Floor Cleaning Nozzle for Surface Cleaning Apparatus

Surface cleaning apparatus or floor cleaning nozzles for surface cleaning apparatus can have a brushroll for agitating the surface to be cleaned. Some surface cleaning apparatus have a fluid delivery system that delivers cleaning fluid, usually liquid, to a surface to be cleaned and in some cases deliver cleaning by wetting the brushroll.

Many surface cleaning apparatus perform floor cleaning well, but at the expense of, or to the complete exclusion of, edge cleaning, e.g., cleaning all the way to a wall, baseboard, or the like. Cleaning along edges, such as baseboards, walls, and the like can be difficult or impossible with many floor cleaning nozzles. Users often must supplement with additional cleaning tools and/or manual labor. Providing a single floor cleaning nozzle that can effectively clean floors as well as along edges provides unique challenges related to nozzle construction, surface agitation, and fluid dispensing.

An improved floor cleaning nozzle for a surface cleaning apparatus is provided herein.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a floor cleaning nozzle for a surface cleaning apparatus includes at least one fluid dispenser in fluid communication with a source of cleaning fluid and configured to dispense cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, a nozzle housing having a first side, a second side, a bottom, a brushroll compartment therein, an elongated suction inlet opening to the brushroll compartment, and an edge cleaning aperture in the first side extending upward from the bottom, a main brushroll rotatably mounted in the brushroll compartment about an axis, the main brushroll having a first end corresponding to the first side of the nozzle housing and a second end corresponding to the second side of the nozzle housing, the main brushroll comprising a main agitation material extending through the suction inlet opening, and an edge brushroll in the brushroll compartment, the edge brushroll connected to the first end of the main brushroll and rotatable therewith about the axis, the edge brushroll comprising an edge agitation material extending through the edge cleaning aperture.

In certain aspects, the floor cleaning nozzle has a squeegee that is laterally elongated and extends into the edge cleaning aperture in the first side of the nozzle housing, wherein the squeegee is rearward of the edge brushroll.

In these and other aspects, the main brushroll and the edge brushroll form a brushroll assembly that is removable as a unit from the nozzle housing.

In these and other aspects, the brushroll assembly has an offset carrier that mounts the brushroll assembly within the brushroll compartment.

In certain aspects, the floor cleaning nozzle has a removeable brushroll cover defining at least a portion of the brushroll compartment and defining at least one edge of the edge cleaning aperture.

In these and other aspects, the floor cleaning nozzle has a main fluid dispenser configured to deliver cleaning fluid to the main brushroll and an edge fluid dispenser configured to deliver cleaning fluid to the edge brushroll.

In these and other aspects, the edge brushroll is shorter in length than the main brushroll and/or comprises a microfiber agitation material having a nap length that is less than a nap length of the main brushroll.

In certain aspects, the floor cleaning nozzle has a brushroll motor operably coupled with the second end of the main brushroll and a drive coupling connecting the edge brushroll with the main brushroll.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus includes an upright body comprising a handle and a frame, a floor cleaning nozzle operably coupled to the upright body, a supply tank adapted to hold a supply of cleaning fluid, wherein the floor cleaning nozzle includes a nozzle housing having a first side, a second side, a bottom, a brushroll compartment therein, an elongated suction inlet opening to the brushroll compartment, and an edge cleaning aperture in the first side extending upward from the bottom, at least one fluid dispenser in fluid communication with the supply tank, a main brushroll rotatably mounted in the brushroll compartment about an axis, the main brushroll having a first end corresponding to the first side of the nozzle housing and a second end corresponding to the second side of the nozzle housing, the main brushroll comprising a main agitation material extending through the suction inlet opening, and an edge brushroll in the brushroll chamber, the edge brushroll connected to the first end of the main brushroll and rotatable therewith about the axis, the edge brushroll comprising an edge agitation material extending through the edge cleaning aperture.

In certain aspects, the surface cleaning apparatus has a recovery system including a recovery tank and a suction source.

In certain aspects, the surface cleaning apparatus is a multi-surface wet/dry vacuum cleaner that can be used to clean hard floor surfaces such as tile and hardwood and soft floor surfaces such as area rugs and carpet.

In these and other aspects, the surface cleaning apparatus has a rechargeable battery for cordless operation.

These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Before the aspects of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.

The invention generally relates to a floor cleaning nozzle for a surface cleaning apparatus, which may be in the form of a vacuum cleaner or other surface cleaner, with improved edge cleaning. The surface cleaning apparatus may be in the form of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner or wet/dry multi-surface cleaner that can be used to clean hard floor surfaces such as tile and hardwood and soft floor surfaces such as area rugs and carpet.

As used herein, the term “debris” includes dirt, soil, dust, hair, stains, and other debris, unless otherwise noted.

The functional systems of the surface cleaning apparatus can be arranged into any desired configuration, such as an upright device having a base and an upright body for directing the base across the surface to be cleaned, a portable device adapted to be hand carried by a user, a canister device having a cleaning implement connected to a wheeled base by a vacuum hose, an autonomous or robotic device having an autonomous drive system and an autonomously moveable housing, or a commercial device. Any of the aforementioned cleaners can be adapted to include a flexible vacuum hose, which can form a portion of a conduit between a nozzle and a suction source. As used herein, the terms “wet/dry vacuum cleaner” or “wet/dry multi-surface cleaner “includes a vacuum cleaner that can be used to clean hard floor surfaces such as tile and hardwood and soft floor surfaces such as carpet.

show a surface cleaning apparatushaving a floor cleaning nozzleaccording to one aspect of the present disclosure. As discussed in further detail below, the floor cleaning nozzleis provided with various features and improvements, which are described in further detail below. It is noted that while the cleaning nozzleis referred to herein as a “floor” cleaning nozzle, the cleaning nozzleaccording to at least some aspects of the disclosure may be usable to clean non-floor surfaces, such as upholstery and furniture.

The apparatuscan include multiple cleaning systems, including a fluid delivery system and a recovery system. With both fluid delivery and recovery systems, the apparatuscan deliver cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned and can recover fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned.

As illustrated herein, the apparatuscan be an upright multi-surface wet/dry vacuum cleaner having a housing that includes an upright handle assembly or bodyand a floor cleaning nozzlecomprising a cleaning foot or base mounted to or coupled with the upright bodyand adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned. The various cleaning systems and components thereof can be supported by either or both the floor cleaning nozzleand the upright body.

For purposes of description related to the figures, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inner,” “outer,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented infrom the perspective of a user behind the apparatus, which defines the rear of the apparatus. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary.

The upright bodycan comprise a handleand a frame. The framecan comprise a main support section at least partially supporting a source of cleaning fluid, such as a supply tankand a recovery tank, and may further support additional components of the body, including, but not limited to, a battery. The apparatuscan include a fluid delivery or supply pathway, including and at least partially defined by the supply tank, for storing cleaning fluid, e.g. cleaning liquid, and delivering the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned and a recovery pathway, including and at least partially defined by the recovery tank, for removing liquid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and storing the liquid and debris until emptied by the user.

The handlecan include a handle tubehaving a hand gripat an upper end thereof. The handle tubecan extend upwardly from the frameand may be elongated. Various configurations for the hand gripare possible, including a loop-shaped grip as shown, or a non-looped, stick-like grip.

The apparatuscan include at least one user interface (“UI”) through which a user can interact with the apparatusto accomplish one or more functions. The UI can, among other abilities, accept user inputs for controlling the cleaning system and/or function as a communication output device for the cleaning system. To accept user inputs, the UI can have at least one user input control operably connected to one or more components or systems of the apparatusto affect and control its operation. Non-limiting examples of input controls include buttons, triggers, toggles, keys, switches, or the like, or any combination thereof. To communicate output to the user, the UI can have at least one status indicator, or a status display including a plurality of status indicators, which communicates a condition or status of the apparatus, including systems and components thereof, to the user. Non-limiting examples of status indicators include visual indicators such as lights (e.g., LEDs), icon displays, textual displays, graphical displays, or the like, or any combination thereof. The UI can also include an auditory output component, such as a speaker.

In some embodiments, the apparatusmay include a first UIand a second UI. In one non-limiting example, the first UIcan be an input UI configured to accept user inputs to control the apparatus, including systems or components thereof and the second UIcan be an output UI configured to indicate status information relating to the apparatus, including systems or components thereof.

is a close-up perspective view of the floor cleaning nozzleaccording to one aspect of the disclosure. The floor cleaning nozzlecan include a nozzle housinghaving a brushroll compartmentand an elongated suction inlet openingto the brushroll compartment. A main brushrollis rotatably mounted in the brushroll compartmentand rotates about an axis X. An edge brushrollis also provided in the brushroll compartmentand is connected to the main brushrollfor rotation therewith about the axis X.

Referring toin addition to, the nozzle housingincludes an edge cleaning aperturethrough which at least a portion of the edge brushrollextends to agitate a surface to be cleaned. For example, the edge brushrollcan include an edge agitation materialextending through the edge cleaning aperture. At least a portion of the main brushroll extends through the suction inlet openingto agitate the surface to be cleaned. For example, the main brushrollcan include a main agitation materialextending through the suction inlet opening. It is noted that a portion of the edge brushrollmay also extend through the suction inlet openingto agitate the surface to be cleaned. For example, the edge agitation materialcan extend through the suction inlet opening.

In one embodiment, the agitation materials,comprise microfiber. The microfiber can be constructed of polyester, polyamides, or a conjugation of materials including polypropylene, or any other suitable material known in the art from which to construct microfiber. The microfiber agitation materialfor the edge brushrollmay be the same as or different than the microfiber agitation materialfor the main brushroll. For example, the material, nap length (i.e., the outstretched length of microfibers, which can be measured as the difference between the outer diameter of the brushroll,with the microfibers outstretched and the outer diameter of the brush bar or dowel), and/or nap density may be different for the brushrolls,.

In another embodiment, either of the main brushrollor the edge brushrollcan be a hybrid brushroll, with agitation materials comprising a combination of microfiber and bristles for agitation. Other embodiments of brushrolls,are possible, such as a bristle brushroll suitable for use on soft surfaces and having bristles and no microfiber. Optionally, the apparatus can be provided with multiple, interchangeable brushroll assemblieshaving different combinations of main and edge brushrolls,, which allows for the selection of a main/edge brushroll combination depending on the cleaning task to be performed or depending on the floor type of be cleaned.

The nozzle housinghas a first side, a second side, and a bottom. In one aspect of the disclosure, the edge cleaning apertureis in the first sideof the nozzle housingand extends upward from the bottomof the nozzle housing. The nozzle housingis therefore open to airflow at the bottomand at the first sideadjacent the edge brushroll. The first sidemay be a first lateral side, e.g., one that is substantially orthogonal or otherwise transverse to a front sideof the nozzle housing. For a substantially rectanguloid nozzle housing as shown in, the nozzle housingmay generally have four sides: the front side, first lateral side, second lateral side, and a rear side, as well as having a topand the bottom.

The main brushrollhas a first endcorresponding to the first sideof the nozzle housingand a second endcorresponding to the second sideof the nozzle housing. The edge brushrollis connected to the first endof the main brushrollfor rotatable therewith about the axis X. Both brushrolls,rotate in the same rotational direction R about the axis X.

The second sideof the nozzle housingextends upward from the bottomof the nozzle housing. The nozzle housingmay be closed to airflow through the second side, which can concentrate airflow at the suction inlet openingand the edge cleaning aperture.

In one embodiment, a suction inlet portis disposed on the floor cleaning nozzleand is in fluid communication with the elongated suction inlet opening. The suction inlet portcan be disposed rearwardly of the main brushrolland the elongated suction inlet openingcan be disposed in the bottomof the nozzle housing. In one non-limiting example, the suction inlet portis positioned in close proximity to the main brushrolland edge brushrollto collect liquid and debris directly from the brushrolls,.

The edge cleaning apertureis in fluid communication with the suction inlet portto entrain liquid and debris in the vicinity of the edge cleaning aperture.

In the present embodiment, the suction inlet portis configured to extract liquid and debris from the main brushrolland edge brushroll. With the brushroll compartmentbeing open to the surface to be cleaned via the suction inlet opening, some liquid and debris may be extracted from the surface to be cleaned as well. As such, the brushroll compartmentcan form a portion of the recovery path, with the suction inlet portbeing open to the compartment.

Referring to, in one aspect of the disclosure, the nozzle housingcomprises a brushroll cover. At least a portion of the covercan be formed from a translucent or transparent material, such that the main brushrolland/or edge brushrollis at least partially visible to a user through the cover.

The covercan be a removable cover, whereby removal of the cover from the remainder of the nozzle housingopens the brushroll compartmentand exposes the main brushrolland/or edge brushroll. In one embodiment, the nozzle housingcan include a rear housing bodyat least partially defining the brushroll compartmentand the coveris removably mounted on the bodyto close the brushroll compartment. The covercan be fully removed from the bodyto open the brushroll compartmentor can be partially removable to open the brushroll compartmentwhile still remaining attached to the rear body.

The brushroll coverhas an interior surface or undersidethat is adjacent to the main brushrolland the edge brushrolland defines at least a portion of the brushroll compartment. As such, the coverdefines a portion of the recovery path, with the suction inlet portbeing open to the brushroll compartmentdefined by the undersideof the cover. In the present embodiment, the suction inlet portis configured to extract liquid and debris from the main brushrolland edge brushroll.

A portion of the rear bodycan comprise at least one surfacedefining a rearward side of the brushroll compartment, with the suction inlet portprovided near a middle of the rearward surface. The covercan define a forward side and upper side of the brushroll compartment.

The brushroll compartmentmay be a single space or chamber of the nozzlein which both the main brushrolland the edge brushrollare disposed, as illustrated herein. Alternatively, the brushroll compartmentmay comprise one chamber for the main brushrolland another chamber for the edge brushroll.

The brushroll covercan have various configurations. In some embodiments, the covercan include portions of the first and/or second sides,of the nozzle housing, such that said portions are removeable from the rear bodywith the cover. The brushroll covercan further have an upper walland/or a front wallextending from the first sideto cover at least one of an upper portion and a front portion of the edge brushroll. The upper walland/or front wallcan further cover at least one of an upper portion and a front portion of the main brushroll.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the brushroll covercan define at least a portion of the edge cleaning aperture. For example, the brushroll cover can define at least one edgeof the edge cleaning aperture.

Referring to, the brushroll covercan have a sidewallthat extends downwardly along a portion of the edge brushrollto cover an upper portionof the edge brushrolland leave a lower portionof the edge brushrollexposed, wherein the sidewalldefines the at least one edgeof the edge cleaning aperture. The cover sidewallcan, for example, extend downwardly from the cover upper walland/or rearward from the cover front wall.

The edge brushrollhas a first end facecorresponding to the sidewallof the brushroll coverand a second end facecorresponding to the first endof the main brushroll. In one aspect of the disclosure, 50% or less of the first end faceis covered by the sidewalland 50% or more of the first end faceis exposed via the edge cleaning aperture. As illustrated in, about 50% of the first end faceis disposed below the edgeof the cover.

Referring to, the floor cleaning nozzlecan have a squeegeebehind at least the main brushrollto wipe residual liquid from the surface to be cleaned so that it can be drawn into the recovery pathway, thereby leaving a moisture and streak-free finish on the surface to be cleaned. The squeegeecan be on the bottomof the nozzle housingand can be coupled or otherwise joined to the nozzle housingsuch that it can contact the surface as the floor cleaning nozzlemoves across the surface to be cleaned.

The squeegeecan be laterally elongated and can extend into the edge cleaning aperturein the first sideof the nozzle housing, such that the squeegeeis rearward of the edge brushrollin addition to being rearward of the main brushroll. In one embodiment, the squeegeemay extend substantially the entire combined length of the brushrolls,.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a lateral endof the squeegeemay extend all the way to the first sideof the nozzle housingand may be exposed via the edge cleaning apertureat the first side. This disposes the squeegeeat or very close to the outer edge of the cleaning nozzlewhich improves the surface finish performance along edges and baseboards. In one embodiment, the lateral endof the squeegee. extends to or past the first sideof the nozzle housingand/or the outer surface of the sidewallof the brushroll cover. With reference to, the lateral endof the squeegeecan extends to or past a plane P defined by an outer surface of the first sideof the nozzle housingand/or the outer surface of the sidewallof the brushroll cover.