Surface cleaning device with triggerless fluid distribution mechanism

A surface cleaner comprising:

• a base movable along a surface to be cleaned;
• a handle configured to be gripped by a user, during a cleaning operation, to move the base, in a forward direction and a rearward direction during the cleaning operation, along the surface to be cleaned;
• a nozzle in fluid communication with a suction motor configured to generate a suction airflow through the nozzle;
• a liquid distribution system including a supply tank and a distributor in fluid communication to deliver solution to the surface;
• an encoder operable to generate a signal in response to user-initiated movement of the base along the surface;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to the suction motor, the encoder and the liquid distribution system, the controller being configured to:
• control the suction airflow through the nozzle by controlling the suction motor in response to the signal during the cleaning operation;
• and
• operate in a distributing mode during movement of the base and in a non-distributing mode during movement of the base in response to the signal during the cleaning operation, wherein the distribution of the solution is independent of user interaction with the surface cleaner other than the user-initiated movement,
• wherein the signal is indicative of a speed of movement of the base, and
• wherein the distribution of the solution is increased or decreased in response to a respective increase or decrease of the speed of forward movement of the base during the cleaning operation.