CN116269033A

CN116269033A - Surface cleaning machine

Info

Publication number: CN116269033A
Application number: CN202310378511.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 法比安·莫泽; 迈克尔·沙尔马赫; 托马斯·罗比厄; 克里斯托夫·鲁费纳赫; 托比亚斯·帕尔默
Original assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2017-09-08
Filing date: 2018-09-05
Publication date: 2023-06-23
Also published as: DE102017120722A1; CN111093448A; EP3678525A1; CN111093448B; WO2019048496A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a surface cleaning machine (10) comprising a cleaning head (12) having a first cleaning roller unit (16) which is driven in rotation in a first rotational direction (36) and a second cleaning roller unit (18) which is driven in rotation in a second rotational direction (38), wherein the second rotational direction (38) is opposite to the first rotational direction (36), wherein the first cleaning roller unit (16) is assigned a first cleaning element (72) which is positioned between the first cleaning roller unit (16) and the second cleaning roller unit (18), and/or the second cleaning roller unit (18) is assigned a second cleaning element (74).

Description

Surface cleaning machine

The present application is a divisional application of the chinese invention patent application of PCT application No. PCT/EP2018/073895, national application No. 201880057933.0, entitled "surface cleaner with reverse running cleaning roller unit and method for operating such surface cleaner", filed on 5 th 9 th 2018, entering the national stage of china on 6 th 2020.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a surface cleaning machine comprising a cleaning head with a first cleaning roller unit driven in rotation in a first rotational direction and a second cleaning roller unit driven in rotation in a second rotational direction, wherein the second rotational direction is directed opposite to the first rotational direction.

Background

WO 99/37198A1 discloses a carpet cleaning device with a carpet brush unit having a brush pair and a motor for the brush. Furthermore, a backpack type suction unit is provided, and the backpack type suction unit is connected with the carpet brush unit.

US 2013/0025077 A1 discloses an apparatus for cleaning a surface, the apparatus having at least one rotatable brush. The brush is provided with a flexible brush element.

US 2006/0236494 A1 discloses a floor cleaner with a motorized cleaning head.

US 5,086,539 discloses a carpet cleaning machine with a pair of spaced counter-running brushes.

DE 10 2015 115 151 A1 discloses a cleaning device with a cleaning roller which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and which is designed at least in part as a liquid-permeable hollow body with a liquid space located inside.

A surface cleaning machine with a rotating brush is known from WO 2010/04185 A1.

A cleaning head for a floor cleaning machine is known from US 7,665,174 B2.

From US 4,173,054 a floor cleaner is known which comprises a handle, a main body, a roller mechanism provided with a roller with a cleaning belt, a scraper and a dirty fluid reservoir.

A surface cleaning machine with a cleaning roller and a drive unit for driving the cleaning roller is known from WO 2013/106762 A2. A dirt pocket is provided in which the cleaning roller sweeps dirt into the dirt pocket when rotated. The dirt pocket may be opened.

From US 7,921,497 B2 a corridor scrubbing apparatus is known, which is operated manually and comprises a driving roller connected to a scrubbing roller.

A surface cleaner is known from the never previously published applications PCT/EP2015/073275, PCT/EP2015/072929, PCT/EP2015/073529, PCT/EP2015/073116, PCT/EP 2015/073478. A surface cleaning machine is also known from PCT/EP2015/073315, which has never been previously disclosed.

From US 4,875,246 a portable floor cleaning apparatus is known, which has rollers driven by an electric motor.

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

A cleaning machine is known from CN 201 197 698 y.

From US 6,026,529 an apparatus for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces is known.

A floor cleaning machine with a handle, which is pivotably arranged on a base, is known from WO 2005/087075 A1.

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

A hard floor cleaning device is known from US 3,789,449.

In the international application PCT/EP2017/070435, published not at 11, 8, 2017, a surface cleaning machine is described, which comprises a cleaning head with at least one driven cleaning roller unit, a dirty fluid reservoir means arranged on the cleaning head and a wiper guide for the dirty fluid, which wiper guide acts on the at least one cleaning roller unit. The dirty fluid reservoir means comprises a container means for dirty fluid and a cover means for the container means, wherein channel means for cleaning fluid are arranged on the cover means and port means are arranged on the cover means, which are in fluid connection with the channel means and through which at least one cleaning roller unit can be loaded with cleaning liquid.

Alfred

Vertriebs-GmbH Reinigungssysteme, winnenden, deutschland (Alfred Lei De Kach cleaning systems Co., ltd., wen Nendeng, germany) sells a hard floor cleaner with a docking station and a cleaning station for cleaning and storing the hard floor cleaner.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a surface cleaning machine of the type mentioned at the outset with an effective cleaning effect.

In the case of the surface cleaning machine described at the outset, this object is achieved in that the first cleaning roller unit is assigned a first cleaning element which is positioned between the first cleaning roller unit and the second cleaning roller unit, and/or the second cleaning roller unit is assigned a second cleaning element which is positioned between the first cleaning roller unit and the second cleaning roller unit.

The (coarse) dirt can be collected on the first cleaning element or the second cleaning element. Such coarse dirt can be carried along by the first or second cleaning roller unit and can be conducted away therefrom.

The first cleaning roller unit and the second cleaning roller unit mechanically act on the surface to be cleaned. The surface to be cleaned is in particular wetted in order to achieve improved dirt removal. The loosened dirt can then be guided out through the first and second cleaning roller units.

By providing two counter-running cleaning roller units, a sufficient pressing force on the surface to be cleaned is achieved in a manner that has an effective cleaning effect.

This can be achieved in that the first cleaning element and the second cleaning element always have the same distance from the surface to be cleaned, and thus an effective cleaning effect is also achieved for coarse dirt.

Dirt thrown from the first cleaning roller unit toward the second cleaning roller unit may be accommodated by the second cleaning roller unit, or dirt thrown from the second cleaning roller unit toward the first cleaning roller unit may be accommodated by the first cleaning roller unit. Thereby achieving an effective cleaning effect.

By means of the surface cleaning machine according to the invention, it is also possible, for example, to effectively sweep hair from the surface to be cleaned.

The first rotational direction is set in particular in such a way that the region of the first cleaning roller unit that acts on the surface to be cleaned is moved in the first rotational direction towards the first cleaning element, and dirt located on the first cleaning element can be carried away from the surface to be cleaned by the first cleaning roller unit. Therefore, not only can the effective cleaning effect be realized, but also the dirt carrying effect can be realized.

For the same reason, it is advantageous if the second direction of rotation is set such that the region of the second cleaning roller unit that acts on the surface to be cleaned is moved in the second direction of rotation toward the second cleaning element, and dirt located on the second cleaning element can be carried away from the surface to be cleaned by the second cleaning roller unit.

Advantageously, the first cleaning element is arranged between the region of the first cleaning roller unit which acts on the surface to be cleaned and the first inlet opening for dirty fluid of the first cleaning roller unit with respect to the first direction of rotation. This achieves a collecting effect for coarse dirt, and the collected coarse dirt can be carried by the cleaning roller unit to the inlet opening arrangement.

For the same reason, it is advantageous if the second cleaning element is arranged, with respect to the second direction of rotation, between the region of the second cleaning roller unit which acts on the surface to be cleaned and the second inlet opening for the dirty fluid of the second cleaning roller unit.

Advantageously, the first cleaning element and the second cleaning element are arranged such that they face one another. Thereby achieving an effective cleaning effect. In particular, no cleaning roller unit is arranged between the first cleaning element and the second cleaning element.

It is advantageous to provide a dirty fluid reservoir means for containing a dirty fluid. The dirty fluid reservoir means may be arranged external to the cleaning head or may be arranged on the cleaning head. The dirty fluid reservoir means may also have a plurality of sections arranged in different positions.

In one embodiment, the dirty fluid reservoir means is arranged at least partially on the cleaning head between the first and second cleaning roller units, and in particular with at least a sub-region arranged between the first and second cleaning elements. Thereby a short transfer path of dirty fluid from the first and second cleaning roller units into the dirty fluid reservoir means is achieved. A cleaning head with a low center of gravity can be achieved. Low cleaning effort for cleaning the surface cleaning machine itself is achieved. Furthermore, a high capacity of the dirty fluid reservoir device may be achieved. This achieves an optimal use of space.

According to the invention, the initially stated object is additionally or alternatively achieved in that a first and a second intake port are arranged on the cleaning head, wherein the first intake port is assigned to the first cleaning roller unit and the second intake port is assigned to the second cleaning roller unit, and the fan device is fluidically connected to at least one sub-region of the first intake port and/or at least one sub-region of the second intake port.

The first inlet port or the second inlet port may then be loaded by the fan device to draw a flow. Through this suction flow, dirty fluid can be conducted out.

For example, the first or second scrub roller units can be directly loaded with a suction stream. Alternatively or additionally, the area in front of (beside) the corresponding cleaning roller unit is loaded with suction flow. Whereby, for example, the thrown hair or the like can be sucked.

An effective cleaning effect can be produced by a combination of fan units and counter-running cleaning roller units.

In one embodiment, the fan device is arranged on the cleaning head. The fan assembly may also be arranged on a guard bar assembly on which the cleaning head is mounted.

It may be provided that the first inlet port is fluidically connected to at least one first channel (which is responsible for the fluidic connection to the fan device) and/or that the second inlet port is fluidically connected to at least one second channel (which is responsible for the fluidic connection to the fan device). As a result, an effective suction flow loading can be achieved, so that dirty fluid can be effectively discharged.

In one embodiment, the first inlet opening and/or the second inlet opening are configured with at least a subregion, so that dirty fluid can be conducted directly from the associated cleaning roller unit. The suction flow generated by the fan device then acts directly on the first or second cleaning roller unit and bypasses the first or second cleaning roller unit.

For the same reasons, it is advantageous if the first inlet opening arrangement is arranged at least in the subregion between the first cleaning element and the first outlet opening arrangement for the cleaning liquid with respect to the first direction of rotation and/or the second inlet opening arrangement is arranged at least in the subregion between the second cleaning element and the second outlet opening arrangement for the cleaning liquid with respect to the second direction of rotation. This achieves an effective dirt release effect on the one hand and an effective dirt fluid removal on the other hand.

For the same reason, it is advantageous if the first inlet opening device is connected upstream of the first outlet opening device for the cleaning liquid with respect to the first direction of rotation and/or the second inlet opening device is connected upstream of the second outlet opening device for the cleaning liquid with respect to the second direction of rotation. The corresponding cleaning roller unit can be wetted in order to achieve an improved dirt release function of the surface to be cleaned by mechanical action and to be able to effectively remove the contained dirt fluid.

It is also advantageous if the first inlet opening is open at least in the sub-region into the receptacle for the cleaning head of the first cleaning roller unit and/or the second inlet opening is open at least in the sub-region into the receptacle for the cleaning head of the second cleaning roller unit. In this way, a direct suction flow loading of the corresponding cleaning roller unit can be achieved in a simple manner.

In one embodiment, the first inlet opening means is guided into a dirty fluid reservoir means arranged on the cleaning head by means of a region or sub-region located on the first cleaning roller unit and in particular provided with a first wiper for dirty fluid, and/or the second inlet opening means is guided into a dirty fluid reservoir means arranged on the cleaning head by means of a region or sub-region located on the second cleaning roller unit and in particular provided with a second wiper for dirty fluid. Thus, the dirty fluid may be detached from the corresponding cleaning roller unit directly and e.g. without blowing and fed into the dirty fluid reservoir means. This arrangement can also be combined with a fan device, whereby a direct feed and a suction flow loading are provided.

Alternatively or additionally, the first inlet opening arrangement is arranged beside the first cleaning roller unit with respect to the first direction of rotation at least in the sub-area, and/or the second inlet opening arrangement is arranged beside the second cleaning roller unit with respect to the second direction of rotation at least in the sub-area. By this arrangement, for example, an efficient removal of dislodged dirt, such as, for example, dislodged hair, can be achieved.

For the same reasons, it is advantageous if the first intake opening opens into the space in front of the first cleaning roller unit at least in the subregion and/or the second intake opening opens into the space in front of the second cleaning roller unit at least in the subregion. Thereby, a derivation of dirty fluid from the corresponding space may be achieved. For example, the thrown hair or the like can thereby be guided out and in particular sucked out.

It is further advantageous if the first inlet opening means is arranged downstream of the first outlet opening means for cleaning liquid on the first cleaning roller unit, at least in the subregion, with respect to the first direction of rotation, and/or the second inlet opening means is arranged downstream of the second outlet opening means for cleaning liquid on the second cleaning roller unit, at least in the subregion, with respect to the second direction of rotation. Thus, the thrown dirty fluid (and in particular hair) can be "caught" and guided out in an efficient manner.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the region or sub-region of the first inlet opening arrangement lying beside the first cleaning roller unit is fluidically connected to the fan device, and/or that the region or sub-region of the second inlet opening arrangement lying beside the second cleaning roller unit is fluidically connected to the fan device. In this way, the thrown dirty fluid can be effectively guided out and sucked in.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the first cleaning roller unit is provided with both a dirty fluid wiper and a (direct) dirty fluid feed into the dirty fluid reservoir device and a dirty fluid suction via the fan device, and/or that the second cleaning roller unit is provided with both a dirty fluid wiper and a feed into the dirty fluid reservoir device and a dirty fluid suction via the fan device. The respective first and second intake ports are thus constructed in multiple pieces. Thus achieving efficient draining of dirty fluid. For example, this also results in an effective cleaning effect for the hair. The hair thrown out again by the cleaning roller unit can be sucked.

It is advantageous if the drive means for the first and second cleaning roller units are arranged on or coupled to the cleaning head. For example, the corresponding drive motor of the drive device may be integrated into the holder of the corresponding scrub roller unit.

In one embodiment, a common drive is provided for the first and second scrub roller units. Thus, the number of parts of the surface cleaner can be kept low.

In particular, a central drive is provided for the first and/or the second cleaning roller unit. By means of this central drive, cleaning near the edges can be achieved. The outer region of the cleaning roller unit may also be used for cleaning. In particular, the first and/or the second cleaning roller unit is thus formed in multiple parts, and in particular in two parts. Thereby, the corresponding scrub roller unit can be driven by the center drive in an efficient manner.

In one embodiment, the cleaning head is self-propelled and self-steering in configuration. All necessary components are arranged on the cleaning head. In particular, the cleaning head can thus be used as a wiping robot with a first cleaning roller unit (wiping unit) and a second cleaning roller unit (wiping unit).

In an alternative embodiment, the holding bar arrangement pivotably holds the cleaning head, and in particular the surface cleaning machine is operable either hand-held or manually guided. The operator may guide the surface cleaning machine by holding a handle, such as an arcuate handle, on the wand assembly.

Advantageously, an adjusting device is provided, by means of which the rotational speed of the first and/or second cleaning roller unit can be adjusted. By means of different rotational speeds, a feed movement in the forward or backward direction can be achieved with the opposite running rotational direction. In this way, the direction can be defined in the case of a self-driving embodiment of the cleaning head. In the case of a hand-held or manually guided surface cleaning machine, the corresponding surface cleaning machine can be operated comfortably.

According to the invention, a method for operating a surface cleaning machine according to the invention is provided, wherein the surface cleaning machine is applied to a surface to be cleaned by means of a first cleaning roller unit and a second cleaning roller unit, wherein the first cleaning roller unit and the second cleaning roller unit are rotationally driven in a first rotational direction for the first cleaning roller unit and in a second rotational direction for the second cleaning roller unit, wherein the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction are oriented opposite to one another, and wherein the first cleaning roller unit is assigned a first cleaning element and/or the second cleaning roller unit is assigned a second cleaning element, wherein in the method for operating a first region of the first cleaning roller unit that contacts the surface to be cleaned is moved in the first rotational direction towards the first cleaning element and then towards the first access opening device, and/or a second access opening region of the second cleaning roller unit that is loaded onto the surface to be cleaned is moved in the second rotational direction towards the second cleaning element and then towards the second device.

Thereby achieving an effective cleaning effect. Coarse dirt accumulated on the first or second cleaning element can be carried along by the associated cleaning roller unit and can be guided out via the corresponding inlet opening arrangement.

The method according to the invention has the advantages already described in connection with the surface cleaning machine according to the invention.

Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention have already been described in connection with the surface cleaning machine according to the invention.

Drawings

The following description of the preferred embodiments is used to explain the present invention in more detail in conjunction with the figures. Wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a surface cleaning machine;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a cleaning head of the surface cleaning machine according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning head of the surface cleaning machine according to FIG. 1;

figure 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning head according to figure 3;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a cleaning head;

FIG. 6 shows a partial view of another embodiment of a cleaning head; and

figure 7 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning head.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of the surface cleaner 10 (fig. 1) includes a cleaning head 12. The cleaning head 12 has a head body 14. A first cleaning roller unit 16 and a second cleaning roller unit 18 spaced apart from each other are disposed on the head body 14.

In one embodiment, the first and second

scrub roller units

16, 18 are constructed in one piece, i.e., each scrub roller unit is formed from a one-piece scrub roller.

In principle, it is also possible to construct the first cleaning roller unit 16 and/or the second cleaning roller unit 18 in multiple parts, and in particular in two parts in each case.

The first and second

cleaning roller units

16, 18 each comprise a (cylindrical) support 20, and a sleeve 22 made of a textile material is arranged on the support 20. The surface cleaning machine acts with its cleaning head 12 through a bushing 22 onto a surface 24 to be cleaned.

The first scrub roller unit 16 is rotationally driven (in operation of the surface cleaner 10) about a first axis of rotation 26.

In operation, the second scrub roller unit 18 is rotationally driven about the second axis of rotation 28. The first axis of rotation 26 and the second axis of rotation 28 are spaced apart parallel to one another.

When the cleaning head 12 with the first and second

cleaning roller units

16, 18 is placed on the surface 24 to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning head 12 is supported on the surface 24 to be cleaned by the first and second

cleaning roller units

16, 18, the first and second rotational axes 26, 28 are parallel to the surface 24 to be cleaned, respectively.

The surface cleaner 10 comprises a drive arrangement 30 for each rotational drive of the first cleaning roller unit 16 and the second cleaning roller unit 18.

In one embodiment, the drive means 30 includes a first driver 32 that drives the first scrub roller unit 16 in rotational motion and a second driver 34 that drives the second scrub roller unit 18 in rotational motion.

The first drive 32 and the second drive 34 are formed in particular by electric motors.

The first and

second drivers

32, 34 are specifically positioned within the respective brackets 20 of the first or second

scrub roller units

16, 18.

In particular, it is then provided that the first cleaning roller unit 16 and the second cleaning roller unit 18 are each constructed in one piece.

It is provided that the first cleaning roller unit 16 is driven in rotation in a first rotational direction 36 (see fig. 5) and the second cleaning roller unit 18 is driven in rotation in a second rotational direction 38. The first direction of rotation 36 and the second direction of rotation 38 are directed opposite to each other, i.e. the first cleaning roller unit 16 and the second cleaning roller unit 18 are driven in opposite directions.

The first rotational direction 36 in this case brings about a first region 40 of the first cleaning roller unit 16, which acts on the surface 24 to be cleaned, first to a region 42, the region 42 being located on the head 14 between the first cleaning roller unit 16 and the second cleaning roller unit 18.

Correspondingly, the second rotational direction 38 in this case moves a second region 44 of the second cleaning roller unit 18, which acts on the surface 24 to be cleaned, toward a region 42 on the head body 14.

In one embodiment, the surface cleaner 10 includes an adjustment device (indicated by reference numeral 46 in FIG. 5) by which the rotational speed of the first scrub roller unit 16 in the first rotational direction 36 and/or the rotational speed of the second scrub roller unit 18 in the second rotational direction 38 can be adjusted by an operator.

If the rotational speeds of the first cleaning roller unit 16 and the second cleaning roller unit 18 are the same, the cleaning head 12 does not perform any feeding movement due to the rotation of the cleaning

roller units

16 and 18.

If the rotational speed of the first scrub roller unit 16 is greater than the rotational speed of the second scrub roller unit 18, the scrub head 12 is fed in a first feed direction 48. If the rotational speed of the second cleaning roller unit 18 is greater than the rotational speed of the first cleaning roller unit 16, the cleaning head 12 performs a feed movement in the second feed direction 50.

The first feed direction 48 and the second feed direction 50 are directed opposite to each other.

The first feed direction 48 and the second feed direction 50 are transverse to the rotation axes 26 and 28 and in particular at right angles to the rotation axes 26 and 28.

By means of a corresponding adjustment on the adjustment device 46, it is possible to control whether there is no feed movement or a feed movement in the first feed direction 48 or in the second feed direction 50.

The retaining bar arrangement 54 is retained on the cleaner head 12 by the hinge 52. When the cleaning head 12 is standing with its first and second

cleaning roller units

16, 18 on the surface 24 to be cleaned, the holding bar arrangement 54 can be pivoted to the cleaning head 12 about the pivot axis 56 by the hinge 52.

Here, the pivot axis 56 is parallel to the first and second rotational axes 26, 28.

In the region of the proximal end 58, a handle, and in particular an arcuate handle 60, is mounted on the holding rod arrangement 54. In the region of the distal end 62, the retaining bar means is hinged to the cleaning head 12 by means of a hinge 52.

An operator standing on the surface 24 to be cleaned behind the cleaning head 12 can grasp the arcuate handle 60 with one hand. Due to the pivotability of the retaining lever arrangement 54 on the hinge 52, the pivoting angle of the retaining lever arrangement 54 with respect to the surface 24 to be cleaned can be adjusted, and the operator can particularly adjust this pivoting angle according to his/her stature.

The surface cleaner 10 is held in hand and guided manually at an arcuate handle 60.

A particularly rechargeable battery device 64 is arranged on the holding rod device 54. The drive means 30 is supplied with electrical energy by means of a battery means 64.

In principle, a mains connection can also be arranged on the holding rod arrangement, wherein the drive device 30 can then be supplied with electrical energy by means of a mains current.

Furthermore, a reservoir device 66 for the cleaning liquid is arranged on the holding rod device 54.

At least one channel leads from the reservoir means 66 through the holding rod means 54 to the cleaning head 12 and through the channel to a first outlet means 68 (fig. 5) associated with the first cleaning roller unit 16 and to a second outlet means 70 associated with the second cleaning roller unit 18.

When the cleaning head 12 is properly standing on the surface 24 to be cleaned, the first discharge opening arrangement 68 is arranged above the first cleaning roller unit 16 with respect to a height direction away from the surface 24 to be cleaned, and the second discharge opening arrangement 70 is arranged above the second cleaning roller unit 18.

In one embodiment, the reservoir means 66 for the cleaning liquid is assigned valve means which are designed such that when the drive means 30 are operated, they automatically open and thus the cleaning liquid flows from the reservoir means 66 via the first outlet means 68 onto the first cleaning roller unit 16 and via the second outlet means 70 onto the second cleaning roller unit 18.

The first and second

outlet opening arrangements

68, 70 are in particular designed such that the first or second

cleaning roller unit

16, 18 are correspondingly loaded with cleaning liquid over a large longitudinal area parallel to the respective rotation axis 26, 28.

The region of the first cleaning roller unit 16 which is acted on by the cleaning liquid via the first outlet opening arrangement 68 rotates in the first rotational direction 36 toward the surface 24 to be cleaned, and then forms the first region 40 when the cleaning liquid is applied to the surface 24 to be cleaned. The first cleaning roller unit 16 acts mechanically on the surface 24 to be cleaned. The "liquid content" causes the soil to loosen and thus improves the cleaning effect.

Correspondingly, the wetted area of the second scrub roller unit 18 is rotated in the second rotational direction 38 towards the surface 24 to be cleaned and the second area 44 is formed in the same manner as described with respect to the first scrub roller unit 16.

After the surface 24 to be cleaned has been loaded, dirt is carried along in the first rotational direction 36 by the first cleaning roller unit 16. Dirt is carried by the second scrub roller unit 18 in a second rotational direction 38.

In principle, the reservoir means 66 can also be arranged on the cleaning head 12.

A first cleaning element 72 associated with the first cleaning roller unit 16 is mounted on the cleaning head 12. In addition, a second cleaning element 74 assigned to the second cleaning roller unit 18 is mounted on the cleaning head 12. The region 42 of the head body 14 is arranged here between the first cleaning element 72 and the second cleaning element 74. The first and second

sweeping elements

72, 74 are located between the first and second

cleaning roller units

16, 18 with respect to a longitudinal direction 76 at a perpendicular angle to the first and second rotational axes 26, 28.

The first cleaning element 72 and the second cleaning element 74 protrude downward beyond the head body 14 toward the surface 24 to be cleaned.

The task of the first cleaning element 72 is to keep coarse dirt in place, i.e. to prevent coarse dirt from reaching the second cleaning roller unit 18 from the first cleaning roller unit 16 over a certain area. Coarse dirt can collect to some extent on the first cleaning element 72 and can then be carried along by rotation of the first cleaning roller unit 16 in the first rotational direction 36.

The second sweeping element 74 has the same task with respect to the second cleaning roller unit 18.

In principle, only the first cleaning element 72 or the second cleaning element 74 can also be present.

In one embodiment, surface cleaner 10 includes a blower device 78. The fan device comprises a fan and a drive motor, and in particular an electric motor. This electric motor is supplied with electrical energy by means of a battery device 64 or alternatively by mains current. The blower device 78 generates a negative pressure for creating a suction flow.

The

channels

80, 82 each lead from the blower device 78 to a first inlet opening 84 (fig. 4) assigned to the first cleaning roller unit 16 or to a second inlet opening 86 assigned to the second cleaning roller unit 18.

Dirty fluid may be sucked from the first scrub roller unit 16 by a corresponding suction flow and may be sent out through the first inlet port 84. In addition, dirty fluid may be drawn from the second scrub roller unit 18 and may be sent out through the second inlet port 86.

The fan means 78 is associated with a dirty fluid reservoir means 88 into which dirty fluid is fed.

The dirty fluid reservoir means 88 may be, in particular, releasably arranged on the holding rod means 54, or may be arranged on the cleaning head 12, in particular between the first cleaning roller unit 16 and the second cleaning roller unit 18. This dirty fluid reservoir means is indicated by reference numeral 90 in figure 4.

The dirty fluid reservoir means 88 or 90 is in fluid communication with the blower means 78, respectively, so that dirty fluid may be fed into the dirty fluid reservoir means.

In one embodiment, the first inlet opening arrangement 84 is preceded by the first outlet opening arrangement 68 with respect to the first direction of rotation 36, i.e. the first region 40 acting on the surface 24 to be cleaned is first guided through the first inlet opening arrangement 84 and then through the first outlet opening arrangement 68. The same applies to the second cleaning roller unit 18 with its second region 44 together with the second inlet opening 86.

The first intake port 84 is arranged between the first cleaning element 72 and the first discharge port arrangement 68 with respect to the first direction of rotation 36.

The second inlet opening arrangement 86 is arranged between the second cleaning element 74 and the second outlet opening arrangement 70 with respect to the direction of rotation 38.

The positions of the first and

second inlet ports

84, 86 are correspondingly illustrated in fig. 2. The first inlet opening 84 is directed to a first receptacle 92 of the cleaning head 12, in which receptacle 92 the first cleaning roller unit 16 is arranged. With respect to the height direction away from the surface 24 to be cleaned, the first inlet port 84 is located above the first cleaning roller unit 16 when the cleaning head 12 with the first and second

cleaning roller units

16, 18 is properly erected on the surface to be cleaned.

The second inlet port 86 is correspondingly disposed with respect to the second scrub roller unit 18. The second scrub roller unit 18 is placed in the second receiving portion 94 of the scrub head 12 and the second inlet port 86 is directed toward the second receiving portion 94.

Thus, dirty fluid may be pumped directly from either the first cleaning roller unit 16 or the second cleaning roller unit 18.

The first and

second intake openings

84, 86 have an intake length parallel to the first or second axis of rotation 26, 28 such that a correspondingly large longitudinal area of the first or second

cleaning roller unit

16, 18 can be sucked in.

In an alternative or combined embodiment (fig. 3), a first intake port 96 is provided, which opens into the region in front of the first cleaning roller unit 16, rather than into the first receptacle 92. The first inlet opening is thereby arranged to a certain extent beside the first scrub roller unit 16 with respect to the longitudinal direction 76. The first inlet port is disposed in the first scrub roller unit 16 after the first direction of rotation 36. Dirt, in particular hair, which is thrown out just in the direction of the first intake port 96 is sucked through the first intake port.

The first inlet port 96 is fluidly connected to the fan apparatus 78.

A correspondingly arranged second inlet port 98 is provided, which is assigned to the second cleaning roller unit 18 and is arranged next to the second cleaning roller unit. The first intake port 96 is then connected to the first discharge port 68 with respect to the first direction of rotation 36. The second intake port 98 is followed by the second discharge port arrangement 70 with respect to the second direction of rotation 38.

It is possible that either only the first port 84 and the second port 86 are present or only the first port 96 and the second port 98 are present.

It is also possible to provide both an inlet opening into the

respective receptacle

92, 94 and an inlet opening which is connected side by side and corresponds to the

inlet openings

96, 98.

In this embodiment, a first port may be defined having one sub-region corresponding to port 84 or 86 and the other sub-region corresponding to

ports

96 and 98.

These subregions can be fluidically connected to the fan device 78.

For example, only the inlet openings corresponding to the

inlet openings

96 and 98 arranged next to the respective

cleaning roller units

16 and 18 can also be fluidically connected to the blower device 78. For example, it is possible that a first intake port 100 is assigned to the first cleaning roller unit and a second intake port 102 is assigned to the second cleaning roller unit 18, the first intake port and the second intake port opening directly into the dirty fluid reservoir device 90 (fig. 5). In particular, the first and second intake ports 100, 102 are then associated with

respective wipers

104, 106, which wipe dirty fluid from the first or second

cleaning roller units

16, 18, wherein the dirty fluid can be fed directly into the dirty fluid reservoir device 90 via the first or

second intake ports

96, 98, wherein in particular the first and second intake ports 100, 102 are not connected to the fan device 78. For example, suction is then applied at the

inlet ports

96, 98 and direct wiper feed is applied at the inlet ports 100 and 102.

In a further embodiment (fig. 6, 7) a drive device 108 is provided, the drive device 108 in particular two drive cleaning

roller units

16 and 18. The drive means 108 are designed such that a central drive is present and the cleaning

roller units

16, 18 are correspondingly constructed in two parts in this embodiment.

The coupling region 110 is positioned between the first and second portions of the respective first

scrub roller units

16 or 18. Torque is transmitted to this coupling region, for example, by means of a belt arrangement 112. The drive device 108 is here located in particular on the cleaning head 12 outside the first cleaning roller unit 16 and the second cleaning roller unit 18.

The drive means is for example arranged in the holding rod means 54.

High edge accessibility can be achieved by this central driver.

To operate the surface cleaner 10, the cleaning head 12 is placed on the surface to be cleaned by a first cleaning roller unit 16 and a second cleaning roller unit 18. The first and second scrub roller units are driven in rotation in either the first or second

rotational directions

36, 38. The feed in

direction

48 or 50 can be adjusted by different rotational speeds.

The respective

scrub roller units

16 and 18 are loaded with a cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid from a reservoir device on the first discharge port device 68 or the second discharge port device 70. By means of the first region 40 of the first cleaning roller unit 16 or the second region 44 of the second cleaning roller unit 18, the respective rotating

cleaning roller unit

16 or 18 acts mechanically on the surface to be cleaned and releases dirt. Loosening of the soil is supported by humidification of the cleaning liquid on the reservoir means.

Dirt is received by the bushings 22 of the first

scrub roller unit

16 or 18 and is conveyed in the first rotational direction 36 or the second rotational direction 38.

It is possible that coarse dirt accumulated on the first cleaning element 72 or the second cleaning element 74 is carried along in the first rotational direction 36 or the second rotational direction 38.

Depending on the design of the cleaner head 12, dirty fluid is drawn, for example, through the blower device 78 on the first and

second inlet ports

84, 86 and, alternatively or additionally, through the first and

second inlet ports

96, 98.

The corresponding first and second port 100, 102 may also be fed into the dirty fluid reservoir device 90 by wiping in a blast-free manner.

Two counter-running

cleaning roller units

16, 18 are provided in the surface cleaning machine 10. Thus, a sufficient pressing force on the surface 24 to be cleaned can be achieved independently of the pivoting position of the holding-rod device 54 relative to the surface 24 to be cleaned.

It is furthermore ensured that the distance between the cleaning

elements

72, 74 and the surface 24 to be cleaned remains the same.

Furthermore, dirt thrown off on one

cleaning roller unit

16 or 18 can be carried away by the other

cleaning roller unit

18 or 16.

Further, a dirty fluid reservoir device 90 may be positioned between the first and second

cleaning roller units

16, 18. This results in a shorter transport path for dirty fluid, at least for the case of direct feeding. Furthermore, a low center of gravity and a small cleaning effort for the dirty fluid reservoir device can be maintained.

For the drive means 30 arranged in the holder 20 a larger available volume for the dirty fluid reservoir means 90 is obtained.

If the

inlet openings

96, 98 are provided, hair accommodation is achieved and thus the cleaning effect is improved.

The following components are provided individually or in combination:

a first cleaning element 72 and/or a second cleaning element 74, wherein the assembly is located between the first cleaning roller unit 16 and the second cleaning roller unit 18 with respect to the longitudinal direction 76;

fan device 78, which is fluidically connected to first inlet port 84 and second inlet port 86 and/or to first inlet port 96 and inlet port 98.

The surface cleaner 10 is depicted as being hand-held and manually guided with the holding bar arrangement 54. In principle, the cleaning head itself may also not have a holding bar arrangement, but rather is designed in particular to run and steer automatically (by means of a suitable steering mechanism) in the manner of a wiping robot. The direction of movement can be adjusted by adjusting the rotational speeds of the first cleaning roller unit 16 and the second cleaning roller unit 18, respectively. Corresponding steering means are present to effect the change of direction.

In this embodiment, the dirty fluid reservoir means 90, the reservoir means 66 and the fan means 78 are arranged on the respective cleaning head 12.

List of reference numerals

10. Surface cleaning machine

12. Cleaning head

14. Head body

16. First cleaning roller unit

18. Second cleaning roller unit

20. Support frame

22. Bushing

24. Surface to be cleaned

26. A first axis of rotation

28. A second axis of rotation

30. Driving device

32. First driver

34. Second driver

36. First direction of rotation

38. Second direction of rotation

40. First region

42. Region(s)

44. Second region

46. Adjusting device

48. First feed direction

50. Second feed direction

52. Hinge part

54. Retaining rod device

56. Pivot axis

58. Proximal end

60. Bow-shaped handle

62. Distal end portion

64. Battery device

66. Reservoir device

68. First discharge port device

70. Second discharge port device

72. First cleaning element

74. Second cleaning element

76. Longitudinal direction

78. Blower fan device

80. Channel

82. Channel

84. First inlet port

86. Second inlet port

88. Dirty fluid reservoir device

90. Dirty fluid reservoir device

92. A first accommodation part

94. A second accommodation part

96. First inlet port

98. Second inlet port

100. First inlet port

102. Second inlet port

104. Wiper device

106. Wiper device

108. Driving device

110. Coupling region

23

112. Belt device

Claims

1. Surface cleaning machine comprising a cleaning head (12) with a first cleaning roller unit (16) driven in rotation in a first rotational direction (36) and a second cleaning roller unit (18) driven in rotation in a second rotational direction (38), wherein the second rotational direction (38) is directed opposite to the first rotational direction (36), characterized in that a first inlet opening device (84; 96) and a second inlet opening device (86; 98) are arranged on the cleaning head (12), wherein the first inlet opening device (84; 96) is assigned to the first cleaning roller unit (16), the second inlet opening device (86; 98) is assigned to the second cleaning roller unit (18), and that a fan device (78) is fluidically connected at least to a subregion of the first inlet opening device (84; 96) and/or to at least one subregion of the second inlet opening device (86; 98).

2. A surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the fan device (78) is arranged on the cleaning head (12) or on a holding bar device (54), on which holding bar device (54) the cleaning head (12) is placed.

3. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first inlet opening means (84; 96) is in fluid-active connection with at least one first channel (80) which is responsible for fluid-active connection with the fan device (78), and/or the second inlet opening means (86; 98) is in fluid-active connection with at least one second channel (82) which is responsible for fluid-active connection with the fan device (78).

4. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first inlet opening (84) and/or the second inlet opening (86) are arranged and configured with at least subregions such that dirty fluid can be directly conducted away from the associated cleaning roller unit (16; 18).

5. Surface cleaning machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the first inlet opening arrangement (84) is arranged between the first cleaning element (72) and the first outlet opening arrangement (68) for cleaning liquid with respect to the first direction of rotation (36) at least in a subregion, and/or the second inlet opening arrangement (86) is arranged between the second cleaning element (74) and the second outlet opening arrangement (70) for cleaning liquid with respect to the second direction of rotation (38) at least in a subregion.

6. Surface cleaning machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the first inlet opening means (84) is preceded by a first outlet opening means (68) for cleaning liquid with respect to a first direction of rotation (36) and/or the second inlet opening means (86) is preceded by a second outlet opening means (70) for cleaning liquid with respect to a second direction of rotation.

7. Surface cleaning machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the first inlet opening means (84) opens into a receptacle (92) of the cleaning head (12) for the first cleaning roller unit (16) at least in a subregion, and/or the second inlet opening means (86) opens into a receptacle (94) of the cleaning head (12) for the second cleaning roller unit (18) at least in a subregion.

8. A surface cleaning machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the first inlet opening means (100) are guided with a region or sub-region located on the first cleaning roller unit (16) into a dirty fluid reservoir means (90) arranged on the cleaning head (12) and in particular provided with a first wiper (104) for dirty fluid of the first cleaning roller unit (16), and/or the second inlet opening means (102) are guided with a region or sub-region located on the second cleaning roller unit (18) into a dirty fluid reservoir means (90) arranged on the cleaning head and in particular provided with a second wiper (106) for dirty fluid of the second cleaning roller unit (18).

9. Surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a first intake opening arrangement (96) is arranged beside the first cleaning roller unit (16) at least in the subregion with respect to a first direction of rotation (36) and/or a second intake opening arrangement (98) is arranged beside the second cleaning roller unit (18) at least in the subregion with respect to a second direction of rotation (38).

10. Surface cleaning machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the first inlet opening means (96) opens into the space in front of the first cleaning roller unit (16) at least in a subregion and/or the second inlet opening means (98) opens into the space in front of the second cleaning roller unit (18) at least in a subregion.

11. Surface cleaning machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the first inlet opening arrangement (96) is followed, at least in subregions, with respect to a first direction of rotation (36), by a first outlet opening arrangement (68) for cleaning liquid at the first cleaning roller unit (16), and/or the second inlet opening arrangement (98) is followed, at least in subregions, with respect to a second direction of rotation (38), by a second outlet opening arrangement (70) for cleaning liquid of the second cleaning roller unit (18).

12. Surface cleaning machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the area or sub-area of the first inlet opening means (96) located beside the first cleaning roller unit (16) is in fluid-operative connection with a fan device (78) and/or the area or sub-area of the second inlet opening means (98) located beside the second cleaning roller unit (18) is in fluid-operative connection with a fan device (78).

13. Surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first cleaning roller unit (16) is provided with not only a dirty fluid wiper and a dirty fluid feed into a dirty fluid reservoir device (90) but also a dirty fluid suction via a fan device (78), and/or the second cleaning roller unit (18) is provided with not only a dirty fluid wiper and a feed into a dirty fluid reservoir device (90) but also a dirty fluid suction via a fan device (76).

14. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a drive device (30; 108) for the first cleaning roller unit (16) and the second cleaning roller unit (18) is arranged on the cleaning head (12) or coupled with the cleaning head (12).

15. Surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a common drive (108) is provided for the first cleaning roller unit (16) and the second cleaning roller unit (18).

16. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized by a central drive for the first cleaning roller unit (16) and/or the second cleaning roller unit (18).

17. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first cleaning roller unit (16) and/or the second cleaning roller unit (18) are constructed in multiple pieces, and in particular in two pieces.

18. The surface cleaning machine of claim 1 wherein the cleaning head is self-propelled and self-steering in configuration.

19. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a holding rod arrangement (54) pivotably holds the cleaning head (12), and in particular the surface cleaning machine can be operated hand-held or manually guided.

20. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized by an adjusting device (46) by means of which the rotational speed of the first cleaning roller unit (16) and/or the second cleaning roller unit (18) can be adjusted.

21. Surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first cleaning roller unit (16) is assigned a first sweeping element (72) positioned between the first cleaning roller unit (16) and the second cleaning roller unit (18), and/or the second cleaning roller unit (18) is assigned a second sweeping element (74).

22. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 21, characterized in that the region (40) of the first cleaning roller unit (16) that acts on the surface (24) to be cleaned is moved in a first rotational direction (36) towards the first cleaning element (72), and that dirt located at the first cleaning element (72) can be carried away from the surface (14) to be cleaned by the first cleaning roller unit (16).

23. A surface cleaning machine according to claim 21, characterized in that the area (44) of the second cleaning roller unit (18) that acts on the surface (24) to be cleaned is moved in a second rotational direction (38) towards the second cleaning element (74), and that dirt located at the second cleaning element (74) can be carried away from the surface (24) to be cleaned by the second cleaning roller unit (18).

24. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 21, characterized in that the first sweeping element (72) is arranged between an area (40) of the first cleaning roller unit (16) acting on the surface (24) to be cleaned and a first inlet opening arrangement (84) for dirty fluid of the first cleaning roller unit (16) with respect to a first direction of rotation (36).

25. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 21, characterized in that the second sweeping element (74) is arranged between an area (44) of the second cleaning roller unit (18) acting on the surface (24) to be cleaned and a second inlet opening arrangement (86) for dirty fluid of the second cleaning roller unit (18) with respect to a second direction of rotation (38).

26. The surface cleaner of claim 21, wherein the first cleaning element (72) and the second cleaning element (74) face each other.

27. The surface cleaning machine of claim 21 having a dirty fluid reservoir means (88; 90) for containing a dirty fluid.

28. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 27, characterized in that the dirty fluid reservoir means (90) is arranged at least partially between the first cleaning roller unit (16) and the second cleaning roller unit (18), and in particular at least in sub-areas between the first sweeping element (72) and the second sweeping element (74).