CN117796718A

CN117796718A - Floor cleaning appliance

Info

Publication number: CN117796718A
Application number: CN202310092394.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·S·黄; I·M·A·Y·阿杰恩亚纳; D·J·埃文斯; B·M·奥特曼; C·刘; Y·S·Y·觉; F·K·秦; Y·M·刘
Original assignee: Dyson Operations Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Operations Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2022-09-30
Filing date: 2023-02-02
Publication date: 2024-04-02
Also published as: GB2622851A; GB202214352D0

Abstract

An appliance comprising a main unit to which a wet cleaning head is attachable. The main unit comprises an airflow generator operable during use of the appliance in a first mode to generate airflow and in a second mode to not generate airflow; and a control module. The control module is configured to determine whether the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit; and in response to determining that the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit, controlling the airflow generator to operate in a second mode.

Description

Floor cleaning appliance

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an appliance comprising a main unit to which a wet cleaning head may be attached.

Background

An appliance for cleaning or treating a surface may comprise a cleaning head which, in use, is in contact with the surface to be cleaned or treated. Some appliances utilize a liquid, such as water, to clean or treat a surface. Such liquids may be used with rollers, mops, wipes, or other components for applying a wiping force to a surface.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an appliance comprising a main unit to which a wet cleaning head is attachable, wherein the main unit comprises: an airflow generator operable during use of the appliance in a first mode to generate airflow and a second mode to not generate airflow; and a control module configured to: determining whether a wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit; and in response to determining that the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit, controlling the airflow generator to operate in a second mode.

An appliance having an airflow generator may be used for cleaning, such as vacuum cleaning, using the airflow generated thereby. Thus, in some examples, the appliance may be referred to as a vacuum cleaning appliance. However, a main unit attachable to the wet cleaning head may allow the apparatus to provide wet cleaning. For example, a wet cleaning head may be used to clean or treat a surface with a liquid. For example, a wet cleaning head may include a drum or other component configured to contact a surface to be cleaned, and a liquid delivery assembly configured to deliver liquid to the drum or other component. Wet cleaning may be provided via liquid and/or via movement of a wet drum or other component against a surface. Thus, the wet cleaning head may not utilize the airflow generated by the airflow generator of the main unit to provide cleaning. Thus, providing the main unit with a control unit that determines whether the wet cleaning head is attached and, if so, controls the airflow generator to operate in a second mode that does not generate airflow (e.g., controls the airflow generator to be off), which may help prevent unnecessary generation of airflow. This in turn may help the appliance to operate more efficiently.

The control module may be further configured to: in response to determining that the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit, the main unit is controlled to provide power to the wet cleaning head, thereby operating the wet cleaning head. This may help to provide powered wet cleaning provided by the wet cleaning head when the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit, but without the airflow generator generating an airflow. This may provide a strong and relatively efficient wet cleaning performance. In an example, the wet cleaning head may comprise a drive member (e.g. a liquid pump) for driving the liquid to be dispensed from the liquid dispensing tank to the drum or other member for contacting the surface to be cleaned; and/or a roller driver (e.g., a motor) configured to drive rotation of the roller or another component for contacting the surface to be cleaned. The power provided by the main unit to the cleaning head may provide power to one or both of the drive member and the drum drive.

The control module may be configured to: determining whether a cleaning head other than the dehumidifying cleaning head is attached to the main unit; and controlling the airflow generator to operate in the first mode in response to determining that a cleaning head other than the dehumidifying cleaning head is connected to the main unit. For example, other cleaning heads may be attached to the main unit, and unlike wet cleaning heads, cleaning may be performed using the air flow generated by the air flow generator. For example, these other cleaning heads may be powered or unpowered. Assuming that the control unit is configured to determine whether a cleaning head other than a wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit, and if so, to control the airflow generator to operate in a first mode in which an airflow is generated, it may be allowed that other cleaning heads that do utilize the airflow may be effectively used while still avoiding unnecessary operation of the airflow generator when a wet cleaning head is attached.

The control module may be configured to: in response to determining that the cleaning head other than the dehumidifying cleaning head is attached to the main unit, the main unit is controlled to supply power to the cleaning head other than the dehumidifying cleaning head so as to operate the cleaning head other than the dehumidifying cleaning head. Other cleaning heads may have powered components. For example, such other cleaning heads may include a drum having bristles and being rotated by a motor to move particles to be cleaned into an air stream. Thus, powering a cleaning head other than a dehumidified cleaning head may allow such other cleaning heads to operate, for example, in conjunction with the airflow generated by the airflow generator.

The control module may be configured to: determining whether any cleaning heads are attached to the main unit; and in response to determining that no cleaning head is attached to the main unit, controlling the airflow generator to operate in the first mode. When no cleaning head is attached to the main unit, it may be useful for the airflow generator to generate an airflow. For example, the main unit itself may be used for vacuum cleaning without attaching a cleaning head.

The main unit may comprise terminals for providing power to a cleaning head attached to the main unit in use, and the control module may be configured to: in response to determining that the cleaning head is not attached to the main unit, the main unit is controlled so as not to provide power to the terminals. This may help to allow safe operation of the device. For example, when no cleaning head is attached to the main unit, the terminals may be exposed to some extent. Thus, when no cleaning head is detected attached to the main unit, not providing power to the terminals may help reduce power exposure to unintended objects. Alternatively or additionally, not providing power to the terminals when no cleaning head is attached to the main unit may help reduce accidental leakage of power from the terminals and thus for more efficient operation of the appliance.

In an example, controlling the airflow generator to operate in the second mode may include controlling the main unit to provide no power to the airflow generator and/or controlling the airflow generator to operate in the first mode may include controlling the main unit to provide power to the airflow generator. For example, the main unit may include a power source, and the control module may control the power provided by the power source to the airflow generator. For example, when a wet cleaning head is connected to the main unit, the control module controls the power supply not to provide power to the airflow generator so that the airflow generator operates in the second mode and therefore no airflow is generated, and when another cleaning head or no cleaning head is connected to the main unit, the control module may control the power supply to provide power to the airflow generator so that the airflow generator operates in the first mode and therefore airflow is generated. This may provide a relatively simple and cost effective way of controlling whether the airflow generator generates an airflow.

The main unit may comprise terminals for providing power to a cleaning head attached to the main unit in use, and the control module may be configured to: in response to a voltage applied to the terminal, it is determined whether the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit based on a current drawn from the terminal. In some examples, the control module may be configured to determine which cleaning head (if any) is attached to the main unit based on the current drawn from the terminal in response to the voltage applied to the terminal by the main unit. This may allow a relatively simple and cost effective method to be provided by which to determine which accessory (if any) is attached to the main unit. For example, the wet cleaning head may draw a first current in response to an applied voltage; the other cleaning head may draw a second, different current in response to the applied voltage; and there may be no current drawn in response to the applied voltage without the cleaning head attached to the main unit.

The control module may be configured to: whether the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit is determined based on a delay in drawing current from the terminal in response to the applied voltage. This may allow a relatively simple and cost effective method to determine that a wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit, even if the wet cleaning head draws the same or similar magnitude of current as a cleaning head other than a wet cleaning head. In some examples, the control module may be configured to determine which (if any) cleaning head is attached to the main unit based on a delay in drawing current from the terminal in response to a voltage applied to the terminal by the main unit. For example, a wet cleaning head may be configured to draw current from the terminals in response to an applied voltage delay, and a cleaning head other than the wet cleaning head may be configured to not draw current from the terminals in response to an applied voltage delay. If no cleaning head is attached to the main unit, current draw cannot be immediate or delayed. For example, the wet cleaning head may include a delay component, such as a delay circuit, configured to delay the current draw of the wet cleaning head in response to an applied voltage.

The control module may be configured to: the wet cleaning head is determined to be attached to the main unit based on a current drawn from the terminal in response to the applied voltage during a particular one of the plurality of time periods. This may allow reliable detection of wet cleaning heads, for example between other cleaning heads or without a cleaning head, even when there is a slight variation in delay applied by different wet cleaning heads. This may provide for reliable operation of the appliance. The control module may be configured to determine that a cleaning head other than a wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit based on a current drawn from the terminal in response to an applied voltage in different particular time periods of the plurality of time periods. The control module may be configured to determine that no cleaning head is attached to the main unit based on not drawing current from the terminal in response to the applied voltage for any of a plurality of time periods. For example, the control module may be configured to monitor the current drawn from the terminal in response to the applied voltage for a first period of time and a subsequent second period of time. In the event that current draw is detected during the first period of time, the control module may determine that a cleaning head other than the dehumidification cleaning head is attached to the main unit. In the event that it is detected that current is not drawn in the first period of time but is drawn in the second period of time, the control module may determine that the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit. In the event that the current drawn is not detected in the first or second time period, the control module may determine that no cleaning head is attached to the main unit. In an example, the first period of time may have a duration of about 65 to 95 microseconds, and the second period of time may have a duration of about 300 to about 350 microseconds. The duration of the second time period may be selected based on the tolerance of the delay component, e.g., to ensure that a delay current triggered by the application of the voltage in the first time period may be detected in the second time period.

Adjacent time periods may be separated from each other by a time gap. This may help to improve the reliability of determining the cleaning head attached to the main unit. For example, introducing a time gap may help reduce the likelihood that current intended to be drawn in one time period is erroneously detected as being drawn in an adjacent time period. For example, a gap of between about 90 and 110 microseconds may exist between the first time period and the second time period.

The applied voltage may include a plurality of voltage pulses, one for each of a plurality of time periods. For example, the first voltage pulse may be applied (e.g., for about 90 microseconds) and the first period of time may be some period of time (e.g., about 65 to 95 microseconds) after the start of the first voltage pulse (i.e., the first period of time may start at the time the first voltage pulse starts and last for about 65 to 95 microseconds). If no current draw is detected in the first period of time, a second voltage pulse (e.g., for about 300 to 350 microseconds) may be applied. There may be a gap (e.g., 90 to 110 microseconds) between pulses where no voltage is applied. The second time period may be some time period (e.g., 300 to 350 microseconds) after the start of the second voltage pulse (i.e., the second time period may start at the time the second voltage pulse starts and last approximately 300 to 350 microseconds). In an example, if the current draw is detected in the second time period, it may be determined that the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit. In an example, when the current draw is triggered by a voltage pulse of a first time period, but delayed so as to occur in a second time period, the voltage pulse may still be provided again in the second time period so that the current draw may occur.

An initial time period of the plurality of time periods may have a first duration and a subsequent time period may have a second duration that is longer than the first duration. This may help such that the delay current draw detected in the second time period may include both a current draw triggered by the voltage applied in the initial (e.g., first) time period and a current draw triggered by the voltage applied in the subsequent (e.g., second) time period. This in turn may help ensure that a delayed current draw is detected in the second period of time. For example, as described above, the applied voltage may include a first voltage pulse of about 90 microseconds, followed by a gap of about 90 to 110 microseconds, followed by a second voltage pulse of between about 300 to 350 microseconds. The duration of the first period of time may be about 65 to 95 microseconds and may begin at the beginning of the first voltage pulse, and the duration of the second period of time may be about 300 to 350 microseconds and may begin at the beginning of the second voltage pulse and may have a time interval of about 90 to 110 microseconds between the first and second periods of time. The delay component of the wet cleaning head may be configured to apply a delay such that the current is drawn by the wet cleaning head about 120 microseconds after the voltage is applied. Thus, the current draw triggered by the first voltage pulse will occur at about 120 microseconds from the start of the first voltage pulse (and thus not within the first period of time), and the current draw triggered by the second voltage pulse will occur at about 120 microseconds from the start of the second voltage pulse (and thus within the second period of time). Other values are also possible.

The control module is configured to determine whether the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit in response to a trigger signal indicating that the appliance is to be operated. For example, the control module may be configured to determine which cleaning head (if any) is attached to the main unit in response to a trigger signal indicating that the appliance is to be operated. For example, the trigger signal may include a user operating button or other user interface element to initiate operation of the appliance. Thus, the control module can determine which accessory (if any) is attached to the main unit and perform control appropriately at the start-up or start-up operation of the device. This may help to ensure proper and/or efficient operation of the appliance.

The main unit may comprise a power supply for powering the flow generator and/or the wet cleaning head. For example, the power supply may be used to power the airflow generator and/or any motorized cleaning head attached to the main unit. For example, the power source may be a battery. Powering the wet cleaning head (or other powered cleaning head) with the power supply of the main unit may reduce the need to provide a separate power supply in the cleaning head itself, which may reduce complexity and cost.

The appliance may comprise a wet cleaning head. The wet cleaning head may comprise a delay member configured to delay a current drawn by the wet cleaning head from the main unit by a certain amount when a voltage is applied to the wet cleaning head by the main unit. For example, the delay component may be configured such that current is drawn from the applied voltage with a delay of about 120 microseconds. For example, the delay element may be provided by a delay circuit. Providing the delay through the delay circuit may enable the delay component to be provided in a robust and cost-effective manner. The delay circuit may be, for example, an RC (resistance-capacitance) based time delay circuit, for example, an RC based time delay circuit including a Field Effect Transistor (FET) such as a Metal Oxide Semiconductor FET (MOSFET). Other delay components such as other delay circuits may be used.

The wet cleaning head may comprise a drive member configured to drive the liquid distribution, and the main unit may be configured to provide power to the drive member when the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit in use. For example, a drive member (e.g. a liquid pump) may be configured to drive the dispensing of liquid from the liquid dispensing tank to the drum to contact the surface to be cleaned in use. The wet cleaning head may comprise a drum driver for driving rotation of the drum when the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit in use. A wet cleaning head including a drive member and/or a drum drive may help the wet cleaning head provide effective wet cleaning.

Optional features of one aspect of the invention may be equally applied to other aspects of the invention where appropriate.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning head;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning head of FIG. 1, showing the first and second housing portions;

FIG. 3 is an isolated perspective view of the first housing portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the first housing portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the first housing portion of FIG. 3;

fig. 6A is a perspective view showing a removable cover of the liquid collection tank of the first housing portion of fig. 3, and fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the scraper of the first housing portion of fig. 3;

FIG. 7 is an isolated perspective view of the second housing portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second housing portion of FIG. 7 with the wall portion removed;

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the second housing portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the cleaning head of FIG. 1 with the upper and side walls of the housing removed;

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the center depth line of the cleaning head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated A in FIG. 11; and

figure 13 is a schematic view of an appliance including the cleaning head of figure 1.

Detailed Description

A cleaning head 10 is shown in figures 1 to 2.

The cleaning head 10 includes a housing 12, a platen 14, and an attachment mechanism 16. The drum 14 is rotatably connected to the housing 12 such that it rotates about a rotation axis R (see fig. 2) substantially parallel to the width direction W of the housing 12. The housing 12 includes a first housing portion 18 and a second housing portion 20 releasably connected to one another.

The first housing portion 18 is shown in fig. 3-6 and includes a right side wall 22, a tank assembly 24, a mounting member 26, a snap mechanism 28, and a protrusion in the form of a guide bar 30. The right side wall 22 is generally elongate and extends generally in the depth direction D of the cleaner head 10. The tank assembly 24 and the mounting member 26 are each fixedly connected to the right side wall 22 (allowing the mounting member 26 to be fixedly connected to the tank assembly 24). The tank assembly 24 and mounting member 26 extend from the right side wall 22 such that when the cleaner head 10 is assembled, the tank assembly 24 and mounting member 26 are located within the housing 12. The catch mechanism 28 and guide bar 30 are generally centrally located along the right side wall 22.

The mounting member 26 is located at the front end 32 of the right side wall 22 and the tank assembly 24 is located rearward of the mounting member 26. The front end 32 of the right side wall 22 is generally shaped to correspond to the curvature of the drum 14 and has an area of reduced radius such that when the cleaning head 10 is assembled and the drum 14 contacts the surface to be cleaned, the drum 14 is partially exposed at the front of the housing 12.

The tank assembly 24 includes a liquid distribution tank 34 for storing liquid to be distributed to the surface to be cleaned and a liquid collection tank 36 for collecting liquid from the surface to be cleaned. The liquid collection tank 36 and the liquid distribution tank 34 are fixedly connected to each other. The liquid distribution tank 34 is hollow and has a curved rear wall 37, a flat bottom wall 38, wheels 40, an inlet 42 and a closure 44. The wheel 40 is disposed in the flat bottom wall 38. The inlet 42 is covered and closed by a closure 44 in fig. 4 and 5 and has the form of a bore defined by a neck having external threads that mate with the internal threads of the closure 44. The inlet 42 is located on the liquid distribution tank 34 such that when the cleaner head 10 is assembled, the inlet 42 is located within the interior volume of the housing 12. The inlet 42 faces in a first direction W along the housing 12 of the cleaner head 10. The first direction is the direction towards the side wall of the housing 12 when the cleaning head 10 is in use positioned on a surface to be cleaned.

The closure 44 is in the form of a cap covering the inlet 42 and is removable from the inlet 42 by twisting. The closure 44 includes a valve member 46, which valve member 46 enables fluid communication between the interior of the liquid distribution tank 34 and the driving components including the pump 84 (see fig. 8).

The liquid distribution tank 34 has an internal volume of about 300 ml. The liquid distribution tank 34 extends substantially in the entire height direction H of the cleaning head 10, but only partially (slightly more than 50%) across the width direction W of the housing 12 of the cleaning head 10. The liquid distribution tank 34 is located at the rear end 48 of the right side wall 22 and forms a portion of the rear surface of the cleaner head 10 when the cleaner head 10 is assembled.

The liquid collection tank 36 includes a main tank body 50, an upper plate 52, and a removable cover 54 that is detachably connected to the main tank body 50 by an interference fit. The liquid collection tank 36 also includes a front wall 56 and a surface contacting member in the form of a scraper 58. The scraper 58 and removable cover 54 may be completely removed from the main housing 50. The liquid collection tank 36 is positioned generally centrally along the right side wall 22 such that the liquid collection tank 36 is located between the liquid distribution tank 34 and the mounting member 26. The bottom surface of the liquid collection tank 36 and the bottom surface of the liquid distribution tank 34 are substantially aligned.

The main tank 50 is generally in the form of a cube and hollow, and when the cleaner head 10 is assembled, the main tank 50 extends across substantially the entire width direction W of the cleaner head 10. The upper region of the main housing 50 is open such that the hollow interior of the main housing 50 is accessible via the upper region. The main tank 50 has an internal volume of about 360ml such that the internal volume of the liquid collection tank 36 is 20% greater than the internal volume of the liquid distribution tank 34.

The upper plate 52 is generally solid and planar and is fixedly attached to the rear of the perimeter of the upper region of the main housing 50 such that the upper plate 52 covers approximately 50% of the upper region of the main housing 50. The removable cover 54 is selectively located below the upper plate 52 such that the removable cover 54 covers an upper region of the main housing 50.

Referring to fig. 6A, removable cover 54 is generally rectangular in plan view and has an outer periphery 60, an inner periphery 62, an inclined surface 64, a handle in the form of a pull tab 66, and mounting wings 67. The inclined surface 64 is inclined from the outer periphery 60 to the inner periphery 62 such that when the removable cover 54 is positioned on the main case 50, the inner periphery 62 is positioned at a lower level relative to the outer periphery 60. The pull tab 66 is located on the front perimeter of the removable cover 54 and faces outwardly from the upper surface of the cover 54 (in particular, it stands from the angled surface 64). The inner periphery 62 defines an elongated slot that serves as a combined inlet/outlet 65 for the liquid collection tank 36. The combined inlet/outlet 65 may be symmetrically positioned about the centerline of the liquid collection tank 36. The combined inlet/outlet 65 is located at a lower level than the main housing 50 due to the inclined surface 64. The combined inlet/outlet 65 faces a second direction H along the housing 12 of the cleaning head 10, wherein the second direction H is different from the first direction W in which the inlet 42 of the liquid distribution tank 34 faces. As shown in fig. 1, the second direction H is substantially perpendicular to the first direction W and the axis of rotation R, and is the direction towards the upper surface of the housing 12 when the cleaner head 10 is in use on a surface to be cleaned. The mounting wings 67 extend from the side of the outer periphery 60 proximate the front region of the outer periphery 60 and are shaped and sized to be received between the front wall 56 of the liquid collection tank 36 and the upper plate 52. The pull tab 66 is spaced apart from the combined inlet/outlet 65 due to its position on the inclined surface 64.

The front wall 56 is arcuate in shape generally corresponding to the curvature of the drum 14. A lower region of the front wall 56 is shaped and spaced from the main housing 50 to define a channel within which the flight 58 is received. The channel is open at one end to enable the flight 58 to slide into and out of the channel.

The scraper 58 is formed of an elastically deformable material and is shaped such that the scraper 58 is an extension of the front wall 56 when located within the channel. When positioned within the channel, the flight 58 extends from the front wall 56 such that the surface of the flight 58 and the surface of the front wall 56 form a continuous surface. As shown in fig. 6B, the rear portion of the flight 58 includes an elongated element 581 extending from the top surface of the flight 58. The elongate member 581 includes a first elongate recess 582a and a second elongate recess 582b. Referring to fig. 11, the arcuate front wall 56 terminates in a first elongated tab 562a. The second elongated protrusion 562b extends from the bottom of the main casing 50 and is disposed vertically below the first elongated protrusion 562a. To position the flight 58 within the channel, the flight 58 slides relative to the main housing 50 and the first and second elongated protrusions 562a and 562b are received within the first and second elongated recesses 582a and 582b, respectively. When positioned in the channel, the flight 58 extends to a position slightly below the lower surface of the main housing 50. Accordingly, when the cleaning head is used, a vertical gap G (see fig. 3) is formed between the lower surface of the main casing 50 and the surface to be cleaned. As the drum 14 rotates, rotational energy from the drum 14 helps to scoop up liquid (from the surface to be cleaned) along the arcuate front wall 56. The vertical gap G is sized small enough to prevent dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned from flowing past the squeegee toward the rear of the cleaner head 10 and large enough to prevent the main housing 50 from scratching the surface. The height of the vertical gap G (along direction H in fig. 1) may be in the range of about 0.2mm to 1.5 mm.

As previously described, the mounting member 26 is located at the front end 32 of the right side wall 22. The mounting member 26 is releasably connected to the drum 14 and rotatably mounts the drum 14 within the housing 12. Mounting member 26 is shaped and sized to be received within roller 14 and to engage roller 14. The mounting member 26 is fixedly coupled to the right side wall 22 and further includes a bearing assembly (not shown) to enable rotation of the drum 14 when coupled to the mounting member 26. Further details of the mounting member 26 will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be described here for the sake of brevity.

The catch mechanism 28 is located generally centrally along the right side wall 22 above the liquid distribution tank 34. The catch mechanism 28 includes a depressible button 70 and a hook 72 that is movable in response to movement of the depressible button 70. The hooks 72 releasably engage corresponding latches (not shown) formed on the underside of an upper wall 74 (see fig. 7) of the second housing portion 20.

The guide strip 30 is elongated in form and extends in the width direction W to a similar extent as the liquid collection tank 36. The guide bar 30 is vertically spaced from the upper plate 52 and is shaped and dimensioned to be received within the guide channel 94 of the second housing portion 20. The guide bar 30 has a generally T-shaped cross-sectional shape.

The second housing part 20 is shown in fig. 7 to 12. The second housing portion 20 includes an upper wall 74, a left side wall 76, a control circuit 78, a drive mechanism in the form of a roller drive 80, a pump chamber 82, a pump 84, a liquid tube 86, an intermediate plate 87, a reservoir 88, a dispensing surface 90, a cloth roller 92, and a guide channel 94. The drum 14 is rotatably connected to the second housing portion 20.

The front end of the upper wall 74 is shaped to correspond to the curvature of the roller 14, and the planar portion of the upper wall 74 includes a recess 96, the recess 96 being shaped and sized to receive the depressible button 70 of the catch mechanism 28.

The left side wall 76 is generally elongate and extends in the depth direction D of the cleaner head 10. The outer surface of the left side wall 76 is the same shape as the right side wall 22. Left side wall 76 is hollow in form and defines a compartment 98, and control circuitry 78 is housed within compartment 98. Compartment 98 is sealed from any area within housing 12 that contains liquid during use. The inner surface of the left side wall 76 includes locating features in the form of locating ridges 77 that generally correspond to the side surfaces of the liquid collection tank 36.

The control circuit 78 includes appropriate control circuitry for driving the roller driver 80 and the pump 84. Further details of how the control circuit 78 drives the roller driver 80 and the pump 84 will be provided below. The control circuit 78 also includes a delay element, particularly a delay circuit, the function of which will be discussed below.

The roller driver 80 is located at the front end 100 of the left side wall 76 and is fixedly attached to the front end 100 in a similar location as the mounting member 26 is attached to the right side wall 22 of the first housing portion 18. The drum drive 80 includes a suitable torque generator, such as a motor, for generating torque to drive the drum 14 in rotation. The shape and size of the roller driver 80 is adapted to fit inside the roller 14 such that when the cleaning head 10 is assembled, the roller driver 80 is located inside the roller 14, the roller 14 and the roller driver 80 being concentric. The drum drive 80 is controlled by the control circuit 78 to operate at a speed of about 900-1000rpm in steady state. Steady state operating speeds in the range of 500-1200rpm are also contemplated.

Pump chamber 82 is substantially hollow in form and is shaped and sized to receive pump 84 therein. The shape and size of pump chamber 82 further corresponds to the projected footprint of liquid distribution tank 34. The pump chamber 82 is located at the rear end 102 of the left side wall 76 and extends partially in the width direction W of the cleaning head 10. Pump chamber 82 has an aperture (not shown) that enables pump 84 to be connected to valve member 46 of closure 44 of liquid distribution tank 34.

Pump 84 is any suitable pump for driving liquid from liquid distribution tank 34 to reservoir 88, as will be discussed in more detail below. The pump 84 is controlled by the control circuit 78 to operate in a pulsed or cyclical manner, with the pump 84 being controlled to be on for a first duration, off for a second duration, and so on. In other words, the pump 84 is turned on (i.e., drives the dispensing of liquid) for a first duration to generate each pulse, and successive pulses are separated by a second duration during which the drive component does not drive the dispensing of liquid. The first duration lasts for at least one revolution of the drum 14. The first duration may be 0.25 seconds and the second duration may be 6 seconds, which corresponds to the first duration being about 4% of the second duration. The first duration of 0.25 seconds corresponds to the pump 84 being controlled to open between about 3.8 and 4.2 revolutions of the drum 14 when the drum speed is between about 900rpm and 1000 rpm. The first duration of 0.25 seconds corresponds to the pump 84 being controlled to turn on between about 2 and 5 revolutions of the drum 14 when the drum speed is between about 500rpm and 1200 rpm. In other examples, pump 84 may be controlled to shut down for a duration of about 3 to 10 seconds. In other examples, the first duration may be between about 2% and 9% of the second duration. In yet another example, there may be a valve for controlling the passage of liquid from the pump 84. For example, the pump 84 may be continuously operated and the valve may be configured or otherwise controlled to open and close in a pulsed or cyclical manner.

Referring to fig. 10, a liquid tube 86 extends from the pump 84 to a reservoir 88 along an intermediate plate 87. The intermediate plate 87 is fixedly attached to the left side wall 76 at a region between the front end 100 and the rear end 102 of the left side wall 76 and is vertically spaced from the upper wall 74. The upper surface of the intermediate plate 87 includes a partition wall 104, and the lower surface of the intermediate plate 87 includes a guide passage 94 (see fig. 9). The dividing wall 104 extends across the width of the intermediate plate 87 and, together with the upper wall 74, defines a guide region 106 and a storage region 108.

The guide region 106 is a hollow cavity for guiding the liquid tube 86 from the pump 84 to the reservoir 88 and wires from the attachment mechanism 16 to the control circuit 78 within the compartment 98. The liquid tube 86 extends through a gap in the partition wall 104 to bridge the guide region 106 and the storage region 108.

The guide passage 94 extends across the lower surface of the intermediate plate 87 in the width direction W of the cleaning head 10. The guide channel 94 is shaped and sized to receive the guide bar 30 of the first housing portion 18. The end of the guide channel 94 opposite the left side wall 76 is open such that the guide bar 30 can be slidably received within the guide channel 94.

Referring to fig. 12, the reservoir 88 is at least partially formed by the second housing portion 20 and is defined by an upper surface of the intermediate plate 87 in the storage region 108, a reservoir sidewall 110, and a reservoir cap 91 located between a lower surface of the upper wall 74 of the second housing portion 20 and an upper end of the reservoir wall 110. The reservoir 88 is generally cubical and elongated along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum 14. A seal 112 (which may comprise silicon) is located around the reservoir sidewall 110 Around the edges, in particular between the side wall 10, the reservoir cover 91 and the intermediate plate 87. The reservoir sidewall 110 is shaped such that the reservoir 88 extends across the width direction W of the cleaning head 10 and has a width in the direction W of about 202 mm. The reservoir 88 extends approximately 90% of the length of the drum 14 (with the length of the drum 14 extending along the direction W shown in fig. 1), although it is also contemplated that the reservoir 88 extends at least 80% of the length of the drum 14. Reservoir 88 has a diameter of about 1444mm ³ Is provided. Also contemplated are up to about 1571mm ³ Is provided.

The reservoir 88 has a reservoir inlet 114 and eight reservoir outlets 116, although 6 to 10 reservoir outlets are also contemplated. The reservoir inlet 114 includes a circular aperture formed centrally along the rear of the reservoir sidewall 110 in the reservoir inlet surface 115, the reservoir inlet surface 115 being the side surface of the reservoir 88 facing the liquid distribution tank 34. The reservoir inlet 114 is in fluid communication with the liquid tube 86 and receives liquid from the liquid distribution tank 34. The radius of the reservoir inlet 114 is in the range of 1.25mm, although radii in the range of 1.00mm to 1.50mm are also contemplated.

The reservoir outlets 116 are substantially evenly spaced along the length of the reservoir 88 along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum 14. In addition, they are offset from the reservoir inlet 114 along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum 14. The reservoir outlet 116 includes a generally circular aperture formed in a reservoir outlet surface 117 of the intermediate plate 87 in the storage region 108, the storage region 108 being the bottom surface of the reservoir 88. Each reservoir outlet 116 has a radius of about 1.00mm and the reservoir outlets 116 are spaced about 28.00mm apart along the width direction W of the cleaning head 10. The reservoir outlet 116 covers a length that extends to about 90% of the length of the drum 14, although it is also contemplated that the reservoir outlet 116 covers a length that is at least 80% of the length of the drum 14. The cross-sectional area of the reservoir inlet 114 is greater (e.g., less than 3 times greater) than the cross-sectional area of each reservoir outlet 116. In one example, the radius of the reservoir inlet 114 is about 1.25 times the radius of the individual reservoir outlets 116, while the radius of the reservoir inlet 114 is about 0.16 times the combined radius of the reservoir outlets 116. The ratio of the total combined cross-sectional area of the reservoir outlets 116 to the cross-sectional area of the reservoir inlets 114, and the ratio of the internal volume of the reservoir 88 to the total combined cross-sectional area of the reservoir outlets 116, is such that, in use, liquid flows out of the reservoir 88 substantially uniformly from the plurality of reservoir outlets 116. The combined cross-sectional area of the reservoir outlet 116 is approximately 5 times the cross-sectional area of the reservoir inlet 114. The internal volume of the reservoir 88 is approximately 1444 times the radius of each individual reservoir outlet 116 and approximately 181 times the total combined cross-sectional area of the reservoir outlets 116. This configuration of the reservoir 88, in combination with the pulsing cycle of the pump 84 described above, provides a water flow rate in the reservoir 88 of about 30ml/min while the pressure in the reservoir 88 is about 13.5kPa to 14.5kPa. For the reservoir outlets 116, a radius of between 0.80mm and 1.20mm is also contemplated, with a spacing between each reservoir outlet 116 of about 25.00mm to 30.00mm. Thus, it is also contemplated that the combined cross-sectional area of the reservoir outlets 116 is 2.5 to 10 times the cross-sectional area of the reservoir inlets 114, the internal volume of the reservoir 88 is 150 to 400 times the combined cross-sectional area of the reservoir outlets 116, the internal volume of the reservoir 88 is 1300 to 2800 times the cross-sectional area of each individual reservoir outlet 116, and the internal volume of the reservoir 88 is 900 to 1900 times the cross-sectional area of the reservoir inlets 114. The change in size of the reservoir inlet 114 and the reservoir outlet 116 may result in a water flow rate in the reservoir 88 between 25ml/min and 35 ml/min. In other words, the liquid is delivered to the pile face 122 of the drum 14 at a rate of between 25ml/min and 35 ml/min.

The dispensing surface 90 is defined by a protrusion 118 of the second housing portion 20, wherein the protrusion 118 extends from the lower surface of the intermediate plate 87 to below the reservoir outlet 116. The protrusions 118 form a dispensing structure that includes a dispensing surface 90 for dispensing liquid onto the pile surface 122 of the drum 14. In use, when the cleaning head 10 is positioned on a surface to be cleaned, the dispensing surface 90 is positioned below the reservoir outlet surface 117 (but not overlapped by that surface 117). The dispensing surface 90 is substantially planar in form (in other words, substantially flat) and extends substantially parallel to the planar portion of the upper wall 74 (and substantially parallel to the reservoir outlet surface 117 and the surface to be cleaned upon which the cleaning head is located in use). Thus, the dispensing surface 90 is elongate along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum 14 (axis R shown in fig. 2, which is parallel to the width direction W of the cleaner head 10), and the distance between the edge of the dispensing surface 90 and the drum 14 is substantially uniform (indicated by reference numeral g in fig. 12). The distance g is taken in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation (R, as shown in fig. 2) of the drum 14 and along the depth direction D of the cleaning head (as shown in fig. 1), and is very small in the example of fig. 12. However, it is contemplated that in other cases, the distance between the edge of the dispensing surface 90 and the drum 14 may be greater.

The dispensing surface 90 is located about 1.6mm below each reservoir outlet 116 (indicated in figure 12 as height H, which is parallel to the height direction H of the cleaning head 10 shown in figure 1 and represents the distance between the plane comprising the reservoir outlet surface 117 and the plane comprising the dispensing surface 90). The dispensing surface 90s has a depth D of about 4.1mm in the depth direction D of the cleaning head (in other words, a depth D along the minor axis of the dispensing surface 90). It is also contemplated that the distance between the dispensing surface 90 and the reservoir outlet surface 117 is about 1.5mm to 1.7mm (corresponding to the height h shown in fig. 12), with a depth d in the range of 4.0mm to 4.3 mm. Although not shown, a divider is positioned along the dispensing surface 90 between adjacent reservoir outlets 116. The reservoir outlet 116 is located between first and second partition members 119a, 119b, which first and second partition members 119a, 119b partition the dispensing surface 90 from the reservoir outlet surface 117. The divider is identical to the dividing members 119a, 119b, but is located between two adjacent reservoir outlets 116, rather than at each end of the reservoir outlet surface 117.

The projection 118 also defines a collection surface 123, which collection surface 123 is located directly below the reservoir outlet 116 and is thus covered by the reservoir outlet surface 117. The collection surface 123 has a concave curved form and extends substantially parallel to the planar portion of the upper wall 74. At least a portion of the collection surface 123 is angled relative to the dispensing surface. Liquid deposited by the reservoir outlet 116 on the collection surface 123 is pushed by the collection surface 123 towards the dispensing surface 90. The dispensing surface 90 abuts the collection surface 123 and is horizontally offset from the reservoir outlet 116.

The cloth roller 92 is an elongated protrusion secured to the underside of the intermediate plate 87, wherein a portion of the cloth roller 92 is located below the dispensing surface 90. Thickness T of cloth rolling piece _M May be about 2mm. The protrusions 118 forming the dispensing structure comprising the dispensing surface 90 in this case abut the cloth rolling member 92. The dispensing structure transfers liquid to the drum 14 without substantially transferring liquid to the cloth roller 92. The cloth rolling member 92 extends in front of the distribution surface 90, and the vertical distance v between the edge of the distribution surface 90 (facing the drum 14) and the cloth rolling member 92 is about 3.4mm. The vertical distance v is in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis R of the drum 14 and parallel to the height direction H of the cleaning head 10. A vertical distance v of approximately between 3.0mm and 4.00mm is also conceivable. As shown in fig. 12, a portion of the roller 14 is located between the edge of the dispensing surface 90 and the cloth roller 92. When the cleaner head 10 is in use positioned on a surface to be cleaned, the cloth rolling member 92 projects at an acute angle θ of about 30 to 60 degrees relative to the dispensing surface 90 and relative to the axis of rotation of the drum 14 from a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the drum 14 and parallel to the surface to be cleaned (see fig. 11). The cloth roller 92 is sized to extend approximately 2.5mm into the drum 14 (this extension is labeled E in FIG. 12), as will be discussed in more detail below. Thus, the cloth rolling member 92 is at an acute angle θ (in this case, between about 30 degrees and 60 degrees) relative to the dispensing surface 90. Penetration depth E between 2mm and 3mm is also conceivable.

The drum 14 comprises a core 120 and a material for contacting the surface to be cleaned, wherein the material is in the form of a pile face 122. The core 120 is generally cylindrical (having a cylindrical bottom surface) and hollow. The interior of the core 120 is provided with a securing mechanism for releasably securing the roller 14 to the roller driver 80 and the mounting mechanism 26. The details of such a securing mechanism are not relevant to the present invention and will not be described here for the sake of clarity. The diameter of the core 120 is large enough that the roller driver 80 can be received within the core 120. The pile 122 is a fiber/cm with a density of 46,500 and 85,250 fibers/cm ² The micro-fiber pile in between. The pile 122 has a thickness T of about 5 mm. The drum 14 as a whole has a length of about 62mm when dryRadius, having a radius of about 58mm when wet. The roller 14 has a length of about 226mm, although lengths in the range of 225mm to 227mm are also contemplated. In other words, the pile surface 122 has a surface area between 800 and 900 square centimeters.

As previously described, the cleaning head 10 includes the attachment mechanism 16. The attachment mechanism 16 includes a lower portion 124 and an upper portion 126. The lower portion 124 is hingedly mounted to a central region of the upper wall 74 of the second housing portion 20 such that the lower portion 124 is movable in a plane defined by the depth D and height H directions of the cleaner head 10. The upper portion 126 is hingedly mounted to the lower portion 124 such that the upper portion 126 is movable relative to the lower portion 124 in a plane defined by the width W and height H directions of the cleaner head 10.

The upper portion 126 includes a connecting structure 128 and a concealing structure, not shown for clarity. The connection structure 128 includes a catch for releasably connecting to the wand 204 or main unit 202 of the appliance 200. The details of the latch are not relevant to the present invention and will not be described here for the sake of brevity. The connecting structure 128 is tubular and solid, so that no air flow passes through. The hidden structure provides an electrical connection between the main unit 202 of the appliance 200 and the cleaning head 10.

The cleaning head is shown in an assembled configuration in figure 1 and in an exploded configuration in figure 2.

To assemble the cleaner head 10, the platen 14 is connected to a platen drive 80, and the first and second housing portions 18, 20 are moved toward each other by a sliding motion along the width direction W of the cleaner head 10. The guide bar 30 is received in the guide channel 94 to guide the relative sliding movement. As a result of the sliding, the first and second housing portions 18, 20 are brought together and the hooks 72 of the catch mechanism 28 engage the latches of the upper wall 74 of the second housing portion 20 to secure the first and second housing portions 18, 20 in position relative to one another. Thus, the first and second housing portions 18, 20 are slidably connected to each other along an axis parallel to the rotational axis R of the drum 14.

Bringing together the first housing portion 18 and the second housing portion 20 moves the mounting member 26 into contact with the drum 14 such that the drum 14 is rotatably connected to the housing 12 by each of the mounting member 26 and the drum drive 80. The locating ridge 77 locates the tank assembly 24 relative to the second housing portion 20. In particular, the positioning ridge 77 defines a recess for receiving a portion (side wall) of the liquid collection tank 36. The valve member 46 of the closure 44 of the liquid distribution tank 34 is in contact with the pump 84, thereby forming a fluid connection between the liquid distribution tank 34 and the pump 84. When the first and second housing portions 18, 20 are assembled together, the drum 14 is positioned at a first end of the housing 12 and the liquid distribution tank 34 is positioned at a second end of the housing 12 (the first and second ends being opposite each other along the depth direction D of the housing 12). The liquid collection tank 36 is located between the liquid distribution tank 34 and the drum 14 in the depth direction D of the casing 12. Furthermore, both the inlet 42 of the liquid distribution tank 34 and the combined inlet/outlet 65 of the liquid collection tank 36 are located within the interior volume of the housing 12. Further, the liquid distribution tank 34 and the pump 84 are adjacent to each other across the width of the housing 12. In other words, each of the liquid distribution tank 34 and the pump 84 extends partially across the width of the housing 12.

In the assembled configuration, the platen 14 extends along the width of the cleaner head 10 at the front of the cleaner head 10 between the right side wall 22 of the respective first housing portion 18 and the left side wall 76 of the second housing portion 20. The reservoir 88 covers the rear of the drum 14. The padding elements 92 extend into the pile face 122 of the cylinder 14. The liquid collection tank 36 is located behind the drum 14 with its front wall 56 slightly spaced from the drum 14 to enable the drum 14 to rotate within the housing 12. The combined inlet/outlet 65 of the liquid collection tank 36 faces the upper wall 74 of the cleaner head 10. The cloth roller 92 is positioned 3 to 5mm (a distance labeled m in fig. 11) above the combined inlet/outlet 65 of the liquid collection tank 36. The liquid collection tank 36 extends across the width W of the cleaner head 10 between the right and left side walls 22, 76 of the first and second housing portions 18, 20, respectively, to a similar extent as the drum 14. The liquid collection tank 36 and the drum 14 may each extend across at least 90% of the width of the housing 12 (i.e., the dimension of the housing 12 along the direction W between the opposing side walls 22, 76). The combined inlet/outlet 65 may extend across at least 75% of the width of the liquid collection tank 36.

The liquid distribution tank 34 is located behind the liquid collection tank 36. The liquid collection tank 36 extends across the width in the direction W of the housing 12 (between the opposing side walls 22, 76) to a greater extent than the liquid distribution tank 34. Pump chamber 82 and pump 84 are located adjacent liquid distribution tank 34 across the width W of cleaner head 10. The attachment mechanism 16 is centrally located on the upper wall 74 such that the attachment mechanism 16 covers the liquid collection tank 36 and is connected to the upper wall 74 at a point between the drum 14 and the liquid distribution tank 34.

To disassemble the cleaner head 10, the user depresses the depressible button 70 to remove the hook 72 of the catch mechanism 28 from latching engagement with the upper wall 74 of the second housing portion 20. At the same time, the user applies a force to separate the first housing portion 18 and the second housing portion 20 by relative sliding of the first housing portion 18 and the second housing portion 20. The sliding movement of the first and second housing parts 18, 20 is limited by the movement of the guide bar 30 along the guide channel 94 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis R of the drum 14.

Because the tank assembly 24 is disposed within the first housing portion 18, the tank assembly 24 is releasably connected to the second housing portion 20 when the first housing portion 18 and the second housing portion 20 are assembled. When a user slides the first and second housing portions 18, 20 away from each other along the connecting shaft (parallel to the rotational axis R of the drum 14), the tank assembly 24 moves along the connecting shaft and separates from the second housing portion 20. The disconnection of the first housing portion 18 and the second housing portion 20 disconnects the fluid connection between the liquid distribution tank 34 and the pump 84. Similarly, the connection between the mounting member 26 and the drum 14 is broken and the mounting member 26 is removed from within one end of the core 120 of the drum 14. The user may continue to separate the first housing portion 18 and the second housing portion 20 until the guide bar 30 exits the guide channel 94 and the first housing portion 18 and the second housing portion 20 are discrete, separate components.

In this way, by sliding the tank assembly 24 in the width direction W of the cleaning head 10, the tank assembly 24, i.e., the liquid distribution tank 34 and the liquid collection tank 36, can be removed from the second housing portion 20. The tank assembly 24 is then placed apart from the electronic components of the cleaner head 10, the liquid collection tank 36 may be emptied, and the liquid distribution tank 34 may be refilled. The removable cap 54 may be removed from the liquid collection tank 36 to aid in emptying.

Similarly, the drum 14 may then be separated from the drum drive 80 by sliding the drum 14 along its axis of rotation to remove the drum 14 from the second housing portion 20. The user may then clean the drum 14.

When desired, the user may reassemble the cleaner head 10 in the manner previously described.

To use the cleaning head 10, the attachment mechanism 16 is used to connect the cleaning head 10 to an appliance 200, as shown schematically in fig. 13.

The appliance 200 has a main unit 202 and a wand 204 releasably connected to the main unit 202. The cleaning head 10 may be connected to the main unit 202 or wand 204 depending on the user's preference. The main unit 202 houses a power source in the form of a battery 206, an airflow generator 208 and a control module 210. Under the control of the control module 210, power may be supplied from the battery 206 to the airflow generator 208 and to the cleaning head 10 via terminals (not shown) of the main unit 202. Further details of the main unit 202 are not relevant to the present invention and will not be discussed here for the sake of brevity.

The control module 210 determines whether the cleaning head 10 is attached to the main unit 202 based on the current drawn from the terminals in response to the voltage applied to the terminals. When the cleaning head 10 is connected to the main unit 202 directly or via the wand 204 and the user activates the main unit 202 by pressing a button or trigger or the like (i.e. sending a trigger signal indicating that the appliance is to be operated), the control module 210 of the main unit 202 causes a first voltage pulse to be sent to the cleaning head 10 via the terminal. As previously described, the control circuit 78 includes a delay circuit. The delay circuit is configured to delay the cleaning head 10 drawing current from the terminals in response to an applied voltage. The specific details of the delay circuit are not critical and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, an RC delay circuit may be utilized. The delay circuit means that in response to the first voltage pulse, the control module 210 of the main unit 202 does not detect the current profile of the cleaning head 10 for a first period of time of about 65-95 mus after the start of the first voltage pulse. The control module 210 of the main unit 202 then causes a second voltage pulse to be sent to the cleaning head 10 via the terminal. The control module 210 of the cleaning head 10 then detects the current profile for a second period of time, such as 300-350 mus, after the start of the second voltage pulse.

Such a current profile, e.g. no current is detected in a first time window and a current is detected in a second time window, is unique compared to the current profile provided by other cleaning heads, e.g. other cleaning heads without delay circuits, wherein the current profile is detected by the control module 210 of the main unit 202 during the first time period. Accordingly, the control module 210 may determine when the cleaning head 10 is attached to the main unit 202 based on the delay (or a particular one of a plurality of time periods) in drawing current from the terminals in response to the applied voltage. The control module 210 may also determine that a cleaning head other than the cleaning head 10 is attached to the main unit 202 based on the current drawn from the terminals in response to the voltage applied in different particular time periods of the plurality of time periods. If no current is drawn from the terminals in response to the applied voltage for any of a number of time periods, it may be determined that no cleaning head is attached to the main unit 202. An initial time period of the plurality of time periods may have a first duration and a subsequent time period may have a second duration that is longer than the first duration. Adjacent time periods may be separated from each other by a time gap. For example, the applied voltage may comprise a plurality of voltage pulses, one for each of a plurality of time periods, wherein there may be a time gap between successive pulses.

The control module 210 may then take appropriate action to control the master unit 202. The control module 210 may operate the airflow generator 208 in a first mode (in which power is supplied to the airflow generator 208 by the main unit 202 and airflow is generated) or a second mode (in which power is not supplied to the airflow generator 208 and airflow is not generated). In particular, when the control module 210 determines that the cleaning head 10 is attached to the main unit 202, the control module 210 may control the mode of operation of the airflow generator 208 to be in the second mode (off) such that the main unit 202 does not provide airflow, as such airflow is not required by the cleaning head 10. For other cleaning heads, the mode of operation of the airflow generator 208 may instead be controlled to provide airflow where appropriate. The control module also controls the airflow generator to operate in the first mode when it is determined that no cleaning head is attached to the main unit 202.

Although the cleaning head 10 is detected by looking at the current profile, other detection methods are also contemplated, including, for example, communication from the cleaning head 10 to a control module via a wired and/or wireless connection, which enables the control module 210 to shut off the airflow generator 208.

With the cleaning head 10 attached to the main unit 202, power is supplied from the battery 206 of the main unit 202 to the cleaning head 10, particularly to the control circuit 78, the drum drive 80 and the pump 84, via a hidden structure (not shown). In the case of other cleaning heads attached to the main unit 202, these may also be powered from the battery 206. However, when it is determined that no cleaning head is attached to the main unit 202, power is not supplied to the terminals of the main unit 202.

Pump 84 drives the dispensing of liquid from liquid dispensing tank 34. The pump 84 is controlled by the control circuit 78 to operate in a pulsed or cyclical manner, as previously described, the pump 84 being controlled to be on for a first duration of 0.25 seconds, to be off for a second duration of 6 seconds, and so on. In other words, for each pulse, the first duration is approximately 4% of the second duration. This causes liquid to move from the liquid distribution tank 34 through the liquid tube 86 to the liquid reservoir 88. In particular, the liquid is driven by the pump 84, reaches the reservoir 88 via the reservoir inlet 114, and is delivered to the pile 122 of the drum 14 via the reservoir outlet 116. The pressure within the reservoir 88 causes the liquid to leave the reservoir 88 through the reservoir outlet 116 and drip onto the dispensing surface 90. The reservoir 88 is configured and the pump 84 is operated such that the flow rate of liquid through the reservoir is about 30ml/min. The pump 84, liquid tube 86, reservoir 88, and dispensing surface 90 together provide a liquid delivery assembly for delivering liquid to the drum 14, and in particular to the pile 122 of the drum 14.

The liquid collects on the distribution surface 90 and is gradually distributed to the drum 14 by simply falling from the distribution surface 90 onto the pile 122 of the drum 14. The roller 14 wets at a speed of about 30ml/min. As the platen 14 is wetted with liquid, the cleaning head 10 can be moved by a user over the surface to be cleaned. The drum drive 80 is controlled to rotate the drum 14 at approximately 900-1000 rpm. As the roller 14 rotates and moves over the surface to be cleaned, the roller 14 may apply a wiping force to the surface to be cleaned. The scraper 58 contacts the surface to be cleaned and ensures that no dirty liquid flows from the surface to be cleaned to the rear of the cleaning head 10.

The roller 14 moves liquid (from the surface to be cleaned) into a combined inlet/outlet 65 of the liquid collection tank 36.

In particular, the rotation of the drum 14 and the curved nature of the front wall 56 of the liquid collection tank ensure that dirty liquid and debris flow from the surface being cleaned to the interior volume of the cleaner head 10. The drum 14 directs the dirty liquid and debris toward the scraper 58 and the rotational energy generated by the rotation of the drum 14 pushes the dirty liquid and debris up the front wall 56 into the main tank 50 of the liquid collection tank 36.

Further, as previously described, the cloth roller 92 contacts the roller 14, and in particular, it extends into the pile face 122 of the roller 14. As the drum 14 rotates, the drum 14 is driven so that the drum 14 hits the cloth rolling member 92 from below. In this manner, the pile face 122 contacts the tuck 92, and the tuck 92 serves to scrape dirt and debris from the pile face 122 of the drum 14. Thus, in use, liquid carried by the drum 14 is transferred into the combined inlet/outlet 65 of the liquid collection tank 36. The speed of the drum 14 at the nip 92 is about 5 to 7m/s, which has been found to be particularly good for removing dirty liquid and debris from the pile surface 122 of the drum 14. Speeds between about 3m/s and 8m/s are also contemplated. The position and shape of the cloth roller 92 causes dirty liquid and debris to flow back toward the liquid collection tank 36.

Such dirty liquid and debris is directed by the curved portion 89 of the intermediate plate 87 (adjacent the cloth roller 92) and/or the inclined surface 64 of the removable cover 54 through the combined inlet/outlet 65 into the interior of the main housing 50 of the liquid collection tank 36. For example, dirty liquid and debris is directed by the curved portion 89 along a curved path to the liquid collection tank 36. As shown in fig. 12, when the cleaner head 10 is in use positioned on a surface to be cleaned, the curved portion 89 is concave from the perspective of the surface to be cleaned.

With the construction of the cleaning head 10 described above, the roller 14 (and in particular the nap 122 of the roller 14) is maintained at a saturation level of between 25% and 28% in use. It has been found that such saturation levels are effective in cleaning a surface to be cleaned without the need to distribute excess liquid onto the surface. Effective cleaning can also be achieved at saturation levels between 10% and 30%.

The cleaning head 10 may be removed from the main unit 202 of the appliance 200 when required, for example when there is no liquid remaining in the liquid distribution tank 34. The cleaner head 10 may then be disassembled in the manner previously described so that the liquid collection tank 36 can be emptied and the liquid distribution tank 34 refilled.

While specific examples and embodiments have been described so far, it should be understood that these are merely illustrative, and that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, the values of the various parameters and dimensions described in connection with the above-described embodiments may be varied within reasonable tolerances, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without significantly altering the operation of the cleaning head 10.

Claims

1. An appliance comprising a main unit to which a wet cleaning head is attachable, wherein the main unit comprises:

an airflow generator operable during use of the appliance in a first mode to generate airflow and a second mode to not generate airflow; and

a control module configured to:

determining whether a wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit; and

in response to determining that a wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit, the airflow generator is controlled to operate in a second mode.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the control module is further configured to, in response to determining that a wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit:

the main unit is controlled to supply power to the wet cleaning head, thereby operating the wet cleaning head.

3. The appliance of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control module is configured to:

determining whether a cleaning head other than a dehumidifying cleaning head is attached to the main unit; and

in response to determining that a cleaning head other than a dehumidifying cleaning head is attached to the main unit, the airflow generator is controlled to operate in a first mode.

4. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the control module is configured to:

In response to determining that a cleaning head other than the dehumidifying cleaning head is attached to the main unit, the main unit is controlled to supply power to the cleaning head other than the dehumidifying cleaning head so as to operate the cleaning head other than the dehumidifying cleaning head.

5. The appliance of any preceding claim, wherein the control module is configured to:

determining if any cleaning heads are attached to the main unit; and

in response to determining that no cleaning head is attached to the main unit, the airflow generator is controlled to operate in a first mode.

6. An appliance according to claim 5, wherein the main unit comprises terminals for providing, in use, power to a cleaning head attached to the main unit, and wherein the control module is configured to:

in response to determining that no cleaning head is attached to the main unit, the main unit is controlled to not provide power to the terminals.

7. The appliance of any one of the preceding claims, wherein controlling the airflow generator to operate in the second mode comprises controlling the main unit to provide no power to the airflow generator and/or wherein controlling the airflow generator to operate in the first mode comprises controlling the main unit to provide power to the airflow generator.

8. An appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the main unit comprises terminals for providing, in use, power to a cleaning head attached to the main unit, and wherein the control module is configured to:

whether a cleaning head is attached to the main unit is determined based on a current drawn from the terminal in response to a voltage applied to the terminal.

9. The appliance of claim 8, wherein the control module is configured to:

based on a delay in drawing current from the terminal in response to an applied voltage, it is determined whether a wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit.

10. The appliance of claim 9, wherein the control module is configured to:

the wet cleaning head is determined to be attached to the main unit based on a current drawn from the terminal in response to an applied voltage during a particular one of a plurality of time periods.

11. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the control module is configured to:

based on the current drawn from the terminals in response to the applied voltage in different particular time periods of the plurality of time periods, it is determined that a cleaning head other than a wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit.

12. The appliance of claim 10 or 11, wherein the control module is configured to:

based on not drawing current from the terminal in response to the applied voltage for any of a plurality of time periods, it is determined that no cleaning head is attached to the main unit.

13. The appliance of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein adjacent time periods are separated from each other by a time gap.

14. The appliance of any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the applied voltage comprises a plurality of voltage pulses, one for each of the plurality of time periods.

15. The appliance of claim 14, wherein an initial time period of the plurality of time periods has a first duration and a time period immediately following the initial time period has a second duration, the second duration being longer than the first duration.

16. An appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the control module is configured to determine whether a wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit in response to a trigger signal indicating that the appliance is to be operated.

17. An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main unit comprises a power supply for powering the airflow generator and/or wet cleaning head.

18. An appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the appliance comprises a wet cleaning head.

19. The appliance of claim 18, wherein the wet cleaning head comprises a delay member configured to delay a current drawn by the wet cleaning head from the main unit by a particular amount when a voltage is applied to the wet cleaning head by the main unit.

20. An appliance according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the wet cleaning head comprises a drive member configured to drive liquid dispensing, and wherein the main unit is configured to provide power to the drive member when the wet cleaning head is attached to the main unit in use.