EP0978249A2 - Apparatus for treating surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

The floor cleaning or polishing device has an electric motor (2) used for driving at least 2 horizontal rotating sections (3), e.g. brushes or drive plates, in opposite directions. The motor and the rotating sections respectively positioned on the upper and lower sides of a carrier plate (1) provided with a pivoted handle (5) which is free to move in all directions.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for treating surfaces, especially for cleaning and polishing them.

Various types of devices for treating surfaces, in particular for cleaning and polishing these are from the prior art known. For example, devices are known which have a rotating disk, a Drive plate or a brush with a motor above it included. Here are attached to the motor and rotary disc holding devices, by means of which the device can be moved. The disadvantage of such Device is that it is very difficult and therefore a cleaning progress in is essentially set in a linear lateral direction and only difficult in a forward / backward direction. Also can not be quick and intervene directly in the direction of movement. Another disadvantage of this Equipment is that the holding devices or operating handles are rigid during operation are fixed and therefore no cleaning of hard-to-reach places, e.g. Corners or areas below a steep slope, etc. do not take place can.

Other devices for treating surfaces are known, one Have rotating disc and either additionally on wheels or one Chassis are guided. These devices are disadvantageous because they are additional Has wheels or chassis and their production is therefore relatively expensive.

Furthermore, devices are known from the prior art, the two or more counter rotating discs, with a motor above it is arranged. In these devices, the motor and the counter rotating Discs viewed from the outside as one unit, formed by one Housing is attached and in turn holding devices attached by means of which the cleaning device can be moved. With these cleaning devices finds cleaning in a forward / backward direction of travel instead of. The direction of cleaning is also specified here.

Furthermore, this device is also large and bulky, making it more difficult to access Places as well as lower places cannot be cleaned.

The motorized cleaning and cleaning known from the prior art Polishing machines are basically designed so that large, smooth, easily accessible Areas that are easy to treat, essentially without angles and slopes. Such devices are therefore mainly for use on a large area Treatment of surfaces as suitable in industrial buildings and less for use in more winding areas, such as in offices and hospital rooms or occur in the household.

Furthermore, the devices of the prior art described cannot be used for a vertical application can be used because of its overall dimensions and the heavy weight of the device is impossible to certain places To gain access.

Motor-operated cleaning devices are therefore also known from the prior art rotating disks known that can be moved as a whole, rigid.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a motorized treatment device of surfaces, in particular cleaning, which is more mobile than that of the prior art and by means of which a treatment of surfaces can also be carried out in poorly accessible places without as a result the area performance is lost and possibly the further disadvantages of the prior art are at least partially avoided.

• einen Elektromotor, der mindestens zwei im wesentlichen horizontal jeweils gegenläufig rotierende Abschnitte antreibt; und,
• eine ein in mindestens zwei Richtungen bewegliches Gelenk aufweisende Haltevorrichtung

aufweist. The object of the present invention is achieved by a device for treating surfaces, in particular cleaning them, which

• an electric motor which drives at least two sections rotating essentially in opposite directions, essentially horizontally; and,
• a holding device having a joint which is movable in at least two directions

having.

No devices are known from the prior art with which a treatment made of surfaces in a combination of forward / backward and sideways can be, which can also be changed quickly, so that does not need to be cleaned in a mainly linear direction. Also inclined and vertical surfaces can be used with devices of the prior art due to the weight and unwieldiness not to be treated.

The advantage here is that by means of the joint of the holding device, a lot more mobile device for treating surfaces, in particular for Clean this is created. The fact that a joint is attached can the device overall can also be operated far away from the operator what is particularly advantageous in areas that are difficult to access. This is particularly so the case when the holding device is a style. There Such a style is very thin and can be kinked severely Inaccessible areas up to a distance that is almost the length of the style correspond and low height, can be achieved. This style can also be preferred be telescopic. However, it could easily be made up of several removable sections exist, depending on the use of the device and the Size of the operator can be removed or added accordingly. In certain applications, the style can preferably also be flexible become.

It is particularly favorable here if that between the holding device and the Support plate arranged joint is movable in all directions. So it can Device for treating surfaces, especially for cleaning easily be moved, the cleaning advantageously in any direction and in any directional combination of the device can be carried out because the Device can be moved easily and directly to all sides. Especially It is favorable if the cleaning is carried out from side to side, namely Device is arranged in the longitudinal direction. Ends the surface to be treated laterally, then by means of the joint that can be moved in all directions Device turned on the surface to be treated rotated by 180 ° and then be moved in the other direction. So with one liquid, round movement the device easily, easily moved away from everyone become. Furthermore, despite the mobility or precisely because of the mobility a high area performance can be achieved.

The power supply of the electric motor of the device can, for example, by means of a Cable that is connected to an external power source take place. Just like that the electric motor could also be operated by means of an accumulator or battery become.

The drive of the at least two sections rotating horizontally in opposite directions by means of the electric motor can be done by anyone known to the person skilled in the art Arrangement, preferably by a gear arrangement or a belt arrangement happen.

Four rotating in opposite directions are preferred by means of the electric motor Sections driven. However, it would be an order of six as well Sections conceivable. Eight or ten sections are also advantageous if by means of the device should effectively clean large areas and their Weight is still relatively low. Here, the arrangement of the rotating sections either side by side, offset, depending on the type of treatment next to each other or in succession.

These rotating sections can be replaced. It is special here preferred if replacing these sections is easy can be. The exchange can therefore preferably be carried out by unscrewing performed against the direction of rotation or by plugging and snapping become.

Thus, according to the invention, a device is created that has very small dimensions has and its weight is also low. It is preferred if the device without the holding device has dimensions that are smaller are as 1.2 m x 0.5 m x 0.7 m (width x depth x height). Particularly preferred the dimensions of the device according to the invention are below 1 m x 0.4 m x 0.5 m. Dimensions are particularly preferred for use in the household, those below 0.7 m x 0.3 m x 0.4 m are advantageous. Particularly advantageous are devices whose dimensions are below 0.5 m x 0.2 m x 0.3 m.

The weight of the device is preferably below 20 kg. Particularly preferred the weight of the device according to the invention is less than 15 kg and it is particularly advantageous if the device weighs less than 10 kg.

It is therefore preferably a device that is relatively small Has weight and has small dimensions and is therefore easy to handle is. The device according to the invention is intended for an optimal cleaning result but also not less than a certain minimum weight, because a certain, pressure generated by the weight of the device according to the invention to the treating surface for a better cleaning or polishing result leads.

The device according to the invention preferably has a carrier plate. It can thus the electric motor can be arranged on the carrier plate. Conveniently can then the translation means, such as a gear arrangement or Belt arrangement can be included in the carrier plate.

The holding device is advantageously arranged on the carrier plate. Thereby, that the holder is attached to a support plate can be much more direct Movement of the device can be influenced. The treatment device of surfaces becomes very agile. The weight distribution is also like this also very good, so that an optimal cleaning result can be achieved.

If the rotational speed of the counter-rotating Sections is variable, the device according to the invention can be operated at a speed be operated that optimally match the conditions of the environment, such as surface quality, sensitivity, degree of contamination, Polishing strength, etc. can be adjusted.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, they are in opposite directions rotation-operated sections of the device drive plate. Are the sections formed as a drive plate, the surface to be treated can be cleaned, for example, polished or otherwise treated. Here, for example. a wax, a cleaning agent or similar in addition to the one to be processed Area to be applied.

It is advantageous if pads suitable for cleaning are applied to the drive plates are. These pads are, for example, familiar to the expert in the cleaning industry usual pads. They preferably have microfibers or synthetic fibers on and can also be mixed with grinding or polishing agents to achieve abrasion.

If the pads that can be cleaned are interchangeable, one and the same can Drive plate used for cleaning an entire hospital the pads are removed after cleaning a room and separately can be cleaned and therefore possibly can be reused several times can and simply clean new pads on the next room Drive plate are applied. The pads can preferably be on the drive plate by means of Velcro, an insertion device, a push button be attached.

Furthermore, the sections rotating in opposite directions can also Be brushing. This embodiment is particularly favorable when uneven areas should be treated.

If the holding device of the device according to the invention is a switch has, it can be easily switched on and off, which in particular can be advantageous when operating in hard-to-reach places. Becomes selected an external power supply to operate the electric motor, so the switch, for example, also on the cable leading to the power source be included. This switch is preferably designed so that it also for Adjustment of the speed of rotation of the rotating sections can serve.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, there are more on the carrier plate Surface treatment agent attached. This surface treatment agent can have natural or synthetic fibers suitable for cleaning. This means can either be permanently attached to the border of the carrier plate or preferably by means of a detachable connection, such as a Velcro fastener, push buttons, Hooks are attached to the lateral circumference of the carrier plate. It would be however, it is also conceivable that these surface treatment agents, for example rigid frames are attached and so easy in designated holders can be hung. Such an embodiment has the advantage that detergent so attached better with the movement of the invention Device can vibrate, i.e. in case of unevenness of the can easily resonate with the surface to be treated or permanently can apply constant pressure to the ground.

Can the holding device of the device according to the invention in a rigid Position can be determined, the device can, for example, also in vertical or oblique work applications are used and not just horizontal. Here, the holding device could, for example, by means of a clip on the electric motor are attached, but it would also be conceivable a mechanism by means of which Holding device locked in a certain position and thus determined can be.

The device according to the invention can advantageously be used as a cleaning device be used. If desired, cleaning solution can either can be applied directly to the area to be cleaned, but it is also possible that a container is provided on the device according to the invention which contains detergent and any of these which are familiar to the person skilled in the art Way to the area to be cleaned may about the counter-rotating ones Sections. Preferably, the holding device of the invention Device a spray container be attached to the detergent contains. Using this spray container, detergent can be cleaned Area to be fed.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention can also be used as a polishing device become. Whereby as already described above with regard to the cleaning solution various types that are known to the person skilled in the art, added polishing agents and could be used.

Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 2 eine schematische teilweise geschnittene Ansicht von vorne eines Teils einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung; und in

Fig. 3 eine bevorzugte Ausgestaltung der Erfindung

dargestellt ist.In the following, the invention will be described on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawing, wherein in

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic partially sectioned front view of part of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and in

Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention

is shown.

With reference to FIG. 1, a device according to the invention can be seen with a Carrier plate (1), an electric motor (2) arranged above it, the four arranged horizontally in opposite directions below the carrier plate Sections (3), preferably drive plates or brushes. On the carrier plate (1) the holding device (5) is attached via a joint (4). On the holding device a switch (6) is also attached.

Fig. 2 shows schematically and partially in section the carrier plate (1) with a arranged above the housing (11), in which the electric motor (2) is contained. Furthermore, the cleaning device with brushes is in this embodiment (3) equipped. These in turn rotate in opposite directions. In this embodiment the drive finds rotation-operated sections (3), here brushes; by translation means (7) arranged in the carrier plate (1), in the present embodiment according to the invention gears instead, which in turn Drive the bearings (13) on which the brushes are attached. It 2 that a switch (6) is arranged on the housing (11), by means of the cleaning device according to the invention, simply with the foot can be switched on and off. 3 shows an inventive one Cleaning device, the additional surface treatment agent (8) having.

An example of the additional surface treatment agents (8) that additional can be attached to the carrier plate (1) is shown in Fig. 3. It is a kind of "wreath" (9) shown, which corresponds to the circumference of the carrier plate (1) the cleanable agent (10) made of natural or synthetic fibers are attached. the rim (9) is in this embodiment on the inside with a Velcro (12) and can so on the side edge of the support plate (1) on which the Counterpart to the Velcro fastener (12) is attached to the inside of the wreath become. A kind of "mop ring" would then be arranged around the support plate, which is an additional cleaning or an additional polishing of the to be treated Surface causes.

Although the invention is described on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments , it is by no means limited to these, but includes all that Variations and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art, such as those under the Protection area of the protection claims fall.

Claims (16)

Device for treating surfaces, in particular for cleaning or polishing them, the an electric motor 2 which drives at least two sections 7 rotating essentially in opposite directions, each horizontally; and, a holding device 5 having a joint 4 which can move in at least two directions having. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint 4th is movable in all directions. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a Has carrier plate 1. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that in the Carrier plate 1 translation means 7 are included. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the Holding device 5 is arranged on the carrier plate 1. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the rotational speed of each opposing rotation-operated sections 7 is variable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the counter-rotating sections 7 Are drive plates. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that on the Drive pads suitable for cleaning pads are applied. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the pads suitable for cleaning are interchangeable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the counter-rotating sections 7 Are brushes. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the holding device 5 has a switch 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that on the carrier plate 1 additional Surface treatment agent 8, in particular for cleaning are attached. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the on the Carrier plate 1 attached surface treatment agent suitable for cleaning Have natural or synthetic fibers 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the holding device 5 is fixed in a rigid position can be. Use of the device according to one of the preceding claims for treating surfaces, according to one of the preceding claims as Cleaning device. Use device according to one of claims 1 to 14 for Treating surfaces according to one of the preceding claims as Polisher.

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