Patent Description:
Industrial and commercial floors are cleaned on a regular basis for aesthetic and sanitary purposes. There are many types of industrial and commercial floors ranging from hard surfaces, such as concrete, terrazzo, wood, and the like, which can be found in factories, schools, hospitals, and the like, to softer surfaces, such as carpeted floors found in restaurants and offices. Different types of floor cleaning equipment, such as scrubbers and sweepers, have been developed to properly clean and maintain these different floor surfaces.

A typical scrubber is a walk-behind or drivable, self-propelled, wet process machine that applies a liquid cleaning solution from an onboard cleaning solution tank onto the floor through nozzles fixed to a forward portion of the scrubber. Rotating brushes forming part of the scrubber rearward of the nozzles agitate the solution to loosen dirt and grime adhering to the floor. The dirt and grime become suspended in the solution, which is collected by a vacuum squeegee fixed to a rearward portion of the scrubber and deposited into an onboard recovery tank.

Scrubbers can be very effective for cleaning hard surfaces. Unfortunately, debris on the floor can clog the vacuum squeegee, and thus, the floor should be swept prior to using the scrubber. Consequently, sweepers are commonly used to sweep a floor prior to using a scrubber. A typical sweeper is a self-propelled, walk-behind or drivable dry process machine which picks debris off a hard or soft floor surface without the use of liquids. The typical sweeper has rotating brushes which sweep debris into a hopper or "catch bin.

Combination scrubber-sweepers have been developed that provide the sweeping and scrubbing functionality in a single unit. In some scrubber machines, the bristles provide a sweeping action where debris can be collected in a hopper similar to a sweeper. Whether combined into a single unit or split into different cleaning machines, waste collected in the recovery tank and debris hopper can be emptied at regular intervals to facilitate further cleaning operations and prevent unsanitary conditions.

Example floor cleaning machines are described in <CIT>, entitled "Floor Sweeping and Scrubbing Machine"; <CIT>, entitled "Dust Box Emptying Device"; <CIT>, entitled "Mobile Surface Cleaning Machine"; and <CIT>, entitled "High Lift Surface Maintenance Machine.

<CIT> describes a power sweeper having a vacuumized dust control system and a fire control arrangement for controlling a fire caused by a lighted object being swept into a debris chamber.

<CIT> describes a rotary broom sweeper hopper with a dust and debris inlet positioned between a bottom wall and a real wall and with a filter element positioned between the rear wall and a top wall.

<CIT> describes a high dump floor scrubber sweeper.

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that problems to be solved in performing floor cleaning operations include the need to have to continually empty debris hoppers. After sweeping or scrubbing for a period of time, debris hoppers used to collect debris gathered by the sweeper need to be emptied before becoming too full and impeding the effectiveness of the sweeper. Sometimes emptying of a debris hopper may be needed before a sweeping operation is complete. Emptying of the debris hopper can be a laborious and tedious operation, which slows the overall floor cleaning operation.

Furthermore, the present inventors have recognized that previous solutions to automatically emptying a debris hopper involved locating the debris hopper on the rear of the machine, which provides difficulties for the operator of the machine to steer the floor cleaning machine to a refuse container and empty the container, or involve complex mechanisms that either extend the length of the floor cleaning machine or are overly complicated in requiring the sweeping mechanism to additionally be lifted.

Thus, in accordance with the mentioned problems, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a floor cleaning machine which provides an easy and time saving way of emptying its debris hopper, still with the floor cleaning machine having compact dimensions.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a floor cleaning machine comprising:.

wherein the forward axis is positioned in front of the brush axis.

Such floor cleaning machine is advantageous, since having a steered wheel in front of the brush allows the operator to have a good view and to be able to easily steer the machine for emptying the front located debris hopper, e.g. a high-dump hopper emptying process. Hereby, the debris hopper emptying operation is facilitated, and can be performed less time consuming than with prior art floor cleaning machines.

Further, with such design, the machine can be built with compact dimension, meaning that it has a good manoeuvrability in cleaning operations and occupies only a limited space when parked.

Especially, the present subject matter can provide solutions to the mentioned problems and other problems, such as by providing systems and methods that include a high-dump hopper system wherein the debris hopper can be split into two hoppers for positioning adjacent a wheel of the floor cleaning machine. The split hoppers can be located near the front of the machine such that the overall length of the floor cleaning machine need not be extended. A splitter can be positioned proximate the floor cleaning mechanism to drive debris into the split hoppers. The split hoppers can be coupled to a common lifting system that can pull the hoppers out from under a chassis of the floor cleaning machine and then upwards for positioning relative to a refuse container. Furthermore, the orientation of the hoppers can be controlled to position openings for the hoppers in a desired location to prevent spilling and facilitate emptying.

In the following, preferred features and embodiments will be described.

By 'travel direction' is understood a direction which the floor cleaning machine is arranged to move along a surface to be cleaned, e.g. a floor. This travel direction can be changed by turning the forward steered wheel.

The brush axis is preferably perpendicular to the travel direction, at least when the floor cleaning machine is moving in a straight forward direction, i.e. in a travel direction which is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the chassis formed between the forward and rear ends of the chassis. The brush may be located between the forward axis and the rear axis. Especially, the first debris hopper is located adjacent the forward axis, and more specifically the hopper system further comprises a second debris hopper located adjacent the forward axis. Especially, the first debris hopper and the second debris hopper are spaced apart alongside the forward axis to provide space that allows the forward steered wheel to turn. Especially, the first debris hopper and the second debris hopper may extend across less than a width of the brush. With such first and second debris hoppers, a compact and easily steerable floor cleaning machine is provided.

In some embodiments, the floor cleaning machine comprises.

Especially, a straight-line distance of the follower link between pivot points may be greater than a straight-line distance of the lift link between pivot points. Specifically, the first end of the lift link may be coupled to the chassis forward of the fifth end of the follower link; and the second end of the lift link may be coupled to the cross member at a different position from the sixth end of the follower link.

In some embodiments, the lift system comprises a second actuator connecting the crossmember and the lift link. Especially, the floor cleaning machine may further comprise a splitter positioned above and in front of the brush between the first debris hopper and the second debris hopper, the splitter configured to direct debris from the brush that is below and behind the splitter into the first and second debris hoppers. Specifically, the splitter may comprise a wedge-shaped body spanning a distance between the first debris hopper and the second debris hopper. Especially, the floor cleaning machine may further comprise a motor mounted to the hopper system, the motor configured to rotate the first and second debris hoppers about a hopper axis. Specifically, the first and second debris hoppers may each comprise: a first end wall; a second end wall spaced from the first end wall along the hopper axis; and a hopper wall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall to define a debris space; wherein the hopper wall defines a cross-sectional area configured to permit the first debris hopper to rotate in place along the hopper axis when rotated by the motor in the stowed position. Specifically, the first and second debris hoppers may each comprise a scupper configured to extend from the first end wall toward the wedge-shaped body to provide clearance for the forward steered wheel. Especially, the first and second debris hoppers may each further comprise: an access opening extending between the first end wall and the second end wall; and a lip extending along the access opening and extending toward the brush in the stowed position.

In some embodiments, the chassis comprises a frame for locating the first end of the lift link above the upper side of the chassis.

In some embodiments, the lift link is located laterally of the operator station.

In some embodiments, the operator station is located on the upper side of the chassis above or forward of the brush.

The lift system may be configured to pull the first debris hopper along a first trajectory in a forward direction and then along a second trajectory in a forward and upward direction.

The floor cleaning machine may further comprise an additional brush coupled to the chassis and positioned alongside the brush, wherein the additional brush and the brush are configured to lift debris between them.

In some embodiments, the hopper system comprises a second debris hopper disposed forward of the brush, and further comprises:.

Especially, the first and second debris hoppers may each further comprise:.

In some embodiments, the floor cleaning machine comprises:.

wherein the controller is coupled to the first actuator to control operation of the lift system. Especially, the lift system may further comprise a position sensor (166A) to determine an orientation of the first debris hopper about the hopper axis. Specifically, the first debris hopper may comprise:.

More specifically, the controller may be configured to operate the motor to oscillate the first debris hopper on the hopper axis in the stowed position to move debris into the debris space with the access opening tilted toward the brush. Especially, the controller may be configured to operate the motor to oscillate the first debris hopper on the hopper axis in the stowed position to move debris into the debris space with the access opening tilted upward. Especially, the lift system may further comprise an inclination sensor to sense an inclination of the chassis, wherein the controller is configured to operate the motor to rotate the first debris hopper on the hopper axis in response to output of the inclination sensor.

Specifically, the controller may be configured to operate the motor to rotate the first debris hopper to maintain the access opening at a top of the first debris hopper. Especially, the first debris hopper may further comprise a drain opening in the hopper wall opposite the access opening. Specifically, the controller may be configured to operate the motor to rotate the first debris hopper to maintain the drain opening at a bottom of the first debris hopper. Especially, the controller may be configured to operate the motor to rotate the first debris hopper to position the access opening at a bottom of the first debris hopper and to oscillate the first debris hopper while the access opening is positioned at the bottom. Especially, the controller may be configured to operate the motor to rotate the first debris hopper to position the access opening relative to the brush depending on a diameter of the brush. Especially, the controller may be configured to operate the motor to rotate the first debris hopper on the hopper axis as the first actuator moves the first debris hopper to maintain the access opening in an upward orientation. Especially, the controller may be configured to operate the motor to rotate the first debris hopper on the hopper axis to position the access opening in an upward orientation during a transportation operation wherein the brush is not rotating and the propulsion system is operating.

In some embodiments, the floor cleaning machine of any of the preceding claims, further comprises:.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for cleaning a floor comprising.

The individual first and second aspects of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects.

The invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for emptying waste containers, such as debris hoppers, used on floor cleaning machines. One or more debris hoppers can be connected to a lift system that can move the debris hoppers from a stowed position underneath the machine proximate a floor cleaning device, e.g., a brush, to an extended position where the debris hoppers are elevated to a level suitable for emptying the debris hoppers above a refuse container, thereby saving an operator having to manually remove the debris hoppers. The lift system can be located at a front of the floor cleaning machine to provide line-of-sight for an operator. The lift system can additionally extend the debris hoppers forward from underneath the machine and upward to above the machine to facilitate a compact design.

<FIG> is a perspective view of floor cleaning machine <NUM> including high dump hopper system <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of floor cleaning machine <NUM> of <FIG> showing high dump hopper system <NUM> in a stowed configuration. <FIG> is a perspective view of floor cleaning machine <NUM> of <FIG> showing high dump hopper system <NUM> in an extended configuration. <FIG> is a front view of floor cleaning machine <NUM> of <FIG> showing first and second hoppers 20A and 20B positioned above operator station <NUM>. <FIG> are discussed concurrently unless specifically noted otherwise.

Floor cleaning machine <NUM> can comprise chassis <NUM>, operator station <NUM>, and scrubber assembly <NUM>. High dump hopper system <NUM> can comprise first and second hoppers 20A and 20B, linkage system <NUM>, frame <NUM> and actuator <NUM>.

High dump hopper system <NUM> can be mounted to chassis <NUM>, such as on a top side of chassis <NUM>. Operator station <NUM> can additionally be located on a top side of chassis <NUM>. Operator station <NUM> and high dump hopper system <NUM> can both be located at or near a front end of chassis <NUM>, with frame <NUM> being located to one side and operator station <NUM> being located to the opposite side. As such, an operator can have good visibility for operating machine <NUM> and high dump hopper system <NUM> can have access to the front of machine <NUM> for movement of hoppers 20A and 20B without increasing the length of the machine.

As can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, hoppers 20A and 20B can be stowed under chassis <NUM>, just ahead of scrubber assembly <NUM>. Scrubber assembly <NUM> can comprise first scrubber brush 28A and second scrubber brush 28B. The scrubber brushes 28A, 28B can rotate about respective brush axes <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>), here shown as parallel brush axes <NUM>, <NUM>. Scrubber brushes 28A and 28B can be configured to direct or push debris into hoppers 20A and 20B when hoppers 20A and 20B are in or near the stowed position. Linkage system <NUM> of high dump hopper system <NUM> can be configured to hold hoppers 20A and 20B in place via actuator <NUM> until an emptying operation is ready to be executed.

As can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, hoppers 20A and 20B can be extended out in front of chassis <NUM>, above operator station <NUM>. High dump hopper system <NUM> can comprise drive systems 29A and 29B for rotating hoppers 20A and 20B. Hoppers 20A and 20B can be rotated relative to linkage system <NUM> to control the position of openings 30A and 30B. For example, openings 30A and 30B can be maintained in an upper location during transition from the stowed position of <FIG> and <FIG> to the extended position of <FIG> and <FIG> to prevent or inhibit debris from falling out of hoppers 20A and 20B. However, once in the extended position, hoppers 20A and 20B can be rotated such that openings 30A and 30B face downward so that debris within hoppers 20A and 20B can be dumped or emptied from high dump hopper system <NUM>.

Floor cleaning machine <NUM> can be configured to perform various floor cleaning operations. As mentioned, scrubber assembly <NUM> can be used to collect debris from a floor surface. Floor cleaning machine <NUM> can additionally be configured as a scrubbing system wherein cleaning liquid from tank <NUM> is dispensed onto the floor surface and a recovery system can be used to collect dirty cleaning liquid for storage in recovery tank <NUM>. As such, floor cleaning machine can be configured to include various solution dispensers, scrubbing brushes, suction systems and squeegees to facilitate scrubbing. For example, floor cleaning machine <NUM> can include a pump (not visible in <FIG>) for dispensing liquid from tank <NUM> and providing recovery suction to return dirty liquid to recovery tank <NUM>. An example sweeper-scrubber machine is described in Pub. No. <CIT>, entitled "Floor Scrubber Machine with Enhanced Steering and Solution Flow Functionality," the contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference in their entirety. In an example, high dump hopper system <NUM> of the present disclosure can be incorporated into the floor scrubber machine disclosed in Pub. Although the figures of the present disclosure are described with reference to combined scrubber-sweeper wherein a common set of roller bristles provide scrubbing and sweeping action, the present disclosure is applicable to other types of sweepers such as those that only provide sweeping action.

Floor cleaning machine <NUM> can be configured to traverse the floor surface using forward steered wheel <NUM> and rear wheels 38A and 38B. Inclination sensor <NUM> can be attached to chassis <NUM> or another location on floor cleaning machine <NUM> to determine an orientation of floor cleaning machine <NUM> relative to horizontal. In an example, rear wheels 38A and 38B can be mounted to freely rotate on rear axis <NUM> (<FIG>) that can be provided by one or two axles connected to chassis <NUM>. Forward steered wheel <NUM> can be coupled to drive mechanism <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) that can receive power from batteries <NUM> for rotation about forward axis <NUM> (<FIG>). However, in other examples, machine <NUM> can receive power from one or more power sources <NUM> including from a battery, a hydraulic system, a genset, an internal combustion engine, a fuel cell, a hybrid-battery system and any other system known in the art. In the illustrated example, machine <NUM> can use electric power from batteries <NUM> or mechanical power from an engine configured to combust fuel from tank <NUM>, such as liquid propane. Steering wheel <NUM> can be controlled by an operator located in operator station <NUM> to turn forward steered wheel <NUM> around a steering axis <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) to thereby provide steering. A steering motor <NUM> (<FIG>) can be used for turning the forward steered wheel <NUM> around the steering axis <NUM>. For example, an operator can sit in chair <NUM> to engage steering wheel <NUM> and pedal <NUM> to operate machine <NUM>. Separate controls, such as buttons or lift control <NUM> and hopper control <NUM> (<FIG>), for high dump hopper system <NUM> can be provided proximate operator station <NUM> to allow the operator to move hoppers 20A and 20B between the stowed and extended positions and to control the orientation of hoppers 20A and 20B. Such controls can be located proximate operator station <NUM>. Furthermore, operation of floor cleaning machine <NUM> and components and sub-systems thereof can be coordinated by controller <NUM>, which is described in greater detail with reference to <FIG>. Additionally, controller <NUM> can be connected to inclination sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of high dump hopper system <NUM> of <FIG> disposed next to scrubber assembly <NUM>. High dump hopper system <NUM> can comprise first hopper 20A, second hopper 20B, linkage system <NUM>, frame <NUM> (<FIG>), actuator <NUM> (<FIG>) and drive systems 29A and 29B, as mentioned. High dump hopper system <NUM> can also comprise splitter <NUM> that is disposed to prevent debris from passing between hoppers 20A and 20B and guide such debris into hoppers 20A and 20B, as is discussed in greater detail below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Linkage system <NUM> can comprise follower link <NUM>, lift link <NUM> and hopper link <NUM>. Lift link <NUM> can be mounted to frame <NUM> (<FIG>) to rotate about lift link upper axis <NUM>. Follower link <NUM> can be mounted to frame <NUM> to rotate about follower link upper axis <NUM>. Follower link upper axis <NUM> can be above and behind lift link upper axis <NUM>. Lift link <NUM> can couple to hopper link <NUM> at pivot axis <NUM> in front of hopper link <NUM>. Follower link <NUM> can couple to hopper link <NUM> at follower link lower axis <NUM> below hopper link <NUM>. As such, lift link <NUM> can rotate about lift link upper axis <NUM> to pull hopper link <NUM>, while hopper link <NUM> pivots about pivot axis <NUM> relative to lift link <NUM>. Follower link <NUM> and lift link <NUM>, specifically the relative locations of the lift link upper axis <NUM> and the follower link upper axis <NUM> and pivot axis <NUM> and follower link lower axis <NUM>, respectively, can facilitate linkage system <NUM> pulling hoppers 20A and 20B along a horizontal and longitudinal, e.g., outward and upward, movement path, as is discussed with reference to <FIG>.

Lift link <NUM> can comprise first link 66A and second link 66B that can couple to hopper link <NUM> at spaced apart locations to provide support for hopper link <NUM>. Links 66A and 66B can be coupled by crosslinks 68A and 68B for stability. Additionally, crosslinks 68A and 68B can be connected by drive plate <NUM> to which actuator <NUM> can be connected. Drive plate <NUM> and crosslinks 68A and 68B can facilitate torque transfer from actuator <NUM> to lift link <NUM>. Lift link <NUM> can provide the main lifting force to hopper link <NUM> via actuator <NUM>. Thus, lift link <NUM> can pull hopper link <NUM> via couplings at pivot axis <NUM>. As will be discussed with reference to <FIG>, lift link <NUM> can be configured to pull hopper link <NUM> forward and upward, out from under chassis <NUM>.

Follower link <NUM> can comprise extension portion <NUM> and hook portion <NUM>. Follower link <NUM> can be configured to be driven by movement of lift link <NUM>. Thus, as actuator <NUM> pushes lift link <NUM> upwards, follower link <NUM> will be additionally lifted upward. However, as will be discussed with reference to <FIG>, due to the locations of lift link upper axis <NUM> and follower link upper axis <NUM> and pivot axis <NUM> and follower link lower axis <NUM>, follower link <NUM> rotates hopper link <NUM> as lift link <NUM> lifts hopper link <NUM>.

Hopper link <NUM> can comprise crossmember <NUM>, side plates 78A and 78B and various other brackets for coupling to hoppers 20A and 20B and lift link <NUM>. Hoppers 20A and 20B can be configured to pivot relative to crossmember <NUM> on hopper axis <NUM>. Crossmember <NUM> can provide a laterally extending structure for coupling hoppers 20A and 20B together for engaging scrubber assembly <NUM>. Side plates 78A and 78B can provide structures for displacing hoppers 20A and 20B further underneath chassis <NUM> and mounting locations for drive systems 29A and 29B.

As will be discussed herein, operation of actuator <NUM> and drive systems 29A and 29B can be controlled by controller <NUM> (<FIG>) to execute pre-programmed instructions to move hoppers through specific operations, such as high-dump, tip-and-shake, tip-for-grade, tip-for-transport, dump-and-shake, tip-to-drain, tip-for-brush-wear and the like.

<FIG> is a perspective view of lift link <NUM> for high dump hopper system <NUM> of <FIG>. Lift link <NUM> can comprise first link 66A, second link 66B, cross links 68A and 68B, drive plate <NUM> and mounting plate <NUM>. Mounting plate <NUM> can provide additional stabilization for links 66A and 66B and can provide a platform for coupling other components to high dump hopper system <NUM>, such as pumps, motors, hoses, wiring and the like.

First link 66A can comprise pivot end <NUM> and hopper end <NUM>. Pivot end <NUM> can include bore <NUM> for joining with cross link 68A. A fastener can be inserted into bore <NUM> to pivotably couple lift link <NUM> to frame <NUM>. Pivot end <NUM> can be coupled to cross link 68B in any suitable manner. Hopper end <NUM> can comprise bore <NUM> for pivotably coupling with hopper link <NUM>. Bore <NUM> can define pivot axis <NUM>. Hopper end <NUM> can comprise a curved or hockey stick shape formed by cutout <NUM>. Cutout <NUM> can allow bore <NUM> to be placed in front of and/or underneath hopper link <NUM>. Second link 66B can be configured similarly as first link 66A.

Drive plate can include bore 93A and first link 66A can include bore 93B. Bores 93A and 93B can be used to couple to actuator <NUM>. In an example, actuator <NUM> can comprise a hydraulic cylinder configured to extend and retract using pressurized hydraulic fluid or electrical activation. Thus, a pin can be extended through an eyelet of a hydraulic piston and bores 93A and 93B. Floor cleaning machine <NUM> can be provided with a hydraulic system.

<FIG> is a perspective view of follower link <NUM> for high dump hopper system <NUM> of <FIG>. Follower link <NUM> can comprise extension portion <NUM>, hook portion <NUM>, first eyelet <NUM> and second eyelet <NUM>. First eyelet <NUM> can be located in plate <NUM> and can comprise a bore therethrough. Extension portion <NUM> can comprise an elongate member that connects first eyelet <NUM> and hook portion <NUM>. First eyelet <NUM> can define follower link upper axis <NUM>. Hook portion <NUM> can comprise a curved or fish-hook shaped that forms recess <NUM>. Recess <NUM> can allow second eyelet <NUM> to be placed underneath hopper link <NUM>. Recess <NUM> can be deeper than cutout <NUM> of lift link <NUM> to allow second eyelet <NUM> to be positioned further underneath and further backward relative to hopper link <NUM> than lift link <NUM> to produce offset between pivot axis <NUM> and follower link lower axis <NUM> to enable the rotation of hopper link <NUM>. Second eyelet <NUM> can be formed by a bore through a distal portion of hook portion <NUM>. Second eyelet <NUM> can define follower link lower axis <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of hopper link <NUM> for high dump hopper system <NUM> of <FIG>. Hopper link <NUM> can comprise crossmember <NUM>, side plates 78A and 78B, first hopper bracket 102A, second hopper bracket 102B, first drive flange 104A, second drive flange 104B, third drive flange 104C and follower flanges 106A and 106B.

Crossmember <NUM> can comprise a tubular member for mounting hoppers 20A and 20B and drive systems 29A and 29B to high dump hopper system <NUM>. Crossmember <NUM> can include internal space <NUM> for mounting components of high dump hopper system <NUM>, such as motors 160A and 160B for drive systems 29A and 29B. Side plates 78A and 78B can comprise flat bodies for supporting drive system 29A and 29B, respectively. Side plates 78A and 78B can include bores 108Aand 108B, which can be centered on hopper axis <NUM>.

Hopper brackets 102A and 102B can also include bores 112A and 112B, respectively, that can be centered on hopper axis <NUM>. First hopper 20A can be connected to side plate 78A and bracket 102A and second hopper 20B can be connected to side plate 78B and bracket 102B.

Side plate 78B can include bore 114A, drive flange 104B can include bore 114B and drive flange 104A can include bore 114C. Bores 114A -114C can be centered on axis <NUM>. Bore 114A can be pivotably connected to second link 66B, and bores 114B and 114C can be pivotably connected to first link 66A. Follower flanges 106A and 106B can additionally include bores (not visible in <FIG>) for pivotably connecting to follower link <NUM> at bore <NUM>.

<FIG> is a graph showing lift path <NUM> for first and second hoppers 20A and 20B of <FIG>. <FIG> shows a side view of the centers of hoppers 20A and 20B on hopper axis <NUM> moving along lift path <NUM> or trajectory. Lift link upper axis <NUM> of lift link <NUM> is shown for reference. Hoppers 20A and 20B extend from stowed position <NUM> to extended position <NUM>. In stowed position <NUM>, hopper axis <NUM> is located underneath chassis <NUM> (<FIG>). Lift link <NUM> moves hoppers 20A and 20B under chassis <NUM> over an elongate nearly horizontal path to point <NUM> within height band <NUM> where minimal longitudinal movement of hoppers 20A and 20B occurs. However, once hopper axis <NUM> moves beyond point <NUM> where hoppers 20A and 20B are clear of chassis <NUM>, lift path <NUM> undergoes a more arcuate path or trajectory that extends longitudinally up to extended position <NUM>. As such, hoppers 20A and 20B can be moved to an elevated position for maneuvering over a refuse container.

Thus, lift path <NUM> or trajectory comprises a spiral shape that comprises a curve with a changing radius of curvature, which in the illustrated embodiment the radius slowly decreases at the beginning of movement from stowed position <NUM> and then rapidly increases as it moves closer to the extended position <NUM>. As such, the smaller radius of curvature that grows faster allows hoppers 20A and 20B to stay within narrow height band <NUM> in the beginning, but thereafter is free to elevate once the structure of chassis <NUM> is cleared. The shape of lift path <NUM> or trajectory is influenced by operation of follower link <NUM> on hopper link <NUM>. Movement of hoppers 20A and 20B across lift path <NUM> or trajectory, as well as the relative movement between follower link <NUM> and hopper link <NUM>, are shown in <FIG>. In additional examples, other lift paths or trajectories can be used to provide lateral and upward movement as described herein, including those that are similar to lift path <NUM> or trajectory and other compound, single or changing radius lift paths or trajectories that are different.

<FIG> shows another example of high-dump hopper system <NUM> that can be configured with two actuators, actuators <NUM> and <NUM>, to achieve lift paths suitable for pulling hoppers 20A and 20B out from under chassis <NUM> and then upward, such as lift path <NUM>. In such examples, follower link <NUM> can be eliminated and lift link <NUM> and hopper link <NUM> can be connected by a second actuator. The second actuator can change the angle between lift link <NUM> and hopper link <NUM> as the first actuator, actuator <NUM>, lifts hopper link <NUM>. A similar result as is discussed in the previous paragraph can be achieved where the radius between lift link upper axis <NUM> and hopper link <NUM> can be increased initially while hopper link <NUM> is underneath chassis <NUM> to produce a generally or more horizontal movement of hopper link <NUM> before enabling a more longitudinal movement.

<FIG> are side views of high dump hopper system <NUM> of <FIG> showing first and second hoppers 20A and 20B moving between stowed position <NUM> (<FIG>) and extended position <NUM> (<FIG>). Angle θ is shown between follower link <NUM> and hopper link <NUM>. Lift link upper axis <NUM> and follower link upper axis <NUM> of lift link <NUM> and follower link <NUM>, respectively, are shown relative to frame <NUM>. As mentioned, <FIG> illustrate an example of lift path <NUM> with reference to specific angles. However, angle θ can be varied to achieve the same or a similar range of motion.

As can be seen in <FIG>, hoppers 20A and 20B are underneath chassis <NUM> in the stowed position. Side plate 78A is shown positioned within recess <NUM> of follower link <NUM>. Angle θ is shown to be slightly greater than ninety degrees.

As can be seen in <FIG>, lift link <NUM> pulls hopper link <NUM> underneath chassis <NUM> in a generally horizontal direction underneath chassis <NUM>. The horizontal movement of hoppers 20A and 20B is due to hopper axis <NUM> of hoppers being behind lift link upper axis <NUM> of lift link <NUM> and follower link <NUM> increasing the radius between the lift link upper axis <NUM> and hopper axis <NUM> as hook portion <NUM> of follower link <NUM> pivots hopper link <NUM> about follower link lower axis <NUM>. In <FIG>, angle θ is shown to be approximately ninety degrees.

As can be seen in <FIG>, lift link <NUM> continues to pull hopper link <NUM> along while rotating at lift link upper axis <NUM>, and hook portion <NUM> continues to rotate side plates 78A and 78B at follower link upper axis <NUM> away from follower link <NUM> such that angle θ increases. As such, hoppers 20A and 20B begin a much more substantial longitudinal movement from <FIG> as compared to the movement from <FIG>. In <FIG>, angle θ is shown to be greater than ninety degrees.

As can be seen in <FIG>, lift link <NUM> moves hopper link <NUM> to a fully lifted position of extended position <NUM>. Follower link additionally moves hopper link <NUM> to a fully rotated position. As such, hopper axis <NUM> of hoppers 20A and 20B is positioned at its maximum distance from lift link upper axis <NUM> and is extended forward of and above chassis <NUM>. In <FIG>, angle θ is shown to be almost one-hundred-eighty degrees.

<FIG> is a side view of high dump hopper system <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is a top cross-sectional view of high dump hopper system <NUM> of <FIG> showing splitter <NUM> located between first and second hoppers 20A and 20B. <FIG> and <FIG> are discussed concurrently.

High dump hopper system <NUM> can be mounted to chassis <NUM> (<FIG>) to engage scrubber assembly <NUM>, which can comprise scrubber brushes 28A and 28B. High dump hopper system <NUM> can comprise follower link <NUM>, lift link <NUM> and hopper link <NUM>. Side plate 78A and hopper bracket 102A can couple hopper 20A to hopper link <NUM> and side plate 78B and hopper bracket 102B can couple hopper 20B to hopper link <NUM>. Hoppers 20A and 20B can be mounted in any suitable rotatable fashion, such as by using bushings, bearings, pinned connections and the like.

Splitter <NUM> can be mounted to scrubber assembly <NUM> (<FIG>), or other structure attached thereto, to be proximate hoppers 20A and 20B. In an example, splitter <NUM> can be between hoppers 20A and 20B adjacent openings 30A and 30B. Splitter <NUM> can be positioned above or at least partially above scrubber brush 28A, as can be seen in <FIG>. Splitter <NUM> can comprise a body shaped and positioned to direct debris <NUM> originating from between scrubber brushes 28A and 28B into hoppers 20A and 20B. Hoppers 20A and 20B can comprise separate containers that can be individually positioned to reduce the size of machine <NUM>. For example, hoppers 20A and 20B can be separated by distance <NUM> to produce space <NUM>. Space <NUM> can be provided to allow forward steered wheel <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) adequate area to turn. As such, it is not necessary for forward steered wheel <NUM> and hoppers 20A and 20B to occupy different longitudinal locations along the length of machine <NUM>, e.g., wheel <NUM> does not need to be longitudinally in front of or behind hoppers 20A and 20B, thereby allowing machine <NUM> to be reduced in size. In other words, hoppers 20A and 20B can occupy the same lateral position relative to the longitudinal length of machine <NUM>. Splitter <NUM> can bridge the gap between hoppers 20A and 20B to guide debris from scrubber brushes 28A and 28B originating adjacent space <NUM> into hoppers 20A and 20B. Splitter <NUM> can comprise a wedge-shaped body having leading panels 140A and 140B that come together at an apex extending over scrubber brush 28A. Leading panels 140A and 140B can join with coupling panels 142A and 142B that can be arranged parallel to each other to slide between hoppers 20A and 20B. Coupling panels 142A and 142B can form a sliding seal against edges of hoppers 20A and 20B forming openings 30A and 30B, respectively. Machine <NUM> can be provided with other bodies to facilitate moving of debris into hoppers 20A and 20B. For example, side wedge <NUM> can be coupled to chassis <NUM> or another suitable structural component of machine <NUM> direct debris into hopper 20A. Side wedge <NUM> can facilitate the use of scrubbing assembly <NUM> being wider than the total cross-width of hoppers 20A and 20B. As such, hoppers 20A and 20B can be configured to be used with scrubbing assemblies of different widths.

Hoppers 20A and 20B can comprise containers for storing debris <NUM> collected by scrubber brushes 28A and 28B. As shown in <FIG>, hoppers 20A and 20B can comprise rectangular portions 144A and 144B having scupper portions 146A and 146B, respectively. Rectangular portions 144A and 144B can have rectangular cross-sectional areas configured to, together, extend across at least a portion of, e.g., a majority of, the width of scrubber brush 28A not covered by splitter <NUM>. Rectangular portions 144A and 144B can be sized to be less than the widths needed to cover scrubber brush 28A to allow distance <NUM> to be greater to allow more space for forward steered wheel <NUM>. As such, scupper portions 146A and 146B can be provided to close that gap without interfering with forward steered wheel <NUM>. Scupper portions 146A and 146B can comprise flared portions of hoppers 20A and 20B angled toward splitter <NUM> to form surfaces that extend generally parallel with leading panels 140A and 140B.

Rectangular portion 144A can comprise outer wall 148A, inner wall 150A and exterior wall 152A. Rectangular portion 144B can comprise outer wall 148B, inner wall 150B and exterior wall 152B. Outer wall 148A and inner wall 150A can comprise planar or flat walls that can be vertically oriented to facilitate rotation of hoppers 20A and 20B. Exterior wall 152A can comprise a curved or multi-faceted wall that connects walls 150A and 150B and that extends from one side of opening 30A to an opposite side of opening 30A. The shape of exterior wall 152A can match the perimeters of walls 148A and 150A. As can be seen in <FIG>, the perimeters of walls 148A and 150A and the shape of exterior wall 152A can be round, oval, teardrop shaped, elliptical or the like to facilitate rotation about hopper axis <NUM>. Rectangular portion 144B can be constructed similarly to rectangular portion 144A.

Hoppers 20A and 20B can additionally include drain openings 154A and 154B, respectively. Drain openings 154A and 154B can comprise passages through the structure of hoppers 20A and 20B, such as exterior walls 152A and 152B. Drain openings 154A and 154B can comprise simple through-bores or bores that are provided with resealable openings, such as threaded caps or valves. Drain openings 154A and 154B can be located relative to openings 30A and 30B in locations to facilitate draining and prevent spillage during transport. For example, drain openings 154A and 154B can be located directly opposite openings 30A and 30B in embodiments where drain openings 154A and 154B are capped. Thus, hoppers 20A and 20B can be rotated such that openings 30A and 30B are positioned upwards in a transport mode to prevent spilling and when located over a proper disposal site, drain openings 154A and 154B can be opened to allow debris and liquid (such as a cleaning solution) to be drained from hoppers 20A and 20B. In other examples, drain openings 154A and 154B can comprise a plurality of small through bores positioned closer to openings 30A and 30B, and hoppers 20A and 20B can be tilted using drive systems 29A and 29B to allow liquid and debris to drain out of openings 154A and 154B.

Drive system 29A can comprise motor 160A, drive gear 162A, input gear 164A and position sensor 166A. Drive mechanisms 29B can comprise motor 160B, drive gear 162B, input gear 164B and position sensor 166B. Motor 160A can be located within the tubular structure of crossmember <NUM>. Motor 160A can directly rotate drive gear 162A. First hopper 20A can be coupled to input gear 164A, which can be linked to drive gear 162A by a belt (not illustrated). Motor 160A can be electronically coupled to operator station <NUM> (<FIG>) such that an operator can actuate a control to activate motor 160A to cause drive gear 162A, which, via a belt, can cause rotation of input gear 164A to thereby cause hopper 20A to rotate. Position sensors 166A can be used by controller <NUM> (<FIG>) to determine the orientation of hopper 20A relative to hopper link <NUM>. Drive system 29B can be configured similarly to drive system 29A. As discussed herein, operator station <NUM> can include a controller that can rotate hoppers 20A and 20B.

<FIG> is a top view of high dump hopper system <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of high dump hopper system <NUM> of <FIG> showing a cross-sectional view of debris hopper 20A relative to splitter <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> are discussed concurrently.

As discussed, hoppers 20A and 20B can comprise containers where exterior walls 152A and 152B are generally oval shaped to facilitate rotation on hopper axis <NUM>. Openings 30A and 30B can comprise flat portions of hoppers 20A and 20B that truncate a portion of the oval shape of exterior walls 152A and 152B.

Splitter <NUM> can have a generally triangular cross-sectional profile with bottom surface <NUM> being contoured to fit over scrubber brush 28A. In an example, bottom surface <NUM> can have the same radius of curvature as scrubber brush 28A. Thus, splitter <NUM> can substantially reduce debris <NUM> from exiting between scrubber brushes 28A and 28B and continuing under splitter <NUM> back to the floor surface.

In another example of the present disclosure, hoppers 20A and 20B and splitter <NUM> can be used without high dump hopper system <NUM>. That is, hoppers 20A and 20B can be coupled, directly or indirectly, to chassis <NUM>, and can be configured for manual emptying. For example, hoppers 20A and 20B can be mounted on rails for sliding onto machine <NUM>. In an example, hoppers 20A and 20B can be configured to slide parallel to hopper axis <NUM>. In such configurations, hoppers 20A and 20B can be locked into place to prevent lateral displacement parallel to hopper axis <NUM>, but can be unlocked to slide off of the rails by an operator such that the operator can carry debris hoppers 20A and 20B to a refuse container. In such configurations, crossmember <NUM> or a structural element similar to, can be used to secure hoppers, such as by providing a rigid structure that can support hoppers 20A and 20B similarly to how disclosed herein. As such, frame <NUM>, actuator <NUM>, lift link <NUM> and follower link <NUM> can be eliminated, or disabled, and crossmember <NUM> can be secured and immobilized with respect to chassis <NUM> or some other such similar structure can be used to support hoppers 20A and 20B.

<FIG> is a top view of chassis <NUM> for floor cleaning machine <NUM> of <FIG> showing forward steered wheel <NUM> between first and second hoppers 20A and 20B, and rear wheels 38A and 38B. Forward steered wheel <NUM> can be configured to rotate on forward axis <NUM>. Rear wheels 38A and 38B can be configured to rotate on rear axis <NUM>. Forward steered wheel <NUM> can be coupled to an axle of drive mechanism <NUM> and steering wheel <NUM> to cause rotation of forward steered wheel <NUM> about a steering axis <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) as indicated by arrow <NUM>, e.g. this steering axis <NUM> is perpendicular to the forward axis <NUM> and it may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a surface to be cleaned, when the floor cleaning machine <NUM> is in normal operation. Space <NUM> allows forward steered wheel <NUM> to turn around the steering axis <NUM> without being obstructed by hoppers 20A and 20B. Note, brackets 102A and 102B can be located above space <NUM> for forward steered wheel <NUM>. Rear wheels 38A and 38B can be mounted to chassis <NUM> via brackets 186A and 186B. Brackets 186A and 186B can include axles upon which wheels 38A and 38B can rotate about rear axis <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating control system <NUM> for floor cleaning machine <NUM> of <FIG>. Control system <NUM> can comprise controller <NUM>, actuator <NUM>, inclination sensor <NUM>, drive mechanism <NUM>, pedal <NUM>, motors 160A and 160B, orientation sensors 166A and 166B, lift control <NUM> and hopper control <NUM>.

Controller <NUM> can comprise a computing system including processor <NUM> and memory <NUM>. Controller <NUM> can comprise other hardware components, such as a network interface, a display device, an input device, an output device and a storage device that can include a machine-readable medium for storing instructions in which various commands for operating floor cleaning machine <NUM> can be located.

Controller <NUM> can operate high-dump hopper system <NUM> in a plurality of modes to facilitate emptying, facilitate cleaning, prevent spills, prevent leakage and the like. In particular, controller <NUM> can operate to move hoppers 20A and 20B in high-dump, tip-and-shake, tip-for-grade, tip-for-transport, dump-and-shake, tip-to-drain, and tip-for-brush-wear modes.

Controller <NUM> can operate high-dump hopper system <NUM> in a high-dump mode. In a high-dump mode, controller <NUM> can operate actuator <NUM> to extend and move hoppers 20A and 20B from stowed position <NUM> (<FIG>) to extended position <NUM> (<FIG>). During such movement, controller <NUM> can operate motors 160A and 160B of drive system 29A and 29B to maintain openings 30A and 30B in an upward orientation to prevent debris from falling out of hoppers 20A and 20B. Controller <NUM> can monitor the position of openings 30A and 30B by monitoring output of position sensors 166A and 166B. Further, actuator <NUM> can be provided with a position sensor so that the height of hoppers 20A and 20B along with the associated rotation of hopper link <NUM> produced by extension of actuator <NUM> can be determined by controller <NUM>. In other words, controller <NUM> can determine the rotational orientation of hoppers 20A and 20B by determining the rotation of hoppers 20A and 20B produced by both rotation of lift link <NUM> and follower link <NUM> as well as rotation produced by motors 160A and 160B. In additional examples, controller <NUM> can be connected to rotation sensor <NUM> (<FIG>) to directly sense the orientation of links 66A and 66B relative to frame <NUM>.

Controller <NUM> can operate high-dump hopper system <NUM> in a tip-and-shake mode. In a tip-and-shake mode, controller <NUM> can operate motors 160A and 160B to position openings 30A and 30B in an upward orientation and then rapidly move openings 30A and 30B in short back-and-forth movements to shake debris within hoppers 20A and 20B. The shaking movement can cause the debris to move further down into hoppers 20A and 20B (e.g., away from openings 30A and 30B). The tipping movement can improve filling of hoppers 20A and 20B. The tip-and-shake mode can occur in any position of hoppers 20A and 20B between stowed position <NUM> and extended position <NUM>. In examples, controller <NUM> can tip-and-shake hoppers 20A and 20B in the fully stowed position or can withdraw hoppers 20A and 20B from engagement with scrubber brush 28A only a short distance such that tipping and shaking of hoppers 20A and 20B will not cause impacting against scrubber brush 28A.

Controller <NUM> can operate high-dump hopper system <NUM> in a tip-for-grade mode. In a tip-for-grade mode, controller <NUM> can operate motors 160A and 160B to move the location of openings 30A and 30B to compensate for floor cleaning machine <NUM> traversing a floor or other terrain that is on an incline or a decline. Controller <NUM> can monitor output of inclination sensor <NUM> (<FIG>) to monitor the orientation of chassis <NUM>. If floor cleaning machine <NUM> is sensed to be traversing an incline or a decline, controller <NUM> can rotate hoppers 30A and 30B to position openings 30A and 30B close to horizontal to compensate for the incline or decline and prevent debris from falling out of hoppers 20A and 20B. Tip-for-grade mode can occur during cleaning operations where scrubber brushes 28A and 28B are actively cleaning or during transportation operations where hoppers 20A and 20B are partially or fully withdrawn from the stowed position for emptying.

Controller <NUM> can operate high-dump hopper system <NUM> in a tip-for-transport mode. In a tip-for-transport mode, controller <NUM> can operate motors 160A and 160B to move the location of openings 30A and 30B to compensate for floor cleaning machine <NUM> traversing a floor or other terrain at speeds more suited for moving machine <NUM> than cleaning with scrubber assembly <NUM>, which are typically higher. Controller <NUM> can monitor output of drive mechanism <NUM> (<FIG>) to monitor speed of machine <NUM>. If floor cleaning machine <NUM> is sensed to be moving at a high rate of speed, higher than those at which cleaning operations occur, controller <NUM> can rotate hoppers 30A and 30B to position openings 30A and 30B upward to compensate for the increased bouncing and vibration of debris within hoppers 20A and 20B to prevent debris from falling out of hoppers 20A and 20B. In additional examples, controller <NUM> can be provided with an operator input to allow an operator to enable machine <NUM> to enter a transport mode where controller <NUM> can be notified that a cleaning mode is disabled and scrubber brushes 28A and 28B are not operating.

Controller <NUM> can operate high-dump hopper system <NUM> in a dump-and-shake mode. In a dump-and-shake mode, controller <NUM> can operate motors 160A and 160B to move the location of openings 30A and 30B to facilitate emptying of hoppers 20A and 20B. Controller <NUM> can monitor output of actuator <NUM> (<FIG>) to ascertain if machine <NUM> might be performing an emptying operation. Typically, an emptying operation can occur with hoppers 20A and 20B in the fully deployed position of extended position <NUM> (<FIG>). If floor cleaning machine <NUM> is determined to be in an emptying operation, controller <NUM> can rotate hoppers 30A and 30B to position openings 30A and 30B downward. Once openings 30A and 30B are in a downward position, controller <NUM> can rapidly move openings 30A and 30B in short back-and-forth movements to shake debris within hoppers 20A and 20B out of openings 30A and 30B.

Controller <NUM> can operate high-dump hopper system <NUM> in a tip-to-drain mode. In a tip-to-drain mode, controller <NUM> can operate motors 160A and 160B to move the location of drain openings 154A and 154B to facilitate draining of hoppers 20A and 20B. Controller <NUM> monitor if machine <NUM> might be performing a draining operation. Typically, tip-to-drain operations can occur automatically during a cleaning process without prompting from an operator in short increments that do not substantially interfere with the cleaning operation. In examples, a draining operation can occur with hoppers 20A and 20B in or near the fully stowed position <NUM> (<FIG>). In other configurations, floor cleaning machine <NUM> can be determined to be in a draining operation by controller <NUM> and controller <NUM> can rotate hoppers 30A and 30B to position drain openings 154A and 154B downward to allow liquid within hoppers 20A and 20B to drain out of openings 154A and 154B. Drain operations can be used to facilitate cleaning of hoppers 20A and 20B, such as when water or another cleaning liquid is sprayed into hoppers 20A and 20B for rinsing. Drain operations can also be used in examples where machine <NUM> is configured as a scrubber or combination sweeper-scrubber where a cleaning fluid is recovered from the floor being cleaned.

Controller <NUM> can operate high-dump hopper system <NUM> in a tip-for-brush-wear mode. In a tip-for-brush-wear mode, controller <NUM> can rotate hoppers 20A and 20B based on wear of scrubber brushes 28A and 28B. In examples, scrubber brushes 28A and 28B can comprise bristles extending radially outward to sweep debris into hoppers 20A and 20B to contact the floor being cleaned. Over time, it is possible for the bristles to become worn such that they become shorter than their initial length. As such, a gap can form between hoppers 20A and 20B and scrubber brush 28A, thereby producing a gap through which swept-up debris can escape back down to the floor surface and diminishing the cleaning performance of machine <NUM>. The condition of the bristles can be visually inspected by an operator of machine <NUM> or by the presence of a contact sensor on hoppers 20A and 20B that can be configured to sense engagement with the bristles. When a gap between the bristles and hoppers 20A and 20B is detected, controller <NUM> can tilt hoppers 20A and 20B so that an edge of openings 30A and 30B moves toward scrubber brush 28A. Due to openings 30A and 30B being planar, rotation about axis hopper <NUM> will cause one edge of openings 30A to move away from scrubber brush 28A and the opposite edge to move closer to scrubber brush 28A. Thus, for example, with reference to <FIG>, hoppers 20A and 20B can be rotated clock-wise (or in other configurations, counter-clock-wise) to move the lower edge of openings 30A and 30B toward scrubber brush 28A. Furthermore, swing arms for scrubber brushes 28A and 28B can be moved to bring scrubber brush 28B closer to hoppers 20A and 20B because the scrub deck for scrubber brushes 28A and 28B and hoppers 20A and 20B, via linkage system <NUM>, are independently mounted to chassis <NUM>.

In embodiments, controller <NUM> may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, controller <NUM> may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, controller <NUM> may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environment. Controller <NUM> can be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

Controller <NUM> may include hardware processor <NUM> (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), memory <NUM> and static memory, some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus). Controller <NUM> may further include a display unit, an alphanumeric input device (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display unit, input device and UI navigation device may be a touch screen display. Controller <NUM> may additionally include a storage device (e.g., drive unit), a signal generation device (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device, and one or more sensors, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerometer, or other sensor. Controller <NUM> may include an output controller, such as a serial (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.).

The storage device may include machine readable medium on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions may also reside, completely or at least partially, within main memory <NUM>, within static memory, or within hardware processor <NUM> during execution thereof by controller <NUM>. In an example, one or any combination of hardware processor <NUM>, main memory <NUM>, static memory, or storage device may constitute machine readable media.

While memory <NUM> is illustrated as a single medium, the term "machine readable medium" may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions. The term "machine readable medium" may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by controller <NUM> and that cause controller <NUM> to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure (high-dump, tip-and-shake, tip-for-grade, tip-for-transport, dump-and-shake, tip-to-drain, tip-for-brush-wear and the like), or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine readable medium examples may include solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media.

The instructions may further be transmitted or received over a communications network using a transmission medium via a network interface device utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communication networks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellular networks), Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) <NUM> family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE <NUM> family of standards known as WiMax®), IEEE <NUM>. <NUM> family of standards, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. In an example, the network interface device may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to a communications network. In an example, the network interface device may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. The term "transmission medium" shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by machine <NUM>, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software.

The benefits of the systems and methods of the present disclosure can be in the form of, for example, <NUM>) ease of operation in that an operator does not need to dismount the floor cleaning machine to empty the debris hoppers, <NUM>) manual lifting of debris hoppers is eliminated, <NUM>) overall length of the floor cleaning machine need not be increased in order to incorporate the lift system, <NUM>) operator visibility is not obstructed by the lift system in the stowed position, <NUM>) the debris hopper orientation can be automatically controlled during specific operations for improved performance, e.g., tip-and-shake, tip-for-grade, etc., <NUM>), reduced spilling and re-sweeping of debris, <NUM>) ease of maintenance on the debris hoppers including cleaning, <NUM>) permitting front driving and steering of the machine, and <NUM>) permitting of operator compartment to be located at the front of the machine. These and other benefits not specifically enumerated can be achieved with the high-dump hopper system, controller and other components described herein.

However, the present inventor also contemplates examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventor also contemplates examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.

Claim 1:
A floor cleaning machine (<NUM>) comprising:
a chassis (<NUM>) comprising: a forward end; a rear end; an upper side extending between the forward end and the rear end; and an underside extending between the forward end and the rear end opposite the upper side;
an operator station (<NUM>) mounted on the upper side;
a propulsion system located on the chassis (<NUM>) and configured to move the chassis (<NUM>) in a travel direction, the propulsion system comprising: a forward steered wheel (<NUM>) located on a forward axis (<NUM>) coupled to the underside of the chassis (<NUM>); and a rear wheel (38A, 38B) located on a rear axis (<NUM>) coupled to the underside of the chassis (<NUM>);
a brush (28A) coupled to the underside of the chassis (<NUM>), the brush (28A) extending from a first brush end to a second brush end along a brush axis (<NUM>), wherein the brush (28A) is configured to rotate about the brush axis (<NUM>); and
a hopper system located to the chassis (<NUM>), the hopper system comprising a first debris hopper (20A) disposed forward of the brush (28A) in a stowed position; wherein the forward axis (<NUM>) is positioned in front of the brush axis (<NUM>), and wherein the hopper system further comprises a second debris hopper (20B) located adjacent the forward axis (<NUM>).