A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing including an upright handle assembly and a base mounted to the upright handle assembly. The surface cleaning apparatus is further provided with a fluid delivery system comprising a fluid dispenser configured to dispense fluid and at least one wiper to remove excess liquid from a brushroll.

A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing including an upright handle assembly and a base mounted to the upright handle assembly. The surface cleaning apparatus is further provided with a fluid delivery system comprising a fluid dispenser configured to dispense fluid and at least one wiper to remove excess liquid from a brushroll.

There is provided a robot including a first light source, a second light source, an image sensor and a processor. The processor is used to calculate an image quality of an image frame captured by the image sensor when the second light source is being turned on. The processor then determines whether to switch the second light source back to the first light source according to the image quality to accordingly identify the material of an operation surface.

There is provided a robot including a first light source, a second light source, an image sensor and a processor. The processor is used to calculate an image quality of an image frame captured by the image sensor when the second light source is being turned on. The processor then determines whether to switch the second light source back to the first light source according to the image quality to accordingly identify the material of an operation surface.

The present invention provides unique portable or stationary hose retraction systems in a single compact unit having an elongated hose, a chamber or plenum for storing the hose, a primary vacuum source for creating suction in the hose, and a secondary vacuum source for retracting the hose into the chamber. Embodiments may include one or more switches located at a distal end of the hose for controlling the primary and secondary vacuum sources. Other embodiments include a movable robotic unit with a proximity generating signal at the distal end of the hose, whereby the robotic unit may withdraw the hose as needed during use, and the secondary vacuum source may retract slack in the hose during use, or may retract the entire hose and the robotic unit after use.

The present invention provides unique portable or stationary hose retraction systems in a single compact unit having an elongated hose, a chamber or plenum for storing the hose, a primary vacuum source for creating suction in the hose, and a secondary vacuum source for retracting the hose into the chamber. Embodiments may include one or more switches located at a distal end of the hose for controlling the primary and secondary vacuum sources. Other embodiments include a movable robotic unit with a proximity generating signal at the distal end of the hose, whereby the robotic unit may withdraw the hose as needed during use, and the secondary vacuum source may retract slack in the hose during use, or may retract the entire hose and the robotic unit after use.

The improved mobile robot utilizes a cooperative wheeled support arrangement having a unique axle design that preferably cooperates with a base support module. A tri-axle is preferably used to support at least one omni-wheel on each axle section. Multiple omni-wheels on each section can be used for higher load applications. The tri-axle is of a fixed design and each wheel pivots on the individual axle section. Preferably, the axle sections are welded to each other.

The improved mobile robot utilizes a cooperative wheeled support arrangement having a unique axle design that preferably cooperates with a base support module. A tri-axle is preferably used to support at least one omni-wheel on each axle section. Multiple omni-wheels on each section can be used for higher load applications. The tri-axle is of a fixed design and each wheel pivots on the individual axle section. Preferably, the axle sections are welded to each other.

A cleaning apparatus includes a combing unit including a series of spaced protrusions or teeth extending into a cleaning roller for preventing build up and removing debris (such as hair, string, and the like). The protrusions extend along a substantial portion of the cleaning roller and extend partially into the cleaning roller to intercept the debris as it passes around the roller. The protrusions have angled leading edges that are not aligned with a rotation center of the cleaning roller and are directed into or against a direction of rotation of the cleaning roller. The combing unit and protrusions have a shape and configuration designed to facilitate debris removal from the cleaning roller with minimal impact on the operation of the cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head of an upright vacuum cleaner or sweeper or a robotic vacuum cleaner.

A cleaning apparatus includes a combing unit including a series of spaced protrusions or teeth extending into a cleaning roller for preventing build up and removing debris (such as hair, string, and the like). The protrusions extend along a substantial portion of the cleaning roller and extend partially into the cleaning roller to intercept the debris as it passes around the roller. The protrusions have angled leading edges that are not aligned with a rotation center of the cleaning roller and are directed into or against a direction of rotation of the cleaning roller. The combing unit and protrusions have a shape and configuration designed to facilitate debris removal from the cleaning roller with minimal impact on the operation of the cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head of an upright vacuum cleaner or sweeper or a robotic vacuum cleaner.