from the housing 22 , access to the rotary working element 32 is provided allowing an operator to clean the rotary working element 32 or remove the rotary working element 32 for maintenance or replacement.
- the upper body 12 includes a housing 40 , a suction motor (not shown) within the housing 40 , a pump (not shown) within the housing 40 , a removable battery 42 received within the upper body 12 to power the suction motor, the motor, and the pump, a supply tank 44 for containing cleaning liquid for distribution onto the surface to be cleaned 18 through the pump and distribution nozzle 34 , and a recovery tank 46 in fluid communication with the suction motor downstream and the opening 30 and suction inlet 28 upstream.
- the working element chamber 26 includes the suction inlet 28 centered along the axial length of the working element chamber 26 .
- the suction inlet 28 is fluidly coupled to a flexible hose 48 or duct leading to the recovery tank 46 .
- the rotary working element 32 is removably coupled to housing 22 by connections at each end of the rotary working element 32 .
- the first end of the rotary working element 32 includes a receptacle 50 to receive a corresponding drive member 52 driven by the motor through a belt or other transmission (not shown).
- the second end of the rotary working element 32 includes a bearing cap 54 allowing rotation of the rotary working element 32 while the bearing cap 54 remains stationary.
- the bearing cap 54 is removably fixed to the housing 22 . Rotation of the drive member 52 in turn rotates the rotary working element 32 .
- the bearing cap 54 includes a flexible and resilient tab 56 that projects upwardly for the operator to grab and pull to lift the bearing cap 54 and the second end of the rotary working element 32 free from the housing 22 thereby allowing the operator to slide the rotary working element 32 off of and away from the drive member 52 .
- FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate that the rotary working element 32 is a rotary squeegee 58 having a body 60 rotatable about the axis 36 having features, squeegee elements 62 in this embodiment, extending outwardly from the body 60 to contact the surface to be cleaned 18 through the opening 30 .
- the squeegee element 62 is arranged around the body 60 in a helical pattern about the axis 36 .
- the squeegee element 62 includes a base portion 64 connected to the body 60 and a squeegee edge 66 configured to wipe the surface 18 as the rotary squeegee 58 rotates.
- the radial distance from the axis 36 to the squeegee edge 66 is constant along the squeegee element 62 .
- the rotary squeegee 58 can include a single continuous helical segment across the entire axial length of the rotary squeegee or it can be segmented into multiple discrete segments 68 .
- the squeegee element 62 defines a squeegee axis 100 extending outwardly from the body 60 .
- the squeegee edge 66 further includes a flange 65 disposed adjacent the squeegee edge 66 .
- the flange 65 is positioned along an outer circumference of the rotary squeegee 58 . In one embodiment, the flange 65 is offset from the outer circumference of the rotary squeegee 58 .
- the flange 65 extends forwardly along a flange axis 102 , away from the squeegee axis 100 in the direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the flange 65 extends between 2 and 10 millimeters away from the squeegee element 62 . In one embodiment, the flange 65 extends between 10 and 20 millimeters away from the squeegee element 62 .
- the flange axis 102 is angled forwardly relative to the squeegee axis 100 . In one embodiment, the angle of the flange axis 102 relative to the squeegee axis 100 is between 60 and 75 degrees.
- the angle of the flange axis 102 relative to the squeegee axis 100 is between 75 and 90 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle of the flange axis 102 relative to the squeegee axis 100 is between 90 and 105 degrees.
- the flange axis 102 does not intersect the body 60 of the rotary squeegee. The flange 65 assists in liquid and debris pick up by directing the gathered liquid and debris into the suction inlet 28 .
- the squeegee element 62 includes one or more ribs 67 integral with the squeegee element 62 .
- the ribs 67 extend between a front surface 71 of the squeegee element and/or a back surface 73 and the core 30 .
- the support ribs 67 extend along the squeegee element 62 from the base portion 64 to the squeegee edge 66 .
- the ribs 67 help support, strengthen, and reinforce the squeegee element 62 .
- the support of the ribs 67 limits the flexing of the squeegee element 62 , which improves surface pick up and cleaning performance.
- the ribs 67 extend from the base portion 64 to the squeegee edge 66 . In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 31-42 , the ribs 67 extend on a front surface 71 of the squeegee element 62 , in a direction of rotation. In one embodiment, the ribs 67 extend on a back surface 73 of the squeegee element 62 , in a direction opposite of rotation. In one embodiment, the ribs 67 are spaced from adjacent ribs by between 2 and 40 millimeters. In another embodiment, the support ribs 67 are spaced from adjacent support ribs by between 5 and 20 millimeters.
- the ribs 67 extends from the front surface 71 in a forward direction F. In another embodiment (not shown), the ribs 67 extend at an angle to the forward direction F, and may extend generally perpendicular to the squeegee element 62 . In one embodiment, the front edges of the ribs 67 extend at the same rake angle as the squeegee element 62 . Said another way, when looking at a cross-sectional view, the front edges of the ribs 67 extend roughly parallel to the squeegee element 62 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
- the ribs 67 extend at a different rake angle than the squeegee element 62 . This is illustrated in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 33, 36, 39, and 42 , where the ribs 67 extend at an angle 69 different from the squeegee element 62 .
- the squeegee element 62 includes both the plurality of ribs 67 , as well as the flange 65 extending from the squeegee edge 66 .
- the squeegee elements 62 are divided into a first segment 68 a having a left hand flight 70 and a second segment 68 b having a right hand flight 72 .
- the end of the first segment 68 a is axially adjacent to the end of the second segment 68 b at a convergence area 74 (also identified by a triangle in the figures) such that rotation of the squeegee element 62 moves liquid along the first and second segments 68 a, 68 b on the surface in opposed axial directions toward the convergence area 74 .
- the left hand flights 70 cause the fluid on the surface 18 to flow toward the convergence area 74 and the right hand flights 72 cause the fluid on the surface 18 to flow toward the convergence area 74 .
- the helical shape of the squeegee element 62 moves the fluid on the surface 18 in an axial direction as the squeegee element 62 rotates.
- the surface cleaning head 14 will move in the forward or reverse direction as the squeegee element 62 is rotating and therefore the movement of the fluid will not be purely axial but will likely also have some forward or rearward component of movement as well.
- the convergence area 74 is aligned with the suction inlet 28 such that the rotating rotary squeegee 58 moves the liquid on the floor toward the convergence area 74 and better positioned for suction into the suction inlet 28 for recovery of the liquid from the surface 18 .
- Directing fluid to a convergence area 74 aligned with the suction inlet 28 enables improved collection of fluid drawn by the suction source into the suction inlet 28 .
- the improvement can be utilized by lowering the power of the suction source. This may be advantageous for battery-operated cleaners by providing a longer duration of operation for a battery capacity.
- the first segment 68 a includes five continuous squeegee elements 62 equally angularly spaced from each other around the circumference of the body 60 and the second segment 68 b includes five continuous squeegee elements 62 equally angularly spaced from each other around the circumference of the body 60 .
- the squeegee elements 62 slant away from the direction of rotation by a rake angle 76 between 2 and 60 degrees, more particularly between 20 and 50 degrees, and even more particularly between 35 and 50 degrees.
- the squeegee elements 62 have no rake angle 76 and instead extend radially from the body 60 .
- the pitch of each of the squeegee elements 62 is measured as the distance in the axial direction traveled between two common points on the helical squeegee element 62 .
- Pitch may vary as desired based on the size of the rotary working element 32 and the distance of desired axial fluid travel.
- the pitch may be 2 times the distance of the segment 68 of the rotary squeegee 58 , it may be between 0.5 to 4 times the distance of the segment 68 , or it may be between 0.8 and 2.5 times the distance of the segment 68 .
- the squeegee elements 62 are positioned to engage the surface 18 to perform the wiping function.
- the squeegee elements 62 may engage the surface 18 by between 0.2 and 5 mm engagement as desired to provide desired wiping performance in the application.
- a larger rake angle 76 may enable a larger amount of surface engagement and smaller rake angles 76 may require less surface engagement.
- the rake angle 76 is between 35 and 50 degrees and the amount of interference with the floor is between 1 and 4 mm.
- FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of a rotary squeegee 158 .
- the rotary squeegee 158 is similar to the rotary squeegee 58 shown in FIGS. 5-7 except that the squeegee elements 162 in each of the first and second segments 168 a, 168 b do not include squeegee elements 162 forming continuous helixes. Rather, the squeegee elements 162 are discontinuous.
- the first segment 168 a is formed by a plurality of helical left hand squeegee elements 162 in series axially adjacent and angularly offset from each other forming gaps 178 in the plurality of squeegee elements 162 .
- the second segment 168 b is formed by a plurality of helical right hand squeegee elements 162 in series axially adjacent and angularly offset from each other forming gaps 178 in the plurality of squeegee elements 162 .
- the gaps 178 are arranged in the discontinuous squeegee elements 162 such that they align with the gap 178 of the adjacent squeegee element 162 to form a helical pattern.
- the first segment 168 a includes three discontinuous squeegee elements 162 relatively equally angularly spaced from each other around the circumference of the body 160 and the second segment 168 b includes three discontinuous squeegee elements 162 relatively equally angularly spaced from each other around the circumference of the body 160 .
- Other embodiments of the rotary squeegee 158 can include 1, 2, 4, or more than 5 squeegee elements 162 helically wound about the axis 136 and equally or unequally spaced around the circumference of the body 160 .
- FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of a rotary squeegee 258 similar to the rotary squeegee 158 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in that the rotary squeegee 258 includes two segments 268 a, 268 b, a single convergence area 274 centrally located on the rotary squeegee 258 , and three angularly-spaced discontinuous squeegee elements 262 on both the first and second segments 268 a, 268 b.
- the rotary squeegee 258 of FIGS. 10 and 11 is different from the one shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in that arrangement of the gaps 278 is different.
- FIGS. 12-14 illustrate another embodiment of the rotary squeegee 358 similar to the rotary squeegee 58 shown in FIGS. 5-7 except that the each segment 368 includes only three squeegee elements 362 wound around the axis 336 and angularly spaced from each other.
- the squeegee elements 362 also include a shorter pitch and a smaller rake angle 376 than the squeegee elements 62 shown in FIGS. 5-7 .
- FIG. 15 illustrates additional embodiments of the working element chamber 426 and the rotary squeegee 458 .
- the working element chamber 426 includes two spaced apart suction inlets 428 a, 428 b aligned with two spaced apart convergence areas 474 a , 474 b on the rotary squeegee 458 .
- the squeegee elements 462 are divided into a first segment 468 a having a left hand flight, a second segment 468 b having a right hand flight, a third segment 468 c having a left hand flight, and a fourth segment 468 d having a right hand flight.
- the end of the first segment 468 a is axially adjacent to the end of the second segment 468 b at a first convergence area 474 a such that rotation of the squeegee element 462 moves liquid along the first and second segments 468 a, 468 b on the surface 418 in opposed axial directions toward the first convergence area 474 a.
- the end of the third segment 468 c is axially adjacent to the end of the fourth segment 468 d at a second convergence area 474 b such that rotation of the squeegee element 462 moves liquid along the third and fourth segments 468 c, 468 d on the surface 418 in opposed axial directions toward the second convergence area 474 b.
- the left hand flights cause the fluid on the surface to flow from right to left (as shown in FIG. 17 ) toward the first and second convergence areas 474 a, 474 b and the right hand flights cause the fluid on the surface to flow from left to right toward the first and second convergence areas 474 a , 474 b.
- the adjacent ends of the second and third segments 468 b, 468 c does not define a convergence area 474 , but instead defines a divergence area 480 as the adjacent segments 468 b , 468 c will act to split the fluid and move it in opposite outward directions toward the first and second convergence areas 474 a, 474 b.
- the first and second convergence areas 474 a, 474 b are aligned with the first and second suction inlets 428 a, 428 b such that the rotating rotary squeegee 458 moves the liquid on the surface 418 toward the convergence areas 474 a, 474 b for suction into the suction inlets 428 a , 428 b thus removing the liquid from the surface 418 .
- Directing fluid to the two convergence areas 474 a, 474 b aligned with the suction inlets 428 a, 428 b enables improved collection of fluid drawn by the suction source into the suction inlets 428 a, 428 b.
- the improvement can be utilized by lowering the power of the suction source. This may be advantageous for battery-operated cleaners by providing a longer duration of operation for a battery capacity.
- FIGS. 18-20 illustrate another embodiment of a rotary squeegee 558 to be utilized with a working element chamber 526 having two suction or more inlets 528 a, 528 b.
- the rotary squeegee 558 includes four convergence areas 574 a, 574 b, 574 c, 574 d defined by adjacent segments 568 of squeegee elements 562 having opposed flights. As opposed to previously described embodiments, the convergence areas 574 a, 574 b, 574 c, 574 d do not align with the suction inlets 528 a, 528 b.
- divergence areas 580 a, 580 c located between the two pairs of outer convergence areas 574 a, 574 b and 574 c, 574 d align with the first and second suction inlets 528 a, 528 b.
- the squeegee elements 562 of adjacent segments 568 may overlap partially in the axial direction.
- rotary squeegee may include 3 or more than four convergence areas.
- any number of convergence areas can be used with any number of suction inlets.
- the convergence areas may or may not be aligned with the suction inlets.
- FIGS. 21-22 illustrate another embodiment of the rotary working element 632 including a plurality of uniformly distributed nubs 682 extending radially from the body 660 toward the surface 618 to be cleaned.
- the nubs 682 could be arranged in a helical pattern, a chevron pattern, or an otherwise non-uniformly distributed pattern.
- the nubs 682 may be positioned in any spacing or arrangement as desired for the application.
- the nubs 682 are cylindrical or tapered cylindrical having a diameter between 1 mm and 5 mm, and more specifically between 2 mm and 4 mm. In one embodiment, the length of the nubs 682 is between 5 and 20 mm in length extending from the body 660 , and more particularly between 6 and 15 mm in length. In yet another embodiment, the nubs 682 are between 8 mm and 12 mm in length having a diameter between 1.5 and 3.5 mm.
- Each of the nubs 682 is spaced from adjacent nubs 682 by a center-to-center distance between 1.3 times the diameter to 6 times the diameter and may be spaced apart as desired for various applications.
- the nubs are spaced a center-to-center distance of between 1.5 times and 2.5 times the diameter of the nubs 682 in a first helical direction and spaced a center-to-center distance of between 2.5 times and 4 times the diameter of the nubs in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
- the nubs 682 are positioned to engage the surface 618 to perform an agitating and wiping function.
- the nubs 682 may engage the surface 618 by between 0.2 mm and 5 mm engagement as desired to provide desired wiping performance.
- the nubs 682 are aligned radially from the body 660 , but could alternatively slant away from the direction of rotation by a rake angle.
- a larger rake angle may enable a larger amount of surface engagement and smaller rake angles may require less surface engagement.
- the rake angle is between 2 and 60 degrees, more particularly between 20 and 50 degrees, and even more particularly between 35-50 degrees.
- the rake angle is between 35 and 50 degrees and the amount of interference with the floor is between 2 mm and 4 mm.
- FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate another embodiment of a rotary working element 732 including the combination of a rotary squeegee 758 similar to the rotary squeegee 58 illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 and a plurality of nubs 782 distributed uniformly between the plurality of squeegee elements 762 of the rotary squeegee 758 .
- the rotary working element can include any other helical squeegee embodiment illustrated or disclosed and include a plurality of nubs distributed uniformly between the plurality of squeegee elements of the helical squeegee.
- the squeegee elements 762 and the nubs 782 are made from silicone material.
- the silicone material is a hydrophobic material.
- the hydrophobic silicone material has hydrophobicity measured by a contact angle in a range from 80° to 135° in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the hydrophobicity of the silicone material is measured by a contact angle greater than 135°. In yet another embodiment, the silicone material has a hydrophobicity measured by a contact angle in a range from 85° to 115°.
- the hydrophobic silicone helps facilitate cleaning of the squeegee. Additionally, silicone material is resistant to elevated temperatures, is flexible, and durable.
- the features are made from natural or synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane, or thermoplastic polyurethane, or any other flexible, resilient material as desired for the cleaning application.
- the durometer is between 45 and 60 Shore A. In another embodiment, the durometer is between 60 and 80 Shore A.
- some embodiments of the floor cleaner may include the use of two rotary working elements used in combination such that one rotary working elements is used in front of the other rotary working element relative to the forward direction of the surface cleaning head.
- the front and rear rotary working elements can be any combination of the illustrated or disclosed rotary working elements.
- the front and rear rotary working elements can be the same or different from each other.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/015,232, filed Apr. 24, 2020 and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/036,714, filed Jun. 9, 2020, the entire contents all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
- The present invention relates to a rotary working element for a cleaning device.
- In one embodiment, the invention provides a floor cleaner including a suction source, a body, and a rotary working element. The body includes a working element chamber having an opening facing toward a surface to be cleaned and a suction inlet in fluid communication with the suction source. The rotary working element is positioned within the working element chamber and includes a body rotatable about an axis having silicone features extending outwardly from the body to contact the surface to be cleaned though the opening.
- Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a view similar toFIG. 1 with a cover removed exposing a rotary working element. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-section view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 1 with the rotary working element not shown. -
FIG. 4 is a view similar toFIG. 3 showing a suction inlet and the rotary working element removed with a single convergence area. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotary working element shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 7 is a cross-section view taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element. -
FIG. 9 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element. -
FIG. 11 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 10 . -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element. -
FIG. 13 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 14 is a cross-section view taken along line 14-14 ofFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 15 is a view similar toFIG. 4 showing two suction inlets and another embodiment of a rotary working element with two convergence areas. -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of rotary working element ofFIG. 15 . -
FIG. 17 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 16 . -
FIG. 18 is a view similar toFIG. 15 showing two suction inlets and another embodiment of a rotary working element with four convergence areas. -
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 18 . -
FIG. 20 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 18 . -
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element. -
FIG. 22 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 21 . -
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element. -
FIG. 24 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 23 . -
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element. -
FIG. 26 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 25 . -
FIG. 27 is a cross-section view taken along line 27-27 ofFIG. 26 . -
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element. -
FIG. 29 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 28 . -
FIG. 30 is a cross-section view taken along line 30-30 ofFIG. 29 . -
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element. -
FIG. 32 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 31 . -
FIG. 32a is a detail view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 32 . -
FIG. 33 is a cross-section view taken along line 30-30 ofFIG. 32 . -
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element. -
FIG. 35 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 34 . -
FIG. 36 is a cross-section view taken along line 36-36 ofFIG. 35 . -
FIG. 37 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element. -
FIG. 38 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 37 . -
FIG. 39 is a cross-section view taken along line 39-39 ofFIG. 38 . -
FIG. 40 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rotary working element. -
FIG. 41 is a front view of the rotary working element ofFIG. 40 . -
FIG. 42 is a cross-section view taken along line 42-42 ofFIG. 41 . - Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates afloor cleaning device 10. Thefloor cleaning device 10 is illustrated as an upright hard floor cleaner including anupper body 12 coupled to asurface cleaning head 14 with asteerable joint 16 for rotation and pivoting. Theupper body 12 rotates relative to thesurface cleaning head 14 in a front-to-back direction between an upright storage position (as shown inFIG. 1 ) and an inclined in-use position where theupper body 12 is rotated downwardly closer to the surface to be cleaned 18. When in the inclined position, theupper body 12 pivots relative to thesurface cleaning head 14 in a side-to-side direction between a leftward-leaning direction and a rightward-leaning direction. Theupper body 12 includes a user-graspable handle 20 allowing an operator to steer thesurface cleaning head 14 around obstacles as thesurface cleaning head 14 is moved over the surface to be cleaned 18. Although the invention is described for use in an upright hard floor cleaner, the invention is not limited to only this use. Rather, the invention could be used with other floor cleaning devices such as upright carpet extractors, portable extractors, canister-type cleaners, wet/dry utility vacuum cleaners, and the like. - With further reference to
FIG. 2 , thesurface cleaning head 14 includes ahousing 22,rear wheels 24 supporting thehousing 22 for movement across the surface to be cleaned 18, aworking element chamber 26, asuction inlet 28 disposed at the rear of theworking element chamber 26, an opening 30 facing the surface to be cleaned 18, arotary working element 32 rotatably mounted within theworking element chamber 26, adistribution nozzle 34, and a motor (not shown) for selectively rotating therotary working element 32 about anaxis 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the workingelement chamber 26 andsuction inlet 28 are defined by aremovable cover 38. When thecover 38 is removed from thehousing 22, access to therotary working element 32 is provided allowing an operator to clean therotary working element 32 or remove therotary working element 32 for maintenance or replacement. - The
upper body 12 includes ahousing 40, a suction motor (not shown) within thehousing 40, a pump (not shown) within thehousing 40, aremovable battery 42 received within theupper body 12 to power the suction motor, the motor, and the pump, asupply tank 44 for containing cleaning liquid for distribution onto the surface to be cleaned 18 through the pump anddistribution nozzle 34, and arecovery tank 46 in fluid communication with the suction motor downstream and theopening 30 andsuction inlet 28 upstream. When the suction motor is powered by thebattery 42, dirty air and liquid is drawn into theopening 30 and thesuction inlet 28 and delivered to therecovery tank 46 where liquid and debris is separated from the air such that the liquid and debris is stored in a collection area and the separated air is drawn out of therecovery tank 46 toward the suction motor to be exhausted from thecleaning device 10. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , the workingelement chamber 26 includes thesuction inlet 28 centered along the axial length of the workingelement chamber 26. Thesuction inlet 28 is fluidly coupled to aflexible hose 48 or duct leading to therecovery tank 46. - With further reference to
FIG. 4 , therotary working element 32 is removably coupled tohousing 22 by connections at each end of therotary working element 32. The first end of therotary working element 32 includes areceptacle 50 to receive acorresponding drive member 52 driven by the motor through a belt or other transmission (not shown). The second end of therotary working element 32 includes abearing cap 54 allowing rotation of therotary working element 32 while thebearing cap 54 remains stationary. The bearingcap 54 is removably fixed to thehousing 22. Rotation of thedrive member 52 in turn rotates therotary working element 32. In illustrated embodiments, the bearingcap 54 includes a flexible andresilient tab 56 that projects upwardly for the operator to grab and pull to lift thebearing cap 54 and the second end of therotary working element 32 free from thehousing 22 thereby allowing the operator to slide therotary working element 32 off of and away from thedrive member 52. -
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate that therotary working element 32 is arotary squeegee 58 having abody 60 rotatable about theaxis 36 having features,squeegee elements 62 in this embodiment, extending outwardly from thebody 60 to contact the surface to be cleaned 18 through theopening 30. Thesqueegee element 62 is arranged around thebody 60 in a helical pattern about theaxis 36. Thesqueegee element 62 includes abase portion 64 connected to thebody 60 and asqueegee edge 66 configured to wipe thesurface 18 as therotary squeegee 58 rotates. The radial distance from theaxis 36 to thesqueegee edge 66 is constant along thesqueegee element 62. Therotary squeegee 58 can include a single continuous helical segment across the entire axial length of the rotary squeegee or it can be segmented into multiple discrete segments 68. - In the illustrated embodiments, the
squeegee element 62 defines asqueegee axis 100 extending outwardly from thebody 60. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 25-30 and 37-42 , thesqueegee edge 66 further includes aflange 65 disposed adjacent thesqueegee edge 66. In the illustrated embodiments, theflange 65 is positioned along an outer circumference of therotary squeegee 58. In one embodiment, theflange 65 is offset from the outer circumference of therotary squeegee 58. - The
flange 65 extends forwardly along aflange axis 102, away from thesqueegee axis 100 in the direction of rotation. In one embodiment, theflange 65 extends between 2 and 10 millimeters away from thesqueegee element 62. In one embodiment, theflange 65 extends between 10 and 20 millimeters away from thesqueegee element 62. Theflange axis 102 is angled forwardly relative to thesqueegee axis 100. In one embodiment, the angle of theflange axis 102 relative to thesqueegee axis 100 is between 60 and 75 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle of theflange axis 102 relative to thesqueegee axis 100 is between 75 and 90 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle of theflange axis 102 relative to thesqueegee axis 100 is between 90 and 105 degrees. Theflange axis 102 does not intersect thebody 60 of the rotary squeegee. Theflange 65 assists in liquid and debris pick up by directing the gathered liquid and debris into thesuction inlet 28. - In the embodiments illustrated in
FIGS. 31-42 , thesqueegee element 62 includes one ormore ribs 67 integral with thesqueegee element 62. Theribs 67 extend between afront surface 71 of the squeegee element and/or aback surface 73 and thecore 30. In the illustrated embodiments, thesupport ribs 67 extend along thesqueegee element 62 from thebase portion 64 to thesqueegee edge 66. Theribs 67 help support, strengthen, and reinforce thesqueegee element 62. The support of theribs 67 limits the flexing of thesqueegee element 62, which improves surface pick up and cleaning performance. In one embodiment, theribs 67 extend from thebase portion 64 to thesqueegee edge 66. In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 31-42 , theribs 67 extend on afront surface 71 of thesqueegee element 62, in a direction of rotation. In one embodiment, theribs 67 extend on aback surface 73 of thesqueegee element 62, in a direction opposite of rotation. In one embodiment, theribs 67 are spaced from adjacent ribs by between 2 and 40 millimeters. In another embodiment, thesupport ribs 67 are spaced from adjacent support ribs by between 5 and 20 millimeters. - In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 32a , theribs 67 extends from thefront surface 71 in a forward direction F. In another embodiment (not shown), theribs 67 extend at an angle to the forward direction F, and may extend generally perpendicular to thesqueegee element 62. In one embodiment, the front edges of theribs 67 extend at the same rake angle as thesqueegee element 62. Said another way, when looking at a cross-sectional view, the front edges of theribs 67 extend roughly parallel to thesqueegee element 62. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 31-42 , theribs 67 extend at a different rake angle than thesqueegee element 62. This is illustrated in the cross-sectional views ofFIGS. 33, 36, 39, and 42 , where theribs 67 extend at anangle 69 different from thesqueegee element 62. In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 37-42 , thesqueegee element 62 includes both the plurality ofribs 67, as well as theflange 65 extending from thesqueegee edge 66. - The
squeegee elements 62 are divided into afirst segment 68 a having aleft hand flight 70 and asecond segment 68 b having aright hand flight 72. The end of thefirst segment 68 a is axially adjacent to the end of thesecond segment 68 b at a convergence area 74 (also identified by a triangle in the figures) such that rotation of thesqueegee element 62 moves liquid along the first andsecond segments convergence area 74. More specifically, with the forward rotation direction of therotary squeegee 58, theleft hand flights 70 cause the fluid on thesurface 18 to flow toward theconvergence area 74 and theright hand flights 72 cause the fluid on thesurface 18 to flow toward theconvergence area 74. The helical shape of thesqueegee element 62 moves the fluid on thesurface 18 in an axial direction as thesqueegee element 62 rotates. Thesurface cleaning head 14 will move in the forward or reverse direction as thesqueegee element 62 is rotating and therefore the movement of the fluid will not be purely axial but will likely also have some forward or rearward component of movement as well. - The
convergence area 74 is aligned with thesuction inlet 28 such that the rotatingrotary squeegee 58 moves the liquid on the floor toward theconvergence area 74 and better positioned for suction into thesuction inlet 28 for recovery of the liquid from thesurface 18. Directing fluid to aconvergence area 74 aligned with thesuction inlet 28 enables improved collection of fluid drawn by the suction source into thesuction inlet 28. In some embodiments, the improvement can be utilized by lowering the power of the suction source. This may be advantageous for battery-operated cleaners by providing a longer duration of operation for a battery capacity. - As best illustrated in
FIG. 7 , thefirst segment 68 a includes fivecontinuous squeegee elements 62 equally angularly spaced from each other around the circumference of thebody 60 and thesecond segment 68 b includes fivecontinuous squeegee elements 62 equally angularly spaced from each other around the circumference of thebody 60. Thesqueegee elements 62 slant away from the direction of rotation by arake angle 76 between 2 and 60 degrees, more particularly between 20 and 50 degrees, and even more particularly between 35 and 50 degrees. In some embodiments, thesqueegee elements 62 have norake angle 76 and instead extend radially from thebody 60. - The pitch of each of the
squeegee elements 62 is measured as the distance in the axial direction traveled between two common points on thehelical squeegee element 62. For example, if therotary squeegee 58 is not moving, this would be the distance between a first point thesqueegee element 62 contacts thesurface 18 to a second closest point on thesqueegee element 62 that also contacts the surface 18 (or to a hypothetical point that would contact thesurface 18 on a hypothetical extension of the helical squeegee element 62). Pitch may vary as desired based on the size of therotary working element 32 and the distance of desired axial fluid travel. The pitch may be 2 times the distance of the segment 68 of therotary squeegee 58, it may be between 0.5 to 4 times the distance of the segment 68, or it may be between 0.8 and 2.5 times the distance of the segment 68. - Referring again to
FIG. 7 , thesqueegee elements 62 are positioned to engage thesurface 18 to perform the wiping function. Thesqueegee elements 62 may engage thesurface 18 by between 0.2 and 5 mm engagement as desired to provide desired wiping performance in the application. Alarger rake angle 76 may enable a larger amount of surface engagement and smaller rake angles 76 may require less surface engagement. For one embodiment, therake angle 76 is between 35 and 50 degrees and the amount of interference with the floor is between 1 and 4 mm. -
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of arotary squeegee 158. Therotary squeegee 158 is similar to therotary squeegee 58 shown inFIGS. 5-7 except that thesqueegee elements 162 in each of the first andsecond segments squeegee elements 162 forming continuous helixes. Rather, thesqueegee elements 162 are discontinuous. Thefirst segment 168 a is formed by a plurality of helical lefthand squeegee elements 162 in series axially adjacent and angularly offset from each other forminggaps 178 in the plurality ofsqueegee elements 162. Thesecond segment 168 b is formed by a plurality of helical righthand squeegee elements 162 in series axially adjacent and angularly offset from each other forminggaps 178 in the plurality ofsqueegee elements 162. In particular, thegaps 178 are arranged in thediscontinuous squeegee elements 162 such that they align with thegap 178 of theadjacent squeegee element 162 to form a helical pattern. - The
first segment 168 a includes threediscontinuous squeegee elements 162 relatively equally angularly spaced from each other around the circumference of thebody 160 and thesecond segment 168 b includes threediscontinuous squeegee elements 162 relatively equally angularly spaced from each other around the circumference of thebody 160. Other embodiments of therotary squeegee 158 can include 1, 2, 4, or more than 5squeegee elements 162 helically wound about theaxis 136 and equally or unequally spaced around the circumference of thebody 160. -
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of arotary squeegee 258 similar to therotary squeegee 158 shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 in that therotary squeegee 258 includes twosegments single convergence area 274 centrally located on therotary squeegee 258, and three angularly-spaceddiscontinuous squeegee elements 262 on both the first andsecond segments rotary squeegee 258 ofFIGS. 10 and 11 is different from the one shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 in that arrangement of thegaps 278 is different. -
FIGS. 12-14 illustrate another embodiment of therotary squeegee 358 similar to therotary squeegee 58 shown inFIGS. 5-7 except that the each segment 368 includes only threesqueegee elements 362 wound around theaxis 336 and angularly spaced from each other. Thesqueegee elements 362 also include a shorter pitch and asmaller rake angle 376 than thesqueegee elements 62 shown inFIGS. 5-7 . -
FIG. 15 illustrates additional embodiments of the workingelement chamber 426 and therotary squeegee 458. In this embodiment, the workingelement chamber 426 includes two spaced apartsuction inlets convergence areas rotary squeegee 458. - As shown in
FIGS. 16 and 17 , thesqueegee elements 462 are divided into afirst segment 468 a having a left hand flight, asecond segment 468 b having a right hand flight, athird segment 468 c having a left hand flight, and afourth segment 468 d having a right hand flight. The end of thefirst segment 468 a is axially adjacent to the end of thesecond segment 468 b at afirst convergence area 474 a such that rotation of thesqueegee element 462 moves liquid along the first andsecond segments surface 418 in opposed axial directions toward thefirst convergence area 474 a. The end of thethird segment 468 c is axially adjacent to the end of thefourth segment 468 d at asecond convergence area 474 b such that rotation of thesqueegee element 462 moves liquid along the third andfourth segments surface 418 in opposed axial directions toward thesecond convergence area 474 b. - More specifically, with the forward rotation direction of the
rotary squeegee 458, the left hand flights cause the fluid on the surface to flow from right to left (as shown inFIG. 17 ) toward the first andsecond convergence areas second convergence areas third segments divergence area 480 as theadjacent segments second convergence areas - The first and
second convergence areas second suction inlets rotary squeegee 458 moves the liquid on thesurface 418 toward theconvergence areas suction inlets surface 418. Directing fluid to the twoconvergence areas suction inlets suction inlets -
FIGS. 18-20 illustrate another embodiment of arotary squeegee 558 to be utilized with a workingelement chamber 526 having two suction ormore inlets rotary squeegee 558 includes fourconvergence areas squeegee elements 562 having opposed flights. As opposed to previously described embodiments, theconvergence areas suction inlets divergence areas outer convergence areas second suction inlets squeegee elements 562 of adjacent segments 568 may overlap partially in the axial direction. - Other embodiments of the rotary squeegee may include 3 or more than four convergence areas. In addition, any number of convergence areas can be used with any number of suction inlets. In addition, the convergence areas may or may not be aligned with the suction inlets.
-
FIGS. 21-22 illustrate another embodiment of therotary working element 632 including a plurality of uniformly distributednubs 682 extending radially from thebody 660 toward thesurface 618 to be cleaned. Alternatively, thenubs 682 could be arranged in a helical pattern, a chevron pattern, or an otherwise non-uniformly distributed pattern. Thenubs 682 may be positioned in any spacing or arrangement as desired for the application. - The
nubs 682 are cylindrical or tapered cylindrical having a diameter between 1 mm and 5 mm, and more specifically between 2 mm and 4 mm. In one embodiment, the length of thenubs 682 is between 5 and 20 mm in length extending from thebody 660, and more particularly between 6 and 15 mm in length. In yet another embodiment, thenubs 682 are between 8 mm and 12 mm in length having a diameter between 1.5 and 3.5 mm. - Each of the
nubs 682 is spaced fromadjacent nubs 682 by a center-to-center distance between 1.3 times the diameter to 6 times the diameter and may be spaced apart as desired for various applications. In the illustrated embodiment, the nubs are spaced a center-to-center distance of between 1.5 times and 2.5 times the diameter of thenubs 682 in a first helical direction and spaced a center-to-center distance of between 2.5 times and 4 times the diameter of the nubs in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. - The
nubs 682 are positioned to engage thesurface 618 to perform an agitating and wiping function. Thenubs 682 may engage thesurface 618 by between 0.2 mm and 5 mm engagement as desired to provide desired wiping performance. Thenubs 682 are aligned radially from thebody 660, but could alternatively slant away from the direction of rotation by a rake angle. A larger rake angle may enable a larger amount of surface engagement and smaller rake angles may require less surface engagement. In some embodiments, the rake angle is between 2 and 60 degrees, more particularly between 20 and 50 degrees, and even more particularly between 35-50 degrees. For one embodiment, the rake angle is between 35 and 50 degrees and the amount of interference with the floor is between 2 mm and 4 mm. -
FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate another embodiment of arotary working element 732 including the combination of arotary squeegee 758 similar to therotary squeegee 58 illustrated inFIGS. 4-6 and a plurality ofnubs 782 distributed uniformly between the plurality ofsqueegee elements 762 of therotary squeegee 758. In other embodiments, the rotary working element can include any other helical squeegee embodiment illustrated or disclosed and include a plurality of nubs distributed uniformly between the plurality of squeegee elements of the helical squeegee. - The
squeegee elements 762 and thenubs 782 are made from silicone material. In one embodiment, the silicone material is a hydrophobic material. The hydrophobic silicone material has hydrophobicity measured by a contact angle in a range from 80° to 135° in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the hydrophobicity of the silicone material is measured by a contact angle greater than 135°. In yet another embodiment, the silicone material has a hydrophobicity measured by a contact angle in a range from 85° to 115°. The hydrophobic silicone helps facilitate cleaning of the squeegee. Additionally, silicone material is resistant to elevated temperatures, is flexible, and durable. In other embodiments, the features are made from natural or synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane, or thermoplastic polyurethane, or any other flexible, resilient material as desired for the cleaning application. In one embodiment, the durometer is between 45 and 60 Shore A. In another embodiment, the durometer is between 60 and 80 Shore A. - Although not illustrated, some embodiments of the floor cleaner may include the use of two rotary working elements used in combination such that one rotary working elements is used in front of the other rotary working element relative to the forward direction of the surface cleaning head. The front and rear rotary working elements can be any combination of the illustrated or disclosed rotary working elements. The front and rear rotary working elements can be the same or different from each other.
Claims (34)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17/239,082 US20210330161A1 (en) | 2020-04-24 | 2021-04-23 | Rotary working element |
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US202063015232P | 2020-04-24 | 2020-04-24 | |
US202063036714P | 2020-06-09 | 2020-06-09 | |
US17/239,082 US20210330161A1 (en) | 2020-04-24 | 2021-04-23 | Rotary working element |
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US20210330161A1 true US20210330161A1 (en) | 2021-10-28 |
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US17/239,062 Abandoned US20210330151A1 (en) | 2020-04-24 | 2021-04-23 | Floor cleaner including an agitator |
US17/239,082 Pending US20210330161A1 (en) | 2020-04-24 | 2021-04-23 | Rotary working element |
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US17/239,062 Abandoned US20210330151A1 (en) | 2020-04-24 | 2021-04-23 | Floor cleaner including an agitator |
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US (2) | US20210330151A1 (en) |
WO (2) | WO2021217029A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD962568S1 (en) * | 2019-09-16 | 2022-08-30 | Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited | Floor cleaner |
USD968737S1 (en) * | 2017-07-24 | 2022-11-01 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Vacuum cleaner nozzle |
USD1013305S1 (en) * | 2020-12-22 | 2024-01-30 | Suzhou Zhengykai Electronic Appliance Co., Ltd | Floor cleaner |
USD1033774S1 (en) * | 2020-12-07 | 2024-07-02 | Jiangsu Midea Cleaning Appliances Co., Ltd. | Cleaner |
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JP2583958B2 (en) * | 1988-04-20 | 1997-02-19 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Floor nozzle for vacuum cleaner |
KR100572153B1 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2006-04-24 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | A brush assembly and a vaccum cleaner comprising brush assembly |
US20080276414A1 (en) * | 2005-10-18 | 2008-11-13 | Nilfisk-Advance, Inc. | Floor Maintenance Machine Using a Spiral, Tufted, Cylindrical Brush |
GB2470918A (en) * | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating means for a cleaning head |
AU2014100004A4 (en) * | 2013-01-11 | 2014-01-30 | Bissell Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
GB2509925B (en) * | 2013-01-17 | 2015-05-27 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitator for a surface treating appliance |
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US9326654B2 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2016-05-03 | Irobot Corporation | Roller brush for surface cleaning robots |
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KR102451450B1 (en) * | 2015-11-16 | 2022-10-07 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Drum for cleaner and cleaner having the same |
AU2016406798B2 (en) * | 2016-12-15 | 2023-05-18 | Irobot Corporation | Cleaning roller for cleaning robots |
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2021
- 2021-04-23 WO PCT/US2021/028887 patent/WO2021217029A1/en active Application Filing
- 2021-04-23 WO PCT/US2021/028894 patent/WO2021217033A1/en active Application Filing
- 2021-04-23 US US17/239,062 patent/US20210330151A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2021-04-23 US US17/239,082 patent/US20210330161A1/en active Pending
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USD968737S1 (en) * | 2017-07-24 | 2022-11-01 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Vacuum cleaner nozzle |
USD962568S1 (en) * | 2019-09-16 | 2022-08-30 | Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited | Floor cleaner |
USD1033774S1 (en) * | 2020-12-07 | 2024-07-02 | Jiangsu Midea Cleaning Appliances Co., Ltd. | Cleaner |
USD1013305S1 (en) * | 2020-12-22 | 2024-01-30 | Suzhou Zhengykai Electronic Appliance Co., Ltd | Floor cleaner |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2021217033A1 (en) | 2021-10-28 |
US20210330151A1 (en) | 2021-10-28 |
WO2021217029A1 (en) | 2021-10-28 |
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