Abstract: A brushless permanent magnet motor has a phase winding, an inverter for applying voltage vectors to the phase winding, and a controller for controlling the inverter. The inverter has a plurality of high side switches and a plurality of low side switches. The controller is configured to divide an electrical cycle of the motor into a first portion and a second portion different to the first portion, apply a first set of voltage vectors to the phase winding in the first portion of the electrical cycle, and apply a second set of voltage vectors to the phase winding in the second portion of the electrical cycle. The second set of voltage vectors is different to the first set of voltage vectors. The controller is configured to turn on a low side switch to apply each voltage vector of the first set of voltage vectors, and turn off all low side switches to apply a zero-voltage vector of the second set of voltage vectors.

Abstract: A dock for receiving a floor cleaner with a cleaning head, the dock including a receiving unit for receiving the cleaning head of the floor cleaner, and a hair removal unit for removing hair from a cleaning head received by the receiving unit. The hair removal unit may take a number of forms, for example a cutter and/or hook, a toothed comb, or a tapered roller. The removal of hair from the cleaning head of the floor cleaner may improve or maintain cleaning performance, and/or improve the aesthetics of the floor cleaner during use.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner, the cleaner head being configured to apply suction to a horizontal surface to be cleaned by the vacuum cleaner. The cleaner head includes: first and second agitator elements each being mounted for rotation about a respective axis. Each agitator element includes a first, free end and a second end, each agitator element has a shape which tapers towards the first end in a direction along the axis of rotation, the first and second agitator elements are cantilevered from opposing sides of a hub portion of the cleaner head at their respective second ends, and each agitator element is arranged such that when the cleaner head is applying suction to the horizontal surface, the position of the axis at the first end of the element is closer to the surface than the position of the axis at the second end of the element.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use in a vacuum cleaner includes a filter medium including a state-changing material which changes state in dependence on the quantity of liquid to which the filter medium is exposed to provide a first status indication to a user that the filter assembly is suitable for use in the vacuum cleaner when the state-changing material is in a first state and a second status indication to the user that the filter assembly is not suitable for use in the vacuum cleaner when the state-changing material is in a second state.

Abstract: An air amplifier for directing airflow from a fan assembly, and a fan assembly including an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes an inlet for receiving airflow from a fan assembly, and an airflow cavity. The airflow cavity includes a first wall and a second wall that define an airflow passageway extending towards an exhaust outlet for emitting air. A divider body is provided within the passageway. The divider body divides the airflow passageway into a first exhaust passageway and a second exhaust passageway. The divider body tapers towards the exhaust outlet.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner, the cleaner head being configured to apply suction to a horizontal surface to be cleaned by the vacuum cleaner, wherein the cleaner head includes: first and second agitator elements each being mounted for rotation about a respective axis. Each agitator element includes a first, free end and a second end, each agitator element has a shape which tapers towards the first end in a direction along the axis of rotation, the first and second agitator elements are cantilevered from opposing sides of a hub portion of the cleaner head at their respective second ends, and each agitator element is arranged such that the position of the axis at the first end of each agitator element is further forwards than the position of the axis at the second end of each agitator element.

Abstract: An air amplifier for directing airflow from a fan assembly, and a fan assembly including an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes an inlet for receiving airflow from a fan assembly, and an airflow cavity. The airflow cavity includes a first wall and a second wall that define an airflow passageway extending towards an exhaust outlet for emitting air. A lip is provided at or towards a front edge of the first wall. The lip extends towards the second wall, thereby partially inhibiting airflow from the exhaust outlet.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a filtration chamber with an inner wall and an outer wall, an air inlet arranged to feed air carrying dust particles into the space between the inner wall and outer wall of the filtration chamber and a dirt chute for discharging dirt and/or dust from the vacuum cleaner. A tapered filter is located between the inner wall and the outer wall of the filtration chamber. The tapered filter includes a narrow end and a wide end, and the narrow end of the filter is located at or proximate to the air inlet and/or the dirt chute.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner includes a dirt separator. The dirt separator includes a chamber having an inlet through which dirt-laden fluid enters and an outlet through which cleansed fluid exits the chamber. A disc located at the outlet rotates about a rotational axis and comprises holes through which the cleansed fluid passes.

Abstract: A compound of the general formula: wherein x is equal to or greater than 0.175 and equal to or less than 0.325 and y is equal to or greater than 0.05 and equal to or less than 0.35. In another embodiment, x is equal to zero and y is greater than 0.12 and equal to or less than 0.4. The compound is also formulated into a positive electrode for use in an electrochemical cell.

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.