Vacuum-cleaner power-brush attachment

Abstract

A power-brush attachment usable in combination with a line-voltage source and with a vacuum-cleaner suction intake has a housing having a lower wall formed with an opening and a connection—suction tube and/or hose—on the housing engageable with the suction intake. The housing has a passage extending between the connection and the opening for drawing particles in the opening. A rotary brush in the housing is exposed in the opening and engageable therethrough with a floor underneath the housing. A low-voltage electric motor is connected to the brush for rotating same. A low-voltage power source, typically a battery, in the housing is also connectable to the motor for powering same without connection to the line-voltage same. A power converter and electrical line are connectable between the line-voltage source and the electric motor for powering the motor from the line-voltage source.

1 . In combination with a line-voltage source and with a vacuum-cleaner suction intake, an attachment comprising:
 a housing having a lower wall formed with an opening;   a connection on the housing engageable with the suction intake, the housing having a passage extending between the connection and the opening for drawing particles in the opening;   a rotary brush exposed in the opening and engageable therethrough with a floor underneath the housing;   a low-voltage electric motor connected to the brush for rotating same and powerable by line voltage and low-voltage direct current;   a low-voltage power source in the housing connectable to the motor for powering same without connection to the line-voltage same; and   an electrical line connectable between the line-voltage source and the electric motor for powering the motor from the line-voltage source.   
     
     
         2 . The combination defined in  claim 1  wherein the low-voltage power source is a battery or a fuel cell. 
     
     
         3 . The combination defined in  claim 1  wherein the low-voltage power source is a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         4 . The combination defined in  claim 1  wherein the electric motor is a suitable brushless BLDC motor. 
     
     
         5 . The combination defined in  claim 1  further comprising
 a separable connection between the electrical line and the electric motor. 
 
     
     
         6 . The combination defined in  claim 1 , further comprising
 a suction tube connectable between the housing and the suction intake.   
     
     
         7 . The combination defined in  claim 6  wherein the electrical line extends at least partially along the suction tube. 
     
     
         8 . The combination defined in  claim 1 , further comprising
 a power converter including a rectifier between the electric line and the meter.   
     
     
         9 . The combination defined in  claim 8  wherein the source is a rechargeable battery connected to the converter for charging while the attachment is running off line voltage.