US 12,239,269 B2
Suction head for an extraction cleaner including a piezoelectric element
Ryan Phillips, Grand Rapids, MI (US); Morgan Tolles, Hastings, MI (US); Todd VanTongeren, Ada, MI (US); and James T. Hotary, Holland, MI (US)
Assigned to BISSELL Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed by BISSELL Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 9, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/232,228.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/396,736, filed on Aug. 10, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0090732 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. A47L 11/40 (2006.01); A47L 11/30 (2006.01); A47L 11/34 (2006.01); B06B 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC A47L 11/4008 (2013.01) [A47L 11/30 (2013.01); A47L 11/34 (2013.01); A47L 11/4016 (2013.01); A47L 11/4044 (2013.01); A47L 11/4083 (2013.01); A47L 11/4088 (2013.01); B06B 1/0622 (2013.01); B06B 1/0651 (2013.01); B06B 2201/77 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A suction head for an extraction cleaner comprising:
a base forming a suction chamber and a suction outlet in fluid communication with the suction chamber;
a piezoelectric element coupled to the base, the piezoelectric element comprising a first surface open to the suction chamber, a second surface facing an external environment away from the suction chamber, a thickness between the first surface and the second surface, and a through-via through the thickness open at both the first surface and the second surface; and
a backboard sandwiched between a bracket and the base, the backboard comprising an aperture aligned with an aperture of the bracket and the piezoelectric element, wherein at least a portion of the aperture of the backboard has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the aperture of the bracket.
 
19. A suction head for an extraction cleaner comprising:
a base forming a suction chamber and a suction outlet in fluid communication with the suction chamber;
a piezoelectric element coupled to the base, the piezoelectric element comprising a first surface open to the suction chamber, a second surface facing an external environment away from the suction chamber, a thickness between the first surface and the second surface of the piezoelectric element, and a through-via through the thickness open at both the first surface and the second surface of the piezoelectric element;
a bracket coupled to the base, the bracket comprising:
a first surface facing the suction chamber, a second surface facing the external environment, a thickness between the first surface and the second surface of the bracket, and an aperture through the thickness that is open at the first surface and the second surface of the bracket, with at least a portion of the piezoelectric element extending into the aperture of the bracket; and
a flexible backing disposed upon the first surface of the bracket, the flexible backing comprising: (i) an aperture aligned with the aperture of the bracket and the piezoelectric element and (ii) a tab extending over the first surface of the piezoelectric element.