CN117202829A

CN117202829A - Floor cleaner

Info

Publication number: CN117202829A
Application number: CN202280031137.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·莫菲
Original assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-31
Filing date: 2022-03-30
Publication date: 2023-12-08
Also published as: US20220313044A1; WO2022212542A1; AU2022249323A1; EP4312691A1

Abstract

There is provided a floor cleaner comprising a hose port in the upper wall of the suction nozzle, the hose port being located at a height between the outlet of the suction nozzle and the inlet of the suction nozzle. A cover for the hose port is movable relative to the mouthpiece between an open position and a closed position. The floor cleaner further includes a hose including a connector insertable into the hose port when the cover is in the open position such that the hose is removably coupled to the hose port and fluid communication between the hose and the recovery tank is provided through the outlet of the suction nozzle.

Description

Floor cleaner

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/168,846 filed 3/31 at 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

The present application relates to a floor cleaner.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, a floor cleaner includes a base configured to engage a surface to be cleaned and a suction nozzle on the base. The mouthpiece includes an inlet, an outlet, an upper wall, and a lower wall spaced from the upper wall to form a fluid channel extending from the inlet to the outlet. A recovery tank is fluidly connected to the inlet via a fluid passage, the recovery tank being disposed on the base. A suction source is disposed in the base, the suction source being in fluid communication with the fluid passage and the recovery tank. The suction source is configured to draw fluid and debris through the fluid passage of the suction nozzle into the recovery tank. A hose port is in the upper wall of the suction nozzle, the hose port being located at a height between the outlet of the suction nozzle and the inlet of the suction nozzle. A cover for the hose port is movable relative to the mouthpiece between an open position and a closed position. The floor cleaner further includes a hose including a connector insertable into the hose port when the cover is in the open position such that the hose is removably coupled to the hose port and fluid communication between the hose and the recovery tank is provided through the outlet of the suction nozzle. The suction nozzle includes a side wall between the upper wall and the lower wall, wherein the side wall supportingly engages the connector of the hose.

In another embodiment, a floor cleaner includes a base configured to engage a surface to be cleaned and a suction nozzle on the base. The mouthpiece includes an inlet, an outlet, an upper wall, and a lower wall spaced from the upper wall to form a fluid channel extending from the inlet to the outlet. A recovery tank is fluidly connected to the inlet via a fluid passage, the recovery tank being disposed on the base. A suction source is disposed in the base, the suction source being in fluid communication with the fluid passage and the recovery tank. The suction source is configured to draw fluid and debris through the fluid passage of the suction nozzle into the recovery tank. The hose port is in the upper wall of the suction nozzle. A cover for the hose port is movable relative to the mouthpiece between an open position and a closed position. The floor cleaner further comprises a hose comprising a connector. When the lid is in the open position, the connector is insertable into the hose port to removably couple the hose to the hose port and to place the hose in fluid communication with the recovery tank through the outlet of the mouthpiece. The hose port comprises a guide channel extending in a direction from the upper wall of the suction nozzle towards the lower wall of the suction nozzle. The connector of the hose includes a track that slides into the guide channel to removably couple the hose to the hose port when the connector is inserted into the hose port.

In another embodiment, a floor cleaner includes a base configured to engage a surface to be cleaned, the base including a dispensing nozzle. The supply tank is in fluid communication with the dispensing nozzle and the handle is pivotably coupled to the base. The mouthpiece is on the base and includes an inlet, an outlet, an upper wall, and a lower wall spaced from the upper wall to form a fluid channel extending from the inlet to the outlet. The hose port is in the upper wall of the suction nozzle. The recovery tank is fluidly connected to the inlet by a fluid passage, and a suction source is disposed in the base below the outlet of the suction nozzle. The suction source is in fluid communication with the fluid passage and the recovery tank. The suction source is configured to draw fluid and debris through the fluid passage of the suction nozzle into the recovery tank.

Other aspects of the application will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a floor cleaner according to one embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the floor cleaner of fig. 1 with the hose of the floor cleaner separated.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the floor cleaner of fig. 1 with a hose attached.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a hose of the floor cleaner of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the floor cleaner of fig. 1 with the recovery tank of the floor cleaner and the suction nozzle of the floor cleaner removed.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the floor cleaner of fig. 1 with the cover in an open position.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the floor cleaner of fig. 1 with a hose attached.

Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of a floor cleaner according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the floor cleaner of FIG. 1.

Before any embodiments of the application are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the application 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 application is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 illustrates a floor cleaner 10. The floor cleaner 10 includes a hose assembly 12 that can be attached to and detached from the floor cleaner 10 (fig. 3). As shown in fig. 2, when the hose 12 is attached to the floor cleaner 10, the hose 12 and the floor cleaner 10 may be used to clean furniture, stairs, or partially cleaned floor surfaces including carpets, rugs, and the like.

The illustrated floor cleaner 10 includes a handle 14 and a base 16. The handle 14 is pivotably coupled to the base 16 such that the handle 14 pivots from an upright position (fig. 1) to a reclined position. The illustrated base 16 includes wheels 18, and the base 16 engages and moves along a surface 20 to be cleaned, which movement is facilitated by the wheels 18. Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the base 16 further includes a dispensing nozzle 22 that sprays cleaning fluid onto the surface 20. The illustrated embodiment includes agitators 24 (fig. 7), 24' (fig. 8). The agitators 24, 24' engage the surface 20 and scrub the cleaning fluid on the surface 20 or otherwise remove debris from the surface 20. The agitator 24 (fig. 7) rotates about a substantially vertical axis 26. The agitator 24 '(fig. 8) rotates about a substantially horizontal axis 26'. Referring to fig. 6, the base 16 further includes a fluid supply port 28. As will be discussed in more detail below, the fluid supply port 28 provides cleaning fluid to the hose 12.

Referring to fig. 2, the floor cleaner 10 further includes a supply tank 30 and a recovery tank 32. The supply tank 30 is in fluid communication with both the dispensing nozzle 22 (fig. 7) and the fluid supply portion 28 (fig. 6). The supply tank 30 stores cleaning fluid sprayed onto the surface 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply tank 30 is coupled to the handle 14, and is pivotally movable with the handle 14 relative to the base 16. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the supply tank 30 is located directly above the recovery tank 32 when the handle 14 is in the upright position, as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to fig. 7, the illustrated recovery tank 32 is disposed on the base 16 such that the recovery tank 32 is supported on the base 16, and a user disposes the recovery tank 32 on the base 16. The recovery tank 32 is removably coupled to the base 16, which facilitates emptying the recovery tank 32. The recovery tank 32 includes a bottom surface 34 and a top surface 36 opposite the bottom surface 34. The bottom surface 34 is directly coupled to the base 16, engaging the base. The recovery tank 32 includes an inlet 38 that extends through the bottom surface 34 of the recovery tank 32.

Referring to fig. 5 and 7, the floor cleaner 10 further includes a suction nozzle 40. The suction nozzle 40 includes an inlet 42 and an outlet 44. As illustrated in fig. 4 and 6, the outlet axis 46 extends centrally through the outlet 44 and is perpendicular to the outlet 44. The outlet 44 engages the inlet 38 of the recovery tank 32 to provide fluid communication between the suction nozzle 40 and the recovery tank 32. The spout 40 further includes an upper wall 48 and a lower wall 50 spaced apart from the upper wall 48 and opposite the upper arm. Side wall 52 extends from lower wall 50 to upper wall 48. A fluid passage 54 extends from the inlet 42 through the outlet 44, and the fluid passage 54 is defined and bounded by the walls 48, 50, 52. In the embodiment as illustrated in fig. 5, the suction nozzle 40 is removably coupled to the base 16. In one embodiment, not shown, the upper wall 48 is removably coupled to the base 16 such that the fluid passage 54 is accessible to a user for cleaning.

The floor cleaner 10 further includes a suction source 56. A suction source 56 is disposed in the base 16. The suction source 56 includes a motor 58 and a fan 60. The suction source 56 is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway 54 and the recovery tank 32. The suction source 56 draws fluid and debris through the fluid passage 54 and into the recovery tank 32 where the fluid and debris are separated from the suction airstream created by the suction source 56. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 7, motor 58 rotates fan 60 about a vertical axis 62. An axis 62 extends through the recovery tank 32 and is located behind the suction nozzle 40, between the suction nozzle 40 and the wheel 18. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 8, motor 58 rotates fan 60 about a horizontal axis 62'. The horizontal axis 62' extends substantially parallel to the surface 20.

In the embodiment of fig. 8, as shown in fig. 8, when the base 16 and wheels 18 are positioned on the surface 20, a suction source 56 is disposed in the base 16 below the outlet 44 of the suction nozzle 40, between the surface 20 and the outlet 44. Also, as shown in fig. 8, the suction source 56 is disposed in the base 16 below the outlet 44 such that the outlet axis 46 extends through the suction source 56. Also, an agitator 24' is provided below the suction nozzle 40. The configuration of the suction source 56 in fig. 8 provides a more compact floor cleaner design and also allows the use of the suction source 56 to drive the agitator 24', eliminating the need for a separate agitator drive motor or power source (e.g., an air turbine).

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, the floor cleaner 10 further includes a hose port 64 that receives the hose 12. A hose port 64 extends through the upper wall 48 of the suction nozzle 40. The hose port 64 is located at a height between the outlet 44 of the suction nozzle 40 and the inlet 42 of the suction nozzle 40. Alternatively stated, as shown in fig. 7, when the base 16 and the wheels 18 are positioned on the surface 20, the hose port 64 is located at a height between the outlet 44 of the suction nozzle 40 and the surface 20. The guide channel 66 extends in a direction from the upper wall 48 toward the lower wall 50 of the spout 40. The guide channels 66 are formed as recesses in opposite side walls 68 of the suction nozzle 40. The guide channel 66 includes a first end 70 and a second end 72 opposite the first end 70. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the seal 74 is positioned adjacent the hose port 64. The seal 74 provides a fluid tight connection between the hose 12 and the suction nozzle 40 when the hose is received in the hose port 64.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the suction nozzle 40 includes a cover 76 for the hose port 64. The cover 76 is movable relative to the upper wall 48 of the spout 40 between a closed position (fig. 5) and an open position (fig. 6). In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 76 pivots between an open position and a closed position. The cover 76 includes a protrusion 78 that is received in the hose port 64 when the cover 76 is in the closed position. Also, in the closed position, the cover 76 contacts the seal 74 to inhibit fluid communication through the hose port 64. The cover 76 also includes a front wall 79 and the base includes a hook 82. The front wall 79 covers the hook 82 when the cover 76 is in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 76 is biased downwardly by a spring toward the closed position shown in fig. 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1-7 and 9, the floor cleaner 10 includes an air turbine 84 (fig. 7) that uses the suction air flow generated by the suction source 56 to drive the agitator 24. The floor cleaner 10 includes a second impeller 85 (fig. 9) to drive a pump 88. The pump 88 is used to move cleaning fluid from the supply tank 30 to the hose 12 via the fluid supply port 28. The base 16 includes an air turbine inlet 86. In the closed position, the cover 76 closes the inlet 86 such that the suction airstream cannot travel through the inlet 86 to drive the air turbine 85 to drive the pump 88. In the open position of the cover 76 (e.g., when the hose 12 is in use), airflow generated by the suction source 56 is allowed to pass through the inlet 86 to drive the air turbine 85 to drive the pump 88 to supply pressurized cleaning fluid from the supply tank 30 to the fluid supply port 28.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the hose 12 includes a hose body 90 having a first end 92 and a second end 94. The illustrated hose body 90 is a flexible vacuum hose that forms a suction channel. A connector 96 is attached to the first end 92 of the hose body 90. When the cover 76 is open, the connector 96 may be inserted into the hose port 64 to removably couple the hose 12 to the hose port 64 and to place the hose body 90 in fluid communication with the recovery tank 32 via the outlet 44 of the suction nozzle 40. When the connector 96 of the hose 12 is received in the hose port 65, the connector 96 extends transversely to the upper wall 48 of the suction nozzle 40. In the embodiment as shown in fig. 7, when the connector 96 of the hose 12 is received in the hose port 64, the connector 96 is perpendicular to the upper wall 48 of the suction nozzle 40.

The connector 96 includes rails 98 that slide into the guide channel 66 when the connector 96 is inserted into the hose port 64. The first end 70 of each guide channel 66 includes an opening 100 in the upper wall 48 of the suction nozzle 40 that receives the track 98 of the connector 96. The guide channel 66 and mating track 98 provide increased strength of connection between the connector 96 and the suction nozzle 40 and hose port 64, and reduced force on the upper wall 48 as compared to existing hose connections. The guide channel 66 supportingly engages the mating track 98 to inhibit tilting of the connector 96 back and forth relative to the suction nozzle 40, resulting in a better seal and less fluid leakage between the connector 96 and the hose port 64. Moreover, the channel 66 and the track 98 provide a locating feature that aids the user in aligning the connector 96 with the hose port 64 when attaching the hose 12 to the hose port 64.

The connector 96 of the hose 12 further includes a latch 80 that engages the hook 82 to retain 96 the connector 96 within the hose port 64. The user presses the latch 80 to unlock the latch 80 from the hook 82, thereby removing the connector 96 from the hose port 64 and disconnecting the hose 12 from the suction nozzle 40. When the cover 76 is in the closed position, the hooks 82 are covered by the cover 76 to conceal the hooks 82. In other embodiments, the lid 76 may include a latch that engages the hook 82 when the lid 76 is in the closed position to retain the lid 76 in the closed position.

The connector 96 further includes a fluid supply connector 102 that is insertable into the fluid supply port 28 when the cover 76 is in the open position such that the fluid supply connector 102 is removably coupled to the fluid supply port 28. This connection provides fluid communication between the supply tank 30 and the fluid supply connector 102.

The hose 12 further includes a tool 106 at the second end 94 of the hose body 90. The illustrated tool 106 includes a suction opening 108, a nozzle 110, and an actuator 112. As shown in fig. 3, when the hose 12 is attached to the floor cleaner 10, the suction opening 108 is in fluid communication with the suction source 56 through the hose body 90. Moreover, when the hose 12 is attached to the floor cleaner 10, the nozzle 110 is in fluid communication with the fluid supply connector 102 and the fluid supply port 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube is positioned within the hose body 90 such that fluid communication is provided between the fluid supply connector 102 and the nozzle 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 112 is a trigger that is pressed by a user to dispense cleaning fluid through the nozzle 110.

When operating, the user may use the floor cleaner 10 in either the first mode of operation or the upright mode of operation. In the upright mode of operation, the cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the surface 20 using the dispensing nozzle 22. In one embodiment, the cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the surface 20 using gravity, and in other embodiments, a pump may be used to spray the fluid onto the surface 20. The user moves the base 16 along the surface 20 using the handle 14, and as the user moves the base 16 along the surface 20, the handle 14 pivots relative to the base 16. At the same time, the suction source 56 draws the dispensed fluid and debris through the inlet 42 of the suction nozzle 40. Fluid, debris, and suction airstream travel through the suction nozzle 40 and into the recovery tank 32. In the recovery tank 32, the fluid and debris are separated from the suction airstream and held in the recovery tank 32. The suction airstream travels to the suction source 56 and is then discharged from the floor cleaner 10.

The user may also use the floor cleaner 10 in a second mode of operation or an accessory hose mode of operation. As described above, in the accessory hose mode of operation, the user inserts the connector 96 into the hose port 64. The portion 114 of the connector 96 blocks a portion of the fluid passageway 54 between the inlet 42 of the suction nozzle 40 and the portion 114. Thus, the suction airflow generated by the suction source 56 is directed through the suction opening 108 of the hose 12, inhibiting air from entering through the inlet 42. The user may use the actuator 112 to dispense cleaning fluid through the nozzle 110 onto the surface being cleaned. Suction source 56 draws dispensed fluid and debris through suction opening 108 of tool 106. Fluid, debris, and suction airflow travel through the hose body 90, through the hose port 64, into the suction nozzle 40, and then into the recovery tank 32. In the recovery tank 32, the fluid and debris are separated from the suction airstream and held in the recovery tank 32. The suction airstream travels to the suction source 56 and is then discharged from the floor cleaner 10.

Although the application has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the application as described.

Claims

1. A floor cleaner, comprising:

a base configured to engage a surface to be cleaned;

a suction nozzle on the base, the suction nozzle comprising an inlet, an outlet, an upper wall, and a lower wall spaced apart from the upper wall, thereby forming a fluid channel extending from the inlet to the outlet;

a recovery tank fluidly connected to the inlet through the fluid passage, the recovery tank disposed on the base;

a suction source disposed in the base, the suction source in fluid communication with the fluid passage and the recovery tank, the suction source configured to draw fluid and debris through the fluid passage of the suction nozzle into the recovery tank;

a hose port in the upper wall of the suction nozzle, the hose port being located at a height between the outlet of the suction nozzle and the inlet of the suction nozzle, and

a cover for the hose port, the cover being movable relative to the mouthpiece between an open position and a closed position; and

a hose including a connector insertable into the hose port when the cover is in the open position to removably couple the hose to the hose port and place the hose in fluid communication with the recovery tank through the outlet of the suction nozzle;

wherein the suction nozzle comprises a side wall between the upper wall and the lower wall, wherein the side wall supportingly engages the hose connector.

2. The floor cleaner of claim 1, wherein the suction nozzle is removably coupled to the base.

3. The floor cleaner of claim 1 or 2, wherein the hose port is located at a height between the outlet of the suction nozzle and the surface to be cleaned when the base is positioned on the surface to be cleaned.

4. A floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recovery tank comprises an inlet and the outlet of the suction nozzle engages the inlet of the recovery tank to provide fluid communication between the suction nozzle, the hose and the recovery tank.

5. A floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector of the hose is perpendicular to the upper wall of the suction nozzle when received in the hose port.

6. The floor cleaner of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose port comprises a guide channel extending in a direction from the upper wall of the suction nozzle towards the lower wall of the suction nozzle, wherein the connector of the hose comprises a track that slides into the guide channel when the connector is inserted into the hose port to removably couple the hose to the hose port.

7. The floor cleaner of claim 6, wherein the guide channel is formed in the sidewall.

8. The floor cleaner of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a supply tank, wherein the base includes a fluid supply port in fluid communication with the supply tank, wherein the connector includes a fluid supply connector insertable into the fluid supply port when the cover is in the open position to removably couple the fluid supply connector to the fluid supply port and to fluidly communicate between the supply tank and the fluid supply connector.

9. The floor cleaner of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base includes a hook, and wherein the connector of the hose includes a latch that engages the hook of the base to retain the connector within the hose port, and wherein the cover conceals the hook when the cover is in the closed position.

10. A floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suction source is arranged in the base below the outlet of the suction nozzle.

11. A floor cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector comprises a portion blocking a fluid passage between the inlet of the suction nozzle and the hose connector.

12. A floor cleaner, comprising:

a base configured to engage a surface to be cleaned;

a hose port in the upper wall of the suction nozzle;

a hose including a connector insertable into the hose port when the cover is in the open position to removably couple the hose to the hose port and place the hose in fluid communication with the recovery tank through the outlet of the suction nozzle,

wherein the hose port comprises a guide channel extending in a direction from the upper wall of the suction nozzle towards the lower wall of the suction nozzle, wherein the connector of the hose comprises a track that slides into the guide channel when the connector is inserted into the hose port to removably couple the hose to the hose port.

13. The floor cleaner of claim 12, wherein the suction nozzle includes a side wall between the upper wall and the lower wall, wherein the guide channel is formed in the side wall.

14. The floor cleaner of claim 12 or 13, wherein the guide channel includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the guide channel includes an opening in an upper wall of the suction nozzle that receives the rail of the connector.

15. The floor cleaner of any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a second guide channel extending in a direction from the upper wall of the suction nozzle toward the lower wall of the suction nozzle, wherein the connector of the hose includes a second rail that slides into the second guide channel when the connector is inserted into the hose port to removably couple the hose to the hose port.

16. The floor cleaner of claim 15, wherein the suction nozzle includes a second side wall between the upper wall and the lower wall, wherein the second guide channel is formed in the second side wall.

17. The floor cleaner of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the connector comprises a portion that blocks a fluid passage between the inlet of the suction nozzle and the hose connector.

18. A floor cleaner, comprising:

a base configured to engage a surface to be cleaned, the base comprising a dispensing nozzle;

a supply tank in fluid communication with the dispensing nozzle;

a handle pivotably coupled to the base;

a hose port in the upper wall of the suction nozzle;

a recovery tank fluidly connected to the inlet through the fluid passage; and

a suction source disposed in the base below the outlet of the suction nozzle, the suction source in fluid communication with the fluid passage and the recovery tank, the suction source configured to draw fluid and debris through the fluid passage of the suction nozzle into the recovery tank.

19. The floor cleaner of claim 18, wherein the outlet of the suction nozzle includes an outlet axis that extends centrally through the outlet and perpendicular to the outlet, wherein the outlet axis extends through the suction source.

20. A floor cleaner according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the suction source comprises a motor and a fan.

21. The floor cleaner of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the base comprises an agitator configured to engage the surface to be cleaned, wherein the agitator is below the suction nozzle.

22. A floor cleaner according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the suction source is between the surface to be cleaned and the outlet of the suction nozzle when the base is positioned on the surface to be cleaned.

23. The floor cleaner of any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the recovery tank is disposed on the base, and wherein the recovery tank includes an inlet, and the outlet of the suction nozzle engages the inlet of the recovery tank to provide fluid communication between the suction nozzle, the hose, and the recovery tank.