The Hoover Comapny

Other

Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited

Aaron P Tondra

Evan A Gordon

Michael A Durbin

Robert W Bauman

Adam C Sclafani

Sergey V Makarov

William H Theiss, Jr

Donald A Coates

Edgar A Maurer

David A Bradshaw

Timothy T Hertrick

Wilbur J Kellum

Jackson William Wegelin

Mark J Josef

A cleaning machine for cleaning a surface is provided. The cleaning machine includes a base assembly that moves along the surface and a liquid distribution system associated with the base assembly for distributing the cleaning solution to the cleaning surface. A suction nozzle assembly is mounted to the base assembly and includes a front nozzle portion and a rear nozzle portion. The front nozzle portion defines a fluid flow path having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and the rear nozzle portion defines a fluid flow path having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface and through the suction nozzle assembly. The fluid flow path of the front nozzle portion is closed in response to the base assembly moving in one of the forward direction and rear direction. The fluid flow path of the rear nozzle portion is closed in response to the base assembly moving in other one of the forward and rear direction.

Cleaning machine for cleaning a surface

A cleaner for cleaning a surface comprises a floor-engaging portion for moving along the surface. A magnet and a hall effect sensor located in the cleaner handle generates a control signal. The control signal is provided to a control circuit which controls one or more operational features of the cleaner. One such operational features includes at least one pump for mixing and distributing cleaning solution to the surface. In an alternate embodiment, the control circuit controls an electric motor for propelling the cleaner over the surface.

Control arrangement for a cleaning appliance

A floor care appliance is provided with a microprocessor based control arrangement having a communications port for connection to a computer. Once connected to a computer, software updates for the microprocessor may be downloaded or diagnostic information stored in the microprocessor's memory may be uploaded for diagnostic purposes. In one embodiment of the invention, the communication port is configured to be connected to a local computer for possible further connection to a remote computer over a computer or telephone network. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the communication port is configured to connect to and dial up a remote computer over a telephone network.

Floor care appliance with network connectivity

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. The cleaning apparatus further includes a detecting device for detecting the speed of the cleaning apparatus as it moves along the surface and producing a speed signal representing the speed of the cleaning apparatus relative to the surface. A controller, operatively connected to the detecting device and a component on the cleaning apparatus, controls the function of the component based on the speed signal. The controller can also control the function of the component based on a signal representing other operating characteristics of the cleaning machine.

Cleaning machine having a control system for cleaning a surface

A floor care appliance such as a vacuum cleaner is provided having a display panel having at least one indicator light for indicating a status of a feature of the appliance wherein the indicator light is lighted by electro luminescent lighting. The electro luminescent lighting is also used on a control panel for a floor care appliance to backlight one or more switches used to control a feature or mode of the appliance wherein the backlighting indicates a status of the feature or mode associated with a particular switch. The switches and electro luminescent backlighting are embedded between layers of a thin film allowing the display and control panels to be mounted on a curved surface such as the handle of the floor care appliance.

Floor care appliance with an electro luminescent switch panel

A floor care appliance is provided with an improved power management system for controlling the total amount of current provided to at least a first and a second load device of an appliance. The power management system is comprised of a microprocessor, an alternating current voltage source, a voltage regulating circuit, a clamping circuit, at least two load devices, and a MOC and a triac for each of the at least two load devices. The clamping circuit outputs a fixed voltage of 5.7 volts during the positive portion of the ac cycle and a fixed voltage of &#x2212;0.7 volts during the negative portion of the ac cycle. The fixed voltages are input to a microprocessor which utilizes these inputs to control the average voltage and the amount of time the current is turned on to each of the at least first and second load devices. A current sensing circuit is used to monitor the current to one of the at least two load devices to provide feedback to the microprocessor so that the microprocessor can adjust the average voltage and current to the at least two load devices so that the total current consumed does not exceed a pre-determined level.

Power management system for a floor care appliance

A floor care appliance is provided with a microprocessor based control arrangement. The microprocessor adjust the height of the suction nozzle through a motorized suction nozzle height gear and cam arrangement. The microprocessor is programmed to turn the current off to either of the motor-fan assembly or the agitator drive motor when the current consumed by either exceeds a predetermined amount based upon the nozzle height. The height of the suction nozzle is selected by one or more switches located on the appliance handle. A separate switch is provided to select bare floor mode and the microprocessor is programmed to store the height of the suction nozzle prior to bare floor mode being selected. By pressing a the bare floor mode button again or the use of a sensor the suction nozzle is returned to the stored position when the suction nozzle is returned to the carpeted surface.

Suction nozzle height adjustment and control arrangement

A cleaner for cleaning a surface comprises a floor-engaging portion for moving along the surface. A source supplies a liquid to a distributor, which distributes the liquid from the source on the surface wherein an activating device is operatively connected to the source to activate the source to supply liquid to the distributor to distribute liquid on the surface in response to a force moving the floor engaging portion in a first direction.

Apparatus and method for cleaning a surface

A pivoting handle and control arrangement is provided for a floor care appliance such as a vacuum cleaner. An actuator rod in the handle is utilized for remotely triggering a switch located in the lower part of the housing. The switch could be utilized for controlling a feature of the floor care appliance such as a surge control for a vacuum cleaner's suction motor. A trigger positioned on the handle is operatively connected to an actuator rod traversing the interior of the handle. The distal end of the actuator rod is in operative engagement with the switch when the handle is in the upright position. When the trigger is depressed, the actuator rod depresses the switch causing it to close. The feature controlled is thereby energized. When the handle is moved to the folded position, the actuator rod is folded with the handle and moved away from the switch.

Growing community of inventors

North Canton, OH, United States of America

Aaron P Tondra