Abstract:
Embodiments include a vacuum head portion and a combined suction and blowing mechanism configured to agitate and remove debris. A set of powered fans provide an external pressured air source to provide pressured air for the blowing mechanism. The vacuum head portion may include blowing and suction nozzles arranged with the blowing nozzles flanking the suction nozzles. The set of powered fans may be driven an electric motor or via air turbines disposed in an air stream of the suction nozzles. The blowing nozzles may be in parallel rows adjacent to the suction nozzles. The blowing mechanism may be operated to act as a suction device by reversing the rotational direction of the set of powered fans via a switching mechanism to create a negative pressure or suction to assist the suction nozzles. The vacuum head portion may be formed as a removable detachment to the vacuum cleaner.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention. 
         [0002]    A conventional vacuum cleaner may include a head portion that is in contact with a surface to be cleaned, a tube or flexible hose or a combination thereof to connect the head portion to a main body, and an air suction mechanism housed in the main body. When the suction mechanism is switched on, the tube provides a suction flow path from the head portion to the main body, so dirt, dust and other debris may be removed from the surface to be cleaned. The main body typically includes a dirt bag or other container to collect the debris. 
         [0003]    The suction mechanism in the main body is conventionally generated by an electric motor driving a fan. A suction flow path connects the low pressure side of the fan to the head portion. Conventionally, an exhaust flow path connects the high pressure side of the fan to a filtered exhaust to establish an exhaust air flow from the high pressure side of the fan to outside the main body. 
         [0004]    As similarly above, vacuum cleaners typically use a suction nozzle that is movable across a surface to be cleaned. The suction created at an inlet in the nozzle results in the removal of free dirt particles accumulated on the surface. However, ground in dirt is frequently encountered when cleaning carpets or other textured surfaces, and reliance on suction for removal of such ground-in dirt has proven to be unsatisfactory. 
         [0005]    The head portion of a vacuum cleaner is conventionally equipped with a mechanical agitator, mimicking a sweeping function. The agitator may be in the form of a stationary brush or a rotating brush which rolls as the head portion is moved against the cleaning surface. Alternatively, the brush may be mechanically driven by an electric motor which is primarily used for the mechanical agitator. Alternatively, the brush may be mechanically driven by a belt to connect to the electric motor within the main body which is primarily used for the suction mechanism. 
         [0006]    The mechanical agitator is sometimes undesirable due to the nature of the surface to be cleaned. One disadvantage of a mechanical agitator is damage to the surface being cleaned. Delicate material or surfaces prohibit the use of a mechanical brush as it might cause damage to the surface. One remedy may be to substitute the mechanical agitator with a touchless agitation mechanism such as a sonic agitator which relies on fluctuation in air flow through the nozzle opening to dislodge dirt particles. Although sonic agitators avoid physical damage to a carpet often caused by mechanical agitators, they are not as effective in dislodging dirt on the surface of a carpet pile. At the same time, mechanical agitators are not as effective in removing particles embedded deeply in the carpet pile. Also, mechanical agitators tend to push dirt particles down into the carpet, thereby making it more difficult to effectively clean the carpet. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Another remedy may be to instead use a touchless agitator where the debris is agitated by a pressured air flow blown to the surface to be cleaned. This option also provides for better dusting when the surface to be cleaned has hard to reach dusty grooves, an example of which is a keyboard. The touchless agitation mechanism may also be used in conjunction with the conventional mechanical agitator for improved debris removal. 
         [0008]    To provide the pressured air flow for the touchless agitation mechanism, the touchless agitation mechanism may be provided by a separate motor or drive mechanism driving a fan, wherein a blowing flow path connects the high pressure side of the fan to the head portion. 
         [0009]    Embodiments include an apparatus, which includes a housing including a suction portion having a suction source connected to a motor connected to a power source; a suction pipe connected to the housing and the vacuum suction portion; a head portion connected to the suction hose via an inlet opening; and a set of rotating fans connected to a drive mechanism and disposed in the head portion. The set of rotating fans is further disposed adjacent to the inlet opening, and the set of rotating fans are configured to synchronously push or pull air to or from a surface to be cleaned when the vacuum suction portion is in operation. 
         [0010]    Embodiments also include an apparatus, which includes a base; a head portion connected to the base via a suction pipe; a suction inlet in the head portion; and a set of rotating fans connected to a drive mechanism and disposed in the head portion adjacent to the suction inlet. The set of rotating fans are configured to synchronously push or pull air to or from a surface to be cleaned. 
         [0011]    The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of a head portion of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are illustrative views of a roller-activated switch according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of a vacuum cleaner having a plug-in head portion according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are illustrative views a vacuum cleaner having a battery-powered head portion according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of a head portion of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 6A to 6D  are illustrative views of a head portion having shutters of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of a head portion of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are illustrative views of a head portion of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are illustrative views of a head portion of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an illustrative view of a head portion of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of a head portion  100  of a vacuum cleaner.  FIG. 1  shows head portion  100  including roller mechanism  105 , a set of rotating powered fans  110 , vacuum inlet  115 , and suction pipe or hose  120 . In certain embodiments, the set of rotating powered fans  110  are adjacent to and flank the vacuum inlet  115  although the rotating fans  110  could be located above or below the vacuum inlet  115  or elsewhere on the head portion  100 . In certain embodiments, roller mechanism  105  may be configured to be operable as a switch or control mechanism which synchronously operates or turns on both fans  110  and a suction device (as shown in  FIG. 3  at  320 ) simultaneously. For example, roller mechanism  105  may be electrically coupled to both the fans  110  and the suction device  320  to operate as a mutual switch, thereby causing suction and insufflation to be synched. 
         [0025]    Further, roller mechanism  105  may be configured to act as a pressure-sensitive switch in which a predetermined amount of pressure will cause both fans  110  and the suction device to operate at the same time, as discussed above. In some embodiments, roller mechanism  105  may be configured to also change the speed of fans  110  when a predetermined amount of pressure is placed upon roller mechanism  105 . For example, if an operator wishes or needs increased agitation of the surface to be cleaned, then by increasing pressure applied towards head portion  100  may affect an increase in insufflation (blowing) by fans  110 . 
         [0026]    Further, fans  110  may be configured with a reversible motor (not shown) for insufflation or blowing of air towards a surface to be cleaned thereby effecting a more efficient cleaning of the surface. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, head portion  100  may be configured as a removable detachment from suction hose  120  for cleaning purposes or the like. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are illustrative views of a roller-activated pressure switch  200  of roller mechanism  105 . In some embodiments, roller-activated switch  200  may be configured to control and/or activate fans  110 . In certain embodiments, switch  200  may be configured to control the rotational speed and/or direction of fans  110  via a reversible motor (not shown). In addition, in certain embodiments, the rotational direction of fans  110  may be controlled via a separate switch or control (as shown in  FIG. 5  at  525 ) disposed on or near the handle of the vacuum cleaner within easy reach of an operator. Further, in certain embodiments, the rotational speed may be directly or indirectly proportional to the amount of pressure placed on roller mechanism  105 . 
         [0029]    The high pressure side of fans  110  may be changed by changing the rotational direction of fans  110 , thus effecting whether an operator wishes to blow/push air or suction/pull air near the surface to be cleaned. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  shows roller mechanism  105  configured in a pressure switch arrangement including springs  205  disposed between poles of the switch  200 , an arm holder  215  of the roller  105 , where the holder  215  includes an area slip  220  which allows roller axle  225  to freely move in translation therein when pressure is applied. In  FIG. 2A , roller mechanism  105  and switch  200  are shown in a position spaced-apart from the surface  230  to be cleaned and therefore switch  200  is in an open position at electrical contacts  210 .  FIG. 2B  shows roller mechanism  105  in a position in contact with the surface  230  to be cleaned and therefore switch  200  is in a closed position at electrical contacts  210 . 
         [0031]    Alternatively, embodiments of the invention are not limited to the pressure switch arrangement shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  and may be a combination of elements which come into contact with the surface to be cleaned in order to activate fans  110  without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of a vacuum cleaner  300  having a plug-in head portion  305 . In some embodiments, vacuum cleaner  300  may include a plug-in head portion  305  connected to a hose handle  310 . Handle  310  may be connected to a suction hose  315  connected to a suction device  320 . Suction device  320  may be electrically wired (at  325 ) to a power source (not shown). Head portion  305  may include an electrical contact  330  electrically wired (at  335 ) to the same or another power source (not shown) configured to power fans  110 . 
         [0033]    Alternatively,  FIGS. 4A and 4B  are illustrative views of a vacuum cleaner  400  having a battery-powered head portion  405 . In some embodiments, vacuum cleaner  400  may include a battery-powered head portion  405  connected to a hose handle  410 . Handle  410  may be connected to a suction hose  415  connected to a suction device  420 . Suction device  420  may be electrically wired (at  425 ) to a power source (not shown), such as a standard electrical outlet. Referring to  FIG. 4B , head portion  405  may include an internal rechargeable battery power source  430  configured to power fans  110 . Head portion  405  may be configured such that battery power source  430  is fixed or removable for easy replacement when needed. Battery power source  430  may be configured to be chargeable from electrical wire  425  when plugged into a power source (not shown), such as a standard electrical outlet or via a separate electrical wire and plug-in arrangement, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0034]    Alternatively, in some embodiments, fans  110  may be incorporated into either vacuum cleaner  300  or vacuum cleaner  400  such that fans  110  are directly powered by the vacuum cleaner ( 300 ,  400 ) itself via wires ( 325 ,  425 ). 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of a head portion  500  for a vacuum cleaner. In certain embodiments, head portion  500  may include separate air ducts  505 ,  510  in communication with fans  110  to a main air duct  515 . Air ducts  505 ,  510  may be configured to allow for the pulled (suction) air to enter a vacuum cleaner debris container (not shown). Further, air ducts  505 ,  510  may be configured to include air flow valve control elements  520  disposed at or near fans  110  configured to control the direction of air flow either to main air duct  515  in the case of pulling (suction) air via fans  110  or from outside air in the case of insufflation (blowing) of air via fans  110 . Air flow valve control elements  520  may be configured to open in the case of pulling air via fans  110  and thereby allowing air to flow towards main air duct  515 . Further, air flow valve control elements  520  may be configured to close in the case of blowing air via fans  110  and thereby preventing air to flow from main air duct  515 . In addition, air flow valve control elements  520  may include an outside air vent (not shown) to provide fresh air in the case of the blowing air fans  110 . Switch  525  may be disposed at a distal end of main air duct  515  proximal an operator and switch  525  may be configured to control whether fans  110  are pulling (suction) or performing insufflation (blowing) by reversing the rotational direction of fans  110 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 6A to 6D  are illustrative views of a head portion  600  of a vacuum cleaner including roller mechanism  605 , fans  610 , and fan shutters  615 . Head portion  600  further includes a suction inlet  620  and a suction hose  625 . In some embodiments, in the instance of the roller mechanism  605 , disposed in head portion  600 , comes into contact with or engages a surface, such as a floor or carpet, shutters  615  may be configured to open, as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  to allow fans  610  to perform in a manner as described above with regard to  FIGS. 2A and 2B . For example, a spring-loaded switch mechanism (as similarly shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) may be coupled to roller mechanism  605  to operably cause shutters  615  to open when roller mechanism  605  contacts or engages a surface, thereby allowing an airstream from fans  610 . In the instance of the roller mechanism  605  lifting from or disengaging a surface, shutters  615  may be configured to close, thereby blocking the airstream from fans  610 , as shown in  FIGS. 6C and 6D . For example, when roller mechanism  605  disengages the surface, the spring-loaded switch mechanism (as similarly shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) may be configured to cause shutters  615  to close, as shown in  FIGS. 6C and 6D . 
         [0037]    Shutters  615  may provide the advantages of preventing any possible upheaval of dust or debris via blowing fans  610  by closing off the air stream from blowing fans  610  when removing head portion  600  from a surface. Further, shutters  615  may also provide some safety advantages by limiting access to the rotating fans  610  when not in a normal operation position parallel to a surface to be cleaned. This may even be an advantage when the fans  610  are powering down but still in rotation. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of a head portion  700  of a vacuum cleaner showing fans  705 , turbines  710 , axis arms  715 , suction hose  720 , fan duct  725 , suction inlet  730 , and housing portion  735 . In  FIG. 7 , turbines  710  take advantage of the suction airflow of the vacuum cleaner to use the air stream to power fans  705 . For example, turbines  710  may be operably connected to fans  705  via axis arms  715 , so that the rotation of turbines  710  leads to the rotation of axis arms  715 , which in turn rotate fans  705  to initiate the insufflation process. Further, turbines  710  may be disposed adjacent to the walls of housing portion  735  to prevent impeding airflow to suction hose  720  and turbines  710  and have an axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation of fans  705 . In addition, the use of the suction airflow to power fans  705  via turbines  710  may lead to overall power savings. Thus, there may be a reduced need or no need at all to power fans  705  disposed in head portion  700  by other means, such as, the wired electrical power configuration or battery powered configuration, discussed above. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are an illustrative view of a head portion  800  of a vacuum cleaner showing fans  805 , turbine mechanism  810  which may include turbine blades  812 , axis arms and gears ( 807 ,  809 ,  814 ,  815 ), suction hose  820 , fan duct  825 , suction inlet  830 , and housing portion  835 . In  FIGS. 8A and 8B , turbine blades  812  take advantage of the suction airflow of the vacuum cleaner to use the air stream to power fans  805 . For instance, turbine blades  812  may be operably connected to fans  805  via axis arms  807 ,  809 ,  814 ,  815 , so that the rotation of turbine blades  812  leads to the rotation of axis arms  807 ,  809 ,  814 ,  815 , which in turn rotate fans  805  to initiate the insufflation process. Further, turbine mechanism  810  may be disposed adjacent to the walls of housing portion  835  to prevent impeding airflow to suction hose  820  and turbine blades  812  have an axis of rotation perpendicular or orthogonal to the axis of rotation of fans  805 . In addition, the use of the suction airflow to power fans  805  via turbine blades  812  may lead to overall power savings. Thus, there may be a reduced need or no need at all to power fans  805  disposed in head portion  800  by other means, such as, the wired electrical power configuration or battery powered configuration, discussed above. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are illustrative views of a head portion  900  of a vacuum cleaner showing fans  905 , turbine mechanism  910  which may include turbine blades  909 , axis arms and gear couplings ( 907 ,  911 ,  913 ), suction hose  920 , fan duct  925 , suction inlet  930 , and housing portion  935 . In  FIG. 9B , gear couplings and axis arms  907  and  913  may be configured to align with a rotational axis of fans  905  and turbine blades  909 , respectively. Further, axis arm  911  may be configured to horizontally align in rotational communication with fans  905  via turbine blades  909 . In  FIGS. 9A and 9B , turbine blades  909  takes advantage of the suction airflow of the vacuum cleaner to use the air stream to power fans  905 . In other words, turbine mechanism  910  may include a plurality of separate turbine blades  909  configured to rotate when a suction airflow occurs within housing portion  935 , and turbines blades  909  may be coupled to fans  905 . For example, turbine mechanism  910  may be operably connected to fans  905  via axis arms  907 ,  911 ,  913 , so that the rotation of turbine blades  909  leads to the rotation of axis arms  907 ,  911 ,  913  which in turn rotate fans  905  to initiate the insufflation process. Further, turbine blades  909  may be disposed in parallel with respect to fans  905  and horizontally with respect to the air stream of the vacuum cleaner. In addition, turbine blades  909  may further be disposed slightly to the air stream to prevent impeding airflow to suction hose  920 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  is an illustrative view of a head portion  1000  of a vacuum cleaner showing fans  1005 , forward rotational brushes  1010 , rearward rotational brushes  1015 , suction hose  1020 , fan duct  1025 , suction inlet  1030 , and housing portion  1035 . In  FIG. 10 , forward rotational brushes  1010  are configured to rotate towards suction inlet  1030  and rearward rotational brushes  1015  are also configured to rotate towards suction inlet  1030 . Thus, forward rotational brushes  1010  and rearward rotational brushes  1015  rotate in opposing directions towards suction inlet  1030  to assist in sweeping a surface and pushing air with dust or debris towards suction inlet  1030  and thereby into the vacuum cleaner to be inhaled or suctioned by the air stream. 
         [0042]    Brushes  1010  and  1015  may be driven by a conventional drive mechanism (not shown) or by other driving means, for example, brushes  1010  and  1015  may be configured to be coupled to wheels  105 ,  605 , for example, to provide the proper rotational direction of brushes  1010  and  1015 , that is, forward rotational brushes  1010  and rearward rotational brushes  1015 , rotate in opposing directions towards suction inlet  1030  to assist in sweeping a surface and pushing air with dust or debris towards suction inlet  1030 . In other words, when wheels  105 ,  605  rotate, then in turn brushes  1010  and  1015  rotate as well. Alternatively, brushes  110  and  1015  may be configured to be coupled to drive belts, for example, to provide the rotation, as discussed above. 
         [0043]    Thus, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting of the scope of the invention, as well as other claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachings herein, define, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated to the public. 
         [0044]    The above disclosure also encompasses the embodiments noted below. 
         [0045]    (1) An apparatus, comprising: a housing including a suction portion having a suction source connected to a motor connected to a power source; a suction pipe connected to the housing and the suction portion; a head portion connected to the suction hose via an inlet opening; and a set of rotating fans connected to a drive mechanism and disposed in the head portion, wherein the set of rotating fans is further disposed adjacent to the inlet opening, and the set of rotating fans are configured to synchronously push or pull air to or from a surface to be cleaned when the suction portion is in operation. 
         [0046]    (2) The apparatus according to (1), further comprising: a roller mechanism disposed in the head portion, wherein the roller mechanism is attached to an arm holder having an area slip configured for translational motion of the roller mechanism, wherein the arm holder is attached to an electric switch having electric contacts separated by at least one compression spring, the electric switch is configured to turn on the set of rotating fans based on pressure applied to the head portion and the at least one compression spring. 
         [0047]    (3) The apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the drive mechanism includes at least one turbine disposed in an air stream of the inlet opening and configured to rotate the set of rotating fans via a rotational axis arm in communication with a rotational arm of the set of rotating fans. 
         [0048]    (4) The apparatus according to (1) to (3), wherein the at least one turbine is further disposed adjacent a wall of the suction pipe and the at least one turbine has an axis of rotation orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the set of rotating fans. 
         [0049]    (5) The apparatus according to (1) to (4), wherein the at least one turbine is further disposed in parallel to the set of rotating fans and parallel to the air stream, where the at least one turbine includes a horizontally aligned axis arm in rotational communication with the set of rotating fans. 
         [0050]    (6) The apparatus according to (1) to (5), further comprising: at least one roller brush disposed in the head portion adjacent the inlet opening, wherein the at least one roller brush being configured to rotate in a direction toward the inlet opening. 
         [0051]    (7) The apparatus according to (1) to (6), wherein the rotational direction of the set of rotating fans is configured to be reversible via an electric switch spaced apart from the head portion. 
         [0052]    (8) The apparatus according to (1) to (7), wherein a rotational direction of the set of rotating fans is configured to be reversible based on a predetermined amount of pressure applied to the roller mechanism upon contact with the surface to be cleaned. 
         [0053]    (9) The apparatus according to (1) to (8), further comprising: an air duct disposed adjacent to the set of rotating fans; and at least one valve disposed at a distal end within the air duct and adjacent to the set of rotating fans, wherein the at least one valve is configured to direct air flow during synchronous pulling or pushing air via the set of rotating fans and the suction source. 
         [0054]    (10) The apparatus according to (1) to (9), wherein a rotational speed of the set of rotating fans is configured to change based on a predetermined amount of pressure applied to the roller mechanism upon contact with the surface to be cleaned. 
         [0055]    (11) The apparatus according to (1) to (10), wherein the electric switch is further configured to trigger opening and closing of a set of shutters configured to either allow an airstream from the set of fans when opened or to block the airstream from the set of fans when closed. 
         [0056]    (12) An apparatus, comprising: a base; a head portion connected to the base via a suction pipe; a suction inlet in the head portion; and a set of rotating fans connected to a drive mechanism and disposed in the head portion adjacent to the suction inlet, wherein the set of rotating fans are configured to synchronously push or pull air to or from a surface to be cleaned. 
         [0057]    (13) The apparatus according to (12), further comprising: a roller mechanism disposed in the head portion, wherein the roller mechanism is attached to an arm holder having an area slip configured for translational motion of the roller mechanism, wherein the arm holder is attached to an electric switch having electric contacts separated by at least one compression spring, the electric switch is configured to turn on the set of rotating fans based on pressure applied to the head portion and the at least one compression spring. 
         [0058]    (14) The apparatus according to (12) or (13), wherein the drive mechanism includes at least one turbine disposed in an air stream of the suction inlet and configured to rotate the set of rotating fans via a rotational axis arm in communication with a rotational arm of the set of rotating fans. 
         [0059]    (15) The apparatus according to (12) to (14), wherein the at least one turbine is further disposed adjacent a wall of the suction pipe and the at least one turbine has an axis of rotation orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the set of rotating fans. 
         [0060]    (16) The apparatus according to (12) to (15), wherein the at least one turbine is further disposed in parallel to the set of rotating fans and parallel to the air stream, where the at least one turbine includes a horizontally aligned axis arm in rotational communication with the set of rotating fans. 
         [0061]    (17) The apparatus according to (12) to (16), further comprising: at least one roller brush disposed in the head portion adjacent the inlet opening, wherein the at least one roller brush being configured to rotate in a direction toward the suction inlet. 
         [0062]    (18) The apparatus according to (12) to (17), wherein the rotational direction of the set of rotating fans is configured to be reversible via an electric switch spaced apart from the head portion. 
         [0063]    (19) The apparatus according to (12) to (18), wherein the rotational direction of the set of rotating fans are configured to be reversible based on the amount of pressure applied to the roller mechanism at the surface to be cleaned. 
         [0064]    (20) The apparatus according to (12) to (19), further comprising: an air duct disposed adjacent to the set of rotating fans; and at least one valve disposed at a distal end within the air duct and adjacent to the set of rotating fans, wherein the at least one valve is configured to direct air flow during synchronous pulling or pushing air via the set of rotating fans and the suction inlet. 
         [0065]    (21) The apparatus according to (12) to (20), wherein a rotational speed of the set of rotating fans is configured to change based on a predetermined amount of pressure applied to the roller mechanism upon contact with the surface to be cleaned. 
         [0066]    (22) The apparatus according to (12) to (21), wherein the electric switch is further configured to trigger opening and closing of a set of shutters configured to either allow an airstream from the set of fans when opened or to block the airstream from the set of fans when closed.