Floor cleaner

Abstract

In a first aspect of the present invention, a floor cleaner is provided that includes a cleaning head and a liquid tank. The liquid tank defines a liquid holding volume, and the liquid holding volume is in fluid communication with and downstream of the cleaning head. The floor cleaner also includes a draw-off pump. The draw-off pump is in fluid communication with the liquid holding volume and is located downstream of the liquid holding volume. The draw pump is configured to apply vacuum pressure to the liquid holding volume to draw fluid from the cleaning head to the liquid holding volume. The floor cleaner further includes a baffle arrangement defining an inlet for receiving fluid from the liquid holding volume, an outlet for providing air to the draw-off pump, and a baffle volume defined between the inlet and the outlet. The baffle arrangement further includes one or more baffle walls disposed between the inlet and the outlet to define a tortuous fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The baffle arrangement further includes one or more drain holes that provide fluid communication between the baffle volume and the liquid holding volume to allow liquid intercepted by the baffle wall to return to the liquid holding volume.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to floor cleaners, and more particularly, to a floor cleaner configured to collect cleaning liquid from a floor surface during cleaning. Background Art

[0002] Different types of floor cleaners are each designed to clean different types of floor surfaces. For example, a dry vacuum cleaner can be designed to use vacuum suction and / or a rotary brush assembly to clean carpets or other dry floor surfaces. A wet floor cleaner is designed to clean a floor surface with the help of a cleaning liquid. A wet floor cleaner can include means for removing the cleaning liquid from the floor surface during cleaning. For example, a wet floor cleaner can include a pumping unit to use vacuum suction to assist in removing the dirty cleaning liquid from the floor surface. The pumping unit can be arranged downstream of a liquid tank configured to capture the dirty cleaning liquid and store it for subsequent processing.

[0003] The use of a wet floor cleaner generally involves moving the cleaner along the floor surface to be cleaned, such as moving back and forth and / or side to side. However, moving the floor cleaner causes the liquid in the tank to move, which in some examples can cause liquid sloshing or swelling. This movement of the liquid in the tank increases the risk of introducing the liquid into the inlet of the downstream pumping unit. Exposing the pumping unit to the cleaning liquid can be harmful to the life of such a pump. For example, the pumping unit can include electrical connections and circuitry, and exposing these to the liquid can cause short circuits and damage to the pumping unit.

[0004] It is in this context that the present invention has been developed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor cleaner including a cleaning head and a liquid tank. The liquid tank defines a liquid holding volume, and the liquid holding volume is in fluid communication with the cleaning head and is located downstream of the cleaning head. The floor cleaner further includes a pumping unit. The pumping unit is in fluid communication with the liquid holding volume and is located downstream of the liquid holding volume. The pumping unit is configured to apply a vacuum pressure to the liquid holding volume to suck fluid from the cleaning head into the liquid holding volume. The floor cleaner further includes a baffle arrangement that defines an inlet for receiving fluid from the liquid holding volume, an outlet for supplying air to the pumping unit, and a baffle volume defined between the inlet and the outlet. The baffle arrangement further includes one or more baffle walls disposed between the inlet and the outlet to define a tortuous fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The baffle arrangement further includes one or more drain holes providing fluid communication between the baffle volume and the liquid holding volume to allow liquid intercepted by the baffle walls to return to the liquid holding volume.

[0006] It should be understood that the fluid received through the inlet by the baffle arrangement may include liquid and gas. Thus, the baffle arrangement is preferably configured to receive liquid and gas. The liquid may be a cleaning liquid that is used to assist in cleaning a floor surface using a floor cleaner. In some examples, the liquid may include water, and in some examples, the liquid may additionally include a cleaning product. For example, the gas may include air.

[0007] The baffle arrangement is configured to separate the liquid from the gas in the fluid received by the baffle arrangement to help ensure that the gas (i.e., air) is provided to the extraction pump while preventing the liquid from flowing towards the extraction pump. Thus, the said or each baffle wall is preferably configured to partially block, i.e., provide an obstacle, to the fluid entering the baffle arrangement through the inlet. When the fluid is intercepted by this baffle wall or each baffle wall, the fluid slows down, and the liquid separates from the gas by gravity.

[0008] If the liquid covers the outlet defined by the baffle arrangement, i.e., the main outlet, such liquid can effectively seal the outlet. In such an example, the vacuum pressure applied by the extraction pump can suck the liquid covering the outlet towards the extraction pump and potentially into the extraction pump. Thus, in some examples, the baffle arrangement may further define a separate auxiliary outlet for providing air to the extraction pump. Providing the auxiliary outlet in addition to the main outlet helps reduce or substantially eliminate the risk of sucking liquid into the extraction pump. The auxiliary outlet provides a second path for providing air to the extraction pump such that the suction of the liquid covering the main outlet is interrupted (or even not initiated), and air from the auxiliary outlet is provided to the extraction pump.

[0009] The movement of the floor cleaner during use may cause the liquid held in the liquid holding volume to fluctuate or expand. In an abnormal situation, such waves or surges may enter the baffle arrangement and cover the outlet. Thus, in some examples, the outlet and the auxiliary outlet may be provided at substantially opposite positions on the periphery of the baffle arrangement. This can help ensure that at least one outlet is always uncovered, thereby minimizing the risk of sucking liquid towards the extraction pump as described above.

[0010] In a preferred example, the outlet may be provided in the second half of the baffle arrangement, and the auxiliary outlet may be provided in the relatively first half of the baffle arrangement, and vice versa. For example, in use, the floor cleaner may move in a generally forward and backward manner along the axis of movement. In use, the first half and the second half of the baffle arrangement may be defined relative to their relative positions on the axis of movement. The forward and backward movement or the to-and-fro movement may cause the liquid in the liquid holding volume to move. In abnormal situations, such as when the liquid holding volume is very full, and / or when the floor cleaner is tilted more than 75 degrees from the vertical axis, the movement of the liquid in the liquid holding volume may cause the liquid to fluctuate or expand, and the fluctuation or expansion enters the baffle arrangement and covers one of the outlets, as described above. Providing the outlet and the auxiliary outlet in the second half and the first half of the baffle arrangement (or vice versa), that is, at positions that are generally opposite to each other around the periphery of the baffle arrangement, helps to ensure that at least one outlet is not covered even in such abnormal situations to continue to supply air to the extraction pump.

[0011] In some examples, the baffle arrangement may include a plurality of drain holes that provide fluid communication between the baffle volume and the liquid holding volume. Providing a plurality of drain holes can help to ensure that the liquid intercepted by the baffle wall quickly and effectively returns to the liquid holding volume. If one of the drain holes is blocked, such as by dust or debris entrained in the cleaning liquid, the plurality of drain holes can also help to ensure that there is one or more other drain holes for draining the liquid from the baffle volume.

[0012] In some examples, the plurality of drain holes may be distributed around the periphery of the baffle volume. Arranging the drain holes around the periphery of the baffle volume can further help to ensure that the liquid is quickly and effectively drained from the baffle volume. In particular, when the floor cleaner is tilted in different directions during use, this arrangement can help to ensure that the liquid is drained from the baffle volume.

[0013] In some examples, the tortuous fluid flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet may change direction by at least 90 degrees at least twice. This configuration helps to ensure that the baffle arrangement intercepts the liquid in the fluid received from the liquid holding volume via the inlet. Thus, configuring the baffle arrangement in this way helps to separate the liquid in the fluid from the air. The change in direction helps to slow down the flow of the fluid, thereby restricting the movement of the liquid in the fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

[0014] In some examples, the tortuous fluid flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet can change direction at least once by at least 90 degrees and at least once by 180 degrees, such that the baffle arrangement intercepts liquid in the fluid received via the inlet from the liquid holding volume. This configuration helps to separate liquid from air in any fluid received via the inlet from the liquid holding volume. Additionally, this configuration ensures that any liquid in the fluid flow path will have to completely change direction to reach the outlet and in some examples may have to travel against the influence of gravity to reach the outlet.

[0015] In some examples, the tortuous fluid flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet can change direction at least twice by at least 180 degrees, such that the baffle arrangement intercepts liquid in the fluid received via the inlet from the liquid holding volume. Configuring the baffle arrangement to have a tortuous fluid flow path that changes direction at least twice by at least 180 degrees helps to ensure separation of liquid from air in the fluid, as any liquid in the fluid flow path must completely change direction to reach the outlet. Additionally, in some examples, this configuration may mean that any fluid will have to travel against the force of gravity to reach the outlet.

[0016] Furthermore, in some examples, the said or each direction change can result in a tortuous fluid flow path that specifically directs the fluid towards the drain hole or each drain hole. In such examples, the liquid in the fluid flows through the drain hole under the influence of gravity rather than against gravity and further along the flow path towards the outlet.

[0017] In a preferred example, the inlet of the baffle arrangement can be configured to receive fluid flowing in an upward direction, such as a substantially vertical direction. Thus, in some examples, the initial portion of the tortuous fluid flow path can direct the fluid in an upward, i.e., substantially vertical, direction. This initial stage can help to initially separate some liquid from the gas in the fluid flow path, as liquid is denser than gas.

[0018] In some examples, the floor cleaner can be configured such that the baffle arrangement is located above the liquid holding volume in use. Configuring the floor cleaner such that the baffle arrangement is located above the liquid holding volume when the floor cleaner is in the "in use" orientation means that in use, the liquid in the baffle volume returns to the liquid holding volume with the help of gravity. In a preferred embodiment, the floor cleaner can be configured such that in use, the liquid tank can be located above the cleaning head and the baffle arrangement can be located above the water holding volume defined by the liquid tank.

[0019] In some examples, the baffle volume can be at least partially defined by the baffle bottom. The drain hole or each drain hole can be provided in the baffle bottom. Providing the or each drain hole in the baffle bottom is particularly advantageous for effective gravity-assisted drainage of liquid from the baffle volume to the liquid holding volume. The baffle bottom can extend transversely to the baffle wall or each baffle wall. For example, the baffle wall or each baffle wall can be arranged substantially vertically, and the baffle bottom can be substantially horizontal.

[0020] In some examples, the baffle bottom can define at least a portion of the top of the liquid holding volume. Thus, the drain hole or each drain hole in the baffle bottom can provide a particularly short direct path for draining liquid from the baffle volume back into the baffle volume.

[0021] In some examples, the baffle arrangement can include two or more separable parts. Forming the baffle arrangement from two or more separable parts can be advantageous for cleaning and / or maintenance of the baffle arrangement. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the baffle arrangement can be formed from two or more separable parts to facilitate access to the baffle volume. Providing access to the baffle volume means that any dust or debris trapped in the baffle volume can be removed in a simple manner.

[0022] It should be understood that, unless otherwise stated, in any of the examples described herein, the baffle arrangement of the floor cleaner can include two or more separable parts. That is, providing a baffle arrangement including two or more separable parts does not necessarily or inevitably depend on any of the other features described herein.

[0023] In some examples, the baffle arrangement can include a first part defining the baffle bottom and a second part defining the baffle top. For the avoidance of doubt, in a preferred example, the first and second parts can be separable from each other. Thus, the baffle arrangement can be said to have a "horizontal crack" between the first and second parts. Configuring the baffle arrangement in this way can be particularly advantageous for providing an entry into the baffle volume. For example, in an example where the drain hole or each drain hole is provided in the deflector, configuring the deflector device to have a horizontal crack can advantageously provide access to each drain hole to simply remove any dust or debris.

[0024] The first and second parts of the baffle arrangement are preferably releasably interconnected. For example, the first and second parts of the baffle arrangement can be attached together by a snap fit or a press fit connection.

[0025] In some examples, a first portion of the baffle arrangement may define at least one baffle wall. Additionally or alternatively, a second portion of the baffle arrangement may define at least one baffle wall. This configuration simplifies the assembly of the baffle arrangement, as the baffle wall or each baffle wall is provided between the inlet and the outlet simply by joining the first and second portions of the baffle arrangement together. This configuration reduces the number of individual components required to form the baffle arrangement, again simplifying manufacture and reducing costs.

[0026] In preferred examples, a first portion of the baffle arrangement may define a plurality of baffle walls. Additionally or alternatively, a second portion of the baffle arrangement may define a plurality of baffle walls. This can improve the ease of manufacture.

[0027] In some examples, the baffle arrangement may form at least part of a lid of the liquid tank. Configuring the floor cleaner such that the baffle arrangement forms at least part of a lid of the liquid tank simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the floor cleaner by reducing the number of individual components required for manufacture and assembly, thereby also reducing costs.

[0028] In some examples, the baffle arrangement may be removably fixed to the liquid tank. This configuration can advantageously facilitate cleaning, maintenance or replacement of the baffle arrangement and / or the liquid tank.

[0029] In some preferred examples, the floor cleaner may include a seal disposed between an inner surface of the baffle arrangement and the liquid tank. In this way, the baffle arrangement can be sealed to the inner surface of the liquid tank and can thereby form at least part of a lid of the liquid tank.

[0030] In some examples, the seal may be formed on the baffle arrangement during an overmolding process. For example, the baffle arrangement or a part of the baffle arrangement may be formed by injection molding. After the baffle arrangement or a part of the baffle arrangement has been formed, the seal may be applied to the baffle arrangement or a part of the baffle arrangement during a secondary injection molding process. In this way, the seal may be referred to as an overmolded seal. Configuring the baffle arrangement to have an overmolded seal can provide a particularly effective and robust seal between the baffle arrangement and the liquid tank. This can advantageously help to maintain the vacuum pressure applied by the extraction pump.

[0031] In some examples, the baffle arrangement may additionally or alternatively include one or more mechanical interlock devices configured to mechanically secure the seal to the baffle arrangement.

[0032] In some examples, the extraction pump may be an air-based pump, such as a vacuum pump, such as a vacuum pump including an electric motor driving a turbine blade arrangement. The presently described baffle arrangement is particularly advantageous for air-based pump systems in which the inlet is open to the inlet.

[0033] It should be understood that any feature described in connection with one example applies equally to any other example described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a floor cleaner including a cleaning head, a liquid tank, and a suction pump;

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic flow chart showing the fluid flow path from the floor surface via the liquid tank to the suction pump;

[0036] Figure 3 is a more detailed schematic flow chart generally showing the baffle arrangement in the flow path provided between the suction pump and the liquid holding volume defined by the liquid tank;

[0037] Figure 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the baffle arrangement;

[0038] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view of the baffle arrangement; and

[0039] Figure 6 is a schematic exploded view of the baffle arrangement and the liquid tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the floor cleaner 10. The floor cleaner 10 is configured to clean the floor surface 12 with a cleaning liquid 14. The cleaning liquid 14 wets the floor surface 12 to soften and / or loosen the dirt on the surface 12. Thus, the floor cleaner 10 can be referred to as a wet floor cleaner 10. In some examples, the floor cleaner 10 may include an on-board cleaning liquid tank and means for supplying the cleaning liquid 14 to the floor surface 12. The cleaning action is performed by the cleaning head 16 of the floor cleaner 10. Thus, in some examples, the cleaning head 16 may include motor-driven cleaning elements, such as brushes or pads (not shown), for agitating the dust on the floor surface 12 to assist in cleaning.

[0041] As will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 6 the floor cleaner 10 also includes a suction pump 18 ( Figure 1 not shown in ) to assist in collecting the cleaning liquid 14 and dust from the floor surface 12. The suction pump 18 provides a vacuum pressure to suck the dust and the dirty cleaning liquid 14 into the floor cleaner 10 through the cleaning head 16. Thus, the suction pump 18 is in fluid communication with the cleaning head 16. In a preferred embodiment, the suction pump 18 may be an air-based pump, such as a vacuum pump including an electric motor driving a turbine blade arrangement.

[0042] As will now be described with reference to the remaining figures, the floor cleaner 10 further includes a liquid tank 20 for storing the cleaning liquid 14 and dust that are sucked into the floor cleaner 10 via the cleaning head 16.

[0043] Although only schematically shown in Figure 2 , the liquid tank 20 of the floor cleaner 10 defines a liquid holding volume 22 for storing the liquid sucked into the floor cleaner 10 through the cleaning head 16. Thus, the liquid holding volume 22 is in fluid communication with the cleaning head 16. Figure 2 The arrows 24l, 24g in Figure 2 represent the fluid flow paths from the cleaning head 16 to the liquid holding volume 22. It should be understood that the term "fluid" as used herein refers to liquids and gases. In Figure 2 , the solid arrows 24l, 26l, 28l represent the flow paths of the liquid (i.e., the cleaning liquid 14), and the dashed arrows 24g, 26g, 28g represent the flow paths of the gas (i.e., air). As Figure 2 shows, the fluid, i.e., the liquid and the gas, is provided to the liquid holding volume 22 through the fluid communication between the cleaning head 16 and the liquid holding volume 22.

[0044] As Figure 2 shows by the dashed arrows 26g, 28g, the liquid holding volume 22 is also in fluid communication with the extraction pump 18. The extraction pump 18 is configured to extract the fluid from the cleaning head 16 to the liquid holding volume 22 by applying a vacuum pressure to the liquid holding volume 22. As Figure 2 shows by the arrows 24l, 24g, the liquid holding volume 22 is disposed downstream of the cleaning head 16, and the extraction pump 18 is disposed downstream of the liquid holding volume 22, as shown by the arrows 26g and 28g.

[0045] It is noted that the liquid holding volume 22 is configured to hold the liquid, and the extraction pump 18 is configured to apply a vacuum pressure to the liquid holding volume 22 by discharging the gas (i.e., air) from the liquid holding volume 22. As described in the background art, allowing the liquid to enter or contact the extraction pump 18 may be harmful to the life of the extraction pump 18, and the movement of the floor cleaner 10 may increase the risk of the liquid entering the extraction pump 18. Therefore, the floor cleaner 10 includes a baffle arrangement 30 disposed between the liquid holding volume 22 and the extraction pump 18. As will be described in more detail later with reference to Figures 3 to 6 , the baffle arrangement 30 is configured to ensure that only air and no liquid is provided to the extraction pump 18 by separating any cleaning liquid 14 from the air in the baffle arrangement 30. The air provided to the extraction pump 18 from the baffle arrangement 30 is represented by the arrow 28g in Figure 2 , and the liquid returning from the baffle arrangement 30 to the liquid holding volume 22 is represented by the arrow 28l.

[0046] It should be noted that, in normal use, the fluid in the baffle arrangement 30 may not include liquid, but may simply include air that is drawn into the baffle arrangement 30 from the liquid holding volume 22 under the vacuum pressure caused by the extraction pump 18. However, the baffle arrangement 30 is provided to ensure that in abnormal situations, such as when the liquid holding volume 22 is approaching capacity, or when the movement of the floor cleaner 10 causes liquid fluctuations / swelling in the tank 20, any fluid that is pushed towards the extraction pump 18 along the fluid flow path is first intercepted by the baffle arrangement 30, and the baffle arrangement 30 then separates the liquid from the air.

[0047] Figure 3 A more detailed schematic view of the flow path between the cleaning head 16 and the extraction pump 18 in the floor cleaner 10 is shown. For reference, in some examples, the liquid tank 20 and the baffle arrangement 30 may be removable from the main body 32 of the floor cleaner 10 (shown more clearly in Figure 1 ). This may be beneficial for the maintenance of the liquid tank 20 and the baffle arrangement 30, and for emptying the liquid tank 20 when the tank is at full capacity. Thus, the floor cleaner 10 may include engagement members 34 for providing fluid communication between the main body 32 and the removable parts of the floor cleaner 10.

[0048] More specifically referring to the baffle arrangement 30, as Figure 3 schematically shown, the baffle arrangement 30 defines an inlet 36 for receiving fluid from the liquid holding volume 22 and an outlet 38 for providing air to the extraction pump 18. The baffle arrangement 30 includes a baffle volume 40 defined between the inlet 36 and the outlet 38. Thus, the inlet 36 facilitates fluid communication between the liquid holding volume 22 and the baffle volume 40, and the outlet 38 facilitates fluid communication between the baffle volume 40 and the extraction pump 18.

[0049] Now the baffle arrangement 30 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4 、 5 and 6. Figure 4 An example of the baffle arrangement 30 is shown in more detail in a side cross-sectional view, Figure 5 showing a schematic cross-sectional plan view of the baffle arrangement 30, Figure 6 showing a schematic exploded view of an example of the baffle arrangement 30 and the liquid tank 20 of the floor cleaner 10.

[0050] As most clearly shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4 , the baffle arrangement 30 includes a baffle wall 42 disposed between the inlet 36 and the outlet 38 of the baffle arrangement 30. In a preferred example, the baffle arrangement 30 may include a plurality of baffle walls 42. The baffle walls 42 define a tortuous fluid flow path 44 between the inlet 36 and the outlet 38, as shown by the dashed arrows in Figure 4 .

[0051] In particular, the baffle wall 42 partially obstructs the flow of fluid through the baffle volume 40. This reduces the fluid flow velocity between the inlet 36 and the outlet 38 and causes the separation of liquid and air. For example, when the flow is intercepted and decelerated by the wall 42, the denser liquid is mainly affected by gravity, while the relatively less dense air continues to be mainly affected by the vacuum pressure applied by the extraction pump 18. In this way, the liquid in the fluid in the baffle volume 40 is pushed downward, and the air is sucked towards the extraction pump 18 through the outlet 38, thereby separating the liquid from the air and ensuring that only air is introduced into the extraction pump 18.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the tortuous fluid flow path 44 defined between the inlet 36 and the outlet 38 changes direction at least twice by at least 90 degrees. As Figure 4 shown, a particularly advantageous configuration of the baffle arrangement 30 provides a tortuous fluid flow path 44 that changes direction at least twice by at least 180 degrees. This means that the liquid flow will need to change direction completely twice to advance from the baffle volume 40 towards the extraction pump 18. In a preferred example, as Figure 4 shown, the baffle wall 42 can be arranged in a substantially vertical direction. With this configuration, any liquid in the fluid entering the baffle volume 40 will have to overcome the influence of gravity and change direction completely in order to pass through the baffle wall 42 and advance towards the extraction pump 18.

[0053] The liquid intercepted by the baffle wall 42 is discharged from the baffle volume 40 through one or more drain holes 46. Each drain hole 46 provides fluid communication between the baffle volume 40 and the liquid holding volume 22. This ensures that the liquid returns to the liquid holding volume 22 and does not accumulate in the baffle volume 40. In a preferred example, the baffle arrangement 30 can include a plurality of drain holes 46, as Figure 5 most clearly shown in, to facilitate the rapid removal of liquid from the baffle volume 40.

[0054] Referring to Figure 5 , in a preferred embodiment, the drain holes 46 can be distributed around the periphery of the baffle volume 40. Arranging the drain holes 46 around the perimeter of the baffle volume 40 further facilitates the effective discharge of liquid from the baffle volume 40 and helps to ensure that discharge can be achieved when the floor cleaner 10 is tilted in a plurality of different directions during use.

[0055] In some particularly advantageous examples, such as Figure 4As shown, the baffle wall 42 can define a tortuous fluid flow path 44 that specifically directs the incident fluid towards the drain hole 46. For example, in the case where the fluid flow path 44 changes direction at least twice by at least 180 degrees, the baffle wall 42 can direct the fluid flow towards the drain hole 46. This configuration is particularly effective in ensuring that the liquid does not further flow towards the extraction pump 18 but is quickly discharged from the baffle volume 40.

[0056] Still referring to Figure 6 the schematic exploded view in, in a preferred embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 can be configured such that the baffle arrangement 30 is located above the liquid holding volume 22 in use. Additionally, as Figure 4 shown, the drain hole 46 can be provided in the baffle bottom 48, and the baffle bottom 48 defines at least a part of the baffle volume 40. It should be understood that in such an example, any liquid in the baffle volume 40 returns to the liquid holding volume 22 along a short, direct fluid flow path through the baffle bottom 48 under the action of gravity.

[0057] As previously mentioned, the baffle arrangement 30 includes an outlet 38 for providing fluid communication between the baffle volume 40 and the extraction pump 18. In some abnormal situations, there may be a risk that the liquid may cover the outlet 38 and effectively form a seal, such that the suction from the extraction pump 18 may suck the liquid along the flow path towards the extraction pump 18 and may enter the extraction pump 18. For example, the abnormal situation can include using the floor cleaner 10 when the liquid tank 20 is approaching capacity and the floor cleaner 10 is tilted to or near the tilt limit of the cleaner 10. In such an abnormal situation, the floor cleaner 10 may be particularly vulnerable to liquid waves or expansion entering the baffle volume 40 during use.

[0058] In some advantageous examples, the baffle arrangement 30 can thus include a separate auxiliary outlet 50 for providing air to the extraction pump 18. If one of the outlets 38, 50 is covered by the liquid in the baffle volume 40, air can still be provided to the extraction pump 18 through the other outlet 38, 50. This ensures that the liquid covering the outlets 38, 50 is not sucked towards the extraction pump 18 because the vacuum pressure is applied through the other uncovered outlet 38, 50.

[0059] To best ensure that at least one of the outlets 38, 50 remains uncovered throughout the use of the floor cleaner 10, the outlet 38 and the auxiliary outlet 50 are preferably provided at generally opposite positions around the perimeter of the baffle arrangement 30. For example, referring to the fore-and-aft movement axis 52 (as Figure 1 and 4As shown), in some examples, the outlet 38 and the auxiliary outlet 50 can be respectively arranged at the opposite front and rear parts of the baffle arrangement 30. This configuration may be particularly advantageous because the main movement direction of the floor cleaner 10 is generally approximately along the front-rear movement axis 52, which means that during use, the liquid in the liquid tank 20 is most likely to expand or fluctuate towards one of the front or rear parts of the liquid tank 20.

[0060] Now mainly referring to Figure 4 and 6 , in some examples, the baffle arrangement 30 can include two or more separable parts. For example, as Figure 4 shown, the baffle arrangement 30 can include a first part 54 defining the baffle bottom 48 and a second part 56 defining the baffle top 58. For example, as Figure 6 shown, the baffle arrangement 30 can thus be assembled and disassembled with a horizontal split. This advantageously facilitates easy access to the baffle volume 40, especially the baffle bottom 48 and the drain hole 46, for cleaning and maintenance operations, such as unclogging the drain hole 46.

[0061] In some examples, the separable parts 54, 56 of the baffle arrangement 30 can additionally define the baffle wall or each baffle wall 42. For example, as Figure 4 shown, the first part 54 of the baffle arrangement 30 can define the baffle wall 42, and the second part 56 of the baffle arrangement 30 can also define the baffle wall 42. Thus, when assembling the baffle arrangement 30, the baffle wall 42 can be simply arranged in the baffle volume 40 by arranging the first and second separable baffle parts 54, 56 together.

[0062] As Figure 6 shown, the baffle arrangement 30 can be detachably fixed to the liquid container 20. Similarly, this may be beneficial for the maintenance of the baffle arrangement 30 and the liquid tank 20. In some examples, the baffle arrangement 30 can form at least a part of the lid of the liquid tank 20. For example, the liquid tank 20 and the baffle arrangement 30 can be removed together from the floor cleaner body 32, so the baffle arrangement 30 can help ensure that the liquid in the tank 20 does not spill. To help seal the baffle arrangement 30 to other parts of the floor cleaner 10, such as the liquid tank 20, the baffle arrangement 30 can include a seal 60 extending around the outer surface of the baffle arrangement 30, as most clearly shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4 .

[0063] It should be understood that the above description and drawings are provided only as an example of the present invention. Therefore, many alternatives to the above examples are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

[0064] For example, it should be understood that the cleaning head 16 can include any suitable means for cleaning the floor surface 12, and the present invention is not limited to any particular configuration of the cleaning head 16.

[0065] In addition, the fluid flow path of the floor cleaner 10 mentioned herein can be defined by a pipe or any other suitable fluid conduit. It should be understood that the specific configuration of the conduit defining the fluid flow path is not important for the function and advantages of the baffle arrangement 30.

[0066] The description provided herein is for the purpose of presenting a number of possible examples of the present invention. Features described with respect to any of the above examples can be readily combined with any other features described with reference to different examples without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A floor cleaner, comprising: Cleaning head; Liquid tank, defining a liquid holding volume, wherein the liquid holding volume is in fluid communication with the cleaning head and is located downstream of the cleaning head; Extraction pump, wherein the extraction pump is in fluid communication with the liquid holding volume and is located downstream of the liquid holding volume, the extraction pump being configured to apply a vacuum pressure to the liquid holding volume to suck fluid from the cleaning head into the liquid holding volume; and Baffle arrangement, defining an inlet for receiving fluid from the liquid holding volume, an outlet for supplying air to the extraction pump, and a baffle volume defined between the inlet and the outlet; The baffle arrangement further includes one or more baffle walls arranged between the inlet and the outlet to define a tortuous fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet; The baffle arrangement further includes one or more drain holes, the drain holes providing fluid communication between the baffle volume and the liquid holding volume to allow liquid intercepted by the baffle wall to return to the liquid holding volume.

2. The floor cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the baffle arrangement further defines a separate auxiliary outlet for supplying air to the extraction pump.

3. The floor cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the outlet and the auxiliary outlet are provided at substantially opposite positions around the baffle arrangement.

4. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle arrangement includes a plurality of drain holes that provide fluid communication between the baffle volume and the liquid holding volume.

5. The floor cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the drain holes are distributed around the perimeter of the baffle volume.

6. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tortuous fluid flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet changes direction at least twice by at least 90 degrees, such that the baffle arrangement intercepts liquid in the fluid received from the liquid holding volume via the inlet.

7. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tortuous fluid flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet changes direction at least once by at least 90 degrees and at least once by 180 degrees, such that the baffle arrangement intercepts liquid in the fluid received from the liquid holding volume via the inlet.

8. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tortuous fluid flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet changes direction at least twice by at least 180 degrees, such that the baffle arrangement intercepts liquid in the fluid received from the liquid holding volume via the inlet.

9. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor cleaner is configured such that the baffle arrangement is located above the liquid holding volume in use.

10. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle arrangement includes two or more separable parts.

11. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle volume is at least partially defined by a baffle bottom, and wherein the drain hole or each drain hole is provided in the baffle bottom.

12. The floor cleaner according to claim 11, wherein the baffle arrangement comprises a first part defining a bottom of the baffle and a second part defining a top of the baffle.

13. The floor cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the first part of the baffle arrangement defines at least one baffle wall, and / or wherein the second part of the baffle arrangement defines at least one baffle wall.

14. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle arrangement forms at least a part of a lid of the liquid tank.

15. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle arrangement is removably fixed to the liquid tank.

16. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extraction pump is a vacuum pump, preferably comprising an electric motor driving a turbine blade arrangement.

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