Surface cleaning device with triggerless fluid distribution mechanism

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a triggerless extractor surface cleaning device for cleaning a surface in which a cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and extracted using suction along with dirt and/or debris on the surface in a continuous operation as the extractor moves along the surface. The extractor further comprises an encoder positioned adjacent a wheel of the extractor for detecting a rotational direction and speed of the wheel to generate a signal. Based on receiving the signal, a controller controls operation of a valve to situationally distribute the cleaning solution to the surface depending on a forward rotation of the wheel and independent of user actuation of a trigger positioned on a handle used to propel the extractor along the surface. Distribution of the cleaning solution can be further optimized based on the detected rotational speed of the wheel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surface cleaner comprising:
 a base moveable along a surface;   a supply tank;   a suction source operable to generate an airflow;   a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the suction source, the suction source configured to generate the airflow through the suction nozzle;   a liquid distribution system including a distributor in fluid communication with the supply tank, wherein the liquid distribution system is configured to deliver solution to the surface in a distributing mode and to not deliver the solution to the surface in a non-distributing mode;   an encoder operable to generate a signal in response to user-initiated movement of the base along the surface, wherein the signal is indicative of one or more attributes selected from a group consisting of movement in a forward direction, movement in a rearward direction, and speed of movement; and   a controller operatively connected to the encoder, the suction source, and the liquid distribution system, the controller being configured to:
 operate the liquid distribution system in the distributing mode or the non-distributing mode during movement of the base based on the signal during operation of the surface cleaner and based on the signal and independent of user interaction with the surface cleaner other than the user-initiated movement; and 
 control the airflow through the suction nozzle by controlling the suction source in response to the signal during a cleaning operation. 
   
     
     
         2 . The surface cleaner of  claim 1 , comprising a handle configured to be gripped by a user during a cleaning operation. 
     
     
         3 . The surface cleaner of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is configured to be gripped by the user to move the base along the surface in the forward direction and the rearward direction during the cleaning operation. 
     
     
         4 . The surface cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is a first signal in response to the movement in the forward direction and the signal is a second signal in response to the movement in the rearward direction. 
     
     
         5 . The surface cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid distribution system comprises a pump, and wherein the controller is configured to control the pump based on the signal. 
     
     
         6 . The surface cleaner of  claim 1 , comprising a fluid valve, wherein the controller is configured to control the fluid valve based on the signal. 
     
     
         7 . The surface cleaner of  claim 1 , comprising a brush and a motor for driving the brush, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor based on the signal. 
     
     
         8 . The surface cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the suction source to increase the airflow in response to the signal indicating a change from the movement in the forward direction to the movement in the rearward direction. 
     
     
         9 . The surface cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to operate the liquid distribution system in the distributing mode in response to the signal indicating the movement in the forward direction. 
     
     
         10 . The surface cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to, while operating the liquid distribution system in the distributing mode, change the liquid distribution system to the non-distributing mode in response to the signal indicating no movement of the base. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a base moveable along a surface;   a supply tank;   a suction nozzle;   a suction source for generating an airflow through the suction nozzle;   a liquid distribution system including a distributor in fluid communication with the supply tank, wherein the liquid distribution system delivers solution to the surface in a distributing mode and does not deliver the solution to the surface in a non-distributing mode;   an encoder operable to generate a signal in response to user-initiated movement of the base along the surface, wherein the signal is indicative of one or more attributes selected from a group consisting of movement in a first direction, movement in a second direction, and speed of movement, wherein the second direction is a rearward direction;   a controller operatively connected to the encoder, the suction source, and the liquid distribution system, the controller being configured to:
 operate the liquid distribution system in the distributing mode or the non-distributing mode during movement of the base based on the signal during operation of the cleaning apparatus, wherein the controller changes from the distributing mode to the non-distributing mode based on the signal indicating the movement in the second direction and independent of user interaction with the cleaning apparatus other than the user-initiated movement; and 
 control the airflow through the suction nozzle by controlling the suction source in response to the signal during a cleaning operation. 
   
     
     
         12 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , comprising a handle configured to be gripped by a user during a cleaning operation. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the handle is configured to be gripped by the user to move the base along the surface in the first direction and the second direction during the cleaning operation. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the signal is a first signal in response to movement in the first direction and the signal is a second signal in response to movement in the second direction. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the liquid distribution system comprises a pump, and wherein the controller is configured to control the pump based on the signal. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , comprising a fluid valve, wherein the controller is configured to control the fluid valve based on the signal. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , comprising a brush and a motor for driving the brush, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor based on the signal. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to control the suction source to increase the airflow in response to the signal indicating a change from the movement in the first direction to the movement in the rearward direction. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to operate the liquid distribution system in the distributing mode in response to the signal indicating the movement in the first direction. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to, while operating the liquid distribution system in the distributing mode, change the liquid distribution system to the non-distributing mode in response to the signal indicating no movement of the base.