Surface cleaning device with triggerless fluid distribution mechanism
First Claim
1. An extractor comprising:
- a base movable along a surface to be cleaned;
an upright portion pivotally coupled to a portion of the base, wherein the upright portion includes a supply tank and a handle configured to be gripped by a user to move the base along the surface to be cleaned;
a liquid distribution system including a distributor in fluid communication with the supply tank, wherein the liquid distribution system is configured to deliver solution to the surface in a distributing mode and to not deliver the solution to the surface in a non-distributing mode;
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 user-initiated movement of the base along the surface in a rearward direction; and
a controller operatively connected to the encoder and the liquid distribution system, the controller being configured to operate the liquid distribution system in the distributing mode during movement of the base based on the first signal during operation of the extractor and in the non-distributing mode during movement of the base based on the second signal during operation of the extractor, wherein the controller changes from the distributing mode to the non-distributing mode based on the encoder signal and independent of user interaction with the extractor other than the user-initiated movement,wherein the encoder signal includes output from two sensors, wherein the controller is configured to determine the first signal and the second signal based on which sensor output the controller receives first.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
49 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An extractor comprising:
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a base movable along a surface to be cleaned; an upright portion pivotally coupled to a portion of the base, wherein the upright portion includes a supply tank and a handle configured to be gripped by a user to move the base along the surface to be cleaned; a liquid distribution system including a distributor in fluid communication with the supply tank, wherein the liquid distribution system is configured to deliver solution to the surface in a distributing mode and to not deliver the solution to the surface in a non-distributing mode; 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 user-initiated movement of the base along the surface in a rearward direction; and a controller operatively connected to the encoder and the liquid distribution system, the controller being configured to operate the liquid distribution system in the distributing mode during movement of the base based on the first signal during operation of the extractor and in the non-distributing mode during movement of the base based on the second signal during operation of the extractor, wherein the controller changes from the distributing mode to the non-distributing mode based on the encoder signal and independent of user interaction with the extractor other than the user-initiated movement, wherein the encoder signal includes output from two sensors, wherein the controller is configured to determine the first signal and the second signal based on which sensor output the controller receives first. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An extractor comprising:
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a base movable along a surface to be cleaned; an upright portion pivotally coupled to a portion of the base, wherein the upright portion includes a supply tank and a handle configured to be gripped by a user to move the base along the surface to be cleaned; a liquid distribution system including a distributor in fluid communication with the supply tank to deliver solution to the surface; an encoder operable to generate a signal based on user-initiated movement of the base along the surface; and a controller operatively connected to the encoder and the liquid distribution system, the controller being configured to operate in a distributing mode during movement of the base and in a non-distributing mode during movement of the base based on the signal during operation of the extractor, wherein the controller changes from the distributing mode to the non-distributing mode independent of user interaction with the extractor other than the user-initiated movement, wherein the signal includes output from two sensors, wherein the controller is configured to determine a direction of motion based on which sensor output the controller receives first. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification