Combination of floor cleaner and cleaning device for cleaning floor cleaner

Abstract

A combination of a floor cleaner and a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the floor cleaner is disclosed. A floor cleaner includes a base movable along a surface to be cleaned, a brush roll motor, and a brush roll rotatable about a brush roll axis relative to the base by the brush roll motor. The brush roll has a brush roll radius defined from a brush roll axis to an outer periphery of the brush roll. The cleaning apparatus includes a tray that selectively removably receives a portion of the floor cleaner in a mounted position. The tray includes a brush roller receiving portion to receive a brush roller of the floor cleaner. The combination further includes a light source directed toward the brush roller when the brush roller is received in the brush roller receiving portion of the tray. The light source is operable to emit ultraviolet light onto the brush roll, the ultraviolet light having a wavelength less than 400 nm.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 591,803 filed on October 20, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to floor cleaners, and more particularly to floor cleaners having corresponding cleaning devices for cleaning the floor cleaners, including cleaning devices that use light and / or air to clean the floor cleaners. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one embodiment, a combination of a floor cleaner and a cleaning device for cleaning the floor cleaner is disclosed. The floor cleaner includes: a base movable along a surface to be cleaned, a brush roller motor, and a brush roller having a length along a brush roller axis, and the brush roller can be rotated about the brush roller axis relative to the base by the brush roller motor. The brush roller has a brush roller radius defined from the brush roller axis to the outer periphery of the brush roller. The cleaning device includes a tray configured to selectively removably receive a portion of the floor cleaner in an installed position. The tray includes a brush roller receiving portion to receive the brush roller of the floor cleaner. The combination further includes a light source directed toward the brush roller when the brush roller is received in the brush roller receiving portion of the tray. The light source is operable to emit ultraviolet light onto the brush roller, the ultraviolet light having a wavelength of less than 400nm.

[0004] In another embodiment, a cleaning device for a floor cleaner is disclosed. The floor cleaner includes a base movable along a surface to be cleaned, a brush roll motor, a brush roll rotatable about a brush roll axis relative to the base by the brush roll motor, and a component removable from the floor cleaner. The cleaning device includes a housing defining a compartment, the compartment being configured to receive the component at a component receiving position when the component is removed from the floor cleaner. The cleaning device further includes a cleaning member located within the compartment. The cleaning member is directed toward the component receiving position and is selectively operable in at least one of a cleaning mode or a drying mode.

[0005] In another embodiment, a method of cleaning a floor cleaner by using a cleaning device is disclosed. The method includes operating a light source to direct ultraviolet light toward an exposed interior of a brush roll of the floor cleaner, and the method further includes rotating the brush roll at a desired rotational speed while directing the ultraviolet light toward the exposed interior of the brush roll to achieve a desired residence time of the ultraviolet light in the brush roll.

[0006] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1is a perspective view of a floor cleaner in an installed position according to one embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of floor cleaners and cleaning equipment.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Upper perspective view of a cleaning device.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the floor cleaner taken along line AA in the installed position in the cleaning device.

[0011] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a floor cleaner in an installed position in a cleaning device according to another embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a floor cleaner in an installed position in a cleaning device according to another embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a floor cleaner in an installed position in a cleaning device according to another embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a floor cleaner in an installed position in a cleaning device according to another embodiment.

[0015] Fig. 9 According to one embodiment, Figure 1 A plan view of a wiper used in conjunction with a cleaning device.

[0016] Fig.10 is a cross-sectional view of a floor cleaner in an installed position in a cleaning device having a fan supplying air to a brush roll of the floor cleaner according to one embodiment.

[0017] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view of a floor cleaner in an installed position in a cleaning device having a fan supplying air to a brush roll of the floor cleaner according to another embodiment.

[0018] Fig.12 is an upper perspective view of a cleaning device showing air openings according to one embodiment.

[0019] Fig.13 is an upper perspective view of a cleaning device according to another embodiment showing a plurality of air openings.

[0020] Fig.14is an upper perspective view of a cleaning device according to another embodiment showing a plurality of air openings.

[0021] Fig.15 According to another embodiment, Figure 1 A perspective view of a cleaning device for use with a floor cleaner with the door in an open position.

[0022] Fig.16 yes Fig.15 A cross-sectional view of the cleaning device taken along line BB, wherein the door is in a closed position.

[0023] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts described below or shown in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and can be implemented or carried out in various ways.

[0024] In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules, and for purposes of discussion, they may be illustrated and described as if most of the component components are implemented only in hardware. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, based on a reading of the detailed description, that in at least one embodiment, the electronic-based aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium) that can be executed by one or more processing units (such as microprocessors and / or application-specific integrated circuits ("ASICs")). Therefore, it should be noted that these 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., a system bus) connecting the components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] 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 a surface or floor cleaning operation of the floor cleaner 10, the floor cleaner 10 can be placed in the cleaning device 28 to clean the brush roller 26 ( Figure 2 ) and / or other parts of the floor cleaner 10. The cleaning device 28 includes a light source configured to direct ultraviolet light onto the floor cleaner 10 to assist in cleaning or disinfecting the floor cleaner 10.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 includes a base 12 and an upright portion 14 pivotally coupled to the base 12. The illustrated floor cleaner 10 includes wheels 15 rotatably attached to the base 12 for moving the base 12 over a floor surface. Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the floor cleaner 10 includes at least one brush roller 26 disposed in a brush roller housing 236 in the base 12 and rotatable relative to the base 12. Figure 1 A brush roller motor 46 schematically shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the floor cleaner 10, which is operably connected to the brush roller 26 and is configured to rotate the brush roller 26, for example, by a belt, a gear drive, or another brush roller drive. The upright portion 14 is movable, and more specifically, the upright portion 14 can be in an upright storage position ( Figure 1 ) and an inclined use position relative to the base 12. In the upright storage position, the upright portion 14 is held in the 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 stores a cleaning fluid such as water or cleaning liquid. The floor cleaner 10 distributes the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned through the fluid distributor 56. Figure 1 The fluid distributor 56 schematically shown in the figure may include a pump 34 and / or a valve 38, which is operably connected to the supply tank 16 and controls 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 also includes a suction port 30 connected to the recovery tank 18 fluid and a suction motor 20 that is operable to draw air and the distributed cleaning fluid into the suction port 30. During operation of the floor cleaner 10, the cleaning fluid is sucked from the surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank 18 via the suction port 30. In one embodiment, the suction motor 20 also drives the brush roller 26, so that the brush roller motor 46 is the suction motor 20.

[0027] Continue to see Figure 1 See also Figure 2, the cleaning device 28 is configured for placing the base 12 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 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., when the base 12 or a portion of the base 12 is placed on or in the tray 54), the cleaning device 28 receives the floor cleaner 10 in the installed position for cleaning or storage or other operations.

[0028] See also Figure 3 , the cleaning device 28 may further include wheel receiving portions 58a, 58b that are spaced apart from one another and receive the wheels 15 of the floor cleaner 10 when the floor cleaner 10 is 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 58a, 58b. The cleaning device 28 includes a brush roller receiving portion 62 that receives the brush roller 26 when the floor cleaner 10 is in the cleaning device 28. The brush roller receiving portion 62 includes a lower portion 66 that accommodates 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 recessed portion that matches the shape of the brush roller, such as the protrusion 122 of the brush roller 26 (in the present invention, the protrusion 122 is not provided in the present invention). Figure 4 54 ); however, the lower portion 66 may 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. When the floor cleaner 10 is in the cleaning device 28, the brush roller receiving portion 62 is positioned corresponding to the position of the brush roller 26, and in the illustrated embodiment, the brush roller receiving portion 62 is located 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 substantially parallel to the wheel receiving axis A1. The cleaning device 28 may include a wall system 86 located at the boundary of the tray 54 to collect liquid and prevent the liquid from leaving the tray 54 unless it leaves in a controlled manner (e.g., through a suction system of the floor cleaner 10 or through a drain pipe, or by the user pouring the liquid out).

[0029] See also Figure 3 In some embodiments, the cleaning device 28 may include a UV light generator 68 including a light source 70 ( Figure 4-8) to generate ultraviolet light and direct the ultraviolet light to the brush roller 26. The ultraviolet light delivered to the brush roller 26 can partially or completely disinfect the brush roller 26. In some embodiments, the ultraviolet light can include light having a wavelength selected between 100nm and 400nm, and in other embodiments, can include light having a wavelength selected between 200nm and 400nm. In some embodiments, the ultraviolet light has a wavelength selected between 200nm and 300nm, and can be selected for the desired germicidal effect, such as a UV-C wavelength.

[0030] See also Figure 4 , the cleaning device 28 includes a light source 70 extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the brush roll. In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 70 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes ("LEDs") mounted to a light bar 204 extending along the length of the brush roll 26. In other embodiments, the light source 70 includes a UV bulb, a UV tube, a UV lamp, or another type of UV light generating light source that emits UV light of a selected wavelength. Figure 4 In an embodiment, the cleaning device 28 further includes a lens 208, a cleaning device control circuit 116, and a reflector 212. The reflector 212 can be made of aluminum or other materials that reflect ultraviolet light, or can be a molded plastic with an ultraviolet reflective coating. In some embodiments, when reflection is not desired or required to direct ultraviolet light, the light source 70 is installed in the cleaning device 28 and the reflector 212 is omitted; for example, in some embodiments, when the light source 70 includes an LED configured to provide a light beam with a direction and a beam angle configured according to the application, the reflector 212 can be omitted. As an alternative or additional item, the lens 208 can be omitted when it is not desired or required to cover the light source 70. For example, the lens 208 can be used to cover the light source 70 from the influence of water.

[0031] Continue to see Figure 4, cleaning device 28, more specifically, cleaning device control circuit 116 includes a printed circuit board assembly ("PCBA") 118. PCBA 118 can be positioned on the bottom side of cleaning device 28 or another location, and PCBA 118 can be positioned in a position configured to prevent water from entering. In the illustrated embodiment, PCBA 118 is located within tray 54. Cleaning device control circuit 116 is configured to control the operation of cleaning device 28-especially cleaning device 28 including light source 70. In some embodiments, PCBA 118 includes a controller. In some embodiments, PCBA 118 is configured to be operably connected to a control circuit in floor cleaner 10 to receive one or more signals representing characteristics, attributes and / or inputs from floor cleaner 10 from floor cleaner 10, and send one or more signals representing characteristics, attributes and / or inputs from cleaning device 28 to floor cleaner 10. The PCBA 118 is configured to control the cleaning device 28 and / or the floor cleaner 10 based at least in part on one or more signals received from the floor cleaner 10 .

[0032] In some embodiments, the cleaning device control circuit 116 includes a controller. The controller is electrically connected and / or communicatively connected to various modules or components of the cleaning device 28. The controller includes a plurality of electrical and electronic components that provide power, operation control and protection to the components and modules in the controller and / or the cleaning device 28. The controller further includes an electronic processor (e.g., a microprocessor or other suitable programmable device) and a memory. The memory, for example, includes 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-temporary computer-readable media may be used, such as magnetic, optical, physical or electronic memories. The electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the memory and executes software instructions stored in the memory or stored on another non-temporary computer-readable medium such as 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 a signal indicating a characteristic and controls the cleaning device 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 in the present invention with respect to the controller may also be performed by two or more controllers acting in a distributed manner.

[0033] Continue to see Figure 4, when the floor cleaner 10 is in the cleaning device 28, the brush roller receiving portion 62 receives the brush roller 26. The brush roller 26 has a length defining a longitudinal rotation axis A3, which is shown as being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the Figure 4 . The brush roller 26 has an outer periphery 126, and in some embodiments, the brush roller 26 is shaped as a cylinder. The brush roller 26 has a radius R1 defined from a 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 to and / or colinear with the longitudinal axis A2 of the brush roller receiving portion 62. The brush roller 26 includes an operational material 130 (e.g., bristles, tufted fiber pile, microfibers, woven or non-woven fabrics, sponges, etc.) connected to or extending from a central brush roller pin 128, and the operational material 130 forms the outer periphery 126 of the brush roller 26.

[0034] Continue to see Figure 4 , 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. The 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 light source 70. 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 light source 70. In the illustrated embodiment, D2 is greater than D1. In some embodiments, D2 is equal to D1. In other embodiments, D2 is less than D1. The second distance D2 is selected so that the distance between the light source 70 and the brush roller 26 is a desired distance for the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 70 to provide a desired cleaning or disinfecting effect for the application (e.g., inhibiting microbial growth on the outer periphery 126 of the brush roller 26).

[0035] Continue to see Figure 4, lens 208 is a UV-transmitting material, such as quartz glass, fused silica glass or other UV-transmitting material, i.e., a material that allows a selected wavelength of UV light to pass through, and is positioned between the light source 70 and the brush roller 26 to cover the light source 70. For some wavelengths of UV light, UV-transmitting acrylic, polycarbonate or other polymers can be selected. In some embodiments, the lens 208 can be sealed with the tray 54, the reflector 212 or other components to inhibit moisture from the lighting cavity 220, which is defined in the space between the lens 208 and the light source 70. The lens 208 can have a curvature that matches the curvature of, for example, the lower portion 66, or can be flat or convex, or can have other desired shapes. The reflector 212 is concave, angled or other desired shapes adjacent to the light source 70, and is configured to reflect a desired amount of UV light. The reflector 212 is configured to reflect the UV light emitted from the light source 70 toward the brush roller 26 through its shape and surface characteristics.

[0036] See also Figure 5 , an embodiment of the cleaning device 28 includes a wiper 216 formed to engage a protrusion of the brush roll 26 adjacent to the light source. A third distance D3 is radially defined between the longitudinal axis A3 of the brush roll 26 and / or the longitudinal axis A2 of the brush roll receiving portion 62 and the wiper 216. The third distance D3 is less than the radius R1, so that when the brush roll 26 is received in the brush roll receiving portion 62 (e.g., when the base 12 is in the cleaning device 28), the wiper 216 interferes with the brush roll 26 to deflect the working material 130, such as to deflect or separate the fibers or bristles of the brush roll 26, thereby allowing the ultraviolet light to be directed into the brush roll 26, such as onto the working material 130 within the outer periphery 126. In some embodiments, the third distance D3 can be selected, for example, to be between 0.5 mm and 12 mm less than the radius R1, between 1 mm and 8 mm less than the radius R1, or between 2 mm and 6 mm less than the radius R1. In some embodiments, the working material 130 includes fibers having a fiber length F1 (e.g., Figure 4 ), for example, the distance the fiber extends from the brush roller pin to the outer periphery 126, and the difference between radius R1 and the third distance D3 is a function of the fiber length F1, for example, R1 minus D3 is equal to between 10% and 95% of the fiber length F1, or between 20% and 60% of the fiber length F1, or between 50% and 90% of the fiber length F1.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the wiper 216 is disposed adjacent to the light source 70. The wiper 216 is configured to cooperate with the rotation of the brush roll 26 so that as the brush roll 26 rotates, the wiper 216 exposes the interior of the brush roll 26 within the work material 130 within the periphery 126 to the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 70. For example, the brush roll 26 may be disposed adjacent to the light source 70. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the wiper 216 is an extension of the tray 54. The ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 70 passes through the lens 208 and enters a portion of the working material 130 of the brush roll 26 (i.e., a portion of the brush roll 26 that is exposed by the wiper 216 as the brush roll 26 rotates). See Figure 6 In another embodiment, the wiper 216 is an extension of the lens 208. Therefore, the wiper 216 can be made of the same material as the lens 208. Figure 6 In the embodiment of the present invention, the light source 70 is a UV bulb.

[0038] See also Figure 7 In another embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 includes a light source 70 mounted in a brush roller housing 236. The brush roller housing 236 defines a brush roller housing axis that is parallel or co-linear with the longitudinal axis A3 of the brush roller 26. Figure 7 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the floor cleaner 10 includes a wiper 216, which is configured to touch (i.e., engage) the brush roller 26 when the brush roller 26 rotates. The wiper 216 can be an extension of the brush roller housing 236 or an extension of the reflector 212. The operation of the light source 70 can be controlled by the floor cleaner ( Figure 2 ) is controlled by the onboard control circuit 40 or by the control circuit 116 on the cleaning device 28.

[0039] See also Figure 8 In some embodiments, the floor cleaner 10 includes a wiper 216, and the wiper 216 is an extension of the lens 208. As disclosed elsewhere herein, the wiper 216 deflects the working material 130 on the brush roll 26 to expose a portion of the interior of the brush roll 26 to ultraviolet light.

[0040] See also Fig. 9 The wiper 216 can have various shapes as required. For example, Fig. 9 The wiper 216 has a length L1, and in some embodiments, the length L1 is greater than 50% of the length of the brushroll 26, greater than 60% of the length of the brushroll 26, greater than 70% of the length of the brushroll 26, greater than 80% of the length of the brushroll 26, greater than 90% of the length of the brushroll 26, or substantially the same as the length of the brushroll 26. In this way, the wiper 216 can touch (i.e., engage) the brushroll 26 along a substantial length of the brushroll 26. The wiper 216 has a width W1, and the width W1 can be sized to achieve a desired depth of contact (i.e., engagement, which is R1 minus D3) with the brushroll 26. Fig. 9In an embodiment, the wiper 216 is shaped as a comb having a plurality of teeth 240. Spaces 244 are defined between the teeth 240 to allow the work material 130 to pass between the teeth 240. As the brush roller 26 is simultaneously engaged with the wiper 216, the plurality of teeth 240 clean the brush roller 26 and remove dirt, trash, hair and other debris from the brush roller 26. In some embodiments, the space 244 is omitted to provide an elongated wiper edge along the length L1. In other embodiments, the wiper edge of the wiper 216 is shaped as a squeegee or scallop. The amount of engagement (i.e., R1 minus D3), the size of the space 244, and the length L1 are selected to provide the desired passage of ultraviolet light to the interior of the brush roller 26, and to enable the brush roller motor 46 that rotates the brush roller 26 to operate within its load capacity.

[0041] See also Fig.10 , an embodiment of the cleaning device 28 includes an air distributor system 246 that includes a fan 248 to deliver an air flow (indicated by arrows 252) to the brush roll 26. Various versions of the air distributor system 246 are described herein. Fig.10 In the illustrated embodiment, the air distributor 162 includes a plenum 114, such as a duct, leading from the fan 248 to one or more air openings 102. The first wall 134 and the second wall 138 are both located on the tray 54 and at least partially define the air openings 102. The walls 134, 138 also form a portion of the plenum 114. In some embodiments, the plenum 114 is a separate duct mounted to the tray and in fluid communication with the air openings 102. When the brush roll 26 is in the cleaning device 28, the air opening 102 is set to a distance D4 from the longitudinal axis A3 of the brush roll 26, and the distance D4 is less than the radius R1, which makes the air opening 102 touch the brush roll 26 to deflect the working material 130, such as deflecting or separating the fibers or bristles of the brush roll 26, and thereby distribute air to the brush roll 26 when the brush roll 26 is received in the brush roll receiving portion 62 (e.g., when the base 12 is in the cleaning device 28). In the illustrated embodiment, the air opening 102 is disposed adjacent the intersection of the first wall 134 and the second wall 138. In one cleaning mode, the brush roll 26 rotates as air is delivered from the air distributor 162, for example, to facilitate drying of the brush roll 26.

[0042] In some embodiments, the air distributor 162 ( Fig.12 )、174( Fig.13 )、194( Fig.14 ) are positioned offset from the brushroll 26 so as not to contact the brushroll 26. In other embodiments, the air openings 102, 106, 110 are positioned to touch (ie, engage) the brushroll 26.

[0043] Continue to see Fig.10 In addition to or in lieu of the walls 134, 138, protrusions or ribs (not shown) may be provided on the dispenser 162 or tray 54 to interfere with the brush roll 26 while the brush roll 26 is in the cleaning device 28 and rotating to further clean the brush roll 26 (e.g., wiping, scraping, combing, and / or separating the bristles or fibers of the brush roll 26). When the distance D4 is less than R1, the brush roll 26 engages the dispenser 162 as the brush roll 26 rotates. When the working material 130 of the brush roll 26 includes bristles or fibers, as the brush roll 26 rotates, contact with the dispenser 162 or other protrusions helps separate the fibers, while air is drawn from the air opening 102 (or, in other embodiments, from the air opening 106 ( Fig.13 ) or air opening 110 ( Fig.14 )) distribution, so that the brush roller 26 is more exposed to the air and helps improve the drying 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 the inner portion of the brush roller 26 to the air openings 102, 106, 110, and 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 R1.

[0044] Continue to see Fig.10 , 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, plenum walls 142 form plenum cells 146 that are removable from tray 54 for purposes that may include, for example, cleaning.

[0045] See also Fig.11 ,like Fig.11 The embodiment of the cleaning device 28 shown includes Fig.10 The embodiment of the cleaning device 28 shown in the figure has some similar features and can include a cover portion 150 located on or adjacent to the first wall 134 or the second wall 138. The cover portion 150 blocks at least a portion of the air openings 102, 106, 110 to inhibit fluid and / or debris from entering the air openings 102, 106, 110. In some embodiments, the cover portion 150 touches the brush roll 26. The cover portion 150 can be curved in a direction above the air openings 102, 106, 110.

[0046] refer to Fig.12, the air distributor 162 includes an air opening 102 positioned along the brush roll receiving portion 62. The air 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 desired to achieve a desired opening area and air flow rate. When the brush roll 26 is in the brush roll receiving portion 62, the major dimension 154 extends along the brush roll 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the air opening 102 extends along a majority of the brush roll receiving portion 62. The air opening 102 can extend along various lengths of the brush roll receiving portion 62 as disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the air distributor 162 includes a longitudinal ridge 160, and the air opening 102 extends along the longitudinal ridge 160. The air opening 102 can be positioned on the distributor 162 and communicate with the plenum 114 so that air can pass through the plenum 114 and through the air opening 102. The distributor 162 can be disposed along the longitudinal axis A2 ( Figure 3 ) extends from the brush roll 26 and can be positioned to direct air toward the brush roll 26 when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position.

[0047] See also Fig.13 In another embodiment of the cleaning device 28, a plurality of air openings 106 extend along the air distributor 174 and are adjacent to the brush roll receiving portion 62. The air distributor 174 includes a plurality of outwardly extending sections 178 disposed along the longitudinal axis A2 and / or the longitudinal axis A3. At least one section 178 of the plurality of sections 178 includes at least one air opening 106 of the plurality of air openings 106. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of sections 178 includes one air opening 106. However, in other embodiments, the sections 178 and the air openings 106 are configured as needed to achieve a desired air flow distribution along the brush roll. The size of each air opening 106 can be designed 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 air opening 106 is circular or square). Each air opening 106 may be any size or shape having a major dimension 166 and a minor dimension 170 that are sized as needed to achieve a desired opening area and air flow rate. Fig.13In an embodiment, the air opening 106 is positioned on an outwardly extending protrusion or segment 178 along a distributor 174 that is in communication with the plenum 114, so that air can pass through the plenum 114 and reach the air opening 106 through the segment 178. The distributor 174 can extend in a direction parallel to or approximately 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 cone-shaped 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 may be narrow to form a comb shape (eg, a shape that combs debris that may include hair from the brush roll 26), such as by Fig. 9 216 in the wiper. The dimension D4 representing the distance 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 air openings 102, 106, 110 can be selected to provide the desired air delivery and reduce the friction between the brush roller 26 working material 130 and the distributor 162, 174, 194, so that the brush roller motor 46 that rotates the brush roller 26 works within its load capacity. In addition, the segment width or thickness dimensions along the longitudinal axis A3 (and / or along the longitudinal axis A2) can be selected to provide the desired air delivery and reduce the friction between the brush roller 26 working material and the distributor 174, so that the brush roller motor 46 that rotates the brush roller 26 works 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 touching the brush roll 26 when the brush roll 26 is placed in the brush roll receiving portion 62 and rotated (i.e., activated), and to dispense air into the brush roll 26 through the air openings 106. The air dispensed within the periphery 126 of the brush roll 26 through the air openings 102, 106, 110 dries (i.e., by promoting evaporation of moisture) the working material 130 of the brush roll 26, particularly the working material 130 located inside the periphery 126 of the brush roll 26, which may otherwise be difficult to dry by distributing air only onto the periphery 126 of the brush roll 26. Thus, distributing air into the interior of the brush roll 26, and more particularly onto the working material 130 within the periphery 126, helps to improve the drying of the working material 130.

[0048] Continue to see Fig.13, gaps or divots 182 are formed between adjacent segments 178. In other words, each segment 178 is separated from an adjacent segment 178 by one of the divots 182. Fig.10 ,exist Fig.13 In embodiments of the present invention, the distance D4 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 air openings 106. In some embodiments, one or more of the dimples 182 can be positioned a radial third distance from the longitudinal axis A2 of the brushroll receiving portion 62, the third distance measured to the rear wall 184 defining the dimple 182 and greater than the second distance D2. In the illustrated embodiment, seventeen air openings 106, seventeen segments 178, and sixteen dimples 182 are provided. However, the number of air openings 106 and segments 178 can be increased or decreased as needed to provide the desired air delivery to the brushroll 26 for an application.

[0049] See also Fig.14 In another embodiment of the cleaning device 28, the air distributor 194 includes an outwardly extending longitudinal ridge 192 extending along at least a portion of the brush roll receiving portion 62. A plurality of air openings 110 extend along the distributor 194 and are adjacent to the brush roll receiving portion 62. At least one of the plurality of air openings 110 extends along the longitudinal ridge 192. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of air openings 110 extend along the longitudinal ridge 192. However, in other embodiments, the longitudinal ridge 192 and the air openings 110 are arranged as needed to achieve the desired airflow distribution along the brush roll 26. The size of each air opening 110 can be designed as a port, an ellipse, a circle, and / or a 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 air opening 110 is circular or square). Each air opening 110 may be any size or shape having a major dimension 186 and a minor dimension 190 that are sized as needed to achieve a desired opening area and air flow rate. Fig.14In the illustrated embodiment, the air openings 110 are positioned along the distributor 194 on an outwardly extending longitudinal ridge 192 that communicates with the plenum 114 so that air can pass through the plenum 114 to the air openings 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal ridge 192 has a height 195 and a length 196, with the height 195 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 air openings 110 at their desired locations relative to the brushroll 26 and can generally be sized as desired. The distributor 194 can be oriented parallel to or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A2 ( Figure 3 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the air openings 110 are equally spaced and further equally spaced on the distributor 194. In the illustrated embodiment, the distributor 194 functions similarly to the walls 134, 138 described herein to distribute air into the brush roll 26, such as onto the work material 130 within the outer perimeter 126, by contacting the brush roll 26 when the brush roll 26 is placed in the brush roll receiving portion 62 and is rotated (i.e., activated).

[0050] Continue to see Fig.14 , and similarly see Fig.10 ,exist Fig.14 In embodiments of the present invention, the distance D4 may be similarly defined as the radial distance between the longitudinal axis A3 of the brushroll 26 and one or more air openings 110 and / or the radial distance between the longitudinal axis A2 of the brushroll receiving portion 62 and one or more air openings 110 .

[0051] Reference again Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the floor cleaner 10 includes a control circuit 40, which includes a controller. The control circuit 40 is configured to control the operation of one or more components of the floor cleaner 10. The control circuit 40 is operably connected to the brush roller 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. The brush roller 26 is driven by the brush roller motor 46, and the control circuit 40 is connected to the brush roller motor 46 and is operable to control the brush roller motor 46. When the floor cleaner 10 is in an inclined use position or other operating state, the control circuit 40 can operate in a brush roller enabled state; a brush roller disabled state when the floor cleaner 10 is in an upright position or other storage state and the floor cleaner 10 is not in the cleaning device 28; and a brush roller enabled state when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position. Therefore, when the floor cleaner 10 is in the upright storage position, the brush roller 26 will not be activated unless the floor cleaner 10 is in the cleaning device 28.

[0052] In some embodiments, the controller of the control circuit 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 other 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), a random access memory (RAM). Various non-transitory computer-readable media may be used, such as magnetic, optical, physical or electronic memory. The electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the memory and executes software instructions stored in the memory or stored on another non-transitory computer-readable medium such as 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 a signal indicating a characteristic and controls the floor cleaner 10 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 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 acting in a distributed manner.

[0053] Continue to see Figure 2 In one embodiment, the control circuit 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 or electrical switches and can be activated by sensor input, by mechanical actuation, or other switching technology. In some embodiments having a floor cleaner 10 without an upright storage position, the first switch 42 is omitted.

[0054] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3, a second switch 44 may be positioned in the floor cleaner 10, for example, in the base 12, which is configured to be actuated 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 the actuator 48 activates the second switch 44 when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position, and the actuator 48 does not activate the second switch 44 when the floor cleaner 10 is not in the installed position. The actuator 48 and the second switch 44 may be positioned to ensure that the floor cleaner 10 is in a desired position and alignment with respect to the 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 because the actuator 48 is configured to activate the second switch 44, signaling to the control circuit 40 that the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position, and the control circuit 40 places the brush roll 26 in the brush roll enabled state. In one embodiment, the second switch 44 is a mechanically actuated switch (e.g., a contact switch), and the actuator 48 is a mechanical actuator 48 positioned in the cleaning device 28. The mechanical actuator 48 in the cleaning device 28 may be a rib, pin, protrusion, or other shape or feature positioned to actuate the second switch 44 in the floor cleaner 10 when the floor cleaner 10 is placed in the installed position in the cleaning device 28. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, 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 an 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, when the base 12 is placed in the cleaning device 28, the actuator 48 contacts a linkage or other intermediate member that actuates the second switch 44 in the floor cleaner 10.

[0055] In one embodiment, the second switch 44 is a magnetically actuated switch (e.g., a reed switch or a switch using a Hall effect sensor) and the actuator 48 is a magnet. In this embodiment, when the floor cleaner 10 is placed in the installed position in the cleaning device 28, the reed switch is positioned in a position in the floor cleaner 10 that corresponds 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 48 is a magnet positioned in the cleaning device 28.

[0056] In one embodiment, the second switch 44 is a light-activated switch (e.g., a switch using a light detector or photoresistor or a switch using a proximity sensor), and the actuator on the cleaning device 28 is the light, shape, barcode, reflector, or other feature sensed by the light-activated switch when the floor cleaner 10 is placed in the mounting 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 the control circuit 40, such as a pressure sensor, ultrasonic sensor, or other proximity sensor.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 48 includes an electrical contact 60 ( Figure 3 ), and the second switch 44 is an electronic switch operably connected to an electrical contact that 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 116, or other sensing technology.

[0058] See again Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the floor cleaner 10 and the cleaning device 28 can operate in a variety of different cleaning modes. For example, in one cleaning mode, the floor cleaner 10 runs a self-cleaning cycle while the UV generator 68 is not operating. In another cleaning mode, the floor cleaner 10 runs a self-cleaning cycle while the UV generator 68 is operating. In another cleaning mode, the cleaning device 28 runs a cleaning cycle while the floor cleaner 10 operates the portion of the floor cleaner 10 that cooperates with the cleaning cycle, for example, by operating the brush roll motor 46 during all or part of the cleaning cycle. In some cleaning cycles, the air distributor system 246 (e.g., during Fig.10 and 12 ) and the ultraviolet light generator 68 ( Figure 3-8 ) can operate simultaneously or sequentially (e.g., in one embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 operates a self-cleaning cycle, then the air distributor system 246 operates, then the UV generator 68 operates, or the systems or cycles operate in another order as desired). In another cleaning mode, the floor cleaner 10 operates the brush roll motor 46 while the air distributor system 246 operates a drying cycle.

[0059] The floor cleaner 10 can operate in a cleaning mode with a self-cleaning cycle, wherein 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 10, such as the suction port 30 and the brush roller 26. The cleaning mode can be configured to operate when the floor cleaner 10 is in an installed position in the cleaning device 28. In one embodiment, the second switch 44 is configured to provide a signal to the controller when the second switch 44 is activated by the actuator 48, so that the control circuit 40 senses the cleaning device 28. In some embodiments, the second switch 44 is configured to enable the cleaning mode by the controller being configured to not 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 operably connected to the fluid dispenser 56 and can be configured to dispense solution from the supply tank 16 in response to the activation of the second switch 44 by the cleaning device 28 and the start of the cleaning mode with a self-cleaning cycle. The controller is operably connected to the suction motor 20 and is configured to activate the suction motor 20 in response to the activation of the second switch 44 by the cleaning device 28 and the initiation of the cleaning mode with a cleaning cycle. In some embodiments, the floor cleaner 10 can be operated in the cleaning mode with a self-cleaning cycle when the floor cleaner 10 is not in the installed position in the cleaning device 28. Conversely, for example, when the floor cleaner 10 is scrubbing the surface to be cleaned, the floor cleaner 10 can be operated in the cleaning mode with a self-cleaning cycle.

[0060] In one cleaning mode, when the floor cleaner 10 is in the cleaning device 28, the controller receives a signal from the second switch 44 indicating that the floor cleaner 10 is in the installation position in the cleaning device 28, thereby enabling the cleaning mode. After starting the cleaning mode with a cleaning cycle, the controller operates the fluid dispenser 56 to distribute 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. The air dispenser system 246 can be activated during the cleaning cycle, and more specifically in some embodiments, activated after the extraction phase of the cleaning cycle to promote drying of the brush roller 26. In some embodiments of the cleaning cycle, the ultraviolet light generator 68 is operated to further clean or disinfect the roller brush 26, and in one embodiment, inhibit the growth of microorganisms on and / or in the brush roller 26. In some embodiments, when the floor cleaner 10 is not in the installation position in the cleaning device 28, the cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode is blocked.

[0061] When the second switch 44 indicates that the floor cleaner 10 is not in the installation position, the ultraviolet light generator 68 can be controlled to interrupt operation to limit ultraviolet exposure to humans and animals. In some embodiments, the controller is configured not to operate the ultraviolet light generator 68 unless the second switch 44 indicates that the floor cleaner 10 is in the installation position, and to interrupt the operation of the ultraviolet light generator 68 if the second switch 44 indicates that the floor cleaner 10 is removed from the installation position during the operation of the cleaning cycle.

[0062] 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 the figure can include an auxiliary fluid outlet 36 in communication with the supply tank 16. The auxiliary fluid outlet 36 can be controlled by a valve 38 activated by a second switch 44. The auxiliary fluid outlet 36 can be configured to provide a flow rate greater than the flow rate 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 second switch 44 actuates the valve 38, the cleaning fluid from the supply tank 16 flows into the tray 54.

[0063] In one embodiment, when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position in the cleaning device 28, the user operates the floor cleaner 10 to manually start the cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode. For example, when the user turns on the floor cleaner 10, such as by pressing the button 50, the cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode can be started, and then when the floor cleaner 10 is in the cleaning device 28, the user operates the floor cleaner 10 by activating the trigger 52 to dispense the cleaning fluid into the tray 54, which is located on the handle of the floor cleaner 10 in the illustrated embodiment. The button 50 (an on / off button in one embodiment) activates the suction motor 20 and the brush roller motor 46, while the trigger 52 dispenses the cleaning fluid into the cleaning device 28. The brush roller 26 rotates in the cleaning fluid collected in the tray 54 to remove debris from the brush roller 26, whereby the cleaning fluid and debris are sucked into the recovery tank 18 of the floor cleaner 10 through the suction port 30 and through the recovery path.

[0064] In one embodiment, the cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode is automatically run after the cleaning cycle begins. The automated cleaning cycle is controlled by a control circuit 40 comprising 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 coupled to a user interface for receiving input from a user. In response to user activation or other activations, the controller is configured to activate the automated cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode when the floor cleaner 10 is 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.

[0065] The cleaning cycle may include a distribution phase and an extraction phase, and in some embodiments may consist of a distribution phase and an extraction phase. During the distribution phase, cleaning fluid is distributed from the supply tank 16 to the tray 54 of the cleaning device 28 through the fluid distributor 56. In one embodiment, the user puts the cleaning fluid into the tray before starting the cleaning cycle. During the extraction phase, the dynamic brush roller motor 46 is activated, 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 activated to extract the cleaning fluid, dirt and debris through the suction port 30. The distribution phase and the extraction phase can be performed simultaneously, or can be staggered or sequentially performed. In one embodiment, the cleaning cycle includes a distribution phase, an agitation 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 agitation phase, the brush roller motor 46 is activated, causing the brush roller 26 to rotate in the cleaning fluid in the cleaning device 28 to remove dirt and debris, while the suction motor 20 is not activated or is activated at a reduced power level. Then, suction motor 20 is started in the suction phase. Distribution phase, agitation phase and extraction phase can be carried out simultaneously, or can be staggered or carried out in sequence. If present, cleaning cycle can optionally repeat distribution phase and / or extraction phase and / or agitation phase once or multiple times. The length of each stage and the amount of cleaning fluid distributed in the cleaning cycle can be time-dependent, or can continue until recovery tank 18 is full or supply tank 16 becomes empty. In one embodiment, controller runs suction motor 20, brush roller motor 46 and fluid distributor 56 based on another control scheme (such as monitoring cleaning effect by sensor).

[0066] In one embodiment of the automatic cleaning cycle, the user activation is the user actuating a button 50 on the floor cleaner 10 or the cleaning device 28. In another embodiment, the user activation is placing the floor cleaner 10 into the cleaning device 28. In yet another embodiment, the user activation is an infrared, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other signal sent from a remote device by user interaction with the device, such as a remote control, cell phone, or computer.

[0067] During the UV cleaning cycle, which can be automatically or manually activated, the cleaning device 28 and / or the floor cleaner 10 activates the light source 70 to deliver UV light to the brush roller 26. In some embodiments, the light source 70 can be activated only when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installation position in the cleaning device 28. In other embodiments, such as embodiments in which the floor cleaner 10 includes the light source 70, the light source 70 can be activated when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installation position in the cleaning device 28 and / or the floor cleaner 10 is not in the installation position. More generally, the UV generator 68 is activated during the cleaning cycle to at least partially clean, disinfect or enhance the brush roller 26. More specifically, in some embodiments of the UV cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode, the brush roller 26 rotates while the UV light is directed into the brush roller 26. The intensity and duration of the light delivered to the brush roller 26 can be selected to provide the desired cleaning effect. In addition, the rotation speed of the brush roller 26 and the length of time of the UV cleaning cycle can be selected to provide the desired cleaning effect. The speed at which the brush roll rotates can be less than 1 degree / second, or between 1 degree / second and 10 degrees / second, or any other rotational speed as desired to provide a dwell time for the UV light to contact the brush roll 26. The light source 70, the location of the light source 70 (including the distance of the light source 70 from the brush roll 26 or other components), the wavelength of the light, and the rotational speed of the brush roll 26 are selected together to provide a desired intensity or dose of UV light to provide the desired cleaning level, such as between 10 and 130 joules / square meter or more, depending on the application requirements. In one application, for example, a low intensity or dose may be required to clean the brush roll or provide a visual lighting effect, such as between 10 and 60 joules / square meter. However, in some applications, higher intensities, such as between 60 and 130 joules / square meter, may be used, such as for some disinfection and sterilization applications.

[0068] In some embodiments, the floor cleaner 10 and the cleaning device 28 are configured to communicate when the floor cleaner 10 is in the installed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning device control circuit 116 including the PCBA 118 is electrically connected to the actuator electrical contacts 60 and is configured to send and receive signals through the electrical contacts 60 or through other electrical contacts when the floor cleaner 10 is electrically connected to the actuator 48 in the installed position. In one embodiment, the floor cleaner controller is configured to instruct the cleaning device control circuit 116 to operate the ultraviolet light generator 68 in the ultraviolet light cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode. In some embodiments, the cleaning device control circuit 116 is configured to operate the ultraviolet light generator 68 in the ultraviolet light cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode. The ultraviolet light cleaning cycle includes an ultraviolet light distribution phase, in which the ultraviolet light is directed toward the brush roller 26 and / or within the outer periphery 126 of the brush roller 26. The ultraviolet light can be reflected by the reflector 212 toward the brush roller 26 and can pass through the lens 208. During the brushroll activation phase, the brushroll 26 rotates to allow the UV light to contact the circumference of the brushroll 26 and allow the UV light a desired dwell time at a specific location on the brushroll 26. The UV light distribution phase may occur simultaneously with the brushroll activation phase.

[0069] In one embodiment, the cleaning device control circuit 116 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, receiving a signal from the floor cleaner control circuit 40, or other sensing techniques. In one embodiment, a third switch is disposed on the cleaning device 28 and 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 116 prevents the operation of the ultraviolet light generator 68 when the floor cleaner 10 is not in the installed position.

[0070] The cleaning cycle and the UV cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode can be operable so that in some embodiments, the cleaning cycle and the UV cleaning cycle can be run separately, sequentially or simultaneously. In other words, in one embodiment, the first cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode (wherein UV light is not emitted) can be run before running the UV cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode (wherein the cleaning device 28 and / or the floor cleaner 10 emits UV light onto and / or into the brush roller 26). In another embodiment, a single cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode combining UV light emission with the cleaning cycle can be run. The user can actuate a single switch to activate the cleaning cycle and the UV cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode, or in some embodiments, the user can actuate separate switches separately or sequentially to activate the cleaning cycle and the UV cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode.

[0071] In one embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 can be cleaned by using a cleaning device 28 having an actuator 48 via a method of receiving the floor cleaner 10 in a mounting position in the cleaning device 28 to clean the floor cleaner 10. The method includes sensing the presence of the cleaning device 28 by a control circuit 40 in the floor cleaner 10 activated by the actuator 48. In other words, the method may include activating the control circuit 40 in the floor cleaner 10 by the cleaning device actuator 48. The method further includes activating a cleaning mode that distributes cleaning fluid from a supply tank 16 to the cleaning device 28. In another embodiment, when the floor cleaner 10 is in the mounting position, the brush roller 26 can be activated in the cleaning mode. The method may further include activating the suction motor 20 to extract the cleaning fluid from the cleaning device 28. In one embodiment, the control circuit 40 may be configured to prevent the cleaning mode from being activated or interrupt 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 dispensing cleaning fluid from a supply tank 16 into a tray 54 via a fluid dispenser 56 in a cleaning mode, 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, the method may further include extracting the cleaning fluid from the tray 54 into a 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 roll 26 when the ultraviolet light is directed toward and / or into the brush roll 26 to provide a desired residence time of the ultraviolet light on the working material 130.

[0072] In one embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 may clean the floor cleaner 10 by using a cleaning device 28 having an actuator 48 to perform a method of ultraviolet cleaning the floor cleaner 10 by receiving the floor cleaner 10 in a mounting position in the cleaning device 28. The method includes sensing the presence of the cleaning device 28 by the control circuit 40 in the floor cleaner 10 activated by the actuator 48. In other words, the method may include activating the control circuit 40 in the floor cleaner 10 by the actuator 48. The method may further include emitting ultraviolet light onto the brush roller 26 when the brush roller 26 is positioned in the cleaning device 28. The method may further include directing the ultraviolet light toward the brush roller 26. The method may further include wiping the brush roller 26 to expose the interior of the brush roller 26 to the ultraviolet light. The method may further include providing ultraviolet light to the interior of the brush roller 26. The method may further include sensing that a portion 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 116 or the control circuit 40 in the floor cleaner 10. The method may further include: when the control circuit 40 senses that a portion of the base 12 of the floor cleaner 10 is received by the cleaning device 28, the cleaning mode is activated. The method may further include: if the control circuit 40 does not sense that a portion of the base 12 of the floor cleaner 10 is received by the cleaning device 28, the cleaning mode is prevented from being activated or the cleaning mode is interrupted. The method may make the step of activating the cleaning mode include activating the cleaning mode in response to user activation. The method may further include activating the brush roller 26 while the ultraviolet light is directed toward and / or into the brush roller 26. The method may include activating the ultraviolet light and activating the brush roller 26 at a desired interval, such as rotating the brush roller 26 for a desired time or angle interval, then stopping or slowing the brush roller 26 while activating the ultraviolet light, and then resuming the rotation of the brush roller 26 for a desired time or angle interval, etc. In some embodiments, the ultraviolet light may also be activated at a time interval. In some embodiments, the ultraviolet light is activated at a time interval coordinated with the rotation of the brush roller 26.

[0073] See also Fig.15, the cleaning device 310 is configured to clean a floor cleaner, such as the floor cleaner 10. The cleaning device 310 may include any one or more cleaning modes, methods, features, and embodiments described in this specification with respect to the cleaning device 28 and the tray 54, either individually or in a desired combination. The cleaning device 310 includes a housing 314 that defines a compartment 318 within the housing 314. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning device 310 further includes a tray 322 that is configured to receive the floor cleaner 10 in a mounting position in the tray 322. The tray 322 is at least partially defined by a wall system 326, and is defined on three sides by the wall system 326 in the illustrated embodiment, and the wall system 326 is configured to keep a cleaning solution (e.g., a cleaning solution dispensed by the floor cleaner 10 during a cleaning cycle) in the tray 322. The fourth side of the tray 322 is defined by the housing 314. In some embodiments, the cleaning device 310 does not include the tray 322.

[0074] Continue to see Fig.15 , the housing 314 includes a first door 330 and a second door 334, the first door 330 may be referred to as a first component door or a brush roller door in some embodiments, and the second door 334 may be referred to as a second component door or a recovery tank door in some embodiments. Each of the doors 330, 334 may be positioned in a closed position, an open position, and a range of positions therebetween to selectively provide access to the compartment 318. In the illustrated embodiment, the doors 330, 334 are hinged and positioned adjacent to each other so that they open in opposite directions, and are disposed on the upper portion or upper side 328 of the housing 314, but in other embodiments, the doors 330, 334 may be disposed in other positions as desired. The upper side 328 is opposite to the lower side 332 of the housing 314. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the housing 314 is a cover that is raised from the tray 322 to access the interior of the housing 314, rather than an access door. In addition, in some embodiments, only one door may be provided, and the doors 330, 334 may be opened in other ways, such as by sliding. In some embodiments, the doors 330, 334 can be latched in a closed position by detents, catches, magnets, latches, or other closures as desired. One or more vents 338 can be provided on the housing 314 to provide air communication between the compartment 318 and the external environment 342. In the illustrated embodiment, the vents 338 are positioned adjacent to the tray 322, but in other embodiments, the vents 338 can be positioned as desired.

[0075] See again Figure 1 and Figure 2, one or more components of the floor cleaner 10 (such as the brush roll 26, the recovery tank 18, etc.) can be removed from the floor cleaner 10 to clean the one or more components of the floor cleaner 10. More specifically, the brush roll 26, the recovery tank 18, and / or other components of the floor cleaner 10 are selectively removable and can be cleaned and reinstalled in the floor cleaner 10. When removed from the floor cleaner 10, one or more of the components of the floor cleaner 10, such as the brush roll 26, the recovery tank 18, and / or other components of the floor cleaner 10, can be placed in the compartment 318 of the cleaning device 310 for cleaning.

[0076] See also Fig.15 and 16 , one or more removable components of the floor cleaner 10, such as the brush roll 26 and the recovery tank 18, are placed in the brush roll receiving position 346 and the recovery tank receiving position 350 in the compartment 318 of the cleaning device 310, respectively. The cleaning device 310 includes one or more cleaning components (e.g., lights, fans, etc.), which are arranged in the compartment 318 and are configured to assist in cleaning and / or drying the removable components of the floor cleaner 10. In some embodiments, the cleaning components can be operated in at least one of the cleaning mode or the drying mode. For example, in the compartment 318, the brush roll 26 and the recovery tank 18 are exposed to the cleaning components that convey the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light generator 354, and the ultraviolet light generator 354 includes one or more light sources, and more specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the two light sources 358, 362 are configured to emit ultraviolet light to the components to which the light sources 358, 362 are directed. Each of the two light sources 358, 362 may even more specifically include a plurality of corresponding smaller light sources 366, 370. The first light source 358 may be referred to as a brushroll light source and directed toward the brushroll receiving location 346, while the second light source 362 may be referred to as a recovery tank light source and directed toward the recovery tank receiving location 350.

[0077] Continue to see Fig.16, the brush roll 26 includes a first brush roll end 374 and a second brush roll end 378 opposite the first brush roll end 374. The first brush roll end 374 is proximate to and surrounded by the first light source 358, and the second brush roll end 378 is distal to the first light source 358 and proximate to the first door 330. Similarly, the recovery tank 18 includes a first recovery tank end 382 and a second recovery tank end 386 opposite the first recovery tank end 382. The first recovery tank end 382 is proximate to and surrounded by the second light source 362, and the second recovery tank end 386 is distal to the second light source 362 and proximate to the second door 334. The light source 358 and correspondingly the plurality of light sources 366 are directed away from the first brush roll end 374 toward the second brush roll end 378, which causes the ultraviolet light to be directed onto and / or into the brush roll 26 along the length of the brush roll 26. Similarly, the light source 362 and the corresponding plurality of light sources 370 are directed away from the first recovery tank end 382 and toward the second recovery tank end 386, which allows the ultraviolet light to be directed along the length of the recovery tank 18 to provide the desired cleaning or disinfecting effect for the application, for example, in one embodiment, inhibiting the growth of microorganisms on and / or in the recovery tank 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 370 includes one or more light sources 370 that direct ultraviolet light toward the interior of a tank component (e.g., the recovery tank 18), and one or more light sources 370 that direct ultraviolet light toward the exterior of the tank component. In some embodiments, the light source 362 only directs light to the interior of the tank component. In other embodiments, the light source 362 only directs light to the exterior of the tank component. The cleaning device 28 may include a wiper configured along the axis A3, such as Figure 5-9 The wiper 216 shown is provided to expose the interior of the brush roll 26 to ultraviolet light. In addition, the light sources 358, 362, 366, 370 can be collectively or individually covered by an ultraviolet transmissive lens to shield the light sources 358, 362, 366, 370, such as, for example, the lens 208 disclosed herein. A reflector such as the reflector 212 disclosed herein can reflect light from the light sources 358, 362, 366, 370 toward the removable component of the floor cleaner 10 to be cleaned. In the illustrated embodiment, the light sources 358, 362 are directed toward the upper side 328 of the housing 314 and away from the lower side 332 of the housing 314. In other embodiments, the light sources 358, 362 are arranged in other orientations as required by the application, such as along the axes A3, A5, or toward the lower side 332 of the housing 314 and away from the upper side 328 of the housing 314, or in other arrangements as needed to provide ultraviolet light to the component as needed.

[0078] Continue to see Fig.16, the cleaning device 310 includes a fan 390 as a cleaning member within the compartment 318. The fan 390 is powered by a motor 394 that transmits a rotational torque through a drive shaft 398 such that the fan's axis of rotation A4 is parallel to, and more specifically, co-linear with, the axis of rotation of the motor 394. The fan 390 is configured to direct air into the housing 314 through the air outlet 402 along a desired airflow path 406. The fan 390 can draw air through an air inlet (not shown) and vent 338 ( Fig.15 ) exhaust air. When floor cleaner 10 is installed in tray 322, vent 338 can be oriented to provide air flow along the lower side of tray 322 and floor cleaner 10, to promote the drying of the lower side of floor cleaner 10 and / or tray 322. In the illustrated embodiment, fan 390 is positioned between brush roll receiving position 346 and recovery tank receiving position 350, but in other embodiments, fan 390 can be positioned in any position and direction required, to provide the drying amount of the removable parts of required floor cleaner 10 according to application. In some embodiments, air flow path 406 is directed or guided with pipeline (ducted) towards the parts configured to promote drying, such as the inside of recovery tank 18. In some embodiments, air distributor system is arranged in housing along brush roll axis A3, as any one or more than one feature and embodiment described in detail in conjunction with air distributor system 246.

[0079] Continue to see Fig.16 , the first sensor 410 is configured to determine when the first door 330 is positioned in a closed position and / or latched. The second sensor 414 is configured to determine when the second door 334 is positioned in a closed position and / or latched. The sensors 410, 414 provide input to the control circuit onboard the cleaning device 310 or the control circuit 40 of the floor cleaner 10, and the control circuit uses the input to at least partially determine whether to run a cleaning cycle.

[0080] At work, and continue to see Fig.15 and 16, removable components of the floor cleaner 10, such as, in the illustrated embodiment, the brush roll 26 and the recovery tank 18, are removed from the floor cleaner 10 and placed at the brush roll receiving position 346 and the recovery tank receiving position 350, respectively, within the compartment 318. The base 12 of the floor cleaner 10 is placed in a mounting position in the tray 322 for storage, for charging a battery onboard the floor cleaner 10, for running a cleaning cycle to clean the base 12 in the tray 322, and / or for other purposes. The cleaning device 310 is operable in a cleaning cycle of a cleaning mode to operate the light sources 358, 362 (and more specifically, a plurality of corresponding smaller light sources 366, 370) to emit ultraviolet light and direct the ultraviolet light toward the brush roll 26 and toward the recovery tank 18. As disclosed herein, the cleaning device 310 may include a wiper, such as the wiper 216 (e.g., see Fig. 9 ), which touches the brush roll 26 when the brush roll 26 rotates during the cleaning cycle to expose the interior of the brush roll 26 to ultraviolet light. Similarly, the wiper 216 can expose the interior of the brush roll 26 to the airflow path 406 to facilitate improved drying of the working material 130 of the brush roll 26.

[0081] At work, and continue to see Fig.15 and 16 , the cleaning cycle of the cleaning mode may include operating the fan 390 to enhance cleaning and / or drying of components such as the brush roll 26 and / or the recovery tank 18. The fan 390 may be operated simultaneously with the light sources 358, 362 or before or after the light sources 358, 362 are operated. The sensors 410, 414 transmit signals to control the circuit so that in some embodiments, the cleaning cycle is only operated when one or both of the doors 330, 334 are in the closed position.

[0082] A method for cleaning one or more components such as the brush roll 26 or the recovery tank 18 of the floor cleaner 10 using the cleaning device 310 includes removing the components from the floor cleaner 10 and placing the components in the compartment 318 of the cleaning device 310. The method includes operating a light source such as light sources 358, 362 to emit ultraviolet light and directing the ultraviolet light toward the components. The method may include rotating the components to achieve relatively uniform application of ultraviolet light to the components. The rotation speed of the components may be selected to achieve a desired residence time of the ultraviolet light on the components. For example, the method includes operating the light source to direct the ultraviolet light toward the exposed interior of the brush roll 26 of the floor cleaner 10, and rotating the brush roll 26 at a desired rotation speed to achieve a desired residence time of the ultraviolet light in the brush roll 26. The method may further include directing the ultraviolet light toward a component having a reflector (such as the reflector 212), which in some embodiments forms a concave or angled shape or other shapes adjacent to the light source that are configured to reflect ultraviolet light by their own shape and surface properties. The method may further include sensing that the floor cleaner 10 is in an installation position, such as in a tray 322, and the sensing may be performed by a control circuit in the cleaning device 310 or by a control circuit 40 in the floor cleaner 10. The method may further include activating a cleaning mode when a control circuit (e.g., a control circuit in the cleaning device 310 or a control circuit 40 in the floor cleaner 10) senses that the floor cleaner 10 is in an installation position in the tray 322. The method may further include wiping the brush roller 26 with a wiper such as a wiper 216 while the brush roller 26 rotates in the compartment 318 to expose the interior of the working material 130 of the brush roller 26 to ultraviolet light emitted by one or more light sources. The method may include engaging the wiper 216 to the working material 130 of the brush roller 26 adjacent to the light source to provide ultraviolet light within the outer periphery 126 of the brush roller 26. The method may further include shielding the light source from moisture and debris with a lens. In one embodiment, the wiper may be an extension of the lens. The method may further include sensing whether a door (e.g., one or more doors of doors 330, 334) is positioned in a closed position using a sensor, the sensor being configured to generate a position signal corresponding to whether doors 330, 334 are positioned in a closed position. The method may further include transmitting the position signal to a control circuit (e.g., a control circuit in cleaning device 310 or control circuit 40 in floor cleaner 10), and controlling the operation of the light source using the control circuit based at least in part on the position signal, wherein the control circuit is configured to operate the light source for a desired length of time. The method may further include latching one or more doors 330, 334 in a closed position to selectively hold doors 330, 334 in a closed position.The method may further include sensing whether the doors 330, 334 are latched in the closed position and transmitting a latch signal to a control circuit (e.g., a control circuit in a cleaning device or a control circuit 40 in a floor cleaner 10), the latch signal corresponding to whether at least one of the doors 330, 334 is latched in the closed position, and determining whether to run a cleaning cycle based at least in part on the latch signal.

[0083] The embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in a series of permutations to form other embodiments.

[0084] Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

[0085] Representative features Representative features are listed in the following items, which may stand alone or in any combination with one or more of the features disclosed in the description and / or drawings.

[0086] Item 1: A combination of a floor cleaner and a cleaning device for cleaning the floor cleaner, the combination comprising: A floor cleaner, comprising: a base movable along the surface to be cleaned; brush roll motor; and a brushroll having a length along a brushroll axis, the brushroll being rotatable about the brushroll axis relative to the base by the brushroll motor, the brushroll having a brushroll radius defined from the brushroll axis to an outer periphery of the brushroll; a cleaning device comprising a tray configured to selectively removably receive a portion of the floor cleaner in a mounted position, the tray including a brush roll receiving portion to receive a brush roll of the floor cleaner; and A light source is directed toward the brush roller when the brush roller is received in the brush roller receiving portion of the tray, the light source being operable to emit ultraviolet light having a wavelength less than 400 nm.

[0087] Item 2: The combination of Item 1, further comprising a wiper configured to engage an outer periphery of the brush roll adjacent the light source.

[0088] Item 3: A combination according to Item 2, wherein when the floor cleaner is in the installed position, the wiper is positioned at a first radial distance from the brush roller axis, and wherein the first radial distance is less than the brush roller radius, so that when the floor cleaner is in the installed position, the wiper touches (interferes with) the brush roller.

[0089] Item 4: The combination of Item 3, wherein the radial first distance is 0.5 mm to 12 mm smaller than the brush roller radius.

[0090] Item 5. The combination of Item 3, wherein the brush roll comprises a working material having fibers, the fibers having a fiber length, and the difference between the radial first distance and the brush roll radius is a function of the fiber length.

[0091] Item 6: The combination of any one of items 2 to 5, wherein the wiper is configured to move a portion of the brush roll to expose an interior portion of the brush roll to the ultraviolet light.

[0092] Item 7: The combination of any one of items 2 to 6, wherein the wiper extends along at least 50% of the length of the brushroll.

[0093] Item 8: The combination of any one of Items 2 to 7, further comprising a transparent lens positioned between the light source and the brush roll when the floor cleaner is in the installed position.

[0094] Item 9: The cleaning device of Item 8, wherein the wiper is an extension of the lens.

[0095] Item 10: The combination of any one of items 2 to 9, wherein the wiper is shaped as a squeegee.

[0096] Item 11: The combination according to any one of items 2 to 9, wherein the wiper is shaped as a comb.

[0097] Item 12: The combination of any one of items 2 to 9, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper edge having a scalloped shape.

[0098] Item 13: The combination of any one of items 2 to 12, wherein the wiper extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the brushroll receiving portion of the tray, the wiper being configured to contact at least 50% of the length of the brushroll.

[0099] Item 14: The combination of any one of items 2 to 12, wherein the wiper extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the brushroll receiving portion of the tray, the wiper being configured to contact the length of the brushroll.

[0100] Item 15. A combination according to any preceding item, wherein the cleaning device includes the light source.

[0101] Item 16. The combination of any one of items 1 to 14, wherein the floor cleaner includes the light source, and wherein the floor cleaner is operable to operate the light source in a cleaning mode.

[0102] Item 17. The combination of Item 16, wherein the cleaning mode is operable when the brush roller is scrubbing the surface to be cleaned.

[0103] Item 18. The combination of Item 16, wherein the cleaning mode is operable when the floor cleaner is in the installed position.

[0104] Item 19: The combination of any one of items 16-18, wherein the floor cleaner further comprises a brushroll housing, and wherein a wiper extends from the brushroll housing and is configured to contact the brushroll.

[0105] Item 20: A combination according to any preceding item, wherein the light source is directed toward the brush roller axis.

[0106] Item 21. The combination of Item 1, further comprising a transparent lens positioned between the light source and the brush roller when the floor cleaner is in the installed position.

[0107] Item 22: The combination of any preceding item, further comprising a reflector adjacent to the light source, the reflector configured to reflect the ultraviolet light toward the brush roller when the floor cleaner is in the mounted position.

[0108] Item 23. The combination of Item 22, wherein the reflector comprises aluminum.

[0109] Item 24. A combination according to any preceding item, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.

[0110] Item 25. The combination of any preceding item, wherein the light source extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the brush roller receiving portion of the tray, the light source being configured to emit the ultraviolet light onto the length of the brush roller.

[0111] Item 26: A combination according to any preceding item, further comprising a control circuit, which is housed inside the tray and is electrically connected to the light source to control the operation of the light source.

[0112] Item 27. The combination of any preceding item, wherein the tray includes an actuator configured to activate the brush roll when the floor cleaner is in the installed position.

[0113] Item 28: A combination according to any of the preceding items, wherein the floor cleaner includes a control circuit for controlling the brush roller, and the control circuit can operate in a first state, a second state, and a third state, the first state including a brush roller enabled state when the floor cleaner is in an operating state, the second state including a brush roller disabled state when the floor cleaner is in a storage state and the floor cleaner is not in the installation position, and the third state including a brush roller enabled state when the floor cleaner is in the installation position.

[0114] Item 29. The combination of Item 28, wherein the cleaning device includes an actuator that activates the control circuit into the third state, and wherein the control circuit enables a cleaning mode in the third state.

[0115] Item 30. The combination of Item 29, wherein the cleaning mode includes operation of the light source.

[0116] Item 31. The combination of any preceding item, wherein a cleaning mode is operable in response to user activation when the floor cleaner is in the installed position.

[0117] Item 32: The combination of any one of items 26 to 31, wherein the control circuit is operable in response to user activation.

[0118] Item 33: The cleaning device of any one of Items 26 to 32, further comprising an actuator configured to activate the brush roller when the floor cleaner is in the installed position.

[0119] Item 34. The cleaning device of Item 33, wherein the control circuit considers input from the actuator when determining whether to operate the light source.

[0120] Item 35. The combination according to any preceding item, further comprising a fan selectively operable to direct air through an air distributor having a plenum and one or more air openings directed toward the brushroll.

[0121] Item 36. The combination of Item 35, wherein the air is directed to an exposed interior of the brush roll.

[0122] Item 37. The combination of Item 36, wherein the interior of the brush roller is exposed to the air via a wiper.

[0123] Item 38: The combination of any one of Items 35 to 37, wherein the air distributor extends along a longitudinal axis of the brushroll receiving portion to deliver air to the length of the brushroll.

[0124] Item 39: The combination of any one of items 35 to 38, further comprising a control circuit to operate the fan when the floor cleaner is in the installed position.

[0125] Item 40. The combination of Item 39, wherein the control circuit is configured to operate the fan when the brush roller rotates.

[0126] Item 41. A combination according to any preceding item, wherein the light source is operable to emit ultraviolet light having a wavelength less than 300 nm.

[0127] Item 42: A cleaning device for a floor cleaner, the floor cleaner having a base movable along a surface to be cleaned, a brush roller motor, a brush roller rotatable relative to the base about a brush roller axis by the brush roller motor, and a component removable from the floor cleaner, the cleaning device comprising: a housing defining a compartment configured to selectively receive the component in a component receiving position when the component is removed from the floor cleaner; and A cleaning member is within the compartment, the cleaning member being directed toward the component receiving location and being selectively operable in at least one of a cleaning mode or a drying mode.

[0128] Item 43: A cleaning device according to Item 42, wherein the component is the brush roller, wherein the component receiving position is a brush roller receiving position, and wherein the cleaning member includes a light source configured to emit ultraviolet light with a wavelength less than 400 nm onto the brush roller in the cleaning mode.

[0129] Item 44: A cleaning device according to Item 43, wherein: the component is a first component, The second component is the recovery tank. The recovery tank is removable from the floor cleaner, the compartment being configured to receive the recovery tank at a recovery tank receiving position when the recovery tank is removed from the floor cleaner, The light source is a first light source, and The cleaning member includes a second light source directed toward the recovery tank receiving position, and the second light source is selectively operable to emit ultraviolet light with a wavelength less than 400 nm onto the recovery tank in the cleaning mode.

[0130] Item 45: A cleaning device according to Item 42, wherein the component is a recovery tank, wherein the component receiving position is a recovery tank receiving position, and wherein the cleaning member includes a light source configured to emit ultraviolet light with a wavelength less than 400 nm onto the recovery tank in the cleaning mode.

[0131] Item 46: A cleaning device according to any one of items 43 to 45, wherein the component includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the first end is close to the light source and the second end is far from the light source.

[0132] Item 47: The cleaning device of any one of Items 43 to 46, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light sources configured to at least partially surround the component.

[0133] Item 48: The cleaning device of any one of Items 43 to 47, wherein the component has a length, wherein the light source is directed toward the component so that the ultraviolet light is directed along the length of the component.

[0134] Item 49: The cleaning device of any one of Items 42 to 48, further comprising a tray configured to receive the floor cleaner in an installed position.

[0135] Item 50: The cleaning device of any one of Items 42 to 49, further comprising a second cleaning component, the second cleaning component comprising a fan configured to circulate air within the compartment to facilitate drying of the component in the drying mode.

[0136] Item 51: A cleaning device according to any one of Items 42 to 50, wherein the housing includes a door that is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the sensor is configured to determine whether the door is positioned in the closed position.

[0137] Item 52. The cleaning device of Item 51, wherein the sensor provides an input to a control circuit, and wherein the control circuit utilizes the input to determine whether to operate a cleaning cycle in the cleaning mode.

[0138] Item 53: The cleaning device according to any one of Items 42 to 52, wherein the cleaning member includes a light source configured to emit ultraviolet light, and further includes a UV transmissive lens covering the light source.

[0139] Item 54: The cleaning device according to any one of Items 42 to 53, wherein the cleaning member includes a light source configured to emit ultraviolet light, and further includes a reflector adjacent to the light source to reflect light toward the component.

[0140] Item 55: A method for cleaning a floor cleaner by using a cleaning device, the method comprising: operating a light source to direct ultraviolet light toward an exposed interior of a brush roll of the floor cleaner; and The brush roll is rotated at a desired rotational speed while directing the ultraviolet light toward the exposed interior of the brush roll to achieve a desired residence time of the ultraviolet light in the brush roll.

[0141] Item 56: The method according to Item 55 further includes: using a reflector to direct the ultraviolet light toward the brush roller, and the reflector is configured to reflect the ultraviolet light from the light source toward the brush roller.

[0142] Item 57: The method according to any one of Items 55 to 56, further comprising: sensing that the floor cleaner is in the installation position, wherein the sensing is performed by a control circuit in the floor cleaner.

[0143] Item 58: The method according to Item 57 further includes: activating a cleaning mode when the control circuit senses that the floor cleaner is in the installation position.

[0144] Item 59: The method of Item 58, wherein the step of activating the cleaning mode includes: activating the cleaning mode in response to user activation.

[0145] Item 60: The method of any one of Items 55 to 59, further comprising: engaging the brush roller with a wiper to expose the interior of the brush roller to the ultraviolet rays while the brush roller rotates.

[0146] Item 61: The method according to any one of items 55 to 60 further includes: shielding the light source from moisture and debris with a UV-transmitting lens.

[0147] Item 62. The method of Item 61, wherein the wiper is an extension of the lens.

[0148] Item 63: A method according to any one of Items 55 to 62, wherein the cleaning device includes a tray, and the tray is configured to receive the floor cleaner in an installation position in the tray, wherein the step of operating the light source includes: operating the light source when the floor cleaner is in the installation position in the tray.

[0149] Item 64: A method according to any one of Items 55 to 62, wherein the cleaning device includes a compartment having a brush roller receiving position, the brush roller receiving position being configured to receive the brush roller when removed from the floor cleaner, wherein the step of operating the light source includes: operating the light source when the brush roller is received in the brush roller receiving position in the compartment.

[0150] Item 65: A method according to Item 64, wherein the brush roller receiving position is accessible through a door, and the door is positionable in an open position and a closed position.

[0151] Item 66: A method according to Item 65, wherein the cleaning device includes a sensor, the sensor is configured to generate a position signal corresponding to whether the door is positioned in the closed position, and the method further includes: using the sensor to sense whether the door is positioned in the closed position.

[0152] Item 67: The method according to Item 66, further comprising: sending the position signal to a control circuit, and Operation of the light source is controlled with the control circuit based at least in part on the position signal, wherein the control circuit is configured to operate the light source for a desired length of time.

[0153] Item 68: A method according to any one of Items 64 to 67, wherein the compartment includes a recovery tank receiving position, which is configured to receive a recovery tank of the floor cleaner, and further includes: controlling the operation of the light source in the compartment to the recovery tank.

[0154] Item 69: A method according to any one of Items 55 to 68, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light sources that can be independently operated by the control circuit.

[0155] Item 70: The method of any one of Items 55 to 69, further comprising: operating a fan within the compartment to draw air through an air inlet in the compartment and toward the brush roller.

[0156] Item 71: The method of any one of Items 64 to 70, further comprising: receiving the floor cleaner in a mounting position in a tray defined by the cleaning device.

Claims

1. A combination of a floor cleaner and a cleaning device for cleaning the floor cleaner, the combination comprising: A floor cleaner, comprising: a base movable along the surface to be cleaned; brush roll motor; and a brushroll having a length along a brushroll axis, the brushroll being rotatable about the brushroll axis relative to the base by the brushroll motor, the brushroll having a brushroll radius defined from the brushroll axis to an outer periphery of the brushroll; a cleaning device comprising a tray configured to selectively removably receive a portion of the floor cleaner in a mounted position, the tray including a brushroll receiving portion to receive a brushroll of the floor cleaner; and A light source is directed toward the brush roller when the brush roller is received in the brush roller receiving portion of the tray, the light source being operable to emit ultraviolet light having a wavelength less than 400 nm. 2 . The combination of claim 1 , further comprising a wiper configured to engage an outer periphery of the brush roll adjacent the light source.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein: When the floor cleaner is in the installed position, the wiper is positioned a first radial distance from the brushroll axis, and wherein the first radial distance is less than the brushroll radius such that the wiper touches the brushroll when the floor cleaner is in the installed position.

4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein: The first radial distance is 0.5 mm to 12 mm smaller than the radius of the brush roller.

5. The combination according to claim 3, wherein: The brushroll includes a working material having fibers having a fiber length, and the difference between the radial first distance and the brushroll radius is a function of the fiber length.

6. The combination according to claim 2, wherein: The wiper is configured to move a portion of the brushroll to expose an interior portion of the brushroll to the ultraviolet light.

7. The combination of claim 2, further comprising a transparent lens positioned between the light source and the brush roll when the floor cleaner is in the installed position.

8. The combination according to claim 7, wherein: The wiper is an extension of the lens.

9. The combination according to claim 2, wherein: The wiper extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the brushroll receiving portion of the tray, the wiper being configured to contact the length of the brushroll.

10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.

11. The combination according to claim 1, wherein: The light source extends longitudinally along at least a portion of a length of the brushroll receiving portion of the tray, the light source being configured to emit the ultraviolet light onto the length of the brushroll.

12. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a control circuit housed within the tray and electrically connected to the light source to control operation of the light source.

13. The combination according to claim 1, wherein: The tray includes an actuator configured to activate the brushroll when the floor cleaner is in the installed position.

14. The combination according to claim 1, wherein: The floor cleaner includes a control circuit for controlling the brush roller, and the control circuit can operate in a first condition, a second condition and a third condition. The first condition includes a brush roller enabled condition when the floor cleaner is in an operating condition, the second condition includes a brush roller disabled condition when the floor cleaner is in a storage condition and the floor cleaner is not in the installation position, and the third condition includes a brush roller enabled condition when the floor cleaner is in the installation position.

15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the cleaning device includes an actuator that activates the control circuit into the third condition, and wherein the control circuit enables a cleaning mode in the third condition.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the cleaning mode includes operation of the light source.

17. The combination of claim 1, wherein: A cleaning mode is operable in response to user activation when the floor cleaner is in the installed position.

18. The combination of claim 12, wherein: The control circuit is operable in response to user activation.

19. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a fan selectively operable to direct air through an air distributor having a plenum and one or more air openings directed toward the brushroll.

20. The combination of claim 19, further comprising a control circuit to operate the fan when the floor cleaner is in the mounted position.

Images