Power head for vacuum systems

A vacuum system comprising:

• a vacuum source;
• a battery assembly;
• a handle operatively connected to the vacuum source;
• an extension tube operatively connected to the handle;
• a power head comprising
• a main body assembly defining a main chamber, a main inlet, and a main outlet,
• a brush assembly comprising
• a brush housing defining a brush chamber,
• a brush defining first and second ends and an axle chamber defining an axle longitudinal axis,
• first and second bearings, where the first and second bearings are supported by the main body and support first and second ends of the brush, respectively, such that
• the brush is supported for rotation relative to the brush housing, and
• a portion of the brush is arranged within the brush chamber,
• a motor assembly defining a fixed portion and a rotating portion, where the battery assembly is operatively connected to the motor assembly,
• a motor mount supported by the main body assembly adjacent to the first bearing, where the motor mount engages the fixed portion of the motor assembly such that
• at least part of the motor assembly is arranged within the axle chamber,
• the fixed portion of the motor assembly is supported by the brush housing, and
• the rotating portion of the motor assembly is arranged within the axle chamber, and
• a transmission system for transmitting rotation of the rotating portion of the motor assembly to the brush, where at least part of the transmission system is arranged within the axle chamber;
• wherein
• the transmission system engages the rotating portion of the motor assembly such that rotating portion of the motor assembly is supported in axial alignment with the axle longitudinal axis solely by the transmission system;
• the power head is detachably attached to the extension tube such that operation of the vacuum source causes air to be drawn through the brush inlet, through the brush chamber, through the brush outlet, through the main inlet, through the main chamber, through the main outlet, through the extension tube, and into the handle;
• and
• the battery assembly supplies power to the motor such that operation of the motor assembly causes the rotating portion of the motor assembly to rotate the brush through the transmission system to rotate the brush relative to the brush housing.

A vacuum method comprising the steps of:

• providing a vacuum source;
• providing a battery assembly;
• operatively connecting a handle to the vacuum source;
• operatively connecting an extension tube to the handle;
• providing a power head housing assembly defining a main chamber and a main outlet;
• providing a brush first and second ends and defining an axle chamber defining an axle longitudinal axis;
• supporting first and second bearings on the power head housing assembly to engage the first and second ends of the brush to support the brush for rotation relative to the main housing assembly;
• providing a motor assembly defining a fixed portion and a rotating portion;
• supporting a motor mount from the main body assembly adjacent to the first bearing, where the motor mount engages the fixed portion of the motor assembly such that,
• at least part of the motor assembly is arranged within the axle chamber,
• the fixed portion of the motor assembly is supported relative to the main body assembly, and
• the rotating portion of the motor assembly is arranged within the axle chamber;
• operatively connecting the battery assembly connected to the motor assembly;
• arranging a transmission system to transmit rotation of the rotating portion of the motor assembly to the brush such that
• at least part of the transmission system is arranged within the axle chamber, and
• the transmission system engages the rotating portion of the motor assembly such that rotating portion of the motor assembly is supported in axial alignment with the axle longitudinal axis solely by the transmission system;
• detachably attaching the main housing assembly to the extension tube such that operation of the vacuum source causes air to be drawn through the main chamber, through the main outlet, through the extension tube, and into the handle;
• and
• causing the battery assembly to supply power to the motor such that operation of the motor assembly causes the rotating portion of the motor assembly to rotate the brush through the transmission system to rotate the brush relative to the brush housing.