Automated brushroll cleaning
First Claim
1. A vacuum cleaner agitator system comprising:
- a floor agitator comprising a spindle extending along a longitudinal direction, agitators projecting from the spindle and one or more friction surfaces projecting from the spindle and extending a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction;
an electric motor configured to apply a torque to rotate the floor agitator about a rotation axis that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction;
an agitator cleaner mounted adjacent the floor agitator and comprising a blade edge that extends along the entire predetermined length of the one or more friction surfaces, the agitator cleaner being movable to an active position in which the blade edge engages the floor agitator, is parallel to the longitudinal direction and contacts at least a portion of an outermost radial face of the one or more friction surfaces to remove debris from the floor agitator;
an agitator cleaner actuator configured to selectively move the agitator cleaner to the active position; and
a controller configured to automatically operate the agitator cleaner actuator according to one or more predetermined operating criteria.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cleaning device agitator system having an agitator and one or more cleaning members. The agitator has first and second ends, a longitudinal axis and one or more agitating devices. One or more friction surfaces may project from the spindle. The cleaning members are adjacent the agitator and adapted to move between a first position and a second position. In at least the second position, the cleaning members engage the agitator, such as by engaging the friction surfaces, to remove debris. Agitator and cleaning members may be incorporated into a cleaning head having an inlet nozzle and a chamber in which the agitator rotates, and there may be an activation mechanism using, for example, a resilient member to move the cleaning members. An overload protection device may be provided, and may adjust its sensitivity depending on whether the cleaning devices are in the first or second position.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A vacuum cleaner agitator system comprising:
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a floor agitator comprising a spindle extending along a longitudinal direction, agitators projecting from the spindle and one or more friction surfaces projecting from the spindle and extending a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction; an electric motor configured to apply a torque to rotate the floor agitator about a rotation axis that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction; an agitator cleaner mounted adjacent the floor agitator and comprising a blade edge that extends along the entire predetermined length of the one or more friction surfaces, the agitator cleaner being movable to an active position in which the blade edge engages the floor agitator, is parallel to the longitudinal direction and contacts at least a portion of an outermost radial face of the one or more friction surfaces to remove debris from the floor agitator; an agitator cleaner actuator configured to selectively move the agitator cleaner to the active position; and a controller configured to automatically operate the agitator cleaner actuator according to one or more predetermined operating criteria. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A vacuum cleaner agitator system comprising:
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a housing; an inlet nozzle through a lower surface of the housing; an agitator chamber in the housing adjacent to and in fluid communication with the inlet nozzle; a rotary agitator comprising; a spindle extending along a longitudinal direction from a first spindle end to a second spindle end, the spindle being mounted to the housing within the agitator chamber, and rotatable about a rotation axis that is parallel with the longitudinal direction, agitating devices arranged between the first spindle end and the second spindle end and projecting from the spindle to extend through the inlet nozzle when the spindle rotates, and one or more friction surfaces projecting from the spindle and extending along a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction; an electric motor configured to apply a torque to rotate the rotary agitator; an agitator cleaner mounted adjacent the floor agitator and comprising a blade edge that extends along the entire predetermined length of the one or more friction surfaces, the agitator cleaner being movable between an inactive position in which the agitator cleaner does not engage the rotary agitator, and an active position in which the blade edge is parallel to the longitudinal direction and contacts at least a portion of an outermost radial face of the one or more friction surfaces to remove debris therefrom; an agitator cleaner actuator configured to selectively move the agitator cleaner to the active position; and a controller configured to automatically operate the agitator cleaner actuator according to one or more predetermined operating criteria. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification