EP0836826B1 - Suction device attachment for wet cleaning surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

The attachment piece (1) has a suction channel (20) arranged in the suction channel housing (15), issuing in a slot-shaped suction mouth (21). The housing covers the fluid application device (3) in an arc formation. The fluid application device is secured in the arc interior, to at least one slide (25), which penetrates the housing (15). On the upper side of the housing, the slide is formed as a handle (26) for position adjustment. The suction mouth is divided crossways to its longitudinal extent into individual suction sections, which in the suction direction issue into a common suction chamber (53).

Description

The invention relates to a suction device attachment for the wet cleaning of surfaces, in particular of vertical surfaces, with a liquid application device.

Cleaning devices for the wet cleaning of surfaces, in particular of vertical window surfaces, are known in a large number of variations. They usually consist of a suction device, which in addition to a suction device also has a reservoir for the cleaning fluid. Pressurized, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the suction device via a pressure line the actual Reinigungsgerätevorsatz and applied there via nozzles, brushes, sponges or the like on the surface to be cleaned. The applied liquid is then absorbed by the suction device via a frequently slot-shaped suction mouth and the adjoining suction channel again. Such cleaning devices are usually designed as industrial equipment and therefore bulky and expensive and not suitable for normal household use.

From EP 0 243 323 a cleaning device is known in which a liquid application device is supplied with a cleaning liquid or there a cleaning vapor via a pressure line. For applying the cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned, the local liquid application device is provided with a sponge, which is arranged within a suction cup housing about an axis parallel to the surface to be cleaned in an operating position pivotable. Parallel to the longitudinal extent of the sponge or its axis and thus transversely to the usual working direction is still a slot-shaped suction mouth above the surface to be cleaned, with a sealing lip on this only sitting, arranged. Suction cup housing and suction mouth communicate with a suction channel, within which the pressure line for the supply of cleaning liquid is arranged. Reinigungsgerätevorsatz and the cleaning device form functionally one unit and can not be used separately from each other. WO 96/01614 describes a suction device attachment for the wet cleaning of surfaces, which is also preferably used in the sense of this invention as an attachment of pure suction devices, for example also household suction devices. It is as important here that a pressure supply from the suction device to the liquid application device can be omitted and the suction device alone has the possibility of suction, so no tank system and pressure system contains in particular for the cleaning liquid. It provided for this purpose, the liquid application device of the described Sauggerätevorsatzes with its own cleaning liquid tank, a separate supply of cleaning fluid can be dispensed with. Furthermore, a positional adjustability of the liquid application apparatus is shown there, for which purpose the liquid application apparatus surrounds the suction channel housing with an annular connecting element and is guided axially against the force of an exposed spring which likewise encloses the suction channel housing. Such an open guide is susceptible to contamination and also carries the risk of injury due to its good accessibility.

In the suction channel of this Sauggerätevorsatzes a moisture-absorbing filter is also provided, which Absorbs and stores moisture from the extracted liquid-air mixture. It is realized by this feature another constructive measure of fundamental importance in the use of household vacuum cleaners, namely the phase separation of the extracted liquid-air mixture. This is necessary in the use of conventional household vacuum cleaners due to their electrical design and suction for safety reasons. However, such a phase separation based on filter action is fundamentally contrary to a conventional suction technique, also due to the large pressure losses occurring at the filter. In particular, when a further, permeable to the gaseous phase membrane is still provided, which still holds the liquid phase at exceeding the capacity of the liquid phase storing the filter material, the liquid then exiting.

Therefore, the technical problem arises, a Sauggerätevorsatz for wet cleaning of surfaces safe to handle and reliable, especially for use with conventional household vacuum cleaners to make.

This technical problem is solved in the subject matter of claim 1. In this case, the claim 1 is based on a Sauggerätevorsatz, wherein the liquid application device is positionally adjustable against a separately formed Saugkanalgehäuse in which a projecting in a slot-shaped suction mouth suction channel is arranged, the Saugkanalgehäuse the liquid application device is arranged arcuately overlapping and inside the sheet the liquid application device at least one Slide is trapped, which passes through the Saugkanalgehäuse and the upper side of the Saugkanalgehäuses is designed as a handle for adjusting the position. As a result of these constructive features, the liquid application device is initially arcuate-at least partially-covered by the housing of the suction channel, which is formed separately from the liquid application device, and thus also protected. But it is due to the separate design of the Saugkanalgehäuses and the liquid application device latter an essentially independent component, which can be easily. For example, replaced or separated from the housing to cleaning cloths, bristles or the like, for example, to replace. In the sheet interior, ie with respect to a position of use between the surface to be cleaned and the liquid application device covering the suction channel, the liquid application device is trapped on at least one slider. This is possibly a detachable connection or the slider itself is detachable from the Saugkanalgehäuse, which he passes through to be formed on the upper side of the suction housing as a handle for adjusting the position. The above-mentioned different operating positions of the liquid application device are accordingly no longer adjusted by an actuation laterally of Sauggerätsvorsatzes arranged rotary knobs or the like according to EP 0243323, which prove to be particularly disturbing especially on a window frame or corner. Likewise, handling and safety is significantly improved over the Sauggeräte intent described in WO 96/01614.

As already mentioned, a change in position of the liquid application device is provided, for example. From an inactive position with only a Abzieh- and / or Absaugfunktion the Sauggerätevorsatzes without liquid application in a position of use with a suction of the applied cleaning liquid and a further layer in which only cleaning liquid is applied and suction and / or removal does not take place. For such a change in position, a guide is arranged in the sheet inside, in which the liquid application device is slider-controlled linearly displaceable. Despite the arcuate overlap of the liquid application device by a particular specially designed Saugkanalgehäuse a linear displaceability is preferred, since this is a guide is easy to train. It is preferred that - with respect to a system of Sauggerätsvorsatzes in the position of use to a surface to be cleaned- the displacement of the liquid application device a withdrawn behind the suction port inactive position by the force of a spring in a middle work position in which the liquid application device is free of the slider movable against the force of the spring, and from the slider-controlled the liquid application device can be brought into a projecting position of the suction mouth, in which it is supported via the slide against the Saugkanalgehäuse in the direction of displacement. There may be two slides with respect to the preferred working direction transverse thereto at the ends of the liquid applicator. Preferably, however, a central training only a single slider, which then passes through the Saugkanalgehäuse approximately centrally, in which case the slide and possibly the guide between Saugrohrverzweigungen are arranged. Thus, the suction channel itself is not penetrated and sealing problems or the like omitted.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, in which only several embodiments are shown.

In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a first substantially axial longitudinal section through a Sauggerätevorsatz according to the invention for explaining the given flow conditions,

Fig. 2

an enlarged view of the suction port of FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

a bottom view according to the arrow III in Figure 1 with removed liquid application device,

Fig. 4

an axial longitudinal section with the liquid applicator in its inactive position,

Fig. 5

an enlarged view of the guide of the liquid application device according to FIG. 4,

Fig. 6

an axial longitudinal section of the Sauggerätevorsatzes with the liquid application device in a first active position, in which the applied liquid is also sucked,

Fig. 7

an enlarged view of the guide of the liquid application device according to FIG. 6,

Fig. 8

a closed splash valve

Fig. 9

the liquid application device in a position of use projecting the suction orifice, in which only cleaning liquid is applied, but this is not sucked off,

Fig. 1 shows a Sauggerätsvorsatz 1 in a longitudinal section perpendicular to a surface to be cleaned 2, with a liquid applicator 3 in a spring-supported working position.

The liquid application device 3 has its own tank 4 for a cleaning liquid, not further shown. By this measure, it is possible to dispense with a suction line for the cleaning fluid from a suction device. As a result, one of the basic conditions is created to use the Sauggerätevorsatz 1 in conjunction with conventional household vacuum cleaners, for example. A capillary device, here a row of bristles 5, which projects into the tank 4 and is supported on a transverse plate 6, ensures by the capillary effect for a slow, uniform emergence of the cleaning liquid ultimately on the surface to be cleaned 2. The row of bristles 5 is an example by an angle is made of about 45 ° relative to the surface to be cleaned 2, whereby such a bristle row 5 also has a good mechanical cleaning effect comparable to a cockroaches. After emerging from the capillaries formed between the individual bristles, the cleaning liquid wets the back side of a cleaning cloth 7 arranged above the row of bristles 5, which is clamped peripherally in sockets 9 of the liquid application apparatus 3 perpendicular to the usual working direction, represented by the double arrow 8. For this purpose, here is the cleaning cloth 7, for example. A micro-fleece, even at the edges especially at the edges transversely to the working direction 8, with frame cheeks 16 here of round cross-section connected. The frame cheeks 16 are clipped into undercut recesses 17 of the housing of the liquid application device 3.

The liquid application device 3 is displaceable in the double arrow direction 10 in the working position shown in FIG. 1 against the force of a spring 11, which is designed here as a compression spring and is mounted on a pin 12. At the other end, the spring 11 is supported on a pin 13 on a retaining plate 14 of a Saugkanalgehäuses 15.

Within the Saugkanalgehäuses 15, a suction channel 20 is arranged, in which case as the suction channel 20 and the entire discharge of a sucked from the surface to be cleaned 2 liquid-air mixture from a suction mouth 21 through a suction hose 22 to a suction device, not shown., For example usual household vacuum cleaner is understood.

The suction port 21 is, as shown in FIG. 1, formed substantially slit-shaped and parallel in its total extension to the liquid application device 3, i. essentially transversely to the usual working direction 8.

The suction channel housing 15 receiving the suction channel 20, which terminates in the slot-shaped suction mouth 21, covers in an arc shape the liquid application device 3 over an angle of approximately 70 °. In the edge regions transversely to the working direction 8, an overlap can also take place through the suction channel housing 15, but these areas preferably remain free of an overlap and can if necessary be perpendicular to the surface 2 standing cleaning surfaces in contact with, for example, a window frame or the like.

Within the sheet, the liquid application device 3 is trapped on a slider 25 which is centrally formed here and passes through the suction channel housing 15 and on the upper side of the suction channel housing 15 as a handle 26 for adjusting the position of the liquid application device 3 according to FIGS. 4, 6, 9. The slider 25 is formed substantially strip-shaped and has a bend 27 of 180 °, so that the handle 26 can be depressurized in the manner of a protruding leaf spring. By this depression, a latch 28 is brought from the locked position shown in Fig. 1 in a middle of three recesses 29 and is then slidable within a slot 30 in the suction channel 15. The engagement of the bolt 28 in one of the recesses 29 so that three slide positions can be rest assured.

Fig. 4 shows in a comparison with FIG. 1 in the region of the suction mouth 21 offset section the handle 26 in a retracted position. Here, the liquid application device 3 is brought into a retracted behind the suction port 21, inactive position against the force of the spring 11 via the slider 25. In this inactive position, the suction orifice 21 is only with a sealing lip 31 on the surface to be cleaned 2 and can by means of the sealing lip 31 applied cleaning liquid, for example, deducted and / or sucked up. However, an order of cleaning liquid does not take place.

To the liquid application device 3 in the inactive position shown in Fig. 4 against the force of the spring 11th To be able to determine the suction channel housing 15, the slider 25 on the part of the liquid application device 3 a driver 32 from here round cross-section, which extends transversely to the working direction 8, see. Fig. 5. It is the driver 32 in a guide recess 33 gafangen and there in the rest freely movable, see. also FIGS. 6 and 7.

In the inactive position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the driver 32 is located on a boundary surface 34 of the guide recess 33 and prevented by its detection by the bolt 28 in the rear recess 29, a mobility of the liquid applicator 3, in which the slider 25 against the Suction channel housing 15 holds in contact.

By depressing the handle 26 of the locking seat of the bolt 38 is released in the rear recess 29 and the slider 25 can be moved to the central recess 29 back. As a result, the driver 32 releases the boundary surface 34 and, by the force of the relaxing spring 11, the liquid application device 3 is brought into a middle working position according to FIG. 1 or FIGS. 6 and 7. There is now the driver 32 approximately centrally within the guide recess 33, whereby a resilient movement of the liquid application device 3 in the double arrow direction 10 is possible, which is limited by the boundary surfaces 34, 35 but. The displacement of the slider 25 can be performed out, for which purpose lateral, not shown guide portions of the slider 25 are guided in corresponding grooves 36 of the suction channel 15.

Further guides 37, 38 are provided for a slide-controlled linear displaceability of the liquid application device 3 in the sheet inside. The guide 37 consists of an extension piece 39 of the liquid application device 3, which ends in a sliding part 40 of round cross section, which is linearly displaceable in a guide channel 44 of the suction channel 15. Such guides 37 are preferably also arranged endwise with respect to the longitudinal extent of the liquid application device transversely to the working direction according to arrow 8. On the other hand, the guide 38 is preferably provided in the center, cf. Also, Fig. 3. This guide 38 consists of a mushroom head 41 with a hat 42 of round cross-section, which engage in undercut grooves 43 in the liquid application device 3, see. Fig. 7. The flat extent of the hat 42, the formation of the undercut groove 43, the guide recess 33 and the guide channel 44 take place in parallel planes. As a result, with respect to the transverse extent of the liquid application device 3 to the working direction 8 in a central arrangement of the guide 31, a pivoting movement about the central axis 45 of the mushroom head 41 in the rotationally symmetrical design also possible. Such a pivotal movement about the central axis 45 is limited by the stop of the sliding parts 40 provided on the end side against the cover surface 46 of the guide channel 44 or other suitably designed abutment surfaces.

Further displacement of the slider 25 from the position shown in FIG. 6 in the position shown in Fig. 9 brings the driver 32 in abutment with the boundary surface 35. As a result, the liquid application device 3 is brought into a suction mouth 21 projecting position. Is then the latch 28 locked in the front recess 29, the liquid application device 3 is supported via the slide 25 against the suction channel housing 15. Further advancement of the liquid application device 3 can still be limited by stops of the guides 37, 38. In this situation, only a liquid application to the cleaning surface 2 is possible.

The suction device will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The outer cross-sectional area of the suction mouth 21 facing the surface 2 to be cleaned is reduced to a slot-shaped suction nozzle 50 having a width of less than 5 mm, approximately 1.5 mm to 2 mm in relation to a subsequent suction channel section 51. In the suction direction, this cross-sectional constriction has a length which corresponds approximately to its width. Subsequent to the suction nozzle 50, the aspirated liquid-air mixture is deflected a first time, for which purpose in the sealing lip 31, a corner 57 which deflects the direction of flow is formed. In the further course of the suction channel section 51 adjoining the suction nozzle 50, the sealing lip 31 passes directly and steplessly into an inner wall 52 delimiting the suction opening 21. The flow of the aspirated liquid-air mixture is in the further course of the Saugkanalabschnittes 51 once again deflected Z-fömig at the position 54 before the liquid-air mixture enters a suction chamber 53. This deflection 54 by surfaces 55, 56 which are in the shape of a cutting edge, in particular prevents, in conjunction with the formation of the suction nozzle 50, a drop from the suction orifice 21 when the suction device is switched off.

In its longitudinal extension and thus transversely to the working direction 8, the slot-shaped suction mouth is divided into individual suction sections 60, cf. Also Fig. 3 and the different representation in Figs. 1 and 3, which are transversely to the working direction 8 slightly offset in the region of the suction port 21. The subdivision into individual suction sections 60 serve ribs 61 of different height and different angle of attack. The angle of attack with respect to the vertical of FIG. 2 increases with the position of the ribs 61 to the outside, i. towards the lateral edge regions 62 of the suction mouth 21, too. In addition, the length of the suction portions 60 is increased transversely to the working direction 8 to the outside. Through these measures, a uniform suction over the entire extension of the suction orifice 21 is ensured. The ribs 61 thus also encompass a multiplicity of suction channel sections 51 which open in the common suction chamber 53. At the common suction 53 a plurality of, here two Saugrohrverzweigungen 63, 64 are connected, which are shown here only idealized by the combination of lines 65 of the extracted liquid-air mixture flow. Next in the suction direction as indicated by arrow 66, the two Saugrohrverzweigungen 63, 64 substantially represented by the web lines 65 are summarized in a common Saugkanalquerschnitt, shown in Fig. 3 by the node 67.

Since in the embodiment of the slider 25 with respect to the slot-shaped Saugkanalmündung 21, the Saugkanalgehäuse 15 passes approximately centrally, the slider 25 and here the guide 38 between the Saugrohrverzweigungen 63, 64 bordered. The illustration of FIG. 3, in which the liquid application device is not is shown, the mushroom head 41 of the guide 38 lying on the axis 68. Also, the suction channel housing fixed pin 13 on the support plate 14 for the spring 11 can be seen in its central arrangement with respect to the axis 68. It is the pin 13 further between the grooves 36 for the lateral guidance of the slider 25th

Claims (6)

1. Suction appliance attachment (1) for the wet cleaning of surfaces (2), in particular vertical surfaces, with a liquid applicator (3) which can be shifted in position towards a separately constructed suction channel housing (15) in which is arranged a suction channel (20) ending in a slot-shaped suction mouth (21), the suction channel housing (15) being arranged to arcuately overlap the liquid applicator (3), characterised in that the liquid applicator (3) is captured on at least one slide (25) inside the arc, the slide passing through the suction channel housing (15) and being constructed on the upper side of the suction channel housing as a handle (26) for shifting the position.
2. Suction appliance attachment according to claim 1, characterised in that an inner wall (52) defining the suction mouth (21) merges directly and steplessly with a sealing lip (31).
3. Suction appliance attachment (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the outer cross-sectional area of the suction mouth (21) is reduced to a suction nozzle (50) having a width of less than 5 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, compared with an adjoining suction channel section (51), the length of the suction nozzle (50) roughly corresponding to its width in the direction of extraction.
4. Suction appliance attachment (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that inside the arc is arranged a guide (37, 38) in which the liquid applicator (3) is linearly slidable under the control of the slide.
5. Suction appliance attachment (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that sliding of the liquid applicator (3) out of an inactive position retracted behind the suction mouth (21) is effected by the force of a spring (11) into a central working position in which the liquid applicator (3) is freely movable by the slide (25) against the force of the spring (11), and out of which under the control of the slide the liquid applicator (3) can be moved into a position overhanging the suction mouth (21) in which it is supported by means of the slide (25) against the suction channel housing (15).
6. Suction appliance attachment (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the slide (25) passes centrally through the suction channel housing (15) and in that the slide (25) and if occasion arises the guide (38) are arranged between suction pipe branches (63, 64).

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