Suction nozzle

Abstract

A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner that includes an agitator defining a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about said longitudinal axis; a motor configured to rotate the agitator; and a coolant path extending from an inlet to an outlet. The coolant path is configured to direct an air flow from the inlet, past the motor and subsequently over or through the motor, to the outlet.

1 . A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, the suction nozzle comprising:
 an agitator defining a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the longitudinal axis;   a motor configured to rotate the agitator; and   a coolant path extending from an inlet to an outlet,   wherein the coolant path is configured to direct an air flow from the inlet, past the motor and subsequently over or through the motor, to the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The suction nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the coolant path is configured to prevent the flow of air from contacting the agitator. 
     
     
         3 . The suction nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the coolant path is configured to prevent the air flow from contacting the motor as the air flow is directed past the motor. 
     
     
         4 . The suction nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is received at least partially inside the agitator. 
     
     
         5 . The suction nozzle of  claim 4 , wherein the coolant path is configured to direct the air flow past the motor between the motor and the agitator. 
     
     
         6 . The suction nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the coolant path is configured to prevent the flow of air from contacting the agitator, and to prevent the air flow from contacting the motor as the air flow is directed past the motor;   the motor is received at least partially inside the agitator;   the coolant path is configured to direct the air flow past the motor between the motor and the agitator;   the suction nozzle further comprises two concentric sleeves;   the sleeves are at least partially received inside the agitator;   the motor is at least partially received inside the sleeves; and   the coolant path is configured such that the air flow runs in between the two sleeves past the motor, and runs inside the two sleeves over or through the motor.   
     
     
         7 . The suction nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the suction nozzle further comprises a gear assembly via which the motor can rotate the agitator, and the coolant path is further configured to direct the air flow over or through the gear assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The suction nozzle of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the gear assembly is an epicyclic gear train comprising a sun gear, one or more planet gears mounted on a carrier, and a ring gear; and   the coolant path is configured to direct the air flow over the ring gear of the gear assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The suction nozzle of  claim 7 , wherein the coolant path is configured to direct the air flow over or through the gear assembly before directing the flow of air over or through the motor. 
     
     
         10 . The suction nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the coolant path is configured to direct the air flow into the agitator at an axial end of the agitator, and out of the agitator at the same axial end. 
     
     
         11 . The suction nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the coolant path is configured to direct the air flow to run along at least 70% of the axial length of the agitator. 
     
     
         12 . The suction nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet is configured such that air entering the inlet to form the air flow is taken from outside the suction nozzle. 
     
     
         13 . The suction nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the coolant path comprises a passage of annular cross section relative to the direction of movement of the air flow therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The suction nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the agitator is removable from the suction nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . A vacuum cleaner comprising a suction nozzle, the suction nozzle comprising:
 an agitator defining a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the longitudinal axis;   a motor configured to rotate the agitator; and   a coolant path extending from an inlet to an outlet,   wherein the coolant path is configured to direct an air flow from the inlet, past the motor and subsequently over or through the motor, to the outlet.