Floor cleaner

Abstract

A floor cleaner includes a canister including an inlet connected to a separator along an airpath, a base including a nozzle body having a suction inlet, a hose, and a wand. The canister includes a battery pack, a suction motor, and a battery pack receptacle to removably receive the battery pack. The wand includes a handle to drivingly move the nozzle body over a surface to be cleaned. The canister is removably connected to the wand such that the floor cleaner is selectively convertible between an upright vacuum mode in which the canister is connected to the wand for movement with the wand and a canister vacuum mode in which the canister is removed from the wand so that the wand is movable relative to the canister. The canister sits on the battery pack when the canister is sitting on the surface to be cleaned.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001FLOOR CLEANERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 736,151, filed December 19, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a floor cleaner.SUMMARY

[0003] In one embodiment, a floor cleaner is disclosed. The floor cleaner includes a canister including an inlet connected to a separator along an airpath. The canister further includes a battery pack, a suction motor, an exhaust outlet, and a battery pack receptacle to removably receive the battery pack that is operable to power the suction motor. The floor cleaner includes a base including a nozzle body having a suction inlet and a support member pivotally coupled to the nozzle body. The airpath extends from the suction inlet to the exhaust outlet. The floor cleaner includes a hose along the airpath. The hose includes a first end connected to the inlet and a second end opposite the first end. The floor cleaner includes a wand along the airpath connected to the second end of the hose at a hose connection end of the wand. The wand is removably connected to the support member at a nozzle body connection end of the wand. The wand includes a handle to drivingly move the nozzle body over a surface to be cleaned. The canister is removably connected to the wand such that the floor cleaner is selectively convertible between an upright vacuum mode in which the canister is connected to the wand and moveable with the wand and a canister vacuum mode in which the canister is removed from the wand and the wand is movable relative to the canister. The canister includes a leg formed by the battery pack. The leg is positioned on a lower portion of the canister such that the canister sits on the battery pack when the floor cleaner is in the canister vacuum mode and the canister is sitting on the surface to be cleaned.

[0004] In another embodiment, a floor cleaner is disclosed. The floor cleaner includes a canister including an inlet connected to a separator along an airpath. The canister further includes a suction motor and an exhaust outlet. The floor cleaner includes a base including a nozzle bodyAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 having a suction inlet and a support member pivotally coupled to the nozzle body. The airpath extends from the suction inlet to the exhaust outlet. The nozzle body has a front side that leads the nozzle body in a forward direction during use and a rear side opposite the front side of the nozzle body. The rear side of the nozzle body faces in a rearward direction opposite the forward direction. The floor cleaner includes a hose along the airpath with a first end connected to the inlet and a second end opposite the first end. The floor cleaner includes a handle to drivingly move the nozzle body over a surface to be cleaned. The floor cleaner includes a wand along the airpath connected to the second end of the hose. The canister is removably attachable to the wand such that the floor cleaner is selectively convertible between a canister vacuum mode and an upright vacuum mode. The wand includes a lower portion that is connectable to the support member, an upper portion adjacent the handle, a front side facing in the forward direction, a rear side facing in the rearward direction, a lower wand attachment member releasably couplable to the canister, and an upper wand attachment member positioned above the lower wand attachment member. The upper wand attachment member releasably couples to the canister. The canister includes a lower canister attachment member corresponding to the lower wand attachment member. The lower canister attachment member releasably couples to the lower wand attachment member. The canister includes an upper canister attachment member corresponding to the upper wand attachment member to releasably couple to the upper wand attachment member. The base is removable from the wand when the canister is attached to the wand. The canister includes one or more legs positioned on a lower portion of the canister such that the canister sits on the one or more legs when the canister is sitting on the surface to be cleaned. At least one of the one or more legs includes the lower canister attachment member.

[0005] In another embodiment, a floor cleaner and battery charger combination is disclosed. The floor cleaner includes a canister including an inlet connected to a separator along an airpath. The canister further includes a suction motor and an exhaust outlet. The floor cleaner includes a base including a nozzle body having a suction inlet and a support member pivotally coupled to the nozzle body. The floor cleaner includes a handle to drivingly move the nozzle body over a surface to be cleaned. The floor cleaner includes a hose with a first end connected to the inlet and a second end opposite the first end having a length of the hose therebetween. The hose defines a portion of the airpath. The airpath extends from the suction inlet to the exhaust outlet. The floor cleaner includes a battery pack removably mounted to the floor cleaner to power theAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 suction motor. The floor cleaner includes a battery charger connection to transmit a battery charging current to the battery pack to charge the battery pack. The floor cleaner includes a wand along the airpath. The wand is connected to the second end of the hose at a hose connection end of the wand having wand-to-hose electrical contacts. The wand is removably connected to the support member at a nozzle body connection end of the wand. The canister is removably connected to the wand at a canister connection location of the wand having wand-to- canister electrical contacts. The wand includes first electrical wiring extending from the nozzle body connection end of the wand to the wand-to-hose electrical contacts. The wand includes second electrical wiring extending from the nozzle body connection end to the wand-to-canister electrical contacts. The battery charger connection is operatively connected to the battery pack through the wand-to-canister electrical contacts. The battery charger includes a charger housing enclosing battery charger circuitry to control operation of the battery charger and to provide the battery charging current. The battery charger includes a floor cleaner connection that interfaces with the battery charger connection on the floor cleaner to connect the battery charger to the battery pack and to transmit the battery charging current through the wand-to-canister electrical contacts to the battery pack, bypassing the length of the hose.

[0006] In another embodiment, a floor cleaner for cleaning a surface to be cleaned is disclosed. The floor cleaner includes a base. The base includes a nozzle body including a suction inlet, an agitator motor operable to drive an agitator, and a nozzle body controller configured to control the agitator motor. The floor cleaner further includes a canister including an exhaust outlet, a suction motor configured to generate an airflow along an airpath extending from the suction inlet to the exhaust outlet, and a canister controller configured to control the suction motor. The nozzle body controller is configured to send communications to and receive communications from the canister controller. The floor cleaner operates in a first mode in which the canister controller controls the suction motor at a suction level predetermined for the first mode. The predetermined suction level is provided by the canister controller. The floor cleaner operates in a second mode in which the canister controller enables the nozzle body controller to control the suction motor. The nozzle body controller is configured to control the suction motor in the second mode by operating the suction motor at one or more suction levels determined by the nozzle body controller. The canister controller resumes control of the suction motor when operation in the second mode is turned off.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001

[0007] In another embodiment, a floor cleaner for cleaning a surface to be cleaned is disclosed. The floor cleaner includes a base including a nozzle body including a suction inlet, an agitator motor operable to drive an agitator, and a nozzle body controller configured to control the agitator motor. The floor cleaner further includes a canister including an exhaust outlet, a suction motor configured to generate an airflow along an airpath extending from the suction inlet to the exhaust outlet, and a canister controller configured to control the suction motor. The canister controller is configured to send communications to and receive communications from the nozzle body controller. The floor cleaner operates in a first mode in which the nozzle body controller controls the agitator motor at an agitator motor speed predetermined for the first mode. The predetermined agitator motor speed is provided by the nozzle body controller. The floor cleaner operates in a second mode in which the nozzle body controller enables the canister controller to control the agitator motor. The canister controller is configured to control the agitator motor in the second mode by operating the agitator motor at one or more agitator motor speeds determined by the canister controller during operation in the second mode. The nozzle body controller resumes control of the agitator motor when operation in the second mode is turned off.

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

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a floor cleaner in a canister vacuum mode according to an embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1 in an upright vacuum mode.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1 in the upright vacuum mode.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of a canister of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1 in the canister vacuum mode.

[0013] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the canister of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1 showing an upper canister attachment member, and an inlet to the canister in communication with a separator.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lower connection between the canister and a wand of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1 in the upright vacuum mode.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001

[0015] FIG. 6 is a section view of the lower connection between the canister and the wand of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1 in the upright vacuum mode along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a floor cleaner in an upright vacuum mode according to another embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a side view of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7 in the upright vacuum mode.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway side view of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7 with a canister of the floor cleaner in the process of attachment or removal.

[0019] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7 mounted on a docking station.

[0020] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7 raised above the docking station of FIG. 10A.

[0021] FIG. 11 A is a front-side view of a wand of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7.

[0022] FIG. 1 IB is a side view of the wand of FIG. 11 A, rotated relative to FIG. 11 A.

[0023] FIG. 11C is a front view of the wand of FIG. 11A, rotated relative to both FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B.

[0024] FIG. 12A is the front-side view of the wand of FIG. 11A.

[0025] FIG. 12B is the view of the wand of FIG. 12A with an outer cover removed.

[0026] FIG. 12C is a side view of the wand of FIG. 12A with the outer cover removed.

[0027] FIG. 13A is the side view of the wand of FIG. 1 IB, in a retracted position.

[0028] FIG. 13B is a side view of the wand of Fig. 13A in an extended position.

[0029] FIG. 14 is a top view of the wand of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7.

[0030] FIG. 15 is a partial side view of the wand of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7 showing an upper wand attachment member and a canister connection location.

[0031] FIG. 16 is a partial front-side view of the wand of FIG. 15 showing the upper wand attachment member and the canister connection location rotated relative to FIG. 15.

[0032] FIG. 17 is a section view of the wand of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7 along the line 17-17 of FIG. 15.

[0033] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the wand of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7.

[0034] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the canister of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7 showing an upper canister attachment member, and an inlet to the canister in communication with a separator.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001

[0035] FIG. 20 is a partial cutaway view of the canister of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7 showing the inlet to the canister, an upper canister attachment member, and a spring acting on an actuator that moves the upper canister attachment member.

[0036] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the actuator and the upper canister attachment member.

[0037] FIG. 22 is a schematic of a combination of the floor cleaner of FIG. 7 and a battery charger and showing an electrical system of the combination.

[0038] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

[0039] In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may include hardware, software, and electronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of the components were implemented solely in hardware. However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment, control -related aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one or more processing units, such as a microprocessor and / or application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). It should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software-based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components, may be utilized to implement the embodiments. For example, “microcomputers” and “controllers” described in the specification can include one or more processing units, one or more computer-readable medium modules, one or more input / output interfaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) connecting the components, and printed circuit boards described in the specification can include one or more printed circuit boards and may be or include circuitry without a printed circuit board.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a floor cleaner 110 including a canister 114, a base 116, a hose 122, and a wand 126. The canister 114 includes a separator 130, a suction motor 134, an exhaust outlet 138, and a battery pack receptacle 142 that removably receives a battery pack 146 to power the suction motor 134. The suction motor 134 may be positioned below the separator 130 to lower aAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 center of gravity of the canister 1 14. The battery pack 146 may be positioned below the separator 130 and the suction motor 134 to lower a center of gravity of the canister 114. The battery pack 146 is removable from the battery pack receptacle 142. The canister 114 includes an inlet 150 (FIG. 4 A) connected to the separator 130 to receive dirty air and direct it to the separator 130. The separator 130 may be a cyclonic separator, a fdter bag, a fdter, or other air / debris separator as desired. The base 116 includes a nozzle body 118 having a suction inlet 154 facing a surface to be cleaned. The base 116 includes a support member 120 pivotally connected to the nozzle body 118 movable between an upright storage position and a use position. The suction motor 134 is configured to generate an airflow along an airpath 158 extending from the suction inlet 154, through the support member 120 and the wand 126, through the hose 122, through the inlet 150, through the separator 130, through the suction motor 134, and to the exhaust outlet 138.

[0041] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the hose 122 includes a first end 162 connected to the inlet 150 and a second end 166 opposite the first end 162. The second end 166 is connected to the wand 126 at a hose connection end 170 of the wand 126. The wand 126 includes a handle 174 at an upper end of the wand 126. The handle 174 includes an operator control interface 182 for operating the floor cleaner 110 by providing information to a user and receiving a user input from a user. The wand 126 is removably connected to the support member 120 at a nozzle body connection end 186 of the wand 126. The wand 126 and support member 120 form an upright portion when the base 116 is connected to the nozzle body connection end 186 of the wand 126, and an operator may use the handle 174 to drivingly move the nozzle body 118 over the surface to be cleaned.

[0042] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the canister 114 is connectable to the wand 126 such that the floor cleaner 110 is operable in an upright vacuum mode (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example) in which the canister 114 is connected to the wand 126 for movement with the wand 126, the canister 114 and wand 126 forming an upright portion pivotally connected to the base 116. The canister 114 is removable from the wand 126 such that the floor cleaner 110 is operable in a canister vacuum mode (shown in FIG. 1, for example) in which the canister 114 is removed (i.e., disconnected) from the wand 126 so that the wand 126 is movable relative to the canister 114. In this way, the floor cleaner 110 is selectively convertible between the upright vacuum mode (FIGS. 2 and 3) and the canister vacuum mode (FIG. 1).Attorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001

[0043] With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the canister 114 includes a canister housing 190. The canister housing 190 includes a lower portion 202 and an opposite upper portion 206. The canister housing 190 includes the battery pack receptacle 142 disposed in the lower portion 202. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the canister 114 is configured to be supported in an upright position on a surface 196 sitting on one or more legs in the canister vacuum mode (that is, when the canister 114 is removed from the wand 126). When the battery pack 146 is mounted to the battery pack receptacle 142, the battery pack 146 forms a first leg 146 on which the canister 114 is supported, or on which the canister 114 sits, when the floor cleaner 110 is in the canister vacuum mode. In the illustrated embodiment, the canister 114 “sits” on a surface when the battery pack 146 is adjacent and above the surface such that the suction motor 134 is above the battery pack 146, the separator 130 is above the battery pack 146, and the canister 114 is supported by the one or more legs on the surface. The suction motor 134 is positioned between the separator 130 and the battery pack 146. In one embodiment, the first leg 146 formed by the battery pack 146 is the only leg supporting the canister 114 in the canister vacuum mode. In one embodiment, the canister 114 includes a plurality of legs positioned on a lower portion 202 of the canister housing 190, and the battery pack 146 forms one of the plurality of legs. In the illustrated embodiment, the canister housing 190 includes a second leg 194 and a third leg 198. When the canister 114 is removed from the wand 126 and positioned to sit upright on a surface 196 (e.g., the surface to be cleaned) as shown in FIG. 4, the canister 114 sits on the legs 146, 194, 198 (i.e., the legs 146, 194, 198 contact the surface and support the canister 114). The legs 146, 194, 198 are formed on the lower portion 202 of the canister housing 190. In some embodiments, the canister housing 190 may include a greater number of legs than illustrated or a lesser number of legs, depending upon the canister size and shape and the leg shapes selected to support the canister on the surface 196. The battery pack receptacle 142 may include a reinforced material such as glass-filled nylon or another material to receive and dissipate forces applied to the battery pack 146.

[0044] With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the upper portion 206 of the canister housing 190 includes a handle 210 positioned to allow an operator to carry the canister 114 when the canister 114 is removed from the wand 126. One of the legs 194, 198 (and in the illustrated embodiment, the leg 198) may include or be adjacent to a storage feature 214 such as a hose retainer 214 to receive and retain the hose 122, or a tool holder shape configured to receive and retain a cleaningAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 tool or nozzle, or other storage feature 214 as desired. To operate the illustrated storage feature 214, a user may loop the hose 122 around the hose retainer 214 to store the hose 122 or to position the hose 122 out of the way when the canister 114 is connected to the wand 126. In one embodiment, the second and third legs 194, 198 include wheels or casters 211 (shown schematically in FIG. 5).

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the wand 126 includes a lower wand attachment member 218. The lower wand attachment member 218 includes a first peg 222 and a second peg 226 opposed from one another on opposite sides of the wand 126. The canister 114 includes a lower canister attachment member 230 corresponding to the lower wand attachment member 218 that selectively engages the lower wand attachment member 218 to releasably attach the wand 126 to the canister 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower canister attachment member 230 is formed as a pair of hooks 234, 238 defining respective recesses 236, 240. At least one of the one or more legs 146, 194, 198 includes the lower canister attachment member 230. The lower canister attachment member 230 is defined by the legs 194, 198 such that the second leg 194 includes the first hook 234 and the third leg 198 includes the second hook 238 forming the lower canister attachment member 230.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 4A, the canister 114 includes an inlet 150, an upper canister attachment member 144, canister-to-hose electrical contacts 121, canister-to-wand electrical contacts 125, and an actuator 231. The upper canister attachment member 144, the canister-to- hose electrical contacts 121, the canister-to-wand electrical contacts 125, and the actuator 231 function similarly to the upper canister attachment member 444, the canister-to-hose electrical contacts 522, the canister-to-wand electrical contacts 526, and the actuator 530, which are described in more detail herein with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 19.

[0047] In operation, and with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower canister attachment member 230 engages the lower wand attachment member 218 with the pegs 222, 226 operatively positioned in the recesses 236, 240. The canister 114 is pivotable about the pegs 222, 226 to releasably attach the wand 126 to the canister 114. The wand 126 includes an upper wand attachment member 440 and the canister 114 includes an upper canister attachment member 444 engageable with the upper wand attachment member 440 to couple the wand 126 to the canister 114, described below with reference to FIG. 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower wand attachment members 440, 218 and the upper and lower canister attachment membersAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001444, 230 are configured to attach the canister 114 to a front side of the wand 126 (where front faces a forward direction in which the nozzle body 118 is configured to lead the floor cleaner in typical operation). In other words, the upper wand attachment member 440 cooperates with the upper canister attachment member 444 in the embodiment of the floor cleaner 110 illustrated in FIG. 1 in a similar manner in which the upper wand attachment member 440 cooperates with the upper canister attachment member 444 in the embodiment of the floor cleaner 410 illustrated in FIG. 7. In one embodiment, the canister 114 attaches to a rear side of the wand 126. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower wand attachment member 218 is positioned along the wand 126 such that the base 116 is removable from the wand 126 while the canister 114 is attached to the wand 126. In one embodiment, the base 116 is not configured to be removable from the wand 126 other than for cleaning or replacement.

[0048] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a floor cleaner 410 shares certain aspects with the floor cleaner 110. Features described with respect to floor cleaner 110 may be implemented in the floor cleaner 410, and features described with respect to floor cleaner 410 may be implemented in the floor cleaner 110 as desired for the application. The floor cleaner 410 includes a canister 414, a base 417, a hose 422, and a wand 426. A battery pack 430 is removably received in a battery pack receptacle 442. In one embodiment, the battery pack 430 is the same as the battery pack 146. The battery pack 430 forms a leg on which the canister 414 sits upright on a surface when the canister 414 is removed from the wand 426. The wand 426 includes a handle 434 for operating the floor cleaner 410. The base 417 includes a support member 421 pivotally connected to a nozzle body 418. The support member 421 is selectively attachable to and detachable from the wand 426. The wand 426 and support member 421 form an upright portion when the base 417 is connected to the wand 426. Optionally, the nozzle body 418 includes a headlamp 642. A forward direction 435 is defined in FIG. 8 to be a direction in which the nozzle body 418 is configured to lead the floor cleaner 410 in typical operation. A rearward direction is defined to be opposite the forward direction 435. The nozzle body 418 includes a front side 419 and a rear side 420, and other components of the floor cleaner 410 may have front and rear sides similarly defined with front facing the forward direction 435.

[0049] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the wand 426 includes a lower wand attachment member 438 in the form of first and second opposed pegs analogous to the opposed pegs 222, 226 for selectively connecting the canister 414 to the wand 426, and the canister 414 includes aAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 lower canister attachment member 443 in the form of a pair of hooks defining a pair of recesses analogous to the recesses 236, 240 corresponding to the opposed pegs of the lower wand attachment member 438 for selectively connecting the wand 426 to the canister 414. Like the canister 114 of the floor cleaner 110, the canister 414 pivots about the lower wand attachment member 438 as the canister 414 is connected to and disconnected from the wand 426.

[0050] One embodiment of an upper connection between the wand and the canister in the illustrated floor cleaner 110 (Fig. 5) and the floor cleaner 410 is described with respect to FIG. 9. This upper connection functions similarly in both embodiments of the floor cleaner 110 and the floor cleaner 410 and therefore will be described once with reference to FIG. 9. However, a person of ordinary skill would recognize that analogous components may exist in both the floor cleaner 110 and the floor cleaner 410. For example, the lower wand attachment member 218 is analogous to, and functions similarly to, the lower wand attachment member 438 and, in some embodiments, may be the same. To illustrate that the upper connection between the wand and the canister shown in FIG. 9 applies to both the floor cleaner 110 and the floor cleaner 410, reference numerals applying to both floor cleaners 110, 410 may be used for clarity. With reference to FIG. 9, an upper wand attachment member 440 is above and spaced apart from the lower wand attachment member 218, 438, and an upper canister attachment member 444 is above and spaced from the lower canister attachment member 230, 443. The upper wand attachment member 440 and the upper canister attachment member 444 are configured to connect or interlock to form a releasable latch to couple the wand 126, 426 to the canister 114, 414. The illustrated upper wand attachment member 440 is in the form of a protrusion with a hook 441 (FIG. 16), and the upper canister attachment member 444 is in the form of a catch or lip 538 (FIG. 19), but in some embodiments, this may be reversed. The lip 538 is configured to engage the hook 441 to couple the canister 114, 414 to the wand 126, 426. One or both of the upper wand attachment member 440 and the upper canister attachment member 444 are movable to couple and to release the connection between the upper wand attachment member 440 and the upper canister attachment member 444. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper canister attachment member 444 is movable upwardly and downwardly and includes an actuator 530 configured with the lip 538 (FIG. 19). In operation, the actuator 530 is movable downwardly (i.e., toward the nozzle body 418 when the canister 414 is attached to the wand 426) as theAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 actuator 530 moves downwardly to couple and to release the upper canister attachment member 444 from the upper wand attachment member 440.

[0051] With reference to FIG. 9, the upper wand attachment member 440 is spaced from the lower wand attachment member 218, 438 by a distance R, and the upper canister attachment member 444 is also distanced from the lower canister attachment member 230, 443 by the distance R. During attachment and removal of the canister 114, 414 to and from the wand 126, 426, the upper canister attachment member 444 pivots about the lower wand attachment member 218, 438 along an arc having a radius defined by the distance R causing the upper canister attachment member 444 to move toward and operably engage the upper wand attachment member 440 in a mounting direction M (FIG. 9). In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting direction is approximately tangential to the arc having a radius defined by the distance R and is transverse to the longitudinal axis 475 of the wand 126, 426. In some embodiments, the upper canister attachment member 444 moves toward and operably engages the upper wand attachment member 440 in a mounting direction that is along the longitudinal axis 475. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper canister attachment member 444 and the lower canister attachment member 443 are positioned on a rear side 415 of the canister 114, 414, which is opposite a front side 416 of the canister 114, 414. The upper canister attachment member 444 is configured to attach the canister to a front side of the wand 126, 426. In one embodiment, the canister 114, 414 may attach to a rear side of the wand 126, 426. A separator 429 is similar to the separator 130 and is provided within the canister 414.

[0052] With reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, the actuator 530 is held in a seated position by a spring 534. When the canister 414 is being attached to the wand 426, movement of the upper wand attachment member 440 in the mounting direction causes the hook 441 of the upper wand attachment member 440 to push downwardly against the lip 538, such as by an angled surface, which moves the lip 538 and the actuator 530 downwardly against the spring 534. When the hook 441 passes by the upper canister attachment member 444, the upper canister attachment member 444 is moved with respect to and toward its seated position by the force of the spring 534 to engage the upper wand attachment member 440 and to connect the upper wand attachment member 440 to the upper canister attachment member 444 and to hold the canister 414 to the wand 426, until the actuator 530 is pressed to move the upper canister attachment member 444 downwardly (i.e., with respect to its seated position) to release the upper wandAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 attachment member 440 and the canister 414 from the wand 426. In some embodiments, the upper wand attachment member 440 may be movable as described herein with respect to the upper canister attachment member 444.

[0053] With reference to FIGS. 11A-11C, the wand 426 includes an upper portion 470, a lower portion 474, a front side 478 facing in a forward direction in operation, and a rear side 482 facing in a rearward direction in operation. The lower portion 474 may include a hose latch 486 to hold the hose 422. The illustrated wand 426 includes a first tube portion 472 operably slidable along a second tube portion 473 forming a telescoping wand. The first tube portion 472 is configured to move between a retracted position (FIGS. 11 A-l 1C, 12A-12C, and 13A) and an extended position (FIG. 13B). The description of the wand 426 and its electrical connections discussed below is also applicable to the wand 126. The illustrated wand 426 is similar to the wand 126 except the illustrated wand 126 has a fixed length without a movable tube portion.

[0054] With reference to FIGS. 12A-12C, the wand 426 includes a nozzle body connection end487 at the lower portion 474, a hose connection end 488 at the upper portion 470, and a canister connection location 489 axially offset from both the nozzle body connection end 487 and the hose connection end 488. In the illustrated embodiment, the canister connection location 489 is positioned between the nozzle body connection end 487 and the hose connection end 488. The canister 414 is releasably connected to the wand 426 at the canister connection location 489 of the wand 426. The lower portion 474 of the wand 426 includes an outer cover 490. FIGS. 12B and 12C show the wand 426 with the outer cover 490 removed to expose first wand electrical wiring 494 and second wand electrical wiring 498. The first wand electrical wiring 494 extends from the nozzle body connection end 487 to the hose connection end 488. The second wand electrical wiring 498 extends from the nozzle body connection end 487 to the canister connection location 489. The first wand electrical wiring 494 includes a coil portion 502 that extends and recoils as a distance D between the nozzle body connection end 487 and the hose connection end488 increases and decreases respectively. In some embodiments, a fixed-length or nontelescoping wand such as the wand 126 is provided with electrical wiring without a coil portion 502.

[0055] With reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the wand 426 is a telescoping wand 426. To telescope the wand 426, the upper portion 470 is pulled away from the lower portion 474 to move the first tube portion 472 increasing a distance between the nozzle body connection endAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001487 and the hose connection end 488, thereby extending the coil portion 502 of the first wand electrical wiring 494 (FIGS. 12B and 12C). The wand 426 can be retracted, thereby recoiling the coil portion 502 of the first wand electrical wiring 494.

[0056] With reference to FIG. 14, the hose connection end 488 includes wand-to-hose electrical contacts 506, which may be hose or handle electrical contacts 506 at the hose connection end 488. The wand-to-hose electrical contacts 506 may be configured to electrically connect directly to corresponding hose electrical wiring 507 extending along the hose 422 between second end hose electrical contacts 509 and first end hose electrical contacts 508 in the hose 422 when the hose 422 is connected to the wand 426 (see FIG. 22). The wand-to-hose electrical contacts 506 may be configured to connect indirectly to corresponding hose electrical wiring 507, for example in embodiments in which the handle 434 is positioned between the wand-to-hose electrical contacts 506 and the hose electrical wiring 507 as shown in FIG. 22. In such embodiments, the handle 434 may intermediately electrically connect the wand-to-hose electrical contacts 506 and the hose electrical wiring 507. The wand-to-hose electrical contacts 506 are connectable to the second hose electrical contacts 509. The wand-to-hose electrical contacts 506 are electrically connected to the first wand electrical wiring 494. In the illustrated embodiment, the wand-to- hose electrical contacts 506 extend along a longitudinal axis 475 of the wand 426 (FIG. 11 A).

[0057] With reference to FIGS. 15-17, the canister connection location 489 includes wand-to- canister electrical contacts 510 that engage the canister 414 when the canister 414 is connected to the wand 426. In the illustrated embodiment, the canister connection location 489 and wand-to- canister electrical contacts 510 are offset from the hose connection end 488 and wand-to-hose electrical contacts 506. In some embodiments, the canister connection location 489 and wand- to-canister electrical contacts 510 are adjacent to or combined with the hose connection end 488. The wand-to-canister electrical contacts 510 are electrically connected to the second wand electrical wiring 498. The wand-to-canister electrical contacts 510 extend along a direction configured to engage corresponding canister contacts 526 (FIG. 19) on the canister 414 as the canister 414 attaches to the wand 426. Stated another way, the wand-to-canister electrical contacts 510 extend along the mounting direction M of the canister 414 to the wand 426, and may be transverse to the longitudinal axis of the wand 426 or along the longitudinal axis 475, as desired for the mounting direction selected for the application. In the illustrated embodiment, theAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 wand-to-canister electrical contacts 510 extend along the mounting direction M perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 475 of the wand 426.

[0058] With reference to FIG. 18, the nozzle body connection end 487 includes lower wand electrical contacts 514a, 514b or nozzle body electrical contacts 514a, 514b at the nozzle body connection end 487 that engage the nozzle body 418 when the wand 426 is connected to the nozzle body 418. The nozzle body electrical contacts 514a, 514b include nozzle body electrical contacts 514a connected to the first wand electrical wiring 494 and nozzle body electrical contacts 514b connected to the second wand electrical wiring 498. In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle body electrical contacts 514a, 514b extend along the longitudinal axis 475 of the wand 426.

[0059] With reference to FIG. 19, the canister 414 includes an inlet 518 (similar to the inlet 150) that is connectable to the hose 422. The canister 414 includes canister-to-hose electrical contacts 522 adjacent the inlet 518 to connect to corresponding hose-to-canister electrical contacts 508 or first end hose electrical contacts 508 located at a first end of the hose 422 (best shown as the first end 162 of the hose 122 in FIG. 1). The canister 414 includes canister-to-wand electrical contacts 526 that connect to the corresponding wand-to-canister electrical contacts 510 to electrically connect the canister 414 to the second wand electrical wiring 498. The canister-to- wand electrical contacts 526 are electrically connected to a battery charge controller printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”) 527 and the battery pack 146, 430 configured to provide current to the battery pack 146, 430 during a charging operation.

[0060] With reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a battery charger 446 is configured to charge the battery pack 430. The battery charger 446 includes a battery charger housing 447 enclosing battery charger circuitry (further described herein). A docking station 450 may be provided to selectively receive the floor cleaner 410 such that the floor cleaner 410 is removable from the docking station 450. In some embodiments, the docking station 450 includes the battery charger housing 447, and the battery charger housing 447 may be shaped as a tray 451 or a stand. In the illustrated embodiment, the docking station 450 includes the battery charger 446 and is configured to operatively connect to the floor cleaner 410 to charge the battery pack 430. In other embodiments, the battery charger 446 is separate from the docking station 450 or tray 451. In some embodiments, the floor cleaner 410 sits on the tray 451 during a battery charging operation. In some embodiments, the battery charger 446 is configured to sit beside the nozzleAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 body 418 while charging the battery pack 430. In one embodiment, the battery charger 446 is an AC adapter. The battery charger 446 includes a floor cleaner connection 454. The floor cleaner connection 454 includes a projection 455 and electrical contacts 456 within the projection 455. The electrical contacts 456 engage with a corresponding battery charger connection 458 on the nozzle body 418 to transmit a battery charging current to the floor cleaner 410. In some embodiments, the floor cleaner connection 454 and the battery charger connection 458 may be selected from a group consisting of contacts, connectors, terminals, plugs, and sockets. In one embodiment, the floor cleaner connection 454 is formed as a plug on the tray 451 and is positioned to engage the corresponding battery charger connection 458 on the floor cleaner 410. In one embodiment (shown in FIG. 7), the floor cleaner connection 454 includes a cable 461 having a plug 463 configured to operatively connect to the floor cleaner 410 such that the battery charger 446 is connected to the floor cleaner 410 and operable to charge the battery pack 430. The length of the cable 461 may be selected to enable the battery charger 446 to be remote from the floor cleaner 410 during charging. The battery charger 446 may be powered by an AC connection 462 connected to the battery charger 446 by a cable to a wall outlet (e.g., a 120-volt outlet, a 240-volt outlet, etc.). In some embodiments, the battery charger 446 may be powered by its own battery pack 466.

[0061] In operation, and with continued reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the floor cleaner 410 may be placed on the docking station 450 to charge the battery pack 430. In some embodiments, when the floor cleaner 410 is placed on the docking station 450, the docking station 450 recognizes the presence of the floor cleaner 410 and automatically begins charging the floor cleaner 410. In some embodiments, the docking station 450 evaluates whether the battery pack 430 is in need of charging and, if needed, begins charging the battery pack 430. The floor cleaner 410 may be removed from the docking station 450 to place the floor cleaner 410 in service, such as for cleaning a surface to be cleaned. The floor cleaner 110 may similarly be usable with the docking station 450.

[0062] With reference to FIG. 22, a combination of the floor cleaner 410 and the battery charger 446 is illustrated, focusing on the combination’s electrical system 610. The electrical system 610 may be used for a combination of the floor cleaner 110 and the battery charger 446. The battery charger 446 includes a battery charger controller PCBA 613 configured to control the battery charger 446. The battery charger controller 613 includes a first AC to DC converter 614 toAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 convert AC power from the AC connection 462 to DC power operable to charge the battery pack 430 attached to the battery pack receptacle 442 when the battery charger 446 is connected to the floor cleaner 410. The illustrated battery charger controller 613 includes a second AC to DC converter 618 to convert AC power from the AC connection 462 to DC power configured to power a spare battery charger 626. The spare battery charger 626 charges a second or spare battery pack 430 that is attached to the battery charger 446 at a spare battery charging port. The battery charger controller 613 includes a charger microcomputer 622 configured to control the operation of the first AC to DC converter 614 and the second AC to DC converter 618. The charger microcomputer 622 is operable to send and receive communications 634 (i.e., signals), for example through one-wire communication or other protocol, to the nozzle body 418, through the wand 426, to the handle 434, through the hose 422, and to a canister controller PCBA 676 in the canister 414. The charger microcomputer 622 may further be operable to control lights 630 (e.g., LEDs) or another user interface on the battery charger 446 to communicate information to a user (e.g., whether a battery pack 430 is being charged, etc.). In one embodiment, the second AC to DC converter 618 is omitted and the first AC to DC converter 614 is configured to power the spare battery charger 626. In one embodiment the canister controller 676 is configured to control the first AC to DC converter 614. In some embodiments, the spare battery charger 626 and spare battery charging port are omitted. In an embodiment without the spare battery charger 626, the second AC to DC converter 618 may also be omitted and the first AC to DC converter 614 configured to provide power to the LEDs 630 and the charger microcomputer 622.

[0063] With continued reference to FIG. 22, the nozzle body 418 includes a nozzle body controller PCBA 636 that includes a nozzle microcomputer 638 configured to receive power from the battery pack 430 that is mounted to the battery pack receptacle 442 through the first wand electrical wiring 494. The nozzle body controller 636 is configured to control operation of the nozzle body 418, for example by the microcomputer 638 controlling and powering an agitator motor assembly such as an agitator motor assembly 646 to power an agitator such as a brushroll or other agitator. The nozzle microcomputer 638 is operable to send and receive communications (i.e. signals) to and from other components of the electrical system 610 (e.g., the charger microcomputer 622), for example via one-wire communication or other protocol.The microcomputer 638 is operable to control the headlamp 642 (e.g., to illuminate the surface to be cleaned in front of the nozzle body 418). An upright switch 650 is positioned to signal whenAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 the floor cleaner 410 is in an upright position. In one embodiment, the microcomputer 638 will not operate the agitator motor assembly 646 when the floor cleaner 410 is moved to the upright position. In one embodiment, the nozzle body 418 includes one or more sensors 639. The one or more sensors 639 may be configured to sense at least one of a characteristic of the surface to be cleaned, a characteristic of an environment, or a characteristic of the floor cleaner. For example, the one or more sensors 639 may be one or more of or any combination of floor type sensors (for example, to determine whether the floor is carpeted, rugged, smooth, etc.), particle or dirt detection sensors (for example, to determine a relative quantity of particles or dirt on the surface to be cleaned such as, for example, “low soil,” “medium soil,” “high soil,” etc.), pressure sensors, direction of movement sensors, speed of movement sensors, acceleration sensors, force sensors, distance or proximity sensors (for example, measuring the distance of the floor cleaner from an object such as a wall or a piece of furniture), or other sensors as desired for the embodiment of the cleaner. The nozzle microcomputer 638 is operable to receive signals from the one or more sensors 639. In one embodiment, the nozzle microcomputer 638 is operable to control operation of the nozzle body 418 based on the signals from the one or more sensors 639. The nozzle microcomputer 638 is operable to send communications including the sensor signals, agitator motor speed, and other information and operating parameters to other components of the electrical system 610.

[0064] With continued reference to FIG. 22, the handle 434 includes a handle controller PCBA 654 that includes a handle microcomputer 658 configured to receive power from the battery pack 430 that is mounted to the battery pack receptacle 442 through the hose electrical wiring 507. The handle microcomputer 658 is configured to communicate information to and receive communications from a user via an operator control interface 672 or user interface 672 (analogous to the operator control interface 182). In other words, the handle controller 654 controls the user interface 672. The handle microcomputer 658 is operable to send and receive communications from the other components of the electrical system 610 (e.g., the charger microcomputer 622, the nozzle microcomputer 638), for example via one- wire communication or other protocol. The microcomputer 658 is operable to control LEDs 662, or other electronic displays, screens, or other user interfaces, to communicate information visually to the user. The operator control interface 672 or user interface 672 includes at least one user-actuatable interface configured to receive a user input from a user, such as a cleaning mode, an agitator motorAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 parameter, a suction motor parameter, or other operating mode, or other user input as desired for the application. The handle microcomputer 658 is operable to send communications including the user input from the user and other information and operating parameters to the other components of the electrical system 610.

[0065] With continued reference to FIG. 22, the canister 414 includes the canister controller 676. The canister controller 676 includes a canister microcomputer 680 configured to receive power from the battery pack 430 mounted to the battery pack receptacle 442. The canister controller 676 is configured to function as a cleaner controller to control operating components of the cleaner and to control (i.e., select) cleaning or operating modes of the floor cleaner 410 in response to signals from one or more components including the operator control interface 672, the upright switch 650, and the battery pack 430. In the illustrated embodiment, the canister controller 676 includes and controls the battery charge controller 527 configured to control charging of the battery pack 430 connected to the battery pack receptacle 442. The canister microcomputer 680 receives communications from other components of the electrical system 610 (e.g., the charger microcomputer 622, the nozzle microcomputer 638, the handle microcomputer 658) for example via one-wire communication or other protocol. The microcomputer 680 is configured to control operation of one or more operating components of the cleaner 410, including a suction motor 684 (analogous to the suction motor 134), and is configured to control charging of the battery pack 430 connected to the battery pack receptacle 442. The canister microcomputer 680 may be configured to control operation of the agitator motor assembly 646 by communication to and from nozzle microcomputer 638. The canister microcomputer 680 is configured to control operation of the operator control interface 672 by communication to and from the handle microcomputer 658. The microcomputer 680 is configured to control the charging operation of the battery pack 430 mounted to the battery pack receptacle 442. In some embodiments, the canister controller 676 ultimately controls certain functions on the floor cleaner 410 and the battery charger 446 by receiving signals from the battery charger controller 613, the nozzle body controller 636, and the handle controller 654 and transmitting control signals to the battery charger controller 613, the nozzle body controller 636, and the handle controller 654. In some embodiments, the canister controller 676 is configured to control functions on the floor cleaner 410 and the battery charger 446 by transmitting operating parameters to the battery charger controller 613, the nozzle body controller 636, and the handleAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 controller 654, and the battery charger controller 613, the nozzle body controller printed circuit board assembly 636, and the handle controller 654 are configured to operate using the operating parameters communicated from the canister controller 676. The operating parameters may include cleaning or operating modes, charging modes, error or maintenance modes or functions, or other operating states or parameters.

[0066] With continued reference to FIG. 22, in the way described above, the microcomputers 622, 638, 658, 680 communicate with each other via one-wire communication using a communication path 516. In some embodiments, the microcomputers 622, 638, 658, 680 communicate by relaying signals from one microcomputer to 622, 638, 658, 680 to another microcomputer 622, 638, 658, 680. In some embodiments, signals may pass through from one microcomputer 622, 638, 658, 680 to another microcomputer 622, 638, 658, 680. In some embodiments, the microcomputers 622, 638, 658, 680 communicate via multi -wire communication such as with two-wire communication or use another protocol as desired. The communication path 516 in one direction travels from the microcomputer 622 to or through the nozzle body controller 636, through the wand 426 (with the first wand electrical wiring 494) to or through the handle controller 654, through the hose 422, and to the canister controller 676 providing signals from the battery charger 446 to the canister controller 676 and battery charge controller 527. Similarly, the communication path 516 in an opposite direction travels from the canister controller 676 through the hose 422 to or through the handle controller 654, through the wand 426 (with the first wand electrical wiring 494) to or through the nozzle body controller 636, and to the microcomputer 622 providing signals from the canister controller 676 and battery charge controller 527 to the battery charger 446. Communication from one of the controllers 613, 636, 654, 676 to another controller 613, 636, 654, 676 may be in response to a request for information by the other controller. In some embodiments, for example for one-wire communication, communication is coordinated to manage timing or interval of message transmission.

[0067] The canister controller 676 provides signals to and receives signals from the handle controller 654 and the nozzle body controller 636 along the same path. Signals sent by one microcomputer 622, 638, 658, 680 may include communication configured to be received by another one of the microcomputers 622, 638, 658, 680 along the communication path 516 as desired for the communication. Alternatively, or additionally, signals sent by oneAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 microcomputer 622, 638, 658, 680 may include communication configured to be received by two or more of the microcomputers 622, 638, 658, 680 along the communication path 516 as desired for the communication. In one embodiment, each of the microcomputers 622, 638, 658, 680 are configured to communicate various inputs, errors and hardware malfunctions, warnings, and maintenance parameters for associated operating components and features. This allows all of the controllers to have access to and / or receive information from each of the other controllers and take action when the communication incudes information usable by the receiving controller. In some embodiments, the communication includes a predetermined arrangement of data for a plurality of products or within a product system. This also allows new accessories or devices utilizing the predetermined arrangement of data to connect to the system and have access to and / or receive system information for operation of the new accessories or devices.

[0068] The charging circuit delivering battery charging current from the battery charger 446 travels from the battery charger 446, through the nozzle body 418, into the wand 426 through the nozzle body connection end 487, out of the wand 426 at the canister connection location 489, through the wand-to-canister electrical contacts 510 and the canister-to-wand electrical contacts 526, and to the battery pack 430. In one alternative, electrical wiring for battery charging is provided along a length of the hose 422 between the second end hose electrical contacts 509 and the first end hose electrical contacts 508 electrically connected to the battery charge controller 527 and the battery pack 430 such that charging current is provided to the battery pack 430 through the hose 422. Such an embodiment may be desired for reduced complexity or cost. However, resistance in the wiring used for battery charging may cause a power loss. In an embodiment in which electrical wiring for battery charging is provided along a length of the hose 422, much of the total length of the wiring used for battery charging would extend over the length of the hose 422. Therefore, much of the power loss caused by resistance would occur over the length of the hose 422. In the illustrated embodiment, power loss through electrical wiring for battery charging is reduced by routing charging current through the canister connection location 489 and the wand-to-canister electrical contacts 510, thereby bypassing the length of the hose 422. For example, if 16 AWG wire having a resistance of 3.85 Ohms per 1000 ft of length is used, then a 60 ft length of this wire would have a resistance of 0.231 Ohms. At an example current of 5.2 A, power dissipation over the 60 ft length of wire would be approximately 6.3 W (calculated based on loule’s Law, which expresses power drop as beingAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 equal to the current in Amps squared times the resistance in Ohms). Because it can be beneficial to limit power dissipation and loss (and the heat production that is associated with the power dissipation and loss), shortening or minimizing a length of wire can be beneficial. Accordingly, it may be desirable for the charging circuit to bypass a hose such as the hoses 122, 422 as explained in this disclosure.

[0069] A battery power discharge path 640 travels from the battery pack 430, to the canister controller 676 to power the canister controller 676, through an overcurrent protection device 644 such as a breaker or a fuse which may be located in the canister 414, and more specifically may be in the canister controller 676, through wiring along the hose 422, to the handle controller 654 to power the handle controller 654, through wiring along the wand 426 from the hose connection end 488 to the nozzle body connection end 487 (first wand electrical wiring 494), and to the nozzle body controller 636 to power the nozzle body controller 636. Providing the discharge path along the hose enables power delivery to the handle controller 654 and the nozzle body controller 636 when the canister is disconnected from the canister connection location 489.

[0070] The canister controller 676 and microcomputer 680 are configured to normally control the suction motor 684 and other components of the cleaner 410 during a typical operation. In one embodiment, the canister controller 676 is configured to control the suction motor 684 to be operable at predetermined suction levels corresponding to a plurality of user selectable modes. In some embodiments, the operating modes correspond to various surfaces that are cleaned by the floor cleaner 410. For example, the operating modes may include a carpet mode (e.g., high suction, high rotational speed agitator), rug mode (e.g., medium suction, low or no rotational speed agitator), hard floor mode (e.g., high suction, low rotational speed agitator), and other operating modes corresponding to desired surfaces or cleaning applications. Various suction levels and agitator motor speeds can be used in different embodiments of the above operating modes and other operating modes provided as desired for the application. In one embodiment, predetermined operating parameters corresponding to various modes and inputs are stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium of the canister controller 676.

[0071] In one embodiment, the handle controller 654 receives a selection from a user indicative of an operating mode on the operator control interface 672 and sends a communication from the handle microcomputer 658 to the canister microcomputer 680. The canister controller 676 receives the communication from the handle controller 654 and operates the suction motor 684 atAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 a predetermined suction level corresponding to the input selected by the user. Additionally, the canister controller 676 sends a communication from the canister microcomputer 680 to the nozzle microcomputer 638 providing a predetermined agitator motor speed corresponding to the input selected by the user at which the nozzle body controller 636 will operate the agitator motor assembly 646. In another embodiment, the nozzle body controller 636 receives the signal from the handle controller 654 or the canister controller 676 indicative of the operating mode selected on the operator control interface 672, and the nozzle body controller 636 is configured to control the agitator motor assembly 646 operable at predetermined agitator motor speeds corresponding to the selected operating mode or other input, or using predetermined parameters stored in a non- transitory computer readable medium of the nozzle body controller 636. In one embodiment, the floor cleaner 410 includes an operating mode during which the canister controller 676 receives and uses operating values from one of the other controllers, for example for powering an operating component, such as the suction motor.

[0072] In one embodiment, the canister controller 676 is configured to control the suction motor 684 in a first mode operating the suction motor 684 at a suction level predetermined for the first mode, the predetermined suction level provided by the canister controller 676.

[0073] In another embodiment, the floor cleaner 410 includes an operating mode during which the canister controller 676 enables another controller to control an operating component that the canister controller 676 normally controls. In this mode, the canister controller 676 delegates control of a function it normally controls to another controller. In one delegated control embodiment, the nozzle body controller 636 is configured to receive sensor signals from one or more sensors 639 and determine operating parameters of the floor cleaner 410 based on the sensor signals as the floor cleaner 410 operates in a second mode, for example, an “automatic control mode.” Sensors may be floor type sensors, particle or dirt detection sensors, pressure sensors, direction of movement sensors, speed of movement sensors, acceleration sensors, force sensors, distance or proximity sensors, or other sensors as desired for the embodiment of the floor cleaner 410. In this embodiment, the nozzle body controller 636 is configured to determine operating parameters including suction motor speed and agitator motor speed based on the sensor signals received during the cleaner operation. During operation in the second mode, the canister controller 676 enables the nozzle body controller 636 to control the suction motor 684, or delegates control of the suction motor 684 to the nozzle body controller 636, enabling the nozzleAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 body controller 636 to operate the suction motor 684 at a suction level based on the sensor signals. In one embodiment, the nozzle body controller 636 increases and decreases the suction level during operation as the sensor signals indicate a change in the operating environment. When the floor cleaner 410 is operated in the first mode, or non-del egated mode, the canister controller 676 resumes control of the suction motor 684. Stated another way, the canister controller 676 resumes control of the suction motor 684 when operation in the second mode is turned off.

[0074] In one embodiment, the floor cleaner 410 operates in a first mode in which the canister controller 676 is configured to control the suction motor 684 operating the suction motor 684 at a suction level predetermined for the first mode, the predetermined suction level provided by the canister controller 676, and the floor cleaner 410 operates in a second mode in which the canister controller 676 enables the nozzle body controller 636 to control the suction motor 684 and the nozzle body controller 636 is configured to control the suction motor 684 in the second mode operating the suction motor 684 at one or more suction levels determined by the nozzle body controller 636 based on sensor signals received by the nozzle body controller 636 during operation in the second mode.

[0075] In another delegated control mode, and as shown schematically in FIG. 22, an accessory tool 717 connected to the second end of the hose 422 or to the nozzle body connection end 487 of the wand 426 includes an accessory nozzle body 718 having an accessory nozzle body controller 736 and may include one or more sensors 739. The accessory nozzle body controller 736 is configured to determine operating parameters including suction motor speed and agitator motor speed based on sensor signals received from the one or more sensors 739 in a third mode, for example, an “automatic accessory mode.” Sensors 739 may be floor type sensors, particle or dirt detection sensors, pressure sensors, direction of movement sensors, speed of movement sensors, acceleration sensors, force sensors, distance or proximity sensors, or other sensors as desired for the embodiment of the floor cleaner 410. Similar to the second mode, when the floor cleaner 410 is operating in the third mode, the canister controller 676 enables the accessory nozzle body controller 736 to control the suction motor 684, or delegates control of the suction motor 684 to the accessory nozzle body controller 736, enabling the accessory nozzle body controller 736 to operate the suction motor 684 at a suction level based on the sensor signals.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001When the floor cleaner 410 is operated in the first mode, or non-delegated mode, the canister controller 676 resumes control of the suction motor 684.

[0076] In some embodiments, a controller of the floor cleaner 410 such as the canister controller 676 determines a type of accessory tool 717 (e.g., a carpet cleaner, a shampooer, a high-suction cleaner, etc.) that is connected to the second end of the hose 422 or to the nozzle body connection end 487 of the wand 426, and a controller of the floor cleaner 410 (e.g., the canister controller 676) determines whether to delegate control of the suction motor 684 and / or the agitator motor assembly 646 to another controller (e.g., to the accessory nozzle body controller 736) based on the type of accessory tool 717 that is connected to the second end of the hose 422 or to the nozzle body connection end 487 of the wand 426.

[0077] In one embodiment, the floor cleaner 410 operates in a first mode in which the canister controller 676 is configured to control the suction motor 684 operating the suction motor 684 at a suction level predetermined for the first mode, the predetermined suction level provided by the canister controller 676, and the floor cleaner 410 operates in the third mode in which the canister controller 676 enables the accessory nozzle body controller 736 in the accessory tool 717 to control the suction motor 684 and the accessory nozzle body controller 736 is configured to control the suction motor 684 in the third mode operating the suction motor 684 at one or more suction levels determined by the accessory nozzle body controller 736 based on sensor signals received by the accessory nozzle body controller 736 in the accessory tool 717 during operation in the third mode.

[0078] In another delegated control embodiment, the floor cleaner 410 operates in a fourth mode in which the nozzle body controller 636 is configured to operate the agitator motor assembly 646 at an agitator motor speed predetermined for the fourth mode or based on sensor signals the nozzle body controller 636 receives as the floor cleaner 410 operates, for example corresponding to a selected operating mode or other input, or based on the sensor signals, or using predetermined parameters stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium of the nozzle body controller 636, and the floor cleaner 410 operates in a fifth mode in which the nozzle body controller 636 enables the canister controller 676 to control the agitator motor assembly 646 and the canister controller 676 is configured to control the agitator motor assembly 646 in the fifth mode operating the agitator motor assembly 646 at one or more agitator motor speeds determined by the canister controller 676 or based on the sensor signals received by the canisterAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 controller 676 as the floor cleaner 410 operates. Tn one example, the fifth mode is a power management mode, wherein the canister controller 676 controls power to the agitator motor assembly 646 and the suction motor 684 to obtain a desired power consumption. In some embodiments, the canister controller 676 determines a desired power consumption based at least in part on a user input and / or at least in part on a measured battery capacity of battery pack 430.

[0079] In yet another delegated control mode, the floor cleaner 410 operates in a sixth mode in which the canister controller 676 is configured to control the suction motor 684 operating at a suction level predetermined for the sixth mode, for example corresponding to a selected operating mode or other input, or using predetermined parameters stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium of the canister controller 676, and the floor cleaner 410 operates in a seventh mode in which the canister controller 676 enables the nozzle body controller 636 to control the suction motor 684 and the nozzle body controller 636 is configured to control the suction motor 684 in the seventh mode operating the suction motor 684 at one or more suction levels determined by the nozzle body controller 636. In one example, the seventh mode relates to an accessory such as the accessory tool 717, wherein the nozzle body controller 736 in the accessory tool 717 controls the suction motor 684 at a suction level predetermined for the accessory tool 717, for example at a high suction level, or a medium suction level, or a low suction level, or other suction level as desired for the accessory tool.

[0080] Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001What is claimed is:

1. A floor cleaner for cleaning a surface to be cleaned, the floor cleaner comprising: a base including: a nozzle body including a suction inlet; an agitator motor operable to drive an agitator; and a nozzle body controller configured to control the agitator motor; a canister including: an exhaust outlet; a suction motor configured to generate an airflow along an airpath extending from the suction inlet to the exhaust outlet; and a canister controller configured to control the suction motor; and wherein: the nozzle body controller is configured to send communications to and receive communications from the canister controller; the floor cleaner operates in a first mode in which the canister controller controls the suction motor at a suction level predetermined for the first mode, the predetermined suction level provided by the canister controller, the floor cleaner operates in a second mode in which the canister controller enables the nozzle body controller to control the suction motor, and the nozzle body controller is configured to control the suction motor in the second mode by operating the suction motor at one or more suction levels determined by the nozzle body controller, and the canister controller resumes control of the suction motor when operation in the second mode is turned off.

2. The floor cleaner according to claim 1, the base further including a sensor, wherein the nozzle body controller is operable to receive a signal from the sensor, the nozzle body controllerAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 operating the suction motor based on a sensor signal received by the nozzle body controller during operation in the second mode.

3. The floor cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle body controller is a first nozzle body controller, wherein the sensor is a first sensor and the signal is a first signal, and wherein the floor cleaner further comprises a second nozzle body controller positioned in an accessory tool, the accessory tool including a second sensor, the second nozzle body controller configured to receive a second signal from the second sensor, wherein the floor cleaner is configured to operate in a third mode in which the canister controller enables the second nozzle body controller to control the suction motor, and wherein the second nozzle body controller is configured to operate the suction motor in the third mode at one or more suction levels determined by the second nozzle body controller based on the second signal received by the second nozzle body controller.

4. The floor cleaner according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the sensor is configured to sense at least one of a characteristic of the surface to be cleaned, a characteristic of an environment, or a characteristic of the floor cleaner.

5. The floor cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the characteristic of the surface to be cleaned includes whether the surface is carpeted or smooth.

6. The floor cleaner according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the characteristic of the surface to be cleaned includes a relative quantity of dirt on the surface to be cleaned.

7. The floor cleaner according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the characteristic of the floor cleaner includes at least one of a direction of movement, a speed of movement, an acceleration, a force applied to the floor cleaner, or a distance between the floor cleaner and an object.

8. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor cleaner operates in a fourth mode in which the nozzle body controller operates the agitator motor at an agitator motor speed predetermined for the fourth mode, the agitator motor speed corresponding to a selected operating mode.Attorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W0019. The floor cleaner according to claim 8, wherein the agitator motor speed corresponds to predetermined parameters stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium of the nozzle body controller.

10. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor cleaner operates in a fifth mode in which the nozzle body controller enables the canister controller to control the agitator motor, the canister controller configured to control the agitator motor in the fifth mode and to operate the agitator motor at one or more agitator motor speeds determined by the canister controller.

11. The floor cleaner according claim 10, wherein the canister controller controls power delivery to the agitator motor and to the suction motor in the fifth mode to obtain a desired power consumption.

12. The floor cleaner according to claim 11, the canister further including a battery pack that is operable to power the suction motor and the agitator motor, wherein in the fifth mode, the canister controller determines the desired power consumption based at least in part on a measured battery capacity of the battery pack.

13. The floor cleaner according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein in the fifth mode, the canister controller determines the desired power consumption based at least in part on a user input.

14. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor cleaner operates in a sixth mode in which the canister controller controls the suction motor at a suction level determined by the canister controller for the sixth mode, wherein the suction level corresponds to a selected operating mode.

15. The floor cleaner according to claim 14, wherein the suction level corresponds to predetermined parameters stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium of the canister controller.

16. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor cleaner operates in a seventh mode in which the canister controller enables an accessory nozzle body controller of an accessory tool to control the suction motor, and wherein the accessory nozzleAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 body controller operates the suction motor at a suction level determined by the accessory nozzle body controller for the seventh mode.

17. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle body controller and the canister controller are configured for one-wire communication and communicate with each other via a single communication wire, and wherein communication is coordinated to manage a timing or an interval of message transmission.

18. The floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a hose defining a portion of the airpath, wherein the canister controller determines a type of accessory tool that is connected to an end of the hose or to an end of a wand of the floor cleaner, and wherein the canister controller determines whether to delegate control of the suction motor or the agitator motor to an accessory nozzle body controller within the accessory tool based on a type of the accessory tool that is connected to the end of the hose or to the end of the wand.

19. A floor cleaner for cleaning a surface to be cleaned, the floor cleaner comprising: a base including: a nozzle body including a suction inlet; an agitator motor operable to drive an agitator; a nozzle body controller configured to control the agitator motor; a canister including: an exhaust outlet; a suction motor configured to generate an airflow along an airpath extending from the suction inlet to the exhaust outlet; and a canister controller configured to control the suction motor, the canister controller configured to send communications to and receive communications from the nozzle body controller; and wherein:Attorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 the floor cleaner operates in a first mode in which the nozzle body controller controls the agitator motor at an agitator motor speed predetermined for the first mode, the predetermined agitator motor speed provided by the nozzle body controller, the floor cleaner operates in a second mode in which the nozzle body controller enables the canister controller to control the agitator motor, and the canister controller is configured to control the agitator motor in the second mode by operating the agitator motor at one or more agitator motor speeds determined by the canister controller during operation in the second mode, and the nozzle body controller resumes control of the agitator motor when operation in the second mode is turned off.

20. The floor cleaner according to claim 19, wherein the canister controller operates the agitator motor at a first agitator motor speed corresponding to a selected operating mode.

21. The floor cleaner according to any one of claims 19 or 20, the base further including a sensor, wherein the nozzle body controller is operable to receive a signal from the sensor, the nozzle body controller operating the agitator motor based on a sensor signal received by the nozzle body controller during operation in the first mode.

22. The floor cleaner according to claim 21, wherein the canister controller is operable to receive the signal from the sensor during operation in the second mode.

23. The floor cleaner according to any one of claims 21 or 22, wherein the nozzle body controller is a first nozzle body controller, wherein the agitator motor is a first agitator motor, wherein the sensor is a first sensor and the signal is a first signal, and wherein the floor cleaner further comprises a second nozzle body controller positioned in an accessory tool, the accessory tool including a second sensor and a second agitator motor, the floor cleaner configured to operate in a third mode in which the second nozzle body controller controls the second agitator motor at a second agitator motor speed predetermined for the third mode, the predetermined second agitator motor speed provided by the second nozzle body controller, the canister controller configured to receive a second signal from the second sensor, wherein the floor cleaner is configured to operate in a fourth mode in which the second nozzle body controller enables the canister controller to control the second agitator motor, and wherein the canisterAttorney Docket No. 025818-0164-W001 controller is configured to operate the second agitator motor in the fourth mode at one or more further agitator motor speeds determined by the canister controller based on the second signal received by the canister controller.

24. The floor cleaner according to claim 23, wherein the second sensor is configured to sense at least one of a characteristic of the surface to be cleaned, a characteristic of an environment, or a characteristic of the floor cleaner.

25. The floor cleaner according to claim 24, wherein the characteristic of the surface to be cleaned includes whether the surface is carpeted or smooth.

26. The floor cleaner according to any one of claims 24 or 25, wherein the characteristic of the surface to be cleaned includes a relative quantity of dirt on the surface to be cleaned.

27. The floor cleaner according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the characteristic of the floor cleaner includes at least one of a direction of movement, a speed of movement, an acceleration, a force applied to the floor cleaner, or a distance between the floor cleaner and an object.

28. The floor cleaner according to any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein the canister controller controls the suction motor in the first mode and the second mode.

29. The floor cleaner according to any one of claims 19 to 28, wherein the nozzle body controller and the canister controller are configured for one-wire communication and communicate with each other via a single communication wire, and wherein communication is coordinated to manage a timing or an interval of message transmission.

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