EP1955635B1 - Floor cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a floor care appliance according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Floor care equipment of the type in question are known, such as in the form of stand-alone floor or floor cleaning appliances, also in the form of attachments for household vacuum cleaner. In this regard, further care equipment are known, which are provided, for example, for wet processing hard floors with a rotatable about the longitudinal axis roller, which roller is further aligned generally transverse to a conventional direction of travel of the device.

From the DE 222722 C a floor care device with driven care elements is known, wherein a care element is designed as a roller having a roller longitudinal axis and the roller is rotated about the longitudinal axis, wherein the roller additionally rotates about an axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. In addition, on the DE 572380 C , the CH 150158 A and the CH 145664 A to refer.

Based on the first-mentioned prior art, the object of the invention is to specify a floor care appliance of the type mentioned, which enables the most effective possible cleaning.

This object is achieved in the subject matter of claim 1, wherein it is based on the fact that the device has two or more driven, designed as rollers care elements whose overlap in projection on the floor to be maintained nursing surfaces. The rotational movement of the care elements are synchronized, so that the two cleaning surfaces achieved can collide without collision. The whereabouts of an unpurified strip in the middle is counteracted by this.

The rotation of the roller about the longitudinal axis is superimposed by an additional rotation of the roller in a plane parallel to the floor to be cared for. This roller rotation can be switched on the usual rotation of the roller about the longitudinal axis. Due to the superposition of roller rotation about the longitudinal axis and rotation about an axis aligned perpendicular thereto is in the contact region of the roller for To be nurtured ground rotational axis close a slip between roller and ground achieved. This is consciously accepted. The inherently rigid roller can inevitably assume only one rotational speed in the course of the rotation, as a result of which the slippage over a part of the swept area towards the ground occurs. Due to the slip, a wiping effect is achieved, which results in a further improvement of the cleaning performance, in particular with regard to a removal of dirt particles.

In an advantageous development of the subject invention is provided that the roller rotates by entrainment about its longitudinal axis, so on according to frictional engagement with the ground to be cleaned or maintained. Alternatively, the roller may also be driven about a motor, in particular via an electric motor driven about its longitudinal axis, this also synchronized to the rotation of the roller. It is further preferred that the rotational drive of the roller is achieved by a motor, in particular an electric motor. The latter is integrated as well as an optionally provided separate electric motor for rotational drive of the roller in the care device, wherein when the device is designed as a front attachment for a vacuum cleaner, the power supply via the vacuum cleaner. In a further alternative embodiment of the subject invention, the rotational movement of the roller about its longitudinal axis may also be coupled to the electromotively generated rotational movement of the roller, so for example with the interposition of a transmission which rotates about a perpendicular to the machining surface rotation axis in the roll rotation about a perpendicular converts to the axis of rotation aligned axis of rotation.

There is further provided a roller bearing member which rotatably supports the roller and via which the rotational movement is transmitted to the roller. Accordingly, the roller support element is preferably rotated by an electric motor, optionally with the interposition of a transmission in rotation, for which in an embodiment of the subject invention, the roller support member is L-shaped, wherein on the L-leg, the roller is rotatably supported. This is preferably a rod or bar-type carrier with a circular disk-shaped cross-section, at least in the area of the roll receptacle. The L-leg is further preferred here the longer leg, which extends in the operating position in a plane spaced parallel to the floor to be maintained. The L-bar forms the axis of rotation or is aligned parallel thereto, wherein in the latter version, for example, a rod-like attack portion is offset parallel to the L-bar with this rotatably or rotationally fixed. Thus, further, the L-web in a overlap with radial distance to the roller and parallel to the L-leg extending transverse leg transition, at its free end a perpendicular to the L-leg and with respect to the roller radially outward (above) directed rotational web is arranged. L-web, L-leg, transverse leg and rotary bar are preferably integrally formed of the same material. It adjusts accordingly a construction which is similar to that of a wall paint roller, with respect to such a roller, the handle bar at the same time receives the axis of rotation.

On the L-leg, a roller is rotatably supported, such as a roller with a measured length in the axial direction of 50 to 500 mm, further for example with a length of 100 to 300 mm, further 120,180 or 260 mm. As an alternative, a plurality of rollers may also be rotatably supported in a row on the same L-leg, such as two to five, preferably two or three, rollers which, in the sum of their axial lengths, correspond to the abovementioned values with respect to only one roller to be provided.

The roll support element can also be formed in a T-shape, wherein the T-web forms the rotary web and on each T-leg, a roller is rotatably supported. The T-legs are designed the same length. The T-bar projecting perpendicularly to the T-legs and forming the rotary bar is in the center of the total longitudinal extension of the T-legs, further arranged connecting them. Also on each T-leg - as in an embodiment of the roll support element in L-shape on the L-leg - a plurality of rollers may be rotatably received in axial succession arrangement. In a T-configuration of the roller bearing element, the number of rollers on the two T-legs may well be different, such as one roller on a leg and two rollers on the other leg or further, for example on a T-leg two rollers and on the other T-leg three rollers, wherein the sums of the axial roller lengths of each T-leg are at least approximately equal.

The axis of rotation is provided in a development of the subject invention in the middle of the longitudinal extent of the one or more consecutively arranged rollers, resulting in an operating adjusting, concentric with the axis of rotation aligned circular disk-like cleaning surface results.

The plurality of care elements are preferably rotated by means of a common drive in rotation, so on, for example, with the interposition of a transmission or further alternatively using a belt drive or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the roller is a foam roller. This is further designed so that it can store moisture. It can also be provided that the roller is covered by a care coating, such as, for example, a cloth, in particular a microfiber cloth. The latter is preferably removable without tools to supply this to a cleaning. In addition, it is provided that the rollers can be cleaned by the user. By designing these rollers in the form of foam rollers, these washing machines are suitable. The proposed embodiment of the roll support element in L-shape or T-shape allows easy removal of the rollers beyond the free end of the roller bearing L- or T-leg addition, for which further the roller end may have a handle.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer Darstellung ein Bodenpflegegerät der in Rede stehenden Art in Form eines Vorsatzgerätes für einen Haushalts-Staubsauger, eine erste Ausführungsform betreffend;

Fig. 2

eine schematisch dargestellte Unteransicht des mit einem rotierbaren Pflegeelement versehenen Geräts;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung durch das Gerät im Bereich des das Pflegeelement aufnehmenden Geräteabschnittes;

Fig. 4

die Vergrößerung des Bereichs IV in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

eine der Fig. 3 entsprechende Querschnittsdarstellung, jedoch eine alternative Ausgestaltung des Pflegeelements betreffend;

Fig. 6

eine weitere alternative Ausgestaltung des Pflegeelements in einer Darstellung gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 7

das Pflegeelement in einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Fig. 8

eine der Fig. 2 entsprechende Unteransicht, eine weitere Ausführungsform des Gerätes betreffend;

Fig. 9

den schematischen Schnitt gemäß der Linie IX-IX in Fig. 8.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing, which represents only an embodiment. It shows:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a floor care device of the type in question in the form of an attachment for a household vacuum cleaner, a first embodiment concerning;

Fig. 2

a schematically illustrated bottom view of the provided with a rotatable care element device;

Fig. 3

a schematic cross-sectional view through the device in the region of the care element receiving device section;

Fig. 4

the enlargement of the area IV in Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

one of the Fig. 3 corresponding cross-sectional view, however, concerning an alternative embodiment of the care element;

Fig. 6

a further alternative embodiment of the care element in a representation according to Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 7

the care element in a further embodiment;

Fig. 8

one of the Fig. 2 corresponding bottom view, a further embodiment of the device regarding;

Fig. 9

the schematic section along the line IX-IX in Fig. 8 ,

Shown and described is first with reference to Fig. 1 a movable household floor care appliance 1 as an attachment 2 for a stalk guided here household vacuum cleaner 3. The latter has in a conventional form a basic housing 4, in which a suction / blower unit, not shown, is arranged. About this a suction air flow is achievable.

On the basic housing 4 of the vacuum cleaner 3 is a, not shown, a filter bag receiving cartridge 5 is hinged. The filter bag is used to filter the dirt-laden suction air.

To guide the vacuum cleaner 3, this is provided with a fixed to the base housing 4 handle 6. This has at the end a handle 7. The electrical supply takes place via an incoming electric cable 8 in the handle.

The floor care appliance 1 is connected via a rotary / tilting joint 9 to the vacuum cleaner 3, both electrically and fluidically. The joint 9 offers the possibility of tilting and twisting of the vacuum cleaner 3 relative to the attachment 2 in the course of the usual work.

The device 1 is provided on the underside with a chassis base passing through and in the operating position on the floor to be cleaned 11 resting care element 12.

The device 1 may further as in Fig. 2 schematically indicated to be provided with a peripheral suction device 13, via which in a usual direction of travel according to the arrow r suction processing of the floor to be cleaned 11 before and / or achieved during the care work on the care element 12. The suction device 13 is connected via a suction channel, not shown within the care device 1 and the rotary / tilting joint 9 with the vacuum cleaner suction side in fluid communication; is acted upon in accordance with the provided in the vacuum cleaner 3 fan unit.

The care element 12 has in the in the Fig. 2 and 3 illustrated embodiment, two rollers 14. These are foam rollers, which are able to absorb moisture.

These rollers 14 are rotatably supported about their longitudinal axes x, the two longitudinal axes x of both rollers extending in a common, spaced parallel to the floor to be cleaned 11 level lying behind each other.

The rollers 14 are held on a roller support member 15. This is in the in the Fig. 2 and 3 illustrated embodiment designed substantially T-shaped. The projecting from both sides of the centrally provided T-bar 16 T-legs 17 and 18 take at a total of rod-shaped configuration and kreisscheibenförmigem cross-section with the corresponding Axialausnehmungen provided with rollers 14; likewise extend in a plane parallel to the floor 11 to be maintained.

The rollers 14 are rotatably supported on the T-legs 17 and 18. For this purpose, the rollers 14 are formed as a hollow body with a central, for example made of a hard plastic hub portion 19. This is surrounded by a foam layer 20. Finally, this roller 14 is spanned by a removable care pad 21 in the form of a microfiber cloth.

The T-legs 17 and 18 have radially resiliently deflectable locking tongues 23 in the region of their free end with respect to the leg longitudinal axis. These engage in the pushed-state of the respective roller 14, the axially outwardly facing free end face 22 of the hub portion 19 and thus ensure the attached roller 14 against unwanted migration from the T-leg. A removal of the roller 14 is correspondingly only intentionally possible, for which purpose further the spring forces of the locking tongues 23 are set in accordance with surmountable.

The two T-legs 17 and 18 are facing away from the rear engaging portions 23 having free ends via the T-bar 16 connected to each other, this with the same length axial configuration of the two T-legs 17 and 18th

The T-bar 16 extends from the T-legs 17 and 18 starting on one side, including a right angle to the T-legs. The T-bar 16 passes through the chassis bottom 10 and carries an output gear 24 at the end in the appliance housing. The resulting rotation axis y of the T-bar 16 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes x and thus also perpendicular to the floor 11 to be cleaned in the operating state.

The output gear 24 meshes with a drive gear 25, which in turn operated via an electric motor 26 provided in the device 1 becomes. A direct drive is possible in which the electric motor 26 acts directly on the T-bar 16. Next alternatively, a coupling of the output gear 24 and drive gear 25 by means of a toothed belt is possible.

The intended rollers 14 each have a length / diameter ratio of about 2: 1 to 5: 1, further for example of 3: 1. For example, with a roll length of 100 mm, a roll diameter of 30 mm is provided.

During operation, the care element 12 is brought into rotation about the axis y via the electric motor 26 and the optionally provided gear 27 composed of the drive gearwheel 25 and the wear gearwheel 24 (cf. Fig. 3 Arrow a). Correspondingly, the rollers 14 protruding perpendicularly from the rotation axis y on both sides describe a circular disk-shaped care circle surface 28 on the floor 11 to be cleaned, the diameter of which is defined by the shortest distance between the two guide planes of the rollers 14 facing away from each other.

As a result of the positively driven rotation of the care element 12, the rollers 14 are passively driven by friction to the floor to be cleaned 11 by towing. Accordingly, the rotational movement of the care element 12 is superimposed on a rotational movement of each roller 14 (compare arrows b, b 'in FIG Fig. 3 ).

Due to the rigid formation of the rollers 14, they can only take up one rotational speed, although with reference to the rotation axis y in the outer region a higher speed would have to be present in relation to the inner region. This results in the region near the axis of rotation of the rollers 14, a slip between the roller 14 and to be cleaned bottom 11, whereby an improved cleaning performance is achieved. As a result, a wiping effect is achieved which has a positive effect, in particular with regard to dissolving dirt particles on hard floors.

Alternatively, two rolls 14, which are connected one behind the other in the axial direction, can also be arranged on a T-leg 17 or 18 (cf. Fig. 5 ). Also, more than two such rollers 14 may be rotatably supported on a leg. In this embodiment, the slip reduces depending on the number of rollers per leg. Such an arrangement can be used, for example, for the treatment of floors, in which the aforementioned wiping effect is not desired.

In Fig. 6 is in a further embodiment, the roller support member 15 initially L-shaped design, this also also a total of rod-shaped with kreisscheibenförmigem cross-section.

Here, the roller 14 is rotatably supported on the L-leg 29, which extends L-leg 29 in the operating state of the care device 1 in a plane parallel to the floor to be cleaned 11 level.

Compared to the in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment is in accordance with the embodiment Fig. 6 the roller length increases, so on in comparison to this doubled. Here, the diameter of the nursing surface 28 is defined solely by the axial roller length of only one roller.

The L-web 30 associated with one end of the L-leg 29 and extending perpendicularly thereto merges into a transverse leg 31 extending in overlap with a radial distance to the roller 14 and parallel to the L-leg 29. At its free end is perpendicular to the L-leg 29 and with respect to the roller 14 radially (top) outwardly directed rotary web 32 is formed. The latter, the transverse leg 31 and the L-web 30 and the L-leg 29 are integrally formed of the same material, so on, for example in the form of a rod-shaped bent part.

The rotary bar 32 extends approximately in the middle of the longitudinal extent of the roller 14, the chassis bottom 11 passing through in the device housing and carries the end of the driven with the electric motor drive gear 25 output gear 24th

Also in this embodiment, the rotation of the entire care element 12 is superimposed over the rotation web 32 by a rotation of the roller 14 about the longitudinal axis x. Due to the one-piece configuration of the roller 14 over the entire care circle diameter, slippage occurs in large parts of the swept area between the roller 14 and the floor 11 to be cleaned.

As in Fig. 7 illustrated in this embodiment, instead of a brush 14 two or more such brushes 14 on a L-leg 29 rotatable be. The axis of rotation y applies in the arrangement of two rollers 14 according to the embodiment in Fig. 7 centrally between the rollers 14 on the L-leg 29, consequently, the two rollers 14 are located on both sides of the axis of rotation y and take appropriate directions of rotation. The respective slip is compared to the one-piece design according to Fig. 6 reduced.

In Fig. 8 an embodiment is shown in which the device 1 has two care elements 12 according to the above-described embodiments. Their rotation axes y are in this case positioned so that the resulting care circle surfaces 28 overlap (cf. Fig. 8 ). As a result, - considered transversely to the usual direction of travel r - almost over the entire width of the device 1, the floor 11 maintained.

Both care elements rotate synchronized by means of a common drive, for which purpose the webs 16 of the here T-shaped designed Walzentragelemente 15 pass through the chassis bottom 10 and within the device housing in the illustrated embodiment each carry a transversely to the axis of rotation y aligned drive pulley 33. These are about handlebars 34 or the like. and an optionally provided transmission gear with the electric motor 26, not shown here in conjunction. As a result of this synchronous drive, a collision of the rollers 14 of the care elements 12 during operation is counteracted.

Claims (15)

1. Floor maintenance device (1), in particular a floor polisher, comprising at least one driven maintenance member (12) and optionally a suction means (13), for example a peripheral suction means, a maintenance member (12) being in the form of a roller (14) having a roller longitudinal axis (x), the roller (14) further being able to turn about the longitudinal axis (x) and additionally being able to rotate about an axis (y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (x) thereof, characterised in that the device (1) comprises two or more driven maintenance members (12) in the form of rollers (14), of which the circular maintenance surfaces (28) intersect in terms of the projection thereof onto the floor (11) which is to be maintained.
2. Floor maintenance device according to claim 1, characterised in that the roller (14) turns about the longitudinal axis (x) thereof by coupled motion or driven by an electric motor.
3. Floor maintenance device according to either of the preceding claims, characterised in that the roller (14) is driven in rotation by an electric motor (26).
4. Floor maintenance device according to claim 3, characterised in that the turning movement of the roller (14) about the longitudinal axis (x) thereof is coupled to the rotational movement, produced by the electric motor, of the roller (14).
5. Floor maintenance device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a roller support member (15) is provided, which holds the roller (14) in such a way that said roller can turn and via which the rotational movement is transmitted to the roller (14).
6. Floor maintenance device according to claim 5, characterised in that the roller support member (14) is formed in an L shape, the roller (14) being mounted on the leg (29) of the L so as to be able to turn.
7. Floor maintenance device according to claim 6, characterised in that the web (30) of the L forms the axis of rotation (y) or is aligned parallel thereto.
8. Floor maintenance device according to either claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that the web (30) of the L transitions into a transverse leg (31) which extends parallel to the leg (29) of the L so as to overlap the roller (14) at a radial distance therefrom, and on the free end of which is arranged a rotational web (32), which is directed perpendicular to the leg (29) of the L and radially outwards with respect to the roller (14).
9. Floor maintenance device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that one or more rollers (14) are mounted so as to be able to turn on the leg (29) of the L.
10. Floor maintenance device according to claim 6, characterised in that the roller support element (15) is formed in a T shape, the web (16) of the T forming the rotational web (32) and a roller (14) being mounted so as to be able to turn on each leg (17, 18) of the T.
11. Floor maintenance device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that on the leg (29) of the L or on one or each leg (17, 18) of the T of the roller support member (15), a plurality of rollers (14) arranged behind one another in the axial direction are mounted so as to be able to turn.
12. Floor maintenance device according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterised in that the axis of rotation (y) is provided centrally in the longitudinal extension of the one or more rollers (14) arranged behind one another.
13. Floor maintenance device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the maintenance members (12) rotate by means of a shared drive.
14. Floor maintenance device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the roller (14) is a foam roller.
15. Floor maintenance device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the roller (14) is covered with a maintenance lining (21).

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