A cleaning system comprising a vacuum source, a current sensor, a recovery tank having a shutoff float configured to float on a surface of fluid within the recovery tank, and a controller. The vacuum source is in fluid communication with a suction inlet via first and second air paths within the recovery tank. The shutoff float is further configured to block the first air path upon the fluid within the recovery tank reaching a desired level. The controller is configured to receive, from the current sensor, a signal indicative of the current drawn by the vacuum source. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the current drawn by the vacuum source crossing a threshold, the fluid within the recovery tank has reached the desired level and control an operating element of the cleaning system upon determining the fluid within the recovery tank has reached the desired level.

An evacuation station for collecting debris from a cleaning robot includes a controller configured to execute instructions to perform one or more operations. The one or more operations includes initiating an evacuation operation such that an air mover draws air containing debris from the cleaning robot, through an intake of the evacuation station, and through a canister of the evacuation station and such that a receptacle received by the evacuation station receives at least a portion of the debris drawn from the cleaning robot. The one or more operations includes ceasing the evacuation operation in response to a pressure value being within a range. The pressure value is determined based at least in part on data indicative of an air pressure, and the range is set based at least in part on a number of evacuation operations initiated before the evacuation operation.

A dirt collector that includes a housing and an air-permeable filter media extending from the housing such that the filter media and housing at least partially define a collection volume. The housing has an inlet opening in fluid communication with the volume and at least a portion of the housing is transmissive of infrared radiation

A vacuum cleaner that includes a suction source configured to generate a suction airflow, a dirt collector in fluid communication with the suction source and configured to separate debris from the suction airflow and the dirt collector is configured to store the debris separated from the suction airflow. The vacuum further includes an infrared sensor operable to output a signal corresponding to a distance to an amount of debris stored in the dirt collector, a controller that receives the signal, and the controller is operable to determine a fill level stored in the dirt collector based on the signal. A visual display displays the fill level stored in the dirt collector.

Applicant has created systems, methods, and apparatuses for controlling the power supply of a vacuum cleaner motor. The systems and apparatuses include pressure taps to detect a pressure differential within a vacuum cleaner, a float that adjusts depending on an amount of liquid stored, and a power switch that toggles based on the pressure differential created by the position of the float. Alternatively, the float can be replaced by an air chamber so that the pressure differential is created by liquid rising above the volume of air trapped in the chamber. The method can include interrupting the current supplied to an electrical circuit of a power switch based upon a pressure differential created within the vacuum. By controlling the power supply to a vacuum cleaner motor based on a pressure differential created by the amount of liquid stored within the vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner can automatically disable the vacuum cleaner's motor as the vacuum approaches its maximum liquid capacity.

A method for operating a vacuum cleaning appliance, having a filter element, a filter element cleaning device, a control device, a turbine, a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor. The method includes operating the vacuum cleaning appliance to suck in the air stream through the filter element; determining a first pressure reference value; measuring the pressure difference between the first and second pressure values; dedusting the filter element with the aid of the filter element cleaning device if the value of the pressure difference between the first and second pressure values reaches a first threshold value; determining a second pressure reference value after the end of the dedusting of the filter element; determining a difference value between the second and first pressure reference values; and dedusting the filter element if the difference value between the second and first pressure reference values reaches a second threshold value, or switching off the vacuum cleaning appliance if the difference value between the second and first pressure reference values reaches a third threshold value. A vacuum cleaning appliance for carrying out the method.

In order to achieve the objective of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner for performing autonomous driving, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a main body; a driving unit for moving the main body; a suctioning unit installed on a front side of the main body; a plurality of sensors installed on the front side of the main body and on both sides of the main body, respectively, for sensing obstacles present in each direction; and a control unit for controlling the driving unit to move the main body on the basis of a preset driving pattern, wherein the control unit uses sensors provided at the front side of the main body and a first side of the both sides of the main body so as to detect whether entry into a corner area among cleaning areas is made while driving along the preset driving pattern, and controls the driving unit such that the first side of the main body comes into contact with a first wall forming the corner area at least one time when the main body enters the corner area.

A dirt collector that includes a housing and an air-permeable filter media extending from the housing such that the filter media and housing at least partially define a collection volume. The housing has an inlet opening in fluid communication with the volume and at least a portion of the housing is transmissive of infrared radiation

A cleaner including a base defining a suction chamber, a brush roll driven by a brush roll motor, a sensor configured to sense a parameter related to a floor; and a controller having a memory and electronic processor. The controller is configured to receive the parameter, control the brush roll motor based on the parameter and a first floor coefficient, determine a second floor coefficient based on the parameter, and control the brush roll motor based on the second floor coefficient.

In general, the present disclosure is directed to a force-sensing arrangement for use in surface cleaning devices, such as a vacuum device, that allows a user-supplied force to be translated into a command signal to cause the surface cleaning device to accelerate forward, reverse or to veer/turn in a desired direction. In an embodiment, the surface cleaning device includes a nozzle, wheels, motor(s) to drive the wheels, and an upright handle portion. The surface cleaning device includes a force-sensing arrangement with load cells coupled at a position where user force is transferred from the upright portion to the nozzle. The force-sensing arrangement detects the user supplying a relatively small amount of force and translates the same into measurement signals. A controller coupled to the load cells utilizes the measurement signals to determine or “infer” a desired direction of travel.