EP4404810A1

EP4404810A1 - Cleaner having a roller and a flow regulator

Info

Publication number: EP4404810A1
Application number: EP21782940.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas KLINTEMYR; Niklas NORDIN
Original assignee: Electrolux AB
Current assignee: Electrolux AB
Priority date: 2021-09-22
Filing date: 2021-09-22
Publication date: 2024-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-22
Also published as: EP4404810B1; WO2023046282A1

Abstract

The disclosure concerns a cleaner (2) comprising a housing (4) configured to be moved over a surface (6) to be cleaned and a roller (8) partially arranged in the housing (4). The roller (8) is configured to rotate about a rotational axis (10) and to engage with the surface (6) to be cleaned. The roller (8) comprises a container (12) for liquid, an outlet arrangement (14) for dispensing of liquid to the surface (6) to be cleaned, and a flow path (16) for liquid extending from the container (12) for liquid to the outlet arrangement (14). The cleaner (2) comprises a flow regulator (18) arranged in the flow path (16). The flow regulator (18) is configured to be activated by a rotation (22) of the roller (8) such that liquid is transferred via the flow regulator (18) from the container (12) for liquid to the outlet arrangement (14).

Description

Cleaner

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a cleaner.

BACKGROUND

Wet cleaning of a surface utilising a rotatable member has been previously suggested.

EP 3563742 discloses a cleaner including a cleaner main body having a regulator, a support member detachably coupled to a module mounting portion of the cleaner main body, and a mop module rotatably supported on the support member. The mop module includes a rotating rod configured to be rotatable in at least one direction by being interlocked with a rotation driving portion provided in the module mounting portion when the support member is mounted on the module mounting portion, and a mop member formed to surround an outer circumference of the rotating rod so as to mop the floor in response to the rotation of the rotating rod. Water is contained inside a water receiving portion of the rod. A water outlet from the rod has a preset size so that water filled in the water receiving portion is discharged through the water outlet by the centrifugal force only when the mop module rotates. When the mop module is not rotated, water is not discharged through the water outlet.

US 9615710 discloses a floor care device for applying a floor care fluid. The floor care device includes a drive system that moves the floor care device over the floor, a device regulator that controls the floor care device over a travel path, and a care apparatus that applies a floor care fluid to the floor. The care apparatus includes a rotatable hollow roller body that stores the floor care fluid, and the floor care fluid emerges from the roller body as the roller body rotates. For the latter purpose either a porous membrane or a fiber plug covers outlet holes of the roller body. Centrifugal forces cause the fluid to pass the membrane or fiber plug to emerge from the roller body as the roller body rotates.

SUMMARY

The dispensing of the cleaning liquid from the rotatable member of the above discussed prior art cleaner devices of EP 3563742 and US 9615710 may be prone to malfunctioning. Dimensioning of the particularly sized water outlet of the cleaner of EP 3563742 and of the fiber plug or membrane of the device of US 9615710 is critical. Moreover, dimensioning as such is not a solution to ensure operational reliability. Namely, e.g., varying surface tension of the cleaning liquid and/or debris in the rotatable member will affect distribution of the cleaning fluid from the rotatable member. Fixed size outlet means will not accommodate varying liquid distribution conditions that may occur. As a consequence, the amount of liquid distributed may vary, which affects the cleaning result achieved by the relevant cleaning apparatus.

It would be advantageous to provide a cleaner overcoming, or at least alleviating, at least some of the above mentioned drawbacks. In particular, it would be desirable to provide a cleaner being devised for reliable liquid distribution from a roller thereof to a surface to be cleaned. To better address one or more of these concerns, a cleaner having the features defined in the independent claim is provided.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a cleaner comprising a housing configured to be moved over a surface to be cleaned and a roller partially arranged in the housing. The roller is configured to rotate about a rotational axis and to engage with the surface to be cleaned. The roller comprises a container for liquid, an outlet arrangement for dispensing of liquid to the surface to be cleaned, and a flow path for liquid extending from the container for liquid to the outlet arrangement. The cleaner comprises a flow regulator arranged in the flow path, the flow regulator being configured to be activated by a rotation of the roller such that liquid is transferred via the flow regulator from the container for liquid to the outlet arrangement.

Since the cleaner comprises a flow regulator arranged in the flow path and since the flow regulator is configured to be activated by a rotation of the roller such that liquid is transferred via the flow regulator from the container for liquid to the outlet arrangement, during use of the cleaner, the flow of liquid from the container is provided in a metered manner from the container for liquid to the outlet arrangement of the roller and to the surface to be cleaned. Thus, a reliable distribution of the liquid from the container for liquid is provided when the roller is rotated, such as when the roller is rotated during use of the cleaner.

The cleaner is configured for cleaning the surface to be cleaned. The cleaner may be a vacuum cleaner, which may be used with or without a motor/fan unit thereof activated during use of the cleaner with liquid dispensed from the roller, i.e. the cleaner may be used with or without an airflow drawn into the housing during wet cleaning with the cleaner. In case the motor/fan unit is activated suitable measures may be taken to avoid liquid from being drawn through the motor/fan unit, e.g. by dispensing an amount of liquid that mainly is distributed over the surface to be cleaned and/or by arranging a liquid trap in an airflow path through the cleaner, upstream of the motor/fan unit and/or by positioning the roller behind an inlet for the airflow seen in a traveling direction of the housing/cleaner. The cleaner may be a cleaner configured for domestic use, i.e. sized that at least part thereof may reach at least partly underneath domestic furniture.

The cleaner may be a robotic cleaner, i.e. a self-propelling unit configured to travel along a surface to be cleaned. The robotic cleaner may be configured for domestic use e.g., sized such that it may travel underneath at least some domestic furniture. The robotic cleaner may be controlled by a control arrangement to be guided along the surface to be cleaned. Navigation information utilised by the control arrangement may be provided at least in part e.g., by sensors, stored and/or calculated position information, and/or beacons.

The robotic cleaner may be a robotic vacuum cleaner, which comprises a motor/fan unit for producing an airflow through an inlet and towards a debris receptacle.

The housing configured to be moved over the surface to be cleaned and wherein the roller is partially arranged may be the main housing of the cleaner, such as the housing of a robotic cleaner, or it may form a housing of a floor nozzle of the cleaner, such as a housing of a floor nozzle of a stick vacuum cleaner. Such a floor nozzle is configured to be moved along a surface to be cleaned by a user of the vacuum cleaner.

The roller may be a dedicated roller for wet cleaning of the surface to be cleaned.

The roller may be exchangeable and configured to be positioned in, and removed from, the housing. For instance, the roller may be exchangeable with a brush roller configured for dry brush cleaning of a surface to be cleaned e.g., in a vacuum cleaning operation using the cleaner. Alternatively, in addition to the roller there may be provided a brush roller configured for dry brush cleaning.

Herein, the container for liquid is alternatively referred to simply as container. In the container, a liquid, such as an aqueous cleaning solution, may be stored and dispensed from via the outlet arrangement. The liquid may be supplied to the container when the roller has been removed from the housing. Alternatively, the liquid may be supplied to the container with the roller remaining in the housing.

The outlet arrangement may comprise at least one outlet opening wherefrom the liquid is dispensed to the surface to be cleaned or to a member arranged as an outer layer on the roller and which is configured to distribute the liquid onto the surface to be cleaned. The flow regular may be any suitable device configured to supply the liquid from the container in a metered manner, i.e. in a measured and/or regulated flow to the outlet arrangement of the roller of the cleaner.

In comparison, the fixed size holes, the membrane, or the fibre plug of prior art cleaner devices, as e.g., disclosed in EP 3563742 and US 9615710, are passive elements that rely on centrifugal force to dispense liquid from a container in a roller. Such passive elements are not activated by a rotation of a related roller. Moreover, they do not supply liquid from a container in a metered manner.

According to embodiments, the flow regulator may comprise a pump configured to be driven by the rotation of the roller. In this manner, a flow regulator configured to produce a flow of liquid related to the rotations of the roller during use of the cleaner may be provided. For instance, the flow from the pump may relate to a rotational speed of the roller. Moreover, a stationary roller will prevent the pump from providing any flow at all and thus, prevent undesired dispensing of liquid from the container.

According to embodiments, the flow regulator may comprise a valve configured to be opened by the rotation of the roller. In this manner, a flow regulator configured to release liquid from the container when the roller rotates may be provided. Moreover, a stationary roller will prevent any flow of liquid from passing the valve and thus, prevent undesired dispensing of liquid from the container.

Such a flow regulator comprising a valve may be provided in addition to a flow regulator comprising a pump or as an alternative to a flow regulator comprising a pump.

According to embodiments, the flow regulator may comprise an actuator and a rotation sensor. The actuator may be configured to open a passage through the flow regulator. The rotation sensor may be configured to provide a signal to the actuator for opening the passage through the flow regulator. In this manner, an actuator configured to release liquid from the container when the roller rotates may be provided. Moreover, when the roller does not rotate, the rotation sensor will not provide any signal that would cause the actuator to open the passage. Accordingly, also undesired dispensing of liquid from the container is prevented.

Such a flow regulator comprising an actuator and a rotation sensor may be provided in addition to a flow regulator comprising a pump and/or a flow regulator comprising a valve or as an alternative to a flow regulator comprising a pump and/or a flow regulator comprising a valve.

According to embodiments, the cleaner may comprise a drive arrangement being configured to drive the cleaner along the surface to be cleaned and a control arrangement configured to control the drive arrangement to move the cleaner along the surface to be cleaned in accordance with navigation information. In this manner, the cleaner may be provided as a robotic cleaner.

According to embodiments, the cleaner may comprise a debris receptacle arranged in the housing, wherein the housing may comprise an inlet communicating with the debris receptacle, and wherein the cleaner may comprise a motor/fan unit for producing an airflow through the inlet. In this manner, the cleaner may be a vacuum cleaner. As mentioned above, the vacuum cleaner may be a robotic vacuum cleaner or a manually operated vacuum cleaner, such as a stick vacuum cleaner.

According to embodiments, the roller may comprise an outer circumferential layer. The outer circumferential layer may comprise a porous material. In this manner, during use of the cleaner, liquid dispensed from the container for liquid via the liquid path may be distributed over at least a portion of an outer surface of the roller via the porous material e.g., in order to be distributed over the surface to be cleaned.

Moreover, the porous material may be configured to engage with the surface to be cleaned and configured to perform a scrubbing action on the surface to be cleaned.

The porous material may be arranged downstream of the outlet arrangement. Alternatively, the porous material may form part of the outlet arrangement.

According to embodiments, the roller may comprise an identification device and the control arrangement may be configured to recognise the identification device and in response thereto determine a cleaning scheme of the cleaner. In this manner, control of the cleaner may be related to the presence of a roller in the housing of the cleaner e.g., for control of rotational speed of the roller, establishing a driving strategy of the cleaner, establishing the type of surface to be cleaned, etc.

Further features of, and advantages with, the invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects and/or embodiments of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the example embodiments discussed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Each of Figs. 1a and 1b illustrates a cleaner according to example embodiments, Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a cross-section through a portion of a cleaner according to embodiments,

Figs. 3a - 3e schematically illustrate cross sectional portions through rollers according to embodiments,

Figs. 4a and 4b schematically illustrate cross sections through a roller according to embodiments,

Fig. 5 illustrates a bottom view of a robotic cleaner according to embodiments, and Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a debris receptacle according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and/or embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

Each of Figs. 1a and 1b illustrates a cleaner 2 according to example embodiments. The embodiment according to Fig. 1a exemplifies the cleaner 2 in the form of a robotic vacuum cleaner. The embodiment according to Fig. 1b exemplifies the cleaner 2 in the form of a manually handled stick vacuum cleaner 2.

The cleaner 2 comprises a housing 4 configured to be moved over a surface to be cleaned. A roller (not shown) is partially arranged in the housing 4. The roller is configured to rotate about a rotational axis and to engage with the surface to be cleaned. The roller comprises a container for liquid and an outlet arrangement for dispensing of liquid from the container to the surface to be cleaned. See further below with reference to Figs. 2 - 4b .

In the cleaner 2 of the Fig. 1a embodiments, the housing 4 forms a main housing of the cleaner 2. That is, the housing 4 encloses and/or holds all components of the cleaner 2, that are required for performing a cleaning task of the surface to be cleaned. In the cleaner 2 of the Fig. 1 b embodiments, the housing 4 forms a housing 4 of a floor nozzle 5 of the cleaner 2. The housing of the floor nozzle 5 is connected to other portions of the cleaner 2 in a hinged or other flexible manner in order to permit the floor nozzle 5 to move in relation to the other parts of the cleaner 2.

The present invention may be implemented in other kinds of cleaners, such as other kinds of domestic cleaners. Such cleaners may for instance lack a motor/fan unit and accordingly, are not vacuum cleaners. For instance, they may be cleaners, such as robotic cleaners or hand operated cleaners, dedicated to wet cleaning of a surface to be cleaned.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a cross-section through a portion of a cleaner 2 according to embodiments. The cleaner 2 may be a cleaner 2 as discussed above with reference to Figs. 1a and 1b or a cleaner as discussed in the preceding paragraph.

Again, the cleaner 2 comprises a housing 4 configured to be moved over a surface 6 to be cleaned. A roller 8 is partially arranged in the housing 4. Thus, the roller 8 extends outside the housing 4 for engagement with the surface 6 to be cleaned. The roller 8 is configured to rotate about a rotational axis 10. The engagement with the surface 6 to be cleaned is in parallel with the rotational axis 10.

The roller 8 comprises a container 12 for liquid, an outlet arrangement 14 for dispensing of liquid to the surface 6 to be cleaned, and a flow path 16 for liquid extending from the container 12 to the outlet arrangement 14. A flow regulator 18 is arranged in the flow path 16. That is, the roller 8 also comprises the flow regulator 18.

The flow regulator 18 being arranged in the flow path 16 includes the flow regulator 18 being arranged at a beginning of the flow path 16, at an end of the flow path 16, or within the flow path 16 as shown in Fig. 2.

The flow regulator 18 is configured to be activated by a rotation of the roller 8 such that liquid is transferred via the flow regulator 18 from the container 12 to the outlet arrangement 14. Thus, during use of the cleaner 2 there is provided a reliable liquid distribution from the roller 8 to the surface 6 to be cleaned.

The container 12 may be formed in or inside the roller 8. The container 12 may be at least partially formed by one or more wall members of a body of the roller 8. Alternatively, or additionally, the container 12 may be formed by one or more wall members separate from a wall member of the roller 8.

The roller 8 may be a dedicated roller for wet cleaning of the surface 6 to be cleaned. The roller 8 may have a uniquely dedicated position within the housing 4. As such the position is solely intended to be occupied by the roller 8. Alternatively, the roller 8 may have a shared position in the housing 4. As such the position may be occupied by either the roller 8 or a different kind of rotatable member such as brush roll configured for dry brushing the surface 6 to be cleaned. In the latter case, the roller 8 is removable from, and repositionable in, the housing 4 in order to be replaced by, or to replace, a different rotatable member. Also in the former case of a roller 8 with a uniquely dedicated position within the housing 4, the roller 8 may be removable from the housing 4 e.g., in order to fill the container 12 or for cleaning the roller 8.

Figs. 3a - 3e schematically illustrate portions of various embodiments of cleaners, such as any of the cleaners 2 discussed above. More specifically, Figs. 3a - 3c schematically illustrate a container 12 for liquid, an outlet arrangement 14, a flow path 16, and a flow regulator 18 of a roller 8 of a cleaner. Figs. 3d and 3e schematically illustrate embodiments of such flow regulators 18.

Fig. 3a illustrates an embodiment wherein the flow regulator 18 comprises a pump 20 configured to be driven by the rotation 22 of the roller 8. The flow regulator 18 comprising the pump 20 thus, produces a flow of liquid related to the rotation 22 of the roller 8 about its rotational axis 10. For instance, rotation of the roller 8 activates the pump 20 and causes dispensing of liquid from the container 12. When the roller 8 does not rotate, no dispensing of liquid takes place. If the roller 8 has more than one rotational speed, the flow of dispensed liquid from the container 12 may be varied in dependence of the rotational speed of the roller 8.

In such embodiments, as schematically shown in Fig. 3d, the pump 20 may comprise a stator 24 and a rotor 26, wherein the stator 24 is positioned inside the roller 8 and connected to the housing 4 to be held stationary in relation to the housing 4, and wherein the rotor 26 is connected to the roller 8 to rotate with the roller 8.

The stator 24 may be connected via a fixed axle inside the roller 8 to the housing 4. For instance, the pump 20 may be a peristaltic pump. In this manner, a reliable pump 20 may be provided. Namely, a peristaltic pump has few parts while providing sufficiently precise metered dispensing of the liquid from the container 12 to provide an adequate amount of liquid to the surface to be cleaned.

In the peristaltic pump 20, the stator 24 may comprise one or more roller elements 25 configured to abut against the rotor 26, which may comprise a flexible tube. As is known, in a peristaltic pump, the roller elements 25 compress the flexible tube and as, in this case, the roller 8 rotates, a pumping action is caused in the flexible tube I rotor 26 as it rotates with the roller 8. Thus, liquid may be pumped from the container 12 by the peristaltic pump 20 to the outlet arrangement 14.

A different kind of pump than a peristaltic pump may be used.

Such different kind of pump may again, comprise a stator positioned inside the roller and connected to the housing to be held stationary in relation to the housing and with a rotor connected to the roller to rotate with the roller. The pump may be any suitable kind of positive displacement pump or centrifugal pump. The latter kind of pump may be combined with a valve to prevent leakage through the pump.

Alternatively, any of the above discussed pumps may be electrically driven pumps instead of having a stator fixed to the housing of the cleaner. An electrically driven pump comprises a rotor that is driven by an electric motor separate from the rotation 22 of the roller 8 and a stator that is stationary in relation to the roller 8. In the latter case, a sensor may provide rotational information related to the roller 8 in order to control the electric pump to be activated by rotation of the roller 8 in order to produce a flow of liquid related to the rotation of the roller 8 about its rotational axis 10.

Fig. 3b illustrates an embodiment wherein, the flow regulator 18 comprises a valve 28 configured to be opened by the rotation 22 of the roller 8. The flow regulator 8 comprising the valve 28 thus, produces a flow of liquid related to the rotation 22 of the roller 8 about its rotational axis 10. Rotation 22 of the roller 8 activates the valve 28 and causes dispensing of liquid from the container 12. When the roller 8 does not rotate, no dispensing of liquid takes place.

For instance, the valve 28 may comprise a movable member 30 which is caused to move by the rotation 22 of the roller 8, as schematically shown in one exemplary embodiment in Fig. 3e. In Fig. 3e, the movable member 30 is shown in a closed position (full line) and in an open position (broken line). As the roller 8 rotates, the valve 28 is opened and closed by the movable member 30 pivoting back and forth between its open and closed positions, which causes liquid to be dispensed from the container 12 to the outlet arrangement 14. In order to prevent leakage through the valve 28, the roller 8 may be programmed to stop in a rotational position with the movable member 30 in its closed position.

Alternatively, differently operated valves may be utilised. For instance, a movable member of the valve may be affected by the centrifugal force when the roller 8 rotates such that the valve opens when the roller 8 rotates.

The container 12 may be a separate container inside the roller 8, as illustrated in Fig. 3e. Alternatively, the container 12 may be formed by an internal space of the roller 8. As the roller 8 rotates, the water may be forced outwardly towards an inner periphery of the roller 8 and thus, be supplied to the valve.

Fig. 3c illustrates an embodiment wherein, the flow regulator 18 comprises an actuator 32 and a rotation sensor 34. The actuator 32 is configured to open a passage through the flow regulator 18. The rotation sensor 34 is configured to provide a signal to the actuator 32 for opening the passage through the flow regulator 18. Rotation 22 of the roller 8 as sensed by the rotation sensor 34 activates the actuator 32 to open the passage and cause dispensing of liquid from the container 12. When the roller 8 does not rotate, no dispensing of liquid takes place.

For instance, the actuator 34 may comprise an electrically driven pump. A further alternative may be that the actuator 34 comprises an electrically controlled valve.

With reference to Figs. 3a - 3e, the outlet arrangement 14 may comprise at least one dispensing opening 36 from the roller 8. From the at least one dispensing opening 36, the liquid is dispensed to the surface to be cleaned or to an outer circumferential layer (not shown) of the roller 8 and which is configured to distribute the liquid onto the surface to be cleaned.

According to embodiments, the outlet arrangement 14 may comprise a number of dispensing openings arranged along the roller with an axial distance within a range of 1 - 10 cm between individual dispensing openings 36. In this manner, liquid dispensed from the container 12 may be distributed in a suitable manner axially along the roller 8. Thus, the liquid dispensed from the container 12 may be dispensed in a suitable manner over the roller 8 to provide an even coverage of liquid over the surface to be cleaned.

The dispensing openings 36 may be evenly distributed along an axial extension of the roller 8.

In addition to being axially distributed, the dispensing openings 36 may be distributed tangentially over a limited sector of the roller 8 or tangentially over the entire circumference of the roller 8.

In order to provide even liquid distribution over the entire roller 8, a size of the dispensing openings 36 may differ e.g., with smaller dispensing openings 36 closer to the flow regulator 18 than at a larger distance therefrom.

A body of the roller 8, through which the dispensing openings 36 extend, may be provided with guide means such as channels, grooves, ridges, etc. for distributing the liquid along an outer surface of the body of the roller 8. Such guide means may extend axially, radially, and/or helically along the outer surface.

Such guide means may be seen to form part of the outlet arrangement 14.

Mentioned purely as examples, a rotational speed of the roller 8 may be within a range of 500 - 3000 rpm, such as e.g., 1000 rpm. A diameter of the roller 8 may be within a range of 25 - 70 mm. A length of the roller 8 may be within a range of 90 - 450 mm.

Figs. 4a and 4b schematically illustrate cross sections through a roller 8 according to embodiments. The roller 8 is a roller 8 for a cleaner 2 as discussed above with reference to Figs. 1 - 3e. In Fig. 4a, the flow regulator 18 has been exemplified in the form of a pump. Any other kind of flow regulator e.g., as discussed above may alternatively be used. In Fig. 4b, the flow regulator and the liquid path have been omitted for the sake of clarity.

The roller 8 comprise an outer circumferential layer 38. The outer circumferential layer 38 comprises a porous material. The outer circumferential layer 38 is arranged downstream of the outlet arrangement 14. Alternatively, the outer circumferential layer 38 may be seen to form part of the outlet arrangement 14. Liquid from the container 12 is dispensed via the dispensing opening/s 36 of the outlet arrangement 14 into the outer circumferential layer 38. The liquid is distributed within the porous material of the outer circumferential layer 38 e.g., by capillary forces and/or via channels and/or along fibres, in the porous material. Mentioned as examples, the porous material may comprise fleece, microfibre, nonwoven material, woven material, etc.

During cleaning with the cleaner, water dispensed from the container 12 remains mainly on the surface to be cleaned. Put differently, during rotation of the roller 8, a flow of liquid dispensed from the container 12 and distributed over the surface to be cleaned via the outer circumferential layer 38 may be such that a thin coat of the liquid is distributed over the surface as the cleaner travels, or is moved, along the surface to be cleaned.

Moreover, the porous material of the outer circumferential layer 38 may be configured to engage with the surface to be cleaned and to perform a scrubbing action on the surface to be cleaned as the roller 8 is rotated during use of the cleaner.

The roller 8 may comprise an axial end cap 40 configured to be removed from the roller 8 for accessing the container 12 for liquid. In this manner, liquid may be supplied to the container 12 when the axial end cap 40 is removed from the roller 8.

More specifically, the container 12 for liquid may be formed by an internal space within the roller 8, which internal space is accessible via the axial end cap 40.

In order to supply liquid to the container 12, the roller 8 may be removed from the cleaner, the axial end cap 40 is removed from the body of the roller 8, and liquid may be filled through the opening thus revealed into the container 12. When the container 12 has been filled to a desired degree, the axial end cap 40 is repositioned in the body of the roller 8 and the roller 8 is repositioned in the cleaner.

The roller 8 may comprise an identification device 42 and a control arrangement 44 of the cleaner may be configured to recognise the identification device 42 and in response thereto determine a cleaning scheme of the cleaner.

In this manner, control of the cleaner may relate to the presence of a specific roller 8 in the housing of the cleaner, e.g.: - The kind of roller, such as the roller 8 discussed herein, may be identified and the rotational speed of the roller 8 may thus, be controlled for optimal operation e.g., to control the flow of liquid dispensed from the roller 8.

- A traveling pattern of a robotic cleaner may be controlled. For instance, carpeted surfaces may be avoided based on the identified presence of the roller 8 in the cleaner.

The identification device 42 may comprise a mechanical member or device, which prompts the control arrangement 44 when the roller 8 is mounted in the cleaner. Alternatively, or additionally, the identification device 42 may be electronically sensed. For instance, the identification device 42 may comprise an RFID, which is sensed by the control arrangement 44. A further alternative may be that the identification device 42 comprises a magnet that is sensed by the control arrangement 44.

Fig. 5 illustrates a bottom view of a robotic cleaner 2 according to embodiments. The robotic cleaner 2 may be a robotic vacuum cleaner 2 e.g., as discussed above with reference to Fig. 1a. In Fig. 5, a main travelling direction of the robotic cleaner 2 is indicated by a broad arrow.

Again, the cleaner 2 comprises a housing 4. A roller 8, as discussed above, is partially arranged in the housing 4 to extend outside the housing 4 for engagement with a surface to be cleaned.

The cleaner 2 comprises a drive arrangement 46 being configured to drive the cleaner 2 along the surface to be cleaned and a control arrangement 44 configured to control the drive arrangement 46 to move the cleaner 2 along the surface to be cleaned in accordance with navigation information. Thus, the cleaner 2 is a robotic cleaner 2.

The robotic cleaner 2 may comprise a so-called side brush (see Fig. 1a). Such a side brush may be arranged laterally of the roller 8 and may be configured to propel dust and debris on the surface to be cleaned towards a centre underneath the housing 4.

The robotic cleaner 2 is a self-propelling unit. The drive arrangement 46 comprises a pair of drive means, such as a pair of drive wheels 48. The drive wheels 48 are directly or indirectly driven by one or more electric drive motors arranged inside the housing 4.

A control arrangement 44 is configured to control the drive arrangement 46 to move the robotic cleaner 2 along the surface to be cleaned. The drive arrangement 46 may be arranged to cause the robotic cleaner 2 to perform any one or more of a yaw, pitch, or translational movement. The control arrangement 44 utilises the navigation information to control the drive arrangement 46.

Various control arrangements are known in the art and the present invention is not limited to any particular type of control arrangement. For instance, the control arrangement 44 may comprise one or more sensors to provide input assisting in controlling the movement of the robotic cleaner 2. The at least one sensor may be of one or more different kinds, such as e.g. an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a contact sensor. Additionally, or alternatively, the control arrangement 44 may utilise position information and/or one or more beacons.

The control arrangement 44 may be configured to control operation of the roller 8, such as rotation of the roller 8. Accordingly, the control arrangement 44 may comprise a drive motor for rotating the roller 8 about its rotational axis 10, it may comprise one or more sensors for identifying the identification device 42 discussed above with reference to Fig. 4b.

Moreover, the control arrangement 44 may be configured to control an angular rest position of the roller 8. For instance, the control arrangement 44 may be configured to stop the roller 8 with one or more of its dispensing openings 36, see e.g. Fig. 3a, at an upper position in order to prevent or at least reduce leakage of liquid from the container 12.

The control arrangement 44 may comprise one or more sensors for determining surface related data of the surface to be cleaned. Such surface related data may relate to a texture of the surface to be cleaned and may be utilised for identifying e.g., carpeted and hard floor surface portions of the surface to be cleaned. Alternatively, or additionally, the control arrangement 44 may be configured to store and/or recall surface related data of the surface to be cleaned.

The control arrangement 44 comprises a calculation unit which may take the form of substantially any suitable type of processor circuit or microcomputer, e.g. a circuit for digital signal processing (digital signal processor, DSP), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processing circuit, a processor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic that may interpret and execute instructions. The expression calculation unit may represent a processing circuitry comprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, e.g., any, some or all of the ones mentioned above. The control arrangement 44 may comprise a memory unit. The calculation unit is connected to the memory unit, which provides the calculation unit with, for example, the stored programme code and/or stored data which the calculation unit needs to enable it to do calculations. The calculation unit may also be adapted to storing partial or final results of calculations in the memory unit. The memory unit may comprise a physical device utilised to store data or programs, i.e., sequences of instructions, on a temporary or permanent basis. The control arrangement 44 is connected to or comprises sensors and electric motors in the housing 4, and/or other monitoring devices and/or controllable devices in order to control the robotic cleaner 2 during cleaning of the surface to be cleaned.

The cleaner 2 comprises a debris receptacle 50 arranged in the housing 4. The housing 4 comprise an inlet 54 communicating with the debris receptacle 50. The cleaner 2 comprises a motor/fan unit 52 for producing an airflow through the inlet 54. Thus, the robotic cleaner 2 may be a robotic vacuum cleaner 2.

During use of the cleaner 2, when the motor/fan unit 52 is active the airflow draws dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned through the inlet 54. The airflow passes through the debris receptacle 50 and the dust and debris are separated from the airflow to be collected in the debris receptacle 50 in a known manner.

The debris receptacle 50 may be removable in order to be emptied. The debris receptacle 50 may comprise e.g., a container or a disposable bag, inside which dust and debris are collected. Alternatively, the debris receptacle 50 may be connected to a cyclone for receiving dust and debris separated in the cyclone. A further alternative may be that the debris receptacle 50 forms a cyclone housing wherein dust and debris is collected.

The cleaner 2 may be operated in a non-vacuum cleaning mode and in a vacuum cleaning mode.

In the non-vacuum cleaning mode, during use of the cleaner 2, it travels along the surface to be cleaned with the motor/fan unit 52 switched off. The surface to be cleaned is wet cleaned utilising the roller 8 and the liquid distributed therefrom when the roller 8 is rotated.

In the vacuum cleaning mode, during use of the cleaner 2, it travels along the surface to be cleaned with the motor/fan unt 52 switched on thus, producing the airflow. Dust and debris thus, may be collected in the debris receptacle 50. In the vacuum cleaning mode, the surface to be cleaned may be wet cleaned utilising the roller 8 and the liquid distributed therefrom when the roller 8 is rotated. Alternatively, in the vacuum cleaning mode, the roller 8 has been exchanged for a dry brush roll, which is rotated to assist in propelling dust and debris into the inlet 54.

In this context, it may be mentioned that a cleaner configured for cleaning utilising a dry brush roll, such a robotic cleaner or robotic vacuum cleaner, may be retrofitted with a roller 8 as discussed herein to provide a cleaner 2 as discussed herein. Accordingly, a kit including the roller 8 as discussed herein may be offered for retrofitting a cleaner configured for cleaning otherwise utilising a dry brush roll.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a debris receptacle 50 (shown with broken lines) according to embodiments. The debris receptacle 50 may from part of a vacuum cleaner such as one the vacuum cleaners 2 discussed above with reference to Figs. 1a, 1b, and 5. Accordingly, reference is also made to the description of Fig. 5 above.

Even though the liquid dispensed from the roller 8 of the vacuum cleaner mainly is spread over the surface to be cleaned, some of the liquid may be drawn with the airflow through the inlet 54. In Fig. 6, the airflow from the inlet 54 through the debris receptacle 50 is indicated with arrows.

In order to prevent liquid drawn with the airflow to reach the motor/fan unit 52, the cleaner 2 may comprise a liquid collection container 56 arranged in the debris receptacle 50.

More specifically, the cleaner 2 may be configured for the airflow through the inlet 54 or a portion of the airflow through the inlet 54 to pass through the debris receptacle 50. The liquid collection container 56 may comprises a liquid trap 58 configured to separate water from the airflow or the portion of the airflow.

The liquid trap 58 in the illustrated embodiment is formed by wall elements of the liquid collection container 56 arranged to cause abrupt direction changes in the airflow. However, any suitable liquid trap devised to separate liquid from an airflow may be alternatively be utilised.

The liquid collection container 56 may be removable from the debris receptacle 50 in order to empty the liquid collection container 56 from liquid collected therein.

Briefly, with reference to Figs. 1a - 6, during operation of the cleaner 2, one or more of the following steps maybe performed: - The surface to be cleaned 6 may be vacuum cleaned e.g., by utilising a dry brush roll in the cleaner 2, in a first cleaning operating of the surface 6 to be cleaned and then be wet cleaned utilising the roller 8 as discussed herein in a second cleaning operation.

- Liquid is filled in the container 12 of the roller 8.

- Rotating the roller 8 activates the flow regulator 18 to open the flow path 16, intermittently or continuously.

- A intermittent or continuous flow of liquid from the container 12 via the flow path 16 is initiated by rotating the roller 8.

- A flow of liquid is dispensed from the dispensing opening/s 36.

- The liquid is distributed over the surface 6 to be cleaned by the roller 8.

- The outer circumferential layer 38 engages with the surface 6 to be cleaned as the roller 8 rotates.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and that the invention is defined only by the appended claims. A person skilled in the art will realize that the example embodiments may be modified, and that different features of the example embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein, without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cleaner (2) comprising a housing (4) configured to be moved over a surface (6) to be cleaned and a roller (8) partially arranged in the housing (4), wherein the roller (8) is configured to rotate about a rotational axis (10) and to engage with the surface (6) to be cleaned, wherein the roller (8) comprises a container (12) for liquid, an outlet arrangement (14) for dispensing of liquid to the surface (6) to be cleaned, and a flow path (16) for liquid extending from the container (12) for liquid to the outlet arrangement (14), wherein the cleaner (2) comprises a flow regulator (18) arranged in the flow path (16), and wherein the flow regulator (18) is configured to be activated by a rotation (22) of the roller (8) such that liquid is transferred via the flow regulator (18) from the container (12) for liquid to the outlet arrangement (14).

2. The cleaner (2) according to claim 1 , wherein the flow regulator (18) comprises a pump (20) configured to be driven by the rotation of the roller (8).

3. The cleaner (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pump (20) comprises a stator (24) and a rotor (26), wherein the stator (24) is positioned inside the roller (8) and connected to the housing (4) to be held stationary in relation to the housing (4), and wherein the rotor (26) is connected to the roller (8) to rotate with the roller (8).

4. The cleaner (2) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pump (20) is a peristaltic pump.

5. The cleaner (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow regulator (18) comprises a valve (28) configured to be opened by the rotation of the roller (8).

6. The cleaner (2) according to claim 5, wherein the valve (28) comprises a movable member (30) which is caused to move by the rotation of the roller (8).

7. The cleaner (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow regulator (18) comprises an actuator (32) and a rotation sensor (34), wherein the actuator (32) is configured to open a passage through the flow regulator (18), and wherein the rotation sensor (34) is configured to provide a signal to the actuator (32) for opening the passage through the flow regulator (18).

8. The cleaner (2) according to claim 7, wherein the actuator (32) comprises an electrically driven pump.

9. The cleaner (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a drive arrangement (46) being configured to drive the cleaner (2) along the surface (6) to be cleaned and a control arrangement (44) configured to control the drive arrangement (46) to move the cleaner (2) along the surface (6) to be cleaned in accordance with navigation information.

10. The cleaner (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a debris receptacle (50) arranged in the housing (4), wherein the housing (4) comprises an inlet (54) communicating with the debris receptacle (50), and wherein the cleaner (2) comprises a motor/fan unit (52) for producing an airflow through the inlet (54).

11. The cleaner (2) according to claim 10, comprising a liquid collection container (56) arranged in the debris receptacle (50).

12. The cleaner (2) according to claim 11, configured for the airflow through the inlet (54) or a portion of the airflow through the inlet (54) to pass through the debris receptacle (50), wherein the liquid collection container (56) comprises a liquid trap (58) configured to separate water from the airflow or the portion of the airflow.

13. The cleaner (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller (8) comprises an outer circumferential layer (38), the outer circumferential layer (38) comprising a porous material.

14. The cleaner (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller (8) comprises an axial end cap (40) configured to be removed from the roller (8) for accessing the container (12) for liquid.

15. The cleaner (2) according to claim 9, wherein the roller (8) comprises an identification device (42), and wherein the control arrangement (44) is configured to recognise the identification device (42) and in response thereto determine a cleaning scheme of the cleaner (2).

16. The cleaner (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet arrangement (14) comprises a number of dispensing openings (36) arranged along the roller (8) with an axial distance within a range of 1 - 10 cm between individual dispensing openings