Fibre Removal System for Vacuum Cleaner Beater Bars (Black and Decker)

Vacuum cleaners have a problem with long fibres, such as hair becoming tangled in the beater bars of the cleaner. This leads to difficulties in cleaning performance and product dissatisfaction when motor or drive belt break as a result of the clogging. Finding a simple cost effective solution could provide significant operational and business benefit to a Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturer. Black & Decker are looking for a solution to this problem and have set out a project brief to investigate the causes of the tangling effect. Furthermore, they wish for a solution to either prevent this problem happening or easy removal of the tangled fibres. Testing has been carried out to simulate the problem on carpets of varying pile length. A proposed solution to allow for the easy removal of fibres has been set out. This concept involves a blades that can be pulled across the beater bar by an internal pull-through rod. A 3D model and prototype of the solution have been created and analysed with a further development plan proposed.