Vacuum Cleaning Apparatus

Abstract

A vacuum cleaning apparatus comprises a cleaning head ( 102 ) having a lower surface ( 110 ) which in use is located adjacent a surface to be cleaned. An airflow channel ( 112 ) is defined within the cleaning head ( 102 ) having a first end configured for connection to a vacuum source, and a second end defining an opening ( 118 ) proximate the lower surface ( 110 ) of the cleaning head ( 102 ) through which a vacuum is applied to the cleaning surface. At least one vibration element ( 130 ) is located proximate the lower surface ( 110 ) of the cleaning head ( 102 ) that is arranged to apply vibration to the cleaning surface when the cleaning head is located adjacent thereto. In addition, at least one vibration actuator ( 136 ) is included for causing the at least one vibration element ( 130 ) to vibrate. The at least one vibration actuator ( 136 ) is located within a sealed enclosure which is sealed from the airflow through the airflow channel ( 112 ) to isolate the actuator ( 136 ) therefrom.

1 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a cleaning head having a lower surface which in use is located adjacent a surface to be cleaned;   an airflow channel defined within the cleaning head having a first end configured for connection to a vacuum source, and a second end defining an opening proximate the lower surface of the cleaning head through which a vacuum is applied to the cleaning surface;   at least one vibration element located proximate the lower surface of the cleaning head arranged to apply vibration to the cleaning surface when the cleaning head is located adjacent thereto; and   at least one vibration actuator for causing the at least one vibration element to vibrate;   wherein the at least one vibration actuator is located within a sealed enclosure which is sealed from the airflow through the airflow channel to isolate the actuator therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one vibration element comprises a vibration bar having a lower surface for impacting the cleaning surface to impart vibration thereto, and an upper surface connected to the corresponding vibration actuator, wherein at least part of the vibration bar closes the sealed enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 2  comprising at least one wall forming a chamber defining the sealed enclosure, the chamber having an open end which is in part closed by the vibration bar. 
     
     
         4 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein a seal is provided between the vibration bar and the chamber to seal the chamber and prevent the ingress of debris. 
     
     
         5 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein a proximal edge of the vibration bar is hingedly connected to one edge of the chamber proximate the open end with a distal edge of the bar being rotatable relative to said hinge, and wherein a seal is provided between the distal edge of the vibration bar and the chamber configured to permit rotation of the vibration bar while maintaining a seal between the distal edge of the bar and the chamber. 
     
     
         6 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the seal is a flexible membrane. 
     
     
         7 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the hinged connection between the vibration bar and the chamber comprises a seal which permits movement of the hinge while maintaining a seal between the bar and the chamber. 
     
     
         8 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the cleaning head comprises transverse and longitudinal axes with the longitudinal axis in use defining the direction of travel, and front and rear edges with the front edge in use defining the leading edge of the cleaning head, and wherein the sealed enclosure comprises a chamber having a front and rear walls oriented transversely to the direction of travel having lower edges which define at least in part the opening of the chamber with the vibration bar being located within the opening. 
     
     
         9 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the vibration actuator comprises at least one motor and at least one corresponding weight member arranged to be rotated by the motor, the weight member being arranged such that its centre of mass is eccentric from the rotation axis of the motor to cause vibration during rotation. 
     
     
         10 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the vibration bar is hingedly connected to one of the front and rear walls and the vibration actuator is arranged such that the weight member is rotated in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis of the hinge. 
     
     
         11 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the weight member is rotated in a direction away from the hinge such that it is moving downwardly at the point of rotation furthest from the hinge and upwardly at the point of rotation closest to the hinge. 
     
     
         12 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the upper surface of the vibration bar includes a channel configured to receive the at least one vibration actuator. 
     
     
         13 . A vacuum cleaner according to  claim 1  wherein the sealed enclosure is located forwardly and outside of the airflow channel proximate the leading edge of the cleaning head. 
     
     
         14 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a power source for the vibration actuator is contained within the cleaning head. 
     
     
         15 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a power source for the vibration actuator is contained within a sealed enclosure and is in electrical communication with the vibration actuator. 
     
     
         16 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the power source comprises at least one battery and the cleaning head includes an electrical connector in communication with the sealed enclosure that contains the at least one battery, wherein the electrical connector connects the at least one battery to an external power source for charging. 
     
     
         17 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a cleaning head having a lower surface which in use is located adjacent a surface to be cleaned;   an airflow channel defined within the cleaning head having a first end configured for connection to a vacuum source, and a second end defining an opening proximate the lower surface of the cleaning head through which a vacuum is applied to the cleaning surface;   at least one vibration element located proximate the lower surface of the cleaning head arranged to apply vibration to the cleaning surface when the cleaning head is located adjacent thereto; and   at least one vibration actuator for causing the at least one vibration element to vibrate;   wherein the at least one vibration element is hingedly mounted within the cleaning head and the vibration actuator is arranged to cause the vibration element to rotationally vibrate about the hinge.   
     
     
         18 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the at least one vibration element comprises a vibration bar having a lower surface for impacting the cleaning surface to impart vibration thereto, and an upper surface connected to the corresponding at least one vibration actuator. 
     
     
         19 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the vibration actuator is mounted on the upper surface of the vibration bar. 
     
     
         20 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the actuator is contained and sealed within the enclosure and freely supported on vibration bar. 
     
     
         21 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the vibration actuator comprises at least one motor and at least one corresponding weight member arranged to be rotated by the motor, the weight member being arranged such that its centre of mass is eccentric from the rotation axis of the motor to cause vibration during rotation. 
     
     
         22 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the vibration actuator is arranged such that the weight member is rotated in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis of the hinge. 
     
     
         23 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the weight member is rotated in a direction away from the hinge such that it is moving downwardly at the point of rotation furthest from the hinge and upwardly at the point of rotation closest to the hinge. 
     
     
         24 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the cleaning head comprises transverse and longitudinal axes with the longitudinal axis in use defining the direction of travel, and front and rear edges with the front edge in use defining the leading edge of the cleaning head, and wherein the vibration bar is arranged transversely across the cleaning head. 
     
     
         25 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the upper surface of the vibration bar includes a channel configured to receive the at least one vibration actuator. 
     
     
         26 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the vibration element is a vibration bar comprising an elongate solid impermeable member. 
     
     
         27 - 28 . (canceled)