Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning or maintaining the outer side of a hull of a marine vessel or the inner side of a cargo hold of a marine vessel. The apparatus includes a housing provided with a first row of magnetic driving and attachment elements and a second row of magnetic driving and attachment elements. The first and second row being parallel and arranged at opposing lateral sides of the housing. The first row of magnetic driving and attachment elements comprising magnetic wheels and/or a continuous track with magnetic links. The second row of magnetic driving and attachment elements comprising magnetic wheels and/or a continuous track with magnetic links. Further, the apparatus is provided with least one suspended magnetic wheel arranged between the first row and the second row, the at least one suspended magnetic wheel being resiliently suspended from the housing and biased towards the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes a main body and a suction nozzle. The suction nozzle includes a housing, a button, a rotating brush, and a detachable cover. The housing includes an insertion hole. The button includes a first protrusion. The detachable cover includes a cover body and a slider. The cover body includes an insertion member, a second protrusion, and a rail. The rotating brush is rotatably mounted to the slider. The slider is mounted on the rail so as to be movable in a first direction. The insertion member is inserted into the insertion hole in the first direction. As the button is moved, the first protrusion is selectively positioned in a movement path in the first direction of the second protrusion.

Abstract: The application describes a device in the form of a robot for performing operations on ship hulls. The robot comprises magnetic wheels enabling the robot to adhere to ferrous hulls via magnetic forces and a suspension arrangement for supporting the wheels on a body of the robot and for allowing the robot to travel over uneven surfaces. The wheels include a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels, with the pairs of wheels spaced apart from one another along a length of the robot. The suspension arrangement comprises a suspension pivot mechanism allowing a line extending between the centers of the first pair of wheels to rotate relative to a line extending between the centers of the second pair of wheels, along with a camber pivot mechanism for each wheel, with the camber pivot mechanism allowing the axis of rotation of the wheel to rotate relative to the axes of rotation of the other wheels in order that the wheel can align its axis of rotation with the surface of the hull.

Abstract: A robot cleaner for cleaning in consideration of a floor state through artificial intelligence includes a cleaning unit including a suction unit and a mopping unit, a driving unit to drive the robot cleaner, and a processor to obtain a carpet area or a rug area based on cleaning data, and to control the driving unit to change an entrance direction of the robot cleaner when the robot cleaner enters the carpet area or the rug area.

Abstract: A roadway or pavement sweeper with multiple sweeping modes for the removal of debris from a swept surface may, in some embodiments, include a sweeper vehicle having a pair of side-brooms independently movable between a retracted and extended position for sweeping debris into an area therebetween and at least one material-transfer broom to sweep a portion of the debris accumulated between the side-brooms as the vehicle moves in its direction of travel. A fan-driven suction-inlet may be provided at or adjacent each side of the vehicle. The at least one material-transfer broom may rotate in a first or other direction to transfer debris for entrainment into a selected suction-inlet for transfer to a debris hopper. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A robot may include a main body coupled to a traveling unit, a display unit disposed above a front portion of the main body, and a battery incorporated in the main body. The traveling unit may include a wheel having a rotational axis extending in a first direction, and the battery may overlap a vertical plane that extends along the rotational axis. The vertical plane and a center of the battery may be separated by a prescribed distance in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: A mobile cleaner includes a body, a mop module, and a sweep module. The mop module includes a pair of spin mops configured to rotate and mop a surface. The sweep module is configured to sweep up foreign material on the surface using a rotating agitator. The sweep module includes a dust housing, the agitator, and a wheel assembly. The wheel assembly is configured to support the dust housing on the surface and includes a wheel body that is movable in a vertical direction. A cliff sensor is configured to detect movement of the wheel body.

Abstract: A reconfigurable vacuum attachment may include a bell-shaped housing. The bell-shaped housing may have a bell-opening and a hose-interface. The hose-interface may be configured to hydraulically couple with a vacuum hose. A skimmer-plate may be attachable to the bell-opening and include a skimmer-aperture extending through the skimmer-plate. The reconfigurable vacuum attachment may further include a removable brush assembly. The brush assembly may host a rotatable brush coupled to a brush driver. The brush driver may be configured to hydraulically couple with the vacuum hose and convert water flow into a torque and spin the bristles. A buoy may be attached to the housing allowing the reconfigurable vacuum attachment to be used as a pool skimmer. The reconfigurable vacuum attachment is useful for skimming a pool surface and dislodging and vacuuming matter from a pool wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for driving on the basis of characteristics of a driving surface, and a robot for implementing the same, and a method for driving on the basis of characteristics of a driving surface, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, comprises the steps in which: a sensing module of the robot senses an adjacent driving surface to generate characteristic information of the driving surface, and a control unit of the robot stores position and characteristic information of the driving surface in a map storage of the robot; the controller of the robot sets a function to be applied to the driving surface in response to the characteristic information of the driving surface, or generates a movement path selectively including the driving surface corresponding to start and end points of the robot; and the controller controls a moving unit and a functional unit of the robot according to the set function or the movement path.

Abstract: New and novel structure(s) for cleaning surfaces have been disclosed. The device may include; a wiping surface, which may be disposable; a brush roll/larger debris gathering mechanism; a local debris storage and/or staging area, and a larger remote debris storage structure. Additionally, there are mechanisms and structures disclosed for powering the brush roll, activating the brush roll from an out of use position to an in use position, waste from one area to another. The invention at hand uniquely and inventively improves upon the known devices in this field.

Abstract: A method for collecting garbage from a surface includes providing a motor-sweeper including a sweep broom. A rear guide is provided between the sweep broom and the collecting container extending downwards from the collecting container close to the sweep broom. The sweep broom rests with the guide assembly onto the surface, and the sweep broom is rotated in order to collect and convey the garbage into the collecting container. The rotation of the sweep broom causes the garbage to be swept forwardly and upwardly with respect to the forward motion of the motor-sweeper. In response to the bristles of the sweep broom wearing, the sweep broom is moved toward the surface and the guide assembly and the rear guide are moved towards the sweep broom so as to maintain uniform spaces between the sweep broom and the guide assembly, and the sweep broom and the rear guide.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present application provide a cleaning device and a roller brush component. The roller brush component includes a mounting base, a roller brush frame, an adjusting mechanism, a first roller brush and a second roller brush. A notch is formed on one side of the mounting base. The roller brush frame is rotatablely connected with the mounting base. The adjusting mechanism is in driving connection with the roller brush frame to drive the roller brush frame to rotate. The first roller brush and the second roller brush are connected with the roller brush frame, and the roller brushes are positioned in the notch. The roller brush frame, the first roller brush and the second roller brush are configured such that the first roller brush and the second roller brush may have different ground clearances during rotation of the roller brush frame.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner of the present disclosure includes a cleaner body having a suction motor provided inside thereof and a handle provided outside thereof, and a suction nozzle connected to the cleaner body, wherein the suction nozzle includes a housing having at least part of a front portion opened, and a rotary cleaning unit disposed inside the housing, having at least part thereof exposed through the opening of the housing, and configured to clean a floor by a rotating operation, wherein the rotary cleaning unit includes a cylindrical nozzle body rotatably installed inside the housing, and fiber filaments and metal filaments disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle body.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including a body defining an agitation chamber, an agitator partially disposed within the agitation chamber and configured to rotate about a pivot axis, and a debrider at least partially disposed within the agitation chamber. The agitator includes an elongated body having a first and a second end, a sidewall extending radially outward from the elongated body extending between the first and the second ends, and a plurality of bristles extending radially outward from the elongated body. The plurality of bristles are arranged in at least one row adjacent to the sidewall. The debrider includes a plurality of teeth configured to contact a portion of the sidewall as the agitator rotates about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A floor cleaning tool including a housing, a reservoir coupled to the housing and adapted to hold a cleaning solution, and a floor-engaging roller coupled to the housing and rotatable with respect to the housing. The tool also includes a wheel by which the floor cleaning tool moves across a floor surface in a direction of travel at least partially defining a front, rear, and lateral sides of the floor cleaning tool. The tool further includes a squeegee laterally insertable between the roller and the wheel, and a squeegee mount located between the roller and the wheel by which the squeegee is releasably mounted to the floor cleaning tool by first and second laterally opposed protrusions rotatably secured within first and second apertures at opposite ends of the squeegee.

Abstract: A robot that includes a cleaning head including a first cleaning roller comprising a first sheath comprising a first shell and a first plurality of vanes extending along the first shell and extending radially outward from the first shell, the first shell tapering from end portions of the first sheath toward a center of the first cleaning roller, and the first plurality of vanes having a uniform height relative to a first axis of rotation of the first cleaning roller; and a second cleaning roller comprising a second sheath comprising a second shell and a second plurality of vanes extending along the second shell and extending radially outward from the second shell, the second shell being cylindrical along an entire length of the second cleaning roller, and the second plurality of vanes having a uniform height relative to a second axis of rotation of the second cleaning roller.

Abstract: A method to automatically remove obstructions, such as electrical cords or wires, from robotic floor-cleaning devices after becoming entangled with wheels of the robotic device during operation. Upon sensing entanglement with an obstruction, the robotic floor-cleaning device is configured to retract one or more wheels into a wheel housing within the main housing of the robotic device. During retraction, the obstruction entangled around the one or more wheels is forcibly separated from the wheel by the corresponding wheel housing.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot includes a housing infrastructure, a drive system including one or more wheels to support the housing infrastructure above a floor surface, a cleaning assembly, electrical circuitry positioned within the robot housing and an electrostatic discharge assembly including an electrostatic discharge member that includes fibers electrically connected to the electrical circuitry and extending, from the electrical circuitry, to an exterior of the housing infrastructure. The electrical circuitry includes a controller to initiate a cleaning operation in which the drive propels the robot across the floor surface while the cleaning assembly cleans the floor surface.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement including a brush provided with brush elements having tip portions for contacting a surface and picking up dirt and/or liquid during rotation of the brush about a brush axis, a driving mechanism for rotating the brush, a first deflector element with a first deflector surface that extends substantially parallel to the brush axis and that interacts with the brush during the rotation of the brush for releasing the picked-up dirt and/or the liquid particles, and a second deflector element that is spaced apart from the brush and the first deflector element, the second deflector element having a second deflector surface that is oriented at an angle to the first deflector surface, wherein the second deflector surface deflects the dirt and/or liquid particles, which are released from the brush at the first deflector surface, into an exhaust channel that begins between the first and second deflector elements.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a driving member including a first driving shaft and a second driving shaft in both sides thereof, a first drum of which one end is coupled to the first driving shaft to be driven by directly receiving driving force of the first driving shaft, and a second drum of which one end is coupled to the second driving shaft to be driven by directly receiving driving force of the second driving shaft.

Abstract: A cleaning device with a frame can be driven on a ground surface and with a vibrating screen which is mounted on the frame such that it can be moved to a limited extent and which is connected to a contact element. A vibrating roller is attached to the frame such that it can be rotated about a rotary axis, and it has an outer surface, in which radial elevations are formed. A pre-tensioning element pre-tensions the vibrating screen such that the contact element lies against the vibrating roller.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A floor care apparatus is provided that utilizes at least one cylindrical pad to remove a floor finish. More specifically, a cylindrical pad having an abrasive surface is integrated onto a cylindrical scrubber brush or associated core or roller commonly used in the art. The main outwardly-facing surface of the pad contacts the floor to remove a predetermined amount of floor finish wherein generated debris is expelled away from the pad. After finish removal, a new layer of finish is applied to the floor. Thus, the need to remove all finish layers from a flooring surface is alleviated, which saves time and money.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a main body traveling along a floor surface and removing foreign substances in a cleaning travel mode, a sensor unit sensing obstacles around the main body, brush units sweeping foreign substances on a floor surface through rotation, and a controller reducing the traveling velocity of the main body and causing the main body to approach a front obstacle, if an area where a plurality of obstacles contacts each other is sensed by the sensor unit.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A roller brush for a cleaning appliance that includes a brush core defining a longitudinal axis of rotation and three or more dual rows of bristles disposed on and equidistantly spaced along a circumference the brush core. Each dual row of bristles includes a first bristle row of a first bristle composition and having a first height and a second bristle row of a second bristle composition stiffer than the first bristle composition and having a second height. The second bristle row is circumferentially spaced from the first bristle row by a gap less than or equal to 10% of the first height. Also, the first height is less than or equal to 90% of the second height.

Abstract: A shaft driven vacuum cleaner brushroll that can be mounted in the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner and directly connected to a shaft of the cleaner's motor drive shaft system. The brushroll features a two-piece drive assembly that simplifies its manufacture and can be engaged on a wood spindle to effectively transmit torque from the vacuum cleaner drive to the brushroll.

Abstract: In a cleaning device, a head of the device in which a brush is arranged, can get contaminated by particles and/or droplets picked up by the brush during one or more cleaning actions. In order to clean the head, the cleaning device is placed on a tray filled with an amount of cleaning liquid, and the cleaning device is operated for a period of time. During that time, the head is flushed with the cleaning liquid, where the brush serves for picking up the liquid from the tray and releasing the liquid in the direction of components of the head. The tray has an elevated portion, and the brush is positioned on that elevated portion to allow for gradual wetting of the brush.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, comprising an operating unit for operating the cleaning apparatus, at least one functional unit for carrying out an operating instruction, and a control unit for receiving operating instructions performed on the operating unit and controlling the at least one functional unit based on said operating instructions, wherein an access authorization stored on an authorization carrier is required in order to operate the cleaning apparatus. In order to provide such a cleaning apparatus with a more user-friendly access control, it is proposed that the cleaning apparatus have a detection unit operatively connected to the control unit and configured for contactless detection of the access authorization and transmission thereof to the control unit, and that the access authorization be verifiable for its validity by the control unit. The invention further relates to a method for controlling access to a cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A manually guided floor cleaning machine is provided, including a chassis with a front end and a rear end in relation to a straight ahead forward travel direction, a wheel arrangement, which is arranged on the chassis in the region of the rear end, and a cleaning head, which is pivotably arranged on the chassis in the region of the front end, wherein there is provided a steering rod device, which is articulated on the cleaning head, which is supported on the chassis and which extends upwardly in a direction away from the chassis toward the rear end.

Abstract: A sweeping device for a children's vehicle, particularly pedal vehicle, which is detachably connectable to the children's vehicle and is provided underneath a housing with a brush roller which is connected to an axle for rotation therewith, a driver wheel being arranged for driving the axle of the brush roller, the driver wheel lying on the ground in the operative position of the sweeping device and being drivingly connected via a gearing to the axle of the brush roller, is characterized in that the driver wheel has a hollow interior in which the gearing is positioned, and that the interior of the driver wheel is covered at an open side by a separate cover member.

Abstract: A side brush assembly mechanism for a floor surface maintenance vehicle including a linkage assembly supporting a brush deck, a pivot assembly and a cable connected to the linkage assembly, and a cable tensioning device for retracting the cable. The cable tensioning device is capable of lifting and retracting the brush deck. The side brush assembly mechanism may include a biasing mechanism for lowering and extending the brush deck.

Abstract: Drive coupling assembly (50) for a high-speed rotating brush, comprising:—a coupling head (100) having a coupling head rotation axis (Lch) and including three drive surfaces (106) which are arranged to be rotationally symmetrical through 120° with respect to said coupling head rotation axis; and—a coupling member (200), having a coupling member rotation axis (Lcm) and including three first drive surfaces (210a) which are arranged to be rotationally symmetrical through 120° with respect to said coupling member rotation axis, wherein said coupling head (100) and said coupling member (200) are detachably couplable, such that, in a coupled condition, their rotational axes (Lch, Lcm) are aligned and the coupling head is rotatable to drive each of its drive surfaces (106) in contact with a respective first drive surface (210a) of the coupling member, to thereby exert both a torque and an axially directed force on the coupling member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an autonomous cleaning machine with a brush cleaning unit to clean a brush unit. The autonomous cleaning machine includes a main body, the brush unit rotatably provided on the main body, first brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to move foreign substances wound on the brush unit in a lengthwise direction of the brush unit, and second brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to remove the foreign substances wound on the brush unit from the brush unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning (e.g., scrubbing, washing, treating, waxing, etc.) a surface, such as a recessed crevice or area, includes a fluid-powered scrubber head and a removable brush extending from the scrubber head. The scrubber head includes a housing, an inlet at one end of the housing for receiving a flow of fluid from a fluid supply and a deflecting surface for directing the flow of fluid once received through the inlet. The deflecting surface may be a movable deflecting panel that is selectively moved relative to the housing to cover an opening in the housing. The deflecting surface may also include a partial conical surface that concentrates the flow of fluid deflected out of the housing and onto the brush outside the housing as the brush rotates in response to the fluid flow.

Abstract: A coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller including an elongated core with end mounting features defining a central longitudinal axis of rotation, multiple floor cleaning bristles extending radially outward from the core, and at least one compliant flap extending radially outward from the core to sweep a floor surface. The flap is configured to prevent errant filaments from spooling tightly about the core to aid subsequent removal of the filaments. In another aspect, a coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, a controller, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller. The coverage robot includes a roller cleaning tool carried by the chassis and configured to longitudinally traverse the roller to remove accumulated debris from the cleaning roller.

Abstract: The present invention is a sweeper incorporating multiple rotation elements mounted adjacently in an rotationally offset sequence on a common driven axle. Each rotation element comprises a central shaft support from which extends lightweight extension arms that have laterally elongated spatulate paddles at their ends. The extension arms may be curved so that in operation a terminal edge of each paddle lags the rest of the paddle surface in approaching and sweeping across the floor surface and is quite easily deflected upward from a floor surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brush assembly suitable for use in a wet floor cleaning device. The brush assembly comprises a brush that includes a hollow core. An inner surface of the core is compartmentalized into a number of compartments. An outer surface of the core is furnished with brush material, and the core is pierced with a number of outflow openings. The brush assembly further comprises a first fluid injector for injecting a fluid into the core, and a drive mechanism configured for rotating the brush around an axis. Also disclosed is a method for operating the brush assembly.

Abstract: A coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller including an elongated core with end mounting features defining a central longitudinal axis of rotation, multiple floor cleaning bristles extending radially outward from the core, and at least one compliant flap extending radially outward from the core to sweep a floor surface. The flap is configured to prevent errant filaments from spooling tightly about the core to aid subsequent removal of the filaments. In another aspect, a coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, a controller, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller. The coverage robot includes a roller cleaning tool carried by the chassis and configured to longitudinally traverse the roller to remove accumulated debris from the cleaning roller.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus and a dust collecting method using the same are provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a body, a brush unit rotatably provided at the body, a dust collecting unit to store contaminants, such as dust, swept by the brush unit, and a blowing unit to suction contaminants, such as dust, scattered by the brush unit and to move the suctioned contaminants to the dust collecting unit.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a floor includes a base body, a rotatable roller brush disposed on the base body, a dirt container disposed on the base body, a liquid container configured to receive a cleaning liquid disposed on the base body; and a sponge configured to receive a soiled cleaning liquid disposed on the base body.

Abstract: A hand-held surface preparation apparatus comprising a frame, a hollow semi-circular shaped housing member connected to said frame, a drive housing connected to said housing member, a motor secured to said drive housing aligned directly over said hollow semi-circular shaped housing member, a roller rotatably positioned inside of the semi-circular shaped housing member in communication with said motor, front and rear guide handles extending from said frame, and removably connected front and rear debris guards.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a base body, a rotatable brush roller disposed on the base body, a dirt container disposed on the base body, a cloth holder attached removably to the base body, and a cleaning cloth attachable to the cloth holder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an autonomous cleaning machine with a brush cleaning unit to clean a brush unit. The autonomous cleaning machine includes a main body, the brush unit rotatably provided on the main body, first brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to move foreign substances wound on the brush unit in a lengthwise direction of the brush unit, and second brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to remove the foreign substances wound on the brush unit from the brush unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanism for use in a device that comprises a system for collecting dirt and debris from a variety of floor and upholstery surfaces. In particular the mechanism lifts and directs unwanted debris particles to a waste reservoir for the purpose of cleaning and grooming floor surfaces. The debris collection mechanism can be, but is not limited to its use in a handle operated cordless motorized floor sweeper to collect and gather unwanted debris and dust. The device includes a head unit that incorporates two easily removable elongate cylindrical rotating cleaning bars that are driven such that they contra rotate, and are positioned close to one another at the forward region of the head unit. A removable debris reservoir, removable rechargeable power source and handle incorporating a device operation switch are also included.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller including an elongated core with end mounting features defining a central longitudinal axis of rotation, multiple floor cleaning bristles extending radially outward from the core, and at least one compliant flap extending radially outward from the core to sweep a floor surface. The flap is configured to prevent errant filaments from spooling tightly about the core to aid subsequent removal of the filaments. In another aspect, a coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, a controller, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller. The coverage robot includes a roller cleaning tool carried by the chassis and configured to longitudinally traverse the roller to remove accumulated debris from the cleaning roller.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a surface, such as a barbeque grill, has a substantially hollow enclosure that has at least a lower side, an upper side, and a peripheral edge, and contains a plurality of motors that each has a rotational shaft selectively fixable with a rotatable brush. At least a portion of bristles of each brush projects below a plane of the lower side of the enclosure. The enclosure further contains a power source and a circuit adapted for connecting power to each of the motors for a preset period of time upon actuation of an electrical switch connected thereto. The circuit is adapted to run each motor in a first direction and then an opposing direction, such that if the device becomes stuck at an obstruction, it will eventually turns around due to the alternating directions of the motors.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable brush bar assembly, a motor for driving the brush bar assembly, and a drive mechanism connecting the motor to the brush bar assembly. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable input drive member connected to the motor, a rotatable output drive member connected to the brush bar assembly and moveable relative to the input drive member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the drive members, a belt connecting the input drive member to the output drive member, and a belt tensioning member located between the drive members for tensioning the belt by urging the output drive member away from input drive member.