A method of cleaning a surface includes positioning a brush in contact with the surface. The method further includes rotating the brush about a second axis relative to a drum. The method also includes rotating the drum about a first axis relative to a bracket, connected to a handle and rotatably supporting the drum, such that the brush orbitally revolves about the first axis. The first axis is parallel to the second axis.

A central vacuum cleaning system includes an inlet valve mounted at various locations in a structure or RV and connected to the inlet end of a vacuum conduit. A section of hose is slidably mounted within the conduit and extends from the inlet valve for cleaning an adjacent area. A pair of seals within the inlet valve retains a nozzle handle mounted on the end of the hose in a stored position when the hose is in a retracted position and provides an air seal between the handle and vacuum supply conduit. A locking mechanism mounted on one embodiment of the inlet valves automatically locks the hose in a selected extended position when manually pulled from the inlet valve by a locking finger engaging an adjacent section of the hose. An electric switch on the inlet valve enables a user to actuate the vacuum supply source. A mounting bracket enables the inlet valve to be mounted at various locations in the structure and a pair of seals enables the inlet valve to be open to the ambient atmosphere.

The invention relates to a device for cleaning an optical sensor (2) of an optical detection system of a motor vehicle, which comprises spray means (4) for spraying a cleaning liquid onto an exterior surface (20) of this optical sensor (2). The device comprises suction means (7) of which a chamber (5) opens onto at least a portion of the periphery of this optical sensor (2).

An apparatus, system, and method for dual-mode vehicle-mounted cleaning are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a heat-exchanger subsystem having first and second heat-receiving pathways and a heat-providing pathway. Heat exhaust from a combustion engine is routed through the heat-providing pathway to transfer heat to both the first and second heat-receiving pathways. The first heat-receiving pathway, the second heat-receiving pathway, and the heat-providing pathway are fluidly independent of each other. The apparatus also includes a first liquid pathway fluidly coupled to the first heat-receiving pathway, configured to direct a hard-surface cleaning liquid, by a first pump, through the first heat-receiving pathway to a hard-surface cleaning tool, and a second liquid pathway fluidly coupled to the second heat-receiving pathway, configured to direct a soft-surface cleaning liquid, at a lower pressure than a first liquid in the first liquid pathway, through the second heat-receiving pathway to a soft-surface cleaning tool.

The invention relates to the use of a suction-cleaning attachment of a cleaning device for cleaning the interior of motor vehicles by means of a suction airflow, having a housing which has a suction duct for conducting the suction airflow, there being in the housing in addition to the suction duct a compressed air duct for conducting a compressed airflow, and/or the housing being assigned in addition to the suction duct a compressed air duct for conducting a compressed airflow, and a grip region for gripping the suction-cleaning attachment with one hand being provided on the outside of the housing. According to the invention, a switch for controlling the compressed airflow is provided, and the switch is arranged on the grip region such that the switch can be operated by the hand holding the grip region.

A vacuum tool configured to be removably coupled to hose or wand of a vacuum includes a body including a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The vacuum tool also includes a head coupled to the first end of the body, a connection portion coupled to the second end of the body and configured to couple the body to a hose or wand of a vacuum cleaner, and a brush coupled to the head. The brush includes an elongate support defining a second axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body and configured to couple the brush to the head, and a plurality of bristles positioned on the elongate support.

Systems and methods are directed to automated cleaning systems for vehicles. In one example, a vehicle is provided that includes a drive system, a passenger cabin, and a vehicle cleaning system. The vehicle cleaning system includes a vacuum unit and a robotic manipulator. The robotic manipulator includes an arm including a plurality of arm sections and a gripper unit positioned at a distal end of the arm. The robotic manipulator is connected to the vacuum unit such that the arm provides a vacuum path between the vacuum unit and the gripper unit.

A vacuum cleaner assembly configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The vacuum cleaner assembly includes a vacuum module and a collector module configured to collect debris and operatively coupled to the vacuum module. The collector module includes a canister assembly with an intake port, an output port, and a flapper valve coupled to the intake port. An elbow assembly couples the vacuum module to the collector module and includes an intake end attached to the output port of the canister assembly. The intake end has a foam section disposed on a grill insert. Upon removal of the canister assembly from the collector module, the flapper valve moves to a closed position over the intake port of the canister assembly to keep debris contained in the canister assembly, and the grill insert and the foam section remain in place in the intake end of the elbow assembly.

A vacuum cleaner comprising a connecting device to a thermal control system of a vehicle, a flexible hose with a connection end on the connecting device for creating suction into the flexible hose, and a dust collecting box mounted onto the flexible hose.

A vacuum cleaner configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The vacuum cleaner including a vacuum module configured to draw a vacuum, and a collector module configured to collect debris and coupled to the vacuum module. The collector module has a canister sub-assembly. A locking assembly for the canister sub-assembly includes at least one latch stay, a latch adapted to contact the latch stay, and a latch lock having a latch lock blade. The latch lock is moveable between a fully closed position, in which the latch lock blade contacts a panel member to maintain engagement between the latch and the at least one latch stay, and a fully open position. In the fully open position, the latch is disengaged from the at least one latch stay, enabling the canister sub-assembly to be removed from the collector module.