EP1949836B1 - Cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

The cleaning device has a multiple brush-shaped cleaning elements (11), which are arranged at a common swiveling support (13) and supplied to the fluid, particularly water, which is displaced in rotary manner by using cleaning device. A driving device is provided, which is subjected by the supplied fluid, in order to shift the cleaning elements in rotation.

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning device, in particular a portable hand cleaner, with a plurality of brush-like cleaning members, which are arranged on a common carrier.

Such devices are basically known, for example DE 10 2004 034 819 B3 , The AT 383 954 B discloses a cleaning device in the form of pliers for venetian blinds, the gripping arms abut while moving along the top and bottom of a blade at this.

The object of the invention is to develop a device of the type mentioned in such a way that it is easy to handle and versatile.

The solution of this object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

By the invention, a cleaning fluid can be used simultaneously as a rotary drive for the cleaning institutions.

The kinetic energy of the supplied fluid is used to pressurize a drive means, ie use of the recoil principle is not required. The rotary drive of the cleaning devices is based on the Schaufelrad- or turbine principle, ie, the kinetic energy of the supplied fluid is used by the fluid cooperates with a blade or turbine wheel and this set in rotation.

The advantage here is that the drive is independent of the design of the cleaning organs and e.g. as part of a modular construction of the cleaning device with differently shaped cleaning parts, e.g. Brush parts, can be coupled to realize different applications.

A special feature of the invention is the possible modular construction of the cleaning organs. Each cleaning member comprises a brush part designed as a cleaning part, which rotates during operation relative to the carrier of the cleaning device, and a drive compartment, with which the cleaning part is replaceably coupled, via which the module can be attached to the carrier and which serves with one or more Fluid supply to communicate to convert the incoming fluid in the desired rotational movement of the cleaning part. The drive part of each module comprises a paddle or turbine wheel, which is acted on by the fluid entering the module or the drive part, in order in this way to be rotated and thus to set the cleaning part or brush part in rotation.

Several modules may be mounted on a common carrier according to one aspect of the invention. The number of modules is basically not limited. Restrictions can at best be given by the design of the carrier or the fluid supply means. In particular, the carrier or the fluid supply devices can be designed such that only at a certain number of connection points modules can be supplied with fluid.

One and the same module can preferably be used together with other modules in a cleaning device in which a plurality of cleaning devices are provided, as well as in isolation, i. as the sole module of a cleaning device. The mode of operation of the modules is therefore independent of whether additional modules are provided on the respective cleaning device or not.

In particular, each of the modules may be configured to be usable on an envelope, i. can be coupled in two different orientations with the carrier or the fluid supply device. In this way, different directions of rotation of the cleaning part relative to the carrier can be achieved simply by coupling the module to the carrier or the fluid supply device either in one orientation or in the other orientation. Depending on the orientation, in particular a different direction then results for the loading of a blade or turbine wheel of the module provided in the drive device. Furthermore, it is possible, when using a plurality of modules, to couple a module in a first orientation and a further module in a second orientation to the carrier or the fluid supply device. Two simultaneously operated modules can be operated in this way in opposite directions, which arise during use resulting torques at least partially and a "migration effect" of the cleaning device during use is at least largely avoided.

Possible developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawing:

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine andere perspektivische Ansicht der Reinigungsvorrichtung von Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Antriebseinrichtung der Reinigungsvorrichtung von Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

eine mögliche Ausführungsform für eine mit einem Getriebe versehene Antriebseinrichtung gemäß der Erfindung,

Fig. 5

zwei Ansichten einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung, und

Fig. 6 bis 11

weitere mögliche Ausgestaltungen einer Reinigungsvorrichtung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

another perspective view of the cleaning device of Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a drive device of the cleaning device of Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4

a possible embodiment for a geared drive device according to the invention,

Fig. 5

two views of another embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention, and

Fig. 6 to 11

Other possible embodiments of a cleaning device.

In the in the Fig. 1-3 The cleaning device shown is a lamellar or blind cleaner with four cleaning members in the form of brushes 11, which are arranged in series along a common elongated support 13 with distance from each other. The carrier 13 is in particular a sheet-metal profile.

Connected to the carrier 13 is a handle 15, in particular made of plastic, which comprises two half-shells. The cleaning device is designed so that it can be held and operated by a person in one hand during operation. On the handle 15, an actuating device 17 is provided in the form of a release lever, with which the below-explained fluid supply to the brushes 11 can be released and interrupted.

The supply of the fluid, in particular water, takes place via a fluid inlet 19, which is arranged in the lower grip region, and to which a fluid supply line formed, for example, as a hose can be connected.

The fluid flows via a distributor device 21 into one of two distributor lines 23, which extend parallel to one another along the carrier 13 and thus on both sides along the row of cleaning brushes 11. By switching to the manifold 21, the user can supply the fluid to either one or the other manifold 23. As a result, either the cleaning brushes 11 can be operated in one or the other direction of rotation, which will be discussed in more detail below. The distributor lines 23 are closed in a fluid-tight manner at their free ends remote from the distributor device 21.

The switching over to the distributor device 21 takes place, for example, by providing a movably mounted slide which, arranged on both sides, is provided in Fig. 1 and 2 Switching buttons 25 shown without sealing can be moved. The position of the slider then determines the direction of rotation of the brushes 11th

In particular Fig. 3 showing a section perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the cleaning brushes 11 and along the central axes of the distribution lines 23, each cleaning device 11 comprises a housing-like, forwardly open carriage 27 having on opposite sides of a sleeve-shaped portion 29, with the the carriage 27 is inserted over the respective distribution line 23.

Within each sleeve-shaped portion 29 an effective as a print cartridge inner sleeve 31 is arranged. The print cartridges 31 are each configured such that they define together with the outer wall of the respective distribution line 23 a pressure chamber 33 which is sealed at the ends of the print cartridges 31 each by an O-ring 35 to the outside. Both an inlet opening 37 formed in the distribution line 23 and a drive opening 39 formed in the print cartridge communicate with the pressure space 33.

The drive opening 39 is designed, arranged and aligned such that fluid flowing through the drive opening 39 from the pressure chamber 33 into the carriage housing impinges on a turbine or paddle wheel section 41 of the respective cleaning element 11 in the form of a fluid pressure jet and in this way the cleaning element 11 is in rotation offset, which is rotatably mounted on the carriage 27 for this purpose.

The rotatable mounting of the blade or Turbinenradabschnitts 41 can be done for example via a simple hub / axle connection. Alternatively, for example, ball bearings can be used. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a transmission with which a respective application requests corresponding translation or reduction of the rotation of the blade or turbine wheel 41 can be realized.

Coupled to the blade or turbine wheel 41 is an elongate cylindrical brush 43, which is provided with cleaning bristles 45 in the exemplary embodiment illustrated here. Alternatively, for example, 43 disc-shaped disc brushes may be provided instead of these brushes. The cleaning device can be realized in a modular design such that the illustrated cylinder brushes 11 can be replaced by the mentioned plate brushes or other cleaning devices if necessary. By such a replacement possibility, the versatility of the device is increased in a simple manner.

An advantage of the invention is therefore that the drive of the cleaning members is independent of their design. In particular, a special embodiment of the cleaning devices or brushes with regard to the cleaning effect is not a prerequisite for the fluid-rotation drive, since this takes place at the end of the axis of rotation of the cleaning elements 11 close to the carrier.

It is also conceivable to provide a bucket or turbine wheel section which always remains on the carriage 27 and to carry out differently configured brush sections with the bucket or turbine wheel, for example by being attached, in order to be able to configure or equip the cleaning device in each case according to the application.

A rotationally fixed coupling between interchangeable brush parts and the blade or turbine wheel sections rotatably mounted on the carriage can be achieved, for example, by means of a suitably configured corking, which ensures that the brush parts are entrained.

In particular from Fig. 3 It can be seen that the modules, that is to say the carriages 27 carrying the cleaning member 11, are adjustable along the distributor lines 23 in order to set different distances between the cleaning brushes 11 in this way. In the embodiment of the cleaning device as a slat or blinds cleaner accordingly Fig. 1 to 3 can be adjusted by the brush spacing to the fin spacing.

The height adjustment of the carriage 27 is in each case possible in the scope of the axial extent of the pressure chamber 33 defined by the print cartridge 31, i. as long as the inlet openings 37 formed in the distribution lines 23 are in the region of the respective pressure chamber 33, the function of the cleaning elements 11 is ensured.

By providing two distribution lines 23, between which by means of the distribution device 21 - as explained above - can be switched, it is possible, as in particular from Fig. 3 appears to switch between the directions of rotation of the cleaning brush 11. The two drive bores 39 of each carriage 27 act on the blade or turbine wheel 41 in the opposite direction of rotation. The blades of the blade or turbine wheel 41 are symmetrical in this regard, so prevail in both directions of rotation the same conditions.

The structure of the cleaning device of an elongated support 13 with along the support 13 extending manifolds 23 allows in principle an arbitrarily large working length and thus a basically arbitrarily large number of cleaning members 11th

The provided in the carrier 13 rows of holes 47 can provide a grid for positioning the carriage 27 in the height adjustment available. The grid of the rows of holes 47 can be adapted to common slat spacing of blinds.

In an embodiment given here by way of example only, the hand cleaner according to the invention is designed for a working pressure of at least 50 bar, rotational speeds for the cleaning brushes 11 of approximately 1,500 rpm being achieved. A working pressure of up to 100 bar is just as conceivable. By means of a gearbox, the speed can be halved, for example.

In each of the forwardly open carriage housings, means e.g. be provided in the form of one or more arranged in the lower region slopes, which promote a flow of the fluid out of the housing and on the points to be cleaned in the area of action of the brushes 11 inside.

Fig. 4 shows a sectional side view of an example of a transmission 49, as already mentioned above in general. In the illustrated embodiment, it is a reduction gear, which halves the speed of the paddle wheel 41 for the cleaning or brush part 43 of the cleaning member 11. The turbine wheel 41 is rotatably provided with two outer rings 61, 65. Instead of two outer rings 61, 65, a single, continuous in the axial direction outer ring could be provided. Furthermore, the two outer rings. 61, 65 or a single outer ring may be integrally formed with the paddle wheel 41. The outer rings 61, 65 form the outer part of a ball bearing, which also comprises a cage 51, in which a A plurality of balls 53 are held such that all balls 53 can only rotate together with the cage 51.

The inner part of the ball bearing form two inner rings 59, 63. The two inner rings 59, 63 are rotatably mounted on a stationary shaft 55 serving as a bearing. At least the in Fig. 4 right, second inner ring 63 is movable in the axial direction on the shaft 55. By means of a spring 67, the second inner ring 63 is biased in the direction of the first inner ring 59. Since the balls 53 run in grooves formed on the mutually facing inner sides of the rings 59, 61, 63, 65, this pretensioning of the right inner ring 63 eliminates any play that may be present in the ball bearing. This ensures that during operation, when the paddle wheel 41 is charged with fluid and thus rotates about the shaft 55, the balls 53 held in the cage 51 roll in a defined manner between the outer rings and the inner rings.

The defined rolling of the balls 53 has the result that the arrangement described above is effective as a reduction gear, which halves the speed of the paddle wheel 41 with respect to the cage 51 containing the rolling balls 53. To the cage 51 rotatably coupled to the drive part 27 about the bearing shaft 55 rotatably mounted intermediate piece 57, which in turn rotatably connected to the brush or cleaning part 43 is connected. In this cleaning member 11 is thus achieved in the result that the respective brush of the cleaning member 11 rotates half as fast as the paddle wheel 41st

A particular advantage of this transmission 49 is in addition to the reliable operation of the particularly simple structure that can be realized with inexpensive available components. Such a reduction gear could alternatively be realized in the form of a gear constructed from gears, in particular a planetary gear. However, the required components would be associated with significantly higher costs.

The left illustration in Fig. 5 corresponds to the illustration in Fig. 3 however, the module 27, 43 is not shown together with the fluid supply lines. Therefore, it is not the inlet openings opening into the respective pressure chamber 33 that are formed in the fluid lines, but only the drive openings 39 formed in the inner sleeves 31 that form the print cartridges.

The one in the right-hand illustration of the Fig. 5 In particular, the symmetrical structure of the module consisting of drive part 27 and cleaning part 43 with regard to the arrangement of the fluid supply lines with respect to the cleaning part 43 is taken from above.

Fig. 6 shows an example of a non-inventive cleaning device, in which only a single module is used. In a proper hold the device on the handle 15 here runs the axis of rotation of the brush portion 43 in the vertical direction. This embodiment shows that the functioning of the cleaning member 11 is basically independent of its orientation in space. In addition, the advantages of the modular construction according to the invention are particularly evident here: Regardless of how the fluid supply lines 23 extend in space, the cleaning module according to the invention need only be pushed onto the line 23 with the drive part 27 comprising the drive device, in order to ensure rotation of the brush part 43 to care. The free end of the supply line 23 is only rotatably supported in an upper arm of the device.

Fig. 7 shows another example in which two cleaning modules projecting in opposite directions are present, wherein the axes of rotation of the cleaning parts 43 coincide and in a normal hold the device on the handle 15 in the horizontal direction, but - unlike Fig. 1 - not away from the user, but to each side. Each module is pushed with its drive part 27 on a single fluid supply line 23.

Between the two modules, a support wheel 69 is arranged. The support wheel 69 is not driven and serves to unroll the device on a surface to be cleaned. This relieves the user. At the same time a defined cleaning distance between the surface to be cleaned on the one hand and the axes of rotation of the cleaning parts 43 on the other hand is maintained.

The embodiment of Fig. 8 with respect to the orientation of the axes of rotation of the cleaning parts 43 the embodiment of the Fig. 1 , Instead of cylindrical brushes here so-called disc brushes are provided. The two modules can according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 be pushed onto two parallel fluid supply lines 23 to change the direction of rotation of the cleaning parts 43 by operating a corresponding switching device. However, this is not mandatory, ie it is also possible to provide only a single fluid supply line 23. Identically configured modules 27, 43 may be coupled in opposite orientation to fluid supply conduit 23 to rotate in an opposite sense during operation.

The embodiment of Fig. 9 is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 8 but with the plate brushes - as seen by the user - not working forward, but working sideways. The modules 27, 43 may be configured such that they can be adjusted relative to the fluid supply line 23 about its central axis, in order to adjust the working direction of the disc brushes with respect to the orientation of the handle 15 of the device can. Alternatively, the modules 27, 43 and the device may be configured such that a certain relative orientation is required in connecting the modules 27, 43 to the fluid supply line 23, in order to realize the illustrated work orientation of the disc brushes 43.

The 10 and 11 suggest that the use of multiple cleaners, as in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shown is not mandatory. A cleaning device not according to the invention may also have only a single cleaning member 11, wherein depending on the configuration of the cleaning member 11 or the device different working directions of the brush part are possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

Cleaning member, brush

13

carrier

15

handle

17

actuator

19

fluid inlet

21

distribution facility

23

Distribution line, fluid supply device

25

toggle

27

Carriage, drive part

29

sleeve-shaped section

31

Inner sleeve, print cartridge

33

pressure chamber

35

O-ring

37

inlet port

39

blowing opening

41

Blade or turbine section

43

Brush part, cleaning part

45

cleaning bristles

47

row of holes

49

transmission

51

Cage

53

Ball or rolling element

55

camp

57

connecting piece

59

first inner ring

61

first outer ring

63

second inner ring

65

second outer ring

67

biasing spring

69

stabilizer

Claims (11)

1. A cleaning apparatus, in particular a portable hand cleaner, having a plurality of brush-type cleaning members (11) which are arranged at a common carrier (13) and can be set into rotation relative to the carrier (13) by means of a fluid, in particular water, supplied to the cleaning apparatus, wherein the carrier (13) has a longitudinal extent and the cleaning members (11) are arranged distributed along the carrier (13) and are adjustable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the carrier (13) to set different spacings between adjacent cleaning members (11),
   characterized in that
   a drive device (41) is provided for each cleaning member (11) which drive device can be acted on by the supplied fluid to set the cleaning members (11) into rotation and is based on the impeller or turbine principle; and
   in that the cleaning members (11) each include a brush part (43) and a drive part (41, which is of an impeller or turbine wheel kind, with the brush part (43) being coupled or being able to be coupled replaceably with the drive part (41).
2. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning members (11) are arranged in a row.
3. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the carrier (13) includes a fluid distributor (23) which has at least one common fluid inlet (19) for a plurality of cleaning members (11) and at least one fluid outlet (37) for each cleaning member (11).
4. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (13) includes at least one fluid supply pipe (23).
5. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a switch-over device (25) is provided with which the direction of rotation of each cleaning member (11) can be varied.
6. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each cleaning member (11) is coupled to two fluid supply devices (23) between which a switchover can be made and which are able to act on drive devices (41) of the cleaning members (11) with fluid in opposite senses of driving.
7. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that drive devices (41) of the cleaning members (11) each include a transmission (49) with which the speed of an impeller or turbine wheel (41) acted on by fluid for the cleaning member (11) is varied, in particular reduced and preferably halved.
8. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the transmission (49) includes a ball bearing or a roller bearing (51, 53).
9. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the ball bearing or roller bearing includes a cage (51) in which a plurality of ball elements or roller elements (53) are held which roll off between the impeller or turbine wheel (41) and a bearing (55) and take along the cage (51) in so doing, with the cleaning member (11) being rotationally fixedly coupled to the cage (51).
10. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning members (11) each include at least one pressure cartridge (31) which communicates with a fluid supply device (23) at the inlet side and with a drive device (41) of the cleaning member (11) at the outlet side, with the fluid communication being maintained within limits determined by the dimensions of the pressure cartridge (31) on an adjustment of the cleaning member (11) relative to the fluid supply device (23).
11. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning apparatus is made as a Venetian blind cleaner.

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