U.S. patent application number 11/402369 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for hard and soft floor surface cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tennant Company. Invention is credited to Dan Sidney Albrecht, Daniel John Feyma, Larry James Juliot, David Alan Nelson, Larry D. Wydra.
Application Number | 20060236494 11/402369 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37087520 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060236494 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nelson; David Alan ; et
al. |
October 26, 2006 |
Hard and soft floor surface cleaner
Abstract
A floor cleaner configured to perform both hard and soft floor
cleaning operations includes a mobile body, a motorized cleaning
head, a cleaning liquid dispenser, a vacuum, a first vacuum
extractor tool and a vacuum squeegee connected to the mobile body.
The mobile body is configured to travel over a surface. The
motorized cleaning head is connected to the mobile body and
includes a cleaning tool. The cleaning liquid dispenser is
configured to apply a cleaning liquid to the surface or the
cleaning tool. The first vacuum extractor tool is configured for
vacuum communication with the vacuum through a first vacuum
path.
Inventors: |
Nelson; David Alan; (Grand
Rapids, MI) ; Juliot; Larry James; (Champlin, MN)
; Wydra; Larry D.; (Plymouth, MN) ; Feyma; Daniel
John; (Crystal, MN) ; Albrecht; Dan Sidney;
(Buffalo, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WESTMAN CHAMPLIN & KELLY, P.A.
SUITE 1400
900 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-3319
US
|
Assignee: |
Tennant Company
Minneapolis
MN
|
Family ID: |
37087520 |
Appl. No.: |
11/402369 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60669054 |
Apr 7, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 11/4088 20130101;
A47L 11/4038 20130101; A47L 11/34 20130101; A47L 11/4016 20130101;
A47L 11/4055 20130101; A47L 11/4083 20130101; A47L 11/302 20130101;
A47L 11/40 20130101; A47L 11/4044 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/320 |
International
Class: |
A47L 7/00 20060101
A47L007/00 |
Claims
1. A floor cleaner comprising: a mobile body configured to travel
over a surface; a motorized cleaning head connected to the mobile
body and comprising a cleaning tool; a cleaning liquid dispenser
configured to apply a cleaning liquid to one of the surface and the
cleaning tool; a vacuum supported on the mobile body; a first
vacuum extractor tool configured for vacuum communication with the
vacuum through a first vacuum path; and a vacuum squeegee connected
to the mobile body.
2. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the vacuum squeegee is
configured for vacuum communication with the vacuum through a
second vacuum path.
3. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning tool comprises a
hard floor surface cleaning tool.
4. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning tool comprises a
hard floor scrub brush.
5. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning tool comprises a
soft floor surface cleaning tool.
6. The cleaner of claim 5, wherein the cleaning tool comprises one
of a soil transfer roller and a soft floor extraction brush.
7. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the first vacuum extractor tool
is configured to remove liquid from a surface of the cleaning
tool.
8. The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the first vacuum extractor tool
is configured to engage the surface.
9. The cleaner of claim 8, further comprising an extractor tool
lift coupled to the first vacuum extractor tool, the lift mechanism
configured to move the first vacuum extractor tool relative to the
mobile body between a raised position, in which the first vacuum
extractor tool is displaced from the surface, and an operating
position, in which the first vacuum extractor tool engages the
surface.
10. The cleaner of claim 2, further comprising a second vacuum
extractor tool configured for vacuum communication with the
vacuum.
11. The cleaner of claim 10, wherein the first and second vacuum
extractor tools are each configured to engage the cleaning
tool.
12. The cleaner of claim 10, wherein: the first vacuum extractor
tool is configured to engage the cleaning tool and the second
vacuum extractor tool is configured to engage the surface; and the
second vacuum extractor tool is configured for vacuum communication
with the vacuum through a third vacuum path.
13. The cleaner of claim 12, further comprising a vacuum path
selector means for controlling vacuum communication between the
vacuum and the first vacuum path, the second vacuum path and the
third vacuum path.
14. The cleaner of claim 2, further comprising a vacuum path
selector means for selectively opening and closing vacuum
communication between the vacuum and the first and second vacuum
paths.
15. A floor cleaner comprising: a mobile body configured to travel
over a surface; a motorized cleaning head connected to the mobile
body and comprising a cleaning tool; a cleaning liquid dispenser
configured to apply a cleaning liquid to one of the surface and the
cleaning tool; a vacuum supported on the mobile body; a first
vacuum path configured for vacuum communication with the vacuum; a
second vacuum path configured for vacuum communication with the
vacuum; a first vacuum extractor tool configured for vacuum
communication with the vacuum through the first vacuum path; and a
vacuum squeegee connected to the mobile body and configured for
vacuum communication with the vacuum through the second vacuum
path.
16. The cleaner of claim 15, further comprising a vacuum path
selector means for selectively opening and closing vacuum
communication between the vacuum and the first and second vacuum
paths.
17. The cleaner of claim 15, wherein the first vacuum extractor
tool is configured to remove liquid from a surface of the cleaning
tool.
18. The cleaner of claim 15, wherein the first vacuum extractor
tool is configured to engage the surface.
19. The cleaner of claim 18, further comprising an extractor tool
lift coupled to the first vacuum extractor tool, the lift mechanism
configured to move the first vacuum extractor tool relative to the
mobile body between a raised position, in which the first vacuum
extractor tool is displaced from the surface, and an operating
position, in which the first vacuum extractor tool engages the
surface.
20. The cleaner of claim 15, wherein the cleaning tool is selected
from the group consisting of a soft floor cleaning tool and a hard
floor cleaning tool.
21. A floor cleaner comprising: a mobile body configured to travel
over a surface; a motorized cleaning head connected to the mobile
body and comprising a cleaning tool; a cleaning liquid dispenser
configured to apply a cleaning liquid to one of the surface and the
cleaning tool; a vacuum supported on the mobile body; a first
vacuum path configured for vacuum communication with the vacuum; a
second vacuum path configured for vacuum communication with the
vacuum; a third vacuum path configured for vacuum communication
with the vacuum; a first vacuum extractor tool configured for
vacuum communication with the vacuum through the first vacuum path;
a second vacuum extractor tool configured for vacuum communication
with the vacuum through the second vacuum path; and a vacuum
squeegee connected to the mobile body and configured for vacuum
communication with the vacuum through the third vacuum path.
22. The cleaner of claim 21, wherein the first and second vacuum
extractor tools are each configured to remove liquid from a surface
of the cleaning tool.
23. The cleaner of claim 21, wherein the first vacuum extractor
tool is configured to remove liquid from a surface of the cleaning
tool and the second vacuum extractor tool is configured to engage
the surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is based on and claims the benefit
of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/669,054, filed
Apr. 7, 2005, the content of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a floor cleaning
machine and, more particularly, to a floor cleaning machine that is
configurable to perform both hard and soft floor cleaning
operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Mobile floor cleaners, such as those produced by Tennant
Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota, are generally designated as
either a soft floor cleaner configured to perform a cleaning
operation on a soft floor (e.g., carpet, rugs, etc.), or a hard
floor cleaner configured to perform a cleaning operation on a hard
floor surface (e.g., tile, linoleum, cement, etc.).
[0004] Soft floor cleaning operations include soil transfer and
deep extraction cleaning operations. U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,812, which
is assigned to Tennant Company, describes a dual mode cleaner that
is configurable to perform both soil transfer and deep cleaning
extraction operations on a carpeted surface.
[0005] Soil transfer cleaning operations utilize special
cylindrical rollers to which a cleaning solution is applied with
pumps and spray heads. When the rollers are rotated against a
surface, soil is transferred to the rollers and the soil cleaning
liquid is subsequently suctioned from the rollers with vacuum
extractor tools. This technology can be used to clean various
fabric surfaces. The roller design, rotational speed, pressure,
vacuum parameters and cleaning liquid flows can be altered in the
same machine to optimize cleaning for the particular carpet or
fabric. The cleaning liquid can be minimized to reduce drying time
while still providing effective interim cleaning of carpet, thereby
allowing a space to be ready for use in less than one hour.
[0006] Deep cleaning extraction cleaning operations are typically
performed less frequently than the soil transfer cleaning
operation. The deep cleaning extraction operation generally
performs a more thorough cleaning of a carpeted surface. During
such a cleaning operation, a relatively large amount of cleaning
solution is sprayed directly onto the carpeted or soft floor
surface. The carpet is scrubbed with brushes designed for the
surface and soiled liquid is extracted from the carpet with one or
more vacuum extractor tools located behind the brushes. Carpets
cleaned with the deep cleaning extraction operation require
considerably longer drying times before use than carpets cleaned
with the soil transfer method.
[0007] Hard floor surface cleaning operations are performed by hard
floor surface cleaners that generally employ scrubbing brushes and
a vacuumized fluid recovery system positioned behind the scrubbing
brushes. A cleaning liquid is typically sprayed directly to the
floor and/or on the brushes and the hard floor surface is scrubbed
with the brushes. The vacuumized fluid recovery system typically
includes a vacuum squeegee that collects the soiled cleaning liquid
and delivers the soiled cleaning liquid to a recovery tank. The
vacuum squeegee removes substantially all of the liquid waste left
by the scrubbing brushes from the hard floor surface, leaving the
surface ready for use almost immediately.
[0008] Cleaning operations on spaces having a mixture of soft floor
surfaces and hard floor surfaces have generally required separate
soft and hard floor cleaning machines. Such a requirement is costly
in terms of the time required to complete the multi-surface
cleaning operations and the maintenance and storage of multiple
machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention generally relates to a floor cleaner
configured to perform both hard and soft floor cleaning operations.
The cleaner generally includes a mobile body, a motorized cleaning
head, a cleaning liquid dispenser, a vacuum, a first vacuum
extractor tool and a vacuum squeegee connected to the mobile body.
The mobile body is configured to travel over a surface. The
motorized cleaning head is connected to the mobile body and
includes a cleaning tool. The cleaning liquid dispenser is
configured to apply a cleaning liquid to the surface or the
cleaning tool. The first vacuum extractor tool is configured for
vacuum communication with the vacuum through a first vacuum
path.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floor cleaner 100 in
accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of a floor cleaner 100 in accordance
with embodiments of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a floor cleaner in accordance
with embodiments of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of embodiments of the
cleaner in soil transfer mode of operation with the mobile body and
other components removed.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of embodiments of the
cleaner in deep extraction cleaning mode of operation with the
mobile body and other components removed.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of embodiments of the
cleaner in hard floor scrubbing mode of operation with the mobile
body and other components removed.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of embodiments of the
cleaner in hard floor scrubbing mode of operation with the mobile
body and other components removed.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a cleaning liquid dispenser in
accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a soft and hard floor cleaning
liquid dispensers in accordance with embodiments of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention relates to a floor cleaner 100 that is
configurable for performing both hard floor cleaning operations and
soft floor cleaning operations. FIGS. 1-3 respectively show a
perspective view of the floor cleaner, a side view of the cleaner
and a block diagram of the floor cleaner, in accordance with
embodiments of the invention.
[0020] As will be discussed below in greater detail, embodiments of
the cleaner 100 include a soil transfer cleaning mode in which the
cleaner 100 is configured to perform a soil transfer cleaning
operation on a floor surface 102 (i.e., a soft floor surface)
and/or an deep extraction mode, in which the cleaner 100 is
configured to perform a deep extraction cleaning operation on the
surface 102. Additionally, one embodiment of the cleaner 100
includes a hard floor scrubbing mode, in which the cleaner 100 is
configured to scrub the floor surface 102 (i.e., a hard floor
surface 102) and remove liquid waste and debris with a fluid
recovery system.
[0021] The floor cleaner 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured
for use by an operator that walks behind the cleaner 100. A control
panel 104 provides various settings for controlling the operation
of the cleaner 100. Alternatively, the cleaner 100 may be designed
as a ride-on cleaner, or towed-behind cleaner. The cleaner 100 may
be powered through an on-board power source, such as batteries or
an internal combustion engine, or powered though an electrical
cord.
[0022] Embodiments of the floor cleaner 100 generally include a
mobile body 106, a motorized cleaning head 108, a cleaning liquid
dispenser 110, one or more vacuums 112, at least one vacuum
extractor tool 114 and a vacuum squeegee 116.
[0023] One embodiment of the mobile body 106 comprises framework
for supporting the various components of the cleaner 100. The
mobile body 106 supported on drive wheels 118 and castor wheels 120
for travel over the surface 102. In one embodiment, the drive
wheels are driven by a motor 122. A housing 124 encloses many of
the components of the cleaner 100 that are supported on the mobile
body 106. Some of the components (e.g., batteries, tanks, etc.) can
be accessed by opening a cover 126.
[0024] The motorized cleaning head 108 is connected to the mobile
body 106. In one embodiment the motorized head is positioned at a
forward location of the cleaner 100, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
However, the cleaning head 108 can also be positioned at other
locations relative to the mobile body 106, such as central and
rearward locations of the cleaner 100.
[0025] The cleaning head 108 includes a cleaning tool 128 and one
or more motors 130 for driving rotation of the cleaning tool 128
about an axis that is either parallel or perpendicular to the
surface 102. The rotating cleaning tool 128 engages the surface 102
to perform a hard or soft floor cleaning operation, as indicated by
arrow 131 in FIG. 3.
[0026] In accordance with one embodiment of the cleaner 100
includes a cleaning head lift 132 configured to lower the cleaning
head 108 for floor cleaning operations and raise the cleaning head
108 when not in use, such as during transport of the cleaner 100.
One embodiment of the head lift 132, shown in FIG. 2, includes a
motorized screw drive 133 coupled to the head through a suitable
linkage 135, which pivots the head 108 about a connection 137 to
raise or lower the head 108 as desired.
[0027] One embodiment of the cleaning head 108 is configured for
use with multiple types of cleaning tools 128 in order to
accommodate different cleaning operations while using the same
motors 130, for example. Thus, the cleaning head 108 can be
equipped with a soft floor cleaning tool 128 to allow the cleaner
to perform a soft floor cleaning operation. The soft floor cleaning
tool 128 can then be replaced with a hard floor cleaning tool 128
to allow the cleaner 100 to perform a hard floor cleaning
operation. Alternatively, the cleaner 100 is configurable with
separate soft and hard floor cleaning heads 108 respectively
including soft and hard floor cleaning tools 128.
[0028] As mentioned above, embodiments of the cleaner 100 include
several different modes of operation including a soil transfer soft
floor cleaning mode, a deep extraction soft floor cleaning mode,
and at least two hard floor scrubbing modes. FIG. 4 is a block
diagram of embodiments of the cleaner 100 in soil transfer mode of
operation with the mobile body 106 and other components removed to
simplify the illustration. In this embodiment, the cleaning tool
128 includes one or more soil transfer rolls 134, shown in FIGS. 1,
2 and 4, that are driven by one or more motors 130 to respectively
rotate the rolls 134 about their horizontal axes in the directions
indicated by arrows 136 and 138, shown in FIG. 4, during soil
transfer cleaning operations on the soft floor surface 102.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of embodiments of the
cleaner 100 in a deep extraction soft floor cleaning mode of
operation with the mobile body 106 and other components removed. In
this embodiment, the cleaning tool 128 includes one or more deep
extraction brushes 140 that are dedicated for use in a deep
extraction soft floor cleaning operation. Exemplary deep extraction
brushes 140 are shown in FIG. 5, which and are respectively driven
by one or more motors 130 for rotation about their horizontal axes
in the directions indicated by arrows 142 and 144 during deep
extraction cleaning operations on the soft floor surface 102.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of embodiments of the
cleaner 100 in hard floor scrubbing mode of operation with the
mobile body 106 and other components removed. In accordance with
this embodiment, the cleaning tool 128 includes one ore more hard
floor scrub brushes 146 dedicated to performing a hard floor
cleaning operation. An exemplary hard floor scrub brush 146 is
shown in FIG. 6, that is configured to rotate about a vertical axis
148 as indicated by arrow 150, during a scrubbing operation on hard
floor surface 102. In one embodiment, at least one other scrub
brush is positioned adjacent the depicted scrub brush 146 to expand
the width of the scrubbing swath covered by the cleaning head
108.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of embodiments of the
cleaner 100 in a second hard floor scrubbing mode of operation, in
which the cleaning tool 128 includes "hybrid" rolls 152 configured
to perform soil transfer soft floor cleaning operations and hard
floor scrubbing operations respectively on soft and hard floor
surfaces 102. In one embodiment, the hybrid rolls 152 are driven by
one or more motors 130 for rotation about their horizontal axes in
the directions indicated by arrows 154 and 156, during the cleaning
operations.
[0032] The one or more vacuums 112 each generally include a motor
158 and vacuum fan 160 (FIG. 2). The vacuum fan(s) 112 is used in
combination with the at least one vacuum extractor tool 114 to
remove liquid and solid waste 162 (i.e., soiled cleaning liquid)
from the cleaning tool 128 of the cleaning head 108 and/or the
surface 102, as respectively indicated by arrows 164 and 166. One
vacuum 112 also operates with the vacuum squeegee 116 to remove
waste 162 from the surface 102, as indicated by arrow 168. The
waste 162 is then deposited in one or more waste recovery tanks 170
or other location, as will be described in greater detail
below.
[0033] In accordance with one embodiment, the vacuum 112 is
selectively placed in vacuum communication with the vacuum squeegee
116 and the vacuum extractor tool 114 using a vacuum path selector
172. Vacuum communication is intended to mean that a vacuum path is
opened between the component (i.e., squeegee or extractor tool) and
the low pressure vacuum generated by the vacuum 112. Once
established, the vacuum communication allows for liquid and/or
solid waste 162 to be sucked up through an opening of the vacuum
squeegee 116 and/or the extractor tool 114 and deposited in the
waste recovery tank 170, as indicated in FIG. 3. Embodiments of the
vacuum path selector 172 include one or more valves (e.g.,
multi-way valve, Y-valves) and other conventional vacuum path
controlling components. The vacuum paths 173, such as vacuum path
174 coupled to the vacuum squeegee 116 or vacuum path 176 coupled
to the extractor tool 114, are formed by vacuum conduit or tubing.
In accordance with one embodiment, multiple components or paths can
be placed in vacuum communication with the vacuum 112 using the
vacuum path selector 172.
[0034] In accordance with another embodiment, the cleaner 100
includes separate vacuums 112 for the vacuum squeegee 116 and the
extractor tool. With such a configuration, the vacuum path selector
may be discarded or disconnected from the vacuum path of the vacuum
squeegee 116.
[0035] In another embodiment, vacuum ports corresponding to the
various vacuum paths 173 are made accessible by the operator of the
cleaner 100. The coupling of one of the vacuum ports to the vacuum
port that is in vacuum communication with the vacuum 112 can be
made by manually connecting a tubing section to the appropriate
ports.
[0036] The vacuum extractor tool 114 can take on various
conventional forms depending on its purpose. The extractor tool
generally extends widthwise across the surface 178 of the cleaning
tool 128 or the surface 112, from which waste 162 is to be
extracted. Multiple extractor tools 114 can be used to cover large
widths. It is understood by those skilled in the art that extractor
tools 114 are used for removing liquid and solid debris from soft
surfaces 102, such as soft floor surfaces and soft soil transfer
roll surfaces, and they do not include a squeegee that would render
them operable on hard floor surfaces.
[0037] One embodiment of the extractor tool 114 is in the form of a
roll extractor tool 180, two of which are shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.
Each of the roll extractor tools 180 removes liquid and solid waste
162 from one of the soil transfer rolls 134. The extracted waste
travels through vacuum path 182 having branches 184 and 186 and is
deposited in the waste recovery tank, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3
and 4.
[0038] Another embodiment of the extractor tool 114 is in the form
of a surface extractor tool 188 that is configured to remove liquid
and solid waste 162 from the surface 102. The extracted waste 162
travels through vacuum path 190 and is deposited in the waste
recovery tank 170, as illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0039] In accordance with one embodiment, the cleaner 100 includes
an extractor tool lift 192 that allows the surface extractor tool
188 to be raised above the surface 102 (as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and
7) when not in use and lowered into an operating position (shown in
FIGS. 2 and 5) for use in a deep extraction cleaning operation, in
which the surface extractor tool 188 engages the surface 102. One
exemplary extractor tool lift 192, shown in FIG. 2, includes a main
support 194 connected to either the cleaning head 108 or the mobile
body 106. The surface extractor tool lift 192 also includes guide
members 196 attached to the surface extractor tool 188 that slide
within slots in a side plate 198 of the main support 194. A second
side set of guide members and side plate are provided on the
opposing side of the extractor tool lift and surface extractor
tool. A spring 200, compressed between a top surface of the surface
extractor tool 188 and the bottom surface of a cross plate 202 of
the main support 194, biases the surface extractor tool 188 in the
lowered or operating position. The surface extractor tool 188 can
be held in the raised position manually using a locking mechanism
204 (e.g., a pin) or a suitable actuator mechanism. Alternatively,
the extractor tool lift 192 can include a motor to raise and lower
the surface extractor tool 188.
[0040] The vacuum squeegee 116 is a component of a fluid recovery
device that is conventionally used only in dedicated hard floor
surface cleaners. The vacuum squeegee 116 generally comprises a
squeegee 210 connected to frame 212. The squeegee 210 extends
across the width of the cleaner 100 or the cleaning swath of the
cleaning head 108. A vacuum port 214 is positioned to receive waste
collected by the squeegee 210, such as, for example, adjacent the
surface 102 at the widthwise center of the squeegee 210. During
operation, the squeegee 210 engages the surface 102 and collects
soiled cleaning liquid waste 162 as the cleaner 100 moves along the
surface 102 in a forward direction, as indicated by arrow 216 in
FIG. 6. One embodiment of the squeegee 210 includes a concave shape
that directs the collected soiled cleaning liquid waste 162 toward
the vacuum port 214. When vacuum communication is established
between the vacuum port 214 and the vacuum 112, the waste 162 is
sucked through the vacuum port 214 and the connected vacuum path
174 and deposited into the recovery tank 170, as illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 6.
[0041] A squeegee lift 217, shown in FIG. 2 and schematically in
FIG. 3, is used to move the vacuum squeegee 116 from a raised
position off the surface 102 (shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) to a
lowered operating position (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), in which the
squeegee engages the surface 102. One exemplary embodiment of the
squeegee lift 217 includes a cable 218 having one end connected to
the frame 212 and another end connected to an actuating lever 220.
The frame 212 is coupled to the mobile body 106 through a suitable
pivotal connection (not shown). The operator of the cleaner 100 can
raise and lower the vacuum squeegee 116 as desired using the
actuating lever 220 which causes the frame 212 and the attached
squeegee 210 to move about the pivotal connection to the raised or
operating positions. A castor wheel 222 can be coupled to the frame
212 to limit the height at which the squeegee 210 can be
lowered.
[0042] The cleaning liquid dispenser 110 is configured to apply a
cleaning liquid 230 to one of the surface 102 and the cleaning tool
128 and respectively indicated by arrows 230A and 230B of FIG. 3.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the cleaning liquid dispenser 110 in
accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0043] One embodiment of the cleaning liquid dispenser 110 includes
a supply of the cleaning liquid 230 and a pump 232 for driving a
flow of the cleaning liquid 230 (arrows) cleaning liquid through
tubing to be discharged at a desired location. The cleaning liquid
230 can comprise water or a combination of water and a cleaning
agent. In one embodiment, separate supplies of water 234 and
cleaning agent 236 are provided. The water 234 can be stored in a
tank supported on the mobile body 106, while the cleaning agent is
provided in a separate container, such as a fixed tank or removable
container or cartridge. A mixing member 238 combines a flow of
water 240 with a flow of the cleaning agent 242 at a desired dosage
to form the flow of cleaning liquid 230.
[0044] The dosing of the flow of cleaning agent 242 into the flow
of water 240 can be accomplished using a venturi injector or
through use of a dosing pump 244. In accordance with one
embodiment, the flow of cleaning agent 242 is less than 10.0 cubic
centimeters per minute.
[0045] In order to accommodate different cleaning liquids and
different cleaning liquid flow rates that may be desired for soft
and hard floor cleaning operations, one embodiment of the cleaning
liquid dispenser 110 includes separate soft and hard floor cleaning
liquid dispenser 250 and 252, respectively. The cleaning liquid
dispensers 250 and 252 generally have the form of the embodiments
of the cleaning liquid dispenser 110 described above, but can share
components, such as pumps and the water supply, for example. In one
embodiment, the soft floor cleaning liquid dispenser 250 utilizes a
different cleaning agent and/or provides a lower volumetric flow
rate of cleaning liquid 230S than the flow of the cleaning liquid
230H of the hard floor cleaning liquid dispenser 252. The lower
volumetric flow rate is essential in soft floor cleaning operations
in order to prevent long drying times for the soft floor surface
102 and to prevent the development of mold. Additionally, hard
floor surface 102 cleaning operations generally desire a complete
wetting of the hard floor surface 102 in order to remove embedded
or debris that has dried on the surface 102. If necessary, a valve
254 can be used to switch between the flow of soft floor cleaning
liquid 230S and the flow of hard floor cleaning liquid 230H.
[0046] Another embodiment of the cleaning liquid dispenser 110
includes one or more nozzles, or other fluid distributor, for
discharging the flow of cleaning liquid 230 to the desired
location. In one embodiment, the cleaning liquid dispenser 110
includes one or more nozzles 260 or tubing for directing the flow
of cleaning liquid 230 onto the cleaning tool 128, such as the soil
transfer rolls 134 (FIG. 4) or the hard floor scrub brush (FIG. 6).
In accordance with another embodiment, the cleaning liquid
dispenser 110 includes one or more nozzles 262 for directing the
cleaning liquid 230 onto the surface 102, preferably in front of
the cleaning tool 128. In yet another embodiment, the cleaning
liquid dispenser 110 includes one or more nozzles 264 for directing
the cleaning liquid 230 onto both the surface 102 and the cleaning
tool 128, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. One or more valves 266 can
control the flow of cleaning liquid 230 to the desired nozzle or
location.
[0047] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention,
the cleaning liquid dispenser 110 is configured to dispense the
flow cleaning liquid 230 to the desired surface 102 as a foam. In
general, soft floor cleaning operations utilize a dry foam to avoid
overly wetting the soft floor surface 102 and long drying times,
whereas hard floor surface cleaning operations may utilize a
relatively wet foam that is suitable for completely wetting the
hard floor surface 102. In accordance with one embodiment, at least
one of the nozzles 260, 262 or 264 is an aerating nozzle that
converts the flow of cleaning liquid 230 into a foam, which is then
discharged to either the surface 102 in front of the cleaning tool
128, on the cleaning tool 128, or both. Alternatively, an aerating
device located upstream of the nozzles can be used to convert the
cleaning liquid into a foam.
[0048] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to
methods of cleaning hard and soft floor surfaces 102 using
embodiments of the cleaner 100 described above. As mentioned above,
FIG. 4 illustrates embodiments of a soil transfer soft floor
cleaning mode operation for the cleaner 100. Initially, the soil
transfer rolls 134 are installed in the cleaning head 108 and
lowered to the operating position by the head lift 132, the vacuum
squeegee 116 is moved to the raised position using the squeegee
lift 217, and the surface extractor tool 114 is moved to the raised
position using the tool lift 192, as shown in FIG. 4. Additionally,
vacuum communication is established between the vacuum 112 and the
roll extractor tools 180 through the paths 182, 184 and 186. Next,
the soil transfer rolls 134 are wetted with cleaning liquid 230
discharged through nozzle 260, then extracted by operation of roll
extractor tools 180 to remove soiled cleaning liquid 162 from the
rolls 134. Nozzle 264 can also be activated if desired to spray the
surface 102 and/or the leading roll 134. The rolls are rotated by
operation of the motor(s) 130 and wipe the surface 102, which
transfers soil from the surface 102 onto soil transfer rolls 134.
The rotation of the rolls 134 in the directions indicated by arrows
136 and 138 results in different portions of the soil transfer
rolls 134 being wetted with the cleaning liquid 230, extracted by
roll extractors 180, or wiped against the surface 102.
[0049] The roll extractors 180 engage the surfaces 178 of the rolls
134 and are placed in vacuum communication with the vacuum 112,
which removes some of the just deposited cleaning liquid 230 and
soil previously transferred from the surface 102. As a result, the
wetness of the rolls 134 is reduced from the initially sprayed
condition by the extraction of some of the cleaning liquid 230 by
the roll extractors 180.
[0050] As the rolls 134 are revolved, they engage the soft floor
(e.g., carpet fibers) 102 and cause soil to be transferred from the
carpet fibers to the rolls 134. After engaging and wiping the
surface 102, the rolls 134 are further rotated and sprayed again
with cleaning liquid 230 by nozzle 260. Subsequently, the surfaces
178 of the rolls 134 are vacuum extracted to remove the soiled
cleaning liquid 162 from the rolls 134, which is conveyed into the
recovery tank 170.
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates embodiments of a deep extraction cleaning
mode of operation, in which the cleaner 100 functions similarly to
known carpet extractors. If necessary, the soil transfer rolls 134
are replaced with the extractor brushes 140, the cleaning head 108
and the surface extractor 188 are moved to their operating
positions, and the vacuum squeegee 116 is moved to the raised
position, as shown in FIG. 5. Additionally, vacuum communication is
established between the vacuum 112 and the surface extractor tool
188 through the vacuum path 190. The cleaner 100 operates while
moving in the forward direction indicated by arrow 216. The
cleaning liquid dispenser 110 discharges cleaning liquid 230 to the
surface 102 through nozzle(s) 264 or uses nozzle(s) 262 to direct
cleaning liquid 230 onto both the surface 102 and the leading
extractor brush 140. The extractor brushes 140 are driven via the
motor(s) 130 to engage the floor surface 102 and transfer soil into
a soiled cleaning solution 162. The extractor brushes 140 may
include bristles to facilitate soil transfer. In one embodiment,
the direction of rotation of the extractor brushes 140 is indicated
by arrows 142 and 144. As the cleaner 100 progresses across the
floor surface 102, the surface extractor 188 engages the wetted
portion of the surface 102 to remove the soiled cleaning liquid 162
from the surface 102. The soiled cleaning liquid 162 is moved
through the vacuum path 190 and into the waste recovery tank 170 by
operation of the vacuum 112.
[0052] The deep extraction soft floor cleaning operation utilizes a
larger volume of cleaning liquid 230 per unit area than the soil
transfer cleaning operation performed by the cleaner 100. As a
result, the surface 102 requires a longer drying time following a
deep extraction cleaning operation than that required following a
soil transfer cleaning operation. However, the drying times for
both the deep extraction cleaning operation and the soil transfer
cleaning operation can be reduced by utilizing the cleaning liquid
in an aerated or foam state.
[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates embodiments of the hard floor scrubbing
mode of operation for the cleaner 100. Initially, the hard floor
scrub brush 146 is installed in the reconfigurable cleaning head
108, or a hard floor cleaning head 108 having the scrub brush 146
is attached to the mobile body 106. Also, the cleaning head 108 and
the vacuum squeegee 116 are moved to their operating positions and
the surface extractor tool 188 is moved to the raised position, as
shown in FIG. 6. Vacuum communication is also established between
the vacuum 112 and the vacuum port 214 of the vacuum squeegee 116
through the vacuum path 174. Next the cleaning liquid dispenser 110
wets the surface 102 with cleaning liquid 230 by discharging the
cleaning liquid 230 through the nozzle 262 and/or wets the surface
102 and the scrub brush 146 by discharging cleaning liquid 230
through tubing 260 that is internal to the scrub brush 146. The
motor 130 rotates the scrub brush 146 as it engages the wetted
surface 102 and forms soiled cleaning liquid 162. As the cleaner
100 moves in the forward direction 216 the soiled cleaning liquid
162 is collected by the squeegee 210 and directed toward the vacuum
port 214. The soiled cleaning liquid 162 is then sucked through the
vacuum port 214, through the vacuum path 174 and discharged into
the waste recovery tank 170.
[0054] When the cleaning tool 128 comprises hybrid rolls 152
configured for both soil transfer soft floor cleaning operations
and hard floor cleaning operations, the cleaner 100 operates in
substantially the same manner as described above with respect to
the soil transfer cleaning mode of operation. The benefit of the
hybrid rolls 152 is that they can be used to perform a hard floor
cleaning operation. The conversion to the hard floor cleaning mode
involves lowering the vacuum squeegee 116 to the operating
position, establishing vacuum communication between the vacuum
squeegee 116 and the vacuum 112 through the path 174 and
discharging cleaning liquid 230 onto the surface 102, as shown in
FIG. 7. The surface 102 is scrubbed by the rotating rolls 152. The
soiled cleaning liquid left behind by the rolls is collected by the
vacuum squeegee 116 and transferred to the waste recovery tank 170
through the path 174.
[0055] Additional embodiments of this hybrid hard floor cleaning
mode include applying cleaning liquid 230 to the hybrid rolls 152
through, for example, nozzle(s) 260 or 262, and establishing vacuum
communication between the vacuum 112 and the roll extractor tools
180 through the paths 182, 184 and 186. As a result, one embodiment
includes extracting the soiled cleaning liquid 162 from the rolls
152 and transferring the soiled cleaning liquid 162 to the waste
recovery tank 170 through the path 182.
[0056] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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