EP1137361A1

EP1137361A1 - Cleaning machine

Info

Publication number: EP1137361A1
Application number: EP99956458A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Berndt Gustafsson
Original assignee: Noton AB
Current assignee: Noton AB
Priority date: 1998-10-14
Filing date: 1999-10-14
Publication date: 2001-10-04
Also published as: AU1306500A; SE9803535L; WO2000024305A1; SE9803535D0

Abstract

Driver-controlled cleaning machine for cleaning of floors, which cleaning machine comprises two driving wheels (2, 3) and one or several additional wheels (6), at least one battery operated electric motor (4, 5) for the driving wheels, a suction chamber (27) for dry and wet dirt, a dirt receptacle (28), containers (29, 30) for water and cleaner respectively a cleaning device is arranged at the front of the machine. The invention is characterized in that the cleaning device is provided with one or several suction nozzles (24, 25, 26) for suction of wet and dry dirt from the floor, that the cleaning device has one or several spray nozzles, which are connected to said containers and which are intended to diretly or indirectly transmit water and/or cleaner to the floor which is to be cleaned, that the cleaning device also is provided with a number of rotating cleaning rollers (12, 13, 14), that at least one of these is fastened to the cleaning device for cleaning of the floor surface beneath the device, and that at least two (12, 13) of the cleaning rollers are laterally displaceable in opposite directions from the device to widen the cleaning surface of the machine to a maximum width of almost three times the width of the cleaning rollers.

Description

Title

CLEANING MACHINE

The present invention refers to a driver-controlled cleaning machine for cleaning of floors, which cleaning machine comprises two driving wheels and one or several additional wheels, at least one battery operated electric motor for the driving wheels, a suction chamber for dry and wet dirt, a dirt receptacle for storage of received dry and wet dirt, container for water and cleaner respectively and a cleaning device arranged at the front of the machine.

Driver controlled cleaning machines are per se previously known. But these previously known cleaning machines are big and lumbering and intended for cleaning of streets or cleaning of large machinery halls or the like.

In the British patent document 1 049 591 a cleaning machine is described, which design resembles a streetsweaper of the kind used of public cleaning services for cleaning of streets. The European Patent Application EP 0 806 171 A2 describes a cleaning machine comprising two parts, a front part where the driver sits and which part is provided with rotating cleaning brushes and a rear part with a suction unit and a receptacle. The vehicle is long and lumbering and has a complicated controlling mechanism. The cleaning brushes, so called disc brushes, on the front part rotate about verticle axis and grind the ground with the entire brush surfaces. This type of brushing or scrubbing heavily wears the ground and consumes much energy. The pressure of the disc brush against the ground scrathes the floor polish. A cleaning machine according to EP 0806 171 A2 is more suitable for heavy cleaning of industry floors, such as cement floors and the like, than for cleaning of floors in offices, schools, hospitals etc.

Another type of cleaning machines are those where the operator walks beside a machine with disc brush or the like. This type of machine, which has become very common, wears unnecessarily much on the ground and does not clean that effective, but scrathes the floor polish as mentioned above.

The present invention provides a machine which has the advantages and flexibility of manual cleaning at the same time as the quantity and quality of the cleaning are substantially improved. According to the invention this has been achieved by one or several suction nozzles, connected to the suction chamber, provided in the cleaning device for suction of wet and dry dirt from the floor, that the cleaning device has one or several spray nozzles, which are connected to said containers and which are intended to directly or indirectly transmit water and/or cleaner to the floor which is to be cleaned, that the cleaning device also is provided with a number, preferably three, rotating cleaning rollers extending substantially along the whole width of the cleaning device and arranged after each other in its moving direction, that at least one of these is fastened to the cleaning device for cleaning of the floor surface beneath the device, and that at least two of the cleaning rollers are laterally displacable in opposite directions from the device to widen the cleaning surface of the machine to a maximum width of almost three times the width of the cleaning rollers.

According to a specially suitable embodiment, the invention is characterised in that the laterally displacable cleaning rollers with its, in fully extended position inner ends are pivotably connected to the cleaning device, and that elastic means are arranged to counteract with the pivoting of the cleaning rollers, wherein during operation of the cleaning machine these displacable cleaning rollers in its fully extended position yield and is pivoting around its pivoting axis by effect of these elastic means when knocked against hinder, such as columns, table legs etc, and returns to its normal position across the moving direction of the cleaning machine when the hinder has been passed.

In the following the invention will be described with reference to an embodiment, which is shown in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 and 2 schematically show the cleaning machine as a whole in a partially broken view from the side and from above respectively. Figure 3 and 4 show a cleaning roller and to it belonging shield and suction nozzle in section and view from the side respectively. Figure 5 and 6 show in detail the fastening of the cleaning roller to the shield, the driving mechanism of the cleaning roller and the driving motor belonging to it. Figure 7 and 8 show an enlargement of the necessary details for illustration of the lateral displacement of the displacable cleaning rollers and the pivoting motion of the cleaning rollers. Figure 9 and 10 show the elastic fastening of the pivotable cleaning rollers. Figure 11 schematically illustrates the cooperation between suction nozzle, dirt receptacle and suction chamber. Figure 12 shows the suction chamber with belonging ventilator and air filter. On the chassis 1 of the cleaning machine two driving wheels 2, 3 are provided, which are individually driven by means of driving motors 4, 5, one at each wheel. At the rear end of the chassis a pivotable castor wheel 6 is provided. A chair 7 for the driver is fastened on the middle portion of the chassis. The front portion of the chassis consitutes a frame 8 for a footrest. On the frame 8 a attachment frame 9 is suspended, which supports the parts of the cleaning device. The attachment frame is suspended from four pivot arms, of which two 10, 11 are schematically shown in Figure 1. On the frame 8 is provided a not shown activator, with which the attachment frame 9 can be lowered or raised in relation to the frame 8. In its lower position the cleaning device is in contact with the floor, while the cleaning device in the raised position of the frame is entirely lifted from the floor and in a transport position.

In the shown embodiment the cleaning device has three cleaning rollers 12, 13 and 14, which are arranged after each other in the moving direction of the cleaning machine and which extends across the cleaning device along almost the whole width of it. The cleaning rollers are rotatably mounted and are driven by means of separate electric motors 15, 16 and 17, which via worm gears 18, 19 and 20 are mechnically connected to the driving axles of the cleaning rollers. The cleaning rollers are over their entire length enclosed in shields 21, 22 and 23 so that only a peripheral portion of the cleaning rollers extends at the bottom against the floor. The cleaning rollers are arranged to rotate in the same direction as the driving wheels 2, 3 and brush dry and wet dirt up on the suction nozzles 24, 25 and 26 respectively, which are provided on each respective shield behind the cleaning rollers, seen from the forward moving direction of the cleaning machine. The suction nozzles are connected to a suction chamber 27 via a dirt receptacle 28, in which a separation of liquid and major dirt particles, such as sand and gravel particles, is done.

The two front cleaning rollers 12 and 13 are laterally displacable in opposite directions away from the device to widen the cleaning surface of the device, wherein the front cleaning roller 12 in the shown embodiment is displacable to the right and the cleaning roller 13 in the middle is displacable to the left. The third, rear cleaning roller 14 is fastened to the attachment frame 9 of the cleaning device. When the two cleaning rollers at the front are retracted under the attachment frame of the cleaning device, the width of the cleaning machine is suitably about 75 cm, so that the cleaning machine easily can pass through normal door openings. The cleaning width is about 70 cm when the cleaning rollers are in retracted position while the maximum width of the cleaning surface is increased to about 150 cm when the two front cleaning rollers have been fully displaced laterally. The cleaning rollers 12 and 13 which are laterally displacable are adjusted to desired working width, between entirely retracted cleaning rollers and entirely extended.

Under the shields 21, 22 and 23 and above respective cleaning roller are arranged a not shown spray nozzle, which suitably constitutes a perforated tube which extends over the entire length of the cleaning roller, which is connected to the containers 29 and 30, containing water and/or cleanser. A not shown pump is arranged to pump liquid from the containers over the brushes. The liquid is used in wet mopping and cleaning of a floor and during washing of the cleaning brushes. In a supply line from the containers to the perforated tube is near respective connection to said tube arranged a not shown clack valve, which is arranged to open at a certain pressure in the supply lines and close when the pump is stopped and the pressure in the lines decreases. In this way, double draining of liquid over the floor is avoided when a wet cleaning program is finished.

The two front cleaning rollers 12, 13 are, as mentioned above, laterally displacable outside the attachment frame 9 on its both sides. When laterally displacing the cleaning rollers 12, 13 the belonging shields 21 and 22 respectively are withdrawn together with the belonging electric motors 15 and 16 respectively. The cleaning roller 12, shield 13 and motor 15 constitute a unit, which is laterally displacable and which lateral displacement is controlled by the tube 31 and guide bar 32 that is fastened to the attachment frame 9. In the same way the cleaning roller 13, shield 22 and electric motor 16 constitute a unit, which is laterally displacable and which motion is controlled by the tube 33 and the guide bar 32. When said laterally displacable units are in its fully extended positions the units are pivotable around pivoting axis 34 and 35 respectively by effect of elastic means. The suspension of said units in the attachment frame, the displacement function and the rotation function constitute substantial parts of the present invention and will be described, in detail, in the following with reference to more detailed drawings.

The rear cleaning roller 14 with shield 23 and electric motor 17 are fastened to the attachment frame 9 and this cleaning roller are intended to always clean the surface beneath the attachment frame. Beside the driver seat 7 is provided an elbow rest 36, in which the processor of the cleaning machine is situated. The displacement of the cleaning machine is controlled by means of a joystick 37 provided on the elbow rest. The two driving wheels 2, 3 are individually driven by means of respective electric motor 4, 5. By driving the wheels 2 and 3 with different speeds the cleaning machine can be turned. The rear castor wheel 6 is free to turn and follows the motion of the cleaning machine in different directions.

In the processor different cleaning programmes are stored. The elbow rest is provided with a display 38 with a choice button (not shown) with which different cleaning programmes shown on the display can be chosen. The cleaning programmes stored in the processor are based on knowledge and experience from cleaning. The processor, which is of a conventional type and which is not described further can easily be reprogrammed for different cleaning demands.

All cleaning methods, transports, brush cleaning and control functions are programmed into the processor of the machine. By pressing the choice button the different functions will be shown on the display of the machine and by pressing the OK button the operator confirms choice of the shown function.

All functions, such as driving speed, rotation speed of the cleaning rollers, the effect of the suction chamber and the effect of the spray pump have its tried out ideal states for each respective cleaning program to obtain effective cleaning to a minimum energy consumption.

During transport the attachment frame 9 is raised and the cleaning rollers at a distance from the floor and all cleaning functions shut off. The highest speed forward has been chosen to 6 km/h in this embodiment. During reverse the highest speed is lower due to safety reasons.

As mentioned in the introduction said cleaning machines wears too much on the floors. Known cleaning machines have a major surplus capacity and simply wear out the floors and consume a major amount of energy per m². By using conventional disc brushes the pressure against the floor is very high, which results in that for example floor polish is scratched away.

The cleaning machine according to the invention is especially intended for four main types of cleaning programmes, dry mopping, wet mopping, light cleaning and intensive cleaning. In the following some practically tested cleaning programmes are described within said main types, which cleaning programmes have given very good cleaning results and which are lenient to the floor and very power saving.

Dry mopping:

When dry mopping a mechanical treatment of the floor is made by means of the cleaning rollers at the same time as the suction nozzles are active for suction of dry dirt which by the cleaning rollers is brushed against the nozzles. Highest suitable speed during dry mopping is about 2,2 km/h and the rotation speed is about 100 rpm irrespective of the resistance of the floor. The effect of the suction motor is about 75% of maximum capacity while the spray pump is entirely shut off. With this cleaning programme a mechanical treatment of the dirt on the floor is obtained, with the cleaning rollers which is complemented by the suction unit which is assembling the dirt to the dirt receptacle.

When manual mopping irrespective of the type of mop yarn, oil impregnated, static charged mops or traditional cotton yarn used there are still many dirt particles on the floor. The cleaning machine according to the invention gives a substantially better cleaning result than manual mopping and is far more superior when it comes to capacity and cost. With entirely extended cleaning rollers, the cleaning machine according to the invention has a capacity of 3200 m²/h at dry mopping and at said speed.

Wet mopping:

When wet mopping liquid, generally water, is used as dirt carrier. Suitable highest speed during wet mopping is about 1,8 km/h and the rotation speed of the cleaning rollers is suitably about 150 rpm irrespective of the resistance of the floor. The effect of the suction motor is about 85% and the pump motor is pumping out the right amount of water/cleanser. One obtain a mechanical treatment of the dirt on the floor of the cleaning rollers which is complemented by the liquid and the suction unit, which assemble the dirt to the dirt receptacle. The cleaning machine according to the invention gives an essentially better result at wet mopping than manual mopping and is far more superior when it comes to capacity and cost. With entirely extended cleaning rollers, the cleaning machine according to the invention has a capacity of 2700 m²/h at wet mopping. Light cleaning:

When light cleaning the highest suitable speed of the machine is 1 ,6 km/h and the rotation speed of the cleaning rollers are about 240 rpm irrespective of the resistance of the floor. The effect of the suction motor is about 100% and the pump motor is pumping out the right amount of water/cleanser. One obtain a mechanical treatment of the dirt on the floor of the cleaning rollers which are complemented by the liquid and the suction unit, which assemble the dirt to the dirt receptacle. The cleaning machine according to the invention gives an essentially better result at light cleaning than manual mopping and is far more superior when it comes to capacity and cost. With entirely extended cleaning rollers, the cleaning machine according to the invention has a capacity of 2400 m²/h.

Intensive cleaning:

The programme intensive cleaning is identical to the light cleaning except for the cleaning rollers which during intensive cleaning are adjusted so that they brush the same surface after each other.

Brush cleaning:

The machine cleans the brushes automatically after each finished cleaning. Brush cleaning can also be activated by the operator, for example when going to clean a new space, such as another department of a hospital. According to a suitable programme the cleaning of the cleaning roller/brushes takes about 2 minutes and works as follows: The cleaning machine stand still and the rotation speed of the brushes is about 100 rpm. The effect of the suction motor is 100% and the pump motor runs simultaneously and sprays water and disinfectant for about 1 minute. Afterwards the pump motor are shut off and the rotation speed of the cleaning rollers increases to 240 rpm and the suction motor continues running at 100% for 45 seconds. The motors of the cleaning rollers shut off and the suction motor runs further at 100% within about 15 seconds.

Besides the different cleaning programmes it would be suitable if the following could be shown on the display of the cleaning machine: 1. Clock showing the current time. 2. Time measurement device that registers the number of hours the driving motor has been working. 3. B attery indicator. 4. Error indicator for the power supply system, which cautions at too high or too low power consumption of the motors of cleaning rollers and spray equipment.

5. Suction indicator, which cautions at too high or too low power consumption of the suction motor. The suction motor is shut off. 6. Overflow guard for the dirt receptacle. Cautions and shuts off the suction motor. 7. Indicators that display when the machine is out of water/cleanser.

Figure 3 and 4 shows the interaction between a cleaning roller 12 and a suction foot 25. The cleaning roller rotates in the same direction as the driving wheels, i. e clockwise in Figure 3. The cleaning roller, which for example can constitute in radially directed bristle, catches the dirt particles and transmits them backwards up to the above of the suction foot, where the dirt particles are sucked into the suction inlet 39. As the suction foot does not need to suck particles direct from the floor, the suction effect needed is lower than for example traditional vaccum cleaner nozzles.

The diameter of the bristle is suitably about 100 mm and the width of the brush/cleaning roller is 550 mm. As the brush/cleaning roller is cylindrical the pressure on the bristle, which is in contact with the floor, high which means that the bristle is pushed down in cavities and joints in the floor surface.

The cleaning machine is suitable for all types of floors, even non-slip floors, clinker and natural stone. The cleaning rollers also works good on some textile carpets, such as needle felt carpets. The cleaning rollers can comprise brushes with different grades of hardness of the bristle for use on hard and soft floors respectively. Insted of bristle, the active cylindrical outer part of the cleaning rollers can be made of plastic foam.

As seen in Figure 4 the suction foot extends troughout the entire width of the cleaning roller and via the connection piece 40 connected to the not shown suction lines for connection with the suction chamber 27 via the dirt receptacle 28, as will be further described in the following.

The suction foot has got an inclined heel 41, in which suction openings 42 are provided. Behind the suction foot, near the heel a rubber list 43 is provided which extends over the entire width of the suction foot and which is intended to come to close contact with the surface of the floor for catching up eventual wet and dry dirt still on the floor, i. e dirt which has not been brushed to the above of the foot by the cleaning roller. Dirt collected by the rubber list is effectively sucked into the suction openings 42. In Figure 3 the suction near the above of the suction foot and heel has been marked with arrows.

The cleaning roller 12, shield 21 , to it belonging electric motor 15 and gearbox 18 are, as seen in Figure 5 and 6, connected to a unit. The driving axle 44 from the gearbox/worm gear is mechanically coupled to the driving axle 45 of the cleaning roller 12, which extends through a support tube 46. The driving axle 45 has a more narrow threaded end portion 47. Furthermore, the driving axle has a through hole for a tap 48 in the end of the wider portion. The cleaning roller or bristle 12 is comprised of a cylindrical portion 49 and bristle 50 outstanding from it. The inner end of the bristle, i. e the end that, when the cleaning unit is fully extended, is placed closest to the attachment frame 9 of the cleaning device, is arranged on a holder 51 provided on the tube 46. Another end holder 52 is provided in the other end of the cleaning roller and is provided with a central hole for the axle spindle 47 and a diametrical groove for receiving of the tap 48. The end holder is screwed to the axle spindle 47 by means of a nut. The transmission of force from the driving axle 45 to the cleaning roller/brush for rotation of the same is consequently done via the tap 48 and the end holder 52. On the end portion 53 of the shield 21 is provided a conical device 54, which suits in a corresponding recess in the end holder 52. By the arrangement of this conical device the entire unit, brush and shield become very stable. Eventually, a support wheel can be provided on the end portion 53, which is in contact with the ground while the machine is running.

At the inner end of the cleaning unit a U- formed clamp 55 is welded on the support tube 46. On the inner end portion of the shield 21 the gearbox and the electric motor 15 arranged. The whole unit with cleaning roller, shield, motor and gearbox is suspended at the clamp 55, which is fixed to a pivotably arranged part, which in turn is displacably arranged across the attachment frame 9.

The pivotably mounting of the cleaning unit and the displacement mechanism will be further described in the following with reference to Figure 7 and 8, where Figure 7 shows the crucial parts of this mechanism seen from below in a perspective view and Figure 8 shows the same parts in a perspective view from above. In Figur 7 and 8 some parts have been taken away to make it easier to understand. The entire mechanism shown in Figure 7 and 8 are mounted in the lowable and raisable attachment frame 9. On the tube 31 across the attachment frame, a tube sleeve 57 is arranged slidably along the tube. A carrier arm 58 are screwed to a part 59 welded on the tube sleeve 57, see Figure 9. The other end of the carrier arm is fixed to an inner tube sleeve 62, which is not shown in Figure 7 and 8 but is shown in Figure 9 and 10 and comprises two separate parts 60 and 61. The inner tube sleeve is arranged in an outer tube sleeve 62, which is welded to the slidable tube sleeve 57. The lower portion of the inner tube sleeve 61 is fixed to a U-formed clamp 63, which suits over the clamp 55, which is fixed to the support tube 46 in the cleaning unit, and which is connected to the clamp 55 for supporting the cleaning unit. The pivotably mounting of the cleaning unit on the carrier arm 58 will be further described in the following with reference to Figure 9 and 10.

On the slidable tube sleeve 57 is welded a substantially L-formed carrier plate 64, which is connected to a plate 65 by means of not shown bolts. Between the two plates are supported a driving motor 66 with worm gear (not shown), which driving motor is arranged for displacement of the slidable sleeve 57 along the tube 31 and thus for displacement of the cleaning unit across the attachment frame 9. The driving motor 66 drives a gear wheel 67, which is in involvement with a rack 68 arranged on the underside of the guide bar 32. On the plate 65 is arranged a support sleeve 69, which is in involvement with the top face of the guide bar 32 for holding of the gear wheel 67 in involvement with the rack 68.

The two front cleaning rollers can thus be laterally displaced out from the attachment frame 9 as described above. In normal extended position the cleaning roller 12 in Figure 7 are directed perpendicular to the left. The cleaning unit, comprising cleaning roller 12 and motor 15 are pivotably arranged around a central axis of the tube sleeve 62. Because the cleaning unit can only be pivoted in its fully extended position when hitting a hinder, the cleaning roller will not actually be pivoted inside the attachment frame. Figure 7 and 8 only show the principle of the lateral displacement of the cleaning unit and the cleaning roller is shown in an inward position from considerations of space.

The two front cleaning rollers are, as mentioned above, in their fully extended position pivotable by effect of a spring. This, for the invention substantial, pivot mechanism will be further decribed in connection to Figure 9 and 10. The clamp 63, which is fixed to the clamp 55 on the cleaning unit comprising the cleaning roller 12, is fixed to the bottom portion 61 of the inner tube sleeve and also fixed to a spring bar 70. Around this and inside the divided inner sleeve is arranged another sleeve 71 , which at the bottom has a spring stop 72 for a compression spring 73 provided on the spring bar 70. At the free end of the spring bar is provided a nut for stretching the spring to a suitable prestress. The upper portion of the sleeve 71 is connected to the support plate 58 by a stop device 74. Between the outer sleeve 62 and the divided tube sleeve is arranged bushings 75 and 76.

When the cleaning unit in its extended position hits a hinder the entire cleaning unit is pivoted around the centre axis of the spring bar and the clamp 63 is withdrawn in the pivoting motion. By that the lower portion 61 of the divided inner tube sleeve also rotates around its centre axis. The divided tube sleeve has been cut by laser in an angle of 30 degrees upwards a half revolution around the sleeve, after which the cut is continued a half revolution downwards with the same angle back to the beginning point. The laser has cut with a right angle against the surface throughout the motion around the sleeve, i. e so that the cutting surface is always in right-angle to the centre axis. When rotating the clamp and the lower portion 61, the lower portion 61 is displaced downwards in relation to the upper portion 60 irrespective of at which direction the clamp is pivoted. The motion downwards is caused by that the inclined cutting surfaces is sliding along each other. When the lower portion 61 of the divided sleeve is displaced downwards the spring bar 70 is withdrawn, by which the spring is compressed between the nut and the spring stop device 72. The rotation of the cleaning unit thus counteracts with the compression spring and when the resistance from the hinder against the cleaning unit ceases this will return by the spring force.

In Figure 11 the suction function of the cleaning machine is shown in its entirety. Dry and wet dirt is sucked via the suction foot 25 into the dirt receptacle 28, where larger dirt particles are caught in the neat container 77 and liquid is assembled at the bottom of the dirt receptacle (furtherst to the right in the figure). Air and minor dirt particles is sucked forward to the suction chamber 27, in which a fan is provided. The air that is sucked into the suction chamber is blown out through a filter 78, which suitably comprises a folded micro filter with a large filter surface. By the large filter surface an effective cleaning of the air is done, by which the cleaning machine also works as air cleaner. At the outlet of the dirt receptacle near 79 is provided a floating body which seals the outlet when the liquid level in the dirt receptacle is to high.

The suction chamber 27 is shown in detail in Figure 12. Inside the outer walls (not shown) of the suction chamber is provided sound insulating material 81, which absorbs the sound of the fan. The suction chamber has such inner dimensions that it works as the sound damper of a car, i. e the acoustic waves are disintegrated against the walls. It has also been shown that the labyrinth like outlet 82 from the suction chamber helps decreasing the sound level. Measurements have shown that a fan motor with a sound level of about 80 decibel free can be decreased to about 50 decibel in the above described suction chamber.

The invention is not limited to above described embodiment but several modifications are possible within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

PATENTKRAV

1. Driver-controlled cleaning machine for cleaning of floors, which cleaning machine comprises two driving wheels (2, 3) and one or several additional wheels (6), at least one battery operated electric motor (4, 5) for the driving wheels, a suction chamber (27) for dry and wet dirt, a dirt receptacle (28) for storage of received dry and wet dirt, containers (29, 30) for water and cleaner respectively and a cleaning device arranged at the front of the machine, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that the cleaning device is provided with one or several suction nozzles (24, 25, 26) connected to the suction chamber, for suctioning of wet and dry dirt from the floor, that the cleaning device has one or several spray nozzles, which are connected to said containers and which are arranged to directly or indirectly transmit water and/or cleaner to the floor which is to be cleaned, that the cleaning device is also provided with a number, preferably three, rotating cleaning rollers (12, 13, 14) extending substantially along the entire width of the cleaning device and arranged after each other in its moving direction, that at least one of these is fastened to the cleaning device for cleaning of the floor surface beneath the device, and that at least two (12, 13) of the cleaning rollers are laterally displacable in opposite directions away from the device to widen the cleaning surface of the machine to a maximum width of almost three times the width of the cleaning rollers.

2. Cleaning machine according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that the laterally displacable cleaning rollers with its, in fully extended position inner ends are pivotably connected to the cleaning device, and that elastic means are arranged to counteract with the rotation of the cleaning rollers, wherein during operation of the cleaning machine these displacable cleaning rollers in its fully extended position yield and is pivoting around its pivoting axis by effect of these elastic means when knocked against hinder, such as columns, table legs etc, and return to its normal position across the moving direction of the cleaning machine when the hinder has been passed.

3. Cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in, that each cleaning roller comprised in the cleaning machine has a separate electric motor for driving of each respective cleaning roller.

4. Cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that each cleaning roller is contained within a shield, so that only a peripheral portion for cleaning of the floor extends from the shield, that the cleaning rollers are arranged to rotate in the same rotation direction as the driving wheels, and that said nozzle for suction of dry and wet dirt is arranged on said shields behind the cleaning rollers seen in the forward moving direction.

5. Cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the cleaning rollers along their entire length has an outer sleeve formed part, which periphery rolls on the floor when the cleaning rollers are rotated during operation of the machine.

6. Cleaning machine according to claim 5, characterized in, that the outer sleeve formed part of the cleaning rollers constitutes a sleeve of foam-rubber or the like.

7. Cleaning machine according to claim 5, characterized in, that the sleeve formed part of the cleaning rollers constitutes a brush with radially outstanding bristle.

8. Cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the cleaning rollers are pivotably arranged by effect of a vertical compression spring, which is arranged around the pivoting axis and compressed during pivoting of the cleaning rollers.

9. Cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the cleaning machine comprises a control unit, which is dependent of the cleaning programme that the driver has chose, is arranged for adjustment of different functions, such as driving speed, rotation speed of the cleaning rollers, suction effect, spray effect and more.

10. Cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the suction chamber comprises fan motor and filter, and that the suction chamber is formed so that the acoustic waves are disintegrated inside the suction chamber with silencing of noise as result.

11. Cleaning machine according to claim 11 , characterized in, that the filter surfaces are very large and that the filters comprise micro filters, wherein air which is passing through said filters is effectively cleaned.

12. Cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the suction nozzles have an, towards the peripheral portion of the cleaning roller, extending foot, on which upper side is arranged a suction inlet, wherein the cleaning rollers brush up dry and wet dirt on the upper side of the suction foot for suction into said suction inlet.

13. Cleaning according to claim 12, characterized in, that the heel of the suction foot is inclined, upwards backwards and that other suction inlets are arranged on the inclined heel and that behind the heel is arranged one, against the floor dragged lip, wherein eventually not caught dry and wet dirt are assembled by the lip and sucked into said other suction inlet.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 29 February 2000 (29.02.00); original claims 1-13 replaced by new claims 1-13

(3 pages)]

1. Dπver-controlled cleaning machine for cleaning of floors, which cleaning machine comprises two driving wheels (2, 3) and one or several additional wheels (6), at least one battery operated electric motor (4, 5) for the dπvmg wheels, a suction chamber (27) for dry and wet dirt, a dirt receptacle (28) for storage of received dry and wet dirt, containers (29, 30) for water and cleaner respectively and a cleanmg device arranged at the front of the machme, wherein the cleamng device is further provided with

- one or several suction nozzles (24, 25, 26) connected to the suction chamber, for suctionmg of wet and dry dirt from the floor,

- one or several spray nozzles, which are connected to said containers and which are arranged to directly or indirectly transmit water and/or cleaner to the floor which is to be cleaned, and

- a number, preferably three, rotating cleanmg rollers (12, 13, 14) extending substantially along the entire width of the cleamng device and arranged after each other m its moving direction, where at least one of the rotating cleamng rollers is fastened to the cleanmg device for cleanmg of the floor surface beneath the device, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that at least two (12, 13) of the cleamng rollers are laterally adjustably displaceable m opposite directions away from the device by a motor, whereby the cleamng surface of the machme is adjustably widenable to a maximum width of almost three times the width of the cleamng rollers.

2. Cleamng machme according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that the laterally displacable cleamng rollers with its, m fully extended position inner ends are pivotably connected to the cleanmg device, and that elastic means are arranged to counteract with the rotation of the cleanmg rollers, wherein durmg operation of the cleanmg machme these displacable cleanmg rollers in its fully extended position yield and is pivoting around its pivotmg axis by effect of these elastic means when knocked agamst hinder, such as columns, table legs etc, and return to its normal position across the moving direction of the cleanmg machme when the hinder has been passed.

3. Clea ng machme accordmg to claim 1 or 2, c h a ra c t e r i z e d i n, that each cleamng roller compπsed m the cleamng machme has a separate electπc motor for dπvmg of each respective cleamng roller.

4. Cleamng machme accordmg to any of the precedmg claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n, that each cleamng roller is contained withm a shield, so that only a penpheral portion for cleanmg of the floor extends from the shield, that the cleamng rollers are arranged to rotate m the same rotation direction as the dπvmg wheels, and that said nozzle for suction of dry and wet dirt is arranged on said shields behmd the cleanmg rollers seen m the forward movmg direction

5 Cleamng machme accordmg to any of the precedmg claims, characterized in, that the cleamng rollers along their entire length has an outer sleeve formed part, which periphery rolls on the floor when the cleanmg rollers are rotated during operation of the machme

6. Cleanmg machme according to claim 5, characterized in, that the outer sleeve formed part of the cleamng rollers constitutes a sleeve of foam-rubber or the like

7 Cleanmg machme accordmg to claim 5, characterized in, that the sleeve formed part of the cleanmg rollers constitutes a brush with radially outstanding bπstle

8. Cleanmg machme accordmg to any of the precedmg claims, characterized i , that the cleanmg rollers are pivotably arranged by effect of a vertical compression spring, which is arranged around the pivoting axis and compressed during pivoting of the cleanmg rollers

9 Cleanmg machme accordmg to any of the precedmg claims, characterized in, that the cleanmg machme compπses a control unit, which is dependent of the cleanmg programme that the dπver has chose, is arranged for adjustment of different functions, such as dπvmg speed, rotation speed of the cleanmg rollers, suction effect, spray effect and more

10. Cleamng machme accordmg to any of the precedmg claims, characterized i , that the suction chamber compπses fan motor and filter, and that the suction chamber is formed so that the acoustic waves are disintegrated mside the suction chamber with silencing of noise as result

11. Cleanmg machme accordmg to claim 10, characterized in, that the filter surfaces are very large and that the filters compπse micro filters, wherem air which is passmg through said filters is effectively cleaned

12. Cleanmg machme accordmg to any of the precedmg claims, characterized in, that the suction nozzles have an, towards the penpheral portion of the cleamng roller, extendmg foot, on which upper side is arranged a suction inlet, wherem the cleanmg rollers brash up dry and wet dirt on the upper side of the suction foot for suction mto said suction inlet.

13. Cleanmg accordmg to claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i , that the heel of the suction foot is inclined, upwards backwards and that other suction inlets are arranged on the mclmed heel and that behmd the heel is arranged one, against the floor dragged lip, wherem evenmally not caught dry and wet dirt are assembled by the lip and sucked mto said other suction mlet.