A surface cleaner is disclosed having abase moveable along a surface and an operating component configured to perform a function of the cleaner. The surface cleaner includes a sensor configured to generate a signal based on the surface and a controller in communication with the sensor and the operating component. The controller is operable to convert the signal from a time domain to a frequency domain to generate a surface fingerprint. Furthermore, the controller is operable to control the operating component based on the surface fingerprint.

A vacuum cleaner includes an upright body mounted to a base that moves over a surface to be cleaned. A rotational coupling can be provided between the upright body and the base for coupling the upright body to the base for movement about at least one rotational axis. The rotational coupling can include at least a swivel joint. A cord rewinder can be provided above the swivel joint for storing and dispensing a power cord.

A vacuum cleaner includes an upright body mounted to a base that moves over a surface to be cleaned. A rotational coupling can be provided between the upright body and the base for coupling the upright body to the base for movement about at least one rotational axis. The rotational coupling can include at least a swivel joint. A cord rewinder can be provided above the swivel joint for storing and dispensing a power cord.

The present invention relates to a modular cleaner which has each constituent component modularized to have the connecting order changed in accordance with a usage condition or be used by selecting and coupling only the necessary constituents, the modular cleaner comprising: a body unit having a motor and an impeller therein to generate a suction force, and having a dust collecting part for storing impurities; a battery unit provided on the body unit and for applying a power source to the motor and impeller; a handle unit which can be detached from the body unit and has a grip part which can be held by a user; and a cleaning unit applying physical force to an object to be cleaned by coming into contact with the object to be cleaned, wherein coupling parts for coupling with the handle unit or cleaning unit are provided on both end parts of the body unit.

The present invention relates to a modular cleaner which has each constituent component modularized to have the connecting order changed in accordance with a usage condition or be used by selecting and coupling only the necessary constituents, the modular cleaner comprising: a body unit having a motor and an impeller therein to generate a suction force, and having a dust collecting part for storing impurities; a battery unit provided on the body unit and for applying a power source to the motor and impeller; a handle unit which can be detached from the body unit and has a grip part which can be held by a user; and a cleaning unit applying physical force to an object to be cleaned by coming into contact with the object to be cleaned, wherein coupling parts for coupling with the handle unit or cleaning unit are provided on both end parts of the body unit.

A cleaning apparatus may include a cleaning unit that is kept from moving downwardly from a predetermined limit position. The apparatus body includes a positioning member that positions the cleaning unit at the limit position. The cleaning unit includes an intake nozzle that is arranged at a position separated from the surface to be cleaned by a predetermined gap, a cam member that holds the cleaning unit at the limit position, and an operation input unit that changes the limit position to a higher position by moving the cleaning unit upward by operating the cam member.

A cleaning apparatus may include a cleaning unit that is kept from moving downwardly from a predetermined limit position. The apparatus body includes a positioning member that positions the cleaning unit at the limit position. The cleaning unit includes an intake nozzle that is arranged at a position separated from the surface to be cleaned by a predetermined gap, a cam member that holds the cleaning unit at the limit position, and an operation input unit that changes the limit position to a higher position by moving the cleaning unit upward by operating the cam member.

An autonomous floor-cleaning robot comprising a housing infrastructure including a chassis, a power subsystem, a motive subsystem to propel the robot for cleaning operations, a command and control subsystem to control the robot to effect cleaning operations, and a self-adjusting cleaning head subsystem that includes a deck mounted in pivotal combination with the chassis, a brush assembly to sweep up particulates during cleaning operations, a vacuum assembly to ingest particulates during cleaning operations, and a deck adjusting subassembly mounted in combination with the motive subsystem for the brush assembly, the deck, and the chassis that is automatically operative in response to an increase in brush torque in said brush assembly to pivot the deck with respect to said chassis. The robot includes a side brush assembly to entrain particulates outside the periphery of the housing infrastructure and to direct such particulates towards the self-adjusting cleaning head system.

An autonomous floor-cleaning robot comprising a housing infrastructure including a chassis, a power subsystem, a motive subsystem to propel the robot for cleaning operations, a command and control subsystem to control the robot to effect cleaning operations, and a self-adjusting cleaning head subsystem that includes a deck mounted in pivotal combination with the chassis, a brush assembly to sweep up particulates during cleaning operations, a vacuum assembly to ingest particulates during cleaning operations, and a deck adjusting subassembly mounted in combination with the motive subsystem for the brush assembly, the deck, and the chassis that is automatically operative in response to an increase in brush torque in said brush assembly to pivot the deck with respect to said chassis. The robot includes a side brush assembly to entrain particulates outside the periphery of the housing infrastructure and to direct such particulates towards the self-adjusting cleaning head system.

A surface cleaning head with dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) 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 rotating brush roll may be located in the suction conduit with the leading roller located in front of and spaced from the brush roll, forming an inter-roller air passageway therebetween. The leading roller may provide a softer cleaning element than the brush roll and may also have an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the brush roll. The surface cleaning head may also include debriding protrusions contacting the leading roller and/or a leading bumper that extends in front of the leading roller.