WO2024259068A1 - Rouleau-brosse ou cassette interchangeable pour aspirateur - Google Patents

Rouleau-brosse ou cassette interchangeable pour aspirateur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024259068A1
WO2024259068A1 PCT/US2024/033755 US2024033755W WO2024259068A1 WO 2024259068 A1 WO2024259068 A1 WO 2024259068A1 US 2024033755 W US2024033755 W US 2024033755W WO 2024259068 A1 WO2024259068 A1 WO 2024259068A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vacuum cleaner
cassette
base unit
agitation member
cover
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2024/033755
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jason Thorne
Charles S. Brunner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Origyn LLC
Original Assignee
Origyn LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Origyn LLC filed Critical Origyn LLC
Publication of WO2024259068A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024259068A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • 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
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B13/00—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers
    • A46B13/001—Cylindrical or annular brush bodies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B13/00—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers
    • A46B13/02—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers power-driven carriers
    • 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
    • A47L9/0411—Driving means for the brushes or agitators driven by electric motor
    • 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
    • A47L9/0427—Gearing or transmission means therefor
    • 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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/30—Brushes for cleaning or polishing
    • A46B2200/3033—Household brush, i.e. brushes for cleaning in the house or dishes

Definitions

  • Cleaning tools such as vacuum cleaners have been used for decades to aid in cleaning dirt and other debris from floors.
  • Most vacuum cleaners have a built-in motor to facilitate air suction and an area to collect dirt, but the units are often heavy and bulky, thus making it difficult to deftly maneuver the unit around a given floorspace.
  • the vacuum cleaner may also not pick up debris from every surface as effectively. Accordingly, there exist some drawbacks and other unsolved issues that limit the convenience of vacuum cleaners.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric, three-dimensional view of a vacuum cleaner, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2B illustrates a three-dimensional view of the nozzle assembly with an installed cassette in the nozzle assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a three-dimensional view of another nozzle assembly of a vacuum cleaner, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a three-dimensional view of changing a brushroll from the nozzle assembly of FIG. 3, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 5A illustrates a three-dimensional view of another nozzle assembly having an installed cassette, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 5B illustrates a three-dimensional view of the cassette from FIG. 5A, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 5C illustrates a three-dimensional view of the cover from the cassette of FIG. 5A, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIGs. 5D and 5E illustrate methods of coupling a given cassette with a nozzle assembly, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 6A illustrates another nozzle assembly with a cassette having no agitation structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 6B illustrates the cover of the cassette having no agitation structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a cassette having more than one agitation structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • vacuum cleaners include a nozzle assembly having a brushroll or similar agitation member to facilitate the collection of debris off of a surface.
  • a given brushroll may effectively collect dirt from one type of surface, but may not be as effective on another type of surface.
  • Surface types can include carpet, tile, hardwood floor, rug, concrete, or linoleum to name a few examples. Changing the brushroll to a different type is either not possible on most vacuum designs or requires inconveniently changing the entire nozzle assembly or connecting various parts.
  • a vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly at a distal end of the vacuum cleaner.
  • the nozzle assembly has a base unit.
  • the vacuum cleaner also includes a handle at a proximal end of the vacuum cleaner, a waste receptacle, a motor configured to draw air through the nozzle assembly and into the waste receptacle, a mechanical motor disposed on the nozzle assembly, and a cassette configured to detachably couple to a portion of the base unit.
  • the cassette includes an agitation member and a cover over the agitation member.
  • the mechanical motor is configured to rotate the agitation member when the cassette is coupled to the portion of the base unit.
  • a vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly at a distal end of the vacuum cleaner.
  • the nozzle assembly has a base unit.
  • the vacuum cleaner also includes a handle at a proximal end of the vacuum cleaner, a waste receptacle, a motor configured to draw air through the nozzle assembly and into the waste receptacle, a mechanical motor disposed on the nozzle assembly, an agitation member detachably coupled to the base unit, and a cover over the agitation member and fixed to the base unit.
  • the agitation member is configured to be removed from the base unit or installed into the base unit independently from the cover.
  • spatially relative terms such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element (s) or feature (s) as illustrated in the figures.
  • the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
  • the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective three-dimensional view of a vacuum cleaner 100, according to an embodiment.
  • Vacuum cleaner 100 has the general shape of a stick vacuum, however, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein with regards to the nozzle assembly may be used on any type of vacuum cleaner, such as a stick vacuum cleaner, canister vacuum cleaner, or upright vacuum cleaner.
  • vacuum cleaner 100 includes a nozzle assembly 102 at a distal end of vacuum cleaner 100 while a handle 104 may be coupled to a proximal end of vacuum cleaner 100.
  • Nozzle assembly 102 can include a rotatable brush head or any other type of cleaning head for facilitating the gathering of debris from the floor or other surfaces.
  • vacuum cleaner 100 also includes at least a motor 106 and a waste receptacle 108.
  • Motor 106 may be any suitable vacuum motor, such as a universal motor, that draws air up through nozzle assembly 102 and into waste receptacle 108.
  • the waste receptacle 108 may have a substantially cylindrical shape to fit with the overall form factor of vacuum cleaner 100. Waste receptacle 108 may have any suitable elongated geometry.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a three-dimensional illustration of nozzle assembly 102 along with interchangeable cassettes to be placed into nozzle assembly 102, according to some embodiments.
  • a first cassette 104 may be designed to effectively pick up debris from a first type of floor surface while a second cassette 106 may be designed to effectively pick up debris from a second type of floor surface.
  • first cassette 104 may include a first agitation member 108 and a liquid interface 110 to clean hardwood floors with the aid of liquid added to the cleaning surface
  • second cassette 106 may include a second agitation member 114 designed to clean a carpeted surface.
  • first cassette 104 may be a “wet” cassette that is designed to interface with liquid provided by the vacuum cleaner during cleaning and second cassette 106 may be a “dry” cassette that does not interface with any liquid provided by the vacuum cleaner.
  • first agitation member 108 and second agitation member 114 are brushrolls with any number of bristles, however, any number of other agitation structures can be used to pick up debris.
  • first cassette 104 includes a first cover 112 and second cassette 106 includes a second cover 116.
  • First and second covers 112 and 116 may serve various purposes. For examples, the covers protect the underlying agitation members and may also form a vacuum seal to allow debris to be sucked up further into the vacuum cleaner.
  • first and second covers 112 and 116 can include agitation structures that aid in dislodging debris from agitation members 108 and 114, respectively. Covers 112 and 116 may be opaque, transparent, or translucent.
  • first cassette 104 and second cassette 106 are interchangeable within nozzle assembly 102.
  • a mechanical motor 118 extends upwards from a base unit 120 and either cassette may be placed over mechanical motor 118 and rotated into base unit 120.
  • Mechanical motor 118 may be a stepper motor or any other suitable motor design that provides mechanical rotation to a corresponding agitation member.
  • the cassette may snap into place once rotated down into base unit 120 to form the nozzle assembly as illustrated in Figure 2B.
  • Any cassette installed into base unit 120 may be mechanically coupled to motor 118 for driving the agitation member.
  • mechanical motor 118 is located elsewhere on nozzle assembly 102 or on another part of the vacuum cleaner and the cassette is instead placed over a connection member or otherwise snapped into place within base unit 120.
  • a pedal 122 may be depressed (by using a user’s foot, for example) to release the cassette from base unit 120.
  • the release of the cassette may automatically rotate the cassette and/or motor 118 upwards to any angle above base unit 120 or to a substantially 90-degree angle about base unit 120.
  • the upwards rotation of the cassette and/or motor 118 may be facilitated using a torsion spring and a rotary damper to slow its motion as it approaches the final angle.
  • the vacuum cleaner may include a liquid reservoir 124 for holding any type of cleaning fluid or water.
  • the cleaning fluid may be dispensed onto the cleaning surface when used in conjunction with a “wet” cassette designed to interface with liquid reservoir 124, such as first cassette 104, according to some embodiments.
  • An inlet 126 may also be provided into liquid reservoir 124 to fill it with any desirable liquid.
  • nozzle assembly 102 includes one or more sensors that determine what cassette has been loaded into base unit 120.
  • Each cassette may include any type of unique identifier (e.g., barcode, RFID tag, pin arrangement, etc.) that is read by a sensor on base unit 120 or on some other part of nozzle assembly 102.
  • One or more different actions may be performed upon determining what cassette has been loaded into base unit 120. For example, upon determining that first cassette 104 has been loaded into base unit 120, liquid flow from liquid reservoir 124 may be unlocked or otherwise enabled. In contrast, loading a dry cassette, such as second cassette 106, into base unit 102 may cause liquid flow to be blocked or otherwise disabled from liquid reservoir 124.
  • the rotational speed of the agitation member of a loaded cassette may be adjusted based on what type of cassette it is.
  • the suction power of the vacuum cleaner may also be adjusted based on what cassette has been loaded into base unit 102.
  • cassettes are discussed with reference to Figures 2A and 2B, it should be understood that any number of different cassettes can be used with nozzle assembly 102.
  • Each of the different cassettes may have a corresponding agitation structure for picking up debris, with different agitation structures used for the efficient removal of debris from different surfaces.
  • Each cassette can be quickly installed and removed from base unit 120 of nozzle assembly 102.
  • each cassette can be easily cleaned and/or stored as the motor and any corresponding gear structures remain on nozzle assembly 102 or elsewhere on the vacuum cleaner.
  • Any of the cassettes may also include other features not explicitly illustrated such as, for example, receptacles for debris, cleaning solutions, air fresheners, or sensors.
  • Figure 3 illustrates another example of a nozzle assembly 102 having a translucent cover 302.
  • a second pedal 304 may be provided along the vacuum cleaner to remove nozzle assembly 102 from the end of the vacuum cleaner.
  • first agitation member 402 is a brushroll having any number of bristles or flaps.
  • Both agitation member 402 and cover 302 may be rotated upwards and away from base unit 120 about a hinge or other similar structure as indicated by the arrow, to facilitate the removal of first agitation member 402.
  • Agitation member 402 and cover 302 may be rotated to any angle above base unit 120, such as a substantially 90 degree angle, as illustrated in Figure 4.
  • first agitation member 402 may be slid upwards and away from base unit 120 while cover 302 remains. Second agitation member 404 may then be slid down onto any connection structure and rotated back towards base unit 120 along with cover 302.
  • second agitation member 404 is a brushless roll. Any type of agitation member can be removed and/or installed in this way.
  • a mechanical motor 406 is located separately from where the agitation members are installed. In some examples, mechanical motor 406 rotates along with agitation member 404 and cover 302.
  • FIG. 5A illustrates another example of a nozzle assembly 500 having a base structure 502 and a cassette 504 removably coupled with base structure 502.
  • Cassette 504 may be similar to any of the cassettes described above.
  • cassette 504 includes at least a cover 506 and an agitation member 508 to assist in picking up debris.
  • a front face of cover 506 includes any number of entrance elements 510 that help to direct debris towards agitation member 508.
  • entrance elements 510 also block large debris from entering into the system to prevent jamming.
  • cassette 504 is coupled to or otherwise rests upon a first arm 512 and a second arm 514 of base unit 502.
  • first arm 512 and second arm 514 extend parallel to one another away from a front-facing surface of base unit 502, according to some embodiments.
  • cover 506 may form a vacuum or suction seal around agitation member 508 such that debris is drawn back into an exit port 516, according to some embodiments.
  • Exit port 516 may be located anywhere along the front facing surface of base structure 502 or along any side surfaces of base structure 502.
  • Figure 5B illustrates an example of cassette 504 removed from base unit 502.
  • Entrance elements 510 may have any size or shape to allow passage for different sized debris.
  • different cassettes include covers having differently sized and/or shaped entrance elements 510.
  • FIG. 5C illustrates an example of cover 506 with agitation member 508 removed.
  • the inside surface of cover 506 may include one or more cover structures 518, such as a blade or rib structure.
  • Cover structure 518 may be positioned to scrape along a portion of agitation member 508 as it rotates to dislodge debris from agitation member 508. The debris can then be sucked further into the vacuum cleaner via exit port 516.
  • cover structure 518 is designed to squeegee liquid off of the surface of agitation member 508 as it rotates.
  • Figure 5D illustrates another example of placing cassette 504 into base unit 502 of the vacuum cleaner.
  • cassette 504 is lowered onto base unit 502 and may snap or clamp into place.
  • a mechanical catch or latch may be engaged to snap or clamp cassette 504 into place.
  • first arm 512 and second arm 514 of base unit 502 each includes a mechanical catch or latch to engage with cassette 504.
  • one of first arm 512 or second arm 514 of base unit 502 includes a mechanical catch or latch to engage with cassette 504.
  • cassette 504 merely rests upon first arm 512 and second arm 514 and engages with a mechanical latch or catch located on a front face of base unit 502.
  • Figure 5E illustrates another example of placing cassette 504 into base unit 502 of the vacuum cleaner.
  • cassette 504 is first placed on or near an edge of first arm 512 and then rotated downwards onto base unit 502 to engage with or otherwise contact second arm 514.
  • cassette 504 may couple with a mechanical catch or latch on first arm 512 combined with a hinge that allows cassette 504 to rotate about the hinge and into void 520 between first arm 512 and second arm 514.
  • Another mechanical catch or latch may be present on second arm 514 to engage with cassette 504.
  • FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a cassette 602 having a cover 604 that engages with one or both of first arm 512 and second arm 514. No agitation structure is present such that suction alone is used to pick up debris and pull it into exit port 516 from underneath cover 604.
  • FIG. 6B illustrates a view of cassette 602 following its removal from base unit 502. Cassette 602 may include entrance elements 606 similar to those discussed above.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a cassette 700 having a cover 702 that is wide enough to fit more than one agitation member, according to some embodiments.
  • cover 702 includes a first agitation member 704 and a second agitation member 706.
  • first agitation member 704 and second agitation member 706 are the same type of agitation member (e.g., same type of brushrolls or brushless rolls).
  • first agitation member 704 is a different type compared to second agitation member 706.
  • First agitation member 704 may be the same size as second agitation member706, or they may be different sizes.
  • first agitation member 704 and second agitation member 706 rotate in the same direction during operation to pick up debris while in other embodiments, first agitation member 704 rotates in the opposite direction compared to second agitation member 706. Any number of agitation members may be used depending on the available space beneath cover 702.
  • nozzle assembly and/or cassette designs illustrated, for example, in any of Figures 2A - 7 can be utilized within any type of vacuum cleaner.
  • the illustrated nozzle assembly and/or cassette designs can be used within any standard upright vacuum cleaner, any stick vacuum cleaner, or any canister vacuum cleaner.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)

Abstract

Un aspirateur comprend un ensemble buse 102 au niveau d'une extrémité distale de l'aspirateur 100. L'ensemble buse 102 comprend une unité de base 120. L'aspirateur 100 comprend également une poignée 104 au niveau d'une extrémité proximale de l'aspirateur 100, un réceptacle de déchets 108, un moteur 106 conçu pour aspirer de l'air à travers l'ensemble buse 102 et dans le réceptacle de déchets 108, et un moteur mécanique 118 disposé sur l'ensemble buse 102. Un élément d'agitation 108, 114 peut être couplé de manière amovible à l'unité de base 120 avec un couvercle 112, 116 sur l'élément d'agitation 108, 114 et fixé à l'unité de base 120. L'élément d'agitation 108, 114 peut également faire partie d'une cassette 104, 106 conjointement avec le couvercle, de telle sorte que toute la cassette 104, 106 est couplée de manière amovible à l'unité de base 120.
PCT/US2024/033755 2023-06-16 2024-06-13 Rouleau-brosse ou cassette interchangeable pour aspirateur Ceased WO2024259068A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202363521527P 2023-06-16 2023-06-16
US63/521,527 2023-06-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024259068A1 true WO2024259068A1 (fr) 2024-12-19

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ID=91898157

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2024/033755 Ceased WO2024259068A1 (fr) 2023-06-16 2024-06-13 Rouleau-brosse ou cassette interchangeable pour aspirateur

Country Status (2)

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US (1) US20240415348A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2024259068A1 (fr)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170188765A1 (en) * 2016-01-04 2017-07-06 Jiangsu Midea Cleaning Appliances Co., Ltd. Ground brush for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner with the same
US20220346612A1 (en) * 2018-10-08 2022-11-03 Dyson Technology Limited Cleaner head

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170188765A1 (en) * 2016-01-04 2017-07-06 Jiangsu Midea Cleaning Appliances Co., Ltd. Ground brush for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner with the same
US20220346612A1 (en) * 2018-10-08 2022-11-03 Dyson Technology Limited Cleaner head

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Publication number Publication date
US20240415348A1 (en) 2024-12-19

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