WO2021113224A1

WO2021113224A1 - Floor cleaner having a removable nozzle

Info

Publication number: WO2021113224A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/062680
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rafael DAVILA; Michael P. DAWSON
Original assignee: Techtronic Cordless Gp
Priority date: 2019-12-02
Filing date: 2020-12-01
Publication date: 2021-06-10
Also published as: US20210161349A1; CN115052508A; EP4069050A1

Abstract

A cleaning head (12) for a cleaning machine (10) that cleans a surface (22) includes a housing defining a bottom (60) that faces the surface (22) to be cleaned, and a top (62) spaced above the bottom (60). A brushroll (72) positioned near the bottom (60) of the housing to engage the surface during operation. The brushroll (72) is releaseably connected to the housing; the brushroll (72) is removable in an upward direction from the top of the housing. A suction nozzle (26) has an inlet that draws debris from the surface (22) into the suction nozzle (26). The suction nozzle (26) is releaseably connected to the housing; the suction nozzle (26) is removable in a downward direction from the bottom (60) of the housing.

Description

FLOOR CLEANER HAVING A REMOVABLE NOZZLE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/942,356, filed December 2, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates to extractor cleaning machines, and more particularly, to removable nozzle configurations for extractor cleaning machines.

[0003] An extractor cleaning machine typically includes an agitator (e.g., a brushroll) for engaging a surface to be cleaned and a nozzle to extract fluid from the surface to be cleaned.

SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a floor cleaner including a body having a first end that is engaged by a user dunng operation and a second end spaced from the first end. A supply tank is connected to the body and stores a cleaning fluid. A cleaning head is pivotally connected to the second end of the body. The cleaning head has a bottom that faces the surface to be cleaned and a top spaced above the bottom. A distributor is fluidly connected to the supply tank to deliver the cleaning fluid from the supply tank. A suction nozzle has an inlet that draws fluid from the surface into the suction nozzle. The suction nozzle is releaseably connected the cleaning head and removable in a downward direction from the bottom of the cleaning head. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle to draw fluid into the suction nozzle. A recovery tank is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the suction source. The recovery tank stores fluid drawn through the suction nozzle.

[0005] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a cleaning head for a cleaning machine that cleans a surface. The cleaning head includes a housing defining a bottom that faces the surface to be cleaned, and a top spaced above the bottom. A distributor receives cleaning fluid from a supply tank and delivers the cleaning fluid. A suction nozzle has an inlet to draw fluid from the surface into the suction nozzle. The suction nozzle is releaseably connected to the housing and is removable in a downward direction from the bottom of the housing.

[0006] In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a cleaning head for a cleaning machine that cleans a surface. The cleaning head includes a housing defining a bottom that faces the surface to be cleaned, and a top spaced above the bottom. A brushroll is positioned near the bottom of the housing to engage the surface during operation. The brushroll is releaseably connected to the housing and removable in an upward direction from the top of the housing. A suction nozzle has an inlet that draws debris from the surface into the suction nozzle. The suction nozzle is releaseably connected to the housing and removable in a downward direction from the bottom of the housing.

[0007] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed descnption and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extractor cleaning machine according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning head of the extractor cleaning machine of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cleaning head with a cover separated from the cleaning head.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cleaning head with the cover and a brushroll separated from the cleaning head.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 in which the cover is shown in cross-section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the cleaning head.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a nozzle exploded from the cleaning head and a squeegee removed from the cleaning head. [0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a nozzle exploded from a portion of the cleaning head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

[0018] Fig. 1 illustrates a floor cleaner 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 includes a base 12 and a body 14 pivotally coupled to the base 12. The body 14 is pivotal relative to the base 12 between an upright storage position (Fig.l) and an inclined operating position. The floor cleaner 10 further includes a supply tank 16, a recovery tank 18, and a vacuum source 20. The supply tank 16 is configured to store a cleaning fluid and the floor cleaner 10 is operable to dispense the cleaning fluid onto a surface 22 to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the vacuum source 20 includes a motor and a fan that are operable to draw the cleaning fluid from the surface 22 into the recovery tank 18.

[0019] The base 12 is movable over the surface 22 to be cleaned. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 12 includes wheels 24 to facilitate moving the base 12 over the surface 22. The base 12 includes a suction nozzle 26 in fluid communication with the vacuum source 20 and the recovery tank 18, the suction nozzle 26 being releaseably connected to the cleaning head 12, such that the suction nozzle 26 is removable in a downward direction from the bottom of the cleaning head 12. The cleaning fluid is draw n from the surface 22 through the suction nozzle 26 and into the recovery tank 18.

[0020] The base 12 further includes a distributor including a spray or distribution nozzle 28 in fluid communication with the supply tank 16. The distribution nozzle 28 dispenses the cleaning fluid toward the surface 22. In some embodiments, the supply tank 16 and the distributor are omitted such that the suction nozzle 26 draws debris and optionally fluid from the surface 22, but no fluid is added to the surface 22 by the floor cleaner 10. The distributor could alternatively be a drip bar, could be fed pressurized or gravity fed cleaning fluid, and could distribute cleaning fluid directly or indirectly (e.g., through a cleaning implement) onto the floor internally or externally of the base. [0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 includes a battery 30 that provides power to the vacuum source 20. In one embodiment, the battery 30 is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The floor cleaner 10 further includes a handle 32. The handle 32 includes a grip 34 and an actuator 36 adjacent the grip 34. The grip 34 is grabbed by the user to move the floor cleaner 10 along the surface 22 and to pivot the body 14 relative to the base 12. The actuator 36 controls the flow of cleaning fluid from the supply tank 16 through the distribution nozzle 28. The handle 32 further includes an extension 40 that extends from the body 14. The extension 40 includes a first end 42, a second end 44. The first end 42 is coupled to and adjacent the body 14. The second end 44 is adjacent the grip 34.

[0022] The floor cleaner 10 further includes an upper end 50 and a lower end 52 opposite the upper end 50. The handle 32 is adjacent the upper end 50 and the base 12 is adjacent the lower end 52. The floor cleaner 10 further include a front side 54 and a back side 56 opposite the front side 54. The suction inlet 26 is adjacent the front side 54.

[0023] The floor cleaner 10 further includes a suction conduit 58 having a first end fluidly connected to the suction nozzle 26 and a second end fluidly connected to the recovery tank 18. The suction conduit 58 directs fluid from the suction nozzle 26 into the recovery tank 18.

[0024] The recovery tank 18 is removably connected to the body 14 such that when the recovery tank 18 is full, a user can remove the recovery tank 18 from the body 14 and empty the recovery tank 18 before reconnecting the recovery tank 18 to the body. The recovery tank 18 includes an air outlet positioned on an upper surface of the recovery tank 18 to permit air to exit the recovery tank 18. In some embodiments, one or more filters remove particles from the air before the air exits the floor cleaner 10. The recovery tank 18 also includes a float valve that closes the air outlet as the fluid level in the recovery tank 18 reaches a maximum level to inhibit the fluid from leaking out of the air outlet on the upper surface of the recovery tank 18. The recovery tank 18 is connected to the body 14 by any suitable latching mechanism.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates the base 12 in greater detail. The base 12 is a cleaning head having a housing defining a bottom 60 and a top 62. The bottom 60 faces the surface 22 and the top 62 is spaced above the bottom 60. The base 12 includes a cover 64 that forms part of the top 62 of the housing and is removable from the base 12. The cover 64 can be connected to the base 12 by latches, screws, inter-engaging components or features, or any suitable fastener(s). In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 64 is connected by screws. The distribution nozzle 28 is connected to the cover 64 and is removed from the base 12 with the cover.

[0026] Fig 3 illustrates the cover 64 removed from the base 12. The illustrated cover 64 includes two notches 66 sized to receive one or more fingers of a user to permit a user to remove the cover 64 from the base 12. The cover 64 also includes two fastener openings 68 and the base 12 includes two fasteners 70 configured to connect the cover 64 to the base 12. In other embodiments, one or more latches can be used to connect the cover 64 to the base 12

[0027] When the cover 64 is removed from the base 12, an agitator roll or brushroll 72 is accessible. The brushroll 72 is positioned near the bottom 60 of the base 12 adjacent the suction nozzle 26. The brushroll 72 is configured to engage the surface 22 during operation. The brushroll 72 is rotatable about an axis to agitate, wipe, scrub, etc. the surface 22 that is being cleaned. The floor cleaner 10 includes a motor that rotates the brushroll 72 about the axis. The bmshroll 72 is operably connected to the motor by a transmission that may include a belt, pulleys, gears, and the like.

[0028] The brushroll 72 can include a tufted pile formed of microfibers covering substantially all of the brushroll 72. In another embodiment, the tufted pile covers a portion of the brushroll 72. The fiber may be yam or may be monofilament fiber. The brushroll 72 may include an absorbent material, such as a mop roll. Optionally, the bmshroll 72 may include a hydrophobic textile material. In one embodiment, the tufted textile material is formed by a tufted pile of fine hydrophobic fibers, such as hydrophobic nylons, polyesters, polyolefins, or other hydrophobic fibers arranged on the brushroll 72. The fibers can be made from any hydrophobic materials such as a flouropolymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the fibers are coated with a hydrophobic coating or otherwise treated to be hydrophobic. In some embodiments, the bmshroll includes tufted bristles arranged in a desired pattern, such a chevron or helical arrangement. [0029] When the cover 64 is removed from the base 12 a first distribution coupling 74 is exposed. The first distribution coupling 74 is fluidly connected to the supply tank 16 and to the distribution nozzle 28.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, the brushroll 72 is removable from the base 12 in an upward direction (shown as arrow U). The brushroll 72 may include a tab 76 that is graspable by a user to remove the brushroll 72 in the upward direction U from the base 12 without the use of tools. In other embodiments, one or more fasteners is utilized to connect the brushroll 72 to the base 12. To reinstall the brushroll 72 in the base 12, the user inserts the end of the brushroll 72 without the tab 76 and presses downward on the brushroll 72 to pivot the brushroll into place. The end of the brushroll 72 without the tab 76 includes a female splined driven end that engages with a corresponding male drive spline on the base 12. The drive spline is coupled to the brushroll motor when the brushroll 72 is installed in the base 12 to cause the brushroll to rotate about its longitudinal axis extending between its two ends. Other brushroll configurations can be utilized in place of the illustrated brushroll.

[0031] Fig. 5 illustrates the bmshroll 72 removed from the base 12 in the upward direction U. The cover 64 removed from the base 12 and is shown in cross-section to reveal a distribution conduit 78. The cover 64 includes a second distribution coupling 80 that is configured to engage the first distribution coupling 74 while the cover 64 is installed on the base 12 and is configured to disengage from the first distribution coupling 74 while the cover 64 is removed from the base 12. The distribution conduit 78 is a flexible tube having a first end and a second end. The first end connects to the distribution nozzle 28 and the second end connects to the second distribution coupling 80 to fluidly connect the second distribution coupling 80 to the distribution nozzle 28.

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates the suction nozzle 26 having a suction inlet 82, a first end 84 and a second end 86 spaced from the first end 84. The first end 84 is positioned near the surface 22 to draw fluid and debris from the surface 22 into the suction inlet 82. The first end 84 is also positioned near the brushroll 72 to draw fluid and debris from the brushroll 72 into the suction inlet 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end 84 of the suction nozzle 26 includes a flange 88 that contacts the brushroll 72 to wipe fluid and debris from the bmshroll 72 such that the fluid and debris wiped from the brushroll 72 is drawn into the suction inlet 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing includes a flange 94 that engages the brushroll 72 adjacent the first end 84 of the suction nozzle 26 to wipe fluid and debris from the brushroll 72 and direct the fluid and debris toward the suction inlet 82. In some embodiments, the flange 94 on the housing engages the brushroll 72 adjacent the first end 84 of the suction nozzle 26 and the flange 88 on the nozzle does not contact the brushroll 72. In some embodiments, the flange 88 on the nozzle engages the brushroll 72 adjacent the first end 84 of the suction nozzle 26 and the flange 94 on the housing does not contact the brushroll 72.

[0033] The second end 86 of the suction nozzle 26 is configured to connect to the suction conduit 58 which directs fluid and debris into the recovery tank 18. The suction nozzle 26 can be connected to the base 12 by latches, screws, inter-engaging components or features, or any suitable fastener(s). In the illustrated embodiment, the suction nozzle 26 is connected by screws. To this end, the suction nozzle 26 may include one or more embossments for receiving a screw or other fastener, such as a first upwardly extending protrusion 90 and the housing includes a first upwardly extending recess 92 configured to receive the first upwardly extending protrusion 90. A fastener can extend through the first upwardly extending protrusion 90 and the first upwardly extending recess 92 to retain the suction nozzle 26 on the housing of the base 12. In other embodiments, the suction nozzle 26 includes a recess and the housing includes a protrusion. In one embodiment, the first upwardly extending protrusion 90 is provided for alignment of the nozzle to the base. In some embodiments, the recess 92 and the corresponding protrusion 90 are omitted. In other embodiments, the suction nozzle 26 and the housing include mating components that snap together or otherwise inter engage to retain the suction nozzle 26 on the housing of the base 12. In some embodiments, no fastener is used to connect the first upwardly extending protrusion 90 in the first upwardly extending recess 92 because the suction nozzle 26 can be connected to the housing of the base 12 by other fasteners, latches, and/or inter-engaging components.

[0034] FIG. 6 also illustrates the distribution conduit 78 fluidly connecting the second distribution coupling 80 to the distribution nozzle 28. The first distribution coupling 74 receives the second distribution coupling 80 to fluidly connect the first distribution coupling 74 and the second distribution coupling 80.

[0035] The brushroll 72 protrudes from the bottom 60 of the base 12 so that the brushroll 72 contacts the surface 22 being cleaned. Also, although the illustrated cleaning machine 10 includes only a single brushroll 72, in other embodiments, the cleaning machine 10 may include additional brushrolls parallel to the brushroll 72 and formed from the same or different materials. The brushroll 72 has an outer cleaning medium that contacts the surface 22. The cleaning medium includes a hydrophobic textile material in one embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 6 also illustrates a squeegee 96 that contacts the surface 22 to be cleaned. When the base 12 is moved along the surface 22 to be cleaned in a forward direction (to the left in Fig. 6), the squeegee 96 pushes fluid along the surface in the forward direction, including cleaning fluid, toward the suction inlet 82. This reduces the amount of fluid that remains on the surface 22. The squeegee 96 extends from the bottom 60 of the base 12 between the suction inlet 82 and the second end 86 of the suction nozzle 26. The squeegee 96 extends behind and adjacent the suction inlet 82 to wipe fluid toward the suction nozzle 26. The squeegee 96 also extends substantially parallel to the brushroll. The brushroll 72 extends beyond the bottom 60 of the base 12 and the suction inlet 82 is between the squeegee 96 and the location at which the brushroll 72 extends beyond the bottom 60 of the base 12. In one embodiment, the squeegee 96 is removably coupled to the bottom 60 of the base 12 on a squeegee bracket 98. In one embodiment, the squeegee 96 is connected to the suction nozzle 26 rearward of the suction inlet 82.

[0037] FIG. 7 illustrates the lower end 52 of the base 12 in greater detail. The first end 84 and the inlet 82 of the suction nozzle 26 are positioned between the brushroll 72 and the squeegee 96. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end 86 of the suction nozzle 26 is positioned between the squeegee 96 and the wheels 24. The base 12 also includes two rollers 100 that extend from the bottom 60 of the base 12 to support the base 12 and the cleaning machine 10 on the surface 22. The rollers 100 are adjacent the squeegee 96, but could be positioned on other locations of the bottom 60 of the base 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the squeegee 96 and the rollers 100 are retained on the squeegee bracket 98, such that the squeegee 96 and the rollers 100 can be removed from the base 12 together upon removal of the squeegee bracket 98. The suction nozzle 26 and the brushroll 72 both have an axial length L and are substantially aligned such that the suction nozzle axial extends the length of the brushroll 72. The suction nozzle 26 includes a first end wall 102 aligned with a first end of the brushroll 72 and a second end wall 104 aligned with a second end of the brushroll 72. The illustrated first and second end walls 102, 104 are parallel. In other embodiments, the first and second end walls 102, 104 are non-parallel such that the suction nozzle inlet 82 has a varying height and/or width across the axial length L. [0038] FIG. 8 illustrates the suction nozzle 26 removed from the bottom 60 of the base 12 in a downw ard direction D. The squeegee 96, the squeegee bracket 98 and the rollers 100 (not shown in FIG. 8) have been removed to permit removal of the suction nozzle 26. The suction nozzle 26 is removable from the cleaning head base 12 in the downward direction D from the bottom 60 of the cleaning head base 12. In some embodiments, the suction nozzle 26 is connected to the base 12 by the squeegee bracket 98. In other embodiments, one or more fasteners are used to releasably connect the suction nozzle 26 to the base 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction nozzle 26 is connected by screws. To this end, the suction nozzle 26 may include one or more embossments for receiving a screw or other fastener, such as a second upwardly extending protrusion 106 and a third upwardly extending protrusion 108.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the base 12 further includes a second recess 110 and a third recess 112. The second recess 110 is sized and positioned to receive the second upwardly extending protrusion 106 when the suction nozzle 26 is connected to the base 12. The third recess 112 is sized and positioned to receive the third upwardly extending protrusion 108 when the suction nozzle 26 is connected to the base 12. In some embodiments, the recesses 106 and 108 are formed on the suction nozzle 26 and the protrusions 102 and 104 are formed on the base 12. In one embodiment, the second upwardly extending protrusion 106 and the third upwardly extending protrusion 108 are provided for alignment of the nozzle to the base. In some embodiments, the recesses 106 and 108 and the corresponding protrusions 102 and 104 are omitted. Other shapes, sizes and locations of recesses and protrusions can be utilized to properly position the suction nozzle 26 on the base 12

[0040] In some embodiments, fasteners are configured to connect the second upwardly extending protrusion 106 to the second recess 110, and to connect the third upwardly extending protrusion 108 to the third recess 112. In some embodiments, each of the fasteners is screw that requires a tool to separate the suction nozzle 26 from the base 12. In other embodiments, each of the fasteners is a bayonet coupling, or a quick connect coupling that do not require a tool to separate the suction nozzle 26 from the base 12.

[0041] FIG. 9 illustrates the suction nozzle 26 remov ed from the bottom 60 of the base 12. The suction nozzle 26 includes the first end 84, the second end 86, the flange 88, the first upwardly extending protrusion 90, the second upwardly extending protrusion 106 and the third upwardly extending protrusion 108. The bottom 60 of the base 12 includes the flange 94, the first recess 92, the second recess 110 and the third recess 112. The first recess 92, the second recess 110, and the third recess 112 are sized to receive the respective one of the first upwardly extending protrusion 90, the second upwardly extending protrusion 106 and the third upwardly extending protrusion 108 to properly position the suction nozzle 26 on the base 12. The sizes, locations and quantities of recesses and protrusions can be changed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] In some embodiments, one or more fasteners connect the suction nozzle 26 to the base 12. In some embodiments, the suction nozzle 26 is connected to the base 12 by one or more clips, a bayonet coupling, or a latch or quick connect coupling that does not require a tool to separate the suction nozzle 26 from the base 12. In some embodiments, the suction nozzle 26 is connected to the base 12 by one or more screws or bolts that can be removed with the use of a tool.

[0043] The present disclosure is directed to the cleaning head base 12 having a brushroll 72 that is removable from the top 62 of the cleaning head base in the upward direction U and the suction nozzle 26 that is removable from the bottom 60 of the cleaning head base 12 in the downward direction D.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning machine comprising: a body having a first end configured to be engaged by a user dunng operation and a second end spaced from the first end; a supply tank connected to the body and configured to store a cleaning fluid; a cleaning head pivotally connected to the second end of the body, the cleaning head having a bottom configured to face a surface to be cleaned and a top spaced above the bottom; a distributor fluidly connected to the supply tank to deliver the cleaning fluid from the supply tank; a suction nozzle having an inlet configured to draw fluid from the surface into the suction nozzle, the suction nozzle being releaseably connected to the cleaning head, such that the suction nozzle is removable in a downward direction from the bottom of the cleaning head; a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, the suction source operable to draw fluid into the suction nozzle; and a recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the suction source, the recovery tank configured to store fluid drawn through the suction nozzle.

2. The cleaning machine of claim 1, further comprising a suction conduit fluidly connected to an outlet of the suction nozzle and the recovery tank, such that the suction source draws fluid from the surface, through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank.

3. The cleaning machine of claim 1, further comprising a bmshroll positioned proximate the bottom of the cleaning head, the bmshroll being configured to engage the surface during operation.

4. The cleaning machine of claim 3, wherein the suction nozzle is configured to engage the bmshroll, such that the suction source draws fluid from the bmshroll into the suction nozzle.

5. The cleaning machine of claim 3, wherein the brushroll is releaseably connected to the cleaning head such that the brushroll is removable in an upward direction from the top of the cleaning head.

6. The cleaning machine of claim 1, further comprising a fastener configured to releasably connect the suction nozzle to the cleaning head, wherein the fastener is removable by a user without the use of tools, such that the suction nozzle is removable in the downward direction from the bottom of the cleaning head without the use of tools.

7. The cleaning machine of claim 1, further comprising a fastener configured to releasably connect the suction nozzle to the cleaning head, wherein the fastener includes at least one of a screw, a bayonet coupling, and a quick connect coupling.

8. The cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the suction nozzle includes an upwardly extending protrusion and the cleaning head defines a recess sized to receive the upwardly extending protrusion.

9. The cleaning machine of claim 8, further comprising a fastener configured to connect the upwardly extending protrusion of the suction nozzle to the recess of the cleaning head to thereby retain the protrusion within the recess.

10. A cleaning head for a cleaning machine configured to clean a surface, the cleaning head comprising: a housing defining a bottom configured to face the surface to be cleaned, and a top spaced above the bottom; a distributor configured to receive cleaning fluid from a supply tank and to deliver the cleaning fluid; and a suction nozzle having an inlet configured to draw fluid from the surface into the suction nozzle, the suction nozzle being releaseably connected to the housing, such that the suction nozzle is removable in a downward direction from the bottom of the housing.

11. The cleaning head of claim 10, further comprising a brushroll positioned proximate the bottom of the housing, the brushroll being configured to engage the surface during operation.

12. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein the suction nozzle is configured to engage the brushroll, such that a suction source is configured to draw fluid from the brushroll into the suction nozzle.

13. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein the brushroll is releaseably connected to the housing such that the brushroll is removable in an upward direction from the top of the housing.

14. The cleaning head of claim 11, wherein the suction nozzle is configured to draw fluid directly from the surface into the suction nozzle.

15. The cleaning head of claim 10, further comprising a fastener configured to releasably connect the suction nozzle to the housing, wherein the fastener is removable by a user without the use of tools, such that the suction nozzle is removable from the lower surface of the housing without the use of tools.

16. The cleaning machine of claim 10, further comprising a fastener configured to releasably connect the suction nozzle to the housing, wherein the fastener includes at least one of a screw, a bayonet coupling, and a quick connect coupling.

17. The cleaning machine of claim 10, wherein the suction nozzle includes an upwardly extending protrusion and the housing further comprises a recess sized to receive the upwardly extending protrusion.

18. The cleaning machine of claim 17, further comprising a fastener configured to connect the upwardly extending protrusion of the suction nozzle to the recess of the housing to thereby retain the protrusion within the recess.

19. A cleaning head for a cleaning machine configured to clean a surface, the cleaning head comprising: a housing defining a bottom configured to face the surface to be cleaned, and a top spaced above the bottom; a brushroll positioned proximate the bottom of the housing, the brushroll being configured to engage the surface during operation, the brushroll being releaseably connected to the housing such that the brushroll is removable in an upward direction from the top of the housing; and a suction nozzle having an inlet configured to draw debris from the surface into the suction nozzle, the suction nozzle being releaseably connected to the housing, such that the suction nozzle is removable in a downward direction from the bottom of the housing.

20. The cleaning head of claim 19, further comprising a cover removably coupled to the housing, such that while the cover is installed on the housing, the cover is configured to cover the brushroll, and such that while the cover is removed, the brushroll is accessible from the top of the housing.