Extraction cleaner

• US 20060272120A1
• Filed: 06/01/2005
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products North America (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products North America (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Barrick, Kenneth, Lam, Samuel, Sepke, Arnold, Bobrosky, Vincent, Reimer, William
• Application Number:
  US11/140,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20060272120A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/321
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4061 Steering means; Means for avoiding obstacles; Details related to the place where the driver is accommodated
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/312 with Venturi elements; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/31243 Eductor or eductor-type venturi, i.e. the main flow being injected through the venturi with high speed in the form of a jet
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/58 using mechanically actuated indicating means

Abstract

A cleaning device having a housing, a hose assembly and a cleaning head. The housing has a first supply tank to contain a first fluid, a recovery tank, a vacuum fan to generate a working air flow through the recovery tank, and a fluid pump having an inlet and an outlet. The pump inlet receives the first fluid from the first supply tank. The hose assembly has a proximal end connected to the housing and a distal end freely moveable relative to the housing, and includes a vacuum hose in communication with the recovery tank and a fluid hose in communication with the pump outlet. The cleaning head is connected to the distal end of the hose assembly, and has an inlet nozzle and a fluid deposition system. The fluid deposition system has a second supply tank to contain a second fluid, a fluid mixer to mix the first fluid with the second fluid, and a first fluid sprayer downstream from the fluid mixer. The second supply tank is selectively removable from the cleaning head and has a dry-break valve that automatically seals the second supply tank upon its removal from the cleaning head.

Claims

1. A cleaning device comprising:

a housing adapted to hold;

a first supply tank adapted to contain a first fluid;

a recovery tank;

a vacuum fan adapted to generate a working air flow through the recovery tank; and

a fluid pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump inlet being adapted to receive the first fluid from the first supply tank;

a hose assembly having a proximal end connected to the housing and a distal end freely moveable relative to the housing, the hose assembly comprising;

a vacuum hose in communication with the recovery tank; and

a fluid hose in communication with the pump outlet;

a cleaning head connected to the distal end of the hose assembly, the cleaning head comprising;

an inlet nozzle in communication with the vacuum hose; and

a fluid deposition system in communication with the fluid hose, the fluid deposition system comprising;

a second supply tank adapted to contain a second fluid, the second supply tank being selectively removable from the cleaning head and comprising a dry-break valve that automatically seals the second supply tank upon removal of the second supply tank from the cleaning head;

a fluid mixer adapted to mix the first fluid with the second fluid; and

a first fluid sprayer located downstream from the fluid mixer.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the fluid deposition system further comprises a check valve fluidly positioned between the second supply tank and the fluid mixer and adapted to prevent fluid from flowing in a direction from the fluid mixer to the second supply tank.

3. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head further comprises a flow valve adapted to block the flow of the first fluid in an off position, and allow the flow of the first fluid in at least one operating position.

4. The cleaning device of claim 3, wherein the flow valve is fluidly positioned between the fluid hose and the fluid mixer.

5. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the fluid mixer comprises an eductor.

6. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head further comprises a diverter valve adapted to create a rinse flow path from the fluid hose to a second fluid sprayer, wherein the rinse flow path bypasses the fluid mixer.

7. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the fluid deposition system further comprises a third supply tank adapted to contain a third fluid, and the fluid mixer is adapted to selectively mix the first fluid with the second fluid in a first mixer position, and with the third fluid in a second mixer position.

8. The cleaning device of claim 7, wherein the fluid mixer comprises:

an eductor; and

a selector valve fluidly positioned between the second supply tank, the third supply tank and the eductor, the selector valve being adapted to selectively fluidly connect the eductor to the second supply tank in a first selector valve position, and to the third supply tank in a second selector valve position.

9. A cleaning device comprising:

a housing adapted to hold;

a first supply tank adapted to contain a first fluid;

a recovery tank;

a vacuum fan adapted to generate a working air flow through the recovery tank; and

a fluid pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump inlet being adapted to receive the first fluid from the first supply tank;

a hose assembly having a proximal end connected to the housing and a distal end freely moveable relative to the housing, the hose assembly comprising;

a vacuum hose in communication with the recovery tank; and

a fluid hose in communication with the pump outlet;

a cleaning head connected to the distal end of the hose assembly, the cleaning head comprising;

an inlet nozzle in communication with the vacuum hose; and

a fluid deposition system in communication with the fluid hose, the fluid deposition system comprising;

a second supply tank adapted to contain a second fluid, the second supply tank being selectively removable from the cleaning head;

a tank receptacle, adapted to receive substantially the entire second supply tank, and comprising an open portion through which at least a portion of the second supply tank is visible;

a fluid mixer adapted to mix the first fluid with the second fluid; and

a first fluid sprayer, located downstream from the fluid mixer.

10. The cleaning device of claim 9, wherein the second supply tank comprises a dry-break valve that automatically seals the second supply tank upon removal of the second supply tank from the cleaning head.

11. The cleaning device of claim 9, wherein the fluid deposition system further comprises a check valve fluidly positioned between the second supply tank and the fluid mixer and adapted to prevent fluid from flowing in a direction from the fluid mixer to the second supply tank.

12. The cleaning device of claim 9, wherein the cleaning head further comprises a flow valve adapted to block the flow of the first fluid in an off position, and allow the flow of the first fluid in at least one operating position.

13. A cleaning device comprising:

a housing adapted to hold;

a first supply tank adapted to contain a first fluid;

a recovery tank;

a vacuum fan adapted to generate a working air flow through the recovery tank; and

a fluid pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump inlet being adapted to receive the first fluid from the first supply tank;

a hose assembly having a proximal end connected to the housing and a distal end freely moveable relative to the housing, the hose assembly comprising;

a vacuum hose in communication with the recovery tank;

a fluid hose in communication with the pump outlet; and

a hose cuff located at the distal end;

a cleaning head comprising;

an inlet nozzle in communication with the vacuum hose; and

a fluid deposition system in communication with the fluid hose, the fluid deposition system comprising;

a flow valve adapted to block the flow of the first fluid in an off position, and allow the flow of the first fluid in at least one operating position;

a second supply tank adapted to contain a second fluid;

a fluid mixer adapted to mix the first fluid with the second fluid;

a first fluid sprayer, located downstream from the fluid mixer; and

wherein the cleaning head is selectively connectable to the hose cuff such that the cleaning head can be simultaneously connected to the vacuum hose and the fluid hose.

14. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein:

the hose cuff comprises a first vacuum connection sleeve and a first fluid coupler, the first vacuum connection sleeve and the first fluid coupler being fixed relative to one another; and

the cleaning head further comprises a second vacuum connection sleeve adapted to slidably engage with the first vacuum connection sleeve and a second fluid connector adapted to slidably engage with the first fluid coupler, the second vacuum connection sleeve and the second fluid coupler being fixed relative to one another.

15. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the cleaning head and the hose cuff are held in connection with one another by a snap fitting.

16. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the second supply tank is selectively removable from the cleaning head and comprises a dry-break valve that automatically seals the second supply tank upon removal of the second supply tank from the cleaning head.

17. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the fluid deposition system further comprises a check valve fluidly positioned between the second supply tank and the fluid mixer and adapted to prevent fluid from flowing in a direction from the fluid mixer to the second supply tank.

18. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the flow valve is fluidly positioned between the fluid hose and the fluid mixer.

19. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the fluid mixer comprises an eductor.

20. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the cleaning head further comprises a diverter valve adapted to create a rinse flow path from the fluid hose to a second fluid sprayer, wherein the rinse flow path bypasses the fluid mixer.

21. A cleaning device comprising:

a housing adapted to hold;

a first supply tank adapted to contain a first fluid;

a recovery tank;

a vacuum fan adapted to generate a working air flow through the recovery tank; and

a fluid pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump inlet being adapted to receive the first fluid from the first supply tank;

a hose assembly having a proximal end connected to the housing and a distal end freely moveable relative to the housing, the hose assembly comprising;

a vacuum hose in communication with the recovery tank; and

a fluid hose in communication with the pump outlet;

a cleaning head connected to the distal end of the hose assembly, the cleaning head comprising;

an inlet nozzle in communication with the vacuum hose;

a handle; and

a fluid deposition system in communication with the fluid hose, the fluid deposition system comprising;

a flow valve adapted to block the flow of the first fluid in an off position, and allow the flow of the first fluid in at least one operating position;

a second supply tank adapted to contain a second fluid;

a fluid mixer adapted to mix the first fluid with the second fluid;

a first fluid sprayer, located downstream from the fluid mixer; and

a diverter valve adapted to create a rinse flow path from the fluid hose to a second fluid sprayer, wherein the rinse flow path bypasses the fluid mixer;

wherein the flow valve and the diverter valve are positioned proximal to the handle such that a user can grip the handle in one hand and operate the flow valve and the diverter valve with the one hand without releasing the handle.

22. The cleaning device of claim 21, wherein the second supply tank is selectively removable from the cleaning head and comprises a dry-break valve that automatically seals the second supply tank upon removal of the second supply tank from the cleaning head.

23. The cleaning device of claim 21, wherein the fluid deposition system further comprises a check valve fluidly positioned between the second supply tank and the fluid mixer and adapted to prevent fluid from flowing in a direction from the fluid mixer to the second supply tank.

24. The cleaning device of claim 21, wherein the flow valve is fluidly positioned between the fluid hose and the fluid mixer.

25. The cleaning device of claim 21, wherein the fluid mixer comprises an eductor.

26. A cleaning device comprising:

a housing adapted to hold;

a first supply tank adapted to contain a first fluid;

a recovery tank;

a vacuum fan adapted to generate a working air flow through the recovery tank; and

a fluid pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump inlet being adapted to receive the first fluid from the first supply tank;

a hose assembly having a proximal end connected to the housing and a distal end freely moveable relative to the housing, the hose assembly comprising;

a vacuum hose in communication with the recovery tank; and

a fluid hose in communication with the pump outlet;

a cleaning head connected to the distal end of the hose assembly, the cleaning head comprising;

an inlet nozzle in communication with the vacuum hose; and

a fluid deposition system in communication with the fluid hose, the fluid deposition system comprising;

a second supply tank adapted to contain a second fluid;

a third supply tank connected to the second supply tank and adapted to contain a third fluid;

a fluid mixer adapted to selectively mix the first fluid with the second fluid in a first mixer position, and with the third fluid in a second mixer position; and

a first fluid sprayer located downstream from the fluid mixer.

27. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the second supply tank and third supply tank comprise separate chambers of a multi-chambered supply tank.

28. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the second supply tank and the third supply tank are selectively removable from the cleaning head.

29. The cleaning device of claim 28, wherein the second supply and third supply tank each have a dry-break valve that automatically seals the respective tank upon removal of the second supply tank and third supply tank from the cleaning head.

30. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the fluid mixer comprises:

an eductor; and

a selector valve fluidly positioned between the second supply tank, the third supply tank and the eductor, the selector valve being adapted to selectively fluidly connect the eductor to the second supply tank in a first selector valve position, and to the third supply tank in a second selector valve position.

31. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the cleaning head further comprises a flow valve adapted to block the flow of the first fluid in an off position, and allow the flow of the first fluid in at least one operating position.

32. The cleaning device of claim 26, wherein the cleaning head further comprises a diverter valve adapted to create a rinse flow path from the fluid hose to a second fluid sprayer, wherein the rinse flow path bypasses the fluid mixer.

33. A cleaning device comprising:

a first supply tank adapted to contain a first fluid;

a recovery tank;

a vacuum fan adapted to generate a working air flow through the recovery tank;

a fluid pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump inlet being adapted to receive the first fluid from the first supply tank;

a fluid supply hose fluidly connected to the pump outlet;

a bypass valve fluidly positioned between the fluid supply hose and the pump inlet;

a fluid deposition system in fluid communication with the fluid supply hose, the fluid deposition system comprising;

a flow valve adapted to block the flow of the first fluid in an off position, and allow the flow of the first fluid in at least one operating position;

a first fluid sprayer located downstream from the flow valve; and

wherein the bypass valve is adapted to open when the flow valve is in the off position.

34. The cleaning device of claim 33, wherein the bypass valve comprises a spring-biased valve that opens when the pressure in the fluid supply hose reaches a predetermined pressure, the predetermined pressure occurring when the fluid pump is operating and the flow valve is in the off position.

35. The cleaning device of claim 33, wherein the fluid deposition system further comprises:

a second supply tank adapted to contain a second fluid; and

a fluid mixer, fluidly located between the first supply tank and the first fluid sprayer, and adapted to mix the first fluid with the second fluid.

36. The cleaning device of claim 35, wherein the fluid mixer comprises an eductor.

37. The cleaning device of claim 35, wherein the fluid deposition system further comprises:

a third supply tank adapted to contain a third fluid; and

wherein the fluid mixer is adapted to selectively mix the first fluid with the second fluid in a first mixer position, and with the third fluid in a second mixer position.

38. The cleaning device of claim 33, wherein:

the first supply tank, recovery tank, vacuum fan, fluid pump, and bypass valve are contained in a housing;

the flow valve and the first fluid sprayer are contained in a cleaning head having a vacuum inlet nozzle; and

the cleaning head is attached to the housing by a hose assembly comprising;

a proximal end connected to the housing;

a distal end freely moveable relative to the housing;

a vacuum hose in fluid communication between the recovery tank and the vacuum inlet nozzle; and

at least a portion of the fluid supply hose.

39. The cleaning device of claim 38, wherein the fluid deposition system further comprises:

a second supply tank adapted to contain a second fluid; and

a fluid mixer, fluidly located between the first supply tank and the first fluid sprayer, and adapted to mix the first fluid with the second fluid.

40. The cleaning device of claim 39, wherein the second supply tank is selectively mountable in the cleaning head and comprises a dry-break valve that automatically seals the second supply tank upon removal of the second supply tank from the cleaning head.

41. The cleaning device of claim 39, wherein the cleaning head further comprises a diverter valve adapted to create a rinse flow path from the fluid supply hose to a second fluid sprayer, wherein the rinse flow path bypasses the fluid mixer.

42. The cleaning device of claim 38, wherein:

the hose assembly further comprises a hose cuff located at the distal end; and

wherein the cleaning head is selectively connectable to the hose cuff such that the cleaning head can be simultaneously connected to the vacuum hose and the fluid supply hose.

43. A cleaning device comprising:

a housing having an air inlet, an air outlet and a motor cooling path therebetween;

a first supply tank selectively removable from the housing for containing a first fluid;

a fluid deposition system fluidly connected to the first supply tank, and adapted to deposit the first fluid on a surface to be cleaned;

a recovery tank selectively removable from the housing;

a vacuum fan located within the housing;

a fan motor located within the motor cooling path and adapted to drive the vacuum fan to generate a working air flow through the recovery tank; and

a motor cooling fan located within the motor cooling path and adapted to generate a cooling air flow, along the motor cooling path, that enters the housing through the air inlet, is heated by the fan motor, and exits the housing through the air outlet; and

wherein the first supply tank is located adjacent at least a portion of the motor cooling path between the fan motor and the air outlet, and the first fluid is adapted to be heated by the cooling air flow.

44. The cleaning device of claim 43, wherein the housing comprises an upright housing having a base portion and a handle portion pivotally attached to the base portion.

45. The cleaning device of claim 43, wherein the fan motor is positioned below the first supply tank.

46. The cleaning device of claim 43, wherein the first fluid supply tank is located in a pocket in the housing, and the motor cooling path is adjacent to at least a portion of the pocket.

47. The cleaning device of claim 43, wherein the housing and/or the supply tank further comprises one or more heat transfer enhancing surfaces.

48. The cleaning device of claim 47, wherein the housing comprises a first heat transfer enhancing surface, the supply tank comprises a second heat transfer enhancing surface, and the first and second heat transfer enhancing surfaces abut one another when the supply tank is installed in the housing.

49. The cleaning device of claim 43, wherein the motor cooling path is contained within a generally isolated conduit within the housing.

50. The cleaning device of claim 43, wherein at least a portion of the motor cooling path is contained within a generally isolated conduit within the housing.

51. The cleaning device of claim 43, further comprising a temperature sensor adapted to display the thermal condition of the first fluid.

52. The cleaning device of claim 43, further comprising:

a hose assembly comprising a vacuum hose in fluid communication with the recovery tank and a fluid supply hose in fluid communication with the fluid deposition system, the hose assembly having a proximal end connected to the housing, and a distal end freely moveable relative to the housing; and

a cleaning head attached to the distal end of the hose assembly, the cleaning head comprising;

an inlet nozzle in communication with the vacuum hose; and

a fluid sprayer in fluid communication with the fluid supply hose.

53. The cleaning device of claim 52, wherein the cleaning head further comprises:

a second supply tank adapted to contain a second fluid; and

a fluid mixer adapted to mix the first fluid with the second fluid.

54. A cleaning device comprising:

a housing;

a supply tank that is selectively removable from the housing and is adapted to contain a fluid;

a recovery tank;

a vacuum fan adapted to generate a working air flow through the recovery tank;

and

a temperature sensor comprising;

a first element attached to the supply tank;

a second element attached to the housing; and

a display positioned to indicate the thermal condition of the fluid to an operator.

55. The cleaning device of claim 54, wherein:

the first element comprises a thermally-conductive element adapted to extend into the supply tank to contact the fluid; and

the second element comprises a temperature sensing element adapted to contact the first element when the supply tank is attached to the housing.

56. The cleaning device of claim 54, wherein the display indicates the temperature of the fluid in numerical degrees.

57. The cleaning device of claim 54, wherein the display comprises a light that is illuminated or extinguished when the fluid reaches a predetermined temperature.

58. A cleaning device comprising:

a housing;

a supply tank that is selectively removable from the housing and is adapted to contain a fluid;

a recovery tank;

a vacuum fan adapted to generate a working air flow through the recovery tank; and

a temperature sensor attached to the supply tank and adapted to indicate the thermal condition of the fluid to an operator.

59. The cleaning device of claim 58, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a thermochromic material.

60. A cleaning device comprising:

a fluid supply system comprising;

a first supply tank for containing a fluid; and

a fluid deposition system, associated with the first supply tank and adapted to deposit the fluid on a surface to be cleaned;

a fluid recovery system comprising;

a recovery tank;

an inlet nozzle; and

a vacuum fan adapted to generate a working air flow from the inlet nozzle to the recovery tank;

one or more ultraviolet lights adapted to irradiate the fluid supply system and/or the fluid recovery system.

61. The cleaning device of claim 60, wherein the fluid deposition system comprises:

a fluid pump having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being adapted to receive the fluid from the first supply tank; and

a fluid sprayer in fluid communication with the pump outlet and adapted to spray the fluid on the surface being cleaned.

62. The cleaning device of claim 61, wherein the cleaning device further comprises:

a hose assembly comprising a vacuum hose in fluid communication with the recovery tank and a fluid supply hose in fluid communication with the fluid deposition system, the hose assembly having a proximal end connected to the housing, and a distal end freely moveable relative to the housing; and

a cleaning head attached to the distal end of the hose assembly, the fluid sprayer and inlet nozzle being located on the cleaning head.

63. The cleaning device of claim 62, wherein the cleaning head further comprises:

a second supply tank adapted to contain a second fluid; and

a fluid mixer adapted to mix the first fluid with the second fluid.