EP0804897B1 - Floor cleaning machine, in particular vacuum scrubbing machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a floor cleaning machine, especially a scrubber drier, with a housing, consisting of a lower part and an opposite hinged, hood-like top, with several wheels attached to the underside of the lower part, with one on the lower part by means of a height-adjustable Carrier-mounted brush unit by a Lower part arranged brush drive motor over a Brush gear is drivable, with a strip-shaped Suction nozzle connected to a suction pump, with a two-chamber tank and with several Batteries and / or other power supply units.

In such scrubber driers (cf. US-A-3,277,511) the lower part usually consists of one Steel profiles welded together frame construction outside is covered with sheet metal or plastic. At the bottom Part of this frame construction are the brush drive motor, the suction pump, the support for the brush unit etc. arranged. Although these parts are by side Fairings largely invisible, but heavily soiled exposed because the frame construction after is open at the bottom. The above parts are for cleaning, Maintenance and repair purposes difficult to access. The Brush gear is located directly above the bristle unit. To protect it from dust and water it has to be encapsulated accordingly. The same applies to the Brush drive motor that is used in many other designs is mounted directly on the brush unit. There with the brush unit at least the brush gear, but often also the brush drive motor the brush unit cannot simply be countered another brush unit, e.g. with a different working width, or exchange for a new one. The for cas Lower part provided frame construction including Fairing is relatively expensive to manufacture and also difficult. In the known machine is also the tank arranged in the lower part. The batteries are on the top of the lower part. The cleaning of the tank is therefore very difficult and only after removal of batteries possible. It also has a relative deep tank the disadvantage that the tank capacity cannot easily be emptied into a sink, which is spaced from the floor. It is therefore usually an additional drain pump is required.

In the previously known, with one or more plate brushes is working scrubber drier either the brush unit, seen in the direction of travel, in front of the Wheels or arranged behind the wheels. Both systems have certain advantages but also disadvantages. All known However, scrubber driers have in common that the arrangement of the brush unit opposite the wheels cannot be changed subsequently, i.e. a Scrubber drier with brush unit at the front can not be arranged in such a way with rear Brush unit can be converted in a simple manner.

The invention has for its object a floor cleaning machine, especially scrubber drier, of the kind mentioned in the introduction to create the easier is under construction, with most components optimal sheltered and still in case of need are easily accessible and also easy to access is clean.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the Lower part as a self-supporting, open at the top and bottom essentially closed trough is formed, whose vertical side walls are at least over one Third of the total height of the case and in which at least the brush drive motor, the brush gear, a lifting motor for the carrier, essential Parts of the same and the batteries are arranged, and that the top part contains the tank. The bottom of the tub is facing a recess for the passage of the vertically movable support.

The self-supporting tub comes with the new machine essential importance. It replaces the previous one Frame construction and its cladding. The Trough is inexpensive to manufacture, it forms one Supporting structure and also a cladding in one. At the same time, it also provides effective protection against contamination of the most important machine components, since they not only move to the side but also to the side is essentially closed at the bottom. The most important Machine components are optimally protected inside the tub. This does not only apply to the Brush motor, the brush gear, the lifting motor and essential parts of the carrier, but also for the Batteries and especially electronic ones Control of the machine, which advantageously in the tub can be installed. After opening the the upper part containing the tank are all in the Tub contained components for service and repair purposes freely and easily accessible. You can if necessary from their brackets in the tub easily loosened and removed upwards. At the The wheels are mounted directly on the underside of the tub. Since most parts of the brush drive, namely the brush motor, the brush gear and also the lifting motor and essential parts of the carrier in Arranged inside the tub protected from contamination cleaning the machine is very easy. It practically only need the brush unit and the wheels are cleaned. The smooth outer walls of the The tub and the top are also easy to use and clean quickly. Because essential with the new machine Parts of the brush drive, especially the Brush drive motor and the brush gear in which Tub, the new machine also has the advantage that the motorless brush units in If necessary, can be easily changed. at Damage to such a motorless brush unit can easily be used against a new or repaired one or one with a different working width be replaced. The arrangement of the tank in the upper part has the advantage that the tank is relative is high and therefore its content without problems Drain pump can be drained into a spout.

It when the upper part as self-supporting tank is formed. To this end the upper part can be made of glass fiber reinforced Plastic. Due to the design of the upper part The construction becomes a self-supporting tank simplified and thus also the manufacturing costs lowered and weight decreased.

Another, particularly advantageous embodiment is that a control panel on the guide handle with the essential operating and display elements is arranged, and that the guide handle is optional with one or the other end of the Machine, especially the tub, is connectable.

This makes it possible to be proportionate low installation effort a machine with front Brush unit in one with a rear Convert brush unit. In particular, the machine manufacturer offer both types of machines without the manufacturing or storage costs increase.

Further advantageous configurations are in the rest Subclaims marked.

Figur 1

eine Seitenansicht der Maschine mit hinten angeordneter Bürsteneinheit,

Figur 2

eine Stirnansicht der Maschine in Richtung II der Figur 1,

Figur 3

einen Querschnitt nach der Linie III-III der Figur 1,

Figur 4

einen Horizontalschnitt nach der Linie IV-IV der Figur 1,

Figur 5

einen Längsschnitt der Maschine nach der Linie V-V der Figur 2, jedoch mit demontierter Bürsteneinheit,

Figur 6

eine Seitenansicht der Maschine mit aufgeklapotem Oberteil,

Figur 7

einen Teilquerschnitt nach der Linie VII-VII der Figur 1,

Figur 8

eine Seitenansicht der Maschine in einer Umbauphase,

Figur 9

eine Seitenansicht der Maschine nach erfolgtem Umbau, mit vorne angeordneter Bürsteneinheit.

Figur 10

eine Draufsicht auf die Lagerung des Führungsgriffes und des Oberteils bei verriegeltem Führungsgriff,

Figur 11

eine Teildraufsicht mit gelöstem Führungsgriff.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:

Figure 1

a side view of the machine with the rear brush unit,

Figure 2

3 shows an end view of the machine in the direction II of FIG. 1,

Figure 3

2 shows a cross section along the line III-III of FIG. 1,

Figure 4

2 shows a horizontal section along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1,

Figure 5

3 shows a longitudinal section of the machine along the line VV in FIG. 2, but with the brush unit removed,

Figure 6

a side view of the machine with the upper part opened,

Figure 7

2 shows a partial cross section along the line VII-VII of FIG. 1,

Figure 8

a side view of the machine in a conversion phase,

Figure 9

a side view of the machine after conversion, with the brush unit arranged at the front.

Figure 10

a plan view of the storage of the guide handle and the upper part with the guide handle locked,

Figure 11

a partial plan view with the guide handle released.

The scrubber drier shown in the drawing has a housing 1 consisting of a lower part 2 and a top part 3 that can be opened Lower part 2 is a self-supporting, open at the top and formed essentially closed tub below and is therefore also referred to as tub 2 in the following. The tub 2 and the upper part 3 have one essentially rectangular plan on how it looks from Figure 4 can be seen. The vertical side walls 2a and 2b of the tub should cover at least a third extend the total height of the housing 1, on the one hand, to in the tub the essential components of the machine sheltered and on the other hand to to give the tub adequate stability, so that the tub can also be used without an additional one Frame construction forms a stable lower part. The height of the tub 2 is, however, essentially according to the height of the components to be accommodated, which are described in more detail below.

At the bottom of the bottom 2c of the tub 2 is the Drive 4, which drives the main wheels 5, screwed and protected from contamination by a hood. Furthermore, the castors 6 are on the floor 2c appropriate.

The tub 2 suitably consists of sheet metal, in particular made of stainless steel. Inside the tub 2 are the Brush drive motor 7, the brush gear 8, a serving as a support for the brush unit 9 support column 10, a lifting motor 11 for the support column, a fresh water pump 12, possibly a recycling pump 13, the batteries 14 and especially the control electronics in a clean and protected environment and easy to maintain accommodated. After opening of the upper part 3 are, as shown in Figures 4 and 6 is, all of the aforementioned parts for maintenance purposes and, if necessary, for repair or replacement easily accessible. However, if the top is 3, 1-5, folded down, then that covers Upper part 3 the upwardly open tub 2 completely from, so that the components housed in the tub 2 from pollution and also from splash water are protected. In this context, it is advisable if the lower edge 3d of the upper part 3 the includes the upper edge 2d of the tub 2 from the outside as it is shown in Figure 3.

The tub 2 can also be useful with a transverse wall 16 may be provided which the battery compartment of the separates the remaining interior of the tub and also also serves to stiffen the tub 2.

The upper part 3 is useful as a self-supporting Tank 17 formed. The tank 17 has one Fresh water chamber 17a and a dirty water chamber 17b on either by a rigid partition 18 or by a movable (not shown) Membrane are separated from each other. Appropriately exists the upper part 3 made of glass fiber reinforced plastic, especially glass fiber reinforced polyester. The upper part 3 has a large, in the drawings lid not shown.

This enables the tank 17 to be easily accessible for filling with water and also for cleaning tanks.

In a central cavity 19 of the upper part 3 Expediently housed the suction pump (suction turbine) 20. The cavity 19 is on all sides of tank sections 17a, 17b surrounded entirely or partially with water are filled. Through these measures and the fact that the upper part 3 made of glass fiber reinforced plastic there is, the noise of the suction pump 20 become strong attenuated.

The suction pump 20 is connected via a suction hose 21 a strip-shaped suction nozzle 22 of a known type connected. The suction hose 22 and others for cooling purposes the suction pump 20 serving ventilation hoses 23 are expedient on the underside of the tank bottom 17c led along. The ventilation hoses 23 are, however only shown in Figure 3.

An exhaust pipe 24 leads from the suction pump 20 below. When the upper part 3 is closed, it is aligned with the upper end 25a one arranged in the tub 2 Exhaust pipe 22, the lower end of the bath 2c the tub 2 opens into the open. The connection between the exhaust pipes 24, 25 are automatically sealed, when the upper part 3 is closed.

As a carrier for the brush unit 9 is tick a vertically displaceable support column 10 is provided. This support column 10 has, as can be seen from Figure 7 is a square or possibly also rectangular cross section. It stretches through a recess 26 in the bottom 2c of the tub down. However, the greater part of the support column 10 is inside the tub 2 arranged, as well as their leadership, the can be formed by several guide rollers 27. The guide rollers 27 are of course in corresponding Mounts, not shown, with are connected to the bottom 2c of the tub. Between the recess 26 and the support column 10 can be one seal, not shown, may be arranged.

With the upper end 10a of the support column 10 is an arm 28 connected to which the lifting motor 11 engages. With the Lift motor 11 can support column 10 not only in vertical Direction V up and down, but through the lifting motor 11 can also be the contact pressure of the plate brushes 29 or regulated by pad disks on the floor become.

With the upper end 10a of the support column 10 is a support plate 30 connected, on the one hand that as a belt drive trained brush gear 8 and on the other hand the brush drive motor 7 carries. The latter and that Brush gear 8 are together with the whole Support column 10 can be raised and lowered. Inside the support column 10 is the drive shaft driven by the brush gear 8 31 stored. At the bottom of the same is the one Half 32 of a dog clutch or the like arranged, the other half 33 with one in the brush housing 34 mounted output shaft 35 can be plugged together. of the output shaft 35 are those in the brush housing 34 housed disc brushes 29 over a not Distribution gear shown in a known manner driven.

Around the brush housing 34 from the support column 10 easily can be detached and reassembled, as is particularly the case is shown in Figure 7 on the brush housing 34 on two opposite sides of the support column 10 two support straps 36 attached, each of which has a transverse bore 37. At the lower end 10b Support column are also on the opposite Sides two transverse bores 38 provided in Connection position of support column 10 and brush housing 34 are aligned with one another, as shown in FIG. 7. The connecting bolts are in these transverse bores 37, 38 39 insertable by means of the on the tabs 36th pivotably arranged latch 40 are lockable.

For dismantling a brush unit 9 from the support column 10 this is moved down by means of the lifting motor 11, until the plate brushes 29 are supported on the floor. The bolts 40 are unlocked and the connecting bolts 39 can then easily from the cross holes 37, 38 are pulled out. The support column 10 can then be raised a bit and you can move the entire brush unit to the side or to the side Pull out from under the tub 2 at the front. Then there can be one another brush unit inserted under the machine become. In the opposite way, the support column 10 lowered and again between the tabs 36 of the brought new brush unit. Once the cross holes 38 of the support column 10 with the transverse bores 37 of the Align tab 36, the connecting bolts 39th inserted into both transverse bores 36, 37 and be secured by means of the bolt 40. When lowering the two automatically come to the support column Halves 32, 33 of the claw coupling together again engaged, whereby the drive connection between Drive shaft 31 and output shaft 35 is produced. This way you can very easily create a brush unit with a working width of 550 mm, for example against another brush unit with a working width of, for example, 700 mm and vice versa. You can also thanks to the easy assembly and disassembly also the brush unit for cleaning and Remove maintenance purposes easily and then in more convenient Clean, maintain or work height on a work table repair.

If the transverse bores 37, 38, as shown in the Embodiment is the case in the machine longitudinal direction L-L are arranged, then the axis A serves Connecting bolt 39 as a pendulum axis for the brush housing 34. Thanks to this swinging suspension of the brush housing 34, the two plate brushes 29 better adapt to the floor geometry.

To operate and operate the machine is also a Guide handle 41 is provided, which is useful as a is essentially U-shaped bracket. The closed ends 41a removed from the machine this bracket is angled upwards. This part 41a which is angled upwards expediently encloses, as can be seen from FIG. 2, an operating console 42, which the essential controls 43 and Display elements 44 has. The bracket 41 is on this way not only ergonomically shaped, but the controls 43 are also easily accessible. without having to let go of the bracket part 41a. The control panel 42 is expedient on a cross strut 45 of the bracket 41 attached. The arrangement of the Control panel 42 with all essential operating and Display elements 43, 44 on bracket 41 is also essential if the scrubber drier to be converted so that the brush unit 9 is not, as shown in Figures 1-6, at the back the machine but should be arranged in front, like it is shown in Figure 9. This will be discussed below described in more detail.

The U-shaped bracket 41 provided as a guide handle has two legs 41b directed towards the machine. These two legs 41b are on the bearing pieces 46 around a horizontal and transverse to the machine longitudinal direction L-L running axis B pivoted and lockable. The bracket 41 or its pivot axis B is on one of the two narrow sides of the machine is arranged, the bearing pieces 46 by means of screws 47 on one the narrow sides 2a of the tub 2 can be attached, as shown in Figure 10.

By pivoting the bracket 41 about the axis B, the Bracket 41 can not only be adjusted in height but the distance of the bracket part 41a can also be opposite the narrow side of the machine. To this Way, the bracket 41 can easily be ergonomically correct Work position. To determine the Strap 41 opposite the one bearing piece 46 is on this one half 48a of a Hirth toothing attached. The other half 48b is attached to one leg 41b. The locking lever 50 provided with a cam 49 holds the two halves 48a, 48b of the Hirth serration normally engaged, causing the bracket 41 in the set height position is held. To change this height position the locking lever 50 in Pivoted towards C. The spring force of the bracket 41 forces the two halves 48a, 48b apart, so that the bracket 41 then swings up or down leaves. The new locking takes place in reverse Way, by the locking lever 50 against the Arrow direction C is moved.

The two bearing pieces 46 are used advantageously also at the same time for mounting the pivot axis of the Upper part 3, which coincides with the axis B in this case. For this purpose, a bearing bush 51 rotatably supported on the two bearing pieces 46. The two swivel arms 52 are on the one hand with this bearing bush 51 and on the other hand firmly connected to the upper part 3. In this way, the upper part 3 around the Axis B, which is arranged on a narrow side 2a of the tub 2 is to be folded up as it is in Figure 6 is shown. The contained in the tub 2 Components are then easily accessible.

So that the upper part 3 is light despite its weight can be opened, at least between the two parts a relief spring 55 is provided, which in the present Case is designed as a leg spring. expedient are such relief springs 55 on the two long sides 2b of the tub 2 or the upper part 3 is provided.

1, 8 and 9, it will now be described how the machine with the rear brush unit 9 according to FIG. 1 can be converted into a machine with the front brush unit 9 according to FIG. 9 in a simple manner. For this purpose, the drag arm 53, which carries the suction nozzle 22, is first detached from the tub 2.
The screws 47 of the bearing pieces 46 are then also removed. You can now remove the entire unit, consisting of upper part 3, bracket 41, suction hose 21 and suction nozzle 22, from the tub 2 and rotate it by 180 °, as shown in broken lines in FIG. Before removing this unit, some electrical cables, which are led from the control panel through one of the hollow legs 41b of the bracket 41 and through a channel in the one bearing piece 46 into the interior of the tub and are connected to the control unit 15 via plug connections, have to be disconnected become. The bearing pieces 46 are then placed on the opposite narrow side 2a of the tub, where corresponding holes have already been prepared for the screws 47 and also for the electrical cables, which previously served to fasten a bumper 59, which is now attached to the front wall, to which before the bearing pieces 46 were assembled. After the bearing pieces have been fastened to the opposite end wall 2a, it is only necessary to reconnect the electrical lines to the control unit 15. Furthermore, the exhaust pipe 24 must be brought into a different position with respect to the upper part 3, so that it then aligns again with the exhaust pipe 25 in the tub 2. It may also be necessary to replace the drag arm 53 by a slightly differently shaped drag arm 53 '. After the machine has been converted, the brush unit 9 is now arranged at the front end of the machine, ie in front of the wheels 5.

For rearranging the machine from the rear Brush unit on the front brush unit is it u.a. also essential that the suction pump 20 is arranged in the upper part and that the upper part 3 is turned together with the bracket 41. It can then namely the suction hose 21 and further hose connections lead connected to the suction pump 20 and the tank 17. For this purpose, the suction hose 21 is also on the guide handle or bracket 41 assigned narrow side 3a of the upper part 3 in this inserted and along the bottom of the tank bottom 17c led to the suction pump 20.

For the same reason, the linear motor 54, the with a cable 56 to raise and lower the Suction nozzle 22 is used on the underside of the tank bottom 17c arranged, as can be seen from Figure 8. For the Convert the machine from rear to front Brush unit 9 and vice versa, so it is essential that the bracket 41, the upper part 3, the pivot bearing and the suction nozzle 22 together with the suction hose 21 and lifting device for the tow arm 53 into a convertible unit are summarized.

There are also floor cleaning machines that have a Power cables are operated from the normal power network. Since no batteries are required in such machines are a voltage converter instead of the same and other power supply units housed in the tub 2.

Claims (26)

1. Floor cleaning machine, in particular vacuum scrubbing machine, with a housing (1), consisting of a lower part (2) and a hood-like upper part (3) which is pivotable in relation to it, with a plurality of wheels (5) mounted on the underside of the lower part (2), with a brush unit (9) which is mounted on the lower part (2) by means of a height-adjustable carrier (10) and driveable by a brush-driving motor (7) arranged on the lower part (2) through a brush gear unit (8), with a strip-shaped suction nozzle (22) which is connected to a suction pump (20), with a tank exhibiting two chambers, and with a plurality of batteries (14) and/or other power supply units, characterised in that the lower part (2) is embodied as a self-supporting tub (2) which is open at the top and essentially closed at the bottom and whose vertical side walls (2a, 2b) extend at least over a third of the overall height of the housing (1), the bottom (2c) of the tub (2) exhibiting an opening (26) for passage of the height-adjustable carrier (10), and which tub (2) accommodates at least the brush driving motor (7), the brush gear unit (8), a lifting motor (11) for the carrier (10), essential parts thereof and the batteries (14) and/or other power supply units, and in that the upper part (3) contains the tank (17).
2. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the tub (2) is made of sheet metal, in particular of stainless steel.
3. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the upper part (3) is designed as a self-supporting tank.
4. Machine according to claim 1 or 3, characterised in that the upper part (3) is made of glass fibre-reinforced plastic.
5. Machine according to claim 1, 3 or 4, characterised in that the suction pump (20) is arranged in a central cavity (19) of the upper part (3).
6. Machine according to claim 5, characterised in that the cavity (19) is surrounded by tank sections (17a, 17b).
7. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the lower edge (3d) of the upper part (3) fits externally over the upper edge (2d) of the tub (2).
8. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the tub (2) and the upper part (3) exhibit an essentially rectangular ground plan and in that the upper part (3) is pivotable in relation to the tub (2) about a horizontal pivot axis (B) arranged on one narrow side (2a) of the tub (2).
9. Machine according to claim 8, characterised in that the pivot axis (B) is arranged on the same narrow side (2a) as a guiding handle (41).
10. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the carrier for the brush unit (9) takes the form of a vertically displaceable carrying column (10) which extends through the opening (26) in the bottom (2c) of the tub (2).
11. Machine according to claim 10, characterised in that a guiding device (27) for the carrying column (10) is arranged and supported in the interior of the tub (2).
12. Machine according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the brush gear unit (8) and the brush driving motor (7) are connected to the upper end (10a) of the carrying column (10) and can be raised and lowered together with this, a driving shaft (31) for the brush unit (9) being mounted in the interior of the carrying column (10).
13. Machine according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the lower end (10b) of the carrying column (10) is connected in an easily detachable manner to a brush housing (34) of the brush unit (9).
14. Machine according to claim 13, characterised in that two carrying lugs (36) arranged on opposite sides of the carrying column (10) are provided for detachable connection to the brush housing (34), each of said carrying lugs exhibiting a transverse bore (37) which in the connecting position lines up with in each case a transverse bore (38) in the carrying column (10) and into which a lockable connecting pin (39) can be inserted.
15. Machine according to claim 14, characterised in that the axis (A) of the transverse bores (37, 38) extends in the longitudinal direction of the machine (L-L).
16. Machine according to claim 13, characterised in that one half (32) of a claw coupling or the like is arranged at the lower end of the driving shaft (31) while its other half (33) is connected to a driven shaft (35) mounted in the brush housing and can be engaged axially with the first half (32).
17. Machine according to claim 9, characterised in that a control panel (42) with the essential controls and indicators (43, 44) is arranged on the guiding handle (41) and in that the guiding handle (41) can be connected optionally to one or other vertical end side (2a) of the machine, in particular the tub (2).
18. Machine according to claim 17, characterised in that the guiding handle (41) is embodied as an essentially U-shaped bow whose two limbs (41b) engage in mounting parts (46) which can be connected optionally to one or other narrow side (2a) of the tub (2) by means of screws (47).
19. Machine according to claim 18, characterised in that the mounting parts (46) also carry the pivot axis (B) of the upper part (3).
20. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterised in that at least one load-relieving spring (55) is provided between the upper part (3) and the tub (2).
21. Machine according to claim 18, characterised in that the bow (41) is pivotable in relation to the mounting parts (46) about an axis (B) coaxial with the pivot axis (B) and lockable in relation to at least one of the mounting parts (46), preferably by means of Hirth-type serrations (48a, 48b).
22. Machine according to claim 9 or 19, characterised in that a suction hose (21) connecting the suction nozzle (22) to the suction pump (20) is guided into the upper part (3) on the narrow side (3a) of the upper part (3) associated with the guiding handle or bow (41) and is guided along the underside of the bottom of the tank (17c) to the suction pump (20).
23. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterised in that a linear motor (54) is arranged on the underside of the bottom of the tank (17c) to raise the suction nozzle (22).
24. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterised in that a vertical air outlet pipe (25) is arranged in the tub (2) and its lower end debouches to the exterior at the bottom of the tub (2) and its upper end (25a) lines up with an air outlet pipe or air outlet hose (24) of the suction pump (22) and is sealed in relation to it when the upper part (3) is closed.
25. Machine according to claim 17, characterised in that the control panel (42) is connected to a transverse brace (45) of the bow (41) and surrounded by a section (41a) of the bow at a distance on three sides.
26. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the dividing plane between the upper part (3) and the tub (2) runs horizontally.

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