Cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner includes a body that defines a suction chamber, the suction chamber having a suction inlet for engaging a surface to be cleaned, and an outlet for fluid connection to a suction generator of a vacuum cleaner. The cleaner head further includes first and second brush bars each configured to contact a surface engaged by the suction inlet, and a drive mechanism which has an actuator. The drive mechanism is configured to rotate the brush bars about respective axes. The drive mechanism is also configured to rotate the first brush bar independently of the second brush bar, and to rotate the second brush bar independently of the first brush bar.

1 . A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner, the cleaner head comprising:
 a body that defines a suction chamber, the suction chamber having a suction inlet for engaging a surface to be cleaned, and an outlet for fluid connection to a suction generator of a vacuum cleaner;   first and second brush bars each configured to contact a surface engaged by the suction inlet; and   a drive mechanism that has an actuator, the drive mechanism being configured to rotate the brush bars about respective axes,   wherein the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the first brush bar independently of the second brush bar, and to rotate the second brush bar independently of the first brush bar.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaner head of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second brush bars are arranged to contact a surface engaged by the suction inlet at the same time as one another. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaner head of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second brush bars are spaced apart so that they do not touch one another. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaner head of  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a first actuator configured to rotate the first brush bar, and a second actuator configured to rotate the second brush bar. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaner head of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator is an electric motor. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaner head of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first brush bar has a first array of bristles;   the second brush bar has a second array of bristles; and   the bristles of the first array are less flexible than the bristles of the second array.   
     
     
         7 . The cleaner head of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the brush bars comprises an array of carbon fibre bristles. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaner head of  claim 7 , wherein the carbon fibre bristles are provided on the second brush bar. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaner head of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the cleaner head defines a front, a rear, and an underside;   the suction inlet is provided in the underside of the cleaner head; and   one of the first and second brush bars is a front brush bar and the other of the first and second brush bars is a rear brush bar, the front brush bar being positioned in front of the rear brush bar.   
     
     
         10 . The cleaner head of  claim 9 , wherein the front brush bar has an overall diameter that is less than an overall diameter of the rear brush bar. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaner head of  claim 9 , wherein the front brush bar is between 30 mm and 50 mm in overall diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaner head of  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism is further configured to allow the cleaner head to be used without either brush bar being rotated by the drive mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . A vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head, the cleaner head comprising:
 a body that defines a suction chamber, the suction chamber having a suction inlet for engaging a surface to be cleaned, and an outlet for fluid connection to a suction generator of a vacuum cleaner;   first and second brush bars each configured to contact a surface engaged by the suction inlet; and   a drive mechanism that has an actuator, the drive mechanism being configured to rotate the brush bars about respective axes,   wherein the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the first brush bar independently of the second brush bar, and to rotate the second brush bar independently of the first brush bar.   
     
     
         14 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 13 , wherein the vacuum cleaner is an upright vacuum cleaner.