Surface cleaner
A surface cleaner includes a base housing assembly defining an agitator chamber, and includes an end cap, a bearing disposed axially adjacent to the end cap, and an agitator rotatably supported on the bearing for rotation about an axis of rotation in the agitator chamber. The end cap and the agitator define an axial gap between an axial end of the agitator and the end cap. The surface cleaner includes a motor shaft spaced apart from the agitator, a drive belt operatively connecting the motor shaft and the agitator, and a motor connected with the motor shaft and operable to rotatably drive the agitator via the motor shaft and drive belt. The surface cleaner includes an impeller blower mounted on the motor shaft, and a conduit system at least partially defining an air channel directing air blown by the impeller blower into the axial gap.
1 . A surface cleaner configured for movement across a surface to be cleaned, the surface cleaner comprising:
a base housing assembly defining an agitator chamber;
an end cap;
a bearing disposed axially adjacent to the end cap;
an agitator rotatably supported on the bearing for rotation about an axis of rotation in the agitator chamber, the end cap and the agitator defining an axial gap between an axial end of the agitator and the end cap;
a motor shaft spaced apart from the agitator;
a drive belt operatively connecting the motor shaft and the agitator;
a motor connected with the motor shaft and operable to rotatably drive the agitator via the motor shaft and drive belt;
an impeller blower mounted on the motor shaft; and
a conduit system at least partially defining an air channel directing air blown by the impeller blower into the axial gap.
2 . The surface cleaner of claim 1 , wherein:
the end cap defines at least one opening extending therethrough; and
the air channel directs air through the at least one opening toward the bearing and the axial gap.
3 . The surface cleaner of claim 2 , wherein the axial gap includes a first portion radially inward relative to the axis of rotation from the at least one opening and a second portion located radially outward relative to the axis of rotation.
4 . The surface cleaner of claim 3 , wherein the axial gap is at least partially defined by the bearing.
5 . The surface cleaner of claim 2 , wherein an outlet of the at least one opening in the end cap is disposed such that the air blown into the axial gap is directed at least partially at an axial end face of the bearing.
6 . The surface cleaner of claim 5 , wherein the at least one opening extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the agitator through an axial wall of the end cap.
7 . The surface cleaner of claim 6 , wherein the agitator includes a bearing holder configured to rotate with an outer race of the bearing and the bearing holder at least partially defines the axial gap with the end cap.
8 . The surface cleaner of claim 6 , further comprising:
a radial gap at least partially defined by the end cap and the agitator, wherein the radial gap is fluidly downstream from the axial gap.
9 . The surface cleaner of claim 8 , wherein the radial gap includes an outlet configured to direct air from the air channel in an axial direction relative to the axis of rotation and towards the agitator.
10 . The surface cleaner of claim 9 , wherein the outlet of the radial gap is located radially outer relative to the axis of rotation and the at least one opening.
11 . The surface cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the conduit system includes a flexible tube defining at least a portion of the air channel between the impeller blower and the end cap.
12 . The surface cleaner of claim 11 , wherein the conduit system includes a first branch defining at least a portion of the air channel between the impeller blower and the end cap and the conduit system includes a second branch defining at least a portion of the air channel between the impeller blower and a second axial gap with the second axial gap located between a second end cap and a second axial end of the agitator.
13 . A surface cleaner configured for movement across a surface to be cleaned, the surface cleaner comprising:
a base housing assembly defining an agitator chamber;
an end cap; wherein the end cap defines at least one opening extending therethrough;
a bearing disposed axially adjacent to the end cap;
an agitator rotatably supported on the bearing for rotation about an axis of rotation in the agitator chamber, the end cap and the agitator defining an axial gap between an axial end of the agitator and the end cap;
a motor shaft spaced apart from the agitator;
a motor connected to the motor shaft;
an impeller blower operatively connected to the motor and mounted on the motor shaft; and
a conduit system at least partially defining an air channel directing air blown by the impeller blower through the at least one opening in the end cap into the axial gap; wherein the at least one opening in the end cap is configured to direct the blown air at least partially in an axial direction into the axial gap.
14 . The surface cleaner of claim 13 , wherein the at least one opening extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the agitator through an axial wall of the end cap.
15 . The surface cleaner of claim 14 , wherein the at least one opening includes multiple openings spaced from one another about the axis of rotation.
16 . The surface cleaner of claim 14 , wherein the agitator includes a bearing holder configured to rotate with an outer race of the bearing and the bearing holder at least partially defines the axial gap with the end cap.
17 . The surface cleaner of claim 14 , further comprising:
a radial gap at least partially defined by the end cap and the agitator, wherein the radial gap is fluidly downstream from the axial gap.
18 . The surface cleaner of claim 17 , wherein the radial gap includes an outlet configured to direct air from the air channel in the axial direction relative to the axis of rotation and towards the agitator.
19 . The surface cleaner of claim 18 , wherein the outlet of the radial gap is located radially outer relative to the axis of rotation and the at least one opening.
20 . The surface cleaner of claim 13 , wherein the axial gap includes a first portion radially inward relative to the axis of rotation from the at least one opening and a second portion located radially outward relative to the axis of rotation and the axial gap is at least partially defined by the bearing.