Cleaning machine having a control system for cleaning a surface
First Claim
1. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation as it moves along the surface comprising:
- a) a base assembly for movement along the surface, said base assembly having a front portion and a rear portion;
b) a liquid distribution system associated with said base assembly and including;
a first source providing a supply of said cleaning solution;
a distributor fluidly connected to said first source for distributing said cleaning solution to the surface;
c) a liquid recovery system associated with said base assembly and including;
a suction nozzle having an inlet located at said front portion of said base assembly;
a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface and through the suction nozzle;
d) 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;
e) a controller operatively connected to said detecting device and said liquid distribution system, said controller controlling the amount of cleaning solution distributed to the surface based on said speed signal; and
f) a handle pivotally connected to said base assembly, said recovery system including a recovery tank removably mounted to one of said handle and said base assembly, said recovery tank in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for collecting the cleaning solution and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
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.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation as it moves along the surface comprising:
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a) a base assembly for movement along the surface, said base assembly having a front portion and a rear portion; b) a liquid distribution system associated with said base assembly and including; a first source providing a supply of said cleaning solution; a distributor fluidly connected to said first source for distributing said cleaning solution to the surface; c) a liquid recovery system associated with said base assembly and including; a suction nozzle having an inlet located at said front portion of said base assembly; a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface and through the suction nozzle; d) 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; e) a controller operatively connected to said detecting device and said liquid distribution system, said controller controlling the amount of cleaning solution distributed to the surface based on said speed signal; and f) a handle pivotally connected to said base assembly, said recovery system including a recovery tank removably mounted to one of said handle and said base assembly, said recovery tank in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for collecting the cleaning solution and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation as it moves along the surface comprising:
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a) a base assembly for movement along the surface, said base assembly having a front portion and a rear portion; b) a liquid distribution system associated with said base assembly and including; a first source providing a supply of said cleaning solution; a distributor fluidly connected to said first source for distributing said cleaning solution to the surface; c) a liquid recovery system associated with said base assembly and including; a suction nozzle having an inlet located at said front portion of said base assembly; a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface and through the suction nozzle; d) 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; e) a controller operatively connected to said detecting device and said liquid distribution system, said controller controlling the amount of cleaning solution distributed to the surface based on said speed signal; and f) wherein said first source provides a supply of a first liquid, said liquid distribution system further including a second source providing a supply of a second liquid, said cleaning solution being comprised of said first liquid mixed with said second liquid, a mixing control system for adjusting the mix ratio of the first liquid with the second liquid, a controller operatively connected to said detecting device and said mixing control system, said controller controlling the mix ratio of the first liquid with the second liquid in said cleaning solution based on said speed signal.
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11. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation as it moves along the surface comprising:
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a) a base assembly for movement along the surface; b) a liquid distribution system associated with said base assembly and including; a source providing a supply of said cleaning solution; a distributor fluidly connected to said source for distributing said cleaning solution to the surface; an agitator operatively connected to said base assembly; c) a liquid recovery system associated with said base assembly and including; a suction nozzle; a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for applying suction to draw the cleaning solution and dirt from the surface and through the suction nozzle; d) 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; e) a controller operatively connected to said detecting device and said agitator, said controller controlling the speed of said agitator agitating the surface relative to the base assembly based on said speed; and f) a handle pivotally connected to said base assembly, said recovery system including a recovery tank removably mounted to one of said handle and said base assembly, said recovery tank in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for collecting the cleaning solution and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of cleaning a surface with a carpet extractor comprising the steps of:
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a) moving the carpet extractor along a surface; b) detecting a speed of the carpet extractor; c) mixing a first liquid and a second liquid in the carpet extractor to form a cleaning solution; d) controlling a mix ratio of said first liquid and said second liquid based on the speed of the carpet extractor; and e) distributing said cleaning solution from the carpet extractor onto the surface. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification