Automatic cleaning system and method for vehicle floor

A method of operating an automatic cleaning system in a vehicle having a vehicle seat, and a controller with a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory, the method comprising:

• connecting a leg recliner assembly to the vehicle seat, the leg recliner assembly having a base section operatively connected to a seat frame and a leg-rest section;
• integrating a brush assembly in the leg-rest section and fitting a portable cleaner within the base section, the portable cleaner being fluidly coupled with the brush assembly;
• upon activation of an automatic cleaning mode via the controller, moving the vehicle seat along a first axis until a rack and pinion mechanism in the seat frame moves from a rest position to an engaged position;
• adjusting a position of the leg-rest section such that a portion of the brush assembly is in contact with a floor surface of the vehicle, via the controller;
• and
• moving the brush assembly along a second axis, via the rack and pinion mechanism, to clean the floor surface during the automatic cleaning mode.

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle seat having a seat frame and a leg recliner assembly, the leg recliner assembly having a base section operatively connected to the seat frame and a leg-rest section, the leg-rest section being pivotable relative to the base section;
• a brush assembly integrally formed with the leg-rest section;
• a portable cleaner fitted within the base section, the portable cleaner being fluidly coupled with the brush assembly;
• a rack and pinion mechanism operatively connected to the seat frame and having a rack and pinion gear, the rack and pinion mechanism being in an engaged position when the pinion gear is in contact with the rack;
• a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded for executing an automatic cleaning mode;
• wherein the controller is adapted to, upon activation of the automatic cleaning mode, move the vehicle seat along a first axis until the rack and pinion mechanism moves from a rest position to the engaged position and adjust a position of the leg-rest section such that a portion of the brush assembly is in contact with a floor surface of the vehicle;
• and
• wherein the rack and pinion mechanism is adapted to guide motion of the brush assembly along a second axis to clean the floor surface during the automatic cleaning mode, the rack and pinion mechanism being configured such that rotation of the pinion gear causes linear motion of the rack and the base section along the second axis.