Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited

Patrick Diana

Douglas M Rukavina

Kevin Terry

A surface cleaner is provided. The surface cleaner comprises: an operating component configured to perform a function of the surface cleaner; a base moveable along a surface; an accelerometer configured to generate a signal; and a controller in communication with the accelerometer and the operating component, wherein the controller is operable to control the operating component based on the signal, and wherein the operating component is selected from a group consisting of a suction motor operable to generate an airflow, a brushroll motor operable to drive a brushroll, an actuator operable to adjust a height of a brushroll from the surface, a pump operable to deliver a cleaning fluid, an actuator operable to control an airflow or fluid valve, and an indicator operable to indicate a parameter of the surface cleaner.

Surface cleaning device with automated control

Aspects of the present invention relate to a triggerless extractor surface cleaning device for cleaning a surface in which a cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and extracted using suction along with dirt and/or debris on the surface in a continuous operation as the extractor moves along the surface. The extractor further comprises an encoder positioned adjacent a wheel of the extractor for detecting a rotational direction and speed of the wheel to generate a signal. Based on receiving the signal, a controller controls operation of a valve to situationally distribute the cleaning solution to the surface depending on a forward rotation of the wheel and independent of user actuation of a trigger positioned on a handle used to propel the extractor along the surface. Distribution of the cleaning solution can be further optimized based on the detected rotational speed of the wheel.

Surface cleaning device with triggerless fluid distribution mechanism

An extractor is provided. The extractor comprises: a base movable along a surface; a handle configured to be gripped by a user to move the base; a nozzle in fluid communication with a suction motor configured to generate a suction airflow through the nozzle; an encoder operable to generate an encoder signal as a first signal based on user-initiated movement of the base along the surface in a forward direction and as a second signal based on movement in a rearward direction; and a controller operatively connected to the encoder and the suction motor, the controller being configured to change a power to the suction motor to a forward power level based on the first signal during operation of the extractor and to a rearward power level based on the second signal during operation of the extractor, wherein the forward power level is less than the rearward power level.

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Davidson, NC, United States of America

Patrick Diana