An apparatus for cleaning a surface includes a liquid delivery system for storing cleaning liquid and delivering the cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned, a fluid recovery system and a control system. The control system includes a controller that is coupled to a sensing assembly. Methods of operating the same include sensing foam or liquid with the sensing assembly.

The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a recovery system that extracts liquid and debris with a drying cycle in which forced air flows through a recovery pathway of the recovery system to dry out components that remain wet and/or retain moisture after normal operation of the apparatus. The post-operation drying cycle can dry out components such as an agitator or brushroll, a brush chamber, a suction nozzle, a recovery tank, a filter, and any of the various conduits, ducts, and/or hoses fluidly coupling components of the recovery system together.

The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a recovery system that extracts liquid and debris with a drying cycle in which forced air flows through a recovery pathway of the recovery system to dry out components that remain wet and/or retain moisture after normal operation of the apparatus. The post-operation drying cycle can dry out components such as an agitator or brushroll, a brush chamber, a suction nozzle, a recovery tank, a filter, and any of the various conduits, ducts, and/or hoses fluidly coupling components of the recovery system together.

An extraction cleaner includes a suction nozzle having an inlet path and suction fan configured to provide suction. The inlet path brings liquid and air into the extraction cleaner. Suction fan has a fan entrance, a recovery tank is spaced from the fan entrance. A separator element configured to allow liquid to flow into the recovery tank, inhibit the flow of liquid out of the recovery tank, and inhibit liquid from reaching the fan entrance, or all three. The separator element may be a butterfly valve configured to selectively close the fan entrance. The separator element may be a funnel extending into the recovery tank to block liquid from leaving the recovery tank during inversion. The separator element may be a fan separator adjacent the suction fan, which directs liquid outward, away from the fan separator, within the extraction cleaner, such that liquid is moved away from the suction fan.

An extraction cleaner includes a suction nozzle having an inlet path and suction fan configured to provide suction. The inlet path brings liquid and air into the extraction cleaner. Suction fan has a fan entrance, a recovery tank is spaced from the fan entrance. A separator element configured to allow liquid to flow into the recovery tank, inhibit the flow of liquid out of the recovery tank, and inhibit liquid from reaching the fan entrance, or all three. The separator element may be a butterfly valve configured to selectively close the fan entrance. The separator element may be a funnel extending into the recovery tank to block liquid from leaving the recovery tank during inversion. The separator element may be a fan separator adjacent the suction fan, which directs liquid outward, away from the fan separator, within the extraction cleaner, such that liquid is moved away from the suction fan.

A surface cleaning apparatus includes a steam delivery system, a liquid delivery system, and a recovery system. The steam delivery system may include a steam dispenser having one outlet to dispense steam toward the surface to be cleaned and another outlet to dispense steam away from the surface to be cleaned as visible steam vapor. The apparatus may have multiple cleaning modes, including a mode where liquid is dispensed and a mode where liquid and steam are dispensed. Methods for operating a surface cleaning apparatus and for self-cleaning a surface cleaning apparatus are also provided.

An extraction cleaner is provided with a removable recovery tank having a recovery container, a drain opening quick-empty valve, and an actuator assembly for emptying the recovery container. The drain opening can be provided on a lower portion of the recovery container. The actuator assembly can selectively open the valve. At least a portion of the actuator assembly can be provided on an upper portion of the recovery container.

An extraction cleaner is provided with a removable recovery tank having a recovery container, a drain opening quick-empty valve, and an actuator assembly for emptying the recovery container. The drain opening can be provided on a lower portion of the recovery container. The actuator assembly can selectively open the valve. At least a portion of the actuator assembly can be provided on an upper portion of the recovery container.

An extraction head for a cleaning machine is disclosed for traveling along a cleaning path on a variable-height floor. The extraction head comprises a body including a floor-facing surface and an extraction aperture disposed in the floor-facing surface. The extraction head comprises a vacuum outlet in fluid communication with the extraction aperture. The extraction head comprises an adjustable-height brush positioned in front of the extraction head body along the cleaning path. The adjustable-height brush is configured to translocate upwardly and downwardly as the extraction head moves along the cleaning path on the variable-height floor. The adjustable-height brush may comprise a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The proximal and distal ends may be configured to translocate upwardly and downwardly relative to each other as the extraction head moves along the cleaning path on the variable-height floor.

An extraction head for a cleaning machine is disclosed for traveling along a cleaning path on a variable-height floor. The extraction head comprises a body including a floor-facing surface and an extraction aperture disposed in the floor-facing surface. The extraction head comprises a vacuum outlet in fluid communication with the extraction aperture. The extraction head comprises an adjustable-height brush positioned in front of the extraction head body along the cleaning path. The adjustable-height brush is configured to translocate upwardly and downwardly as the extraction head moves along the cleaning path on the variable-height floor. The adjustable-height brush may comprise a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The proximal and distal ends may be configured to translocate upwardly and downwardly relative to each other as the extraction head moves along the cleaning path on the variable-height floor.