Filter cleaning system for floor cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing. A dirt collection vessel with filter and a suction generator are carried on the housing. The floor cleaning apparatus also includes a four port/two position directional control valve and a valve actuator. The valve actuator selectively displaces the directional control valve between a first position wherein dirt and debris is captured in the dirt collection vessel by the filter and a second position wherein clean air purges dirt and debris from the filter into the dirt collection vessel.

1 . A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a dirt collection vessel with filter carried on said housing;   a suction generator carried on said housing;   a four port/two position directional control valve; and   a valve actuator for selectively displacing said directional control valve between a first position wherein dirt and debris is captured in said dirt collection vessel by said filter and a second position wherein clean air purges dirt and debris from said filter into said dirt collection vessel.   
   
   
       2 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said valve actuator is a solenoid. 
   
   
       3 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said solenoid is connected to a rotary solenoid switch. 
   
   
       4 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said housing includes at least one wheel for riding over a floor. 
   
   
       5 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said rotary solenoid switch is connected to said at least one wheel. 
   
   
       6 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at least two gears connect said rotary solenoid switch with said at least one wheel. 
   
   
       7 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , further including a check valve. 
   
   
       8 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said dirt collection vessel includes an air inlet and an air outlet and said apparatus further includes a first conduit connecting said air outlet with said directional control valve. 
   
   
       9 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a motor prefilter is provided in said first conduit. 
   
   
       10 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said suction generator is provided in a motor compartment including an intake plenum and an exhaust plenum 
   
   
       11 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 10 , further including a second conduit connecting said exhaust plenum with an exhaust port. 
   
   
       12 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein an exhaust filter is provided in said second conduit. 
   
   
       13 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said check valve is provided in said second conduit. 
   
   
       14 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said housing includes a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. 
   
   
       15 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said nozzle assembly includes a suction inlet. 
   
   
       16 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein at least one rotary agitator is carried by said nozzle assembly adjacent said suction inlet. 
   
   
       17 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein a flexible hose connects said nozzle assembly and said canister assembly. 
   
   
       18 . The floor cleaning apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said nozzle assembly includes a control wand. 
   
   
       19 . A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a housing;   a dirt collection vessel carried on said housing;   a filter carried on said housing;   a suction generator carried on said housing;   at least one wheel connected to said housing and supporting said housing on a floor;   a directional control valve carried on said housing; and   a valve actuator for selectively displacing said directional control valve between a first position wherein dirt and debris is collected in said dirt collection vessel and on said filter and a second position wherein clean air purges dirt and debris from said filter into said dirt collection vessel, said valve actuator being connected to said at least one wheel.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said valve actuator is a solenoid and said solenoid is connected to a rotary solenoid switch connected to said at least one wheel. 
   
   
       21 . A method of cleaning a filter in situ in a vacuum cleaner supported on a ground engaging wheel, comprising;
 providing a valve for periodically reversing air flow through said filter;   providing an actuator for said valve; and   connecting said actuator to said wheel whereby said filter is cleaned after said vacuum cleaner rolls a predetermined distance over the ground.