Floor cleaner and steam cleaning apparatus for floor cleaner

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus is operable to clean a floor cleaner. The floor cleaner includes a base movable along a surface to be cleaned, a brush roller motor, and a brush roller rotatable about a brush roller axis relative to the base by the brush roller motor. The cleaning apparatus includes a tray configured to removably receive a floor cleaner in a mounted position. The tray includes a brush roller receiving portion configured to receive a brush roller of the floor cleaner. The cleaning apparatus also includes a reservoir configured to store a liquid and a boiler in fluid communication with the reservoir. The boiler is configured to convert the liquid to steam. The cleaning apparatus also includes a steam distributor in fluid communication with the boiler. The steam distributor is provided with one or more steam openings, and the one or more steam openings are configured to distribute the steam onto the brush roller.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 515,887, filed on July 27, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a floor cleaner, and more particularly to a floor cleaner having a cleaning device, such as a cleaning tray. Summary of the invention

[0005] In one embodiment, a cleaning device for a floor cleaner is disclosed. The floor cleaner may have: a base that is movable along a surface to be cleaned; an upright portion that is movable relative to the base between an inclined use position and an upright storage position; a supply tank that is configured to store a cleaning fluid; a fluid dispenser that is fluidly connected to the supply tank; a brush roll motor; and a brush roll that is rotatable relative to the base by the brush roll motor. The cleaning device may include a tray that is configured to removably receive the base of the floor cleaner. The tray may include a brush roll receiving portion that is configured to receive the brush roll of the floor cleaner. The cleaning device may further include: a reservoir that is configured to store a liquid; a boiler that is fluidly connected to the reservoir and is configured to convert the liquid into steam; and a steam opening that is configured to distribute steam to the brush roll to disinfect the brush roll.

[0006] In another embodiment, a combination of a floor cleaner and a cleaning device for cleaning the floor cleaner is disclosed. The floor cleaner may include: a base that is movable along a surface to be cleaned; an upright portion that is movable relative to the base between an inclined use position and an upright storage position; a supply tank that is configured to store a cleaning fluid; a fluid dispenser that is fluidly connected to the supply tank; a brush roll motor; and a brush roll that is rotatable relative to the base by the brush roll motor. The cleaning device may include a tray that removably receives a portion of the base of the floor cleaner. The tray may include a brush roll receiving portion that is used to receive the brush roll of the floor cleaner. The cleaning device may further include: a reservoir that is configured to store a liquid; a boiler that is fluidly connected to the reservoir, the boiler being configured to convert the liquid into steam; and a steam opening that is configured to distribute steam to the brush roll to disinfect the brush roll.

[0007] In another embodiment, a method of cleaning a floor cleaner by using a cleaning device having a tray is disclosed, wherein the cleaning is performed while the floor cleaner is located in the tray in an installed position. The method may further include: storing a supply of liquid in a reservoir on the cleaning device; boiling the liquid to generate steam; and distributing the steam through a steam opening in the cleaning device to a brush roll of the floor cleaner to disinfect the brush roll.

[0008] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a floor cleaner in an installed position in a cleaning device according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of floor cleaners and cleaning equipment.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Upper perspective view of a cleaning device.

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of a cleaning device.

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A cross section along line AA of the floor cleaner in the installed position in the cleaning device.

[0014] Figure 6 is a cross section of a floor cleaner according to another embodiment in an installed position in a cleaning device.

[0015] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An upper perspective view of a cleaning device showing the steam opening.

[0016] Figure 8 is an upper perspective view of a cleaning device according to another embodiment showing a plurality of steam openings.

[0017] Fig. 9 is an upper perspective view of a cleaning device according to another embodiment showing a plurality of steam openings.

[0018] Fig.10 According to the embodiment Figure 1 A plan view of a steam distributor for use with cleaning equipment.

[0019] Before explaining any embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the construction details and component arrangements set forth in the following description or shown in the following drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0020] In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules, which, for the purpose of discussion, may be shown and described as if most components are implemented only in hardware. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize based on reading this detailed description that, in at least one embodiment, electronic-based aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on a non-transient computer-readable medium) that may be executed by one or more processing units (e.g., microprocessors and / or application-specific integrated circuits ("ASICs")). Thus, it should be noted that embodiments may be implemented using a plurality of hardware- and software-based devices and a plurality of different structural components. For example, the "server," "computing device," "controller," "processor," etc. described in the specification may include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable medium modules, one or more input / output interfaces, and various connectors (e.g., system buses) connecting these components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1 The floor cleaner 10 is shown positioned in a cleaning device 28, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed as a cleaning tray. After the floor cleaner 10 performs a surface cleaning or floor cleaning operation, the floor cleaner can be placed in the cleaning device 28 to clean the brush roll 26 ( Figure 2 ) and / or other parts of the floor cleaner 10. The cleaning device 28 includes a steam distributor configured to distribute steam to the floor cleaner 10 to help clean or disinfect the floor cleaner 10.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 includes a base 12 and an upright portion 14 pivotally coupled to the base 12. The floor cleaner 10 includes wheels 15 rotatably attached to the base 12 for moving the base 12 over a floor surface. Figure 1 and Figure 5 , the floor cleaner 10 includes at least one brush roll 26 that is rotatable relative to the base 12 and disposed in the base 12. A brush roll motor 46 is disposed in the floor cleaner 10, the brush roll motor being operably connected to the brush roll 26 and configured to rotate the brush roll 26, such as by a belt, a gear drive, or another brush roll drive. The upright portion 14 is movable, and more specifically, is movable relative to the base 12 in an upright storage position ( Figure 1 ) and an inclined use position, in which the upright portion 14 is held in an upright position by the base 12, and in the inclined use position, the upright portion 14 is tilted backward relative to the upright storage position. In the illustrated embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 includes a supply tank 16, a recovery tank 18 and a suction motor 20. The supply tank 16 is configured to store a cleaning fluid, such as water or a cleaning solution. The floor cleaner 10 is operable to distribute the cleaning fluid onto the surface to be cleaned through a fluid distributor 56. The fluid distributor 56 may include a pump 34 and / or a valve 38, which is operably connected to the supply tank 16 and is configured to control the distribution of the cleaning fluid from the supply tank 16 during operation. The fluid distributor 56 further includes a distribution nozzle 32 and / or an auxiliary fluid outlet 36, through which the cleaning fluid can be distributed. The base 12 further includes a suction inlet 30 in fluid communication with the recovery tank 18 and a suction motor 20 operable to draw air and dispensed cleaning fluid into the suction inlet 30. During operation of the floor cleaner, cleaning fluid is drawn from the surface to be cleaned through the suction inlet 30 and into the recovery tank 18. In one embodiment, the suction motor 20 also drives the brush roll 26, such that the brush roll motor 46 is the suction motor 20.

[0023] Continue to refer Figure 1 And refer to Figure 2 , the cleaning device 28 is configured for the base 12 to be placed in the cleaning device 28 for cleaning and / or storing the floor cleaner 10. The cleaning device 28 forms a tray 54 that is configured to receive a cleaning fluid and receive at least a portion of the base 12 of the floor cleaner 10 when the base 12 is placed in the cleaning device 28. When the floor cleaner 10 or a portion of the floor cleaner 10 is operably connected to the cleaning device 28 (e.g., the base 12 or a portion of the base 12 is placed on or in the tray 54) for cleaning or storage or another operation, the cleaning device 28 receives the floor cleaner 10 in the installed position.

[0024] refer to Figure 3, the cleaning device 28 may further include wheel receiving portions 58a, 58b that are spaced apart from one another and configured to receive the wheels 15 of the floor cleaner 10 when the floor cleaner 10 is located in the cleaning device 28. The wheel receiving portions 58a, 58b may define a wheel receiving axis A1 that passes through the center of the wheel receiving portions 58a, 58b and, in some embodiments, passes through the center of curvature of the wheel receiving portions. The cleaning device 28 includes a brush roller receiving portion 62 that is configured to receive the brush roller 26 when the floor cleaner 10 is located in the cleaning device 28. The brush roller receiving portion 62 includes a lower portion 66 that is configured to accommodate the brush roller 26 when the brush roller 26 is positioned in the tray 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower portion 66 includes a concave portion that is configured to match the shape of the brush roller, such as the convex portion 122 of the brush roller 26 (referenced herein). Figure 5 58a, 58b); however, the lower portion 66 can be a flat surface or any other shaped surface as desired. The brush roller receiving portion 62 defines a longitudinal axis A2 of the brush roller receiving portion 62 that passes through the position of the brush roller 26 when the brush roller 26 is positioned in the tray 54. The brush roller receiving portion 62 is positioned to correspond to the position of the brush roller 26 when the floor cleaner 10 is positioned in the cleaning device 28, which in the illustrated embodiment is on the side of the cleaning device 28 opposite the wheel receiving portions 58a, 58b. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis A2 of the brush roller receiving portion 62 is parallel or generally parallel to the wheel receiving axis A1.

[0025] The cleaning device comprises a steam generator 68 comprising a reservoir 70 which provides liquid to a boiler 98 via a pump 94 or a valve. Figure 3 The reservoir 70 is removably mounted on the reservoir receiving portion 74 ( Figure 2 ) in. The reservoir 70 is configured to store and selectively deliver a liquid supply, such as water or other cleaning solutions. The reservoir 70 includes a filling opening 78 and a discharge opening 82. The reservoir 70 can be removed from the cleaning device 28, more specifically from the tray 54, and even more specifically from the reservoir receiving portion 74, to perform operations such as emptying, filling, cleaning or replacing the reservoir 70. In some embodiments, the reservoir 70 is not removable from the cleaning device 28 and is configured to be filled in situ by the user. The cleaning device 28 may include a wall system 86 located at the boundary of the tray 54, so as to collect liquid in particular and prohibit the liquid from leaving the tray 54, unless the liquid leaves the tray in a controlled manner (e.g., by the suction system of the floor cleaner 10 or by a drain pipe, or by the user pouring out the liquid).

[0026] refer to Figure 4, the discharge opening 82 of the reservoir 70 is connected to a pump 94 and a boiler 98 through a tube system 90. The pump 94 is operably positioned between the reservoir 70 and the boiler 98 and is configured to selectively transfer liquid from the reservoir 70 to the boiler 98. In some embodiments, the pump 94 may be replaced by a valve, and the liquid may be gravity fed from the reservoir 70 to the boiler 98 through the valve. The boiler 98 includes a heating element or other device for heating the liquid to convert the liquid into steam for transfer along the tube system 90 to the steam distributor 162 ( Figures 5 to 7 )、174( Figure 8 )、194( Fig. 9 ), the steam distributor having one or more steam openings 102 ( Figures 5 to 7 )、106( Figure 8 )、110( Fig. 9 ) formed by the steam outlet. In addition to visible and / or obvious differences, the distributors 162, 174, 194 can function similarly to each other, and the steam openings 102, 106, 110 can also function similarly to each other. Certain features applicable to other embodiments can be described with reference to one embodiment. As used in this detailed description and the appended claims, "steam" includes vapor from a boiling liquid at a temperature above the boiling point of the liquid, as well as heated vapor below the boiling point of the liquid.

[0027] To facilitate the application of steam to the brush roll 26, the illustrated steam distributors 162, 174, 194 are disposed along the brush roll receiving portion 62 to deliver steam to the brush roll 26 when the floor cleaner 10 is positioned in the cleaning apparatus 28, and more specifically, to distribute steam along the length of the brush roll 26. In some embodiments, one or more of the steam openings 102, 106, 110 extend along or are positioned along a portion of the brush roll receiving portion 62, and may extend along any proportion of the length of the brush roll 26. In some embodiments, when the brush roll 26 is positioned in the brush roll receiving portion 62, one or more of the steam openings 102, 106, 110 extend along, for example, at least 50% of the length of the brush roll 26. In some embodiments, when the brushroll 26 is positioned in the brushroll receiving portion 62, one or more of the steam openings 102, 106, 110 extend along at least 80% of the length of the brushroll 26, and in some embodiments, when the brushroll 26 is positioned in the brushroll receiving portion 62, one or more of the steam openings 102, 106, 110 extend along at least 90% of the length of the brushroll 26. The distribution of the steam openings 102, 106, 110 along, for example, 80%, 90%, or 100% of the brushroll 26 distributes steam directly to 80%, 90%, or 100% of the brushroll 26, respectively, to reduce the amount of lateral migration of steam along the brushroll 26, thereby achieving cleaning efficacy along the entire length of the brushroll 26. The steam distributor 162 includes a plenum 114 to distribute steam to the steam openings 102, 106, 110 along the length of the brushroll receiving portion 62. Although the steam distributors 162, 174, 194 are described herein with reference to the brushroll receiving portion 62 and the brushroll 26, it will be understood that the cleaning device 28 can be configured to direct steam to other components or portions of the floor cleaner 10 by positioning the steam distributor relative to other components or portions of the floor cleaner as desired, for example, the underside surface of the base 12, the suction inlet 30, the wheels 15, the nozzles, the ducts, or other components or portions of the floor cleaner as desired for the cleaning application.

[0028] The cleaning device 28 includes a cleaning device control circuit system including a printed circuit board assembly ("PCBA") 118 ( Figure 4). PCBA118 can be positioned on the bottom side or other position of cleaning device 28, and PCBA118 can be positioned in the position configured to inhibit water from entering. Cleaning device control circuit system is configured to control the operation of cleaning device 28, especially including the operation of any one or combination of boiler 98, pump 94 and / or valve to control the flow of liquid from reservoir 70. In some embodiments, PCBA includes controller. In some embodiments, PCBA 118 is configured to be operably connected to the control circuit system in floor cleaner 10 to receive one or more signals representing the characteristics, attributes and / or inputs of floor cleaner 10 from floor cleaner 10, and send one or more signals representing the characteristics, attributes and / or inputs of cleaning device 28 to floor cleaner 10. PCBA118 is configured to control cleaning device 28 and / or floor cleaner 10 based at least in part on one or more signals received from floor cleaner 10.

[0029] In some embodiments, the cleaning equipment control circuit system includes a controller. The controller is electrically connected and / or communicatively connected to various modules or components of the cleaning equipment 28. The controller includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components, which provide power, operation control and protection to the components and modules in the controller and / or the cleaning equipment 28. The controller further includes an electronic processor (e.g., a microprocessor or another suitable programmable device) and a memory. The memory includes, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area may include a combination of different types of memories, such as a read-only memory (ROM) and / or a random access memory (RAM). Various non-transient computer-readable media may be used, such as magnetic, optical, physical or electronic memories. The electronic processor is communicatively connected to the memory and executes software instructions stored in the memory or stored in another non-transient computer-readable medium (e.g., another memory or disk). The software may include one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. The controller receives (one or more) signals indicating (one or more) features and controls the cleaning equipment 28 accordingly (e.g., by changing a control signal). Although the controller is described as one controller, the controller may also include multiple controllers configured to work together to achieve the desired level of control of the cleaning device 28. Therefore, any control functions and processes described herein with respect to a controller may also be performed by two or more controllers operating in a distributed manner.

[0030] The brush roller receiving portion 62 is configured to receive the brush roller 26 when the floor cleaner 10 is located in the cleaning device 28. The brush roller 26 defines a longitudinal axis A3 of rotation, which is shown as Figure 5and Figure 6 The brush roller 26 is shown perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the reference system. The brush roller 26 has an outer periphery 126, and in some embodiments, the brush roller 26 is formed as a cylinder. The brush roller 26 has a radius R1 defined from the longitudinal axis A3 of the brush roller 26 to the outer periphery 126 of the brush roller. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis A3 of the brush roller 26 is parallel and / or colinear with the longitudinal axis A2 of the brush roller receiving portion 62. The brush roller 26 includes an operating material 130 (e.g., bristles, tufted fiber fleece, microfibers, woven or non-woven fabrics, sponges, etc.) positioned around the outer periphery 126 of the brush roller 26.

[0031] exist Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the steam distributor 162 includes a first wall 134 and a second wall 138 located on the tray 54, and more specifically, the first wall and the second wall are adjacent to the brush roll receiving portion 62 and form a portion of the plenum 114. In the illustrated embodiment, when the brush roll 26 is located in the cleaning device 28, the steam opening 102 is disposed at a distance from the longitudinal axis A3 of the brush roll 26 that is less than a dimension R1, so that the steam opening 102 interferes with the brush roll 26 to deflect the operating material 130, for example, to deflect or separate the fibers or bristles of the brush roll 26, and thereby distribute steam into the brush roll 26 when the brush roll 26 is received in the brush roll receiving portion 62 (for example, when the base 12 is located in the cleaning device 28). In the illustrated embodiment, the steam opening 102 is disposed near the intersection of the first wall 134 and the second wall 138. In a cleaning mode, the brush roll 26 is configured to rotate when steam is delivered from the steam distributor 162.

[0032] In some embodiments, the steam distributor 162 ( Figure 7 )、174( Figure 8 )、194( Fig. 9 ) are positioned offset from the brush roller 26 so as not to contact the brush roller 26. In other embodiments, the steam openings 102, 106, 110 are positioned to engage the brush roller 26. Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, when the brush roller 26 is received by the brush roller receiving portion 62, a first distance D1 is radially defined between the longitudinal axis A3 of the brush roller 26 and the lower portion 66. A second distance D2 is radially defined between the longitudinal axis A3 of the brush roller 26 and / or the longitudinal axis A2 of the brush roller receiving portion 62 and the steam opening 102. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the second distance D2 is radially defined between the longitudinal axis A3 of the brush roller 26 and the steam opening 102. The second distance D2 may be less than the first distance D1. In some embodiments, when the brush roller 26 is received in the brush roller receiving portion 62, the second distance D2 is less than a radius R1 from the longitudinal axis A3 of the brush roller 26 to the steam opening 102, and the steam opening 102 is configured to deliver steam within the periphery 126 of the brush roller 26. In some embodiments, the second distance D2 is 0.5 mm to 12 mm less than the radius R1. In some embodiments, the second distance D2 is 1 mm to 8 mm less than the radius R1. In some embodiments, the second distance D2 is 2 mm to 6 mm less than the radius R1. In other embodiments and in addition to or in lieu of the walls 134, 138, protrusions or ribs (not shown) may be located on the dispenser 162 or tray 54 to interfere with the brush roller 26 to further clean, such as wiping, scraping, combing, and / or separating the bristles or fibers of the brush roller 26 when the brush roller 26 is located in the cleaning device 28 and rotates. When the second distance D2 is less than R1, the brush roller 26 engages the dispenser 162 as the brush roller 26 rotates. When the operating material 130 of the brush roller 26 includes bristles or fibers, interference with the dispenser 26 or protrusions helps separate the fibers as the brush roller 26 rotates, and steam is removed from the steam opening 102 (or in other embodiments, from the steam opening 106 ( Figure 8 ) or steam opening 110 ( Fig. 9 )) distribution, exposing more of the brush roller 26 to the steam and facilitating cleaning or disinfection of the brush roller 26. In other words, in some embodiments, the cleaning device 28 is configured to engage the brush roller 26 and expose an inner portion of the brush roller 26 to the steam openings 102, 106, 110, wherein the inner portion of the brush roller 26 includes a portion of the brush roller 26 disposed at a distance from the rotation axis A3 that is less than a dimension R1.

[0033] Continue to refer Figure 5 , plenum 114 includes plenum walls 142. One or more of plenum walls 142 may be molded into or otherwise integrated into tray 54. In some embodiments, these plenum walls 142 form a plenum unit 146 that is removable from tray 54 for purposes that may include, for example, cleaning.

[0034] refer to Figure 6 ,like Figure 6 The embodiment of the cleaning device 28 shown may be similar to Figure 5 The embodiment of the cleaning device 28 shown in the figure can include a cover portion 150 located on or adjacent to the first wall 134 or the second wall 138. The cover portion 150 is configured to shield at least a portion of the steam openings 102, 106, 110 to inhibit fluid and / or debris from entering the steam openings 102, 106, 110. In some embodiments, the cover portion 150 can be configured to interfere with the brush roll 26. The cover portion 150 can be curved in a direction above the steam openings 102, 106, 110.

[0035] refer to Figure 7 , the steam distributor 162 includes a steam opening 102 that is positioned along the brush roll receiving portion 62. The steam opening 102 can be sized as a slot having a major dimension 154 and a minor dimension 158. The major dimension 154 and the minor dimension 158 can have different lengths as needed to achieve the desired cleaning application. When the brush roll 26 is located in the brush roll receiving portion 62, the major dimension 154 extends along the brush roll 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the steam opening 102 extends along a majority of the brush roll receiving portion 62. The steam opening 102 can extend along different lengths of the brush roll receiving portion 62, as disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the steam distributor 162 includes a longitudinal ridge 160, and the steam opening 102 extends along the longitudinal ridge 160. The steam opening 102 can be positioned on the distributor 162 and communicate with the plenum 114 so that steam can pass through the plenum 114 and through the steam opening 102. The distributor 162 can be arranged along the longitudinal axis A2 ( Figure 3 ) extending from the brush roller 26, the distributor being positioned to direct steam toward the brush roller 26 when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position.

[0036] refer to Figure 8In another embodiment of the cleaning device 28, a plurality of steam openings 106 extend along the steam distributor 174 and adjacent to the brush roller receiving portion 62. The steam distributor 174 includes a plurality of outwardly extending sections 178 arranged along the longitudinal axis A2 and / or the longitudinal axis A3. At least one of the plurality of sections 178 includes at least one steam opening in the plurality of steam openings 106. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of sections 178 includes a steam opening 106. However, in other embodiments, the sections 178 and the steam openings 106 are arranged as required to achieve the desired cleaning application. Each steam opening 106 can be dimensioned as a port, an ellipse, a circle, and / or a jet port having a major dimension 166 and a minor dimension 170. The major dimension 166 can be positioned at right angles to the minor dimension 170. In some embodiments, the major dimension 166 is the same as the minor dimension 170 (e.g., when the steam opening 106 is round or square). Each steam opening 106 may be of any size or shape, with the major dimension 166 and the minor dimension 170 sized as needed to achieve the desired cleaning application. Figure 8 In an embodiment, the steam opening 106 is positioned on an outwardly extending protrusion or segment 178 in communication with the plenum 114 along the distributor 174 so that steam can pass through the plenum 114 and through the segment 178 to the steam opening 106. The distributor 174 can extend in a direction parallel to or generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A2 of the brush roller receiving portion 62. The segment 178 can be disposed in the brush roller receiving portion 62 to engage the brush roller 26. In one embodiment, the segment 178 includes an arcuate shape. In other embodiments, the segment 178 can be shaped as a cone or a truncated cone. In some embodiments, the conical segment 178 can point to the longitudinal axis A2 of the brush roller receiving portion 62. Each segment 178 has a width or thickness dimension along the longitudinal axis A2, which can be selected as needed to engage the brush roller 26. In some embodiments, the width dimension of the segment 178 can be narrower to form a comb tooth shape (e.g., a shape for combing debris that may include hair from the brush roller 26), such as Fig.10 106. Dimension D2 and the segment width or thickness dimensions along the longitudinal axis A2 can be selected to provide the desired steam delivery and reduce friction between the brush roll 26 operating material and the dispenser 174 so that the brush roll motor 46 that rotates the brush roll 26 operates within its load capacity. In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser 174 includes a plurality of segments 178 that function similarly to the walls 134, 138 described herein to clean the brush roll 26 by interfering with the brush roll 26 when the brush roll 26 is placed in the brush roll receiving portion 62 and rotated (i.e., enabled), and to distribute steam into the brush roll 26 through the steam openings 106.

[0037] Continue to refer Figure 8 , a gap or divot 182 is formed between adjacent segments 178. In other words, each segment 178 is separated from an adjacent segment 178 by a divot in the divot 182. Figure 5 ,exist Figure 8 In the embodiment of the embodiment, the second distance D2 can be similarly defined as the radial distance between the longitudinal axis A3 of the brushroll 26 and / or the longitudinal axis A2 of the brushroll receiving portion 62 to one or more steam openings in the steam openings 106. In some embodiments, one or more of the recesses 182 can be positioned at a third radial distance from the longitudinal axis A2 of the brushroll receiving portion 62, the third distance being measured to the rear wall 184 defining the recess 182 and the third distance being greater than the second distance D2. In the illustrated embodiment, seventeen steam openings 106, seventeen sections 178, and sixteen recesses 182 are provided. However, the number of steam openings 106 and sections 178 can be increased or decreased as needed to provide the brushroll 26 with the steam delivery required for the application.

[0038] refer to Fig. 9 In another embodiment of the cleaning device 28, the steam distributor 194 includes an outwardly extending longitudinal ridge 192 that extends along at least a portion of the brush roll receiving portion 62. A plurality of steam openings 110 extend along the distributor 194 and adjacent to the brush roll receiving portion 62. At least one of the plurality of steam openings 110 extends along the longitudinal ridge 192. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of steam openings 110 extend along the longitudinal ridge 192. However, in other embodiments, the longitudinal ridge 192 and the steam openings 110 are arranged as needed to achieve the desired cleaning application. Each steam opening 110 can be sized to be a port, oval, circular, and / or jet having a major dimension 186 and a minor dimension 190. The major dimension 186 can be positioned at right angles to the minor dimension 190. In some embodiments, the major dimension 186 can be the same as the minor dimension 190 (e.g., when the steam opening 110 is circular or square). Each steam opening 110 may be of any size or shape, with the major dimension 186 and the minor dimension 190 sized as needed to achieve the desired cleaning application. Fig. 9In the embodiment of the embodiment, the steam openings 110 are positioned on an outwardly extending longitudinal ridge 192 in communication with the plenum 114 along the distributor 194 so that steam can pass through the plenum 114 to reach the steam openings 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal ridge 192 has a height 195 and a length 196, the height being measured perpendicular to a portion of the tray 54 from which the longitudinal ridge 192 extends. The height 195 is selected to position the steam openings 110 at their desired locations relative to the brush roll and can generally be sized as desired. The distributor 194 can be parallel to or generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A2 ( Figure 3 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the steam openings 110 are equally spaced apart and are further equally spaced apart on the distributor 194. In the illustrated embodiment, the distributor 194 functions similarly to the walls 134, 138 described herein to distribute steam into the brushroll 26 by interfering with the brushroll 26 when the brushroll 26 is placed in the brushroll receiving portion 62 and rotated (i.e., activated).

[0039] Continue to refer Fig. 9 , and similarly with reference to Figure 5 ,exist Fig. 9 In embodiments, the second distance D2 can be similarly defined as the radial distance between the longitudinal axis A3 of the brush roller 26 and one or more of the steam openings 110 and / or the radial distance between the longitudinal axis A2 of the brush roller receiving portion 62 and one or more of the steam openings.

[0040] The floor cleaner 10 includes a control circuit system 40 that includes a controller. The control circuit system 40 is configured to control the operation of one or more components of the floor cleaner. The control circuit system 40 is operably connected to the brush roll motor 46, the suction motor 20, and the fluid dispenser 56, and is configured to operate the floor cleaner 10 when actuated by a user. Return to Reference Figure 2 , the brush roll 26 is driven by a brush roll motor 46, and the control circuit system 40 is connected to the brush roll motor 46 and is operable to control the brush roll motor. The control circuit system 40 may operate in a brush roll enabled state when the floor cleaner 10 is in an inclined use position or other operating state, in a brush roll disabled state when the floor cleaner 10 is in an upright position or other storage state and the floor cleaner 10 is not located in the cleaning device 28, and in a brush roll enabled state when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position. Thus, when the floor cleaner 10 is in the upright storage position, the brush roll 26 will not be enabled unless the floor cleaner 10 is located in the cleaning device 28.

[0041] In some embodiments, the controller of the control circuit system 40 is electrically connected and / or communicatively connected to various modules or components of the floor cleaner 10. The controller includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operational control and protection to the components and modules within the controller and / or the floor cleaner 10. The controller further includes an electronic processor (e.g., a microprocessor or another suitable programmable device) and a memory. The memory includes, for example, a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area and the data storage area may include a combination of different types of memories such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), etc. Various non-transient computer-readable media may be used, such as magnetic, optical, physical or electronic memory. The electronic processor is communicatively connected to the memory and executes software instructions stored in the memory or stored on another non-transient computer-readable medium (e.g., another memory or disk). The software may include one or more applications, program data, filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions. The controller receives (one or more) signals representing (one or more) features and controls the floor cleaner 10 accordingly (e.g., by changing the control signal). Although the controller is described as one controller, the controller may also include multiple controllers configured to work together to achieve the desired level of control of the floor cleaner 10. Therefore, any control functions and processes described herein with respect to a controller may also be performed by two or more controllers operating in a distributed manner.

[0042] refer to Figure 2 In one embodiment, the control circuit system 40 includes two switches 42, 44. The first switch 42 indicates when the floor cleaner 10 is in the upright storage position. The second switch 44 indicates when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position in the cleaning device 28. The first switch 42 and the second switch 44 can be mechanical switches or electrical switches and can be activated by sensor input, by mechanical actuation, or other switching technology. In some embodiments where the floor cleaner 10 does not have an upright storage position, the first switch 42 is omitted.

[0043] Continue to refer Figure 2 and Figure 3, a second switch 44 may be positioned in the floor cleaner 10 (e.g., in the base 12) configured to be activated by an actuator 48 in the cleaning device 28. The position of the second switch 44 and the position of the actuator 48 are selected so that when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position, the actuator 48 activates the second switch 44, and when the floor cleaner 10 is not in the installed position, the actuator 48 does not activate the second switch 44. The actuator 48 and the second switch 44 may be positioned to ensure that the floor cleaner 10 is in a desired position and aligned relative to features of the cleaning device 28. When the base 12 of the floor cleaner 10 is received in the tray 54, the actuator 48 activates the brush roll 26, wherein the actuator 48 is configured to activate the second switch 44, thereby signaling to the control circuit system 40 that the floor cleaner is in the installed position, and the control circuit system 40 places the brush roll 26 in a brush roll activated state. In one embodiment, the second switch 44 is a mechanically actuated switch (eg, a contact switch), and the actuator is a mechanical actuator 48 positioned in the cleaning device 28 (eg, in Figure 3 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 ). The mechanical actuator 48 in the cleaning device 28 may be a rib, pin, protrusion, or other shape or feature that is positioned to actuate the second switch 44 in the floor cleaner 10 when the floor cleaner 10 is placed in the cleaning device 28 in the installed position. Figure 3 In the example shown, the mechanical actuator 48 is an upwardly extending protrusion that is positioned to engage the second switch 44 in the base 12. The second switch 44 can be adjacent to the outer surface of the base 12 and positioned to directly engage the mechanical actuator 48. In one embodiment, the mechanical actuator 48 enters a recess or hole in the base 12 to actuate the second switch 44. In one embodiment, the actuator 48 contacts a linkage or other intermediate member that actuates the second switch 44 in the floor cleaner 10 when the base 12 is placed in the cleaning device 28.

[0044] In one embodiment, the second switch 44 is a magnetically activated switch (e.g., a reed switch or a switch using a Hall effect sensor) and the actuator is a magnet. In this embodiment, when the floor cleaner 10 is placed in the cleaning device 28 in the installed position, the reed switch is positioned in the floor cleaner 10 at a position corresponding to the position of the magnet in the cleaning device 28. In another embodiment, the second switch 44 includes a Hall effect sensor and the actuator is a magnet positioned in the cleaning device 28.

[0045] In one embodiment, the second switch 44 is a light-activated switch (e.g., a switch using a photodetector or photoresistor or a switch using a proximity sensor), and the actuator on the cleaning device 28 is a light, a shape, a barcode, a reflector, or other feature sensed by the light-activated switch when the floor cleaner 10 is placed in the installed position in the cleaning device 28. In other embodiments, the second switch 44 can be another type of proximity sensor configured to cooperate with the cleaning device 28 to actuate a control circuit, such as a pressure sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or other proximity sensor.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 48 includes electrical contacts 60 ( Figure 3 ), and the second switch 44 is an electronic switch operably connected to an electrical contact, the electrical contact is positioned to be electrically connected to the actuator electrical contact 60 when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position, and the controller is configured to determine when the actuator 48 has been connected to the second switch 44, for example by sensing a change in resistance or voltage across the second switch 44, or receiving a signal from the cleaning device control circuit system, or other sensing technology.

[0047] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the floor cleaner 10 and the cleaning device 28 can be operated in a variety of different cleaning modes. For example, in one cleaning mode, the floor cleaner 10 operates in a self-cleaning cycle, and the steam generator 68 in the cleaning device 28 is not operated. In another cleaning mode, the cleaning device 28 operates in a steam cleaning cycle, and the floor cleaner 10 is not operated. In yet another cleaning mode, the cleaning device 28 operates in a steam cleaning cycle, and the floor cleaner 10 operates portions of the floor cleaner 10 (e.g., the brush roll motor 46) in cooperation with the steam cleaning cycle.

[0048] The floor cleaner 10 can be operated in a cleaning mode with a self-cleaning cycle in which the controller is configured to control the operation of one or more components of the floor cleaner 10 to clean one or more parts of the floor cleaner, such as the suction inlet 30 and the brush roll 26. The cleaning mode can be configured to operate when the floor cleaner 10 is located in the cleaning device 28 in the installed position. In one embodiment, the second switch 44 is configured to provide a signal to the controller when the second switch 44 is enabled by the actuator 48 so that the control circuit system 40 senses the cleaning device 28. In some embodiments, the second switch 44 enables the cleaning mode by the controller, which is configured not to operate the self-cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode unless the second switch 44 indicates that the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position. The controller is operatively connected to the fluid dispenser 56 and can be configured to dispense solution from the supply tank 16 in response to the cleaning device 28 enabling the second switch 44 and initiating the cleaning mode with a self-cleaning cycle. The controller is operatively connected to the suction motor 20 and is configured to activate the suction motor 20 in response to activation of the second switch 44 by the cleaning device 28 and initiation of a cleaning mode having a cleaning cycle.

[0049] For example, in one cleaning mode, when the floor cleaner 10 is located in the cleaning device 28, the controller receives a signal from the second switch 44 indicating that the floor cleaner 10 is located in the cleaning device 28 in the installed position, thereby enabling the cleaning mode. After actuating the cleaning mode with a cleaning cycle, the controller operates the fluid dispenser 54 to dispense the cleaning fluid to the tray 54 of the cleaning device 28 through the dispensing nozzle 32. Subsequently, the controller activates the brush roller motor 46 to rotate the brush roller 26 in the cleaning fluid disposed in the tray 54. The controller further activates the suction motor 20 to extract the cleaning fluid from the brush roller 26 and the tray 54. In some embodiments, when the floor cleaner 10 is not located in the cleaning device 28 in the installed position, the cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode is prevented.

[0050] The cleaning device 28 is configured to at least partially surround the dispensing nozzle 32 such that cleaning fluid from the dispensing nozzle 32 contacts the cleaning device 28 and is directed into the tray 54 . Figure 1 The fluid dispenser 56 schematically shown in FIG. 5 may include an auxiliary fluid outlet 36 in communication with the supply tank 16. The auxiliary fluid outlet 36 may be controlled by a valve 38 that is activated by the second switch 44. The auxiliary fluid outlet 36 may be configured to provide a flow rate greater than that provided by the pump 34 and the dispensing nozzle 32. When the base 12 is positioned on the cleaning device 28, the auxiliary fluid outlet 36 is positioned above the tray 54 so that when the valve 38 is actuated by the second switch 44, the cleaning fluid from the supply tank 16 flows into the tray 54.

[0051] In one embodiment, a user operates the floor cleaner to manually initiate a cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode while the floor cleaner 10 is in the cleaning device 28. For example, when the floor cleaner 10 is in the cleaning device 28, a cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode may be initiated when the user turns the floor cleaner 10 on by pressing, for example, a button 50 and then the user operates the floor cleaner 10 by activating a trigger 52, which in the illustrated embodiment is located on the handle of the floor cleaner 10, to dispense cleaning fluid into the tray 54. The button 50 (an on / off button in one example) activates the suction motor 20 and the brush roll motor 46, while the trigger 52 dispenses cleaning fluid into the cleaning device 28. The brush roll 26 rotates in the cleaning fluid collected in the tray to remove debris from the brush roll 26, whereupon the cleaning fluid and debris are drawn through the suction inlet 30 and through the recovery path into the recovery tank 18 of the floor cleaner 10.

[0052] In one embodiment, the cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode is automatically operated after initiating the cleaning cycle. The automatic cleaning cycle is controlled by a control circuit system 40 including a floor cleaner controller. The controller is operably connected to a fluid distributor 56, a suction motor 20, and a brush roll motor 46. The controller is further operably connected to a user interface for receiving input from a user. In response to user activation or other activation, the controller is configured to enable the automatic cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode when the floor cleaner 10 is located in the cleaning device 28. The controller operates the suction motor 20, the brush roll motor 46, and the fluid distributor 56 in the cleaning cycle.

[0053] The cleaning cycle can be composed of a distribution phase and an extraction phase. During the distribution phase, the cleaning fluid is distributed from the supply tank 16 through the fluid distributor 56 and enters the tray 54 of the cleaning device 28. During the extraction phase, the brush roller motor 46 is enabled, thereby allowing the brush roller 26 to rotate in the cleaning fluid in the cleaning device 28 to remove dirt and debris. The suction motor 20 is also enabled to extract the cleaning fluid, dirt and debris through the suction inlet 30. The distribution phase and the extraction phase can run simultaneously or can be staggered or sequential. In one embodiment, the cleaning cycle includes a distribution phase, a stirring phase and an extraction phase. In this embodiment, the cleaning fluid is distributed from the supply tank 16 to the tray 54 in the distribution phase. In the stirring phase, the brush roller motor 46 is enabled, so that the brush roller 26 rotates in the cleaning fluid in the cleaning device 28 to remove dirt and debris, and the suction motor 20 is not enabled. Then, the suction motor 20 is enabled in the extraction phase. The distribution phase, the stirring phase and the extraction phase can run simultaneously or can be staggered or sequential. The cleaning cycle may optionally repeat the dispensing phase and / or the extraction phase and / or the agitation phase (if present) one or more times. The length of each phase and the amount of cleaning fluid dispensed in the cleaning cycle may be time dependent, or may last until the recovery tank 18 is full or the supply tank 16 is empty. In one embodiment, the controller operates the suction motor 20, the brush roll motor 46, and the fluid distributor 56 based on another control scheme (such as monitoring the cleaning effect through sensors).

[0054] In one embodiment of the automatic cleaning cycle, user activation is user actuation of a button 50 on the floor cleaner 10. In another embodiment, user activation is placement of the floor cleaner 10 in the cleaning apparatus 28. In yet another embodiment, user activation is by an infrared signal, a Wi-Fi signal, a Bluetooth signal, or other signal sent from a remote device through user interaction with the remote device, such as a remote control, a cell phone, or a computer.

[0055] The cleaning device 28 can be used for the steam cleaning cycle of the operation cleaning mode. During the steam cleaning cycle that can be automatically or manually enabled, the cleaning device 28 generates steam, and when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installation position, the steam is applied to the floor cleaner 10. In the embodiment shown, the cleaning device 28 is configured to distribute steam to the brush roller 26 to partially or completely clean and / or disinfect the brush roller 26. More specifically, and in one embodiment of the steam cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode, when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installation position, the brush roller 26 rotates, and the steam is distributed to the brush roller 26 and / or distributed to the brush roller through the steam openings 102, 106, 110. The flow rate of steam through the steam distributor 162, 174, 194 and the rotation speed of the brush roller 26 are selected to provide the desired cleaning effect. The speed of the brush roller rotation can be less than 1 degree / second, or between 1 degree per second and 10 degrees per second, or any other rotation speed that provides a residence time for the steam contact brush roller 26 as required. The flow rate of liquid through the steam generator 68 may be between 15 ml / min and 50 ml / min, or between 50 ml / min and 100 ml / min, or any other liquid flow rate as required to provide the desired level of cleaning.

[0056] In some embodiments, the floor cleaner 10 and the cleaning device 28 are configured to communicate when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installation position. In the embodiment shown, the cleaning device PCBA 118 is electrically connected to the actuator electrical contacts 60 and is configured to send and receive signals through the electrical contacts 60 when the floor cleaner 10 is electrically connected to the actuator 48 in the installation position. In one embodiment, the floor cleaner controller is configured to instruct the cleaning device control circuit system to operate the steam generator 68 in the steam cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode. In some examples, the cleaning device control circuit system is configured to operate the steam generator 68 in the steam cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode. The steam cleaning cycle includes a distribution phase, wherein the liquid from the reservoir 70 is heated by the boiler 98 to allow steam to be transported through the steam distributors 162, 174, 194. In some embodiments, the steam cleaning cycle includes a stirring phase, wherein the brush roller motor 46 in the floor cleaner 10 operates to rotate the brush roller 26. In one embodiment, the steam cleaning cycle includes an extraction phase in which the suction motor 20 on the floor cleaner 10 operates to draw air and liquid into the suction inlet 30. The steam cleaning cycle can include various combinations of dispensing, agitation, and extraction as described herein as desired.

[0057] In one embodiment, the cleaning device control circuit system senses whether the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position, for example, by sensing a change in resistance or voltage across the actuator electrical contacts 60, or receiving a signal from the floor cleaner control circuit system 40, or other sensing techniques. In one embodiment, a third switch is provided on the cleaning device 28, and the third switch is actuated by the floor cleaner 10 when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position. In some embodiments, the cleaning device control circuit system prevents the operation of the steam generator 68 when the floor cleaner 10 is not in the installed position.

[0058] The cleaning cycle and the steam cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode can be operable so that in some embodiments, the cleaning cycle and the steam cleaning cycle can be operated individually, sequentially or simultaneously. In other words, in an embodiment, the first cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode (wherein, the cleaning device 28 does not distribute steam) can be operated before the steam cleaning cycle of the operating cleaning mode (wherein, the cleaning device 28 distributes steam to the brush roller 26 and / or to the brush roller). In another embodiment, a single cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode can be run, and the cleaning cycle combines steam distribution with the cleaning cycle. The user can actuate a single switch to enable both the cleaning cycle and the steam cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode, or in some embodiments, the user can actuate a separate switch individually or sequentially to enable the cleaning cycle and the steam cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode.

[0059] In one embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 can be cleaned by a method in which a cleaning device 28 having an actuator 48 is used to clean the floor cleaner 10 by receiving the floor cleaner 10 in the cleaning device 28 in an installed position. The method includes sensing the presence of the cleaning device 28 by a control circuit system 40 in the floor cleaner 10, which is enabled by the actuator 48. In other words, the method may include enabling the control circuit system 40 in the floor cleaner 10 by the cleaning device actuator 48. The method further includes enabling a cleaning mode that distributes cleaning fluid from a supply tank 16 to the cleaning device 28. The cleaning mode may further include enabling a suction motor 20 to extract cleaning fluid from the cleaning device 28. In another embodiment, the brush roller 26 may be enabled in the cleaning mode when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position. In one embodiment, the control circuit system 40 may be configured to prevent the enabling of the cleaning mode if the cleaning device 28 is not sensed or if the floor cleaner 10 is not in an upright position. The method may further include, in the cleaning mode, dispensing cleaning fluid from the supply tank 16 into the tray 54 via the fluid dispenser 56, the supply tank 16 being located on the floor cleaner 10. The method may be such that the floor cleaner 10 includes a suction motor 20, and the method further includes extracting the cleaning fluid from the tray 54 and into the recovery tank 18 on the floor cleaner 10 by activating the suction motor 20. The method may be such that the step of activating the cleaning mode includes activating the cleaning mode in response to user activation. The method may further include activating the brush roller 26 while dispensing steam.

[0060] In one embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 can be cleaned by a method in which a cleaning device 28 having an actuator 48 is used to steam clean the floor cleaner 10 by receiving the floor cleaner 10 in the cleaning device 28 in an installed position. The method includes sensing the presence of the cleaning device 28 by a control circuit system 40 in the floor cleaner 10, which is enabled by the actuator 48. In other words, the method may include enabling the control circuit system 40 in the floor cleaner 10 by the actuator 48. The method may further include distributing steam to the brush roller 26 when the brush roller 26 is positioned in the cleaning device 28. The method may further include storing a liquid supply in a reservoir 70 on the cleaning device 28. The method may further include boiling the liquid to generate steam. The method may further include distributing steam to the brush roller 26 of the floor cleaner 10 through steam openings 102, 106, 110 in the cleaning device 28. The method may further include pumping liquid from the reservoir 70 to a boiler 98 for boiling the liquid. The method may further include sensing that a part of the base 12 of the floor cleaner 10 is received by the cleaning device 28, and the sensing may be performed by the cleaning device control circuit system or the control circuit system 40 in the floor cleaner 10. The method may further include: when the control circuit system 40 senses that the part of the base 12 of the floor cleaner 10 is received by the cleaning device 28, the cleaning mode is enabled. The method may further include: if the control circuit system 40 does not sense that the part of the base 12 of the floor cleaner 10 is received by the cleaning device 28, the enabling of the cleaning mode is prevented. The method may make the step of enabling the cleaning mode include enabling the cleaning mode in response to the user enabling. The method may further include enabling the brush roller 26 while distributing steam.

[0061] Various features and advantages of the present disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for a floor cleaner, the floor cleaner having a base that can move along a surface to be cleaned, a brush roller motor, and a brush roller that can be rotated about a brush roller axis relative to the base by the brush roller motor, the cleaning device comprising: a tray configured to removably receive the floor cleaner in an installed position, the tray including a brushroll receiving portion configured to receive a brushroll of the floor cleaner; a reservoir configured to store a liquid; a boiler in fluid communication with the reservoir, the boiler being configured to convert the liquid into steam; as well as A steam distributor is in fluid communication with the boiler, the steam distributor having one or more steam openings configured to distribute the steam onto the brush roll.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: The reservoir is removable from the tray.

3. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The cleaning apparatus comprises a pump operably positioned between the reservoir and the boiler, the pump being configured to transfer the liquid from the reservoir to the boiler.

4. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The one or more steam openings extend along at least 50% of the length of the brushroll receiving portion.

5. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The steam distributor extends along at least 50% of the length of the brushroll receiving portion.

6. The cleaning device of any preceding claim, the one or more steam openings being a plurality of steam openings configured to distribute the steam onto the brushroll.

7. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein: The brushroll receiving portion defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the steam distributor includes a plurality of segments along the longitudinal axis, at least one segment of the plurality of segments including at least one steam opening of the plurality of steam openings positioned at a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis.

8. The cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein: Each segment of the plurality of segments includes at least one steam opening of the plurality of steam openings positioned at the first radial distance from the longitudinal axis.

9. The cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein: Each segment of the plurality of segments is separated from an adjacent segment by a notch, the rear wall defining the notch positioned a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

10. The cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein: The plurality of segments form a comb-teeth shape.

11. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The steam distributor includes a longitudinal ridge extending along at least a portion of the brushroll receiving portion, wherein at least one of the one or more steam openings extends along the longitudinal ridge positioned a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis.

12. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The brushroll has a brushroll radius defined from the brushroll axis to a periphery of the brushroll, wherein the one or more steam openings are positioned a radial first distance from the brushroll axis, and wherein the radial first distance is less than the brushroll radius.

13. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The brush roller has a brush roller radius defined from the brush roller axis to the periphery of the brush roller, and wherein the cleaning device is configured to engage the brush roller and expose an interior portion of the brush roller to the one or more steam openings, wherein the interior portion of the brush roller includes a portion of the brush roller that is disposed at a distance from the brush roller axis that is less than a dimension of the brush roller radius.

14. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The cleaning apparatus comprises a controller operable to control operation of the boiler or a pump configured to deliver the liquid to the boiler, or both.

15. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The tray includes an actuator configured to activate the brushroll when the floor cleaner is located in the tray in the mounted position.

16. The cleaning apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising a plenum configured to deliver steam to the one or more steam openings.

17. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The cover portion is configured to shield at least a portion of the one or more steam openings to inhibit ingress of water and / or debris into the steam openings.

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