Cleaner head

Abstract

A cleaner head, such as for use with a vacuum or floor cleaner, can have a brushbar arrangement. The brushbar arrangement has a first elongate portion, and a first curved portion that is located at a first end of the first elongate portion. The brushbar arrangement extends, at least partially, around a suction region for the cleaner head. The cleaner head also has a drive assembly that can rotate the first curved portion and the first elongate portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaner head comprising:
 a brushbar arrangement comprising a first elongate portion, and a first curved portion located at a first end of the first elongate portion, wherein the brushbar arrangement at least partially extends around a suction region; and   a drive assembly configured to rotate the first curved portion and the first elongate portion;   wherein the first elongate portion of the brushbar comprises a first axis of rotation and the first curved portion of the brushbar comprises a different, second axis of rotation, wherein the second axis of rotation is curved.   
     
     
         2 . A cleaner head according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly comprises a fixed drive connection between the first curved portion and the first elongate portion. 
     
     
         3 . A cleaner head according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly comprises a first motor and/or gearbox assembly located in the first elongate portion. 
     
     
         4 . A cleaner head according to  claim 1 , wherein the first curved portion comprises a core and one or more components arranged along the core. 
     
     
         5 . A cleaner head according to  claim 4 , wherein the core is a static core and the one or more components are configured to rotate around the core. 
     
     
         6 . A cleaner head according to  claim 4 , wherein the core is configured to rotate and the one or more components are configured to rotate as the core rotates. 
     
     
         7 . A cleaner head according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first set of bristles formed on the first elongate portion and a second set of bristles formed on the first curved portion. 
     
     
         8 . A cleaner head according to  claim 7 , wherein the second set of bristles are more deformable than the first set of bristles. 
     
     
         9 . A cleaner head according to  claim 1 , further comprising an energy storage device for providing energy to the drive assembly located in the first elongate portion. 
     
     
         10 . A cleaner head according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second elongate portion located opposite the first elongate portion, wherein the first curved portion is located between the first end of the first elongate portion and a respective first end of the second elongate portion;   wherein the drive assembly is further configured to rotate the second elongate portion.   
     
     
         11 . A cleaner head according to  claim 10 , wherein the first curved portion and the at least one of the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion is configured to rotate in a direction to direct debris toward the suction region. 
     
     
         12 . A cleaner head according to  claim 10 , further comprising a second curved portion located between a second end of the first elongate portion and a respective second end of the second elongate portion. 
     
     
         13 . A cleaner head according to  claim 12 , wherein the brushbar arrangement completely surrounds the suction region. 
     
     
         14 . A cleaner head according to  claim 12 , wherein the second curved portion, the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion are configured to rotate in an inward direction so as to direct debris toward the suction region. 
     
     
         15 . A cleaner head according to  claim 10 , wherein the drive assembly comprises a belt and/or gearbox assembly for driving the second elongate portion. 
     
     
         16 . A cleaner head according to  claim 10 , wherein the drive assembly comprises a second motor located in the second elongate portion. 
     
     
         17 . A cleaner head according to  claim 10 , wherein the first elongate portion, the second elongate portion, the first curved portion and the second curved portion are arranged to form an obround. 
     
     
         18 . A vacuum cleaner comprising the cleaner head of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A robotic vacuum cleaner comprising the cleaner head of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head, the vacuum cleaner comprising:
 a brushbar arrangement that at least partially extends around a suction region of the cleaner head, the brushbar arrangement comprising:
 a first elongate portion comprising a first axis of rotation; and 
 a first curved portion comprising a different, second axis of rotation, and wherein the second axis of rotation is curved; 
 a second elongate portion located opposite the first elongate portion, wherein the first curved portion is located between a first end of the first elongate portion and a first end of the second elongate portion; 
   a drive assembly configured to rotate the first curved portion, the first elongate portion, and the second elongate portion of the cleaner head.