A cleaning device has a cleaning roller that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and serves for treating a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning roller is in the form of a hollow body with an internal liquid chamber, and at least one hollow body opening for releasing liquid from the liquid chamber. In order to develop a cleaning device, in which liquid is only released from the liquid chamber to the surface of the hollow body under certain conditions, a mechanically actuated valve element is assigned to the hollow body opening, wherein the valve element can be displaced into a closing position, in which the hollow body opening is closed, and/or into an opening position, in which the hollow body opening is released, depending on the magnitude of a centrifugal force that acts upon the valve element as a result of a rotation of the cleaning roller.

An autonomous coverage robot detection system includes an emitter configured to emit a directed beam, a detector configured to detect the directed beam and a controller configured to direct the robot in response to a signal detected by the detector. In some examples, the detection system detects a stasis condition of the robot. In some examples, the detection system detects a wall and can follow the wall in response to the detected signal.

An autonomous coverage robot detection system includes an emitter configured to emit a directed beam, a detector configured to detect the directed beam and a controller configured to direct the robot in response to a signal detected by the detector. In some examples, the detection system detects a stasis condition of the robot. In some examples, the detection system detects a wall and can follow the wall in response to the detected signal.

A surface cleaner may have various features including an engagement mechanism secured to an agitator support frame and positioned to be pivoted by an agitator lift lever as the agitator lift lever translates, the pivoting engagement mechanism lifting the agitator support frame and the agitator secured thereto from a lowered position to a raised position. Other features may include a projection to limit belt slack when the agitator assembly is raised, a compact detent mechanism for releasing a spine assembly in an upright surface cleaner, a compact motor drive assembly, a self-priming centrifugal pump, a fluid-dispensing system having a high flow operating state and a low flow operating state, and a clean-out tray in which a base of the surface cleaner may be docked.

The invention relates to a system (1) for automatically cleaning a surface of a floor, comprising a cleaning element (10). The system is arranged for moving the cleaning element relative to the floor between a rest position and a position of use, in which the cleaning element is moveable across the floor surface. The cleaning element (10) is received in the floor in the rest position. The system (1) further comprises a guiding element (20) on which the cleaning element (10) is movable. Adjacent to the guiding element (20) floorplates (100) are arranged such that gutters (102) are defined between the floorplates (100) and the guiding element (20) The invention also relates to a floor provided with the system (10) according to the invention.

A pad particularly adapted for surface cleaning. The pad includes an absorbent core having the ability to absorb and retain liquid material, and a liner layer in contact with and covering at least one side of the absorbent core. The liner layer has the ability to retain and wick liquid material through the liner layer. Cleaning apparatus containing such pads and methods of using such pads are also described.

An autonomous coverage robot includes a chassis having forward and rearward portions and a drive system carried by the chassis. The forward portion of the chassis defines a substantially rectangular shape. The robot includes a cleaning assembly mounted on the forward portion of the chassis and a bin disposed adjacent the cleaning assembly and configured to receive debris agitated by the cleaning assembly. A bin cover is pivotally attached to a lower portion of the chassis and configured to rotate between a first, closed position providing closure of an opening defined by the bin and a second, open position providing access to the bin opening. The robot includes a body attached to the chassis and a handle disposed on an upper portion of the body. A bin cover release is actuatable from substantially near the handle.

A surface cleaner may have various features including an engagement mechanism secured to an agitator support frame and positioned to be pivoted by an agitator lift lever as the agitator lift lever translates, the pivoting engagement mechanism lifting the agitator support frame and the agitator secured thereto from a lowered position to a raised position. Other features may include a projection to limit belt slack when the agitator assembly is raised, a compact detent mechanism for releasing a spine assembly in an upright surface cleaner, a compact motor drive assembly, a self-priming centrifugal pump, a fluid-dispensing system having a high flow operating state and a low flow operating state, and a clean-out tray in which a base of the surface cleaner may be docked.

The invention relates to a cleaning device, in particular a suction wiper, having a housing with at least one cleaning medium for receiving a cleaning agent, having a cleaning medium carrier for receiving the cleaning medium, having a drive for driving the cleaning medium carrier and having a controller. At least one vibration sensor for detecting a strength of a vibration is arranged in the housing and the controller is designed to determine the moisture of the cleaning medium, the controller evaluating a change in the strength of the vibration. The invention also relates to a method for operating a cleaning device.