CN115778257A - Device for cleaning floor surfaces with lateral sealing elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for cleaning a floor surface (20), comprising a housing (3) having two opposite outer sides (4, 5) which extend laterally from a front side (6) to a rear side (7) of the housing (3). The device (1) comprises a suction space (10) on the underside (8) of the housing (3), said suction space having a suction opening (11) for suctioning dirt within the suction space (10). At least one lateral sealing element (2) is arranged on at least one of the two outer sides (4, 5) for laterally delimiting a suction space (10). The at least one lateral sealing element (2) is elongated downward in order to reduce a lateral air flow from outside the suction space (10) to below the housing (3) into the suction space (10) on at least one of the two outer sides (4, 5) during operation. The lateral sealing element (2) is inclined outwards. In this way, the floor depression can be cleaned better.

Description

Device for cleaning floor surfaces with lateral sealing elements

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device for cleaning floor surfaces, comprising a housing having two opposite outer sides which extend laterally from a front side to a rear side of the housing, wherein the device comprises a suction space on the underside of the housing, which has a suction opening for suctioning dirt within the suction space, and at least one lateral sealing element is provided on at least one of the two outer sides for laterally delimiting the suction space, wherein the at least one lateral sealing element is elongated downward in order, in operation, to reduce a lateral air flow from outside the suction space into the suction space below the housing on at least one of the two outer sides.

Background

Sealing elements for reducing the lateral surface of a lateral air flow entering the suction space from outside the suction space to below the housing are used in many modern vacuum cleaners, for example those of the Vorwerk company with brushes.

Today's vacuum cleaners undergo extensive testing and are continuously optimized in order to meet all possible cleaning tasks as best as possible in floor cleaning. This includes, for example, removing dirt from the floor surface in the vicinity of edges and corners and removing dirt from recesses in the floor surface, for example.

The aforementioned features known from the prior art can be combined individually or in any combination with one of the subject-matters and embodiments according to the invention described below.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a further improved device for cleaning floor surfaces.

A device having the features of claim 1 is used to solve the task. Advantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims.

In order to solve this task, a device for cleaning a floor surface is used, which comprises a housing having two opposite outer sides. The two outer sides extend laterally from the front side to the rear side of the housing, respectively. The two outer sides are two lateral outer sides, for example a first or right outer side and a second or left outer side as seen in the feed direction. The device comprises a suction space on the underside of the housing, which suction space has a suction opening for suctioning dirt within the suction space. Dirt located under the housing within the suction space is sucked into the suction opening. At least one lateral sealing element is arranged on at least one of the two outer sides for laterally delimiting the suction space. The sealing element of the at least one side is elongated downward in order to reduce a lateral air flow from outside the suction space into the suction space below the housing on at least one of the two outer sides during operation. The sealing element of the at least one side thus extends downwards. The wall-like surface, which is open at the outside and downward, is formed by a sealing element.

The lateral sealing elements are inclined outwards. In this way, the floor depression can be cleaned in an improved manner.

"outer" means away from the suction space.

By the lateral sealing element being inclined outward, the air flow is guided particularly uniformly from the recess into the suction space below the housing when driving over the floor recess. Dirt can be conveyed from the floor recess laterally into the suction space in an improved manner. This enables improved pit cleaning. In particular, the two opposite outer sides each have at least one outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element.

The outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element is inclined laterally outwardly. The one or more laterally outwardly inclined sealing elements laterally delimit the suction space in such a way that it extends outwardly beyond the outer side of the housing.

"laterally" (on) means transversely to the feed direction of the apparatus, i.e. for example to the left or to the right. Outward means away from the center of the housing. The housing means a housing of the device which, in operation, moves on a floor surface and comprises a suction opening for suctioning dirt within the suction space.

The inclination of the lateral sealing element can be measured, for example, with an inclination angle which can be designated by α, in particular between the outward-inclined extent of the sealing element and a vertical line. The vertical line is relative to the normal of the lower side of the housing or to a flat ground surface on which the device is located in operation. The underside of the housing usually extends parallel to a plane which extends like a flat ground surface on which the device rests during operation. The vertical line is perpendicular to the feeding direction and/or perpendicular to the front side of the housing. In brief, the inclination angle α is determined on the one hand by the sealing element and on the other hand by an auxiliary line oriented perpendicular to the ground.

In other words, the inclination angle α is determined on one side by the sealing element and on the other side by an auxiliary line oriented perpendicularly to a two-dimensional auxiliary plane, wherein the two-dimensional auxiliary plane extends such that the auxiliary plane extends along an ideally flat ground surface on which the device is in a state ready for operation. In particular, the housing wall element, in particular the lateral channel cover, extends parallel to the auxiliary line or at an angle to the auxiliary line (or vertical line).

In particular, the lateral sealing element is elongated downward and is inclined outward in this case, so that a transverse inclination of the lateral sealing element results. In particular, the lateral sealing elements extend obliquely downwards and/or outwards, so that the suction space laterally delimited by the lateral sealing elements becomes larger towards the floor surface with increasing distance from the underside of the housing.

The lateral sealing element extends from one of the two outer sides, in particular obliquely, downwards and/or outwards, so that the distance of the sealing element relative to the outer side of the housing increases as the distance by which the lateral sealing element is spaced apart from the outer side of the housing increases.

The lateral sealing element has a free end and an opposite, coupled end for connection to the housing. The free end is spaced apart from the housing, in particular from the outside of the housing, by a greater transverse distance than the coupled end. The free end is therefore not located between the two opposite outer sides of the housing. In one embodiment, the lateral sealing element is a sealing lip, preferably made of plastic. In one embodiment, the lateral sealing element is a preferably flat bristle bundle. In the present disclosure, a section of such a sealing element extending along the outer side is considered a lateral sealing element if the device has a sealing element which extends in one piece or in a surface-closed manner both along the outer side and around the corners on the front and/or rear side in order to simultaneously fulfill the function of the lateral and front and rear sealing elements.

In one embodiment, the outwardly inclined lateral sealing elements have a length which is greater than their downward extent. This allows for better cleaning of the floor depression. The length of the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element is indicated along the outer side of the sealing element provided with the lateral surface. The length is to be measured transversely to the direction of extent of the lateral sealing elements from their coupled end to their free end. If the outwardly inclined lateral sealing element is, according to one embodiment, a sealing lip, which is preferably made of plastic, the length is measured on the closed surface of the sealing lip. The surface may be formed by a plurality of sealing lips, as long as no gap for the passage of the lateral air flow is present between the sealing lips. If the outwardly inclined lateral sealing element is, according to one embodiment, a preferably flat bristle tuft, the length is measured on the closed surface of the bristle tuft. The surface may be formed by a plurality of bristle tufts, as long as no gaps for the passage of the lateral air flow are present between the bristle tufts.

In one embodiment, the inner surface of the lateral sealing element that delimits the suction space is inclined outward. In this way, the floor depression can be cleaned better. The outward inclination is referred to as the rest state, i.e. it can occur during operation without the action of external forces.

In one embodiment, the part of the lateral sealing element which is elongated downwards from the lower side of the housing has a substantially constant thickness. In this way, the floor depression can be cleaned better. In particular, in the case of a lateral sealing element, in particular a sealing lip made of plastic, the thickness is at least 0.3mm and/or at most 1.0mm. In the case of a preferably flat bristle tuft as the lateral sealing element, the thickness is at least 1mm and/or at most 6mm. In the case where the sealing element is a tuft of bristles, there is a thickness which remains substantially constant if the tuft is made so as to seek a generally parallel orientation of the bristles. Since the bristle bundles tend to expand in the bristle extension direction, a parallel orientation of the bristles is desirable if, for example, the expansion angle between the inner face and the opposite outer face of the sealing element of the outwardly inclined side composed of bristles is less than 10 °. In the case of the sealing element being a sealing lip, a substantially constant thickness is present if the inner surface of the sealing lip and the opposite outer surface are flat and preferably elongate parallel or at an angle to one another of, for example, up to 10 ° toward the free end. Possible spikes which can be arranged locally on the free end remain disregarded when taking into account a thickness which remains substantially constant. In one embodiment, the inner surface and/or the opposite outer surface of the sealing lip, which is/are the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element, has a flat surface profile (in the assembled state without the action of external forces, for example due to gravity or ground contact).

In one embodiment, the inclination angle α of the outwardly inclined lateral sealing element and/or the inclination angle α of the inner surface of the outwardly inclined lateral sealing element delimiting the suction space is at least 20 °. In this way, the floor depression can be cleaned better. The inclination angle α of the outwardly inclined lateral sealing element, with reference to its direction of extension, is oriented from the underside of the housing toward its free end. The direction of extension extends, for example, in the case of a sealing lip as a sealing element, centrally between an inner face and an opposite outer face of the sealing element. If the sealing element is a bristle tuft, the angle of inclination α is determined by means of the intended, central direction of extension thereof.

In one embodiment, the angle of inclination α of the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element and/or the angle of inclination α of the inner surface of the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element which delimits the suction space is at most 60 °, preferably at most 45 °. Better cleaning of the floor depression can thus be achieved. In the case of inclination angles of more than 60 °, sufficient dimensional stability of the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element can no longer be ensured, in particular due to contact with the ground surface.

In one embodiment, the inclination angle α of the outwardly inclined lateral sealing element and/or the inclination angle α of the inner surface of the outwardly inclined lateral sealing element delimiting the suction space is 90 ° or approximately 90 °. Approximately 90 includes a tolerance range of 10% in both directions. In this embodiment, the lateral sealing elements move essentially parallel to the ground surface during operation or drag over the ground surface. In this particular embodiment, despite the large inclination angle, no impairment of the shape stability during operation occurs and the planar covering floor recess achieved likewise generates a favorably directed air flow when the device is driven over, which improves the cleaning of the floor recess. In this way, the floor depression can be cleaned better.

In a further development of this embodiment, the lateral sealing element, which is inclined at an angle of inclination of 90 °, is a preferably flat bristle bundle, which in operation is dragged over the floor surface. In an alternative further development of this embodiment, only one end region of the lateral sealing element is inclined outward at approximately 90 °. The intermediate region of the lateral sealing element between the lower side of the housing and the end region then preferably extends without tilting down to the end region. In particular, the intermediate region and the end regions are at an angle of approximately 90 ° during operation. In a further development, the lateral sealing elements are formed from an elastic material, which, starting from the underside of the housing, during operation, extends down to the floor surface and then bends there in order to lie with an end region on the floor surface.

In one embodiment, the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element has a free end and an end coupled to the housing. In this way, the floor depression can be cleaned better. In particular, the ends of the coupling extend upwards. In particular, the ends of the coupling do not extend below the underside of the housing towards the middle of the housing.

In one embodiment, the coupling end is fastened (in particular non-detachably, i.e. not detachably without damage) to an outer (in particular manually detachable) lateral housing wall element. This makes it possible to achieve better floor recess cleaning with a device which can be provided with particularly low manufacturing expenditure. The part of the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element which extends from the lower side, in particular upwards, of the housing comprises a coupling end and/or is fixedly coupled, i.e. connected, to the housing.

In one embodiment, the housing wall element is a lateral channel cover. The channel cover defines a channel for laterally covering the rotatable cleaning roller. The channel is located on the underside of the housing and/or forms a downwardly open recess into the underside of the housing, so that the cleaning roller rotating in the channel can in operation come into direct contact with the floor surface to be cleaned. The channel is shaped for the most part cylindrically or cylindrically. The cleaning roller then projects downward on the underside of the housing, starting from the recess in the radial direction with respect to the roller axis of the cleaning roller. The roller axis extends transversely to the feed direction, parallel to the underside of the housing and/or over the underside of the housing at a distance which is less than the radius of the cleaning roller.

In one embodiment, the lateral sealing elements are fastened with the coupled ends in a form-fitting, force-fitting and/or material-fitting manner. In particular, the lateral sealing element is injection molded or clamped and/or screwed into a recess adapted to the shape of the coupled end.

In one embodiment, the at least one outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element has a recess which is open downwards for the lateral air flow to pass from the outside into the suction space. This may improve floor recess cleaning. The distance from the floor recess can thus be reduced during driving over and nevertheless allow sufficient air to enter the suction space from the side. The downwardly open recess has the result that the contour of the free end of the sealing element extends upwards.

In one embodiment, two adjoining, lateral sealing elements (at least one of which is inclined outward) have a recess which opens downward for the lateral air flow to pass from the outside into the suction space. The distance to the floor recess can thus be reduced during driving over and nevertheless allow sufficient air to enter the suction space from the side. The two adjacent, lateral sealing elements are adjacent to one another in such a way that no air (or only a negligible amount of air) can pass from the outside to the inside through the gap between the adjacent, lateral sealing elements. Preferably, two adjacent, lateral sealing elements bear against one another, so that no gap is produced between them or in most cases during operation. By virtue of the two adjoining, lateral sealing elements having different lengths, the recess which opens out downwards can be formed very simply by the two adjoining, lateral sealing elements.

In one embodiment, the downwardly open recess opens forward or rearward. The recess then forms a stepped or stepped contour, in particular of the free end. This supports the above-mentioned effects.

In one embodiment, the downwardly open recess is closed off in the forward and rearward direction. The recess then forms a profile having the above-mentioned profile, in particular the free end, with an inverted "U" shape, i.e. a U-shape, or approximately with an inverted "U" shape, i.e. a U-shape. In particular, the recess has the shape of a door. This supports the above-mentioned effects.

In one embodiment, the depth of the recess, measured along the downwardly elongated, lateral sealing element, is at least 15% and/or at most 40% of the downward elongation of the lateral sealing element from the underside of the housing. In other words, the downward extent of the recess amounts to at least 15% and/or at most 40% of the distance between the free end of the lateral sealing element to the underside of the housing or to the lateral channel cover. This provides better cleaning of the floor depression.

In one embodiment, the length of the recess (17) measured from the rear to the front along the outwardly inclined lateral sealing element (2) is at least 25% and/or at most 75% of the extent of the lateral sealing element (2) from the rear to the front. In other words, the extension of the recess along the outer side of the housing amounts to at least 15% and/or up to 40% of the length of the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element. This provides better cleaning of the floor depression.

In one embodiment, a recess is provided between the two sealing elements, which recess extends during operation from the underside of the housing to the floor surface. Such gaps allow coarse particles to be sucked in from the floor surface. The two sealing elements may be two outwardly inclined, lateral sealing elements, one lateral sealing element and one sealing element on the front side, one lateral sealing element and one sealing element on the rear side and/or one outwardly inclined sealing element and one adjacent lateral sealing element.

In one embodiment, when cleaning the floor surface, i.e. during operation, the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element extends substantially downward up to or at least up to the floor surface. In this embodiment, it is assumed that there is a smooth, flat ground surface which extends parallel to the underside of the housing. In this way, an increased flow force of ambient air in the floor recess can be achieved in the region outside the lateral sealing element, but close to the lateral sealing element, as the floor recess is driven by the device, dirt being conveyed from the floor recess into the suction space. Furthermore, the suction pressure in the region of the floor depression below the suction space of the device is likewise increased, whereby the cleaning of the floor depression is likewise improved.

The embodiment with a distance of approximately 0mm from the floor of the lateral sealing element, in particular the sealing lip, provides for an increased flow speed in the floor recess and improved cleaning.

In one embodiment, the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element extends at least as far or even further downwards in operation than the lowermost bearing part of the device when cleaning a floor surface. This improves the cleaning of the floor depression.

By a support part is meant a part of the device which, in operation, transfers the weight of the device to the ground surface and/or supports the device. The sealing lip is not a supporting part of the device. Pulleys, skids and/or cleaning rollers are preferred support members for the apparatus.

In one embodiment, the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element (in particular by means of a material of small thickness and/or bending-elastic properties) is designed and, when cleaning the floor surface, extends so far downwards that it comes into contact with the floor surface, bends over the floor surface and, after bending, lies flat on the floor surface. The flow speed in the floor recess during driving over can thus be increased and the cleaning of the floor recess as a whole improved.

In one embodiment, the sealing element of the side face is a bristle tuft, or the sealing element attached to the side face is provided with bristle tufts on at least one of the two outer sides, which bristle tufts extend outward. In particular, this relates to a flat bristle bundle. Preferably, the length of the flat bristle bundles in the feed direction is greater than four times the thickness of the bristle bundles. The flat bristle bundles have, viewed in cross section, two opposite short sides and two opposite long sides perpendicular thereto. Preferably, the flat bristle bundles have an overall divergence angle of at most 20 °, preferably at most 50 °, measured along the direction of extent of the bristles of the bristle bundles on the two long sides. Preferably, the flat bristle bundles have a divergence angle of at most 30 °, or between-20 ° and 20 °, measured between the two short side faces, in the direction of extension of the bristles of the bristle bundles. In one embodiment, the preferably flat bristle bundles are fastened to the housing in such a way that, during cleaning of the floor surface during operation, the bristle bundles lie completely or in most cases flat on the floor surface. In most cases, this means that the bristle bundles lie on the surface with a length proportion of more than 50% in the preferably flat bristle bundle portion, the entire portion of which laterally protrudes on the outer side of the housing.

In one embodiment, the lateral, preferably flat bristle bundles or additional lateral, preferably flat bristle bundles (with respect to the bristle extension direction) are oriented perpendicular to the feed direction and/or at an inclination angle of approximately or exactly 90 °. In one embodiment, the lateral, preferably flat bristle bundles or additional lateral, preferably flat bristle bundles (with respect to the bristle extension direction) are oriented at an angle of 30 ° to 60 °, preferably about 45 °, to the feed direction and/or at an inclination angle of about or exactly 90 °. Particularly preferably, preferably flat bristle bundles which are oriented at an angle of 30 ° to 60 °, preferably about 45 °, to the feed direction are provided in at least one angular region of the housing. The corner region is the region in which one of the two outer sides converges with the front side or the rear side of the suction space. In particular, two individual, preferably flat bristle bundles, in particular a first bristle bundle at an angle of approximately 45 ° to the feed direction and a second bristle bundle perpendicular to the feed direction, are arranged in a single angular region, in particular in an angular region on the rear side of the suction space, at a distance from one another. In particular, a preferably flat bristle bundle which is angled by approximately 45 ° relative to the feed direction and a further preferably flat bristle bundle which is perpendicular to the feed direction, in particular in the rear angular region thereof, are arranged on a single outer side in the front angular region thereof. By all of these configurations improved cleaning of the floor recess is achieved.

In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a cleaning roller. The floor recess can be cleaned particularly effectively by the cleaning roller in combination with the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element.

The device for cleaning a floor surface is preferably a vacuum cleaner, i.e. a floor vacuum cleaner or a vacuum robot having a handle for movement thereof by a user. In one embodiment, the device is an accessory for a main unit, wherein the main unit and the accessory together form an operable floor cleaner. The accessory usually has a mechanical and/or electrical interface, by means of which the accessory can be connected to the host. The suction opening of the attachment can be connected in a fluid-tight manner to the suction line of the main unit, in particular by means of a connection. Fluid-tight means that, for example, air can be sucked through a fan located in the main unit via the suction opening of the attachment with sufficiently low power loss so that the floor surface can be cleaned. In particular, the electric motor is provided in the attachment for driving the cleaning roller. The cleaner comprises a main machine having a fan for drawing air and an accessory connected or connectable to the main machine for cleaning the floor surface, for example for cleaning the floor surface. In particular, the main body comprises a filter chamber. The fan conveys the drawn-in dirt from the floor surface to the filter chamber through the suction duct. In the filter chamber, the dirt is separated off and collected, in particular by means of a filter or a dust bag. Preferably, the filter chamber can be disassembled in order to remove collected dirt or to replace the dust bag.

If the device is a suction robot, the suction robot comprises a suction opening, a motor and a scrub roller, as described above in the context of the attachment. Additionally, the dust collection robot also includes a fan, a suction duct, and/or a filter chamber.

If the apparatus comprises a scrub roller, the motor of the apparatus drives the scrub roller for rotation about a roller axis that is oriented parallel to the underside of the apparatus and/or parallel to the floor surface. Preferably, the motor for the scrub roller does not drive the fan. In particular, the fan is driven by a separate fan motor. The roller axes extend transversely to the feed direction, in which the device is moved or automatically moved. The cleaning roller is in particular a bristle roller with a plurality of bristles, which protrude radially on the cylindrical roller. Improved transport and/or suction of dirt, i.e. fine dust, dirt and/or coarse particles, from the floor surface is possible by the brushes or bristles. The cleaning roller is in particular designed as a hollow cylinder and/or is preferably arranged within the suction space. A suction space formed between the underside and the floor surface, wherein a suction opening is provided within the suction space for sucking air away from the suction space, so that a low pressure exists within the suction space with respect to the ambient pressure.

In one embodiment, the device is a suction and mop machine (Saugwischer) or a suction and mop machine accessory. The mop cloth or sponge is fastened to a plate which is moved by an electric motor, in particular revolved along a rail, and is moved during operation over a floor surface for cleaning.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a device for cleaning a floor surface, in particular a vacuum cleaner, a vacuum cleaning robot or an attachment for a vacuum cleaner or a vacuum cleaner, comprising a housing having two opposite outer sides which extend laterally from a front side to a rear side of the housing, wherein the device comprises a suction opening on an underside of the housing for suctioning dirt within a suction space, and wherein the device is provided with at least one lateral sealing element on at least one of the two outer sides, which lateral sealing element laterally delimits the suction space, wherein the at least one lateral sealing element is elongated downwards in order, in operation, to reduce a lateral air flow from outside the suction space to below the housing into the suction space on at least one of the two outer sides. The lateral sealing element or the lateral sealing elements adjoining one another on the outside form a recess which is open downwards and/or is locally defined for the passage of the lateral air flow into the suction space. In this way, the floor depression can be cleaned better. The definitions, embodiments and effects of the initially described aspects of the invention (in which the outward inclination of the lateral sealing element constitutes only one embodiment) can also be used for this aspect of the invention.

In the following, embodiments of the invention are also explained in more detail with the aid of the figures. The features of the embodiments can be combined individually or in plural with the claimed aspects and disclosed aspects of the invention and disclosure, as long as they are not specified to the contrary. The scope of protection claimed is not limited to the embodiments.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface;

fig. 2a shows a schematic cross-sectional view through an outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element in the fastened state, in particular for use in the device of fig. 1;

fig. 2b shows a schematic view of a part of the outside of a housing of a device with a tight-sided sealing element, in particular the sealing element of fig. 2 a;

FIG. 3a shows a schematic isometric view of an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface having a lateral sealing element;

fig. 3b shows a schematic sketch of a downwardly open recess, in particular for the device of fig. 3a, which is also open towards the front.

FIG. 4a shows a schematic side view of an apparatus for cleaning a floor surface having a lateral sealing element;

fig. 4b shows a schematic sketch of a downwardly open recess, for example for the device of fig. 4a, which is closed forwards and backwards.

Fig. 4c shows a schematic sectional view from the front of an outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element, in particular of the device of fig. 4a, in the fastened state;

fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a device for cleaning a floor surface with a lateral sealing element which is bent away outwards on the floor surface and lies flat there;

fig. 6a shows a schematic drawing of an equal scale of a device with tufts of bristles on the outside;

fig. 6b shows a schematic top view of the housing of the device, in particular of fig. 6a, with bristle bundles on the outside;

fig. 6c shows a schematic view of the underside of the housing of the device with bristle tufts, in particular the device of fig. 6 a;

fig. 7a shows an isometric schematic top view of an apparatus with two bristle bundles on the outside;

fig. 7b shows a schematic bottom view of the device with two bristle bundles on the outside, in particular the device of fig. 7 a;

fig. 8a shows an isometric schematic top view of an apparatus with two bristle bundles on the outside;

fig. 8b shows a schematic bottom view of the device with two bristle bundles on the outside, in particular the device of fig. 8 a.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a device 1 for cleaning a floor surface 20, in particular an accessory for connecting to a not shown main unit with a fan via an interface 22, in particular of articulated design. The housing 3 of the device 1 has two opposite outer sides 4, 5 which extend laterally from a front side 6 to a rear side 7 of the housing 3. The device 1 comprises a suction space 10 (shown in dotted lines) on the underside 8 of the housing 3, which suction space has a suction opening 11 (shown in dotted lines) for suctioning dirt inside the suction space 10. The sucked-in air with dirt is then guided to the mouthpiece 22. The area of the lateral sealing element, which is generally used for the exemplary left or second outer side 5, and the area 24 of the front sealing element on the front side 6 are indicated in fig. 1 by dashed lines. Different embodiments of the sealing element for the side faces are shown in the following figures, which also include the example for the preceding sealing element. A cleaning roller, not shown in fig. 1, is preferably provided, which is rotated about the roller axis 25 by a motor, also not shown. If a cleaning roller is provided, it is located in a not shown cylindrical channel below the upper side of the housing 3. For cleaning the floor surface 20, the device 1, which is supported by the support elements, in particular the pulleys 26 and/or the sliding guides, is moved over the floor surface 20 and, as shown in fig. 1, travels over the floor recess 21. Generally, the ground recess 21 may also be a ground scratch.

Fig. 2a shows the outwardly inclined lateral sealing element 2 in the fastened state, which lateral sealing element shows a form of construction for use in the region 23 of the device 1 from fig. 1. In particular, the lateral sealing element 2 shown in fig. 2a is a sealing lip, which is preferably made of plastic. The lateral sealing element 2 shown has a constant thickness 13, which is measured between the inner surface 12 and the opposite outer surface 27. The lateral sealing element 2 is elongated downward and defines with its inner surface 12 a suction space 10 (see fig. 1) in order, in operation, to reduce a lateral air flow from outside the suction space 10 to below the housing 3 into the suction space 10 on the first outer side 4 shown. The lateral sealing element 2 is inclined outward as shown in fig. 2 a. The outwardly inclined portion of the lateral sealing element 2 extends from the underside 8 of the housing 3 as far as the free end 14 of the lateral sealing element 2. The part of the lateral sealing element 2 that does not require a tilting coupling comprises the coupling end 15 and is fastened to the detachable, lateral housing wall element of the outer side 4, in particular to the lateral channel cover 16. In one embodiment, the sealing element 2 is a sealing lip, preferably a two-part sealing lip, which is produced in a different material than the downwardly projecting, outwardly inclined part in the region of the coupled end 15 of the sealing element 2 having the free end 14. The lateral channel cover 16 shown in fig. 2a, also referred to as a channel cover, closes a brush channel, not shown in operation of the device, in which a cleaning roller (see fig. 6c, 7b and 8 b) rotates. The lateral channel cover 16 can be removed for changing the cleaning roller. In particular, a lateral channel cover 16 is provided on each side of the channel. In particular, the channel cover 16 has a metal liner 28 or a metal plate, which during operation ensures that the heat, which is determined by friction due to the friction of the rotating cleaning roller on the channel cover 16, can be dissipated.

Fig. 2b shows a detachable, lateral housing wall element, which forms part of the housing 3, in particular from the inside of fig. 2a, in the detached state. The lateral channel cover 16 is concerned. The lateral sealing element 2 is fastened with the coupled parts to the lateral channel cover 16 by means of at least one screw 33 and/or clamped by the metal gasket 28. In particular, the coupled part of the sealing element 2 is arranged between the housing material of the housing wall element and a gasket 28 made of metal, preferably covered with plastic, which is preferably fixed and pressed onto the housing material with screws 33 in order to clamp the coupled part of the sealing element 2. The connection shown is not manually detachable for the user. It is possible (as shown in fig. 2 a) for the metal gasket 28 to be encapsulated in plastic or integrated into a plastic element, so that the lateral sealing element 2 does not come into direct contact with the metal gasket 28.

Fig. 3a shows the device 1 for cleaning a floor surface 20 in a feed direction 18. The ground surface 20 has a ground recess 21 which intersects the outer side 4 and/or is oriented substantially perpendicular to the feed direction 18. The front sealing element 29, in particular the sealing lip, blocks the flow of air from the front to the underside of the housing 3. In particular, the front sealing element 29 extends down to the floor surface 20. The front sealing element 29 in fig. 3a is not tilted in the sense of the present disclosure, i.e. neither forward nor backward. It may happen in operation that the front sealing element 29 is slightly elastically deflected backwards due to the interaction with the ground surface. However, the sealing element which is pivoted in operation by an external force is not tilted in the sense of the present disclosure.

The lateral sealing element 2 has a downwardly open recess 17, the downwardly elongated part of which is closed, in particular flat, and/or bonded, and which is at the same time open in the feed direction. In one embodiment, the recess 17 extends over at least half and/or up to three quarters of the length of the sealing element 2 and/or of the outside of the suction space below the housing 3. The free end 14 forms a stepped profile. In one embodiment, which is illustrated by way of example in fig. 3a, the contour of the free end 14 extends from rear to front first linearly, in particular parallel to the ground surface 20 and/or at a distance of less than 3mm, preferably less than 2mm or 1mm and/or approximately 0mm, relative to the ground surface 20. In particular in the central region (preferably the central third or fifth) outside the suction space, which in fig. 3a is below the housing 3 shown, the free end 14 is oriented upwards, in particular at an angle of 30 ° to 90 °, preferably between 30 ° and 60 °. The contour of the free end 14 then extends again linearly, in particular parallel to the floor surface 20, and/or is spaced apart by a distance of at least 4mm and/or at most 7mm relative to the floor surface 20. In particular, the overall downward extension of the sealing element 2 is typically at least 8mm and/or at most 25mm.

Fig. 3b shows a schematic sketch of a sealing element 2 with the side of a recess 17 which opens downwards, which also opens forwards. The recess 17 has a depth b and a length a. In one embodiment, the free end 14 is angular in profile.

Fig. 4a shows the apparatus 1 for cleaning a floor surface 20 in a feed direction 18. The floor surface 20 has a floor recess 21 which is covered by the free end 14 of the lateral sealing element 2 at the level of the adjacent floor surface 20 when the housing 3 is driven over. Air from the floor recess 21 is drawn into the suction space below the housing 3 with dirt from the floor recess 21.

The lateral sealing element 2 has a downwardly open recess 17 in the center region in the feed direction 18, the downwardly elongated section of which is closed in a planar manner and/or bonded. In one embodiment, the recess 17 extends over at least half and/or up to three quarters of the length of the sealing element 2 and/or of the suction space outside the housing 3 below. The free end 14 forms a channel-like contour. In one embodiment, which is illustrated by way of example in fig. 4a, the contour of the free end 14 extends from rear to front first linearly, in particular parallel to the ground surface 20, and/or at a distance of less than 3mm, preferably less than 2mm or 1mm and/or approximately 0mm, relative to the ground surface 20. The free end 14 is oriented upwards, in particular at an angle of 30 ° to 90 °, preferably between 30 ° and 60 °. The contour of the free end 14 then extends again rectilinearly, in particular parallel to the floor surface 20 and/or at a distance of at least 4mm and/or at most 7mm with respect to the floor surface 20. In particular the overall downward extension of the sealing element 2, is typically at least 8mm and/or at most 25mm. The contour then extends again upwards, in particular at an angle of 30 ° to 90 °, preferably between 30 ° and 60 °, preferably at the same angle, as described above. The contour of the free end 14 then extends again rectilinearly, in particular parallel to the ground surface 20 and/or at a distance of less than 3mm, preferably less than 2mm or 1mm and/or approximately 0mm relative to the ground surface 20.

Fig. 4b shows a schematic sketch of a lateral sealing element 2 with a downwardly open recess 17 which is closed towards the front and back. The recess 17 has a depth b and a length a. In one embodiment, the free end 14 is angular in profile.

Fig. 4c shows the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element 2 of the device of fig. 4a in particular in the fastened state. Similarly to fig. 2a, a part of the sealing element 2 with the coupled end 15 is also arranged, in particular clamped, between the housing materials of the housing 3. Analogously to fig. 2a, a metal gasket 28 is preferably provided, which is integrated as shown into a plastic part that bears from the inside against the coupled part of the sealing element 2. Preferably, the metal gasket 28 is an injection molded metal fastening element, a metal plate, a spring plate and/or a spring band. In one embodiment, the lateral sealing element 2 can be inserted manually from below into the housing 3, so that it is fastened in a force-fitting manner. In particular, the coupled portion of the sealing element 2 is thicker than the portion of the sealing element 2 extending downwards on the underside 8 of the housing 3. The angle of inclination α of the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element 2 is measured on the outside 4 with respect to a vertical line which, during operation, points in the direction of gravity in particular on a flat ground surface.

Fig. 5 shows a device 1 for cleaning a floor surface 20 with a lateral sealing element 2 which is initially elongated, in particular vertically, downwards and is bent away outwards on the floor surface 20. The material of the lateral sealing element 2 is in particular elastic such that the curvature 32 has a radius of at least 3mm and/or at most 10 mm. After the bend 32, the sealing element 2 lies, in particular, flat on the floor surface 20. The lateral sealing element 2 has a recess 17 which opens downward, viewed in the direction of feed 18 in the middle region, such that a distance of at least 4mm exists in the region of the recess 17 relative to the floor surface.

Fig. 6a, 6b, 7a and 8a show different embodiments of the sealing element with bristle bundles 30, preferably flat bristle bundles, as side faces, which preferably run over the floor surface during operation. Fig. 6c, 7b and 8b show the corresponding embodiments from below. The remaining figures of the suction space 10 are represented in fig. 6c by way of example in dashed lines. Fig. 6c likewise shows a small pulley 26 for supporting the device together with a large pulley 26, which can be seen from fig. 6 a. Fig. 6c shows the remaining figures by way of example, in fig. 6c how the divergence angle γ of the preferably flat bristle bundle 30 is measured between the short sides. The divergence angle γ was measured in an unloaded state.

When the bristle bundles 30 are in contact with the floor surface during operation and, for example, cover the floor depression upwards, the further lateral sealing elements 2 are spaced apart at a greater distance on the same outer side from the floor surface, sufficient ambient air reaches the suction space 10 below the housing 3 in order to be able to suck in dirt in the suction space 10.

The cleaning roller 19 and/or the rear sealing element 31 can be seen in each bottom view. The rear sealing element 31 is in particular a sealing lip on the rear side of the suction space 10. In particular, the bristle bundles 30 are fastened to the underside 8 of the housing 3.

Dirt is lifted and sucked away from the floor surface not only directly under the suction opening, which is covered in the figures by the cleaning roller 19, but also alongside the inner edge of the suction space 10, which is defined in particular in most cases by the sealing element 2 and is at least partially sealed off from the floor surface.

Fig. 6a and 6b show a construction in which only one bristle bundle 30 is arranged on the outside. The bristle tufts 30 are preferably arranged between the front and rear corners of the outer side 4 and/or project perpendicularly outwards.

The embodiment of fig. 7a and 7b has bristle bundles 30 projecting perpendicularly to the feed direction 18 on each outer side, in particular in the rear region of the suction space 10, and/or bristle bundles angled obliquely forwards relative to the feed direction 18 and projecting outwards, in particular at the front corner.

The embodiment of fig. 8a and 8b has bristle bundles 30 projecting perpendicularly to the feed direction 18 on each outer side, in particular in the rear region of the suction space 10, and/or bristle bundles angled obliquely back and projecting outward relative to the feed direction 18, in particular at the rear corners. The two bristle bundles 30 on the same outer side are therefore arranged adjacent to one another, but not with a common closed surface.

A better suction of dust from scratches and depressions in the floor can be achieved by the embodiments shown in the figures.

Claims (15)

1. Device (1) for cleaning a floor surface (20), comprising a housing (3) with two opposite outer sides (4, 5) which extend laterally from a front side (6) to a rear side (7) of the housing (3), wherein the device (1) comprises a suction space (10) on a lower side (8) of the housing (3), which suction space comprises a suction opening (11) for suctioning dirt within the suction space (10), and wherein the device is provided with at least one lateral sealing element (2) on at least one of the two outer sides (4, 5) for laterally delimiting the suction space (10), wherein the at least one lateral sealing element (2) is elongated downwards in order, in operation, to reduce a lateral flow of air from outside the suction space (10) into the suction space (10) below the housing (3) on at least one of the two outer sides (4, 5), characterized in that the lateral sealing element (2) is inclined outwards.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element (2) has a length greater than its downward extension.

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner surface (12) of the lateral sealing element (2) defining the suction space (10) is inclined outwards.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the part of the lateral sealing element (2) which is elongated downwards from the underside (8) of the housing (3) has a thickness (13) which remains substantially constant.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inclination angle α of the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element (2) is at least 20 °.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element (2) has a free end (14) and an end (15) coupled to the housing (3).

7. The device (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the coupled end (15) is fastened to a manually detachable lateral housing wall element of the outer side (4, 5), in particular to a lateral channel cover (16).

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element (2) or two mutually adjoining, lateral sealing elements (2) has a recess (17) which is open downwards, at least one of which is inclined outwards, for letting a lateral air flow from the outside into the suction space (10).

9. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said downwardly open recess (17) is open forwards or backwards or closed forwards and backwards.

10. Device (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the depth (b) of the recess (17) measured along the downwardly elongated lateral sealing element (2) is at least 15% and/or at most 40% of the downward elongation of the lateral sealing element from the underside (8) of the housing (3).

11. Device (1) according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that the length (a) of the recess (17) measured from back to front along the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element (2) is at least 25% and/or at most 75% of the extension of the lateral sealing element (2) from back to front.

12. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in operation, when cleaning the floor surface (20), the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element (2) extends down to the floor surface (20).

13. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element (2) in operation extends at least as far downwards as or further than the lowermost supporting part of the device (1) when cleaning a floor surface (20).

14. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outwardly inclined, lateral sealing element (2) is designed and, when cleaning a floor surface (20), downwardly elongates so far that it comes into contact with the floor surface (20), bends over the floor surface (20) and, after bending, lies flat on the floor surface (20).

15. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises a cleaning roller (19).

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