DIRECTIONALLY-AWARE VACUUM CLEANER

Abstract

The present disclosure is generally directed to controlling a rotation speed of a cleaning roller associated with a cleaning head of a vacuum system. Sensor circuitry is included that is configured to sense a directional movement of the cleaning head. Controllable motor circuitry is coupled to the cleaning roller, and the motor circuitry is controls the rotational speed of the cleaning roller based on the directional movement sensed by the sensor circuitry.

Claims

1. A cleaning head for a vacuum system, comprising: a main body including a vacuum orifice; a controllable cleaning roller attached to the main body and disposed at least partially within the vacuum orifice; controllable motor circuitry disposed within the main body for controlling a rotational speed of the controllable cleaning roller; and sensor circuitry disposed within the main body to generate a first control signal indicative of, or proportional to, a first direction movement of the main body; the sensor circuitry to generate a second control signal indicative of, or proportional to, a second direction movement of the main body; wherein the controllable motor circuitry to control the rotational speed of the controllable cleaning roller to have a first rotation speed based on the first control signal; and wherein the controllable motor circuitry to control the rotational speed of the controllable cleaning roller to have a second rotation speed based on the second control signal.

2. The cleaning head of claim 1, further comprising an articulating scraper assembly disposed adjacent to the controllable cleaning roller; wherein the articulating scraper assembly configured to pivot to a first position when the main body is moving in the first direction, and configured to pivot to a second position when the main body is moving in the second direction.

3. The cleaning head of claim 2, wherein the first direction indicates a forward direction of the main body and wherein the first position of the articulating scraper assembly corresponds to a deployed position in which the scraper assembly is in contact, at least in part, with a surface beneath the main body; and wherein the second direction indicates a reverse direction of the main body and wherein the second position of the articulating scraper assembly corresponds to a retracted position in which the scraper assembly is spaced apart from the surface beneath the main body.

4. The cleaning head of claim 2, wherein the scraper assembly comprises an elongated strip portion coupled to a rotatable head portion; wherein the rotatable head portion is pivotally coupled within a groove of the main body; and wherein the elongated strip portion is formed of a material selected from a pliable elastomeric material, stiff bristles, rubber flaps, and plush material.

5. The cleaning head of claim 2, wherein the sensor circuitry comprises a Hall sensor circuitry, and wherein the scraper assembly further includes a magnetic element rotatable into a first magnet position corresponding to the first position of the articulating scraper assembly and a second position corresponding to the second position of the articulating scraper assembly; wherein the Hall sensor circuitry configured to generate the first control signal when the magnetic element is in the first magnet position; and the Hall sensor circuitry further configured to generate the second control signal when the magnetic element is in the second magnet position.

6. The cleaning head of claim 2, wherein the sensor circuitry comprises spring contact sensor circuitry coupled to the scraper assembly; wherein the spring contact sensor circuitry configured to generate the first control signal when the scraper assembly the first position; and the spring contact sensor circuitry further configured to generate the second control signal when the scraper assembly is in the second position.

7. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the first direction is a forward directional movement of the main body and the second direction is a reverse directional movement of the main body; and wherein the first rotational speed is greater than the second rotational speed.

8. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuitry comprises motion sensor circuitry configured to generate the first and second control signals based on motion of the main body.

9. The cleaning head of claim 3, further comprising a foot member pivotally coupled to the main body and adjacent to the articulating scraper assembly, the foot member configured to contact the articulating scraper assembly and urge the articulating scraper assembly to move from the first position of the articulating scraper assembly to the second position of the articulating scraper assembly.

10. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the main body further comprising rollers to enable the main body to roll across a surface.

11. A vacuum system, comprising: a handle/base portion comprising cleaning roller revolutions-per-minute (RPM) control circuitry and controllable vacuum motor circuitry; and a cleaning head fluidly coupled to the controllable vacuum motor circuitry and electrically coupled to the cleaning roller RPM control circuitry; the cleaning head comprising: a main body including a vacuum orifice fluidly coupled to the controllable vacuum motor circuitry; a controllable cleaning roller attached to the main body and disposed at least partially within the vacuum orifice; controllable motor circuitry disposed within the main body for controlling a rotational speed of the controllable cleaning roller; and sensor circuitry disposed within the main body to generate a first control signal indicative of, or proportional to, a first direction movement of the main body; the sensor circuitry to generate a second control signal indicative of, or proportional to, a second direction movement of the main body; wherein the cleaning roller RPM control circuitry to receive the first and second control signals and generate commands to the controllable motor circuitry to control the rotational speed of the controllable cleaning roller to have a first rotation speed based on the first control signal; and wherein the controllable motor circuitry to control the rotational speed of the controllable cleaning roller to have a second rotation speed based on the second control signal.

12. The vacuum system of claim 11, further comprising an articulating scraper assembly disposed adjacent to the controllable cleaning roller; wherein the articulating scraper assembly configured to pivot to a first position when the main body is moving in the first direction, and configured to pivot to a second position when the main body is moving in the second direction.

13. The vacuum system of claim 12, wherein the first direction indicates a forward direction of the main body and wherein the first position of the articulating scraper assembly corresponds to a deployed position in which the scraper assembly is in contact, at least in part, with a surface beneath the main body; and wherein the second direction indicates a reverse direction of the main body and wherein the second position of the articulating scraper assembly corresponds to a retracted position in which the scraper assembly is spaced apart from the surface beneath the main body.

14. The vacuum system of claim 12, wherein the scraper assembly comprises an elongated strip portion coupled to a rotatable head portion; wherein the rotatable head portion is pivotally coupled within a groove of the main body; and wherein the elongated strip portion is formed of a material selected from a pliable elastomeric material, stiff bristles, rubber flaps, and plush material.

15. The vacuum system of claim 12, wherein the sensor circuitry comprises a Hall sensor circuitry, and wherein the scraper assembly further includes a magnetic element rotatable into a first magnet position corresponding to the first position of the articulating scraper assembly and a second position corresponding to the second position of the articulating scraper assembly; wherein the Hall sensor circuitry configured to generate the first control signal when the magnetic element is in the first magnet position; and the Hall sensor circuitry further configured to generate the second control signal when the magnetic element is in the second magnet position.

16. The vacuum system of claim 12, wherein the sensor circuitry comprises spring contact sensor circuitry coupled to the scraper assembly; wherein the spring contact sensor circuitry configured to generate the first control signal when the scraper assembly the first position; and the spring contact sensor circuitry further configured to generate the second control signal when the scraper assembly is in the second position.

17. The vacuum system of claim 11, wherein the first direction is a forward directional movement of the main body and the second direction is a reverse directional movement of the main body; and wherein the first rotational speed is greater than the second rotational speed.

18. The vacuum system of claim 11, wherein the sensor circuitry comprises motion sensor circuitry configured to generate the first and second control signals based on motion of the main body.

19. The vacuum system of claim 13, further comprising a foot member pivotally coupled to the main body and adjacent to the articulating scraper assembly, the foot member configured to contact the articulating scraper assembly and urge the articulating scraper assembly to move from the first position of the articulating scraper assembly to the second position of the articulating scraper assembly.

20. The vacuum system of claim 11, wherein the main body further comprising rollers to enable the main body to roll across a surface.

21. The vacuum system of claim 11, further comprising vacuum suction force control circuitry configured to control a vacuum force generated by the controllable vacuum motor circuitry based on the first and second control signals.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] These and other features and advantages will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings, wherein:

[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a vacuum cleaner system according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0004] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example cleaning head according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0005] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the cleaning head according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line X-X of FIG. 2 and partially zoomed in;

[0006] FIG. 2B illustrates a close-up view of the area of the main body around the scraper assembly and the hall sensor circuitry;

[0007] FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate cross-section views of the cleaning head of FIGS. 2A and 2B operating in a forward direction (FIG. 2C) and a reverse direction (FIG. 2D);

[0008] FIG. 2E illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of a cleaning head according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line X-X of FIG. 2 and partially zoomed in;

[0009] FIG. 2F illustrates a close-up view of the area of the main body around the scraper assembly and the spring contact sensor; and

[0010] FIGS. 2G and 2H illustrate cross-section views of the cleaning head of FIGS. 2E and 2F operating in a forward direction (FIG. 2G) and a reverse direction (FIG. 2H).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The present disclosure is generally directed to vacuum cleaner with directional power control. In some embodiments described herein a cleaning head associated with the vacuum cleaner includes a powered cleaning roller and an articulating debris scraper. The articulating scraper is configured to move into a first position when the cleaning head is rolling in a forward direction, and a second position when the cleaning head is rolling in a reverse direction. The cleaning head includes sensors to determine the position of the articulating scraper. The vacuum cleaner also includes control circuitry to control a rotational speed of the cleaning roller based on the first or second position. For example, the cleaning roller may be controlled to reduce rotational speed (RPM) of the cleaning roller when the cleaning head is rolling in a reverse direction, and the cleaning roller may be controlled to increase the RPM of the cleaning roller when the cleaning head is rolling in a forward direction. In some embodiments, the control circuitry may adjust a vacuum suction force of the vacuum cleaner based on the first or second position of the scraper. By reducing the cleaning roller speed and/or vacuum suction force when the cleaning head is rolling in a reverse direction, more efficient cleaning is realized without sacrificing an overall cleaning score of the vacuum cleaner.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a vacuum cleaner system 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The system generally includes a handle or base portion 102 (handle/base 102) and a rollable cleaning head 104. The vacuum system 100 may include, for example, an upright vacuum system, canister vacuum system, handheld vacuum system, battery powered vacuum system, central vacuum cleaner, etc. The cleaning head 104 includes a controllable cleaning roller 106 and controllable motor circuitry 108 to control a rotational speed (e.g., revolutions per minute (RPM)) of the cleaning roller 106. In addition, the cleaning head 104 includes an articulating debris scraper 110 generally configured to push and gather debris along a surface that is in contact with the cleaning head 104, as will be described in greater detail below. The scraper 110 (also referred to herein as a squeegee) is pivotally coupled to the cleaning head 104, and may be deployed in a first (deployed) position and a second (retracted) position, depending on a rolling direction of the cleaning head 104, as described below. The cleaning head also includes position sensor circuitry 112 generally configured to determine the first and second positions of the scraper 110 and generate a control signal indicative of the first or second position of the scraper 110. The cleaning head 104 is in fluid communication with the handle/base portion 102 via vacuum conduit 103. In addition, the cleaning head is configured to exchange commands, sensor data and power via electrical interface 101. The electrical interface 101 may be embodied as, for example, male/female plugs, electrical contacts, locking pins/holes, etc., In some embodiments, the vacuum conduit 103 and electrical interface are generally configured to removably couple the cleaning head 104 to the handle or base portion 102.

[0013] The handle/base 102 includes cleaning roller RPM control circuitry 114 generally configured to control the controllable motor circuitry 108 (and thus control the RPM of the cleaning roller 106) based on the control signal generated by the position sensor circuitry 112. As a general matter, when the cleaning head 104 is moving in a forward direction (e.g., being pushed away from a user) the RPM of the cleaning roller 106 is controlled to have a first RPM, and when the cleaning head 104 is moving in a reverse direction (e.g., being pulled toward a user), the RPM of the cleaning roller 106 is controlled to have a second RPM. To prevent dirt and debris from being kicked away from a footprint of the cleaning head 104 when the cleaning head is moving in a reverse direction 104, according to some embodiments described herein, the second RPM is less than the first RPM, i.e., the cleaning roller 106 has a reduced RPM when the cleaning head 104 moving in a reverse direction compared to a forward direction. By way of a non-limiting example, the rotational speed of the cleaning roller 106 in the forward direction may be on the order of 1000 RPM, and the rotational speed of the cleaning roller 106 in the reverse direction may be on the order of 500 RPM (or less). Of course, rotational speed of the cleaning roller 106 may also be selected based on, for example, the type of surface to be cleaned, nozzle configuration, etc.

[0014] The handle/base portion 102 also includes controllable vacuum motor circuitry 118 generally configured to generate a suction force and supply the suction force to the cleaning head 104, via vacuum conduit 103. In some embodiments, the handle/base portion 102 may also include vacuum suction force control circuitry 116 supply generally configured to control a suction force generated by the vacuum motor circuitry 118, based on the control signal generated by the position sensor circuitry 112. For example, when the cleaning head 104 is moving in a forward direction (e.g., being pushed away from a user) the suction force generated by the vacuum motor circuitry 118 is controlled to have a first suction force, and when the cleaning head 104 is moving in a reverse direction (e.g., being pulled toward a user), the suction force generated by the vacuum motor circuitry 118 is controlled to have a second suction force. According to some embodiments described herein, the second suction force is less than the first suction force, i.e., suction force delivered to the cleaning head 104 is reduced when moving in a reverse direction compared to a forward direction, as shown by pivoting arrow 227. As a general matter, reduction of suction force in a reverse direction may lessen a pulling force required to move the cleaning head 104 across a surface. By way of non-limiting example, the suction force in a forward direction may be on the order of 100% available force, while suction force in a reverse direction may be on the order of 70% of maximum suction force.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example cleaning head 204 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The cleaning head generally includes a vacuum interface region 220 generally configured to a receive handle and control assembly (not shown in this figure) associated with a vacuum system. The vacuum interface region 220 generally forms a vacuum conduit 203 for fluid communication between the cleaning head 204 and a handle/base portion (not shown in this figure). In addition, the vacuum interface region 220 may include an electrical interface 201 to provide electrical and power coupling between the cleaning head 204 and a handle/base portion (not shown in this figure). The cleaning head 204 also includes a surface cleaning region 222 that includes a main body 224 generally configured to roll across an area to be cleaned, for example, carpet, flooring, etc. The cleaning head 204 also includes rollers 226 to facilitate movement of the cleaning head 204 across a floor in both forward and reverse directions (as generally indicated by the F arrow and R arrow). The main body 224 of the cleaning region 222 also includes main controllable cleaning roller 206 (cleaning roller 206) generally disposed within a vacuum region 229 of the main body, and generally configured to controllably rotate to lift dirt and debris into the vacuum region 229.

[0016] The cleaning roller 206 generally extends across the width of the main body 224, and may include one or more bristle tracks 221 to provide cleaning as the main body 224 passes over flooring. In the view of FIG. 2, the cleaning roller 206 is generally controlled to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. The one or more bristle tracks 221 may be formed of, for example, stiff bristles, flaps (e.g., rubber flaps), plush material (e.g., low-nap material), etc. The cleaning roller 206 may be coupled to controllable motor circuitry (not shown in this figure) to cause controllable rotation of the cleaning roller 206 and to enable a user to turn the roller 206 on and off, depending on a given cleaning task. The vacuum orifice 229 is illustrated as an elongated opening generally disposed near a leading edge or centrally to the main body 224, and the cleaning roller 206 may generally be disposed within and partially extending below the vacuum orifice 229 to enable contact with a surface to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the main body 224 may also include a leading edge roller 232 positioned forward of the cleaning roller 206, and generally configured to maintain dirt and debris within the footprint of the main body 224 as the main body moves across a floor.

[0017] The main body 224 also includes an articulating debris scraper assembly 230 (scraper 230) generally extending across the width of the main body 224, and position behind the cleaning roller 206. The scraper 230 is generally disposed parallel to the cleaning roller 206, and rotatably coupled at both ends to the main body 224. The scraper 230 may be formed of, for example, a pliable elastomeric material (e.g., soft plastic, rubber, etc.), stiff bristles, flaps (e.g., rubber flaps), plush material (e.g., low-nap material), etc. FIG. 2 illustrates the scraper 230 in a deployed position, i.e., so that the scraper 230 contacts the floor as the cleaning head 204 moves in the forward direction. As will be described below, the scraper 230 is configured to pivot forward into a retracted position as the cleaning head 204 moves in reverse, thus eliminating pile-up of debris on the rear edge of the scrapper when the cleaning head 204 moves in reverse. Features of various embodiments of the cleaning head 204 and scraper assembly 230 are described in greater detail below.

[0018] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the cleaning head 204 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line X-X of FIG. 2 and partially zoomed in. The cleaning head 204 of this embodiment includes a scraper assembly 230 that includes an elongated, flexible strip portion 234 coupled to a rotatable head portion 236. The rotatable head portion 236 is generally configured to pivot with slot 238 formed in the main body 224. As a general matter, the scraper assembly 230 is configured to rotate into a first deployed position, as shown in FIG. 2A, and a second retract position (not shown in the figure), as generally illustrated by pivot arrow 227.

[0019] As is also illustrated in FIG. 2A, the cleaning head 204 includes a controllable roller 206 generally extends across the width of the main body 224, and may include one or more bristle tracks 221 to provide cleaning as the main body 224 passes over flooring. The one or more bristle tracks 221 may be formed of, for example, stiff bristles, flaps (e.g., rubber flaps), plush material (e.g., low-nap material), etc. The cleaning roller 206 is coupled to controllable motor circuitry 208 to cause controllable rotation of the cleaning roller 206 and to enable a user to turn the roller 206 on and off, depending on a given cleaning task. The vacuum orifice 229 is illustrated as an elongated opening generally disposed near a leading edge or centrally to the main body 224, and the cleaning roller 206 may generally be disposed within and partially extending below the vacuum orifice 229 to enable contact with a surface to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the main body 224 may also include a leading edge roller 232 positioned forward of the cleaning roller 206, and generally configured to maintain dirt and debris within the footprint of the main body 224 as the main body moves across a floor. The main body 224 also includes wheels or rollers 232 disposed near the trailing edge of the main body 224 to enable the main body 224 to roll across a surface.

[0020] The cleaning head 204 also includes hall sensor circuitry 240 disposed within the main body 224 adjacent to the scraper assembly 230 generally configured to determine a first position (deployed) and a second position (retracted) of the scraper assembly 230. Details of the scrapper assembly 230 and the hall sensor circuitry 240 are described below with reference to FIG. 2B.

[0021] FIG. 2B illustrates a close-up view of the area of the main body 224 around the scraper assembly 230 and the hall sensor circuitry 240. As illustrated, the rotatable head portion 236 of the scrapper assembly 230 includes a hemispherical member 250 removably coupled to an inner housing member 252, and the rotatable head portion 236 is generally configured to pivot within slot 238. The scraper 234 includes a T-flange portion 235 generally dimensioned to fit within an anulus of the inner housing member 252. The inner housing member 252 (and scrapper 234) may be removeably coupled to the hemispherical member 250 (using, for example, tabs, interference fit, etc.) to enable removal of the inner housing member 252 and/or scrapper 234 to replace and/or clean the scrapper assembly 230.

[0022] To assist rotation of the scraper assembly 230 when the main body 224 is moving from a forward direction to a reverse direction, the present embodiment may also include at least one actuating foot assembly 260 coupled to the scrapper assembly 230, and positioned generally behind the scraper assembly 230. The actuating foot assembly 260 generally includes a first portion 262 disposed generally parallel to the scraper 234 and a curved second portion 264 that generally curves toward the rear of the main body 234. A lower edge of the first portion 262 and the curved second portion 264 extend beyond a lower edge of the scraper 234, in the deployed position shown in FIG. 2B, so that when the main body transitions from a forward direction to a reverse direction, the curved second portion 264 catches on the cleaning surface and causes a rotation of the actuating foot assembly 260, thus urging the scraper assembly 230 to rotate into a retracted position (and thus avoiding debris build up along the rearward edge of the scraper 234). In some embodiments, a plurality of actuating foot assemblies 260 may be includes along the long axis of the scraper assembly 230.

[0023] In this embodiment, the hemispherical member 250 includes magnetic member 270 disposed thereon (and/or disposed within). The magnetic member 270 is generally positioned to magnetically decouple from the hall sensor circuitry 240 when the scraper assembly 230 is in a first position, and to magnetically couple to the hall sensor circuitry 240 when the scraper assembly 230 is in a first position. By way of example, FIG. 2B illustrates the scraper assembly 230 in a first (deployed) position, and the magnetic member 270 is decoupled from the Hall sensor circuitry 240. When the cleaning head 204 is moved in the reverse direction (R), the scraper assembly 230 pivots into a retracted position (as described above), thus rotating the magnetic member 270 to magnetically couple to the Hall sensor circuitry 240.

[0024] The Hall sensor circuitry 240 is configured to generate a first control signal indicative of (or proportional to) the condition where the magnetic member 270 is decoupled from the Hall sensor circuitry 240. This is illustrated in the position of the scraper assembly 230 rotated away from the Hall sensor circuitry 240, as shown in FIG. 2B. The Hall sensor circuitry 240 is also configured to generate a second control signal indicative of (or proportional to) the condition where the magnetic member 270 is coupled from the Hall sensor circuitry 240. This occurs when the scraper assembly 230 is rotated into the retracted position (not shown), and the magnetic member 270 is rotated to be approximately facing the Hall sensor circuitry 240.

[0025] The first and second control signals generated by the Hall sensor circuitry 240 are communicated to the cleaning roller RPM control circuitry (114, FIG. 1). If the first control signal indicates that the scraper assembly 230 is in a deployed position, the cleaning roller RPM control circuitry 114 is configured to control the controllable motor circuitry 208 to cause the controllable cleaning roller 206 to rotate at a first RPM rate. This corresponds to a forward movement of the cleaning head 204. If the second control signal indicates that the scraper assembly 230 is in a retracted position, the cleaning roller RPM control circuitry 114 is configured to control the controllable motor circuitry 208 to cause the controllable cleaning roller 206 to rotate at a second RPM rate. This corresponds to a reverse movement of the cleaning head 204. To prevent kick-up of dirt and debris when moving the cleaning head 204 in a reverse direction, the first RPM is greater than the second RPM rate.

[0026] In some embodiments, in addition to (or alternatively to) controlling the controllable cleaning roller 206, the first and second control signals generated by the Hall sensor circuitry 240 may be communicated to the vacuum suction force control circuitry (116, FIG. 1). If the first control signal indicates that the scraper assembly 230 is in a deployed position, the vacuum suction force control circuitry 116 is configured to control the controllable vacuum motor circuitry (118, FIG. 1) to cause the controllable vacuum motor circuitry 118 to generate a first vacuum suction force. This corresponds to a forward movement of the cleaning head 204. If the second control signal indicates that the scraper assembly 230 is in a retracted position, the vacuum suction force control circuitry 116 is configured to control the controllable vacuum motor circuitry (118, FIG. 1) to cause the controllable vacuum motor circuitry 118 to generate a second vacuum suction force. This corresponds to a reverse movement of the cleaning head 204.

[0027] FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate cross-section views of the cleaning head 204 operating in a forward direction (FIG. 2C) and a reverse direction (FIG. 2D). As shown in FIG. 2C, the scraper assembly 230 is in the deployed, or downward, position, thus enabling dirt and debris to be pushed forward along the leading edge of the scraper 234. As illustrated in the deployed position, the bottom edge of the scraper 234 is generally coplanar with the roller 206. As also shown in FIG. 2C, the actuating foot assembly 260 is illustrated in the deployed position. As shown in FIG. 2D, the scraper assembly 230 is in the retracted position, thus preventing dirt and debris from being collected along the trailing edge of the scraper 234. As illustrated in the retracted position, the bottom edge of the scraper 234 is tucked behind the roller 206, and the actuating foot assembly 260 is illustrated in the retracted position.

[0028] As is illustrated, the internal structure of the main body 224 of the cleaning head 204 includes various slots, channels and/or chambers to affix and/or house the scraper assembly 230, cleaning roller 206, Hall sensor circuitry 240, controllable motor circuitry 208, etc., within the main body 224. Of course, such slots, channels and/or chambers to affix and/or house components within the main body 224 may be modified, for example, depending on dimensions of selected components, desired tolerances within the body and between components, etc.

[0029] FIG. 2E illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of a cleaning head 204 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line X-X of FIG. 2 and partially zoomed in. The cleaning head 204 of this embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 2B-2D (described above), except this embodiment includes a spring contact sensor 280, as will be described below. The spring contact sensor 280 is disposed within the main body 224 adjacent to the scraper assembly 230 generally configured to determine a first position (deployed) and a second position (retracted) of the scraper assembly 230. Details of the spring contact sensor 280 are described below with reference to FIG. 2F.

[0030] FIG. 2F illustrates a close-up view of the area of the main body 224 around the scraper assembly 230 and the spring contact sensor 280. The scraper assembly 230 of this embodiment is similar to the scraper assembly 230 (described above), except that scraper assembly 230 omits a magnetic member.

[0031] With reference to FIG. 2F, the spring contact sensor 280 includes a housing member 282 having an electrical contact plunger 284 disposed within the housing member 282. A pin 286 is disposed in contact with the plunger 284. A spring 288 is disposed within the housing member 282 and partially surrounding the pin 286. The spring 288 operates to bias the pin 286 toward the hemispherical member 250 of the scraper assembly 230. The pin 286 is generally positioned to contact the hemispherical member 250, and, when the scraper assembly 230 is in a first position, to cause the plunger 284 to be in a first electrical contact state, and when the scraper assembly 230 is in a second position, to cause the plunger 284 to be in a second electrical contact state. By way of example, FIG. 2F illustrates the scraper assembly 230 in a first (deployed) position, and the pin 286 is extended and in contact with the hemispherical member 250. In this position, the plunger 284 is in an extended position, as illustrated. When the cleaning head 204 is moved in the reverse direction (R), the scraper assembly 230 pivots into a retracted position (as described above), and the pin 286 is urged upward into the plunger 284 causing the plunger 284 to move upward and engage or disengage an electrical contact within the housing member. Thus, the hemispherical member 250 operates a cam and the pin 286 follows the contours of the hemispherical member 250.

[0032] The spring contact sensor circuitry 280 is configured to generate a first control signal indicative of (or proportional to) the condition where the pin 286 is extended. This is illustrated in the position of the scraper assembly 230 shown in FIG. 2F. The spring contact sensor circuitry 280 is also configured to generate a second control signal indicative of (or proportional to) the condition where the pin 286 is pushed upward into the plunger 284 causing the plunger 284 to move upward and engage or disengage an electrical contact within the housing member. This occurs when the scraper assembly 230 is rotated into the retracted position (not shown).

[0033] The first and second control signals generated by the spring contact sensor circuitry 280 are communicated to the cleaning roller RPM control circuitry (114, FIG. 1). If the first control signal indicates that the scraper assembly 230 is in a deployed position, the cleaning roller RPM control circuitry 114 is configured to control the controllable motor circuitry 208 to cause the controllable cleaning roller 206 to rotate at a first RPM rate. This corresponds to a forward movement of the cleaning head 204. If the second control signal indicates that the scraper assembly 230 is in a retracted position, the cleaning roller RPM control circuitry 114 is configured to control the controllable motor circuitry 208 to cause the controllable cleaning roller 206 to rotate at a second RPM rate. This corresponds to a reverse movement of the cleaning head 204. To prevent kick-up of dirt and debris when moving the cleaning head 204 in a reverse direction, the first RPM is greater than the second RPM rate.

[0034] In some embodiments, in addition to (or alternatively to) controlling the controllable cleaning roller 206, the first and second control signals generated by the spring contact sensor circuitry 280 may be communicated to the vacuum suction force control circuitry (116, FIG. 1). If the first control signal indicates that the scraper assembly 230 is in a deployed position, the vacuum suction force control circuitry 116 is configured to control the controllable vacuum motor circuitry (118, FIG. 1) to cause the controllable vacuum motor circuitry 118 to generate a first vacuum suction force. This corresponds to a forward movement of the cleaning head 204. If the second control signal indicates that the scraper assembly 230 is in a retracted position, the vacuum suction force control circuitry 116 is configured to control the controllable vacuum motor circuitry (118, FIG. 1) to cause the controllable vacuum motor circuitry 118 to generate a second vacuum suction force. This corresponds to a reverse movement of the cleaning head 204.

[0035] FIGS. 2G and 2H illustrate cross-section views of the cleaning head 204 operating in a forward direction (FIG. 2G) and a reverse direction (FIG. 2H). As shown in FIG. 2G, the scraper assembly 230 is in the deployed, or downward, position, thus enabling dirt and debris to be pushed forward along the leading edge of the scraper 234, and the bottom edge of the scraper 234 is generally coplanar with the roller 206. As also shown in FIG. 2F, the actuating foot assembly 260 is illustrated in the deployed position. In the deployed position, the pin 286 is in a biased downward position to cause the plunger 284 to be in the first electrical contact state. As shown in FIG. 2, the scraper assembly 230 is in the retracted position, thus preventing dirt and debris from being collected along the trailing edge of the scraper 234. As illustrated in the retracted position, the bottom edge of the scraper 234 is tucked behind the roller 206, and the actuating foot assembly 260 is illustrated in the retracted position. In the retracted position, the pin 286 is in a biased upward position to cause the plunger 284 to be in the second electrical contact state.

[0036] As is illustrated, the internal structure of the main body 224 of the cleaning head 204 includes various slots, channels and/or chambers to affix and/or house the scraper assembly 230, cleaning roller 206, spring contact sensor circuitry 280, controllable motor circuitry 208, etc., within the main body 224. Of course, such slots, channels and/or chambers to affix and/or house components within the main body 224 may be modified, for example, depending on dimensions of selected components, desired tolerances within the body and between components, etc.

[0037] In some embodiments, the cleaning head 204/204/204 described above may include other types of sensors. For example, electrical contacts may be positioned on the hemispherical member 250 and mating contacts positioned on a surface of the groove 238 such that as the scraper assembly 230 is rotated, electrical coupling is connected or disconnected based on the position of the scraper assembly 230. Of course, these are only examples of the types of sensors that may be used to detect motion of the scraper assembly 230, and those skilled in the art will recognize may alternatives and/or modifications to the sensors described herein, and all such alternatives and/or modifications are deemed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In still other embodiments, the cleaning head 204 and/or handle/base portion 102 may include, for example, a motion sensor, image sensor, infrared sensor, etc., to determine a motion direction of the cleaning head independently of the scraper assembly 230, and in such embodiments the scraper assembly 230 may be omitted.

[0038] As used in this application and in the claims, a list of items joined by the term and/or can mean any combination of the listed items. For example, the phrase A, B and/or C can mean A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C. As used in this application and in the claims, a list of items joined by the term at least one of can mean any combination of the listed terms. For example, the phrases at least one of A, B or C can mean A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C.

[0039] Any of the operations described herein may be implemented in a system that includes one or more non-transitory storage devices having stored therein, individually or in combination, instructions that when executed by circuitry perform the operations. Such instructions may embodied as, for example, machine code, and/or higher level implementations such as software programing, application (app) programming, etc. Circuitry, as used in any embodiment herein, may comprise, for example, singly or in any combination, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry such as processors comprising one or more individual instruction processing cores, state machine circuitry, and/or firmware that stores instructions executed by programmable circuitry and/or future computing circuitry including, for example, massive parallelism, analog or quantum computing, hardware embodiments of accelerators such as neural net processors and non-silicon implementations of the above. The circuitry may, collectively or individually, be embodied as circuitry that forms part of a larger system, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), system on-chip (SoC), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLD), digital signal processors (DSP). field programmable gate array (FPGA), logic gates, registers, semiconductor device, chips, microchips, chip sets, etc.

[0040] The storage device includes any type of tangible medium, for example, any type of disk including hard disks, floppy disks, optical disks, compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs), compact disk rewritables (CD-RWs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor devices such as read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs) such as dynamic and static RAMs, erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), flash memories, Solid State Disks (SSDs), embedded multimedia cards (eMMCs), secure digital input/output (SDIO) cards, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions. Other embodiments may be implemented as software executed by a programmable control device. Also, it is intended that operations described herein may be distributed across a plurality of physical devices, such as processing structures at more than one different physical location.

[0041] The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described (or portions thereof), and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such equivalents. Various features, aspects, and embodiments have been described herein. The features, aspects, and embodiments are susceptible to combination with one another as well as to variation and modification, as will be understood by those having skill in the art. The present disclosure should, therefore, be considered to encompass such combinations, variations, and modifications.