# US 11,076,735 B2 · Surface cleaning apparatus

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- Number: US 11,076,735 B2
- Document ID: US11076735B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/016,814
- Filed: 2020-09-10
- Published: 2020-12-31
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2019-01-08
- Assignees: BISSELL Inc.
- Applicants: BISSELL Inc.
- Inventors: Jacob Resch; Jacob S. Boles
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076735B2

## CPC

- A47L 11/4019: {Fill level sensors; Security means to prevent overflow, e.g. float valves}
- A47L 5/30: with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
- A47L 7/0004: {Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners (floor-scrubbing machines taking-up dirty liquid by suction A47L11/30)}
- A47L 9/2873: {Docking units or charging stations (for autonomous or robotic vacuum cleaners A47L2201/02)}
- A47L 11/145: {with supply of cleaning agents}
- A47L 11/185: {with supply of cleaning agents}
- A47L 11/19: Parts or details of the brushing tools
- A47L 11/302: {having rotary tools}
- A47L 11/4005: {Arrangements of batteries or cells; Electric power supply arrangements}
- A47L 11/4008: {Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like}
- A47L 11/4011: {Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor}
- A47L 11/4041: {Roll shaped surface treating tools}
- B08B 3/04: Cleaning involving contact with liquid
- B60L 53/10: characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
- A46B 17/06: Devices for cleaning brushes after use
- A47L 11/4025: {Means for emptying}
- A47L 11/4027: {Filtering or separating contaminants or debris}
- A47L 11/4083: {Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices}
- A47L 11/4088: {Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits}
- A47L 11/4094: {Accessories to be used in combination with conventional vacuum-cleaning devices}
- A47L 11/4097: {Means for exhaust-air diffusion; Exhaust-air treatment, e.g. air purification; Means for sound or vibration damping}
- B08B 2209/027: for cleaning the internal surfaces
- Y02T 10/70: Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
- Y02T 10/7072: Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
- Y02T 90/14: Plug-in electric vehicles
- A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08)
- B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G)
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a housing including a base adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned, a fluid delivery system, and a recovery system. The surface cleaning apparatus can be configured to clean multiple surfaces, including hard and soft surfaces, and for different cleaning modes, including wet cleaning, dry vacuum cleaning, and self-cleaning. Methods for self-cleaning a surface cleaning apparatus are also provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A floor cleaning system, comprising:
a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
an upright body comprising a handle and a frame;
a base coupled with the upright body and adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned;
a moveable joint assembly mounting the base to the upright body, wherein the upright body is pivotable via the joint assembly between an upright storage position and a reclined use position;
a fluid delivery system comprising a supply tank removable from the frame, a pump, and a fluid distributor;
a recovery system comprising a recovery pathway, a recovery tank, a suction nozzle, and a vacuum motor;
a brushroll within the recovery pathway of the recovery system;
a brushroll motor operably coupled to the brushroll for rotating the brushroll, wherein the suction nozzle is configured to extract fluid and debris from the brushroll;
a rechargeable battery selectively powering the pump, the vacuum motor, and the brushroll motor;
a user interface disposed on the handle, the user interface comprising a power button and a cleaning mode button;
a self-cleaning mode input control disposed on the upright body and configured to initiate an unattended automatic cleanout cycle for a self-cleaning mode of operation during which the pump, the brushroll motor, and the vacuum motor are energized, wherein the self-cleaning mode input control is separate from the power button and the cleaning mode button; and
a controller controlling the operation of the fluid delivery and recovery systems, and operably coupled with the self-cleaning mode input control;
a storage tray configured to dock the surface cleaning apparatus in the upright storage position for recharging the battery of the surface cleaning apparatus and for self-cleaning of the surface cleaning apparatus, the storage tray comprising at least one charging contact, a power cord, and a wall charger configured to be plugged into a household outlet;
the surface cleaning apparatus comprises at least one corresponding charging contact configured to couple with the at least one charging contact of the storage tray when the surface cleaning apparatus is docked with the storage tray;
wherein the controller is configured to execute the unattended automatic cleanout cycle for the self-cleaning mode of operation upon actuation of the self-cleaning mode input control, and wherein the self-cleaning mode is operable only when the surface cleaning apparatus is docked on the storage tray; and
wherein the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a battery charging circuit controlling the recharging of the rechargeable battery, wherein the battery charging circuit is disabled by the actuation of the self-cleaning mode input control and remains disabled during the unattended automatic cleanout cycle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The floor cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to activate the pump and the brushroll motor during the unattended automatic cleanout cycle, whereby the pump draws cleaning fluid from the supply tank, the fluid distributor sprays cleaning fluid, and the brushroll motor rotates the brushroll.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The floor cleaning system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to activate the vacuum motor after the pump and the brushroll motor during the unattended automatic cleanout cycle, and the vacuum motor extracts cleaning fluid from the storage tray for collection in the recovery tank.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The floor cleaning system of claim 3, wherein the storage tray comprises a sump disposed under the suction nozzle and the brushroll when the surface cleaning apparatus is docked with the storage tray.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The floor cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the charging contacts on the storage tray and on the surface cleaning apparatus respectively are engaged and remain engaged during self-cleaning cycle.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The floor cleaning system of claim 5, wherein docking the apparatus with the storage tray automatically moves a contact cover on at least one of the surface cleaning apparatus and the storage tray to an uncovered or open position to enable engagement of the charging contacts.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The floor cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the storage tray comprises a removable accessory holder for storing at least one accessory for the surface cleaning apparatus, wherein the accessory holder can removably receive at least the brushroll in a vertical position for drying.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The floor cleaning system of claim 1, comprising a display on the frame of the upright body, the display including a battery status indicator, a WiFi connection status indicator, and a self-cleaning status indicator.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The floor cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the power button and the cleaning mode button are disposed on a forward side of the handle, and the self-cleaning mode input control is remote from the power button and the cleaning mode button.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The floor cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, to execute the unattended automatic cleanout cycle for the self-cleaning mode of operation, the controller is configured to:
activate the brushroll motor and the pump, whereby cleaning liquid is sprayed on the brushroll while the brushroll rotates; and
activate the vacuum motor after the brushroll motor and the pump are activated, whereby cleaning liquid is extracted and deposited into the recovery tank and a portion of the recovery pathway is flushed out.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The floor cleaning system of claim 1, wherein:
the frame comprises a battery housing in which the battery is located, the battery housing disposed at a lower rear side of the frame, behind the recovery tank, the battery housing including a socket; and
the storage tray comprises a vertically-extending charging unit including at least one charging contact, the battery housing and the charging unit having complementary shapes with the battery housing fitting against the charging unit to support the apparatus on the storage tray, and the charging unit at least partially received by the socket when the apparatus is docked with the storage tray; and
the storage tray comprises a retractable shielding cover on the vertically-extending charging unit, the shielding cover biased to a closed position in which the at least one charging contact is not exposed, wherein docking the apparatus with the storage tray automatically moves the shielding cover to an open position in which the at least one charging contact of the storage tray is exposed.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The floor cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the storage tray comprises a retractable shielding cover for the at least one charging contact, the shielding cover biased to a closed position in which the at least one charging contact is not exposed, wherein docking the apparatus with the storage tray automatically moves the shielding cover to an open position in which the at least one charging contact of the storage tray is exposed and can coupled with the at least one corresponding charging contact of the surface cleaning apparatus.

### Claim 13

A floor cleaning system, comprising:
a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:
a fluid delivery system comprising a supply tank, a pump, and a fluid distributor;
a recovery system comprising a recovery pathway, a recovery tank and a vacuum motor;
an upright body comprising a handle, the supply tank and the recovery tank;
a base coupled with the upright body and adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned, the base comprising the fluid distributor, a brushroll, a brushroll motor operably coupled to the brushroll for rotating the brushroll, and a suction nozzle configured to extract fluid and debris from the brushroll;
a rechargeable battery selectively powering the pump, the vacuum motor, and the brushroll motor;
a user interface disposed on the handle, the user interface comprising a power button disposed on a forward side of the handle and a cleaning mode button disposed on a forward side of the handle adjacent to the power button;
a self-cleaning mode input control on the upright body which initiates an unattended automatic cleanout cycle for a self-cleaning mode of operation during which the pump, the brushroll motor, and the vacuum motor are energized, wherein the self-cleaning mode input control is separate from the user interface; and
a controller controlling the operation of the fluid delivery and recovery systems;
a storage tray configured to dock the surface cleaning apparatus for recharging the battery of the surface cleaning apparatus and for self-cleaning of the surface cleaning apparatus;
wherein the controller is configured to execute the unattended automatic cleanout cycle for the self-cleaning mode of operation upon actuation of the self-cleaning mode input control, and wherein the controller is configured to lock-out the automatic cleanout cycle when the surface cleaning apparatus is not docked with the storage tray and prevent initiation of the automatic cleanout cycle; and
wherein the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a battery charging circuit controlling the recharging of the rechargeable battery, wherein the battery charging circuit is disabled by the actuation of the self-cleaning mode input control and remains disabled during the unattended automatic cleanout cycle.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The floor cleaning system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to activate the pump and the brushroll motor during the unattended automatic cleanout cycle, whereby the pump draws cleaning fluid from the supply tank, the fluid distributor sprays cleaning fluid, and the brushroll motor rotates the brushroll.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The floor cleaning system of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to activate the vacuum motor after the pump and the brushroll motor during the unattended automatic cleanout cycle, and the vacuum motor extracts cleaning fluid from the storage tray for collection in the recovery tank.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The floor cleaning system of claim 13, wherein:
the storage tray comprises at least one charging contact, a power cord, and a wall charger configured to be plugged into a household outlet; and
the surface cleaning apparatus comprises at least one corresponding charging contact configured to couple with the at least one charging contact of the storage tray when the surface cleaning apparatus is docked with the storage tray.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The floor cleaning system of claim 13, comprising a display on the upright body, the display including a battery status indicator, a WiFi connection status indicator, and a self-cleaning status indicator.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The floor cleaning system of claim 13, wherein, to execute the unattended automatic cleanout cycle for the self-cleaning mode of operation, the controller is configured to:
activate the brushroll motor and the pump, whereby cleaning liquid is sprayed on the brushroll while the brushroll rotates; and
activate the vacuum motor after the brushroll motor and the pump are activated, whereby cleaning liquid is extracted and deposited into the recovery tank and a portion of the recovery pathway is flushed out.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The floor cleaning system of claim 13, wherein:
the upright body comprises a battery housing in which the battery is located, the battery housing disposed at a lower rear side of the upright body, behind the recovery tank, the battery housing including a socket;
the storage tray comprises a vertically-extending charging unit including at least one charging contact, the battery housing and the charging unit having complementary shapes with the battery housing fitting against the charging unit to support the apparatus on the storage tray, and the charging unit at least partially received by the socket when the apparatus is docked with the storage tray; and
the storage tray comprises a retractable shielding cover on the vertically-extending charging unit, the shielding cover biased to a closed position in which the at least one charging contact is not exposed, wherein docking the apparatus with the storage tray automatically moves the shielding cover to an open position in which the at least one charging contact of the storage tray is exposed.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The floor cleaning system of claim 16, wherein the storage tray comprises a retractable shielding cover for the at least one charging contact, the shielding cover biased to a closed position in which the at least one charging contact is not exposed, wherein docking the apparatus with the storage tray automatically moves the shielding cover to an open position in which the at least one charging contact of the storage tray is exposed and can coupled with the at least one corresponding charging contact of the surface cleaning apparatus.