Method for controlling suction based on detected operation angles

Abstract

A handheld cleaner includes a housing that at least partially defines an air pathway and a suction nozzle that defines a nozzle inlet in communication with a suction pathway. The suction pathway is configured to extract at least one of debris or liquid from a surface to the air pathway. An exhaust defines an outlet to the air pathway. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle via the suction pathway. The suction source is configured to generate a working air stream. An operation angle sensor is configured to detect an operation angle of the handheld cleaner relative to the surface. A controller is in electrical communication with the suction source and the operation angle sensor via an electrical pathway. The controller is configured to control an amount of suction generated by the suction source based on the detected operation angle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handheld cleaner, comprising:
 a housing at least partially defining an air pathway;   a suction nozzle defining a nozzle inlet in communication with a suction pathway, the suction pathway configured to extract at least one of debris or liquid from a surface to the air pathway;   an exhaust defining an outlet to the air pathway;   a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle via the suction pathway, the suction source configured to generate a working air stream;   an operation angle sensor configured to detect an operation angle of said handheld cleaner relative to the surface; and   a controller in electrical communication with the suction source and the operation angle sensor via an electrical pathway, wherein the controller is configured to control an amount of suction generated by the suction source based on the detected operation angle.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the amount of suction generated by the suction source based on a determined suction nozzle engagement position. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the operation angle sensor is configured to detect a desired cleaning angle, and wherein the desired cleaning angle is an angle in which a portion of the nozzle inlet is spaced a predetermined distance relative to the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld cleaner of  claim 3 , wherein the desired cleaning angle is in a range of approximately 3 degrees to 30 degrees relative to the surface. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld cleaner of  claim 3 , wherein the amount of suction generated by the suction source based on the desired cleaning angle is audibly distinct from the amount of suction generated by the suction source based on a non-desired cleaning angle. 
     
     
         6 . The handheld cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of suction generated corresponds to a speed of an impeller, and wherein the speed of the impeller changes based on the detected operation angle. 
     
     
         7 . The handheld cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of suction generated is regulated by adjusting an amount of power provided to the suction source, and wherein the amount of power provided corresponds to a high suction mode or a low suction mode. 
     
     
         8 . The handheld cleaner of  claim 7 , wherein the low suction mode corresponds to a first power set point and the high suction mode corresponds to a second power set point, and wherein the first power set point provides stronger current to the suction source than the second power set point. 
     
     
         9 . The handheld cleaner of  claim 7 , wherein, in the low suction mode, the suction source receives approximately 10% of an amount of power provided to the suction source in the high suction mode. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld cleaner of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction nozzle through a conduit, wherein the suction source draws the at least one of the debris or liquid from the surface, through the suction nozzle and the conduit to the recovery tank.   
     
     
         11 . A surface cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface, comprising:
 a suction nozzle in fluid communication with an air pathway;   an exhaust defining an outlet to the air pathway;   a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle via the air pathway, the suction source configured to generate a working air stream;   an operation angle sensor configured to determine an operation angle relative to said surface to be cleaned; and   a controller in electrical communication with the suction source and the operation angle sensor via an electrical pathway, wherein the controller is configured to control an amount of suction generated by the suction source based on the determined operation angle.   
     
     
         12 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the operation angle is an angle of the suction nozzle relative to said surface and the operation angle sensor is configured to detect a desired cleaning angle. 
     
     
         13 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a suction nozzle engagement sensor configured to detect a desired nozzle engagement position that places the suction nozzle at the desired cleaning angle.   
     
     
         14 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the amount of suction generated by the suction source is based on the detection of the suction nozzle being in the desired nozzle engagement position. 
     
     
         15 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the desired cleaning angle is in a range of approximately 3 degrees to 30 degrees relative to said surface. 
     
     
         16 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the amount of suction generated is regulated by adjusting an amount of power provided to the suction source. 
     
     
         17 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the amount of power provided corresponds to a high suction mode and a low suction mode, and wherein the low suction mode corresponds to a first power set point and the high suction mode corresponds to a second power set point. 
     
     
         18 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction nozzle through a conduit, wherein the suction source is in fluid communication with the conduit to draw at least one of debris or liquid from said surface, through the suction nozzle and the conduit to the recovery tank.   
     
     
         19 . A handheld cleaner, comprising:
 a suction nozzle defining a suction channel, the suction channel configured to extract at least one of debris or liquid from a surface through an air pathway;   an exhaust defining an outlet to the air pathway;   a suction source including a vacuum motor and an impeller that is driven by the vacuum motor, the suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle via the suction channel, the suction source configured to generate a working air stream;   an operation angle sensor configured to detect an operation angle of said handheld cleaner relative to the surface; and   a controller in electrical communication with the suction source and the operation angle sensor via an electrical pathway, wherein the controller is configured to control an amount of power to the vacuum motor to execute a high suction mode or a low suction mode based on the detected operation angle.   
     
     
         20 . The handheld cleaner of  claim 19 , wherein the operation angle sensor is configured to detect a non-desired cleaning angle, and wherein the non-desired cleaning angle is an angle in which the suction channel is oriented approximately less than 3 degrees relative to the surface.