EP4201284A1 - Floor cleaning machine with footplate and method for removing a dirty fluid tank device from a cleaning head - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a floor cleaning machine comprising a cleaning head (12), support rod means (36) connected to the cleaning head (12), at least one cleaning roller unit (18) located on the cleaning head (12), and dirt fluid tank means ( 32) which is removably seated on a base (30) of the cleaning head (12), with a foot strap (34) being arranged on the dirty fluid tank device (32) which, when the dirty fluid tank device (32) is fixed to the base (30), extends over the base ( 30) protrudes.

Description

The invention relates to a floor cleaning machine comprising a cleaning head, support rod means connected to the cleaning head, at least one cleaning roller unit arranged on the cleaning head, and dirt fluid tank means removably seated on a base of the cleaning head.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for removing a dirty fluid tank device for a cleaning head in a floor cleaning machine.

The WO 2021/013343 A1 discloses a floor cleaning machine with a floor head, wherein when the floor cleaning machine is in a parked position, the floor head is supported on a base by a base device in such a way that a cleaning roller is at a distance from the base, with a tank device having at least one continuous recess through which, at least in the parked position, Base of the base device is submerged.

The U.S. 2010/0251505 A1 and the U.S. 2017/0127901 A1 disclose further floor cleaning machines.

The DE 20 2015 101 302 U1 discloses a cleaning device in the form of a vacuum cleaner.

From the WO 2016/058901 A1 , WO 2016/058856 A1 , WO 2017/063663 A1 , WO 2016/058879 A1 , WO 2016/058956 A1 are surface cleaning machines known. From the WO 2016/058907 A1 a surface cleaning machine is also known.

From the U.S. 4,875,246 a portable floor cleaning device is known which has a roller driven by an electric motor.

From the DE 20 2009 013 434 U1 a device for wet floor cleaning with a brush which can be rotated about an axis of rotation is known.

From the CN 201 197 698 Y a cleaning machine is known.

From the U.S. 6,026,529 a device for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces is known.

From the WO 2010/041185 A1 a surface cleaning machine with rotating brushes is known.

From the U.S. 7,665,174 B2 a cleaning head for a floor cleaning machine is known.

From the U.S. 4,173,054 a floor cleaner is known which comprises a handle, a main body, a roller mechanism having a roller with a cleaning belt, a scraper and a dirty fluid receptacle.

From the WO 2013/106762 A2 a surface cleaning machine with a cleaning roller and a drive unit for driving the cleaning roller is known. A dirt tray is provided into which the cleaning roller sweeps dirt as it rotates. The dirt tray can be opened.

From the U.S. 7,921,497 B2 a floor scrubber is known which is manually operated and includes a drive roller coupled to a scrub roller.

From the WO 2015/086083 A1 Another floor cleaning machine is known.

From the U.S. 3,789,449 a hard floor cleaning device is known.

From the DE 103 57 637 A1 a self-propelled sweeper with a sweeping brush and an associated dirt collection space is known.

From the DE 10 2007 054 500 A1 a household floor cleaning device with a mop roller is known.

From the U.S. 2006/0272120 A1 a floor cleaning device with a housing, a hose arrangement and a cleaning head is known.

From the DE 10 2017 120 723 A1 a cleaning machine station for a cleaning machine is known, the cleaning machine station having a receiving chamber for a cleaning head of the cleaning machine.

From the WO 2005/087075 A1 a floor cleaning machine is known with a handle which is pivotally mounted on a base.

The CN 107007215A discloses a floor cleaning robot.

The DE 20 2018 104 772 U1 discloses a dirty water collecting mechanism and dirty water detection mechanism and a cleaning device.

Cleaning machines are also out of the AU2017101723A4 , the CN 206687671 U , the DE 20 2016 105 300 U1 , the US 9,622,637 B1 , the CN 205359367 U , the U.S. 2017/0119225 A1 , the CN 205181250 U , the CN 205181251 U , the CN 205181256 U , the DE 20 2016 105 299 U , the WO 2017/059602 A1 , the WO 2017/059600 A1 , the WO 2017/059601 A1 , the WO 2017/059603 A1 or the DE 20 2016 105 301 U1 known.

The object of the invention is to provide a floor cleaning machine of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the dirty fluid tank device can be easily removed from the cleaning head by an operator.

In the case of the floor cleaning machine mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved according to the invention in that a foot strap is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device, which protrudes beyond the base when the dirty fluid tank device is fixed to the base.

An operator can act on the dirty fluid tank device through the foot strap without having to touch it.

An operator then does not have to bend down or kneel to remove the dirty fluid tank device from the cleaning head. Furthermore, he does not have to directly touch the dirty fluid tank device, which may be dirty.

Furthermore, when the dirty fluid tank device is removed from the cleaning head, the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to a floor by the action of force on the foot strap. As a result, the movement of the dirty fluid tank device is minimized during a removal process. This, in turn, minimizes the swaying of dirty fluid within the dirty fluid tank assembly.

The fact that the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to a floor by applying a force to the foot strap results in a simple removal process.

In particular, a solution can be achieved in a simple manner by lifting the cleaning head in relation to the fixed dirty fluid tank device.

Furthermore, the stepping strap reduces the risk of a parked floor cleaning machine falling over with the dirty fluid tank device fixed thereto.

It is favorable if the cleaning head has a front end and a rear end facing away from the front end, with the at least one cleaning roller unit being seated in the area of the front end and with the dirt fluid tank device fixed to the base, the foot strap is positioned in the area of the rear end, and in particular the kick tab protrudes backwards beyond the rear end of the base. As a result, an operator can act directly on the foot strap from an operator's side of the floor cleaning machine.

• einem Schwenkgelenk, über welches die Haltestabeinrichtung schwenkbar an dem Reinigungskopf angelenkt ist;
• mindestens einem Abstützelement, über welches sich der Reinigungskopf beabstandet zu der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit an einem zu reinigenden Boden abstützt;
• einem Mittelteil einer Walzenaufnahme der Reinigungswalzeneinheit.

Furthermore, it is favorable if the foot strap is aligned with at least one of the following in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning head when the dirty fluid tank device is held on the base:

• a pivot joint by which the support rod means is pivoted to the cleaning head;
• at least one support element, via which the cleaning head is supported at a distance from the at least one cleaning roller unit on a floor to be cleaned;
• a central part of a roller seat of the cleaning roller unit.

This results in a symmetrical arrangement and tilting moments can be minimized.

• die Trittlasche ist mittig zwischen einer ersten lateralen Seite und einer zweiten lateralen Seite der Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung angeordnet;
• die Trittlasche weist seitliche hochgezogene Randwandungen auf;
• die Trittlasche ist an einem Boden oder einer Wandung der Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung angeordnet.

It is also favorable if at least one of the following is provided:

• the kick tab is centrally located between a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the dirty fluid tank assembly;
• the step strap has lateral raised edge walls;
• the kick tab is arranged on a floor or a wall of the dirty fluid tank device.

Tilting moments and the like can thus be minimized. The laterally raised edge walls largely prevent the operator's foot from slipping off. Furthermore, sharp edges and the like can be avoided. The arrangement on a floor or a wall of the dirty fluid tank device results in a simple structural design.

• die Aufstellfläche ist eine ebene Fläche;
• eine Rotationsachse der mindestens einen Rotationswalzeneinheit ist parallel zu der Aufstellfläche;
• eine Schwenkachse eines Schwenkgelenks, mittels welchem die Haltestabeinrichtung an den Reinigungskopf schwenkbar angelenkt ist, ist parallel zu der Aufstellfläche;
• die Trittlasche ist mindestens näherungsweise parallel zu der Aufstellfläche ausgerichtet, wenn die Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung an der Basis gehalten ist;
• die Trittlasche ist in einem Höhenabstand zu der Aufstellfläche angeordnet, wenn die Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung an der Basis gehalten ist;
• die Aufstellfläche ist durch die mindestens eine Reinigungswalzeneinheit und mindestens einem Abstützelement, welches beabstandet ist zu der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit, definiert.

It is favorable if a cleaning head is assigned a set-up area for a floor to be cleaned, with at least one of the following:

• the installation surface is a flat surface;
• an axis of rotation of the at least one rotary drum unit is parallel to the footprint;
• a pivot axis of a pivot joint, by means of which the support rod device is pivoted to the cleaning head, is parallel to the installation surface;
• the kick tab is oriented at least approximately parallel to the footprint when the dirty fluid tank assembly is held on the base;
• the kick tab is located at a height distance from the footprint when the dirty fluid tank assembly is supported on the base;
• the installation area is defined by the at least one cleaning roller unit and at least one support element, which is spaced apart from the at least one cleaning roller unit.

Due to the at least approximately parallel orientation of the step strap to the installation surface, it is easy for an operator to operate and the step strap can be easily accessed. By arranging the foot strap at a height distance from the installation surface, it does not touch the floor to be cleaned. If at least one support element is provided, the cleaning head is positioned stably on the surface to be cleaned. In particular, the support element is arranged on a base of the cleaning head and not on the dirty fluid tank device. As a result, a floating mounting of the dirty fluid tank device on the cleaning head can be achieved in a simple manner.

In an advantageous embodiment, the dirty fluid tank device is suspended from the base. This makes it easy to achieve a floating mount. The dirty fluid tank device can be removed from the cleaning head in a simple manner by applying force to the foot strap. The cleaning head and the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed in place in a simple manner, in particular by placing the cleaning head on the dirty fluid tank device from above.

In one embodiment, at least one holder and in particular a holding dome or holding mushroom is seated on the base and in particular at least two spaced holders are provided and the dirty fluid tank device has an associated receptacle for the at least one holder, with the dirty fluid tank device being held on the base the at least one holder in the associated recording is submerged. In this way, hanging mounting of the dirty fluid tank device on the base can be implemented in a simple manner. The dirty fluid tank device can easily on the Cleaning head can be fixed and detached from it. A solution can be achieved by removing the holder from the receptacle, or fixing can be achieved by immersing the holder in the receptacle.

It is particularly advantageous if a holder-receptacle combination is designed as a snap-in connection device. As a result, a fixing position can be locked in a simple manner.

In one embodiment, the at least one holder has a first element and the associated receptacle has a second element, which are adapted to one another such that when the first element rests against the second element in a locked position, the dirty fluid tank device falls off the base downwards is blocked away and when applying a certain amount of force, the blocking can be lifted. A corresponding training can be implemented in a structurally simple manner. The dirty fluid tank device can be detached from the cleaning head in a simple manner, or it can be fixed in place in a simple manner.

It is particularly advantageous if the first element and the second element are adapted to one another in such a way that a direction of force when a force is applied to cancel the blocking is in a direction transverse to an underside of the base away from the base, with the underside of the base faces the dirty fluid tank device when the dirty fluid tank device is held on the base. As a result, a solution can be achieved in a simple manner by the application of force to the step strap, in particular via an operator's foot. For example, the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to a floor by applying force to the foot strap and a solution can be achieved by lifting the cleaning head.

It is correspondingly favorable if (i) the second element is designed as a spreading element, which can be spread open with a corresponding application of force, and the first element is a blocking element and is surrounded by the second element, or (ii) the first element is designed as a spreading element is, which can be spread open with a corresponding effort, and the first element surrounds the second element, wherein the second element is a blocking element. The expansion element comprises at least one mobile tab and advantageously a plurality of tabs. A movement is achieved by applying the appropriate force. In this way, a blocked position can be achieved or canceled in a simple manner.

• das Sperrelement weist eine erste schiefe Ebene für das Spreizelement zum Herausführen des Spreizelements unter Aufhebung der Sperrung auf;
• das Sperrelement weist eine zweite schiefe Ebene für das Spreizelement zum Einführen des Sperrelements in einer Sperrrichtung auf;
• die zweite schiefe Ebene und die erste schiefe Ebene sind so ausgebildet, dass ein Kraftaufwand zum Herausführen des Spreizelements größer ist als zum Einführen.

In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the following is provided:

• the locking element has a first inclined plane for the spreading element for leading out the spreading element while releasing the blocking;
• the locking element has a second inclined plane for the spreading element for inserting the locking element in a locking direction;
• the second inclined plane and the first inclined plane are designed in such a way that the force required to bring out the expansion element is greater than to insert it.

In this way, the dirty fluid tank device can be detached and fixed on the cleaning head in a simple manner.

In an advantageous embodiment, the receptacle for the associated holder has an extension on a top side of the dirty fluid tank device and is in particular funnel-shaped, with the top side of the dirty fluid tank device facing the base when the dirty fluid tank device is held on the base. It is possible to bring in the Facilitate holder in the recording. Centering can also be achieved. In this way, the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to the cleaning head in a particularly simple manner.

It is particularly advantageous if the foot strap is arranged and designed in such a way that, when the cleaning head is properly positioned on a floor to be cleaned, an operator detaches the dirty fluid tank device from the base by applying force to the foot strap and lifting the cleaning head away from the floor to be cleaned. It can thus be detached from the base without touching the dirty fluid tank device.

It is particularly advantageous if the holding rod device is arranged and designed in such a way that the cleaning head can be lifted off by means of the holding rod device. In particular, an operator then does not have to bend down or kneel in order to enable a solution.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if, when the dirty fluid tank device is properly set up on a floor to be cleaned, the cleaning head can be placed onto the dirty fluid tank device from above and the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to the base. An operator can, for example, fix the dirty fluid tank device to the floor by means of the foot strap. The dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to the base by simply putting it on from above.

This solution makes it possible to implement a floor cleaning machine in which the holding rod device is supported by its weight on the at least one cleaning roller unit. As a result, a large, in particular maximum, contact pressure is achieved due to the dead weight of the holding rod device for the cleaning head on a floor to be cleaned.

The correspondingly high contact pressure results in improved cleaning results. The detachment of dirt from the floor to be cleaned is improved.

Furthermore, the appropriate design of the swivel joint makes it easy to realize that in every position of the swivel joint the cleaning head, on which in particular a dirty fluid tank device is detachably arranged, is in the same position relative to the floor to be cleaned. This also improves the cleaning result.

It is particularly advantageous if the swivel joint is designed as an orbital joint with an orbital path guidance of the holding rod device on the cleaning head. This makes it easy to achieve coaxiality between the pivot axis of the pivot joint and the axis of rotation. In particular, it can be achieved that when the holding rod device is pivoted towards the cleaning head, when the cleaning head with the at least one cleaning roller unit is properly placed on the floor to be cleaned, the cleaning roller unit rotates on the floor due to the pivoting.

In a constructively favorable embodiment, the swivel joint has a path guide device which is seated in a rotationally fixed manner on the cleaning head and which has a circular path section with a center which lies on the swivel axis, and the swivel joint has a counter-device which is seated in a rotationally fixed manner on the holding rod device and which supported on the web guiding device. An orbital joint can thus be formed in a simple manner, with the pivot axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the at least one cleaning roller unit. Furthermore, there is a large support area for the opposing device on the web guiding device. This allows a mechanically stable swivel joint to be implemented which has a correspondingly long service life.

• der Kreisbahnabschnitt ist bezogen auf eine Längsachse des Reinigungskopfs mit einem Teilbereich hinter der mindestens einen Reinigungswalze angeordnet;
• der Kreisbahnabschnitt ist bezogen auf eine Höhenachse des Reinigungskopfs mit einem Teilbereich oberhalb der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit angeordnet.

It is favorable if the at least one cleaning roller unit is arranged in the area of a front end of the cleaning head, with the following:

• the circular path section is arranged with a partial area behind the at least one cleaning roller in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning head;
• the circular path section is arranged with a partial area above the at least one cleaning roller unit in relation to a vertical axis of the cleaning head.

As a result of this arrangement, the circular path section encompasses the at least one cleaning roller unit to a certain extent from two sides. As a result, a swivel joint and in particular an orbital joint can be implemented in a simple manner, the swivel axis of which coincides with the axis of rotation of the at least one cleaning roller unit.

It is favorable if the counter-device is supported on the web-guiding device via at least three support points. This results in a mechanically stable swivel joint construction.

Advantageously, the pivot joint is centrally located between a first lateral side and a spaced second lateral side of the cleaning head. This results in a symmetrical design and tilting moments and the like are avoided.

It is particularly advantageous if the at least one cleaning roller unit also moves when the holding rod device is pivoted about the pivot axis. It then rolls on a floor to be cleaned when the cleaning head is properly supported on the floor to be cleaned via the at least one cleaning roller unit. This movement is superimposed on the rotational movement of the at least one cleaning roller unit about the axis of rotation.

In one exemplary embodiment, a drive motor is provided for the cleaning roller unit, which is connected to the holding rod device in a rotationally fixed manner in relation to the pivotability of the holding rod device about the pivot axis. This results in a structurally simple embodiment. When the holding rod device is pivoted, the drive motor is also pivoted. In this way, a drive train with the drive motor and the cleaning roller unit (on a roller mount) can be implemented in which no sliding clutch or the like has to be provided.

For the same reason, it is favorable if a transmission device is provided for transmitting torque from a drive motor to the at least one cleaning roller unit, in which the transmission device is connected to the retaining rod device in a rotationally fixed manner in relation to the pivotability of the retaining rod device about the pivot axis. As a result, the entire drive train consisting of the drive motor and the transmission device can be pivoted relative to the cleaning head by pivoting the holding rod device on the cleaning head, and no additional coupling is necessary.

For the reasons mentioned, it is also favorable if a roller mount is provided on which the at least one cleaning roller unit is seated, the roller mount being non-rotatably connected to the support rod device in relation to the pivotability of the support rod device. The entire drive train consisting of the drive device, gear device and drive motor is connected in a torque-proof manner to the holding rod device and can be pivoted with it. This results in a direct effect of the weight of the holding rod device including the drive motor and gear device on the cleaning roller unit to provide a high and in particular maximum contact pressure of the cleaning roller unit on a floor to be cleaned.

In one embodiment, the at least one cleaning roller unit sits on a roller mount on a shaft with a first shaft part, a middle part and a second shaft part, wherein the middle part lies between the first shaft part and the second shaft part and a first roller part of the at least one cleaning roller unit is arranged on the first shaft part and a second roller part of the at least one cleaning roller unit is arranged on the second shaft part, and it is a Central drive is provided, which acts on the central part, and the central part is arranged in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning head in alignment with the swivel joint. This central drive allows the first roller part and the second roller part to be guided to the lateral side ends of the cleaning head. It can thereby achieve a near-edge cleaning. By arranging the swivel joint in alignment with the central part, tilting moments and the like can be avoided.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the support bar device has a first part and a second part, the first part being articulated to the cleaning head and the second part being rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the first part, the axis of rotation being transverse and preferably is oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis of the pivot joint. This results in easier operating options. The additional rotatability makes it easier for an operator, for example, to carry out a cleaning process in corners or the like. He can position the cleaning head in different ways relative to himself due to the rotatability around the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is, for example, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first part or, for example, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second part.

• in einer feststellbaren Parkposition der Haltestabeinrichtung bezüglich des Reinigungskopfs wirkt die Verriegelungseinrichtung und ist insbesondere in einer Verriegelungsstellung;
• außerhalb der feststehenden Parkposition ist die Drehbarkeit durch die Verriegelungseinrichtung freigegeben;
• die Verriegelungseinrichtung geht automatisch in eine Verriegelungsstellung, wenn die Parkposition erreicht ist;
• die Verriegelungseinrichtung geht automatisch aus ihrer Verriegelungsstellung bei Aufheben der Parkposition.

It is particularly advantageous if a locking device is provided, by means of which rotation about the axis of rotation can be locked, in particular with at least one of the following:

• the locking device acts in a lockable parking position of the holding rod device with respect to the cleaning head and is in particular in a locking position;
• outside of the fixed parking position, the rotatability is released by the locking device;
• the locking device automatically goes into a locking position when the parking position is reached;
• the locking device automatically moves out of its locking position when the parking position is lifted.

In this way, it can be achieved, in particular in an automatic manner, that the ability to rotate is blocked in the parking position. This results in a "stable" parking position. It is then also favorable if the locking position is reached automatically when entering the parking position, and the locking position is reached automatically when leaving the parking position. The parking position that can be determined is a rest position for the floor cleaning machine, in particular when it is not in operation. Outside of this resting position, it can be rotated in order to achieve extensive cleaning options.

• der Schieber weist eine Nase auf, welche sich in der Verriegelungsstellung an dem Reinigungskopf abstützt und den Schieber in der Verriegelungsstellung hält oder in die Verriegelungsstellung bringt;
• der Schieber weist einen Überlastschutz auf;
• der Schieber weist mindestens einen ersten Teil und einen zweiten Teil auf, wobei der zweite Teil auf den zweiten Teil der Haltestabeinrichtung wirkt und wobei der zweite Teil federbeaufschlagt an dem ersten Teil beweglich angeordnet ist.

In one embodiment, the locking device comprises a spring-loaded movable slide, which is movably mounted on the first part and, in a locking position, causes a form fit with the second part, in particular with at least one of the following:

• the slider has a nose which is supported on the cleaning head in the locking position and holds the slider in the locking position or brings it into the locking position;
• the slide has an overload protection;
• the slider has at least a first part and a second part, the second part being on the second part of the support rod means acts and wherein the second part is spring-loaded movably arranged on the first part.

The locking device can be implemented in a simple manner by the movable slide. The spring support makes it easy to automatically reach the locking position for a parking position. In particular, the spring support is such that, outside of the parking position, the slide is held in such a position that there is no form fit with the second part. When the parking position is reached, the slide is moved against the force of the spring device in such a way, in particular by appropriately supporting the slide on the cleaning head, that the form fit is achieved.

In a constructively favorable embodiment, the slide has a lug, the lug then enabling the cleaning head to act, in particular from the parking position, in order to push the slide into the form-fitting locking position with the second part of the holding rod device or to hold it there.

It is particularly advantageous if overload protection is provided for the locking device. This reduces or prevents the risk of damage to the floor cleaning machine in the event of a high force load, particularly in the parking position. A fallback option is provided to reduce the risk of damage.

In particular, the slide is designed in several parts, so that in the parking position, if it is not possible to move the slide as a whole, the parts of the slide can move relative to one another in order to provide overload protection and reduce the risk of damage. By spring-supporting the second part on the first part, the slide is movable as a whole with the first part and with the second part outside of the overload situation in order to reach the locking position or to be able to release the locking position. Within the locking position, the multi-part design makes it possible to deviate at the slide itself when there is a high force load.

In one embodiment, the support rod device has a first area with a first longitudinal axis and a second area with a second longitudinal axis, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis being oriented at an obtuse angle to one another, the obtuse angle in particular being in the range between 120° and 170°. This results in an optimized linkability of the holding rod device to the cleaning head, particularly in the case of an orbital joint. A high swivel angle range results.

• der zweite Bereich sitzt an dem ersten Bereich;
• der erste Bereich ist oder umfasst einen distalen Bereich der Haltestabeinrichtung;
• die Haltestabeinrichtung ist über den ersten Bereich an den Reinigungskopf angelenkt;
• an dem ersten Bereich ist eine Gegeneinrichtung des Schwenkgelenks angeordnet;
• an dem ersten Bereich ist ein Antriebsmotor für die mindestens eine Reinigungswalzeneinheit angeordnet;
• der erste Bereich weist ein Gehäuse auf;
• an dem ersten Bereich ist ein Batteriehalter angeordnet;
• an dem ersten Bereich ist eine insbesondere abnehmbare Tankeinrichtung für Reinigungsflüssigkeit angeordnet.

In particular, at least one of the following is provided:

• the second portion is seated against the first portion;
• the first portion is or includes a distal portion of the support rod means;
• the support rod means is pivoted to the cleaning head via the first portion;
• a counter device of the swivel joint is arranged on the first area;
• a drive motor for the at least one cleaning roller unit is arranged on the first area;
• the first section has a housing;
• a battery holder is arranged on the first area;
• A particularly removable tank device for cleaning liquid is arranged in the first area.

The features mentioned result in a correspondingly simple structural design.

• der zweite Bereich ist oder umfasst einen proximalen Bereich der Haltestabeinrichtung;
• an dem zweiten Bereich ist ein Handgriff angeordnet;
• an dem zweiten Bereich ist eine insbesondere abnehmbare Tankeinrichtung für Reinigungsflüssigkeit angeordnet;
• an dem zweiten Bereich ist ein Batteriehalter angeordnet;
• an dem zweiten Bereich oder an einem Handgriff, welcher an dem zweiten Bereich sitzt, ist ein Bedienungspaneel angeordnet;
• der zweite Bereich weist eine gerade Erstreckung in der zweiten Längsachse auf.

For the same reasons, it is beneficial if at least one of the following is provided:

• the second portion is or includes a proximal portion of the support rod means;
• a handle is arranged on the second portion;
• A particularly removable tank device for cleaning liquid is arranged on the second area;
• a battery holder is arranged on the second area;
• a control panel is located on the second portion or on a handle located on the second portion;
• the second region has a straight extension in the second longitudinal axis.

This also results in easy operability of the floor cleaning machine.

• die untere Grenze liegt bei 0° oder größer 0°;
• die untere Grenze ist kleiner als 50° und insbesondere kleiner als 40° und insbesondere kleiner als 30° und vorzugsweise kleiner als 20°;
• die obere Grenze liegt im Bereich zwischen 80° und 120° und insbesondere bei ca. 90°;
• an der oberen Grenze weist die Haltestabeinrichtung eine feststellbare Parkposition bezüglich dem Reinigungskopf auf.

It is particularly advantageous if the support rod device has a free pivoting angle range to the cleaning head via the swivel joint, with a pivoting angle between a longitudinal axis of the retaining rod device and a surface on which the cleaning head is placed on a floor to be cleaned, the pivoting angle being in the range between a lower limit and an upper limit, in particular with at least one of the following:

• the lower limit is 0° or greater than 0°;
• the lower limit is less than 50° and in particular less than 40° and in particular less than 30° and preferably less than 20°;
• the upper limit is in the range between 80° and 120° and in particular around 90°;
• at the upper limit, the support bar means has a lockable parking position with respect to the cleaning head.

A correspondingly high pivoting angle results. A small lower limit means that it is easy to drive underneath, for example under furniture. A lockable parking position allows the holding rod device to be in a stable position relative to the cleaning head and the floor cleaning machine to be in a stable position overall for parking or, for example, for a cleaning process of the at least one cleaning roller unit.

It is favorable if a locking device is provided, which locks the retaining rod device at the upper limit with the cleaning head in such a way that the retaining rod device cannot be pivoted relative to the cleaning head. This allows the holding rod device to be locked with the cleaning head. A storage positioning for the floor cleaning machine results. In this way, an automated cleaning process of the at least one cleaning roller unit or of other parts of the floor cleaning machine can also be carried out in a simple manner at a corresponding floor station. A "fall" of the support rod device is prevented.

It is favorable if a further pivoting of the holding rod device, when it is at the upper limit and locked to the cleaning head, and when the cleaning head is properly positioned on a floor to be cleaned, when the pivoting angle is increased without further operator intervention, leads to a pivoting of the cleaning head leads to the floor to be cleaned. In this way, a dirty fluid tank device can be detached from the cleaning head in a simple manner, particularly if it is provided with a foot strap. For a corresponding process of removing the dirty fluid tank device, an operator then in particular does not have to touch the dirty fluid tank device. Furthermore, he can easily stabilize them on the floor to be cleaned (by exerting appropriate force, in particular with one foot on a foot strap). This in turn minimizes movement of the dirty fluid tank assembly upon detachment of the dirty fluid tank assembly from the cleaning head and minimizes liquid surging in the dirty fluid tank assembly.

In one embodiment, the locking device comprises at least one spring-loaded pin and an associated insertion opening for the pin, with (i) the at least one pin being arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the support rod device and the associated immersion opening being arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the cleaning head, or (ii) the at least one Pin is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the cleaning head and the associated immersion opening is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the holding rod device. A locking device can be implemented in a structurally simple manner by means of a pin immersion opening. The locking can be produced and canceled by an operator in a simple manner. In particular, the locking can be produced automatically by reaching a certain pivoting position (in particular the upper limit). Furthermore, the locking position (locked position) can be canceled in a simple manner by exerting force on the holding rod device.

• der Eintauchöffnung ist außerhalb der Eintauchöffnung eine erste schiefe Ebene zugeordnet, welche bei Vergrößerung des Schwenkwinkels den zugeordneten Stift in die Eintauchöffnung führt, wobei die erste schiefe Ebene eine Verschiebung des Stifts entgegen einer Kraftwirkung der Federbeaufschlagung bewirkt;
• der mindestens eine Stift weist eine an die erste schiefe Ebene angepasste erste Anlagefläche auf;
• die Eintauchöffnung ist durch eine Wandung begrenzt, welche eine zweite schiefe Ebene aufweist und über welche der zugeordnete Stift bei Verkleinerung des Schwenkwinkels aus der Eintauchöffnung herausbewegt ist, wobei die zweite schiefe Ebene eine Verschiebung des Stifts entgegen einer Kraftwirkung der Federbeaufschlagung bewirkt;
• der mindestens eine Stift weist eine an die zweite schiefe Ebene angepasste zweite Anlagefläche auf.

It is favorable if at least one of the following is provided:

• the immersion opening is associated with a first inclined plane outside the immersion opening, which leads the associated pin into the immersion opening when the pivoting angle increases, the first inclined plane causing a displacement of the pin against a force of the spring loading;
• the at least one pin has a first contact surface adapted to the first inclined plane;
• the immersion opening is delimited by a wall which has a second inclined plane and via which the associated pin is moved out of the immersion opening when the pivoting angle is reduced, the second inclined plane causing the pin to be displaced counter to a force exerted by the spring loading;
• the at least one pin has a second contact surface adapted to the second inclined plane.

In particular, the pin is displaceably arranged and spring-loaded. By guiding the first inclined plane, a positioning of the pin can be achieved against the action of the spring force, which enables immersion into the immersion opening. The pin is pressed into the immersion opening by the spring loading as soon as this is reached. This locking process can be carried out solely by means of a pivoting movement on the holding rod device and can therefore be carried out automatically. A corresponding blocking position can be reached directly with the pin immersed in the immersion opening by pivoting, in particular to an upper limit of the pivot angle range.

Due to the first contact surface, which is adapted to the first inclined plane, the corresponding blocking position can be reached easily and automatically.

By means of the second inclined plane, a corresponding expenditure of force can be set, which is necessary in order to guide the pin out of the immersion opening again. In particular, the exertion of force can be achieved by exerting a torque on the holding rod device. This makes it possible to achieve an automated cancellation of the blocking position. An operator then only needs to pivot the support rod assembly toward the cleaning head without performing any further intervention to release the lock.

The first inclined plane and the second inclined plane also make it easy to set the amount of force required to reach the locked position (pin inserted into the insertion opening) or to release the locked position (the pin emerging from the insertion opening). In particular, such a dimensioning is provided that the force required to release the locked position is greater than to reach the locked position.

• an der Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung ist eine Trittlasche angeordnet;
• an dem Reinigungskopf ist mindestens ein Abstreifelement angeordnet, welches auf die mindestens eine Reinigungswalzeneinheit wirkt und zum Abstreifen von Schmutzfluid von der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit dient;
• das mindestens eine Abstreifelement taucht in ein Wirkmaterial der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit ein;
• Schmutzfluid wird direkt von der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit ohne Betrieb einer Absaugeinrichtung in die Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung befördert.

It is favorable if a removable dirty fluid tank device is arranged on the cleaning head with at least one of the following:

• a step tab is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device;
• at least one stripping element is arranged on the cleaning head, which stripping element acts on the at least one cleaning roller unit and is used for stripping dirty fluid from the at least one cleaning roller unit;
• the at least one stripping element dips into an active material of the at least one cleaning roller unit;
• Dirty fluid is conveyed directly from the at least one cleaning roller unit into the dirty fluid tank device without the operation of a suction device.

The arrangement of the kick tab on the dirty fluid tank device allows the dirty fluid tank device to be detached from the cleaning head in a simple manner. Furthermore, the risk of the floor cleaning machine falling over when parked is reduced.

The at least one stripping element allows dirty fluid to be detached in a simple manner and, in particular, to be coupled into the dirty fluid tank device without suction.

• die Haltestabeinrichtung ist für einen stehenden Bediener ausgebildet, welcher auf dem zu reinigenden Boden steht, wobei der Reinigungskopf über eine Aufstellfläche auf den zu reinigenden Boden aufgesetzt ist und die Bodenreinigungsmaschine ist über die Haltestabeinrichtung über den zu reinigenden Boden führbar;
• die mindestens eine Reinigungswalzeneinheit ist durch einen Antriebsmotor motorisch angetrieben;
• der Reinigungskopf weist ein Gehäuse auf, in welchem mindestens teilweise die mindestens eine Reinigungswalzeneinheit angeordnet ist;
• die mindestens eine Reinigungswalzeneinheit liegt mit äußeren Enden jeweils an einer lateralen ersten Seite und einer lateralen zweiten Seite des Reinigungskopfs.

It is also favorable if at least one of the following is provided:

• the holding bar device is designed for a standing operator who stands on the floor to be cleaned, the cleaning head being placed on a set-up surface on the floor to be cleaned and the floor cleaning machine can be guided over the holding bar device over the floor to be cleaned;
• the at least one cleaning roller unit is motor-driven by a drive motor;
• the cleaning head has a housing in which the at least one cleaning roller unit is at least partially arranged;
• the at least one cleaning roller unit lies with outer ends on a lateral first side and a lateral second side of the cleaning head.

This results in easy operability with optimal cleaning results, especially on hard floors. A standing operator can carry out the cleaning process. Floor surfaces can be cleaned close to the edge.

It is particularly advantageous if the cleaning head has at least one support element, via which the cleaning head is supported at a distance from the at least one cleaning roller unit on a floor to be cleaned, with the at least one support element being firmly connected to the cleaning head in particular in such a way that when a Dirty fluid tank device from the cleaning head, the at least one support element remains on the cleaning head. As a result, the weight of the cleaning head can be supported on the floor to be cleaned via the at least one cleaning roller unit and the at least one support element, independently of the dirty fluid tank device. This makes it possible to always keep the dirty fluid tank device parallel to the floor and in the same relation to the at least one cleaning roller unit. As a result, for example, a sweeping element, which is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device, can be positioned in the same position relative to the floor to be cleaned for an optimized cleaning result. Furthermore, the dirty fluid tank device can be held hanging in relation to the cleaning head in a simple manner. This in turn makes it easy to remove or fix with the cleaning head. Furthermore, a movable or floating mounting of the dirty fluid tank device on the cleaning head can be implemented in a simple manner.

In particular, the at least one support element is aligned with the pivot bearing in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning head. This minimizes tilting moments and the like.

• an dem Reinigungskopf ist (i) mindestens ein Abstreifelement für die mindestens eine Reinigungswalzeneinheit angeordnet;
• an dem Reinigungskopf ist (ii) mindestens ein Kammelement angeordnet, welches auf die mindestens eine Reinigungswalzeneinheit wirkt;
• dem Reinigungskopf (iii) mindestens ein Kehrelement zugeordnet, welches der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit Kehrgut zuführt, wobei das mindestens eine Kehrelement insbesondere an einer Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung angeordnet ist,

wobei irgendeines der Elemente (i), (ii), (iii) oder irgendeine Kombination dieser Elemente zu der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit die gleiche Position unabhängig von einer Schwenkposition der Haltestabeinrichtung zu dem Reinigungskopf aufweist.It is also favorable if at least one of the following is provided:

• (i) at least one stripping element for the at least one cleaning roller unit is arranged on the cleaning head;
• (ii) at least one comb element is arranged on the cleaning head, which comb element acts on the at least one cleaning roller unit;
• the cleaning head (iii) is assigned at least one sweeping element, which feeds sweepings to the at least one cleaning roller unit, the at least one sweeping element being arranged in particular on a dirt fluid tank device,

wherein any one of the elements (i), (ii), (iii) or any combination of these elements has the same position relative to the at least one cleaning roller unit regardless of a pivotal position of the support rod means to the cleaning head.

This can be achieved in particular by spring loading of the at least one stripping element and the at least one comb element. With regard to the sweeping element, this can be achieved in a simple manner if this is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device and the dirty fluid tank device is movably and in particular floatingly seated on the cleaning head.

The result is an optimized cleaning result. Even if a diameter of the at least one cleaning roller unit varies, for example due to wear or manufacturing tolerances, this does not impair the cleaning result.

It is advantageous if the cleaning head has a mounting surface for a floor to be cleaned, which is in particular a flat surface, and the cleaning head is assigned a horizontal plane parallel to the mounting surface, and when the floor cleaning machine is operating properly, the horizontal plane of the cleaning head is always in the same position relative to the installation surface is independent of a pivoting position of the support rod device relative to the cleaning head.

This always results in the same good cleaning result, regardless of the pivoting position of the holding rod device.

• ein trockener Kehrbetrieb ohne Beaufschlagung des zu reinigenden Bodens oder der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit mit Reinigungsflüssigkeit;
• ein Nasswischbetrieb mit Beaufschlagung des zu reinigenden Bodens und/oder der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit mit Reinigungsflüssigkeit;
• ein Kehrbetrieb und ein Nasswischbetrieb, wobei insbesondere über ein Kehrelement Grobschmutz der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit zugeführt wird und über die mindestens eine Reinigungswalzeneinheit in eine Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung gefördert wird und über mindestens ein Abstreifelement Schmutzfluid von der mindestens einen Reinigungswalzeneinheit abgestreift und von dort in die Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung befördert wird.

It is also favorable if at least one of the following operating modes is provided:

• a dry sweeping operation without applying cleaning liquid to the floor to be cleaned or to the at least one cleaning roller unit;
• a wet wiping operation with application of cleaning fluid to the floor to be cleaned and/or to the at least one cleaning roller unit;
• a sweeping operation and a wet wiping operation, with coarse dirt being fed to the at least one cleaning roller unit in particular via a sweeping element and being conveyed via the at least one cleaning roller unit into a dirty fluid tank device, and dirt fluid being scraped off the at least one cleaning roller unit via at least one scraping element and being conveyed from there into the dirty fluid tank device.

In this way, optimized cleaning results can be achieved. In particular, the possibilities of dry sweeping operation, wet wiping operation and the combination of sweeping operation and wet wiping operation can be implemented on one device and adjusted accordingly by an operator. If necessary, an adaptation to the respective operating mode can be carried out by exchanging the at least one cleaning roller unit.

According to the invention, a method of the type mentioned is also provided, in which the cleaning head is properly placed on a floor, the operator places his foot on the foot strap and exerts a lifting force on the cleaning head via the holding rod device.

As a result, the dirty fluid tank device can be removed from the cleaning head in a simple manner. An operator does not have to touch the dirty fluid tank device for this purpose. He doesn't have to bend down or kneel. Furthermore, he can fix the dirty fluid tank device to the floor via the foot strap, so that the movement of the dirty fluid tank device is minimized and thereby also a fluctuation of liquid within the dirty fluid tank device is largely avoided.

The method according to the invention is carried out in the floor cleaning machine according to the invention.

Further advantageous configurations of the method according to the invention have already been explained in connection with the floor cleaning machine according to the invention.

In particular, the lifting force causes a pivotal lifting of the cleaning head from the floor. This results in easy operability. In principle, however, it is also possible for the lifting force to cause the cleaning head to be pulled upwards.

It is particularly advantageous if, in order to lift the cleaning head, the retaining rod device is or is brought into a locking position by pivoting the retaining rod device relative to the cleaning head, in which position the pivotability of the retaining rod device relative to the cleaning head is locked, with the retaining rod device being at an angle in the locking position in the range between 70° and 110° and in particular at about 90° to the ground. In the locking position, in particular, a parking position of the holding rod device relative to the cleaning head is reached. In the locked position, acting on the support rod means directly acts on the cleaning head due to locking. When torque is applied to the support rod assembly, it also acts on the cleaning head. As a result, it can be raised in a simple manner and, in particular, a pivoting movement can be achieved.

Figur 1

eine seitliche Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Flächenreinigungsmaschine (Bodenreinigungsmaschine), welche auf einem zu reinigenden Boden aufsteht;

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Bodenreinigungsmaschine gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine schematische Teildarstellung eines Reinigungskopfs der Bodenreinigungsmaschine gemäß Figur 1 in Schnittdarstellung;

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Teildarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Bodenreinigungsmaschine im Bereich eines Reinigungskopfs;

Figur 5

der Reinigungskopf gemäß Figur 4 in einer weiteren perspektivischen Ansicht;

Figur 6

der Reinigungskopf gemäß Figur 4 mit abgenommener Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung;

Figur 7

eine Schnittansicht des Reinigungskopfs gemäß Figur 4;

Figur 8

eine Schnittansicht längs der Linie 8-8 gemäß Figur 7;

Figur 9

die gleiche Ansicht wie Figur 5, wobei Verriegelungsstellen bzw. Verrastungsstellen für eine Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung mit dem Reinigungskopf und für eine Haltestabeinrichtung mit dem Reinigungskopf gezeigt sind;

Figur 10

eine seitliche Schnittansicht des Reinigungskopfs gemäß Figur 9 im Bereich einer Verriegelungsstelle für die Haltestabeinrichtung mit dem Reinigungskopf außerhalb einer Verriegelungsstellung;

Figur 11

eine Schnittansicht gemäß Figur 9 einer Verriegelungsstelle der Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung mit dem Reinigungskopf, wobei die Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung an dem Reinigungskopf fixiert ist;

Figur 12

die gleiche Ansicht wie Figur 10, wobei die Haltestabeinrichtung mit dem Reinigungskopf verriegelt ist;

Figur 13

die gleiche Ansicht wie Figur 11 bei der Abnahme der Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung (Auflösung der Verriegelungsstellung);

Figur 14

eine Variante eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Stifts mit konischer Spitze;

Figur 15

eine Ansicht des Reinigungskopfs außerhalb einer Verriegelungsstellung für eine Drehbarkeit der Haltestabeinrichtung zu dem Reinigungskopf mit abgenommener Verkleidung;

Figur 16

eine vergrößerte Darstellung einer Verriegelungseinrichtung gemäß Figur 15;

Figur 17

die gleiche Ansicht wie Figur 15 in einer Verriegelungsstellung der Drehbarkeit der Haltestabeinrichtung zu dem Reinigungskopf;

Figur 18

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Verriegelungseinrichtung in der Stellung gemäß Figur 17;

Figur 19

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Bodenreinigungsmaschine mit unterschiedlichen Stellungen der Haltestabeinrichtung zu dem Reinigungskopf, wobei gezeigt ist:

in Figur 19(a)

eine bestimmte Schwenkstellung (Arbeitsstellung) der Haltestabeinrichtung zu dem Reinigungskopf;

in Figur 19(b)

eine Parkposition der Haltestabeinrichtung zu dem Reinigungskopf;

in Figur 19(c)

angedeutet eine Bewegung zur Lösung einer Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung von dem Reinigungskopf;

in Figur 19(d)

ein Hochheben des Reinigungskopfs von der Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung zur Abnahme von dieser;

in Figur 19(e)

schematisch ein Aufsetzen des Reinigungskopfs auf die Schmutzfluidtankeinrichtung zu deren Fixierung;

Figur 20

eine Schnittansicht des Reinigungskopfs im Bereich einer Reinigungswalzeneinheit;

Figur 21

eine Schnittansicht der Reinigungswalzeneinheit im Bereich A gemäß Figur 25;

Figur 22

eine ähnliche Schnittansicht wie Figur 21 im Bereich B gemäß Figur 25;

Figur 23

eine Schnittansicht der Bodenreinigungsmaschine gemäß Figur 4 in Teildarstellung, wobei die Schwenkposition der Haltestabeinrichtung tiefer ist als in Figur 4;

Figur 24

eine Unteransicht des Reinigungskopfs bei der Bodenreinigungsmaschine gemäß Figur 4;

Figur 25(a)

schematisch den Verlauf eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines gekrümmten Abstreifelements an einer Reinigungswalzeneinheit mit erstem und zweitem Walzenteil;

Figur 25(b)

schematisch den Verlauf eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines gekrümmten Abstreifelements an einem Walzenteil;

Figur 26

schematisch den Verlauf eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines gekrümmten Abstreifelements an einer Reinigungswalzeneinheit mit erstem und zweitem Walzenteil oder an einem Walzenteil;

Figur 27

schematisch den Verlauf eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines gekrümmten Abstreifelements an einer Reinigungswalzeneinheit mit erstem und zweitem Walzenteil oder an einem Walzenteil;

Figur 28

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Kombination aus Abstreifelement und Haarkamm gemäß Figur 20;

Figur 29

die Kombination aus Figur 28 in der Richtung X gemäß Figur 28; und

Figur 30

eine Unteransicht der Kombination gemäß Figur 28 in der Richtung Y gemäß Figur 28.

The following description of preferred embodiments serves to explain the invention in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. Show it:

figure 1

a side view of an embodiment of a surface cleaning machine (floor cleaning machine), which stands on a floor to be cleaned;

figure 2

a perspective view of the floor cleaning machine according to FIG figure 1 ;

figure 3

a schematic partial representation of a cleaning head of the floor cleaning machine according to FIG figure 1 in sectional view;

figure 4

a perspective partial representation of an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the invention in the area of a cleaning head;

figure 5

the cleaning head according to figure 4 in another perspective view;

figure 6

the cleaning head according to figure 4 with removed dirty fluid tank device;

figure 7

a sectional view of the cleaning head according to FIG figure 4 ;

figure 8

a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG figure 7 ;

figure 9

the same view as figure 5 , wherein locking points or latching points for a dirty fluid tank device with the cleaning head and for a support rod assembly with the cleaning head;

figure 10

a side sectional view of the cleaning head according to FIG figure 9 in the area of a locking point for the holding rod device with the cleaning head outside of a locking position;

figure 11

a sectional view according to FIG figure 9 an interlocking point of the dirty fluid tank device with the cleaning head, wherein the dirty fluid tank device is fixed to the cleaning head;

figure 12

the same view as figure 10 wherein the support bar means is interlocked with the cleaning head;

figure 13

the same view as figure 11 when removing the dirty fluid tank device (release of the locking position);

figure 14

a variant of an embodiment of a pen with a conical tip;

figure 15

a view of the cleaning head outside of a locking position for rotatability of the support rod means to the cleaning head with the cover removed;

figure 16

an enlarged view of a locking device according to FIG figure 15 ;

figure 17

the same view as figure 15 in a locked position of the rotatability of the support rod means to the cleaning head;

figure 18

an enlarged view of the locking device in the position shown in FIG figure 17 ;

figure 19

an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the invention with different positions of the holding rod device to the cleaning head, wherein is shown:

in figure 19(a)

a specific pivoting position (working position) of the holding rod device relative to the cleaning head;

in figure 19(b)

a parking position of the support rod means to the cleaning head;

in figure 19(c)

indicated movement to release a dirty fluid tank assembly from the cleaning head;

in figure 19(d)

raising the cleaning head from the dirty fluid tank assembly for removal therefrom;

in figure 19(e)

schematically a placement of the cleaning head on the dirty fluid tank device to fix it;

figure 20

a sectional view of the cleaning head in the area of a cleaning roller unit;

figure 21

a sectional view of the cleaning roller unit in the area A according to figure 25 ;

figure 22

a similar sectional view as figure 21 in area B according to figure 25 ;

figure 23

a sectional view of the floor cleaning machine according to FIG figure 4 in partial representation, wherein the pivoting position of the support rod device is lower than in FIG figure 4 ;

figure 24

a bottom view of the cleaning head in the floor cleaning machine according to FIG figure 4 ;

Figure 25(a)

schematically shows the course of an exemplary embodiment of a curved scraping element on a cleaning roller unit with a first and second roller part;

Figure 25(b)

schematically shows the course of an embodiment of a curved stripping element on a roller part;

figure 26

schematically shows the course of a further exemplary embodiment of a curved stripping element on a cleaning roller unit with a first and second roller part or on one roller part;

figure 27

schematically shows the course of a further exemplary embodiment of a curved stripping element on a cleaning roller unit with a first and second roller part or on one roller part;

figure 28

a perspective view of an embodiment of a combination of stripping element and hair comb according to figure 20 ;

figure 29

the combination of figure 28 in the direction X according to figure 28 ; and

figure 30

a bottom view of the combination according to FIG figure 28 in the direction Y according to figure 28 .

An embodiment of a surface cleaning machine according to the invention is a floor cleaning machine 10. The basic structure of the floor cleaning machine 10 and its basic mode of operation is based on the Figures 1 to 3 explained.

Hard floors in particular can be cleaned with the floor cleaning machine 10 .

The floor cleaning machine 10 includes a cleaning head 12. In the exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine, the cleaning head 12 is a floor head.

For proper cleaning operation, the cleaning head 12 is placed with a set-up surface 14 on a floor 16 to be cleaned.

The installation surface 14 is in particular a flat surface.

(At least) one cleaning roller unit 18 is arranged on the cleaning head 12 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, exactly one cleaning roller unit 18 is provided.

The cleaning roller unit 18 can comprise a one-piece cleaning roller or a multi-piece cleaning roller, as will be explained in more detail below.

The cleaning head 12 has a front end 20 and a rear end 22 remote from the front end. A longitudinal axis 24 of the cleaning head 12 extends between the front end 20 and the rear end 22.

The cleaning head 12 has a first lateral side 26 and an opposite second lateral side 28. A distance direction between the first lateral side 26 and the second lateral side 28 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24.

The cleaning roller unit 18 is arranged in the area of the front end 20 of the cleaning head 12 . When the floor cleaning machine 10 is operating properly, an operator stands behind the rear end 22 of the cleaning head 12 on the floor 16 to be cleaned.

The installation surface 14 is via the cleaning roller unit 18 and at least one installation element (in the Figures 1 to 3 not shown). The cleaning head 12 and thus also the floor cleaning machine 10 are supported via the cleaning roller unit 18 and the at least one positioning element on the floor 16 to be cleaned.

The cleaning head 12 has a base 30 . This base 30 is a main body of the cleaning head 12.

A detachable dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is seated on the cleaning head 12. The dirty fluid tank assembly 32 holds dirty fluid. Dirty fluid is understood here as a flowable fluid which can be wet or dry. The dirty fluid can include, for example, cleaning liquid with dirt particles or only dust particles.

In principle, the dirty fluid tank device 32 can comprise a number of separate individual parts which can be fixed individually to the base 30 and can be removed from it.

In a preferred embodiment, the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 comprises a unit having one or more separate compartments for dirty fluid.

On the dirty fluid tank device 32 sits a foot strap 34 which protrudes to the rear. This serves to make it easier to remove the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the cleaning head 12, as will be explained in more detail below.

A holding rod device 36 is pivoted to the cleaning head 12 via a swivel joint. The holding rod device 36 is designed in such a way that a standing operator can hold the floor cleaning machine 10 and guide it over the floor 16 to be cleaned.

A handle 38 is disposed proximally on the support rod assembly 36 . In the embodiment shown, the handle 38 is designed as a closed loop handle. Other configurations such as a non-closed loop handle and the like are also possible.

Provision is made in particular for operating elements such as an on/off switch and other operating elements, for example for control, to be arranged on the handle 38 or on the holding rod device 36 in the vicinity of the handle 38 .

Distal, the support rod assembly 36 is pivoted to the base 30 via the pivot joint.

A pivot axis 40 ( figure 2 ) of the swivel joint of the articulation of the holding rod device 36 to the cleaning head 12 is parallel to the installation surface 14. The swivel axis 40 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24.

The holding rod device 36 has a (second) longitudinal axis 42 along which the holding rod device 36 extends up to the handle 38 . The pivot axis 40 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to this second longitudinal axis 42 of the support rod device 36.

Provision can be made for the holding rod device 36 to be able to pivot further in relation to the mobility with respect to the cleaning head 12 , with the corresponding axis of rotation 41 being oriented transversely to the pivot axis 40 is. This rotatability is in figure 1 indicated by the arrow with the reference number 44. The corresponding axis of rotation 41 of this rotatability 44 is, for example, parallel or coaxial to a first longitudinal axis 80 of the support rod device 36 (see below). In particular, it is provided that this rotatability 44 is formed by a corresponding design of the holding rod device 36 with a first part 278 and a second part 280 that can be rotated relative to the first part 278 . This is explained below in particular with reference to Figures 15 to 18 explained in more detail.

The floor cleaning machine 10 includes a drive motor (in Figs Figures 1 to 3 not shown), by which the cleaning roller unit 18 is driven in rotation about an axis of rotation 46 . The cleaning roller unit 18 has a single axis of rotation 46, even if this includes a multi-part cleaning roller. The axis of rotation 46 is parallel to the installation surface 14. It is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24. It is parallel to the pivot axis 40.

In an exemplary embodiment, which is explained in more detail below, the pivot axis 40 of the pivotability of the support rod device 36 on the cleaning head 12 and the axis of rotation 46 are coaxial with one another.

The drive motor is located on the cleaning head 12, or located on the support rod assembly 36, or located at a transition area between the support rod assembly 36 and the cleaning head 12. It acts on the cleaning roller unit 18 and provides a corresponding torque for rotating the cleaning roller unit.

The floor cleaning machine 10 may be mains powered or battery powered.

In one embodiment, a battery holder 48 is provided which houses one or more batteries, and particularly rechargeable batteries. The batteries can be fixed to the floor cleaning machine 10 or be removable from it.

In the embodiment shown according to the Figures 1 to 3 the battery holder 48 is arranged on the support bar device 36 . In principle, however, an arrangement on the cleaning head 12 is also possible.

The floor cleaning machine 10 is designed in particular for the wet cleaning of hard floors. A tank device 50 for cleaning liquid is provided. The cleaning liquid is, in particular, fresh water, optionally with the addition of a cleaning agent. The cleaning roller unit 18 can be moistened directly and/or the floor 16 to be cleaned can be moistened via cleaning liquid from the tank device 50 . As a result, dirt can be removed in an improved manner, and the corresponding dirty fluid is picked up by the cleaning roller unit 18 and delivered to the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tank device 50 is arranged on the support rod device 36 . A corresponding supply device for cleaning liquid is provided, which leads from the tank device 50 to the cleaning head 12 in order to be able to correspondingly moisten the cleaning roller unit 18 and/or the floor 16 to be cleaned with cleaning liquid.

In figure 3 the basic functional structure of the cleaning head 12 is shown and the basic mode of operation is explained with reference to FIG figure 3 explained. During a cleaning operation, the cleaning head 12 is placed with its installation surface 14 on the floor 16 to be cleaned (in figure 3 the at least one further positioning element is not shown). The cleaning roller unit 18 acts on the floor to be cleaned and rotates in a direction of rotation 52.

The dirty fluid tank device 32 is seated on the base 30 of the cleaning head 12.

A mouth device 54 which has a mouth opening 56 is arranged on the cleaning head 12 . This orifice 56 is in fluid communication with the dirty fluid tank device 32 or is itself an orifice on the dirty fluid tank device 32 . When the cleaning roller unit 18 rotates, it is rotated past the orifice 56 .

The dirty fluid tank device 32 has a floor 58 . When the floor cleaning machine 10 is operating properly, this floor 58 faces the floor 16 to be cleaned. On the bottom 58 facing the cleaning roller unit 18 there is a wall 60 which leads up to the mouth opening 56 . The wall 60 is adapted to the cylindrical shape of the corresponding cleaning roller of the cleaning roller unit 18 .

The cleaning head 12 has a sweeping element 62 which is used to feed coarse dirt to the cleaning roller unit 18 . This coarse dirt is in figure 3 indicated by double arrows 64. The coarse dirt 64 which is made available to the cleaning roller unit 18 via the sweeping element 62 can be taken along by the cleaning roller unit 18 and thrown into the dirt fluid tank device 32 via the outlet opening 56 .

The sweeping element 62 is arranged on the base 30 or, as in FIG figure 3 shown, arranged on the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

During operation of the floor cleaning machine 10, the cleaning roller unit 18 is moistened with cleaning liquid via a supply device 66 for cleaning liquid. This humidification is in figure 3 indicated by the wavy arrows with reference numeral 68.

In this case, the moistening takes place downstream of the orifice opening 56 in relation to the direction of rotation 52 . A region of the cleaning roller unit 18 which is seated on the floor 16 to be cleaned then, during rotation in the direction of rotation 52 , first passes the orifice 56 and then the corresponding region with the moistening 68 .

(At least) one stripping element 70 is provided, which is arranged on the base 30 and is positioned between the orifice opening 56 and the area of humidification 68 .

In particular, the stripping element 70 is movably positioned on the base 30 . In the embodiment shown, the stripping element 70 is seated on a holder 72 which is articulated pivotably on the base 30 . This holder 72 is spring-loaded (in figure 3 Not shown). The spring loading presses the stripping element 70 against the cleaning roller unit 18.

With regard to its cleaning rollers, the cleaning roller unit 18 has an attachment which is arranged on a corresponding attachment holder. The trimming is a textile material, for example. In principle, however, it can also be a bristle trimming.

The stripping element 70 is arranged in such a way that it touches the trimming and preferably dips into the trimming. The spring loading of the movable holder 72 accordingly ensures that it is pressed or pressed in.

The wiping element 70 forms an opening wall of the opening device 54 for the opening 56. In particular, the wiping element 70 separates the area of moistening 68 from the opening 56.

The stripping element 70 acts on the cleaning roller unit 18 and on the bristles in such a way that dirty fluid is detached from the corresponding cleaning roller (and in particular moist dirty fluid is detached) and conveyed via the orifice opening 56 into the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

this is in figure 3 indicated by the arrows with the reference number 74.

This dirty fluid 74 detached by the stripping element 70 can also contain coarse dirt particles which were not conveyed directly into the dirty fluid tank device 32 via the outlet opening 56 .

The floor cleaning machine 10 with the training according figure 3 has a sweeping function, through which coarse dirt (and also dry coarse dirt) can be swept from the floor 16 to be cleaned. It has a wiping function, by means of which the floor 16 to be cleaned can be moistened via the moistening device 68 and wet dirty fluid can be picked up and detached via the stripping element 70 and conveyed into the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

It also exhibits a combined operation in which at the same time (as in figure 3 indicated) coarse dirt can be picked up from the floor 16 to be cleaned and a damp wiping process is carried out via the cleaning roller unit 18 .

The cleaning roller unit 18 is positioned on the cleaning head 12 in particular so that it can be replaced. As a result, for example, the cleaning roller unit 18 or a cleaning roller can be cleaned easily. As a result, an adaptation to the special cleaning process is also possible. If, for example, a cleaning roller of the cleaning roller unit 18 has a textile trimming such as a microfiber trimming, wet cleaning and sweeping cleaning can be carried out at the same time. However, it is also possible, for example, for a cleaning roller to be used as the cleaning roller with bristles is used to carry out a pure sweeping process. (Moistening of the cleaning roller unit 18 or the floor 16 to be cleaned is particularly switched off during the pure sweeping process.)

It is provided, in particular, that the dirty fluid tank device 32, in particular with the sweeping element 62 fixed thereto, is arranged floating relative to the base 30 in order, for example, to be able to position the sweeping element 62 in the same position as the cleaning roller unit 18, regardless of the trim length of the cleaning roller unit 18.

The basic operation of the floor cleaning machine 10, as based on the figure 3 was explained is also possible for a cleaning head 12 without a holding rod device 36 and in particular for a self-propelled and self-steering cleaning machine ("cleaning robot"). In the case of such a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning machine, in particular the battery holder 48 and the tank device for cleaning liquid 50 are then arranged in the cleaning head 12 itself.

In the floor cleaning machine 10, dirty fluid is conveyed via the cleaning roller unit 18 into the dirty fluid tank device 32 without a suction unit. The dirty fluid tank device 32 can be removed from the cleaning head 12 for emptying.

In principle, it is also possible for the dirty fluid that is in the dirty fluid tank device 32 to be sucked out. For this purpose, for example, a corresponding suction unit device and an associated additional dirty fluid tank are arranged on the holding rod device 36 .

Further aspects of the floor cleaning machine 10 and advantageous configurations are described below with reference to FIG Figures 4 to 21 described.

In one embodiment, support rod assembly 36 includes a first portion 76 and a second portion 78 . The first area 76 is arranged at an angle to the second area 78 . The first portion 76 is a distal portion, and the second portion 78 is seated with the handle 38 and thus also the proximal portion.

In particular, a control panel with a plurality of control elements is arranged on the handle 38 or on the second area 78 .

At the in the figures 1 and 2 In the embodiment shown, the tank device 50 for cleaning liquid is arranged on the second area 78 .

In particular, the control panel includes a switch that can be used to switch whether the cleaning roller unit 18 and/or the floor 16 to be cleaned is moistened with cleaning liquid from the tank device 50 for cleaning liquid 50 . Depending on the operator's choice, this makes it possible to carry out a dry sweeping operation or a wet mopping operation.

The first region 76 extends in a first longitudinal axis 80 (also compare figure 1 ), and the second portion 78 along the second longitudinal axis 42. The first portion 76 and the second portion 78 are at an obtuse angle 82 ( figure 1 ) to each other, which is in the range between 120° and 170°.

In a specific embodiment, this obtuse angle 82 is approximately 145°.

The first area 76 and the second area 78 are continuously connected to each other.

The support rod device 36 is articulated to the cleaning head 12 and thereby to the base 30 by means of a pivot joint 84 via the first region 76 . As mentioned above, the pivot axis 40 of the pivot joint 84 coincides with the axis of rotation 46 of rotation of the cleaning roller assembly 18 .

The swivel joint 84 is designed as an orbital joint. It comprises a web guiding device 86 which is seated on the cleaning head 12 and on the base 30 in a rotationally fixed manner. This path guiding device 86 comprises a circular path section 88. A center of the circular path section 88 lies on the pivot axis 40/rotational axis 46.

A counter-device 90 , which is supported on the web-guiding device 86 , is connected to the first region 76 in a rotationally fixed manner.

The counter-device 90 is slidably guided on the circular path section 88 of the path-guiding device 86; there is an orbital guidance of the counter-device 90 on the circular path section 88 of the path-guiding device 86 .

At least three support points are provided for guiding the opposing device 90 on the web guiding device 86 .

The circular path section 88 is arranged with a partial area behind the cleaning roller unit 18 in relation to the longitudinal axis 24 of the cleaning head 12 . Relative to a height axis 92, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24 and perpendicular to the installation surface 14, the circular path section 88 is arranged with a partial area above the cleaning roller unit 18.

The circular path section 88 is designed, for example, at least approximately as a quadrant section, which to a certain extent encompasses the cleaning roller unit 18 .

The pivot joint is positioned midway between the first lateral side 26 and the second lateral side 28 on the base 30 . In particular, it is arranged symmetrically on the cleaning head 12 . It lies on a median plane 94 (cf figure 2 ), which is located centrally between the first lateral side 26 and the second lateral side 28 and is oriented perpendicularly to the axis of rotation 46 or pivot axis 40 .

The center plane 94 is also oriented perpendicular to the installation area 14 .

A drive motor 98, which is in particular an electric motor, is provided for driving the cleaning roller unit 18 in the rotational movement of the axis of rotation 46 with the direction of rotation 52. This is non-rotatably connected to the support rod device 36 so that it is also pivoted about the pivot axis 40 during a pivoting movement of the support rod device 36 .

In principle, it is possible that the drive motor 98 is still positioned in the cleaning head 12 with the pivotability mentioned.

In one embodiment (compare the Figures 4 to 6 ) the drive motor 98 is positioned on the support rod assembly 36 and is particularly positioned on the first portion 76 .

In particular, the first portion 76 of the support rod assembly 36 includes a housing 100 that houses the drive motor 98 .

In a variant of an exemplary embodiment, a battery holder 48 ′ is arranged on the first area 76 or on a transition between the first area 76 and the second area 78 . (In the case of the figures 1 and 2 shown embodiment, the battery holder 48 is arranged on the second area 78.)

At the cleaning head 12 and at the same time at the base 30 there is a free space 102 (cf figure 5 ) formed midway between first lateral side 26 and second lateral side 28 and lying at midplane 94 . This free space 102 forms a pivoting space in which the holding rod device 36 can be moved, with the first area 76 then being able to be moved in this free space 102 in particular.

The clearance 102 is open to the rear end 22 .

The housing 100 with the drive motor 98 can be moved in the free space 102 .

The free space 102 results in a large pivoting angle range for the pivotability of the support rod device 36 about the pivot axis 40 relative to the base 30.

The floor cleaning machine 10 has a transmission device 104 ( figure 7 ), which serves to transmit a torque from the drive motor 98, which is positioned at a distance from the cleaning roller unit 18, to the cleaning roller unit 18. In one embodiment, the transmission device 104 also includes a reduction gear, which is used to reduce the speed, so that a speed of the cleaning roller unit 18 when rotating about the axis of rotation 46 is lower than a drive speed of the drive motor 98.

The transmission device 104 includes, for example, a belt transmission and the speed reduction gear.

The cleaning roller unit 18 is or includes a roller mount 106. The roller mount 106 in turn includes a shaft 108 which is connected to the transmission device 104 in a torque-effective manner. The shaft 108 rotates about the axis of rotation 46 when driven accordingly by the drive motor 98.

In one embodiment, the shaft 108 (cf figure 6 ) a first shaft portion 110, a second shaft portion 112 and a middle portion 114 which is connected to the first shaft portion 110 and the second shaft portion 112. The shaft 108 with the first shaft part 110, the second shaft part 112 and the middle part 114 forms a unitary shaft with a single axis of rotation, namely the axis of rotation 46.

The middle part 114 lies centrally between the first lateral side 26 and the second lateral side 28 and lies at the middle plane 94.

The first shaft portion 110 receives a first roller portion 116 and the second shaft portion 112 receives a second roller portion 118 of the cleaning roller unit 18. The first barrel portion 116 and the second barrel portion 118 are separate units, but rotate about the same axis of rotation 46 when seated on the shaft 108 .

The first roller portion 116, which is seated on the first shaft portion 110, extends to the first lateral side 26, or almost to it. The second roller portion 118, which is seated on the second shaft portion 112, extends to the second lateral side 28, or almost to it. As a result, there is no or only a minimal roller-free distance between the cleaning roller unit 18 and the corresponding lateral sides 26, 28. This makes cleaning close to the edge possible.

The central portion 114 of the shaft 108 is roller-free. The transmission device 104 is coupled to it in a torque-effective manner. There is a center drive of the cleaning roller unit 18 .

The first roller part 116 and the second roller part 118 are each pushed onto the associated shaft part 110 or 112 from the outside and latched accordingly with the associated shaft part 110 or 112 in order to obtain a non-rotatable connection.

In relation to the longitudinal axis 24, the central part 114 of the shaft 108 and thus the roller mount 106 and the swivel joint 84 are aligned. They lie on the center plane 94 and are in particular each formed mirror-symmetrically to the center plane 94 .

As mentioned above, the cleaning head 12 has (at least) one support element 120 . In particular, exactly one support element 120 is provided ( figure 7 , Figure 19(d) , figure 23 , 24 ). The support element 120 sits at a distance from the cleaning roller unit 18 and defines the installation surface 14 with it. The support element 120 sits on the base 30. Even if the dirty fluid tank device 32 is removed, the cleaning head 12 with the cleaning roller unit 18 and the support element 120 can be placed on a floor 16 to be set up. The support member 120 includes a post 122 on which a roller or slider 124 is seated. The roller or the slider 124 is used for support on the floor 16 to be cleaned. The roller or the slider 124, for example a skid being provided, is guided over the floor 16 to be cleaned when the floor cleaning machine 10 is guided.

The base 30 has an underside 126 facing the dirty fluid tank device 32 . The post 122 projects transversely and in particular perpendicularly from this underside 126 in the direction of the installation surface 14 .

Provision is made in particular for the support element 120 to be aligned with the central part 114 of the shaft 108 in relation to the longitudinal axis 24 .

In particular, the support element 120 lies on the center plane 94.

If a plurality of support elements are provided, then these are in particular arranged in a row which lies on the center plane 94 .

In one embodiment, there is no roller portion on the center portion 114 of the shaft 108 and a center strip on the center portion 114 on the floor 16 to be cleaned is left unimpeded during cleaning. (Cleaning takes place here by being driven over in an offset manner.) Due to the aligned arrangement of the supporting element 120 for this purpose, the supporting element 120 is displaced on an area of the base 16 which is not subjected to pressure.

The shape and dimensions of the dirty fluid tank device 32 are adapted to the base 30 . The dirty fluid tank device 32 has a bottom 127 and a top 128 . When the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed to the base 30 , the top 128 of the dirty fluid tank device 32 faces the bottom 126 of the base 30 . The bottom 127 of the dirty fluid tank device 32 lies on the bottom 58 and faces away from the top 128 .

Between the bottom 127 and the top 128 is the wall 60 and another wall 130, which closes the dirty fluid tank device 32 with an interior space for receiving dirty fluid.

The wall 60 of the dirty fluid tank device 32, on which the orifice 56 is seated, has a cutout 132 (cf figure 6 ) which is fitted to the center portion 114 of the shaft 108. When the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is seated on the base 30, the central portion 114 is at least partially seated within the cutout 132 of the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 with free rotation.

The mouth opening 56 of the mouth device 54 comprises, in particular, a first opening part 134 and a second opening part 136.

The first opening part 134 is associated with the first roller part 116 and the second opening part 136 is associated with the second roller part 118 .

It can be provided that the dirty fluid tank device 32 has a first chamber 138 and a second chamber 140 . On the first chamber 138 the first opening part 134 is formed and on the second chamber 140 the second opening part 136 is formed. Dirty fluid is coupled directly into the first chamber 138 via the first opening portion 134 and dirty fluid is coupled directly into the second chamber 140 via the second opening portion 136 .

The two chambers 138 and 140 can be separated from one another in a fluid-tight manner or can be fluidly connected to one another, so that dirty fluid can be evenly distributed in the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

The dirty fluid tank device 32 has a cover 142 which at least partially forms the upper side 128 . This cover 142 is at a distance from the base 58.

The cover 142 can be removed when the dirty fluid tank device 32 has been removed from the cleaning head 12 in order to be able to empty the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

The kick tab 34 is arranged on the wall 130 of the dirty fluid tank device 32 . It is arranged in such a way that, when the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed to the base 30 , it is at a distance from the installation surface 14 .

When the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed to the cleaning head 12 , the kick tab 34 is arranged in alignment with the free space 102 . It is a continuation of the space 102 from the rear end 22 away. It is arranged in such a way that it does not impede the corresponding pivoting space of the holding rod device 36 in the free space 102 .

The step strap 34 is located on the center plane 94 and is in particular arranged and formed mirror-symmetrically to this.

In one embodiment, the kick strap 34 includes a panel 144 having raised edge walls 146 (see FIG figure 5 ). The edge walls 146 are rounded in this case.

The kick strap 34 has a width (in a direction parallel to the pivot axis 40 or rotation axis 46) which is at least as wide as typical dimensions of a foot with shoes.

An operator may place his foot on the step tab 34 and then, by applying appropriate force, lift the cleaning head 12 to detach the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 from the base 30 . This is described in more detail below.

The raised, rounded edge walls 146 of the step strap 134 prevent an operator's foot from slipping off to the side. Sharp edges on the plate 144 are avoided.

In one embodiment, spaced webs or grooves are arranged on the plate 144, which are intended to prevent an operator's foot from slipping off.

The step strap 34 is arranged in alignment as a continuation of the free space 102 . It is aligned in relation to the longitudinal axis 24 of the cleaning head 12 with the swivel joint 84 and also aligned with the central part 114 of the shaft 108 .

The dirty fluid tank device 32 has a removal direction 148 ( figure 6 ) away from base 30. The removal direction 148 leads away from the underside 126 of the base 30 in the direction of the installation surface 14.

The dirty fluid tank device 32 can be removed from the cleaning head 12 in such a way that, for example, by lifting the cleaning head 12 and Pressing the dirty fluid tank device 32 (e.g. on the step tab 34) in the direction of the removal direction 148, or by pulling the dirty fluid tank device 32 away from the base 30 in the removal direction 148 and can thus be removed.

Alternatively, it is possible in an advantageous manner that, when the cleaning head 12 is set up on the floor 16 to be cleaned and the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed, an operator can fix the dirty fluid tank device 32 on the floor 16 to be cleaned by placing his foot on the foot strap 34 and exerting a corresponding force, and by lifting it upward of the cleaning head 12, the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is detached from the base 30 while remaining on the ground. This procedure, as will be described in more detail below, has the advantage that the dirty fluid tank device 32 remains at least approximately stationary and thus fluctuations in dirty fluid and in particular liquid in the dirty fluid tank device 32 are largely avoided.

A space 150 is formed in the cleaning head 12, delimited by the underside 126 of the base 30, in which the dirty fluid tank device 32 is positioned when it is fixed to the base 30. The support element 120 is also located in this space.

A continuous recess 152 ( figures 7 , 19(d) , 24 ) educated. This continuous recess 152 is open at the top 128 and at the bottom 127 . The continuous recess 152 is closed at the side, so that it is closed in a fluid-tight manner.

When the dirty fluid tank device 32 is seated on the base 30, the support element 120 is immersed through the continuous recess 152, so that the cleaning head 12 can be supported via the support element 120 on the floor 16 to be cleaned.

The continuous recess 152 is dimensioned in such a way that the support element 120 can penetrate through and correspondingly also emerge when the dirty fluid tank device 32 is removed from the base 30 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the continuous recess 152 is closed on all sides.

In principle, it is also possible for the continuous recess 152 to be open towards the rear end 22 .

In a preferred embodiment, the continuous recess 152 has the shape of a (hollow) cylinder.

When the dirty fluid tank device 32 is seated on the base 30, the continuous recess 152 is arranged in line with the central part 114 of the shaft 108, the pivot joint 84 and the foot strap 34, corresponding to the aligned orientation of the support element 120 in relation to the longitudinal axis 24.

The dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is suspended from the base 30 . A plurality of holders 154 (cf figures 11 and 13 ) provided, which sit on the base 30 and protrude from the underside 126 away in the direction of the installation surface 14.

In one embodiment, a first bracket and a second spaced bracket are provided. These are designed as described below and, in particular, are designed in the same way. The first holder and the second holder are preferably arranged mirror-symmetrically to the center plane 94 and the free space 102 lies between them.

In figure 9 a first location 156 is indicated at which the first holder sits, and a second location 158 is indicated at which the second holder sits. As mentioned, these are the attachment points for the dirty fluid tank device 32 on the base 30.

The holders 154 are designed as holding domes or holding mushrooms.

They work together with a respective receptacle 160 of the dirty fluid tank device 32.

When the dirty fluid tank device 32 is held on the base 30, the holder 154 dips into the associated receptacle 160 ( figure 11 ).

The holder 154 and the associated receptacle 160 form a holder-receptacle combination 162, which is designed as a snap-in connection device. In figure 11 a corresponding holding position or locking position is shown.

The holder 154 includes a first element 164 which corresponds to a second element 166 of the receptacle 160 on the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

The first element 164 has a receiving area 168 for the second element 166. This receiving area 168 is, for example, cylindrical.

The receiving area 168 of the first element 164 is delimited by a bead 170 . The bead 170 has a diameter (in a direction transverse to the elevation axis 92) which is larger than the corresponding diameter of the receiving area 168.

In one embodiment, the ridge 170 is disposed on the first member 164 as an annular region. It has a first surface area 172 which faces the receiving area 168 . A second surface area 174 , which faces away from the receiving area 168 , adjoins the first surface area 172 .

The bead 170 is tapered at the first surface area 172 away from the receiving area 168 . It is on the second surface area 174 likewise conical with a slope towards the receiving area 168 .

An inclined plane is formed by the first surface region 172 which, as will be explained in more detail below, requires an application of force in order to detach the second element 166 from the first element 164 . An inclined plane is also formed by the second surface area 174 , which requires an expenditure of force in order to connect the second element 166 to the first element 164 .

As a result, some effort is required (by an operator) to detach the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 from the base 30 . Furthermore, a certain effort is required by an operator in order to insert the dirty fluid tank device 32 on the base 30 . This expenditure of force is determined by the cone angle of the first surface area 172 and by the cone angle of the second surface area 174 .

In one embodiment, the cone angle of the first surface portion 172 is greater than the cone angle of the second surface portion 174 (cf figure 11 ). The first cone angle for the first surface area 172 is denoted by the reference number 176 there. The second cone angle for the second surface area 174 is denoted by 178 . The second cone angle 178 is smaller than the first cone angle 176. This means that the force required to loosen and remove the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the base 30 is greater than to insert (for fixing) the dirty fluid tank device 32 to the base 30.

The second element 166 on the receptacle 160 of the dirty fluid tank device 32 is designed as a spreading element which has at least two and preferably at least three tabs which can be moved transversely to the vertical axis 92 (increasing the distance).

The second element 166 as a spreading element is pushed onto the holder 154 .

When the receptacle 160 is positioned on the associated holder 154, then, with the appropriate exertion of force, the second element 166 of the second surface area 174 is spread apart, increasing the distance between the tabs, until the receptacle area 168 is reached. The tabs of the spreading element 166 are arranged in particular in a resilient manner and snap back. The bead 170 serves as a barrier which prevents the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 from falling off the base 30 .

A latching connection is established via the holder-receiving combination 162 .

To release the snap-in connection, an operator exerts force on the dirty fluid tank device 32 and moves the second element (the spreader element) over the bead 170 and thereby over the first surface area 172. A corresponding amount of force is required to spread the second element 166 (the spreader element) open. necessary to expand the cross section accordingly so that the bead 170 can be traversed by the second element 166.

A corresponding intermediate state after being run over is in figure 13 shown. There the locking connection is canceled. The spreading element 166 (the second element 166) has passed the bead 170 and is outside the receiving area 168.

In the position of the dirty fluid tank device 32 relative to the base 30, which in figure 13 As shown, the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 falls off the base 30 as it is lifted parallel to the height direction 92 .

In the locked position according to figure 11 however, the latching connection is made and the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed to the base 30 .

The receptacles 160 on the dirty fluid tank device 32 are open at the top 128 in order to allow the corresponding holder 154 to be immersed. The receptacle has an extension 180 in the shape of a hollow truncated cone towards the upper side 128 . This extension 180 forms an insertion and centering aid for the holder 154, which is in the form of a pin, in the associated receptacle 160.

When the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is held on the base 30 via the holder-receiver combination 162 (at locations 156, 158), then the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is movably mounted (in a direction/opposite direction parallel to the elevation axis 92) and is thereby supported in a floating manner . The weight of the floor cleaning machine 10 is supported on the floor 16 to be cleaned via the cleaning roller unit 18 and the support element 120 . The dirty fluid tank device 32 has no support function in this regard. The dirty fluid tank device 32 is movably mounted (floating) transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the installation surface 14 .

For example, if a roller diameter of the cleaning roller unit 18 varies (due to manufacturing tolerances or wear), the sweeping element 62 is still in its optimal position relative to the floor 16 to be cleaned.

As a result of the pivot joint 84, the holding rod device 36 has a pivot angle range of pivot mobility relative to the cleaning head 12 which lies between a lower limit and an upper limit.

A swivel angle 182 (cf Figure 19(a) ) is in particular quantitative as an angle between the second longitudinal axis 42 of the support rod device 36 and a plane 184 parallel to the installation surface 14.

A minimum pan angle 182, i.e. the lower limit, is 0° or greater than 0°. In particular, the lower limit is less than 50° and preferably less than 40° and particularly preferably less than 30°.

The lower limit is determined by the support rod device 36 resting against an underside which encloses the free space 102 (cf figure 9 ) limited, predetermined.

Due to the design of the swivel joint 84 as an orbital joint and due to the free space 102, the lower limit can be approximately 0° and can in particular be less than 10° and preferably less than 5°.

The smaller the lower limit of the swivel angle 182, the smaller the total height of the floor cleaning machine 10 (the height of the cleaning head 12 and the support rod device 36) in the height axis 92 perpendicular to the installation surface 14. The smaller the total height, the better the underdriveability for example on furniture by the floor cleaning machine 10. If, for example, the lower limit of the swivel angle 182 is very small, then the ground clearance is essentially determined by the height of the cleaning head 12 in the height axis 92 including the corresponding height of the swivel angle 182.

Furthermore, the swivel angle range has an upper limit ( Figure 19(b) ).

The upper limit of the swivel angle 182 is specified as the detent position ( figure 19 ). In particular, it is in the range between 80° and 120° of the pivot angle 182. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, it is approximately 90° ( Figure 19(b) ).

The upper limit is such that a parking position with a latching position with respect to the cleaning head 12 is provided for the holding rod device 36, in which case pivoting with respect to the cleaning head 12 is blocked in the Meaning that an increased expenditure of force is necessary in order to enable pivoting of the holding rod device 36 on the pivot joint 84 about the pivot axis 40 again.

The holder-receptacle combination 162 has been described as having a holder 154 which is fixedly connected to the base 30 and a receptacle 160 which is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device 32 . The holder 154 is rod-shaped and the receptacle 160 is an opening. A kinematic reversal is also possible, in which a rod-shaped element is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device 32 and a corresponding receptacle in the form of an opening on the base 30.

To create a parking position 185 ( Figure 19(b) ) is a locking device 186 ( figures 10 , 12 ) intended.

The locking device 186 comprises one and in particular at least two and preferably exactly two ( figures 10 , 12 ). The pin-plunger combinations 188 are located in the area of the pivot joint 84 .

In figure 9 a first location 190 and a second location 192 are shown at which respective pin-plunger combinations 188 are positioned. The first point 190 and the second point 192 are mirror-symmetrical to the center plane 94.

The pin-immersion opening combination 188 each includes an immersion opening 194 which is arranged on the cleaning head 12 and in particular on the base 30 in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the web guide device 86 .

A pin 196 is provided as a counter-element to the corresponding immersion opening 194 and is connected to the holding rod device 36 in a torque-proof manner and can be pivoted with it about the pivot axis 40 relative to the cleaning head 12 .

The pin 196 is seated on a guide 198 and is linearly translatable along a translation axis 200. The translation axis 200 is movable with the pivotal movement of the support rod assembly 36 relative to the cleaning head 12. It is oriented transversely to a circumference of circular path section 88 .

The pin 196 is spring-loaded via a spring device 202, with a spring force of the spring device 202 tending to press the pin 196 in the direction of the circumference of the circular path section 88. The spring force of the spring device 202 acts on the cleaning head 12 .

The pin 196 has a ridge 204 ( figure 10 ), which is arranged in a ring. The guide 198 has an annular stop 206 for the bead 204 . A stop for the linear displaceability of the pin 196 on the guide 198 is formed by the bead 204 resting against the stop 206 ( figure 10 ). A basic position of the pin 196 is such that the spring device 202 presses the pin 196 to the circumference of the circular path section 88 until the bead 204 rests against the stop 206 ( figure 10 ). This basic position is present when the pin 196 has not entered the immersion opening 194 . The basic position is in turn present when the parking position 185 of the holding rod device 36 and the cleaning head 12 has not been reached, ie when the upper limit of the pivoting angle 182 has not been reached. See figure 10 , wherein the pin 196 is not immersed in the immersion hole 194.

In this basic position of the pin 196 outside the immersion opening 194, the free pivoting of the holding rod device 36 relative to the cleaning head 12 about the pivot axis 40 is ensured.

The respective immersion opening 194 is formed on a block element 208 . The block element 208 includes the immersion opening 194 as a recess or drilling. A first inclined plane 210 is arranged or formed on the block element 208 outside the immersion opening 194 . This rises from the circular path section 88 . It is located at the end of the circular path section 88 and at the first inclined plane 210 the distance to the pivot axis 40 increases.

The first inclined plane 210 is used to insert the pin 196 into the immersion opening 194 while displacing the pin 196 away from the stop 206 with a corresponding exertion of force against the spring force of the spring device 202 . This effort must be applied by an operator.

The pin 196 has a first contact surface 212 which is formed on a front end of the pin 196 . The first contact surface 212 is adapted to the first inclined plane 210 . When the pin 196 is inserted into the immersion opening 194, the first contact surface 212 is guided along the first inclined plane 210 while touching the first inclined plane 210.

The immersion opening 194 formed in the block element 208 has a wall formed as a second inclined plane 214 .

Starting from the lower limit, the pin 196 is guided along the circular path section 88 while increasing the pivoting angle 182 and then over the first inclined plane 210 into the immersion opening 194.

The second inclined plane 214 serves to guide the pin 196 out of the immersion opening 194 by reducing the pivoting angle 182 starting from the upper limit.

The pin 196 has a second contact surface 216 which is adapted to the second inclined plane 214 .

To guide the pin 196 out of the immersion opening 194, the second contact surface 216 is guided in contact with the second inclined plane 214 along the second inclined plane 214 (with the pivoting angle 182 being reduced). To do this, the spring force of the spring device 202 must be overcome.

In one embodiment, the first incline 210 has a smaller angle than the second incline 214. As a result, the force required to release the latch by extending the pin 196 out of the plunger opening 194 is greater than the force required , in order to bring the pin 196 into the immersion opening 194 via the second inclined plane 214 and to establish the locking and thereby to reach the parking position 185.

An alternate embodiment of a pin 196' ( figure 14 ) has a contact surface 197 at a tip, which is conical. In another alternative embodiment, the pin is spherically shaped at the tip (in figure 14 indicated in broken lines). The pin 196 or the pin 196' is made in particular from a metallic material.

When the pin 196 is guided on the corresponding circular path section 88 outside of the block element 208 , a tip 218 preferably rests on this circular path section 88 between the first contact surface 212 and the second contact surface 216 .

An embodiment was described above in which the corresponding pin 196 of the pin-immersion opening combination 188 is guided on the same circular path section 88 as the counter device 90.

It is also possible for a circular path section 88 to be provided which is separate from this circular path section 88 for the counter-device 90 but is concentric with the pivot axis 40 .

If the locking position according to figure 12 is reached, an operator can, by exerting a correspondingly large amount of force by exerting a torque on the holding rod device 36 in the direction of the floor 16 to be cleaned, on which the floor cleaning machine 10 is properly positioned via the cleaning head 12, cancel the locking and remove the corresponding pin 196 from the Immersion opening 194 lead. It is then possible to pivot freely up to the lower limit.

In order to reach the parking position 185 with the lock by inserting the pin 196 into the immersion opening 194, an operator pivots the holding rod device 36 about the pivot axis 40 towards the parking position 185 until the parking position 185 is reached by locking the pin 196 into the associated immersion opening 194 is. In figure 10 an intermediate position is shown shortly before reaching the locked position.

In the Figures 19(a) to (e) different pivot positions of the holding rod device 36 to the cleaning head 12 are shown.

In Figure 19(a) a "work" pivot position is shown. The pivot angle 182 is between the lower limit and the upper limit. The floor 16 to be cleaned can be worked on by the floor cleaning machine 10 in order to carry out a cleaning process. An operator adapts the swivel angle 182 to his height. If a piece of furniture or the like is to be driven under, the pivoting angle 182 is reduced.

The operator guides the cleaning head 12 over the floor 16 to be cleaned using the holding rod device 36 with the adjusted swivel angle 182. The cleaning roller unit 18 rotates about the axis of rotation 46. Due to the direction of rotation 52, the cleaning head 12 and thus the floor cleaning machine 10 experience a propulsion.

The support rod device 36 is connected directly to the roller mount 106 and thus to the cleaning roller unit 18 . With a pivoting movement of the holding rod device 36 about the pivot axis 40, the cleaning roller unit 18 is also pivoted. If this is supported on the floor 16 to be cleaned, then it rolls off on the floor 16 . This movement is superimposed on the rotation of the cleaning roller unit 18 about the axis of rotation 46 and has no negative effect on the cleaning result or the like. Due to the rotation of the cleaning roller unit 18, the angular range through which the cleaning roller unit 18 runs in the same time unit as during a pivoting movement is very much larger.

The support rod device 36 is directly connected to the cleaning roller unit 18 and its weight acts directly on the cleaning roller unit 18. The weight of the support rod device 36 presses the cleaning roller unit 18 with the roller parts 116, 118 against the floor 16 to be cleaned. The support rod device 36 acts by its own weight a pressing force of the cleaning roller unit 18 on the floor 16 to be cleaned. This improves the cleaning effect; the mechanical action of the cleaning roller unit 18 on the floor 16 to be cleaned is improved. The ability of the floor cleaning machine 10 to remove dirt is improved.

The described design of the swivel joint 84 as an orbital swivel joint results in a large swivel range between the lower limit and the upper limit.

To turn off the floor cleaning machine 10, the operator increases the swivel angle 182 until the parking position 185 is reached ( Figure 19(b) ) and the retaining rod device 36 is locked to the cleaning head 12 via the locking device 186 . In the parking position 185, the support rod device 36 cannot “fall down” of its own accord (because of its own weight), with the pivoting angle 182 decreasing in the direction of the lower limit.

In the parking position 185, the floor cleaning machine 10 is parked, for example for storage. In particular, provision is also made for an automated cleaning process of the cleaning roller unit 18 and possibly other parts of the cleaning head 12 to be carried out in the parking position 185 via a corresponding cleaning station or parking station (not shown in the figures). For example, it is also possible to charge a battery device at the corresponding ground station, to refill cleaning liquid at the tank device 50 for cleaning liquid. If necessary, the dirty fluid tank device 32 can also be emptied in the ground station.

Starting from the parking position 185, the dirty fluid tank device 32 can also be easily removed from the cleaning head 12 ( figure 19(c),(d) ).

When the cleaning head 12 is properly positioned on the floor 16 to be cleaned, the operator exerts a force on the foot strap 34 in the direction of the floor 16, in particular via one foot. This power is in figure 19 indicated with the reference number 220 . He then applies a torque to the support rod assembly 36 which exceeds the upper limit and continues to tend to increase the pivot angle 182 . This torque is applied in a manner that is intended to pivot the support rod assembly 36 toward the floor 16 but away from the rear end 22 of the cleaning head 12 toward the front end 20 .

This torque application occurs in the park position 185 where the support rod assembly 36 is locked to the base 30 by the latch assembly 186 . If necessary, the pivoting angle 182 can be increased somewhat by providing play in the play/immersion opening combinations 188 . When this play is exhausted, the cleaning head 12, which is then in particular still supported on the floor 16 via the cleaning roller unit 18, rotates relative to the dirty fluid tank device 32.

The base 30 is raised relative to the dirty fluid tank device 32.

As a result, the holders 154 emerge from the corresponding receptacles 160. The locking position is released and the cleaning head 12 can then be removed from the dirty fluid tank device 32 (cf Figure 19(d) ).

The dirty fluid tank device 32 remains on the floor 16 as a result of the operator intervention on the foot strap 34 . An operator has fixed the dirty fluid tank device 32 on the floor 16 via the force 220 .

This minimizes the movement of the dirty fluid tank device 32 when removing the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the cleaning head 12, and sloshing of liquid dirty fluid in the dirty fluid tank device 32 is largely prevented.

The removal of the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the cleaning head 12 was described above in connection with exerting a torque, in particular pivoting the cleaning head 12 with respect to the floor 16 .

In principle, it is also possible for the cleaning head 12 to be removed from the dirty fluid tank device 32 by pulling it upwards, with an operator fixing the dirty fluid tank device 32 to the floor 16 by exerting force on the foot strap 34 .

In Figure 19(d) Figure 1 shows a situation which arises after the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 has been detached from the cleaning head 12, either by pivotal lifting or by pulling straight up. The cleaning head 12 in the support rod assembly 36 is finally removed from the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 .

In Figure 19(e) a situation is shown in which the cleaning head 12 is placed back onto the dirty fluid tank device 32, that is to say in which the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed to the cleaning head 12. For this purpose, the dirty fluid tank device 32 is placed on the floor 16 . If necessary, an operator fixes the dirty fluid tank device 32 to the floor 16 by exerting force on the foot strap 34.

The cleaning head 12 is then placed from above onto the dirty fluid tank device 32 in such a way that the corresponding holder 154 is immersed in the associated receptacle 60 on the dirty fluid tank device 32 until it latches (and then correspondingly the respective second element 166 in the associated receiving area 168 of the first element 164).

The cleaning head 12 is preferably set down with the holding rod device 36 in a parking position 185 relative to the cleaning head 12, i.e. with the holding rod device 36 being locked on the cleaning head 12 by the locking device 186.

The corresponding design of the first surface area 172 and the second surface area 14 preferably requires a greater force to remove the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the cleaning head 12 ( Figures 19(c) and (d) ) necessary than for fixing ( Figure 19(e) ).

In principle, an operator can remove the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the cleaning head 12 and insert the dirty fluid tank device 32 in the cleaning head 12 hands-free, i.e. he does not have to touch the dirty fluid tank device 32 for this purpose. In particular, he can carry out the corresponding processes by grasping and holding the holding rod device 36 . He doesn't have to bend down or bend his knees.

The stripping element 70 is movably arranged on the cleaning head 12 and on the base 30 via the holder 72 . In the Figures 28 to 30 an embodiment of a holder 72 is shown. The holder 72 has a base 222 . The base 222 has a rear end 224 and a front end 226. The base 222 is wider toward the front end 226 than at the rear end 224; the base 222 has a first portion 228 and a second portion 230, with the first portion 228 having the rear end 224 and the second portion 230 having the front end 226.

The holder 72 is held pivotably on the base 30 of the cleaning head 2 via the first area 228 . The second area 230 carries the stripping element 70 and a comb element 232.

Arranged on the first region 228 are stub shafts 234 which protrude laterally outwards. Shaft stubs 234 are provided opposite one another and are aligned in alignment. A pivot axis 236 is defined by the stub shafts 234 . When the holder 72 is fixed to the base 30, the pivot axis 236 is parallel to the pivot axis 40 or parallel to the axis of rotation 46. It is parallel to the installation surface 14.

In one embodiment, there is provision for the cleaning roller unit 18 to have a continuous stripping element 70 which acts both on the first roller part 116 and on the second roller part 118 ( Figure 25(a) ). In particular, no recess or the like is provided for the central part 114 . The stripping element 70 extends continuously between a first front end 238 and an opposite second front end 240.

In one embodiment, the stripping element 70 is arranged or formed as a web on the second region 230 . In particular, this web is integrally connected to the second region 230, that is, integrally connected to the holder 72.

The comb element 232 is also seated on the holder 72. It acts on the cleaning roller unit 18 and serves to collect hair; the comb element 232 is a hair comb.

The comb element 232 includes at least one row 242 and in particular a plurality of rows 242 of pins 244. Adjacent pins 244 are spaced apart from one another. A pin dips into a trimming 246 (compare, for example figure 20 ) of the cleaning roller unit 18 to a certain extent "filter out" hair from the cleaning roller unit 18.

In figure 20 the dipping into the trimming 246 over a length 248 of the pin 244 is shown.

Provision is also made for the stripping element 70 to dip into the edging 246 .

In relation to the direction of rotation 52 (cf figure 3 ) the comb element 232 is arranged downstream of the stripping element 70 . A portion of the cleaning roller unit 18 which rotates in the direction of rotation 52 starting from the base 16 first passes the stripping element 70 and then the comb element 232 . This results in a space-optimized arrangement.

The comb element 232 (rows 242) are arranged on the second region 230 between the front end 226 and the stripping element 70 (cf figure 30 ).

In the embodiment shown according to the Figures 28 to 30 the comb element 232 extends over a smaller transverse length than the stripping element 70, i.e. a distance between the outer ends of the comb element 232 is smaller than a distance between the front ends 238 and 240 of the stripping element 70 ( figure 30 ).

The holder 72 is pivotally supported on the base 30 . It is spring-loaded in order to press the stripping element 70 and the comb element 232 into the trimming 246 . A corresponding spring device is provided, which is arranged, for example, in the area of the shaft stub 234 on the corresponding pivot bearing 250 . this is in figure 20 indicated by reference numeral 252.

It is alternatively or additionally possible that, for example, a corresponding spiral spring of the spring device is supported on the base 30 and on the second area of the holder 72 in order to press it against the cleaning roller unit 18 .

As mentioned above, the stripping element 70 is arranged as a web 254 on the second area 30 . This web 254 has a first flank 256 which faces the mouth opening 56 . It has an opposite second flank 258 which faces away from the mouth opening 56 ( figure 20 ). The second flank 258 faces the comb element 232 . An edge 260 lies between the first flank 256 and the second flank 258. A contact line 262 ( figure 25 ) educated. This corresponds to the course of the edge and can be described by a mathematical curve.

The web 254 of the stripping element 70 has a triangular shape across the first flank 256 and the second flank 258 (cf figure 20 ). The contact line 262 has a finite width.

The contact line 262 is in the stocking 246 (compare figure 20 ) or at least rests against the trimming 246. Via the contact line 262, the stripping element 70 rests on or dips into the trimming 246.

The stripping element 70 is designed as a guide element for dirty fluid on the cleaning roller unit 18 . The training is in one embodiment ( Figure 25(a) ) Such that dirty fluid over the scraper 70 not only is detached from the cleaning roller unit 18 (from the facing 246), but is also guided in a defined manner to a middle region 264. This middle area 264 lies on the cleaning roller unit 18 and on the scraper element 70 . Starting from the middle area 264 , dirt fluid (to a large extent) is coupled into the orifice opening 56 . The central area 264 lies at the central plane 94.

The stripping element 70 is curved. The line of contact 262 has a first length L ₁ (arc length) between the first front end 238 and the second front end 240 .

A distance D between the first front end 238 and the second front end 240, a distance direction for the distance D being parallel to the pivot axis 236 or parallel to the pivot axis 40 or parallel to the rotation axis 46, is smaller than this length L ₁ .

In one exemplary embodiment, the cleaning roller unit 18 (as a combination of the first cleaning roller 116 and the second cleaning roller 118 with spacing in between) has a second length in the spacing direction (i.e. parallel to the axis of rotation 46).
L ₂ on (compare figure 4 ), which is smaller than the length L ₁ .

The curvature of the stripping element 70 at the contact line 262 can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional in the sense that a mathematical curve that describes the course of the contact line 262 and is a curved curve can be a flat curve (two-dimensional curvature) or a space curve (three-dimensional curvature) can be.

In particular, then mathematically the corresponding curve, which mathematically describes the course of the contact line 262, has a first curvature (in the sense of a differential geometric curvature), or has a first curvature and a second curvature.

In particular, the first curvature is negative, ie the corresponding mathematical curve describing the course of the contact line 262 is concave, or the first curvature and the second curvature are both negative and the corresponding curve is a concave curve.

A discharge area for dirty fluid from the cleaning roller unit 18 into the dirty fluid tank device 32 is formed by the mouth device 54 . The contact line 262 is concave towards this dispensing area, ie towards the mouth opening 56 . This concave formation is on the first flank 256.

A convex configuration is present on the second flank 258, ie facing away from the dispensing area (the orifice opening 56). A corresponding concave area 266 and a convex area 268 are shown in FIG figure 25 shown.

In one embodiment, the line of contact 262 has the shape of a segment of a circular arc. The corresponding mathematical curve, which describes the course of the contact line 262, has a constant curvature. In particular, a first curvature can be provided, which is constant, and if the contact line 262 can be described by a space curve, a constant second curvature can be present.

In particular, it is provided that a radius of curvature R lies in the range between 2L ₂ and 6L ₂ (2L ₂ <R<6L ₂ ).

The stripping element 70 has an apex 270 across the contact line 262, which in one embodiment (cf. Figure 25(a) ) is located at the center plane 94. The course of the mathematical curve, which describes the course of the contact line 262, can be described in cylindrical coordinates. A projection of the contact line 262 onto an (imaginary) cylinder 272 ( Figure 25(a) ) with a cylinder axis 274 can be considered. The contact line 262 is related to the vertex 270 or the center plane 94 mirror-symmetrical ( Figure 25(a) ). A polar angle φ varies along the course of the curve. At the apex 270 (point B according to Figure 25(a) ) there is a maximum polar angle φ _s , and starting from this peak 270 the polar angle φ _s decreases. It decreases in the same way towards the front ends 238, 240 and in particular continuously. In particular, there is also a monotonic decrease.

It can also be provided that the distance between this curve and the cylinder axis 274 decreases.

In figure 21 12 is a section through the cleaning head 12 at point A according to FIG figure 25 shown, and in figure 22 a cut at point B (i.e., at vertex 270).

There is an angle between the first flank 256 and a plane 276 which is parallel to the installation surface 14 . At the point A according to figure 21 is this angle α. At the apex 270 according to figure 22 this angle is β, where β is greater than α. At point B, the stripping element 70 protrudes less far into the covering 246 than at point A (cf figures 17 and 16 ). This is caused by the corresponding curvature at the contact line 262.

Provision is made in particular for the orifice opening 56 to have a third length L ₃ along the stripping element 70 which is smaller than the first length L ₁ . Due to the guiding function of the stripping element 70, dirty fluid is also transported to the cleaning roller unit 18 in the discharge area (towards the orifice opening 56). A smaller mouth opening 56 is then sufficient. This in turn reduces the area of soiling on the floor cleaning machine 10 .

On the cleaning roller unit 18 there is a guide area on the surface of the cleaning roller unit 18 and also in a penetration area of the scraping element 70 due to the curvature of the scraping element 70 for dirty fluid, via which dirty fluid on the cleaning roller unit 18 is conducted to the central area 264 by means of the stripping element 70 . As a result, the discharge area can be made smaller in relation to the distance direction parallel to the axis of rotation 46, i.e. the orifice opening 56 can be made with a smaller length L ₃ than, for example, with a straight scraping element 70. A smaller transfer area for dirty fluid to the dirty fluid tank device 32 can thereby be implemented . Dirty fluid delivery is simplified and device contamination is reduced.

Furthermore, any foam that occurs on the cleaning roller unit 18 is guided to the middle region 264 by the scraper element 70 . As a result, the emergence of foam at the front ends of the cleaning roller unit 18 is reduced or at least greatly reduced.

In the embodiment according to Figure 25(a) a stripping element 70 was described, which is assigned to the cleaning roller unit 18 with the first roller part 116 and the second roller part 118 and in which the apex 270 is arranged on a central plane.

In Figure 25(b) an alternative exemplary embodiment is shown with a stripping element which is not designed to be continuous. Each roller part 116 or 118 is assigned its own stripping element, with these stripping elements in particular being arranged on a single holder (the holder 72).

In figure 25 a contact line 262' for the exemplary case of the first roller part 116 is shown.

The first roller part has a length L ₂ ^∗ .

This length L ₂ ^* lies between the corresponding end faces of the first roller part 116 (or of the second roller part 118).

The corresponding edge element has edge progression 262' which is symmetrical. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the corresponding stripping element, which is assigned to the first roller part 116 (or the second roller part 118), is curved in a circular shape, with a radius of curvature R* lying in particular in the range between 2L ₂ ^∗ and 6L ₂ ^∗ (2L ₂ ^∗ < R* < 6L ₂ ^∗ ).

In this way, in particular, a discharge of dirty fluid from the corresponding roller part 116 or 118 is achieved.

In relation to the cleaning roller unit 18, the combination of scraping elements has a "double hump" shape, in which combination the respective scraping elements can then be spaced or continuous.

In principle, it is also possible that the corresponding curved profile of the stripping element 70, as shown in FIGS Figures 26 and 27 indicated, is asymmetrical and has no apex or no apex at a midplane. For this purpose, in particular, a targeted drainage of dirty fluid to one side 310 ( figure 26 ) or to a page 312 ( figure 27 ) take place.

It is in principle possible that the course of the stripping element 70, as in the Figures 26 and 27 indicated, to the cleaning roller unit 18 as a whole with a combination of the first roller part 116 and the second roller part 118, or in relation to only one roller part 116 or 118.

In relation to the cleaning roller unit 18 with the first roller part 116 and the second roller part 118, the course is as shown in FIG Figures 26 or 27 asymmetrical. If, for example, for the first roller part 116 according to the course figure 26 is present and for the second roller part 118 the course according to figure 27 , the overall profile is symmetrical in relation to the cleaning roller unit 18 with the first roller part 116 and the second roller part 118 . In this embodiment, in particular, there is a derivation to the outside.

Conversely, it can also be provided that the diversion takes place inwards and the roles of the roller parts 116 and 118 are reversed.

In principle, the embodiment of the curved stripping element is also possible if the cleaning roller unit has only one roller part.

The configuration of the stripping element 70 with a curvature has been described with reference to the floor cleaning machine 10 . This solution of the curved design can also be used on other types of surface cleaning machines, such as on a self-propelled and self-steering cleaning machine (cleaning robot).

The floor cleaning machine 10 according to the invention works as follows:
For a cleaning operation, the cleaning head 12 is set up on the floor 16 to be cleaned. An operator guides the cleaning head 12 over the holding bar device 36 over the floor 16 to be cleaned.

During a wiping operation (wet cleaning operation), cleaning fluid is supplied from the tank device 50 for cleaning fluid, in particular to the cleaning roller unit 18.

The floor 16 to be cleaned is thereby moistened for better dirt removal. Dirt is taken along and transported to the stripping element 70 via the cleaning roller unit 18 . Dirty fluid, which is then in particular liquid with dirt particles, is detached from the cleaning roller unit 18 and conveyed into the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

The guiding element function of the stripping element 70 due to the corresponding curvature results in a simplified discharge of dirty fluid.

Coarse dirt can also be picked up. The sweeping element 62 ensures that coarse dirt is fed to the cleaning roller unit 18. This transports the coarse dirt directly into the dirt fluid tank device 32 and/or it is detached via the stripping element 70.

Hair is removed from the cleaning roller unit 18 via the comb element 232 .

In principle, pure sweeping operation without moistening with cleaning fluid is also possible. In particular, an operator can then set on a control panel that no humidification should take place.

The cleaning roller unit 18, in which the covering 246 is a textile material, is used in particular for a wet cleaning operation. The cleaning roller unit 18 can also be used for a sweeping operation.

It is also possible, for example for a sweeping process, for the cleaning roller unit 18 to be exchanged and a cleaning roller unit to be used in which the trimmings are bristles.

The floor-cleaning machine 10 allows for a purely dry cleaning or a wet cleaning, as required.

The holding rod device 36 is supported on the cleaning roller unit 18 by the orbital joint 84 and a corresponding pressing force is exerted on the floor 16 to be cleaned. As a result, the mechanical action of the cleaning roller unit 18 on the floor 16 to be cleaned is intensified, and the ability of the floor cleaning machine 10 to detach and absorb dirt is improved.

As a result of this mentioned design of the swivel joint 84, the cleaning roller unit 18 experiences a maximum contact pressure via the holding rod device 36 via the floor cleaning machine 10 itself.

The dirty fluid tank device 32 always remains in the same position relative to the floor 16 to be cleaned. As a result, the sweeping element 62 can also be kept in the same position relative to the floor 16. This results in improved pick-up of coarse dirt and improved cleaning overall.

This results in simplified operability due to the pivotability of the holding rod device 36 on the cleaning head 12. It is possible to drive under furniture and the like easily.

The provision of the foot strap 34 and the parking position 185 allow the dirty fluid tank device 32 to be easily removed from the cleaning head 12 or the cleaning head 12 to be easily placed on the dirty fluid tank device 32 . In particular, an operator does not have to touch the dirty fluid tank device 32 with his hands in order to remove it or to insert it.

The design of the swivel joint 84 as an orbital joint ensures that in every swivel position of the holding rod device 36 relative to the cleaning head 12 about the swivel axis 40 within the swivel angle range, the dirty fluid tank device 32 still assumes the same position in relation to the floor 16 and is parallel to the floor 16 remains.

In the parking position 185, locking is achieved and the floor cleaning machine 10 is in a stable position, ie the holding rod device 36 is locked and the floor cleaning machine 10 "does not fall over by itself".

The at least one support element 120, which is arranged on the base 30 (and not on the dirty fluid tank device 32), results in a optimized support of the weight of the cleaning head 12 with the dirty fluid tank device 32 on the floor 16 to be cleaned. A dirty fluid tank device 32 with a relatively large holding volume for dirty fluid can be implemented.

In one embodiment ( Figures 15 to 18 ) Rotatability about the axis of rotation 41 is provided on the holding rod device 36, in particular in relation to the handle 38.

For this purpose, the holding rod device 36 comprises a first part 278 and a second part 280 , the second part 280 being rotatable about the axis of rotation 41 relative to the first part 278 .

In one embodiment, the first portion 278 is coincident with the first portion 76 and the second portion 280 is coincident with the second portion 78 of the support rod assembly 36 .

In one exemplary embodiment, the pivot 41 is coaxial with the first longitudinal axis 80. In principle, however, it is also possible for the pivot axis 41 to be parallel to the second longitudinal axis 42, for example. An exemplary embodiment is described below in which the axis of rotation 41 is parallel to the first longitudinal axis 80 .

During the rotation about the axis of rotation 41, the drive motor 98 and the transmission device 104 in particular do not rotate. These are arranged on the first part 278 .

A locking device 282 is provided ( Figures 15 to 18 ), which on the one hand releases the rotatability of the second part 280 to the first part 278 (of the second area 78 to the first area 76) outside of a locking position 284 ( figures 15 , 16 ) and in the locked position 284 the rotatability of the second part 280 of the support rod means 36 to the first part 278 of the support rod device 36 about the axis of rotation 41 locks ( figures 17 , 18 ).

In the representations according to the Figures 15 to 18 is a fairing 386 (compare figure 4 ) removed to explain the mode of operation of the locking device 284.

The locking device 284 includes a slide 288 which is arranged to be movable and in particular linearly movable on the first part 278 (on the first region 76). A displacement axis 289 is in particular parallel to the axis of rotation 41.

The slide 288 has a nose 290 in the area of a first end (cf figure 16 ) on. The slide 288 can be supported on the cleaning head 12 and there on a corresponding mating surface 292 via this nose 290 . Outside of the parking position 185, the lug 290 is at a distance from the mating surface 292. When the parking position 185 is reached, the lug 290 acts on the counter surface 292 and this causes a displacement of the slide 288 in the displacement direction 289. The slide 288 is spring-supported and is mounted on the first part 278 via a spring device 294. The spring device is arranged and designed in such a way that it presses the slide 288 with the lug 290 in the direction of the cleaning head 12 . For a movement of the slider 288 in the opposite direction (away from the cleaning head 12), the spring force of the spring device 294 must be overcome. This overcoming of the spring force of the spring device 294 occurs when the parking position 185 is reached. By supporting the lug 290 on the counter surface 292, the slide 288 is displaced as a whole in the direction of the second part 280.

At an end opposite the end at which the lug 290 sits, the slide 288 has an immersion element 296 . The immersion element 296 can dip into a corresponding immersion opening 298 of the second part 280 in the parking position 185 . This is a form fit in terms of rotatability about the axis of rotation 41 is reached and the second part 280 of the support rod device 36 (the second area 78) can no longer rotate about the axis of rotation 41 relative to the first part 278 (the first area 76).

When the support rod device 36 is brought into the parking position 185, the slider 288 is pushed as a whole in the direction of the second part 280 and the immersion element 296 immerses into the immersion opening 298 (with the second part 280 being aligned appropriately with respect to the first part 278) and in the corresponding locking position 284, the ability of the second part 280 to rotate relative to the first part 278 about the axis of rotation 41 is blocked.

Outside of the parking position 185, the spring device 294 acts on the slide 288 in such a way that it moves it in the direction of the cleaning head 12 or holds it there. The immersion element 296 is then immersed out of the immersion opening 298 and outside the locking position 284 the second part 280 can be rotated relative to the first part 278 about the axis of rotation 41 .

The locking device 284 has an overload protection 300 . This overload protection 300 essentially serves to prevent damage in the event of twisting about the axis of rotation 41 in the parking position 185 .

In one embodiment, the slide 288 is formed in (at least) two parts with a first part 302 and a second part 304. The nose 290 is seated on the first part 302. The immersion element 296 is seated on the second part 304.

The second part 304 is slidably mounted on the first part 302 , with support being provided by a spring device 306 .

In particular, spring device 306 is "hard" in comparison to spring device 294 and in particular significantly harder than spring device 294.

In a "normal state" the spring force of the spring device 306 acts in such a way that it pushes the second part 304 away from the first part 302 until a stop 308 (cf figure 16 ) of the second part 304 at the first part 302 is reached. In this state, the slide 288 can be moved as a whole with the first part 302 and the second part 304 in the direction of displacement 289 . The slider 288 with the first part 302 and the second part 304 can accordingly reach the locking position 284 in the parking position 185 and can lie outside of the parking position 185 outside of the locking position 284 and enable the rotation of the second part 280 to the first part 278 about the axis of rotation 41 .

In the locking position 284, the slide 288 cannot deviate in relation to the direction of displacement 289 or at most deviate with a certain amount of play. A movement blockage towards the cleaning head 12 is effected by the nose 290 . In relation to the second part 280 , this blocking of movement is achieved by the immersion element 296 immersed in the immersion opening 298 .

If a large force and in particular a corresponding torque is exerted on the second part 280 in relation to the first part 278, then the slider 288 cannot deviate as a whole in the displacement direction 289. Due to the multi-part design of the slide 288, however, the second part 304 can move relative to the first part 302 by overcoming the spring force of the spring device 306 and can move away from the stop 308. As a result, the immersion element 296 in particular can move out of the immersion opening 298 . This reduces the risk of damage, since evasion is made possible.

Reference List

10

floor cleaning machine

12

cleaning head

14

footprint

16

floor to be cleaned

18

cleaning roller unit

20

front end

22

rear end

24

longitudinal axis

26

first lateral side

28

second lateral side

30

Base

32

dirty fluid tank facility

34

kick tab

36

support rod device

38

handle

40

pivot axis

41

axis of rotation

42

second longitudinal axis

44

rotatability

46

axis of rotation

48, 48'

battery holder

50

Tank device for cleaning fluid

52

direction of rotation

54

muzzle device

56

muzzle opening

58

Floor

60

wall

62

sweep element

64

coarse dirt

66

feeder

68

humidification

70

scraper element

72

holder

74

dirt fluid

76

first area

78

second area

80

first longitudinal axis

82

obtuse angle

84

swivel joint

86

web guiding device

88

circular path section

90

counter device

92

elevation axis

94

midplane

98

drive motor

100

Housing

102

free space

104

gear mechanism

106

roller pickup

108

Wave

110

first wave part

112

second wave part

114

center part

116

first roller part

118

second roller part

120

support element

122

post

124

roll, glider

126

underside [of the base]

127

Underside [of the dirty fluid tank device]

128

top

130

wall

132

cutout

134

first opening part

136

second opening part

138

first chamber

140

second chamber

142

Lid

144

plate

146

edge wall

148

removal direction

150

Space

152

continuous recess

154

holder

156

first place

158

second place

160

Recording

162

Holder-mount combination

164

first item

166

second element

168

recording area

170

bead

172

first area

174

second area

176

first cone angle

178

second cone angle

180

extension

182

swivel angle

184

bottom

185

parking position

186

locking device

188

Pin-Plunge Combination

190

first place

192

second place

194

immersion opening

196, 196'

Pen

197

contact surface

198

guide

200

shift axis

202

spring device

204

bead

206

attack

208

block element

210

first inclined plane

212

first contact surface

214

second inclined plane

216

second contact surface

218

Top

220

Power

222

Base

224

rear end

226

front end

228

first area

230

second area

232

comb element

234

stub shaft

236

pivot axis

238

first frontal end

240

second front end

242

Row

244

Pin code

246

trimming

248

length

250

swivel bearing

252

spring device

254

web

256

first flank

258

second flank

260

edge

262, 262'

contact line

264

middle area

266

concave area

268

convex area

270

vertex

272

cylinder

274

cylinder axis

276

level

278

first part

280

second part

282

locking device

284

locked position

286

disguise

288

slider

289

shift direction

290

Nose

292

counter surface

294

spring device

296

immersion element

298

immersion opening

300

overload protection

302

First part

304

Second part

306

spring device

308

attack

310

Page

312

Page

L1

first length

L2, L2∗

second length

L3

third length

D

Distance

Claims (21)

A floor cleaning machine comprising a cleaning head (12), support rod means (36) connected to the cleaning head (12), at least one cleaning roller unit (18) arranged on the cleaning head (12), and soiled fluid tank means (32) which removably seated on a base (30) of the cleaning head (12), characterized in that a foot strap (34) is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device (32) and extends over the base (30 ) protrudes. Floor cleaning machine according to Claim 1, characterized by at least one of the following: - the cleaning head (12) has a front end (20) and a rear end (22) facing away from the front end (20), the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) being seated in the area of the front end (20) and at the Base (30) fixed dirty fluid tank device (32) the foot strap (34) is positioned in the area of the rear end (22), and in particular the foot strap (34) beyond the rear end (22) of the base (30) protrudes backwards; - When the dirty fluid tank device (32) is held on the base (30), the kick tab (34) is aligned with at least one of the following in relation to a longitudinal axis (24) of the cleaning head (12): - A pivot joint (84) via which the support rod means (36) is pivoted to the cleaning head (12); - At least one supporting element (120) via which the cleaning head (12) is spaced apart from the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) on a floor (16) to be cleaned; - A middle part of a roller seat (106) of the cleaning roller unit (18); - The foot strap (34) is arranged centrally between a first lateral side (26) and a second lateral side (28) of the dirty fluid tank device (32); - The foot strap (34) has lateral raised edge walls (146); - The step tab (34) is arranged on a floor (58) or a wall (60) of the dirty fluid tank device (32). Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning head (12) is assigned a positioning surface (14) for a floor (16) to be cleaned, with at least one of the following: - The installation surface (14) is a flat surface; - An axis of rotation (46) of the at least one rotating roller unit (18) is parallel to the installation surface (14); - A pivot axis (40) of a pivot joint (84), by means of which the holding rod device (36) is pivoted to the cleaning head (12), is parallel to the installation surface (14); - The foot strap (34) is aligned at least approximately parallel to the installation surface (14) when the dirty fluid tank device (32) is held on the base (30); - The step tab (34) is arranged at a height distance from the installation surface (14) when the dirty fluid tank device (32) is held on the base (30); - The installation surface (14) is defined by the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) and at least one support element (120) which is at a distance from the at least one cleaning roller unit (18). Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one holder (154) and in particular a holding dome or holding mushroom is seated on the base (30) and in particular at least two spaced-apart holders (154) are seated and that the dirty fluid tank device (32) for the at least one Holder (154) has an associated receptacle (160), with the dirty fluid tank device (32) being held on the base (30), the at least one holder (154) being immersed in the associated receptacle (160), and in particular characterized in that a holder - receiving combination (162) is designed as a snap-in connection device, and/or that the at least one holder (154) has a first element (164) and that the associated receptacle (160) has a second element (166), which are thus adapted to one another are that when the first element (164) rests against the second element (166) in a locked position, the dirty fluid tank device (32) falls off the base (30). is locked away below and when applying a certain amount of force, the lock can be lifted. Floor cleaning machine according to Claim 4, characterized in that the first element (164) and the second element (166) are adapted to one another in such a way that a direction of force when a force is applied to cancel the blocking is in a direction transverse to an underside (126) of the base (30) is away from the base (30) with the underside (126) of the base (30) facing the dirty fluid tank assembly (32) when the dirty fluid tank assembly (32) is held on the base (30), and/or characterized in that the (i) second element (166) is designed as a spreading element which can be spread open with a corresponding application of force, and in that the first element (164) is a blocking element and is surrounded by the second element (166), or ( ii) that the first element is designed as a spreading element, which can be spread open with a corresponding application of force, and that the first element surrounds the second element, with the second element being a blocking element, and in particular characterized by at least one of the following: - The blocking element has a first inclined plane for the expansion element for bringing out the expansion element while releasing the blocking; - The blocking element has a second inclined plane for the spreading element for inserting the blocking element in a blocking direction; - The second inclined plane and the first inclined plane are designed so that a force to bring out the expansion element is greater than for insertion. Floor cleaning machine according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the receptacle (160) for the associated holder (154) has an extension on an upper side (128) of the dirty fluid tank device (32) and is in particular designed in the shape of a funnel, with the dirty fluid tank device being held on the base (32) the top (128) of the dirty fluid tank assembly (32) faces the base (30). Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foot strap (34) is arranged and designed in such a way that when the cleaning head (12) is properly positioned on a floor (16) to be cleaned, an operator presses the foot strap (34) and lifts it by applying force of the cleaning head (12) away from the floor (16) to be cleaned detaching the dirty fluid tank device (32) from the base (30), and in particular
characterized in that the holding rod device (36) is arranged and designed in such a way that the cleaning head (12) can be lifted off by means of the holding rod device (36). Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding rod device (36) is held pivotably on the cleaning head (12) via a swivel joint (84), in particular a swivel axis (40) of the swivel joint (84) being connected to a rotation axis (46) the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) coincides, and in particular characterized in that the swivel joint (84) is designed as an orbital joint with an orbital path guidance of the holding rod device (36) on the cleaning head (12). Floor cleaning machine according to Claim 8, characterized by at least one of the following: - A drive motor (98) for the cleaning roller unit (18), which is non-rotatably connected to the support rod device (36) in relation to a pivotability of the support rod device (36) about the pivot axis (40); - a transmission device (104) for transmitting a torque from a drive motor (98) to the at least one cleaning roller unit (18), the transmission device (104) being non-rotatably connected to the retaining rod device in relation to a pivotability of the retaining rod device (36) about the pivot axis (40). (36) connected; - a roller mount (106) on which the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) is seated, the roller mount (106) being non-rotatably connected to the support rod device (36) in relation to the pivotability of the support rod device (36). Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) is seated on a roller mount (106) of a shaft (108) with a first shaft part (110), a middle part (114) and a second shaft part (112). , wherein the middle part (114) lies between the first shaft part (110) and the second shaft part (112) and on the first shaft part (110) a first roller part (116) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) and on the second shaft part (112 ) a second roller part (118) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) is arranged, and that a central drive is provided which acts on the central part. Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support rod means (36) comprises a first part (278) and a second part (280), the first part (278) being articulated on the cleaning head (12) and the second part (280) can be rotated about an axis of rotation (41) relative to the first part (278), in particular the axis of rotation (41) being oriented transversely and preferably perpendicularly to an axis of rotation (46) of the cleaning roller unit (18), and in particular characterized by a locking device (282) by which rotation about the axis of rotation (41) can be locked, in particular with at least one of the following: - In a lockable parking position (185) of the holding rod device (36) with respect to the cleaning head (12), the locking device (282) acts and is in particular in a locking position (284); - Outside of the fixed parking position (185), the rotation is released by the locking device (282); - The locking device (282) automatically goes into a locking position (284) when the parking position (185) is reached; - the locking device (282) automatically moves out of its locking position (284) when the parking position (185) is cancelled, and particularly characterized in that the locking device (282) comprises a spring-loaded movable slide (288) which is displaceably mounted on the first part (278) and in a locking position (284) effects a form fit with the second part (280), in particular with at least one of the following: - The slider (288) has a lug (290) which is supported on the cleaning head (12) in the locking position (284) and holds the slider (288) in the locking position (284) or brings it into the locking position (284). ; - The slider (288) has an overload protection; - the slider (288) has at least a first part (302) and a second part (304), the second part (304) acting on the second part (280) of the support rod device (36) and the second part (304 ) of the slide (288) is spring-loaded on the first part (302) of the slide (288) movably arranged. Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support bar device (36) has a first region (76) with a first longitudinal axis (80) and a second region (78) with a second longitudinal axis (41), the first longitudinal axis (80) and the second longitudinal axis (41) are oriented at an obtuse angle (82) to one another, with the obtuse angle (82) in particular being in the range between 120° and 170°, in particular characterized by at least one of the following: - the second portion (78) is seated on the first portion (76); - the first portion (76) is or includes a distal portion of the support rod means (36); - the support rod means (36) is pivoted to the cleaning head (12) via the first portion (76); - A counter device (90) of the swivel joint (84) is arranged on the first region (76); - A drive motor (98) for the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) is arranged on the first area (76); - The first region (76) has a housing (100); - A battery holder is arranged on the first region (76); - An in particular removable tank device for cleaning liquid is arranged on the first area (76); - the second portion (78) is or includes a proximal portion of the support rod means (36); - A handle (38) is arranged on the second region (78); - A tank device (32), in particular removable, for cleaning liquid is arranged on the second area (78); - A battery holder (48) is arranged on the second region (78); - A control panel is arranged on the second area (78) or on a handle (38) which sits on the second area (78); - The second region (78) has a straight extension in the second longitudinal axis (41). Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding rod device (36) has a free swiveling angle range to the cleaning head (12) via a swivel joint (84) with a swiveling angle (182) between a longitudinal axis (41) of the holding rod device (36) and a Has the installation surface (14) of the cleaning head (12) on a floor (16) to be cleaned, the pivoting angle (182) being in the range between a lower limit and an upper limit, in particular with at least one of the following: - the lower limit is 0° or greater than 0°; - the lower limit is less than 50° and in particular less than 40° and in particular less than 30°; - the upper limit is in the range between 80° and 120° and in particular around 90°; - at the upper limit, the support rod means (36) has a lockable parking position (185) with respect to the cleaning head (12), and in particular characterized by locking means (186) locking the support rod means (36) to the cleaning head (12) at the upper limit such that pivoting of the support rod means (36) to the cleaning head (12) is blocked. Floor cleaning machine according to Claim 13, characterized by at least one of the following: - A further pivoting of the holding rod device (36) when it is at the upper limit and is locked to the cleaning head (12) and when the cleaning head (12) is properly positioned on a floor (16) to be cleaned results in an increase in the pivoting angle without further operator intervention to pivot the cleaning head (12) to the floor (16) to be cleaned; - The locking device (186) comprises at least one spring-loaded pin (196; 196') and an associated immersion opening (194) for the pin (196; 196'), wherein (i) the at least one pin (196; 196') is non-rotatably attached the support rod device (36) and the associated immersion opening (194) is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the cleaning head (12), or (ii) the at least one pin is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the cleaning head (12) and the associated immersion opening is rotationally fixed in the support rod device ( 36) is arranged. Floor cleaning machine according to Claim 14, characterized by at least one of the following: - The immersion opening (194) is assigned a first inclined plane (210) outside of the immersion opening (194), which, when the pivoting angle (182) increases, guides the associated pin (196; 196') into the immersion opening (194), the first inclined plane (210) causes a displacement of the pin (196; 196') against a force of the spring loading; - the at least one pin (196; 196') has a first contact surface (212) adapted to the first inclined plane (210); - The immersion opening (194) is delimited by a wall which has a second inclined plane (214) and via which the associated pin (196; 196') is moved out of the immersion opening (194) when the pivot angle (182) is reduced, wherein the second inclined plane (214) causes a displacement of the pin (196; 196') against a force effect of the spring loading; - The at least one pin (196; 196') has a second contact surface adapted to the second inclined plane (214). Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one of the following: - the holding rod device (36) is designed for a standing operator who stands on the floor (16) to be cleaned, the cleaning head (12) being placed on the floor (16) to be cleaned via a set-up surface (14) and the floor cleaning machine being placed above the support rod means (36) can be guided over the floor (16) to be cleaned; - The at least one cleaning roller unit (18) is motor-driven by a drive motor (98); - The cleaning head (12) has a housing (100) in which at least partially the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) is arranged; - The at least one cleaning roller unit (18) lies with outer ends on a lateral first side (26) and a lateral second side (28) of the cleaning head (12). Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one of the following: - At least one stripping element (90) for the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) is arranged on the cleaning head (12); - on the cleaning head (12) (ii) at least one comb element (232) is arranged, which acts on the at least one cleaning roller unit (18); - the cleaning head (12) is assigned (iii) at least one sweeping element (62), which feeds sweepings to the at least one cleaning roller unit (18), the at least one sweeping element (62) being arranged in particular on a dirt fluid tank device (32), wherein any one of the elements (i), (ii), (iii) or any combination of these elements (70, 232, 262) to the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) has the same position independent of a pivotal position of the support rod means (36) to the cleaning head (12). Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one of the following operating modes: - A dry sweeping operation without applying cleaning liquid to the floor (16) to be cleaned or to the at least one cleaning roller unit (18); - A wet wiping operation with loading of the floor (16) to be cleaned and/or the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) with cleaning liquid; - a sweeping operation and a wet wiping operation, with coarse dirt being fed to the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) in particular via a sweeping element (62) and being conveyed via the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) into a dirt fluid tank device (32) and via at least one scraping element (70) Dirty fluid is stripped off the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) and conveyed from there into the dirty fluid tank device (32). Floor cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one support element (120) is arranged on the base (30) of the cleaning head (12), which is at a distance from the at least one cleaning roller unit (18), wherein during a cleaning operation the cleaning head ( 12) is supported via the at least one cleaning roller unit (18) and the at least one support element (120) on a floor (16) to be cleaned, and that the dirty fluid tank device (32) has a continuous recess (152) assigned to the at least one support element (120) has, through which the at least one support element (120) is carried out when the dirty fluid tank device (32) is seated on the cleaning head (12). A method of detaching a dirty fluid tank assembly (32) from a cleaning head (12) in the floor cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising - The cleaning head (12) is properly placed on a floor (16); - An operator puts his foot on the foot strap (34); - a lifting force is exerted on the cleaning head (12) via the support rod means (36). Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the lifting force causes a pivotal lifting of the cleaning head (12) from the floor (16), and/or
characterized in that in order to lift the cleaning head (12), the retaining rod device (36) is or is brought into a locking position by pivoting the retaining rod device (36) relative to the cleaning head (12), in which position the retaining rod device (36) can be pivoted relative to the cleaning head (12) is locked, wherein the retaining bar means (36) is oriented in the locking position at an angle in the range between 70 ° and 110 ° and in particular at about 90 ° to the floor (16).

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