Patent Description:
A surface cleaning apparatus is provided herein. In certain embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus is a multi-surface wet/dry vacuum cleaner that can be used to clean hard floor surfaces such as tile and hardwood and soft floor surfaces such as carpet.

According to the disclosure, a surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing comprising a recovery pathway having a dirty inlet and a clean air outlet, a suction source comprising a first motor in fluid communication with the dirty inlet, a first motor cooling pathway comprising a first cooling air inlet in fluid communication with ambient air outside the housing and a cooling air outlet, a second motor, and a second motor cooling pathway comprising a second cooling air inlet in fluid communication with ambient air outside the housing, wherein the second motor cooling pathway merges with the first motor cooling pathway upstream of the cooling air outlet, such that heated cooling air from the first and second motors merges within the first motor cooling pathway and is exhausted together through the cooling air outlet, and wherein the second motor cooling pathway is isolated from the recovery pathway.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the second motor may comprise a brush motor and a brushroll may operably be coupled to and driven by the second motor.

These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components. Any reference to claim elements as "at least one of X, Y and Z" is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.

The invention generally relates to a surface cleaning apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces such as carpets, area rugs, wood, tile, and the like, and arrangements for routing motor cooling air though such apparatus.

<FIG> show a surface cleaning apparatus <NUM> according to one aspect of the present disclosure. As discussed in further detail below, the surface cleaning apparatus <NUM> is provided with improved motor cooling routing.

The functional systems of the apparatus <NUM> can be arranged into any desired configuration, such as an upright device having a base and an upright body for directing the base across the surface to be cleaned, a canister device having a cleaning implement connected to a wheeled base by a vacuum hose, a portable device adapted to be hand carried by a user for cleaning relatively small areas, or a commercial device. Any of the aforementioned cleaners can be adapted to include a flexible vacuum hose, which can form a portion of the working air conduit between a nozzle and the suction source.

As illustrated herein, the apparatus <NUM> can be an upright multi-surface wet/dry vacuum cleaner having a housing that includes an upright handle assembly or body <NUM> and a cleaning head or base <NUM> mounted to or coupled with the upright body <NUM> and adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned. As used herein, the term "multi-surface wet/dry vacuum cleaner" includes a vacuum cleaner that can be used to clean hard floor surfaces such as tile and hardwood and soft floor surfaces such as carpets and area rugs.

For purposes of description related to the figures, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," "outer," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in <FIG> from the perspective of a user behind the apparatus <NUM>, which defines the rear of the apparatus <NUM>.

The upright body <NUM> can comprise a handle <NUM> and a frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> can comprise a main support section supporting at least a supply tank <NUM> and a recovery tank <NUM>, and may further support additional components of the body <NUM>. The surface cleaning apparatus <NUM> can include a fluid delivery or supply pathway, including and at least partially defined by the supply tank <NUM>, for storing cleaning fluid and delivering the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned and a recovery pathway, including and at least partially defined by the recovery tank <NUM>, for removing the spent cleaning fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and storing the spent cleaning fluid and debris until emptied by the user.

The handle <NUM> can include a hand grip <NUM> and a trigger <NUM> mounted to the hand grip <NUM>, the trigger <NUM> controlling the dispensing of fluid from a fluid delivery system including the supply tank <NUM> via an electronic or mechanical coupling with the tank <NUM>. Other actuators for the fluid delivery system, such as a thumb switch, can be provided instead of the trigger <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> can include at least one user interface (UI) through which a user can interact with the apparatus <NUM> and/or receive feedback information from the apparatus <NUM>. The UI can be electrically coupled with electrical components, including, but not limited to, circuitry electrically connected to various components of the fluid delivery and recovery systems of the surface cleaning apparatus <NUM>, as described in further detail below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> includes a UI with multiple input controls <NUM>, <NUM> on the hand grip <NUM>. One control <NUM> is a power button that controls the supply of power to one or more electrical components of the apparatus <NUM> and the other control <NUM> is a cleaning mode button that cycles the apparatus <NUM> between different cleaning modes. Some examples of cleaning modes include a hard floor cleaning mode and an area rug or carpet cleaning mode. In one example, in each cleaning mode a pump <NUM>, vacuum motor <NUM>, and brush motor <NUM> are activated, with the vacuum motor operating at a lower power level and the pump operating at a lower flow rate in the hard floor mode. Those rates increase in the area rug cleaning mode. Other cleaning modes are possible. Other input controls, such as but not limited to buttons, triggers, toggles, keys, switches, or the like, and other locations for the UI are possible.

The apparatus <NUM> can include a self-cleaning mode input control <NUM>, which initiates a self-cleaning mode of operation in which an unattended, automatic self-cleaning cycle runs. In one example, during the self-cleaning cycle, the apparatus <NUM> is docked on a tray and the pump <NUM>, vacuum motor <NUM>, and/or brush motor <NUM> operate to flush out portions of the recovery pathway of the recovery system and clean a brushroll <NUM> or other agitator. The input control <NUM> can comprise a button, trigger, toggle, key, switch, or the like, or any combination thereof, and can be located adjacent to the power button <NUM> and/or cleaning mode button <NUM>, or can be remote from the buttons <NUM>, <NUM> as shown. For example, the self-cleaning mode input control <NUM> can be located on the upright body <NUM>, or more specifically on the handle <NUM> or frame <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> can include a controller <NUM> operably coupled with the various functional systems of the apparatus, including, but not limited to, the fluid delivery and recovery systems, for controlling its operation. A user of the apparatus <NUM> can interact with the controller <NUM> via the UI and/or buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can further be configured to execute the self-cleaning cycle for the self-cleaning mode of operation. The controller <NUM> can have software for executing the self-cleaning cycle. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> is disposed inside the hand grip <NUM>, although other locations are possible.

A moveable joint assembly <NUM> can be formed at a lower end of the frame <NUM> and moveably mounts the base <NUM> to the upright body <NUM>. In the embodiment shown herein, the upright body <NUM> can pivot up and down about at least one axis relative to the base <NUM>. The joint assembly <NUM> can alternatively comprise a universal joint, such that the upright body <NUM> can pivot about at least two axes relative to the base <NUM>. Wiring and/or conduits can optionally supply electricity, air and/or liquid (or other fluids) between the base <NUM> and the upright body <NUM>, or vice versa, and can extend though the joint assembly <NUM>. The upright body <NUM> can pivot, via the joint assembly <NUM>, to an upright or storage position, an example of which is shown in <FIG>, and a reclined or use position, an example of which is shown in <FIG>, in which the upright body <NUM> is pivoted rearwardly relative to the base <NUM> to form an acute angle with the surface to be cleaned. In this position, a user can partially support the apparatus by holding the hand grip <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> can be powered by a power supply, such as a power cord <NUM> plugged into a household power outlet. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> can be powered by a battery, preferably a rechargeable battery, for cordless operation.

The fluid delivery system of the apparatus <NUM> is configured to deliver cleaning fluid from the supply tank <NUM> to a surface to be cleaned, and can include a fluid delivery or supply pathway. The supply tank <NUM> includes a supply chamber for holding cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid can comprise one or more of any suitable cleaning liquids, including, but not limited to, water, compositions, concentrated detergent, diluted detergent, etc., and mixtures thereof. For example, the liquid can comprise a mixture of water and concentrated detergent. Alternatively, supply tank <NUM> can include multiple supply chambers, such as one chamber containing water and another chamber containing a cleaning agent. As yet another alternative, the apparatus <NUM> can comprise multiple supply tanks. It is noted that while the apparatus <NUM> described herein is configured to deliver a cleaning liquid, aspects of the disclosure may be applicable to floor cleaner that deliver steam. Thus, the term "cleaning fluid" may encompass both liquid and steam unless otherwise noted.

The fluid delivery system can comprise a flow control system for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid from the supply tank <NUM> to a distributor <NUM> (<FIG>) configured to distribute or dispense the fluid. In one configuration, the flow control system can comprise the pump <NUM>, which pressurizes the system. The pump <NUM> can be positioned within the upright body <NUM> or within the base <NUM>, and is in fluid communication with the supply tank <NUM>, for example via conduit (not shown). In another configuration, the pump <NUM> can be eliminated and the flow control system can comprise a gravity-feed system having a valve fluidly coupled with an outlet of the supply tank <NUM>, whereby when valve is open, cleaning fluid will flow under the force of gravity to the distributor <NUM>.

The fluid delivery system can include a supply valve <NUM> controlling fluid flow from an outlet of the supply tank <NUM> to the pump <NUM>. For a removable supply tank <NUM>, the supply valve <NUM> can be configured to automatically open when the supply tank <NUM> is seated apparatus <NUM> to release fluid to the fluid delivery pathway.

The trigger <NUM> can be operably coupled with the flow control system such that pressing the trigger <NUM> will deliver cleaning fluid to the distributor <NUM>. For example, the delivery system can include a valve (not shown) in the fluid pathway extending between the pump <NUM> and the distributor <NUM>, and the trigger <NUM> can selectively open the valve to permit fluid to flow out of the distributor <NUM>.

Optionally, a heater (not shown) can be provided for heating the cleaning fluid prior to delivering the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned. In one example, an in-line heater can be located downstream of the supply tank <NUM> and the pump <NUM>. Other types of heaters can also be used. In yet another example, the cleaning fluid can be heated using exhaust air from a motor-cooling pathway.

The recovery system is configured to remove liquid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and store the liquid and debris on the floor cleaner <NUM> for later disposal, and can include a recovery pathway having at least a dirty inlet and a clean air outlet. The pathway can be formed by, among other elements, a suction nozzle <NUM> defining the dirty inlet, a suction source <NUM> in fluid communication with the suction nozzle <NUM> for generating a working air stream, the recovery tank <NUM>, and at least one exhaust vent <NUM> defining the clean air outlet. At least a portion of the recovery pathway between the suction nozzle <NUM> and the tank <NUM> can be formed by a conduit <NUM> extending through the joint assembly <NUM>, from the base <NUM> to the upper unit <NUM>. A brushroll <NUM> is disposed in the recovery pathway at the suction nozzle <NUM>. Other arrangements for the recovery pathway are possible.

The recovery tank <NUM> is a working air treatment assembly, and removes liquid and debris from the working airstream and collects the liquid and debris for later disposal. It is understood that other types of working air treatment assemblies for removing and collecting debris and/or liquid from the working airstream for later disposal can be used, such as a cyclonic separator, a centrifugal separator, a bulk separator, a filter bag, or a water-bath separator. The type of working air treatment assembly may depend on the type of floor cleaner, whether the apparatus performs dry cleaning, wet cleaning, or both, and so on.

The suction nozzle <NUM> can be provided on the base <NUM> and is adapted to be adjacent the surface to be cleaned as the base <NUM> moves across a surface, and is in fluid communication with the recovery tank <NUM>, for example through conduit <NUM>. A brushroll <NUM> can be disposed in suction nozzle <NUM>, and therefore in the recovery pathway, with the brushroll <NUM> agitating the surface to be cleaned so that the debris is more easily ingested into the suction nozzle <NUM>. The suction nozzle <NUM> positioned to recover liquid and debris indirectly from the floor surface via the brushroll <NUM>. In other embodiments, the brushroll <NUM> can be outside the recovery pathway, for example to mop the floor surface, with the suction nozzle <NUM> positioned to recover liquid and debris directly from the floor surface.

While a single horizontally-rotating brushroll <NUM> is shown herein, in some embodiments, dual horizontally-rotating brushrolls or one or more vertically-rotating brushrolls can be provided on the apparatus <NUM>.

The suction source <NUM>, which can be a motor/fan assembly including a vacuum motor <NUM> and a vacuum fan <NUM>, is provided in fluid communication with the recovery tank <NUM>. The suction source <NUM> can be positioned within the frame <NUM>, such as above the recovery tank <NUM>, and is fluidly downstream of the recovery tank <NUM>. The recovery system can also be provided with one or more additional filters upstream or downstream of the suction source <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a pre-motor filter <NUM> is provided in the recovery pathway downstream of the recovery tank <NUM> and upstream of the suction source <NUM>. A post-motor filter (not shown) can be provided in the recovery pathway downstream of the suction source <NUM> and upstream of the clean air outlet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the base <NUM> can include a base housing <NUM> supporting at least some of the components of the fluid delivery system and fluid recovery system and the suction nozzle <NUM> can comprise a nozzle cover <NUM> coupled with the base housing <NUM>. Optionally, the base housing <NUM> includes one or more wheels <NUM> for moving the apparatus <NUM> over the surface to be cleaned.

The brushroll <NUM> is positioned in a brushroll chamber <NUM>, which may be formed by the base housing <NUM> and the nozzle cover <NUM>, and/or another portion of the base <NUM>, with the nozzle cover <NUM>. The brushroll <NUM> can be operably coupled to and driven by a drive assembly <NUM> including a brush motor <NUM> in the base <NUM>. The coupling between the brushroll <NUM> and the brush motor <NUM> can comprise one or more belts, gears, shafts, pulleys or combinations thereof. In <FIG>, a portion of the base <NUM> is removed so that the motor <NUM> and drive assembly <NUM> is visible. Alternatively, the vacuum motor <NUM> (<FIG>) can provide both vacuum suction and brushroll rotation.

As shown in <FIG>, the nozzle cover <NUM> can be removable from the base housing <NUM> to access the brushroll <NUM>, which can be removable from the brushroll chamber <NUM> for cleaning, drying, and/or replacement. In other embodiments, the brushroll <NUM> and chamber <NUM> can be configured so that prior removal of a nozzle cover is not required, such as by having the brushroll <NUM> removable through lateral side of the base <NUM> or from the underside of the base <NUM>.

The distributor <NUM> for the delivery system can include one or more spray tips on the base <NUM>, and can be positioned to deliver cleaning fluid to the brushroll <NUM>, thereby indirectly providing cleaning fluid to the floor surface, or can be positioned to deliver cleaning fluid directly to the floor surface. In the embodiment shown, the spray tips <NUM> are provided on an interior or brush-facing side of the nozzle cover <NUM>. The spray tips <NUM> can be fed via channels of the cover <NUM>, which terminate in connector ports <NUM> that couple with spray connectors <NUM> on the base housing <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is installed on the base housing <NUM>. The spray connectors <NUM>, in turn, are supplied with cleaning fluid via the pump <NUM> (<FIG>) or other flow control system of the apparatus <NUM>. The spray tips <NUM> can optionally be oriented to spray fluid inwardly onto the brushroll <NUM>.

Other embodiments of fluid distributors are possible, such as a spray manifold having multiple outlets or a spray nozzle configured to spray cleaning fluid outwardly from the base <NUM> in front of the surface cleaning apparatus <NUM>.

The brushroll <NUM> can be a hybrid brushroll suitable for use on both hard and soft surfaces, and for wet or dry cleaning. In one embodiment, the brushroll <NUM> comprises a brush bar (not shown) supporting at least one agitation element <NUM>, <NUM>. In one embodiment, the agitation element can comprise a plurality of bristles <NUM> and microfiber material <NUM> provided on the brush bar, with the microfiber material <NUM> arranged between the bristles <NUM>. Bristles <NUM> can be tufted or unitary bristle strips and constructed of nylon, or any other suitable synthetic or natural fiber. The microfiber material <NUM> can be constructed of polyester, polyamides, or a conjugation of materials including polypropylene or any other suitable material known in the art from which to construct microfiber.

Motor cooling air can be provided to cool the vacuum motor <NUM> and/or the brush motor <NUM>. The motor cooling air paths supply cooling air to the motors <NUM>, <NUM> and remove heated cooling air (also referred to herein as "heated air") from the motors <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> shows one embodiment of flow pathways for working air, brush motor cooling air, and vacuum motor cooling air through the apparatus <NUM>. As shown by dashed line W, working air generally flows in through the suction nozzle <NUM> and is exhausted through vents <NUM>. Brush motor cooling air can flow in through a cooling air inlet <NUM> (see <FIG>) in the base <NUM>, passes through the brush motor <NUM>, and out through at least one cooling air outlet <NUM> in the upright body <NUM>, as shown by dashed line B. Vacuum motor cooling air can flow in through a cooling air inlet <NUM> in the upright body <NUM>, passes through the vacuum motor <NUM>, and out through at least one cooling air outlet <NUM> in the upright body <NUM>, as shown by dashed line V. The cooling air inlets and outlets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are in fluid communication with the ambient air outside the apparatus <NUM>.

As will be described in further detail below, the brush motor cooling flow path B can merge with the vacuum motor cooling flow path V in the upright body <NUM>, such that the flow paths B, V share a common cooling air outlet <NUM>. In some embodiments, the cooling air outlet <NUM> can be formed by a vent in the upright body <NUM>, such as by a vent on an upper side of the frame <NUM>.

The cooling air inlet <NUM> for the vacuum motor cooling flow path V can be formed by at least one leak area intentionally formed in the upright body <NUM> between parts forming the exterior casing of the apparatus <NUM> in locations where the cooling air can reach the vacuum motor. Multiple leak areas can be intentionally formed in the upright body <NUM>, and can be inconspicuous or hidden so that they are not obvious to a user from the exterior of the body <NUM>. In <FIG>, one such leak area is indicated with reference numeral <NUM>, although it understood that multiple leak areas form the cooling air inlet <NUM> for the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments of the apparatus <NUM>, the cooling air inlet <NUM> can be formed by one or more vents in the upright body <NUM> that are obvious to a user from the exterior of the apparatus <NUM>.

Portions of the working air flow path W (also referred to herein as the recovery pathway) and brush motor cooling flow path B can extend through the joint assembly <NUM>. The working air flow path W can extend through the conduit <NUM> (<FIG>) as previously described. The brush motor cooling flow path B can include a conduit <NUM> (a portion of which is shown in <FIG>) carrying heated air from the brush motor <NUM> to the suction source <NUM>, as described in further detail below. The conduit <NUM> can comprise a flexible hose or tubing which will flex as the joint assembly <NUM> is articulated. The conduit <NUM> can be made up of one or more sections of hose, tubing, conduits, or ducts. In other embodiments, either of the conduits <NUM>, <NUM> can extend alongside and exterior of the joint assembly <NUM>, rather than through the joint assembly.

Referring to <FIG>, portions of the working air flow path W and the motor cooling air paths V, B through the suction source <NUM> are shown. The suction source <NUM> is arranged within an enclosure <NUM> that includes a motor housing <NUM> enclosing the vacuum motor <NUM> and a fan housing <NUM> enclosing the fan <NUM>. Generally, the working air flow path W extends through the fan housing <NUM> and the motor cooling air paths V, B extend though the motor housing <NUM>. A seal <NUM> can be provided between the housings <NUM>, <NUM> to seal off the working air flow path W from the motor cooling air paths V, B. The seal <NUM> can thereby define a motor-side of the enclosure <NUM> and a fan-side of the enclosure <NUM>.

The fan housing <NUM> includes at least one fan intake <NUM> for drawing working air into a fan chamber defined by the fan housing <NUM> in which the fan <NUM> is disposed. The fan intake <NUM> can be in fluid communication with an air outlet of the recovery tank <NUM>, and can receive working air that has been filtered by the pre-motor filter <NUM>. The fan housing <NUM> further includes at least one fan outlet (not shown) through which air is driven from the chamber by the fan <NUM>. The fan outlet (not shown) is in fluid communication with the vents <NUM> to exhaust working air from the apparatus <NUM>.

The motor housing <NUM> can enclose a cooling fan <NUM>. The cooling fan <NUM> is operably coupled with the vacuum motor <NUM> and draws cooling air through the vacuum motor cooling air path V and through the brush motor cooling air path B.

The motor housing <NUM> includes at least one motor intake <NUM> for allowing cooling air for the vacuum motor <NUM> to be drawn into the housing <NUM> by the cooling fan <NUM>. The motor intake <NUM> is in fluid communication with the cooling air inlet <NUM>, e.g. with the multiple leak areas in the upright body <NUM> for the embodiment shown.

The brush motor cooling flow path B can merge with the vacuum motor cooling flow path V in the upright body <NUM> and share a common cooling air outlet <NUM>, as well as a common cooling fan <NUM>. The conduit <NUM>, which can be made up of one or more sections of hose, tubing, conduits, or ducts, can fluidly communicate with the enclosure <NUM> on the motor-side of the seal <NUM>. An outlet end <NUM> of the conduit <NUM> can, for example, fluidly couple with the motor housing <NUM> to port the heated air from cooling the brush motor <NUM> into the motor-side of the enclosure <NUM>. Through this connection, the brush motor cooling flow path B can join the vacuum motor cooling air path V within the enclosure <NUM>.

The cooling fan <NUM> draws cooling air through the brush motor cooling air path B via cooling air inlet <NUM> (see <FIG>) in the base <NUM> and through the vacuum motor cooling air path V. From the inlet <NUM>, motor cooling air flows over the brush motor <NUM>. Heat from the motor <NUM> transfers to the motor cooling air. The brush motor <NUM> can include a motor housing enclosing the brush motor <NUM>, with the motor cooling air passing through the housing to cool the motor <NUM>. Heated air from the brush motor <NUM> passes through conduit <NUM> and into the enclosure <NUM> to merge with the cooling air in the vacuum motor cooling flow path V.

In the motor housing <NUM>, motor cooling air passes flows over the vacuum motor <NUM>. The cooling air includes a mixture of cool, ambient air drawn in through the cooling air inlet <NUM> and heated air that has already flowed over the brush motor <NUM>. Heat from the vacuum motor <NUM> transfers to the motor cooling air. The motor housing <NUM> also includes at least one motor exhaust opening <NUM> through which heated cooling air is exhausted. The exhaust opening <NUM> is in fluid communication with the common air outlet <NUM>, such as via an at least one exhaust duct <NUM>, to exhaust heated motor cooling air from the apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> show another embodiment of the brush motor cooling air path B. In this embodiment, the brush motor cooling air path B is isolated from both the vacuum motor cooling flow path V and the working air flow path W. Instead of including a conduit that carries heated air from the brush motor <NUM> to the vacuum motor <NUM>, the brush motor cooling air path B includes exhaust vents <NUM> in the base housing <NUM>. The exhaust vents <NUM> can be provided on a top, rear, and/or bottom side of the base housing <NUM>. Thus, the brush motor cooling air path B is limited to the base <NUM>. Multiple vents <NUM> are shown in <FIG>, although it is understood that the number and location of the vents on the base housing <NUM> may vary. The vacuum motor cooling flow path V and the working air flow path W can be routed as previously described (see <FIG>).

A motor housing <NUM> enclosing the brush motor <NUM> is positioned within the base <NUM>, and may be formed by or separately from the base housing <NUM>. The motor housing <NUM> can enclose a cooling fan <NUM>. The cooling fan <NUM> is operably coupled with the brush motor <NUM> and draws cooling air through the brush motor cooling air path B.

<FIG> show another embodiment of the vacuum motor cooling air path V brush motor cooling air path B. The working air flow path W can be routed as previously described (see <FIG>). In this embodiment, the vacuum motor cooling air path V generally flows in a reverse direction from the first embodiment, and has a cooling air inlet <NUM> formed by a vent in the upright body <NUM>, such as by a vent on an upper side of the frame <NUM> and has a cooling air outlet <NUM>. Like the first embodiment, brush motor cooling air can flow in through cooling air inlet <NUM>, merges with the vacuum motor cooling flow path V in the upright body <NUM>, and shares a common cooling air outlet <NUM>. In some embodiments, the cooling air outlet <NUM> can be formed by more than one vent in the upright body <NUM>, such as by vents on opposing sides of the frame <NUM>.

The motor housing <NUM> includes at least one motor intake <NUM> for allowing cooling air for the vacuum motor <NUM> to be drawn into the housing <NUM> by the cooling fan <NUM>. The motor intake <NUM> is in fluid communication with the cooling air inlet <NUM>, such as via a cooling air inlet duct <NUM>.

The brush motor cooling flow path B can merge with the vacuum motor cooling flow path V in the upright body <NUM> and share a common cooling air outlet <NUM>, as well as a common cooling fan <NUM>. In this embodiment, the outlet end <NUM> of the conduit <NUM> fluidly couples with the cooling air inlet duct <NUM> upstream of the motor intake <NUM>. Through this connection, the brush motor cooling flow path B can join the vacuum motor cooling air path V within the enclosure <NUM>.

From the intake <NUM>, motor cooling air passes flows over the vacuum motor <NUM>. The cooling air includes a mixture of cool, ambient air drawn in through the cooling air inlet <NUM> and heated air that has already flowed over the brush motor <NUM>. Heat from the vacuum motor <NUM> transfers to the motor cooling air. The motor housing <NUM> also includes at least one motor exhaust opening <NUM> through which heated cooling air is exhausted. The exhaust opening <NUM> is in fluid communication with the common cooling air outlet <NUM> to exhaust heated motor cooling air from the apparatus <NUM>.

To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments of the invention, may be used in combination with each other as desired, or may be used separately. That one surface cleaning apparatus is illustrated herein as having all of these features does not mean that all of these features must be used in combination, but rather done so here for brevity of description. Furthermore, while the surface cleaning apparatus <NUM> shown herein has an upright configuration, the surface cleaning apparatus can be configured as a canister or portable unit. For example, in a canister arrangement, foot components such as the suction nozzle and brushroll can be provided on a cleaning head coupled with a canister unit. Still further, the surface cleaning apparatus can additionally have steam delivery capability. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments may be mixed and matched in various vacuum cleaner configurations as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described.

The above description relates to general and specific embodiments of the disclosure. However, various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the broader aspects of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. As such, this disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the disclosure or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. Any reference to elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a," "an," "the," or "said," is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

Claim 1:
A surface cleaning apparatus (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) comprising a recovery pathway W having a dirty inlet (<NUM>) and a clean air outlet (<NUM>);
a suction source (<NUM>) comprising a first motor (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the dirty inlet;
a first motor cooling pathway V comprising a first cooling air inlet (<NUM>) in fluid communication with ambient air outside the housing and a cooling air outlet (<NUM>);
a second motor (<NUM>); and
a second motor cooling pathway B comprising a second cooling air inlet in fluid communication with ambient air outside the housing;
characterized in that
the second motor cooling pathway merges with the first motor cooling pathway upstream of the cooling air outlet, such that heated cooling air from the first and second motors merges within the first motor cooling pathway and is exhausted together through the cooling air outlet; and
wherein the second motor cooling pathway is isolated from the recovery pathway.