Vacuum cleaner and cleaning accessory for a vacuum cleaner

A cleaning accessory for a vacuum cleaner comprises a housing having a first air inlet on an underside of the housing and an air outlet and a first airflow path between the first air inlet and the air outlet. The cleaning accessory also comprises at least one cleaning brush having at least one flexible cleaning element projecting outwards from a side of the housing. The cleaning accessory also comprises at least one side air inlet on the side of the housing and a second airflow path between the at least one side inlet and the air outlet. The at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to engage a surface to be cleaned adjacent to the at least one side air inlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum cleaner and cleaning accessory for a vacuum cleaner. In particular the present disclosure relates to a cleaning accessory with improved edge cleaning.

Vacuum cleaners such as stickvacs, upright vacuum cleaners or floor vacuum cleaners with a hose attachment typically comprise cleaning accessories for cleaning floors and the like. Some of these cleaning accessories comprise a floor cleaning head and the floor cleaning head may comprise rotating brushes to improve dirt pick up.

When a user cleans a floor surface near an upright surface such as a wall, the user may find that the width of the floor cleaning head prevents dirt pick up at the edge of the floor surface and the wall. This means that the user has to repeat the cleaning process with another accessory such as a crevice tool to ensure the edge of the floor surface is properly cleaned.

Some known cleaning devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners e.g. as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,239,992 have additional brushes for cleaning surfaces at the side of the cleaning device. A problem with this arrangement is that brushes do not adequately engage the edge of the floor surface and the wall and the robotic vacuum cleaner does not have a powerful motor fan assembly. This means that dirt pick up along the sides of the robotic vacuum cleaner may not be sufficient to pick up dirt with a single pass.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Examples of the present disclosure aim to address the aforementioned problems.

In a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided, a cleaning accessory for a vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing having a first air inlet on an underside of the housing and an air outlet and a first airflow path between the first air inlet and the air outlet; at least one cleaning brush having at least one flexible cleaning element projecting outwards from a side of the housing; and at least one side air inlet on the side of the housing and a second airflow path between the at least one side inlet and the air outlet; wherein the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to engage a surface to be cleaned adjacent to the at least one side air inlet.

Optionally, the at least one cleaning brush is a first cleaning brush mounted on a first side of the housing and a second cleaning brush is mounted on a second side of the housing.

Optionally, the at least one side air inlet is a first side air inlet one the first side of the housing and a second side air inlet on the second side of the housing.

Optionally, the at least one side air inlet comprises a projecting lip arranged to guide dirt into the at least one side air inlet.

Optionally, the at least one cleaning brush is moveably mounted on the housing.

Optionally, the at least one flexible cleaning element is moveable from a first position remote from the at least one side air inlet to a second position adjacent to the at least one side air inlet.

Optionally, the at last one cleaning brush is rotatably mounted on the side of the housing and the at least one cleaning brush is arranged to sweep the surface to be cleaned in a direction towards the at least one side air inlet.

Optionally, the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to flex from a disengaged position to the cleaning position when a force is applied to the at least one flexible cleaning element in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the at least one flexible cleaning element.

Optionally, the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to flex from the disengaged position to the cleaning position when the side of the housing is adjacent to an upright surface.

Optionally, the side of the housing comprises a brush recess.

Optionally, the brush recess is arranged to receive the at least one flexible cleaning element when the side of the housing is adjacent to an upright surface and the at least one flexible cleaning element flexes into the cleaning position.

Optionally, at least part of the first airflow path and the second airflow path overlap.

Optionally, the cleaning accessory comprises a rotatable cleaning bar rotatably mounted within the housing and the cleaning brush is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar rotate at the same rate of rotation.

Optionally, the cleaning brush is removably mounted on the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, at least part of the first airflow path and the second airflow path are located around the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the first air inlet is formed in a front wall of the housing.

In a second aspect of the disclosure, there is a vacuum cleaner device comprising a cleaning accessory according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there is a cleaning accessory for a vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing; at least one rotatable cleaning brush rotatably mounted to the housing and configured to engage a surface to be cleaned; wherein the at least one rotatable cleaning brush comprises at least one flexible cleaning element projecting outwards from a side of the housing; and the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to rotate in a cleaning position and rotate in a disengaged position whereby the at last one flexible cleaning element engages the surface to be cleaned when rotating in the cleaning position and the at last one flexible cleaning element is remote from the surface to be cleaned when rotating in the disengaged position.

Optionally, the at least one flexible cleaning element is biased to the disengaged position.

Optionally, the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to flex from the disengaged position to the cleaning position when a force is applied to the at least one flexible cleaning element in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotatable cleaning brush.

Optionally, the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to flex from the disengaged position to the cleaning position when the side of the housing is adjacent to an upright surface.

Optionally, the cleaning accessory comprises a rotatable cleaning bar rotatably mounted within the housing and the at least one rotatable cleaning brush is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the rotatable cleaning bar comprises a first end arranged at the side of the housing and a first rotatable cleaning brush is mounted to the first end.

Optionally, the at least one rotatable cleaning brush comprises a rotatable body and at least part of the rotatable body is arranged to project through the side of the housing to mount to the first end of the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the at least one rotatable cleaning brush is removably mountable on the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, a drive mechanism is rotatably coupled between the at least one rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the drive mechanism comprises a drive gear fixable to the at least one rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the at least one rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar at the same rate of rotation.

Optionally, the drive mechanism comprises a motor.

Optionally, the motor is mounted within the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the motor is mounted to the housing adjacent to the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the at least one rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar are arranged to rotate about a common rotation axis.

Optionally, the at least one flexible element when rotating in the cleaning position and the rotatable cleaning bar extend radially from the common rotation axis the same distance.

Optionally, the at least one flexible element does not project below a lower wall of the housing adjacent to the surface to be cleaned when rotating in the disengaged position.

Optionally, the wherein the rotatable cleaning bar comprises a second end and a second rotatable cleaning brush is mounted to the second end.

In a fourth aspect of the disclosure there is a vacuum cleaner device comprising a cleaning accessory according to the third aspect.

In a fifth aspect of the disclosure there is provided a cleaning accessory for a vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing; a rotatable cleaning brush rotatably mounted to the housing having at least one flexible cleaning element projecting outwards from a side of the housing and the at least one flexible cleaning element is configured to rotate and engage with a surface to be cleaned; and a dirt deflector projecting from the side of the housing and configured to surround at least part of the perimeter of the rotatable cleaning brush.

Optionally, the dirt deflector extends along the perimeter of the rotatable cleaning brush on the housing above the rotatable cleaning brush.

Optionally, the dirt deflector extends along the perimeter of the rotatable cleaning brush on the housing behind the rotatable cleaning brush.

Optionally, the dirt deflector extends along the perimeter of the rotatable cleaning brush between 25% to 50% of the length of the perimeter of the rotatable cleaning brush.

Optionally, the housing has at least one side air inlet on the side of the housing wherein the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to sweep dirt towards the at least one second air inlet.

Optionally, the dirt deflector is configured to surround at least part of the at least one side air inlet.

Optionally, the dirt deflector comprises a projecting finger configured to engage the at least one flexible element when the at least one flexible element is rotating.

Optionally, the at least one projecting finger is configured to engage the at least one flexible element after the at least one flexible element has moved past the at least one side air inlet.

Optionally, the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to flex from a disengaged position to the cleaning position when a force is applied to the at least one flexible cleaning element in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the at least one flexible cleaning element.

Optionally, the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged to flex from the disengaged position to the cleaning position when the side of the housing is adjacent to an upright surface.

Optionally, the dirt deflector is engageable with an upright surface.

Optionally, the dirt deflector extends a distance from the side wall of the housing greater than a distance the at least one flexible cleaning element projects from the side wall of the housing when the at least one flexible cleaning element flexes into the cleaning position.

Optionally, the dirt deflector extends to an edge of the side of the housing which is configured to engage the surface to be cleaned

In a sixth aspect of the disclosure there is provided a vacuum cleaner device comprising a cleaning accessory according to the fifth aspect.

In a seventh aspect of the disclosure there is provided a cleaning accessory for a vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing; a rotatable cleaning brush rotatably mounted to the housing having at least one flexible cleaning element projecting outwards from a side of the housing and the at least one flexible cleaning element is configured to rotate and engage with a surface to be cleaned; and a rotatable cleaning bar rotatably mounted within the housing and the rotatable cleaning brush is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar; wherein at least a portion of the rotatable cleaning brush is seated within the rotatable cleaning bar or a drive mechanism coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the rotatable cleaning bar comprises a first end arranged at the side of the housing and the rotatable cleaning brush is mounted to the first end.

Optionally, the rotatable cleaning brush comprises a rotatable body and at least part of the rotatable body is arranged to project through the side of the housing to mount to the first end of the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the rotatable body comprises a conical engagement surface and the rotatable cleaning bar or the drive mechanism comprises a reciprocal engagement recess and the conical engagement surface is configured to be seated within the reciprocal engagement recess when the rotatable cleaning brush is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the rotatable cleaning brush is removably mountable on the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the drive mechanism is rotatably coupled between the rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the drive mechanism comprises a drive gear fixable to the rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar at the same rate of rotation.

Optionally, the drive mechanism comprises a motor.

Optionally, the motor is mounted within the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the motor is mounted to the housing adjacent to the rotatable cleaning bar.

Optionally, the rotatable cleaning brush and the rotatable cleaning bar are arranged to rotate about a common rotation axis.

Optionally, the cleaning accessory comprises a first rotatable cleaning brush is seated within the rotatable cleaning bar and a second rotatable cleaning brush is seated within the drive mechanism coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar.

In an eighth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a vacuum cleaner device comprises a cleaning accessory according to the seventh aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1shows a perspective view of a cleaning accessory100for a vacuum cleaner (not shown). The cleaning accessory100is optionally a floor cleaning head arranged to engage and clean a floor surface400to be cleaned. The cleaning accessory100comprises a housing102on which an optional articulated joint104is mounted. The articulated joint104couples the housing102to a neck portion106. The housing102is arranged to move over a surface400to be cleaned such as a floor. In some examples, a lower surface120of the housing102optionally comprises one or more wheels (not shown) for engaging the surface400to be cleaned.

The housing102comprises a first side wall124and a second side wall126, a front wall122and a back wall128. The housing102further comprises a top wall130and a lower wall120. In this way the housing102defines an enclosure for mounting one or more components of the cleaning accessory100. The front wall122faces the direction of travel when a user pushes the cleaning accessory100on a surface400to be cleaned away from themselves. The forwards direction of travel of the cleaning accessory100is illustrated inFIG.1by the arrow labelled X. Likewise, the back wall128faces the direction of travel when a user pulls the cleaning accessory on a surface400to be cleaned away towards themselves.

The neck portion106comprises an attachment mechanism108for attaching to a hose (not shown), extension tube (not shown), or the housing (not shown) of the vacuum cleaner. The attachment mechanism108is known and will not be described in any further detail.

The cleaning accessory100is connectable to a handheld vacuum cleaner via an extension tube, a canister vacuum cleaner via a hose or directly to an upright or a stickvac vacuum cleaner. The neck portion106comprises an air outlet110which is in fluid communication with a first air inlet112in the housing102. The air outlet110is in fluid communication with a motor-fan assembly (not shown) in the vacuum cleaner. In this way, a first airflow path is provided between the first air inlet112and the air outlet110. Accordingly dirty air flows in from the first air inlet112to the air outlet110. In some examples, the first air inlet112extends across the width of the housing102. As shown inFIG.9, the first air inlet112is positioned on an underside of the housing102e.g. on the lower surface120of the housing102.FIG.9shows a cross-sectional underneath plan view along A-A of the cleaning accessory100. This means that the first air inlet112is adjacent to the surface400to be cleaned during operation. In some examples the first air inlet112extends to the front wall122of the housing102.

The neck portion106may optionally comprise electrical power and control wires for powering and controlling functionality in the cleaning accessory100. The vacuum cleaner can optionally comprise one or more control buttons (not shown) for actuating a motor500(best shown inFIG.5) to drive a rotatable cleaning bar114. The rotatable cleaning bar114may also be known as a brush bar and will be described in more detail below.

In some examples, the motor500is mounted in a motor housing portion118of the housing102. The motor500will be described in more detail below in reference toFIG.5. In some other examples which are not shown in the Figures, the motor500is mounted within the rotatable cleaning bar114.

The articulated joint104provides at least two degrees of freedom of the housing102with respect to the neck portion106. The articulated joint104as shown inFIG.1comprises two pivot axes which are mounted perpendicular to each other. The articulated joint104is known and will not be discussed in any further detail.

The cleaning accessory100optionally comprises rotatable cleaning bar114which is rotatably mounted in the cleaning accessory100. Whilst the Figures show a rotatable cleaning bar114, in some alternative examples, there is no rotatable cleaning bar114. In this case, the dirt pick up into the first air inlet112is only due to the airflow. Hereinafter, all the examples will be discussed in reference to the Figures which show a rotatable cleaning bar114rotatably mounted to the housing102.

In some embodiments, the rotatable cleaning bar114is optionally removably mountable in the housing102. Removal of the rotatable cleaning bar114is known and will not be discussed in further detail. The rotatable cleaning bar114is optionally mounted beneath a transparent cover116which is partially shown in FIG.1for the purposes of clarity. This means that the user can see when the rotatable cleaning bar114is in operation and when the rotatable cleaning bar114requires maintenance.

Turning toFIG.2, the rotatable cleaning bar114will be described in further detail.FIG.2shows a cross-sectional side view along A-A (as shown inFIG.1) of the cleaning accessory100. The rotatable cleaning bar114is mounted on a shaft200and the shaft200is rotatably mounted to the housing102. The rotatable cleaning bar114is mounted to the housing102such that at least a portion of the rotatable cleaning bar114extends through the first air inlet112. The rotatable cleaning bar114is arranged to rotate about rotation axis A-A. The rotation axis A-A is substantially parallel to a horizontal surface400e.g. a floor to be cleaned.

In some embodiments, the shaft200is optionally a drive shaft (not shown) which is coupled to the motor500for rotating the rotatable cleaning bar114. The drive shaft of the motor500is parallel with the rotation axis A-A of the rotatable cleaning bar114. Alternatively, the motor500is mounted inside the of rotatable cleaning bar114. In this case, the drive shaft of the motor500is coaxial with the rotation axis A-A of the rotatable cleaning bar114.

The rotatable cleaning bar114is generally linear in construction and extends along a longitudinal axis A-A. The shaft200can extend along the rotatable cleaning bar114along the axis A-A as shown inFIG.2. Alternatively, the shaft200can be formed from two separate sections at a first end202and a second end204of the rotatable cleaning bar114.

In some embodiments the rotatable cleaning bar114is a substantially cylindrical element. In other embodiments the rotatable cleaning bar114is elongate and substantially cylindrical and comprises ridges and groves. For example, the rotatable cleaning bar114can comprise spiral grooves and/or ridges for receiving one or more flexible cleaning elements such as cleaning brushes or ribs.

In some examples, the rotatable cleaning bar114as shown inFIG.2comprises at least one flexible cleaning bar element206. The at least one flexible cleaning bar element206as shown inFIG.2is a part of a flexible rubber rib mounted in a spiral on the rotatable cleaning bar114. The flexible cleaning bar element206is configured to flex when it engages the surface400to be cleaned and pick up dirt and debris. In other examples the flexible cleaning bar element206can be a cleaning brush having a plurality of projecting bristle cleaning elements. Additionally, or alternatively the rotatable cleaning bar114comprises different types of cleaning elements, such as bristles, brushes, silicone ribs, silicone fingers, rubber fins, etc. In some embodiments, the flexible cleaning elements can be any means suitable for cleaning a surface400.

Further discussion of the cleaning accessory100will be made in reference toFIGS.4aand4b. When a user cleans a floor surface400near an upright surface402such as a wall, the user may find that the width of a cleaning accessory100prevents dirt pick up at the edge404of the floor surface400and the upright surface402. This means that the user has to repeat the cleaning process with another accessory such as a crevice tool or repeatedly pass the cleaning accessory100over the edge404to ensure the edge404of the floor surface400is properly cleaned. In order to improve the edge cleaning of the floor, the cleaning accessory100comprises at least one rotatable cleaning brush140.

As shown inFIG.1, a first rotatable cleaning brush140comprises a rotatable body604(best shown inFIG.6) and at least one flexible cleaning element142is mounted to the rotatable body604. The at least one flexible cleaning element142projects outwards from the first side wall124of the housing102. In some examples the first rotatable cleaning brush140comprises a plurality of flexible cleaning elements142. The flexible cleaning elements142are deformable and configured to engage the surface400to be cleaned when in a deformed position.

In some examples, the flexible cleaning elements142are a plurality of discrete groups of bristles as shown inFIGS.1and2. In some other examples, the first rotatable cleaning brush140comprise additionally or alternatively bristles, brushes, silicone ribs, silicone fingers, rubber fins, etc. The flexible cleaning elements142can optionally be continuous (not shown in the Figures) over the entire first rotatable cleaning brush140.

In some examples, the flexible cleaning elements142are deformable between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation.

In the first mode of operation the at least one flexible cleaning element142is arranged to rotate in a disengaged position. In the disengaged position, the flexible cleaning elements142are arranged to be remote from the surface400to be cleaned when rotating in the disengaged position. The first rotatable cleaning brush140is shown with the flexible cleaning elements142in the disengaged position inFIGS.3aand4a.FIG.4ashows a cross-sectional side view along A-A of the cleaning accessory100in the first mode of operation.FIG.3aalso shows a perspective view of the cleaning accessory100in the first mode of operation.

This means that when the first rotatable cleaning brush140rotates with the flexible cleaning elements142in the disengaged position, the first rotatable cleaning brush140does not engage the surface400to be cleaned. This means first rotatable cleaning brush140does not pick up dirt and spread it around. This is convenient when the cleaning accessory100is being used on the surface400to be cleaned not near an upright surface402.

In the second mode of operation, the at least one flexible cleaning element142is arranged to rotate in a cleaning position. In the cleaning position, the flexible cleaning elements142are arranged to engage the surface400to be cleaned when rotating in the cleaning position. The first rotatable cleaning brush140is shown with the flexible cleaning elements142in the cleaning position inFIGS.3band4b.FIG.4bshows a cross-sectional side view along A-A of the cleaning accessory100in the first mode of operation.FIG.3balso shows a perspective view of the cleaning accessory100in the second mode of operation.

This means that when the first rotatable cleaning brush140rotates with the flexible cleaning elements142in the engaged position, the first rotatable cleaning brush140engages the surface400to be cleaned. This means first rotatable cleaning brush140picks up dirt as discussed further below.

Accordingly, the cleaning accessory100comprises rotating cleaning brushes140which are mounted on the outside of the first side wall124of the housing102. This means that edge cleaning of the surface400to be cleaned near an upright surface402e.g. a wall, kickboard, skirting board, or other upright surface402intersecting with the surface400to be cleaned can be achieved when moving the cleaning accessory100in a direction parallel to the upright surface402.

This means that up to the edge cleaning can be achieved at the same time as cleaning other parts of the floor surface400. Previously, a user may have had to perform a series of movements with the cleaning accessory100in a direction perpendicular to the upright surface402so that the front of the cleaning accessory100is adjacent to the edge404. However, in contrast the edge404can be cleaned in a single pass of the cleaning accessory100in a movement parallel to the upright surface402and edge404.

The flexible cleaning elements142are resiliently deformable. In some examples the flexible cleaning elements142are biased into the disengaged position as shown inFIGS.3aand4a. This means that when the flexible cleaning elements142are deformed in to the cleaning position and then released, the flexible cleaning elements142will return to the disengaged position as shown in Figured4a. In other words, when the cleaning accessory100is moved away from a position engaging the upright surface402as shown inFIG.4b, to a position remote from the upright surface402as shown inFIG.4a, the flexible cleaning elements142return to the disengaged position.

In the first mode of operation, the flexible cleaning elements142extend outwards from the first side wall124by a first distance d1as shown inFIG.9. In the second mode of operation, the flexible cleaning elements142extend outwards from the first side wall by a second distance d2. In the second mode of operation, the flexible cleaning elements142rotate in the disengaged position whereby an end900of the flexible cleaning element142is maintained at a distance d3above the surface400to be cleaned.

The flexible cleaning elements142are arranged to flex from the disengaged position to the cleaning position when a force is applied to the at least one flexible cleaning element142. In some examples, the force to deform the flexible cleaning elements142is in a direction parallel to the rotation axis A-A of the rotatable cleaning brush140. For example, when the cleaning accessory100is moved adjacent (represented by the arrow inFIG.4b) to an upright surface402such as a wall, the flexible cleaning elements142are arranged to deform.

As mentioned above, in some examples the flexible cleaning elements142extend from the rotation axis A-A to engage the surface400to be cleaned in the second mode of operation. When the flexible cleaning elements142are in the second mode of operation, the flexible cleaning elements142and the rotatable cleaning bar114extend in a radial direction from the rotation axis A-A towards the surface400by the same distance. This means that when the cleaning accessory100is moved across the surface400to be cleaned, the cleaning accessory100remains substantially level.

In some examples, the first rotatable cleaning brush140is rotatably coupled to the first end202of the rotatable cleaning bar114. In some further examples additionally or alternatively a second rotatable cleaning brush210(as shown inFIG.2) is rotatably coupled to the second end204of the rotatable cleaning bar114. The second rotatable cleaning brush210is identical to the first rotatable cleaning brush140as previously described.

In some examples optionally the cleaning accessory100has a single rotatable cleaning brush140mounted to only one of the first or second end202,204of the rotatable cleaning bar114. In some other examples as shown inFIG.2, there are a first and second rotatable cleaning brushes140,210mounted to the rotatable cleaning bar114. By having first and second rotatable cleaning brushes140,210, edges404positioned to either the first side wall124or the second side wall126can be cleaned with the cleaning accessory100. In some other examples there are optionally more than two rotatable cleaning brushes and there can be any suitable number of rotatable cleaning brushes projecting out of the sides of the cleaning accessory100.

In some examples, the first rotatable cleaning brush140is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar114and is fixed to the rotatable cleaning bar114. In this way, when the rotatable cleaning bar114rotates, the first rotatable cleaning brush140and the rotatable cleaning bar114rotate together. Similarly, in some examples, the second rotatable cleaning brush210is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar114and is fixed to the rotatable cleaning bar114. In this way, when the rotatable cleaning bar114rotates, the second rotatable cleaning brush210and the rotatable cleaning bar114rotate together.

In some other examples, the first rotatable cleaning brush140and/or the second rotatable cleaning brush210are rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar114via a drive mechanism. For example, a belt or gears are rotatably coupled between the rotatable cleaning bar114and the first rotatable cleaning brush140and/or the second rotatable cleaning brush210.FIG.5shows the second rotatable cleaning brush210is rotatably coupled to the rotatable cleaning bar114via a drive gear506. The drive gear506will be discussed in more detail below in reference toFIG.5.

This means that the axis of rotation A-A of the rotatable cleaning bar114can be remote from the axis of rotation of the first and/or second rotatable cleaning brush140,210. However, as shown in the Figures, the axis of rotation A-A of the rotatable cleaning bar114and the axis of rotation of the first and second rotatable cleaning brush140,210are coaxial e.g. rotation axis A-A.

In some examples, the first and second rotatable cleaning brushes140,210are optionally removably mountable on the rotatable cleaning bar114. Turning toFIGS.5,6,7,8aand8b, the construction of the cleaning accessory100will be discussed in further detail.FIG.5shows an exploded perspective view of the cleaning accessory100at the second end204of the rotatable cleaning bar114.FIG.6shows another exploded perspective view of the cleaning accessory100at the first end202of the rotatable cleaning bar114.FIGS.8aand8brespectively show close up cross-sectional views of the cleaning accessory100.FIG.8ais represented as dotted box labelled B inFIG.2.FIG.8bis represented as dotted box labelled C inFIG.2.FIG.7shows a perspective cut away view of the cleaning accessory100with the parts shown inFIGS.5and6assembled.

Turning toFIG.6, the first rotatable cleaning brush140will be discussed in further detail.FIG.8ashows the parts shown inFIG.6in an assembled state. The first rotatable cleaning brush140projects through a hole600in the first side wall124of the housing102. The first rotatable cleaning brush140slides on to the shaft200. In some examples, the shaft200comprises a flat surface602or a keyed surface to prevent relative rotational movement of the first rotatable cleaning brush140with respect to the shaft200when the first rotatable cleaning brush140is mounted to the shaft200. When the first rotatable cleaning brush140is mounted on the shaft200, an outer surface606of the rotatable body604of the first rotatable cleaning brush140is flush with or recessed within a first side surface608of the first side wall124as shown inFIG.1.

In some examples, the rotatable body604of the first rotatable cleaning brush140comprises a frustoconical shape arranged to be received in a reciprocal recess808with a first inclined reciprocal surface800in the first side wall124. Advantageously, the frustoconical shape of the rotatable body604means that the rotatable body604seats correctly in the reciprocal recess808.

In some examples the rotatable body604of the first rotatable cleaning brush140does not engage the first inclined reciprocal surface800in the first side wall124. Accordingly the rotatable body604is held at a fixed distance from the first inclined reciprocal surface800in the first side wall124. The first rotatable cleaning brush140is optionally fixed to the shaft200of the rotatable cleaning bar114with a first screw802. As shown inFIG.8a, optionally the shaft200projects through the first side wall124into the reciprocal recess808. This means that the shaft200is visibly presented to the user within the reciprocal recess808and the first rotatable cleaning brush140is easier to mount on the shaft200.

In this way, the first rotatable cleaning brush140is removeable from the rotatable cleaning bar114by removal of the first screw802. The first rotatable cleaning brush140in some other examples can be mounted to the rotatable cleaning bar114with a toolless connection. For example, the first rotatable cleaning brush140can be mounted via a bayonet fitting, clips, or any other suitable mechanism.

The first side wall124comprises a bearing housing804and a bearing806is mounted in the bearing housing804. The shaft200is threaded through and engages with the bearing806such that the shaft200, the rotatable cleaning bar114and the first rotatable cleaning brush140rotate freely with respect to the first side wall124.

The first side wall124as shown inFIG.6is mountable to the housing102via screws (not shown) or any other suitable fastening device.

Optionally in some examples, the second rotatable cleaning brush210is mountable to the shaft200and the rotatable cleaning bar114in the same way as discussed with respect to the first rotatable cleaning brush140.

However, in some alternative examples, the first or the second rotatable cleaning brush140,210is mountable on a drive gear506instead of mountable on a shaft200or within the rotatable cleaning bar114as shown inFIGS.8a,6. The examples as shown inFIGS.5,8bshow the second rotatable cleaning brush210mountable on the drive gear506.

Turning toFIG.5, the second rotatable cleaning brush210will be discussed in further detail.FIG.8bshows the parts shown inFIG.5in an assembled state.

The second rotatable cleaning brush210projects through a hole502in the second side wall126of the housing102. The second rotatable cleaning brush210slides on to the drive shaft504connected to the drive gear506. In some examples, the drive shaft504comprises a flat surface or a keyed surface to prevent relative rotational movement of the second rotatable cleaning brush210with respect to the drive shaft504when the second rotatable cleaning brush210is mounted to the drive shaft504. As shown inFIG.8b, the drive shaft504is integral with the drive gear506. When the second rotatable cleaning brush210is mounted on the drive shaft504, an outer surface508of a rotatable body510of the second rotatable cleaning brush210is flush with or recessed within a second side surface512of the second side wall126as shown inFIG.8b.

In some examples, the rotatable body510of the second rotatable cleaning brush210comprises a frustoconical shape arranged to be received in a reciprocal recess514with an inclined reciprocal drive surface810in the drive gear506. In addition, optionally, the hole502in the second side wall126comprises a second inclined reciprocal surface818reciprocal to the frustoconical shape of the rotatable body510of the second rotatable cleaning brush210.

In some examples the rotatable body510of the second rotatable cleaning brush210does not engage the second inclined reciprocal surface818in the second side wall126. Accordingly the rotatable body510is held at a fixed distance from the second inclined reciprocal surface818in the second side wall126.

In some examples the rotatable body510of the second rotatable cleaning brush210engages with the inclined reciprocal drive surface810in drive gear506. This means that the drive gear506rotates at the same rate of rotation as the second rotatable cleaning brush210.

The second rotatable cleaning brush210is optionally fixed to the drive shaft504of the drive gear506with a second screw812. In this way, the second rotatable cleaning brush210is removeable from the rotatable cleaning bar114and the drive gear506by removal of the second screw812. The second rotatable cleaning brush210in some other examples can be mounted to the drive gear506with a toolless connection. For example, the second rotatable cleaning brush210can be mounted via a bayonet fitting, clips, or any other suitable mechanism.

As shown inFIG.5, the motor500is mounted to the housing102via a motor mounting plate520. The motor mounting plate520comprises fingers522for gripping the motor500and holding the motor500with respect to the housing102. The motor mounting plate520is fixed with respect to the housing102by e.g. screws (not shown) or any other suitable fastening means. In some examples, the second side wall126is optionally fastened to the motor mounting plate520. The motor mounting plate520extends in a direction parallel to the second side wall126and comprises a bearing housing814and a bearing816is mounted in the bearing housing814(best shown inFIG.8b). The drive shaft504is threaded through and engages with the bearing816such that the drive shaft504, the rotatable cleaning bar114and the second rotatable cleaning brush210rotate freely with respect to the second side wall126.

The drive gear506is operatively connected to a motor gear516. The motor gear516is mounted to a motor shaft (not shown). As shown inFIG.5, the drive gear506and the motor gear516are connected via a belt518. In some other examples the belt518is replaced with a gearbox (not shown) for transmitting rotation from the motor shaft to the drive gear506.

In some further examples, there is optionally one or more gears operatively connected between the rotatable cleaning bar114and the first or second rotatable cleaning brush140,210. This means that the rotatable cleaning bar114and the first or second rotatable cleaning brush140,210can rotate with respect to each other at different rates of rotation. For example, the rotatable cleaning bar114can rotate faster than the first or second rotatable cleaning brush140,210.

The second side wall126as shown inFIG.5is mountable to the housing102via screws (not shown) or any other suitable fastening device.

Another feature of the cleaning accessory100will now be discussed in reference toFIGS.3a,3b,4a,4band9.

In some examples the first side wall124optionally comprises a first side air inlet300. The first side air inlet300is not necessary when the cleaning accessory100comprises a first or second rotatable cleaning brush140,210. This is because the dirt and debris dislodged by the first or second rotatable cleaning brush140,210can be sucked into the air outlet110into the first air inlet112underneath the cleaning accessory100. It is preferable to provide a first side air inlet300with a first rotating brush140because the dirt is more reliably picked up by the cleaning accessory100.

In some other examples additionally or alternatively the second side wall126comprises a second side air inlet524. In the examples below the first side air inlet300may only be discussed, but reference to the first side air inlet300can refer to alternatively or additionally to the second side air inlet524.

As shown inFIG.9, the first side air inlet300and the second side air inlet524respectively provide second airflow paths p1, p2between the first side air inlet300and the second side air inlet524and the air outlet110. Accordingly dirty air flows in from the first side air inlet300and/or the second side air inlet524to the air outlet110. The second air flow paths p1, p2in some examples bypass the rotatable cleaning bar114. In some other examples, at least part of the first airflow path and the second airflow paths p1, p2are located around the rotatable cleaning bar114. In some examples, the second air flow paths p1, p2overlap a portion of the first airflow path. This means that the internal structure of the cleaning accessory100can be made more compact.

As mentioned above, the cleaning accessory100comprises the first rotatable cleaning brush140. In some examples, the at least one flexible cleaning element142is arranged to engage the surface400to be cleaned adjacent to the first or second side air inlet300,524. In some examples, the at least one flexible cleaning element142is arranged to guide dirt towards the first side air inlet300. As shown inFIG.3, the first rotatable cleaning brush140rotates in a clockwise direction as represented by the curved arrows inFIGS.3aand3b. This means that flexible cleaning elements142sweep the surface400to be cleaned and guide the dirt towards the first side air inlet300as represented by the straight arrow inFIG.3b. As the dirt and debris is moved towards the first side air inlet300by the flexible cleaning elements142, the dirt and debris becomes entrained in the airflow. The dirt and debris is then sucked into the cleaning accessory100.

WhilstFIGS.3aand3bshow the first rotatable cleaning brush140is rotatable as indicated by the arrow in a clockwise direction, in other alternative examples, the first cleaning brush140is optionally fixed to the first side wall124. In this way, the first cleaning brush140is static and does not rotate with respect to the first side wall124. Additionally or alternatively, the second cleaning bush210can also be fixed and not rotate with respect to the second side wall126.

In the example where the first rotatable cleaning brush140is fixed with respect to the housing102, the first cleaning brush140engages the surface400to be cleaned adjacent to the first side air inlet300. The first cleaning brush140may also guide the dirt and debris on the surface400to be cleaned due to the shape and orientation of the flexible cleaning elements142. For example, the flexible cleaning elements142of the first cleaning brush140are arranged in wedge shape with the apex of the wedge adjacent to the first side air inlet300. The wedge shaped first cleaning brush140then funnels the dirt and debris into the first side air inlet300when the cleaning accessory100is moved in the forward direction X.

As shown inFIGS.3aand3b, the first side wall124comprises a projecting lip302arranged to guide dirt into the first side air inlet300. The projecting lip302projects outwardly from the first side wall124and extends into the path of dirt swept by the first cleaning brush140. In some examples, the projecting lip302is aligned with the first side air inlet300. Accordingly, when dirt abuts the projecting lip302, the dirt will be entrained into the airflow and enter the cleaning accessory100at the first side air inlet300.

The first side wall124also comprises an optional dirt deflector304. Similar to the projecting lip302, the dirt deflector304projects out from the first side wall124. The dirt deflector304is configured to surround at least a part of the perimeter of the first rotatable cleaning brush140. The dirt deflector304is arranged to prevent the dirt is not swept backwards or upwards past the cleaning accessory100. Instead, the dirt deflector304comprises a leading edge portion306which is directed downwards towards the surface400to be cleaned and in the direction X of forward travel. This means that if any dirt or debris is swept past the first side air inlet300by the rotating first rotatable cleaning brush140, the dirt and debris will be flicked from the first rotatable cleaning brush140and releases in a direction T. The direction T is approximately a tangent to the curve of the leading edge portion306of the dirt deflector304.

In some examples, the dirt deflector304optionally extends along the perimeter of the first rotatable cleaning brush140between 25% to 50% of the length of the perimeter of the first rotatable cleaning brush140.

In some examples, optionally the dirt deflector304comprises a projecting finger308. The projecting finger308is configured to engage the at least one flexible cleaning element142when the at least one flexible cleaning element142is rotating in the cleaning position as shown inFIG.3b. The projecting finger308is configured to engage the at least one flexible cleaning element142after the at least one flexible cleaning element142has moved past the first side air inlet300. This means that dirt lodged in the flexible cleaning elements142is scraped off when the flexible cleaning elements142move past the projecting finger308. Since the projecting finger308causes the flexible cleaning elements142to flex during part of the rotation of the first rotatable cleaning brush140, the dirt can be further encouraged to be flicked off the flexible cleaning elements142as the returns to shape.

The projecting dirt deflector304and the projecting lip302define a brush recess406(best shown inFIGS.4a,4b). The projecting dirt deflector304and the projecting lip302are arranged to engage the upright surface402. In some examples, the projecting dirt deflector304and the projecting lip302are arranged to engage the upright surface402and create a partial seal against the upright surface402.

This means that the brush recess406adjacent to the upright surface402encourages the second airflow paths p1, p2to be positioned around the first rotatable cleaning brush140. This further reduces the dirt to be flicked out form the brush recess406and most of the dirt swept by the first rotatable cleaning brush140is entrained in to the air flow.

When the cleaning accessory100is pushed against the upright surface402, the brush recess406is closed off from the first air inlet112and the dirt collected by the first rotatable cleaning brush140is sucked in via the first side air inlet300.

The brush recess406is configured to receive the at least one flexible cleaning element142when the first side wall124is adjacent to the upright surface402and the at least one flexible cleaning element142flexes into the cleaning position. Accordingly, the brush recess406is configured to receive the first rotatable cleaning brush140and the flexible cleaning elements142when the first rotatable cleaning brush140is in the second mode of operation e.g., the cleaning position.

As can be seen fromFIG.4b, the brush recess406allows the first rotatable cleaning brush140to freely rotate without interference from the housing102and clean the upright surface402and the edge404. In some examples, the biasing force of the flexible cleaning elements142means that the flexible cleaning elements142will be urged against the upright surface402and the edge404. This means that a lower part of the upright surface402will also be cleaned by the first rotatable cleaning brush140during operation.

In another example, two or more examples are combined. Features of one example can be combined with features of other examples.

Examples of the present disclosure have been discussed with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the examples described within the scope of the disclosure.