Abstract: A method is described for controlling a three-phase permanent-magnet motor. The method includes sequentially exciting and freewheeling phases of the motor. The phases are freewheeled when a magnitude of phase current rises to an upper threshold, and freewheeling continues for either a fixed period of time or until the magnitude of the phase current decreases to a lower threshold. The method further includes measuring a parameter that corresponds to either the magnitude of the phase current during or at the end of freewheeling, or an interval between a start and end of freewheeling or a start and end of excitation. A saturation event is determined to have occurred when the measured parameter is less than a saturation threshold. In response to the saturation event, the phases are commutated.

Abstract: A filter arrangement for a vacuum cleaning appliance includes: a filter enclosure having an enclosure opening; a filter configured to be received through the enclosure opening into the filter enclosure in an insertion direction; and retention means operable between latched and unlatched states for releasably retaining the filter in the filter enclosure. The filter includes an actuation portion configured to operate the retention means, wherein the actuation portion is moveable between at least first and second positions and is biased towards the second position. When the filter is in the filter enclosure, movement of the actuation portion in the insertion direction from the first position to a depressed position transitions the retention means to the unlatched state, whereinafter the actuation portion is moved to the second position in which at least a part of the actuation portion is elevated above the enclosure opening.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a passenger cabin; a steering assembly including a steering wheel mounted on a steering column assembly; and a ventilation system having a first air outlet for discharging a first jet of air, and a second air outlet for discharging a second jet of air. The first air outlet and the second air outlet are located on the steering column and the second jet of air intersects and deflects the first jet of air.

Abstract: An attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment including an air inlet, an air outlet, a hollow body defining a flow path between the air inlet and the air outlet, and a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet, the curved surface extending outwardly from the hollow. A haircare appliance having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air outlet to the air outlet. The haircare appliance has a hollow body defining a flow path between the air inlet and the air outlet, and a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet. The curved surface extends outwardly from the hollow body.

Abstract: An attachment including a casing having an air inlet for receiving an airflow from a hair styling apparatus, a hair engaging member, supported by the casing, and adapted to move relative to the casing between a first position and a second position under the action of an over-centre mechanism. First and second airflow outlets are formed between the casing and the hair engaging member when the hair engaging member is in the first and second position, respectively.

Abstract: A wearable air purification system including a wearable support configured to be supported on a head of a user; and an air delivery mask which is shaped to at least partially bound an air delivery region and to deliver a flow of air to the air delivery region. The wearable support includes a left side support and a right side support which support, at a front side of the system, the air delivery mask therebetween. The system further includes a motor housing for a motor which is configured to drive the air flow to or from the air delivery region, in use, wherein the motor mounting locates at a rear side of the user's head when the system is supported on the user's head in use.

Abstract: A wearable air purification system including one or more wearable supports and an air delivery mask supported by one or more of the one or more wearable supports. A motor for driving a flow of air to an air delivery region bounded by the air delivery mask is mounted at a first position on one of the one or more wearable supports, or at a first position on the air delivery mask. An air filter for purifying the flow of air is mounted at a second position on one of the one or more wearable supports.

Abstract: A haircare appliance having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet and an attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment including an air inlet, an air outlet. A curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet. The haircare appliance or the attachment has a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet. The haircare appliance or the attachment is configured such that airflow exiting the air outlet generates a first force to attract hair toward the curved surface, and a second force to push hair away from the curved surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a vacuum motor configured to draw an air flow through an air flow path of the vacuum cleaner; a dirt separator having dirt, receptacle; a display screen; and a controller configured to control images displayed on the screen. The dirt receptacle has a closed configuration in which it can receive dirt separated from the air flow, and an open configuration in which dirt contained in the dirt receptacle can be emptied therefrom. The controller is configured to display video instructions on the screen.

Abstract: A compressor has a stator assembly, a rotor assembly, and a housing within which the stator assembly and the rotor assembly are located. The housing has a first end, a second end, and an air inlet disposed between the first and second ends. The compressor has a flow guide disposed within the air inlet. The flow guide is configured to split air flowing through the air inlet in use into a first airflow toward the first end of the housing and a second airflow toward the second end of the housing.

Abstract: There is provided a fan assembly comprising a motor-driven impeller arranged to generate an airflow, an air outlet arranged to emit the airflow, a plurality of sensors arranged to measure a value for each of a plurality of air quality characteristics, a display and a processor. The processor is configured to receive measured values for each of the plurality of air quality characteristics, identify one of a corresponding set of intervals within which the measured value falls and select an air quality index value associated with the identified interval. The processor is then configured to identify the highest of the selected air quality index values as a current overall air quality index value and to cause the display to display a time series plot of the current air quality index value and a number of preceding air quality index values.

Abstract: A dock for a floor cleaner is provided. The dock includes a receiving unit for receiving the floor cleaner, and a reservoir for containing liquid. A nozzle is arranged to spray a floor cleaner received in the receiving unit with liquid from the reservoir such that an agitating cleaning effect is provided.

Abstract: A haircare appliance having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet and an attachment for a haircare appliance, the attachment including an air inlet, an air outlet. A curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet. The haircare appliance or the attachment has a curved surface adjacent to and downstream of the air outlet. The haircare appliance or the attachment is configured such that airflow exiting the air outlet generates a first force to attract hair toward the curved surface, and a second force to push hair away from the curved surface.

Abstract: An attachment for a vacuum cleaning appliance has a first part which is connectable to a main body of the appliance, and a second part which is connectable to the first part. The first part includes a crevice nozzle and a brush section which is moveable along the crevice nozzle between a retracted position and a deployed position. The second part includes a suction inlet, and is arranged to be push-fitted over the first part so that the crevice nozzle and the brush section of the first part are both stored within the second part when the second part is connected to the first part.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a battery unit for powering the vacuum cleaner is provided. The battery unit includes a plurality of serially connected battery cells and battery management electronics operatively coupled to the battery cells. Two enclosures are provided on either side of a central axis of the vacuum cleaner, each enclosure including a portion of the plurality of battery cells, and a portion of the battery management electronics operatively coupled to the respective portion of the plurality of the battery cells. A link strap interconnects the portions of the battery management electronics.

Abstract: An autonomous surface cleaning apparatus includes a body including a chassis and an outer shell mounted to the chassis, a drive system carried by the body, a cleaning assembly projecting forward beyond a front surface of the outer shell, the cleaning assembly having a generally planar front surface, and a forward bumper mounted to the front surface of the cleaning assembly. The apparatus further includes a plurality of forwardmost contact sensors disposed behind the forward bumper and arranged to detect displacement of the forward bumper relative to the cleaning assembly, a first plurality of shell contact sensors each being arranged to detect longitudinal displacement of the outer shell relative, and a second plurality of shell contact sensors each being arranged to detect lateral displacement of the outer shell relative to both the chassis and the cleaning assembly.

Abstract: There is provided a valve for a reversible heat pump system, including six ports and three flow paths for a refrigerant, the three flow paths being selectable between different pairs of the six ports, wherein: two of the three flow paths are non-restrictive flow paths; and one of the three flow paths is a restrictive flow path. There is also provided a reversible heat pump system, including: the valve; a compressor; a process heat exchanger having input and output sides through which refrigerant is supplied and discharged respectively; and a rejection heat exchanger having input and output sides through which the refrigerant is supplied and discharged respectively, wherein the valve interconnects the compressor, the process heat exchanger and the rejection heat exchanger such that a refrigeration cycle can be established.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is described having a suction unit, a first cleaning tool, and a second cleaning tool. The first cleaning tool is attachable to the suction unit and includes a first dirt separator. The second cleaning tool is likewise attachable to the suction unit and includes a second dirt separator. The first dirt separator and the second dirt separator employ different mechanisms for separating dirt from an airflow.