A system includes a housing, a handle connected to the housing, a vacuum connected to the housing, and replaceable bristles selectively connected to the housing. In non-exclusive examples, the system includes a carrier fixed with the bristles. The carrier is selectively connected to the housing for use of the system in sweeping and vacuuming and is selectively disconnected to the housing for replacement with a new carrier and bristles on wear of the prior bristles.

A cleaning apparatus for use by hand and/or with a robotic device includes a nozzle that expels fluid, air or liquid, out of an open end of a housing of the cleaning apparatus. Simultaneously, a vacuum device is suctioning debris through the housing and into a vacuum port. The simultaneous use of suction and expelled fluid through a single apparatus generates turbulent airflow and effectively loosens and removes debris attached to surfaces without the need for the housing to contact the surfaces.

A replacement head for a vacuum device includes a plastic tray, a filter and a pad. The plastic tray includes a dust chamber that has a sealing surface and at least one opening. The opening is provided to allow air, dust and debris to be drawn into the dust chamber during use. The sealing surface defines a sealing surface plane and the opening defines an opening place. The relative angle between the sealing surface plane and the opening plane is preferably between about 20 degrees and +150 degrees. The pad is attached to the lower side of the plastic tray and is in contact with the floor during cleaning. The filter is connected to the plastic tray such that the filter substantially covers a top opening in the dust chamber.

A replacement head for a vacuum device includes a plastic tray, a filter and a pad. The plastic tray includes a dust chamber, a first connector lip and a second connector lip. An opening is provided that allows air, dust and debris to be drawn into the dust chamber during use. The connector lips are provided for attachment to a vacuum device. The pad is attached to the lower side of the plastic tray and is in contact with the floor during cleaning. The filter is connected to the plastic tray such that the filter substantially covers a top opening in the dust chamber.

Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.

An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a body, a controller supported by the body, a drive supporting the body to maneuver the robot across a floor surface in response to commands from the controller, and a pad holder attached to an underside of the body to hold a removable cleaning pad during operation of the robot. The pad includes a mounting plate and a mounting surface. The mounting plate is attached to the mounting surface. The robot includes a pad sensor to sense a feature on the pad and to generate a signal based on the feature, which is defined in part by a cutout on the card backing. The mounting plate enables the pad sensor to detect the feature. The controller is responsive to the signal to perform operations including selecting a cleaning mode based on the signal, and controlling the robot according to a selected cleaning mode.

A vacuum system comprises a vacuum source, an energy-storage device, a handle operatively connected to the vacuum source, an extension tube operatively connected to the handle, and a power head. The power head comprises a housing assembly and a brush assembly. The brush assembly comprises a brush defining an axle chamber, a motor assembly, and a transmission system. At least part of the motor assembly is arranged within the axle chamber, and a fixed portion of the motor assembly is supported relative to the housing assembly. The transmission system transmits rotation of the rotating portion of the motor assembly to the brush. At least part of the transmission system is arranged within the axle chamber. Operation of the vacuum source causes air to be drawn into the handle. The rotating portion of the motor assembly rotates the brush through the transmission system relative to the brush housing.

Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.

A surface cleaning head with a leading roller may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The leading roller is generally positioned adjacent to and in advance of the opening of the suction conduit. The surface cleaning head may have dual agitatorsa leading roller and a rotating brush rollwith the leading roller being located in front of the brush roll. The leading roller may have a smaller diameter than the brush roll and may provide a softer cleaning element. The leading roller may also have a bottom portion exposed to the flow path to the suction conduit and at least a top half that is not exposed to that flow path. The leading roller may also float relative to the surface cleaning head and/or may be adjustable relative to the brush roll.

A robot vacuum cleaner that may increase cleaning efficiency around obstacles includes a main body having an intake to suck in dust and air while the main body is driven on a floor, a shutter installed in front of the intake to be able to move from the main body toward the floor, and a shutter driver configured to supply power to move the shutter.