EP0626817B1

EP0626817B1 - A water suction device for scrubbing machines and the like

Info

Publication number: EP0626817B1
Application number: EP93904438A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ovidiu Tanasescu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-02-06
Filing date: 1993-02-05
Publication date: 1996-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2013-02-05
Also published as: EP0626817A1; DE69304898D1; DE69304898T2; SE9200341D0; AU3579393A; WO1993015646A1; ATE142867T1

Abstract

A water suction device for scrubbing machines and the like having a non-rotatable frame, a rotatable scrubbing disc or brush (1a) and a rotatably driven holder (1) therefor, a number of nozzles (2) and a number of lips (5) which move dirty scrubbing water to the nozzles, said nozzles and lips being mounted on said brush, disc or holder at the periphery thereof with their lower ends in contact with or at a short distance from the floor, the outlets of the nozzles discharging in a rotating first ring-shaped channel (8) sealingly connected to a non-rotating second ring-shaped channel (4) on said frame, the second channel being connected to a water separator or the like. Said channels form a common channel located radially inside the periphery of the brush (1a) or disc and preferably close to the rotation axis thereof.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention refers to a water suction device for scrubbing, shampooing and polishing machines as described in the introductory portion of claim 1.

Description of Prior Art

Water suction devices of the kind mentioned above are previously known, see WO 92/16139. The device disclosed in that document is efficient and simple but has some disadvantages. One disadvantage is that elements protrude radially from the brush or scrubbing disc so that the accessibility to narrow spaces and areas close to the walls enclosing the floor to be cleaned will be limited. Another disadvantage is that said elements, which i.e. consist of sealing rings, are large and must have different diameters for different brush or disc dimensions.

Description of the Invention.

It is an object of the present invention to simplify and improve known water suctions devices for scrubbing machines and the like. This object is achieved by the invention having the features described in the characterizing portion of the main claim.

Description of Figures.

Fig. 1 is a vertical section along line I-I in Fig. 2 of a water suction device according to the invention for a scrubbing machine,
Fig. 2 is a view from below of the water suction device in Fig. 1, and
Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a modification of details in Figs. 1 and 2.

Description of Preferred Embodiment.

Numeral 1 designates a circular holder for a circular scrubbing brush 1a. Instead of the brush 1a the holder may be provided with a scrubbing disc. The brush 1a rotates in the same direction and at the same speed as the holder 1. Around the circumference of the holder 1 are attached a number of nozzles 2 which rotate together with the brush holder when the machine is in use. All the nozzles 2 are attached on and pass through a ring 7 which is formed or mounted on the circumference of the holder 1. The nozzles 2, which are formed as pipes, tubes or hoses, consists of durable elastic or flexible material, such as plastics or rubber. The nozzles are obliquely oriented in relation to the floor, which can be seen in Fig. 2, and the lower ends thereof are positioned just above or in contact with the floor. The lower openings of the nozzles are flush with the floor and glide on or move just above the floor when the machine is in use.
On the underside of the ring 7 there are attached a number of obliquely angled, flexible flaps or lips 5 which are in contact with the floor. In order to regulate or adjust the pressure of the lips 5 towards the floor and/or the distance between the lower ends of the lips and the brush 1a, respectively, each lip 5 is mounted on a member 12 which is axially movable in a recess 13 in the ring 7 and can be locked in different positions by a screw 14.
A modification of the regulation means for the lips 5 is shown in Fig. 3, wherein all lips are mounted on the ring 7 which is provided with threads 15 around its inner circumference. These threads engage with threads 16 on the outer circumference of the brush 1a. When it is desired to regulate the distance between the holder 1 and the brush 1a , and thus the distance between the lower ends of the lips 5 or nozzles 2 and the lower ends of the brush 1a, the brush is turned on the ring 7. The ring 7 and the brush 1a is provided with means, such as a bolt 17, locking these details to each other in a desired position.
The nozzles 2 and the lips 5 are alternately located so that all dirty water collected and moved by the lips will be sucked in through the nozzles.
Since the ring 7 rotates at the same speed and in the same direction as the brush 1a and its holder 1, the nozzles 2 and the lips 5 as well will rotate at this speed and in this direction. The rotation is achieved by a motor (not shown) coupled to the central upper portion of the holder 1.
A U-shaped first ring 8 is fixedly mounted on the holder 1 close to the rotation axis thereof. The ring 8 forms a channel which is open upwards. The nozzles 2 are connected to the ring 8 by means of tubes or hoses 10 as can be seen to the left in Fig. 1 or by means of holes or passages 11 within the holder 1 as can be seen to the right in Fig. 1. The hoses 10 or passages 11 each has a non-radial orientation as can be seen in Fig. 2. The angle between a hose 10 or a passage 11 and the tangent to the periphery of the brush 1a is less than 90°, and the hose or passage is so angled in the rotation direction A of the brush 1a that the centrifugal force, to which the water in the hose or passage is subjected, will be so weak that the water flow from the nozzle 2 to the ring 8 will not be prevented.
A U-shaped second ring 4 is fixedly mounted on the non-rotatable frame (not shown) of the machine and is arranged above and partly encloses the ring 8. The ring 4 forms a channel which is open downwards. The channels of the first and second rings 8 and 4 together form a common channel. The second ring 4 does not rotate and has one opening in its periphery which is connected to a hose 6. The second ring 4 is mounted very close to the first ring 8 as shown in Fig. 1.
The rings 4 and 8 are provided with sealing means 9 which prevent water from leaving the channel between said rings. The sealing means consist of rubber or plastic rings mounted on one of or on both rings 4 and 8. When the machine is in operation the means 9 provide a good glide seal between the rings 4 and 8, the sealing effect being increased by the suction effect in the channel.
Clean water containing detergent is fed through a hose (not shown) to a tube 3 located in the centre of the brush holder 1. This water is spread over the floor by the brush 1a when the machine is in use. The lips 5 will move dirty water to the nozzles 2 which divert the dirty water to the channel between the rings 8 and 4. Via said opening in the ring 4 and via the hose 6 dirty scrub water will be fed by suction, accomplished by a pump (not shown) on the machine, to a water separator (not shown) where the water is collected.
Even if only one embodiment of the invention has been described above and shown on the drawing, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this embodiment but only to that which is stated in the claims.

Claims

A water suction device for scrubbing machines and the like having a non-rotatable frame, a rotatable scrubbing disc or brush (1a) and a rotatably driving holder (1) therefor, a number of individual nozzles (2) and a number of lips (5) which each forms an angle to the tangent to the periphery of the holder (1) and which move dirty scubbing water to the nozzles, said nozzles and lips being mounted on said brush, disc or holder at the periphery thereof with their lower ends in contact with or at a short distance from the floor, the outlets of the nozzles discharging in a rotating first ring-shaped channel (8) sealingly connected to a non-rotating second ring-shaped channel (4) on said frame, the second channel being connected to a water separator or the like , characterized in that said channels (4, 8) form a common channel located radially inside the periphery of the brush (1a) or disc and preferably close to the rotation axis thereof, and in that tubes (10) located on the holder (1) or passages (11) in the holder connect each nozzle (2) to the first channel (8).
A water suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that said tubes (10) or passages (11) each forms an angle with the tangent to the periphery of the holder which is less than 90° so that the dirty scrubbing water will be discharged to the channel with a reduced centrifugal force acting on the water during rotation of the machine.
A water suction device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by means (12,13; 15,16) adjusting the axial distance between the brush (1a) or disc and the lips (5).
A water suction device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lips (5) are mounted on a ring (7) which is movable in relation to the brush or disc by said adjusting means (15,16).
A water suction device according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjusting means comprises threads (15,16) on the ring (7) and on the brush (1a) or disc.
A water suction device according to claim 3, characaterized in that each lip (5) is mounted on a member (12) which is movable on the holder (1) and lockable thereto in different positions.