EP2667760A1

EP2667760A1 - Cleaning device for a floor cleaning machine, and floor cleaning machine with a cleaning device

Info

Publication number: EP2667760A1
Application number: EP12700982.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alexander BRÄNDLE; Mathias Braun; Stefan Vetter; Jürgen Walz; Gilles Troff; Stephan Wild; Andreas Van De Ven
Original assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2011-01-25
Filing date: 2012-01-24
Publication date: 2013-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2032-01-24
Also published as: CN103327870B; DE102011003139A1; WO2012101105A1; CN103327870A; EP2667760B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device for a floor cleaning machine (10), in particular a scrubber drier or sweeping machine, said cleaning device (18; 130) comprising a main cleaning tool (33; 138), which can be driven in a rotating manner about a first rotational axis (36; 136) and which has a first contact region (44; 144) with a floor surface (22) to be cleaned, and comprising an auxiliary cleaning tool (46; 148), which can be driven in a rotating manner about a second rotational axis (54), in the form of a cleaning brush (48) with cleaning bristles (64) that define a second contact region (76) of the cleaning brush (48) with the floor surface (22). The aim of the invention is to provide such a cleaning device with which a better cleaning result can be achieved. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the first contact region (44; 144) and the second contact region (76), with respect to a stationary positioning of the cleaning device (18; 130) relative to the floor surface (22), at least partly overlap each other in an overlap region (80; 150) in order to clean the cleaning bristles (64) by means of the main cleaning tool (33; 138). The invention further relates to a floor cleaning machine.

Description

CLEANING DEVICE FOR A FLOOR CLEANING MACHINE AND FLOOR CLEANING MACHINE WITH A CLEANING DEVICE

The invention relates to a cleaning device for a floor cleaning machine, in particular a scrubber or sweeper, wherein the cleaning device comprises a main cleaning tool rotatably drivable about a first axis of rotation, comprising a first contact area with a bottom surface to be cleaned, and an auxiliary cleaning tool drivable in rotation about a second axis of rotation Shape of a cleaning brush with cleaning bristles, which define a second contact region of the cleaning brush with the bottom surface.

Moreover, the invention relates to a floor cleaning machine.

A combined scrubber and sweeper with a cleaning device of the type mentioned is described in EP 0 230 665 Bl. The cleaning brush is mounted laterally on the front of the floor cleaning machine, and the free ends of its cleaning bristles define an annular contact area with the floor surface to be cleaned. The contact area, also referred to as "cleaning mirror", determines, for example, the portion of the floor surface cleaned by the cleaning tool, viewed in the case of stationary positioning of the cleaning tool relative to the same. In the floor cleaning machine described in EP 0 230 665 Bl, dirt is swept with the cleaning brush in the direction of a central longitudinal plane of the floor cleaning machine and, during its movement, is captured by a main cleaning tool in the form of a cleaning roller. For this purpose, the cleaning roller oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning machine has a rectangular contact area extending essentially over the entire width of the floor cleaning machine. A disadvantage of the known floor cleaning machine, it turns out that on and between the cleaning bristles of the Fix the cleaning broom dirt and release it while turning the cleaning broom. This has the consequence that the dirt from the cleaning area of the floor cleaning machine ejected and the cleaning result is inadequate despite the use of a cleaning broom.

Object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device and a floor cleaning machine of the type mentioned, with which a better cleaning result can be achieved.

This object is achieved in a generic cleaning device according to the invention in that the first contact area and the second contact area, based on a fixed positioning of the cleaning device relative to the bottom surface, at least partially overlap each other for cleaning the cleaning bristles by means of the main cleaning tool in an overlap region.

In the cleaning device according to the invention, the cleaning bristles engage with the bottom surface during the rotation of the cleaning brush in the first contact area of the main cleaning tool, so that an overlap between the contact areas of the main cleaning tool and the cleaning broom can be achieved. The cleaning bristles are in the overlap area of the rotating main cleaning tool in a sense "overrun". At the and between the cleaning bristles fixed dirt can be removed by means of the main cleaning tool and is thus not ejected by rotation of the cleaning broom from the cleaning area of the cleaning device. This allows to achieve a better cleaning result. The second contact area may be defined by the main cleaning tool by having the cleaning bristles "run over" and cleaned by the main cleaning tool in the overlap area and, as a result, have a different shape that the second contact area would have in the absence of the main cleaning tool. It is advantageous if the cleaning bristles engage under the main cleaning tool about half their length, preferably about one third to one quarter of their length, more preferably about one fifth of their length, respectively starting from the free ends of the cleaning bristles. This proves to be sufficient in practice for an improved cleaning result. Since the dirt settles mainly in the region of the free ends of the cleaning bristles, the cleaning bristles in this embodiment can be largely freed from dirt by means of the main cleaning tool. At the same time, the friction of the cleaning brush and the main cleaning tool together and thus their wear is minimized.

Preferably, the cleaning bristles are cleaned by means of the main cleaning tool in the direction of their free ends, i. in the overlapping area, the movement of the main cleaning tool has a movement component oriented in the direction of the free ends. In this way, an effective cleaning of the cleaning bristles can be achieved without being over-bent or bent over by the main cleaning tool.

Advantageously, the main cleaning tool for cleaning the bottom surface on cleaning bristles. This gives the opportunity to comb the cleaning brush with the cleaning bristles of the main cleaning tool. It turns out that in this way a particularly effective cleaning of the cleaning broom can be achieved, especially in combination with the latter embodiment.

In a first preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, it is favorable if the main cleaning tool is a cleaning roller, in particular a brush roller having cleaning bristles. However, the cleaning roller may also be a pad roller or a microfibre roller. When arranging the cleaning device on a floor cleaning machine, it is advantageous if the cleaning brush of the cleaning roller is arranged upstream of a main movement direction of the floor cleaning machine and if the cleaning roller cleans the floor surface in a direction opposite to the main movement direction. By means of the upstream cleaning brush, the cleaning roller can be turned to dirt, wherein the cleaning brush can be configured in particular as a side brush projecting beyond an outer contour of the floor cleaning machine. The cleaning roller cleans the bottom surface in the opposite direction of locomotion of the floor cleaning machine. This makes it possible to effectively clean the cleaning device in the direction of their free ends.

In a different embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, used on a floor cleaning machine, it can be provided that the cleaning brush of the cleaning roller is arranged downstream with respect to a main movement direction of the floor cleaning machine and the cleaning roller cleans the floor surface in the main direction of movement.

In a further different embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention can be provided that the main cleaning tool is a disc-shaped cleaning tool, in particular a cleaning bristles having disc brush. However, the cleaning tool can also be a paddle disk or a microfiber disk.

Advantageously, the direction of rotation of the disk-shaped cleaning tool about the first axis of rotation and the direction of rotation of the cleaning brush around the second axis of rotation are identical. As a result, the cleaning bristles can be effectively cleaned by means of the disc-shaped cleaning tool in the direction of their free ends.

It is advantageous if the cleaning device has a liquid dispensing device for moistening the cleaning bristles with a cleaning liquid includes. By means of the cleaning liquid dirt can be bound and thus the dust development when using the cleaning device can be reduced. In addition, the dirt can be better removed from the floor surface to be cleaned. The cleaning liquid is preferably water, to which a cleaning chemical may be added to increase the cleaning effect.

It is advantageous if the liquid dispensing device in the direction of rotation of the cleaning broom is directly upstream of the main cleaning tool the overlap area. This also makes it possible to supply the main cleaning tool with the least possible rotation of the cleaning broom specifically cleaning liquid. This can be done by wetting the cleaning bristles moistened with cleaning liquid, at least in the overlap area, of the main cleaning tool. This further makes it possible to remove excessive cleaning liquid from the cleaning bristles. When the cleaning bristles emerge from the overlap area, the danger is therefore reduced that cleaning fluid is sprayed by the rotating cleaning brush.

"Immediately upstream" in the present case means that the angle of rotation swept by the cleaning bristles from the liquid dispenser to the overlap region is significantly less than the angle of rotation which is swept by the overlap region to reach the liquid dispenser again. In practice, it proves to be advantageous if the liquid dispensing device is located in the overlap region less than 90 °, preferably about 10 ° to about 50 °, and more preferably about 20 ° to about 30 °.

The cleaning bristles are preferably moistened with cleaning liquid only approximately at their sections defining the second contact region with the bottom surface, ie only approximately the sections of the cleaning bristles defining the second contact region sweep over one of the dispensed cleaning liquid when the cleaning brush is rotated Area. This makes it possible to use the cleaning liquid discharged from the liquid discharge device as specifically as possible for dust binding and for detaching dirt from the bottom surface. At the same time, the amount of the cleaning brush sprayed under rotation cleaning fluid can be kept as low as possible.

The cleaning device preferably has at least one shielding element for shielding the sections of the cleaning bristles not defining the second contact region from the cleaning liquid dispensed by the liquid dispensing device. As a result, humidification of the sections of the cleaning bristles not defining the second contact region can be avoided in a structurally simple manner. For example, the at least one shielding element covers these portions, while the cleaning bristles, when rotated about the second axis of rotation, pass through the liquid dispenser, whereas the portions of the cleaning bristles forming the second contact area are exposed to the dispensed cleaning liquid.

Advantageously, the main cleaning tool can be supplied with cleaning liquid dispensed by the liquid dispensing device by means of the at least one shielding element. The main cleaning tool can thereby be specifically moistened with cleaning liquid.

In a structurally simple embodiment of the cleaning device, it is advantageous if the at least one shielding element is configured plate-shaped and is arranged below spaced apart from the bottom surface outlet openings for cleaning liquid of the liquid discharge device. The at least one shielding element can not constructively shield sections of the cleaning bristles that define the second contact region from the cleaning fluid. In addition, it can be provided that the cleaning liquid is supplied to the main cleaning tool by means of the plate-shaped shielding element. It has proved to be advantageous if the cleaning device comprises at least one retaining element with at least one counter to the direction of rotation of the cleaning broom effective first stop member for the cleaning bristles for retaining the cleaning bristles against the direction of rotation. At the at least one first stop member, the cleaning bristles can strike during rotation of the cleaning brush and be retained against the direction of rotation. This makes it possible to bend the cleaning bristles so that their free ends are displaced in the direction of the second axis of rotation, ie, the cleaning bristles are radially "shortened" as it were. The at least one retaining element can be positioned in such a way that the cleaning bristles are purposefully withdrawn from the first contact area and prevented from discharging dirt and optionally cleaning fluid from the first contact area and thus from the cleaning area of the cleaning device. This allows to achieve an improved cleaning result.

In practice, it proves to be advantageous if the at least one first stop member, the cleaning bristles in the longitudinal direction approximately centrally contacted to allow easy retention by bending the cleaning bristles during rotation of the cleaning brush.

Preferably, the at least one retaining element in the direction of rotation of the cleaning broom immediately downstream of the overlap region. "Immediately downstream" again means in the present case that the angle of rotation swept by the cleaning bristles from the overlap area to the contact of the at least one retaining element, is significantly less than the angle of rotation, the cleaning bristles after passing the at least one retaining element until re-entering the overlap area sweep. By means of the at least one retaining element, the overlapping region can also be spatially limited. During its rotation about the second axis of rotation, the cleaning bristles contact the at least one first stop member and are thereby shortened in the radial direction. As a result, the degree of engagement of the cleaning bristles also decreases in the first contact area of the main cleaning tool. As a result, the cleaning bristles can be effectively withdrawn from the overlap area. As mentioned above, the discharge of dirt and possibly cleaning liquid from the cleaning area of the cleaning device can thereby be reduced.

Preferably, the at least one retaining element comprises at least one second stop member for the cleaning bristles effective in a direction away from the bottom surface for lifting the cleaning bristles from the bottom surface. When the cleaning bristles contact the at least one second stop member, they can be gripped by the latter and thereby lifted from the bottom surface as a result of the rotation of the cleaning brush. The contact of the cleaning bristles with the bottom surface is thereby canceled, so that a discharge of dirt and cleaning liquid from the contact area of the main cleaning tool and thus the cleaning area of the cleaning device can be avoided as possible.

For guiding the cleaning bristles by means of the at least one retaining element, it is advantageous if the at least one first stop member and / or the at least one second stop member form a guide surface for the cleaning bristles, along which the cleaning bristles are guided upon rotation of the cleaning brush. When the cleaning bristles contact the first and / or the second stop member for the first time, they slide along the guide surface until the at least one retaining element has passed as a result of the rotation of the cleaning brush, the cleaning bristles leave the guide surface again and assume their original shape. This makes it possible to ensure a reliable function of the cleaning device with an improved cleaning result.

It is favorable if cleaning bristles retained by the at least one retaining element can be released by the latter while rotating the cleaning brush, the contact area of released cleaning bristles being outside the first contact area of the main cleaning tool. is orders. The cleaning bristles are released from the at least one retaining element only then and only then return to their original shape when the cleaning brush has rotated so far until released cleaning bristles are arranged outside the first contact area. Thereby, the discharge of dirt and cleaning liquid from the first contact area and thus the cleaning area of the cleaning device can be largely avoided.

Preferably, the at least one retaining element is fixed to the at least one shielding element for shielding the cleaning bristles from the cleaning liquid dispensed by the liquid discharging device. This allows a structurally simple embodiment of the cleaning device. In particular, the at least one shielding element and the at least one retaining element are at least partially formed in one piece, for example from a one-piece plate-shaped material, in particular a metal sheet.

The above-described features, namely the at least one first and the at least one second stop member may be structurally simple preferred implemented by the fact that the at least one retaining element is designed hook-shaped. The at least one retaining element has, for example, a horizontal section extending approximately parallel to the bottom surface, which extends essentially in the radial direction with respect to the second rotary axis and merges into a substantially vertical section at its end facing away from the second rotary axis. The horizontal portion may thereby form the at least one second stop member, and the vertical portion may form the at least one first stop member. The hook formed in this way is conveniently arranged below the at least one shielding element and connected to this conveniently one piece.

In order to avoid splashing of cleaning liquid by the rotating cleaning brush, it is advantageous if the cleaning device a spray broom which at least partially covers the cleaning brush outside of a housing for the main cleaning tool. The splash guard can cover the cleaning brush, for example, about a rotational angle of about 90 ° about the second axis of rotation. In particular, the splash guard can connect in the circumferential direction of the second axis of rotation to the housing for the main cleaning tool. In practice it turns out that the cleaning bristles emerging from the housing usually carry the largest amount of cleaning liquid, so that the amount of sprayed cleaning liquid can thereby be kept as low as possible.

The second contact region preferably protrudes beyond the first contact region laterally in a direction aligned transversely to the main movement direction of the floor cleaning machine in order to increase the total cleaning area of the cleaning device.

As mentioned above, the invention also relates to a floor cleaning machine. The object stated in the introduction is achieved by a floor cleaning machine according to the invention comprising at least one cleaning device of the aforementioned type.

By using a cleaning device of the aforementioned type, the advantages which can already be achieved in connection with the explanation of the cleaning device according to the invention and advantageous embodiments of the cleaning device according to the invention can also be achieved. With regard to these advantages, reference is made to the above explanations.

The floor cleaning machine is, in particular, a scrubber-drier or a sweeper.

The cleaning brush is preferably designed as a so-called "side brush", wherein the second contact area laterally in a transverse to a main Movement direction of the floor cleaning machine aligned direction protrudes beyond the outer contour. As a result, the cleaning area of the floor cleaning machine is extended by laterally located floor surface areas, for example for cleaning edges.

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention is used in conjunction with the drawings for a more detailed explanation of the invention. Show it :

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a floor cleaning machine according to the invention, comprising a first preferred embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention;

Figure 2: the cleaning device of the floor cleaning machine

Figure 1 in a side view;

Figure 3: a front view (partially) of the cleaning device of

Floor cleaning machine of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the cleaning device of the floor cleaning machine of Figure 1;

Figure 5: a schematic representation of a cleaning broom and two cleaning rollers of the cleaning device from above;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view along the line 6-6 in FIG. 3, blanking out some components of the cleaning device in a variant of the cleaning device;

Figure 7: a schematic view of the variant of the cleaning device from below and FIG. 8 shows a schematic, greatly simplified illustration of a second preferred embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention from above.

A preferred embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the invention is designed as shown in Figure 1 in side view and therein total reference numeral 10 scrubber-suction machine. The scrubber-drier 10 is a so-called "walk-behind" machine, which controls an operator by means of a control unit 14 arranged on the back 12.

On the front side 16, the scrubber 10 has a first preferred embodiment of a cleaning device 18 according to the invention, hereinafter referred to as a cleaning head 20. The cleaning head 20 can be lowered onto a floor surface 22 to be cleaned and comprises subsequently explained cleaning tools with which dirt can be detached from the floor surface 22. To increase the cleaning effect, the bottom surface 22 can be acted upon with a stocked in a tank 24 cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid is typically water, to which a cleaning chemical may be added to increase the cleaning effect.

For sucking off the mixture of detached dirt and cleaning liquid from the bottom surface 22, the scrubber 10 comprises in a known per se a not shown in the drawing suction unit to apply a likewise known per se and not shown suction with negative pressure. The suction device is held on the rear side 12 at the bottom by means of a holder 25 on the scrubber 10.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 2 to 4, the cleaning head 20 comprises a hood-like housing 26 with housing side parts, of which only one housing side part 28 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The Housing side part 28 is shown partially open in Figure 2 and gives the view of two cleaning tools of the cleaning head 20, which are housed in the housing 26. The cleaning tools are two brush rollers 30 and 32 which are each aligned perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the scrubber 10 symbolized by an arrow 34 in FIG. The longitudinal direction 34 corresponds to the main movement direction of the scrubber 10. The brush roller 30 is a main cleaning tool 33 of the cleaning head 20.

The brush rollers 30 and 32 are each about horizontal, relative to a use position of the cleaning head 20 and the scrubber 10, and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 34 aligned axes of rotation 36 and 38 rotatable. The brush roller 30 is arranged upstream of the longitudinal direction 34 of the brush roller 32. The direction of rotation of the brush roller 30 is such that it cleans the bottom surface against the main movement direction 34, symbolized by an arrow 40. In contrast, the rotational direction of the brush roller 32 is oriented opposite to that of the brush roller 30.

The brush rollers 30 and 32 are each driven in a manner known per se by means of drive motors also received in the housing 26.

For cleaning the bottom surface 22, the brush rollers 30 and 32 comprise cleaning bristles 42, of which only a few cleaning bristles 42 of the brush roller 30 are shown schematically in FIG. Since the cleaning head 20, for example, due to its own weight, the brush rollers 30 and 32 applied to a directed to the bottom surface 22 force, the cleaning bristles 42 contact the bottom surface 22 each not only selectively. As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 5 and 7, the cleaning bristles 42 contact the bottom surface 22 in a strip-shaped contact region 44 aligned transversely to the longitudinal direction 34 in the case of the brush roller 30. In FIGS. 5 and 7, the contour of the contact region 44 is in each case defined by dashed lines shown. The same applies to the brush roller 32, wherein the contact area in the drawing, however, is not shown.

The contact region 44, also referred to as "cleaning mirror", thus corresponds to the portion of the bottom surface 22 which is cleaned by means of the brush roller 30, relative to a stationary positioning of the cleaning head 20 relative to the bottom surface 22.

Beyond the brush rollers 30 and 32, the cleaning head 20 includes an auxiliary cleaning tool 46 in the form of a cleaning brush 48. The cleaning brush 48 is a so-called side brush, which, as is apparent from Figures 3 and 4, transverse to the longitudinal direction 34 on the outer contour of the housing 26 and incidentally beyond the outer contour of the scrubber 10 protrudes.

The cleaning brush 48, relative to the longitudinal direction 34, is rotatably supported on a front side 50 and on the right side 52 on the cleaning head 20 about a vertical axis of rotation 54. For this purpose, the cleaning head 20 comprises a fixed to the front 50 step-shaped support member 56 having a plate-shaped, horizontally oriented holding portion 58 (Figures 3, 4 and 6). The cleaning brush 48 is arranged below the holding section 58, on which a drive shaft 60 of the cleaning brush 48, which can be driven in a rotationally drivable manner, is held. On whose bottom surface 22 side facing a bristle carrier 62 is fixed (Figure 3). Starting from the bristle carrier 62, a plurality of cleaning bristles 64 extend substantially radially with respect to the axis of rotation 54, but they are employed on the bristle carrier 62 by a small angle relative to the radial direction.

On the holding section 58, a drive motor 66 is further held with horizontally aligned motor shaft 68, which can drive the drive shaft 60 via an intermediate gear 70. The direction of rotation of the cleaning brush 48 is such that the cleaning bristles 64 upstream of the cleaning head 20 return dirt, which are detected by moving the scrubber 10 along the main movement direction 34 of the brush rollers 30 and 32 and can be sucked by the suction device, not shown. The direction of rotation of the cleaning brush 48 is represented by an arrow 72.

The distance of the bristle carrier 62 from the bottom surface 22 is relatively small. Moreover, since the cleaning bristles 64 are comparatively long, they extend from the axis of rotation 54 at a shallow angle with respect to the bottom surface 22 contacting with the bristle carrier 72 opposite end portions 74. This results in an annular contact region 76 of the cleaning bristles 64 with the bottom surface 22, the contour of which is shown in Figure 5 in sections by dashed lines. The contact area 76 corresponds to the cleaning level of the cleaning brush 48 on the bottom surface 22, relative to a stationary positioning of the cleaning head 20 relative to the same, ignoring the brush roller 30.

The position of the axis of rotation 54 is selected, and the size of the cleaning brush 48 and in particular the cleaning bristles 64 is dimensioned so that the cleaning bristles 64, the brush roller 30 partially engage. The cleaning bristles 64 engage over an angle of rotation of about 50 ° of rotation about the axis of rotation 54 under the brush roller 30, and they can even intervene in a gap 78 between the brush rollers 30 and 32. This is the case when the cleaning bristles 64 with the longitudinal direction 34 enclose only a small angle, so are aligned approximately at right angles to the axis of rotation 36 (Figures 2 and 5). The length of the cleaning bristles 64 thus corresponds approximately to the distance of the axis of rotation 54 from a centrally located between the brush rollers 30 and 32 on the bottom surface 22 point, based on an imaginary line connecting this point with the axis of rotation 54 parallel to the longitudinal direction 34th As explained above, the configuration and position of the cleaning brush 48 relative to the brush roller 30 results in the annular contact region 76 of the cleaning brush 48 and the strip-shaped contact region 44 of the brush roller 30 being able to overlap in regions. A corresponding overlapping area 80 is indicated in FIG. 5 by a hatching.

In the overlapping area 80, the end portions 74 of the cleaning bristles 64 are "over run" by the cleaning bristles 42 of the brush roller 30 and pressed against the bottom surface, wherein cleaning bristles 64, 42 of the cleaning brush 48 and the brush roller 30 can intermesh with each other like a comb. As a result, the cleaning bristles 64 of the cleaning brush 48 are cleaned by means of the cleaning bristles 42 of the brush roller 30, toward their free ends. This is due to the rotational direction of the brush roller 30.

With further rotation of the cleaning brush 48, the cleaning bristles 64 are also cleaned at their spaced central portions which do not themselves define the annular contact area 76 and contact the bottom surface 22 due to the brush roller 30 passing over them. This is because the cleaning bristles 64 approximately approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction 34, the brush roller 30 engage under half and extend into the gap 78.

The resulting additional contact area of the cleaning brush 48 with the bottom surface 22 is arranged laterally next to the overlap region 80 in FIG. 5, designated by the reference numeral 81 and likewise hatched. The contact region 81 completely overlaps with the contact region 44 of the brush roll 30 in an overlapping region 83.

In a different arrangement of the axis of rotation 54 and / or embodiment of the cleaning brush 48 may be provided that the cleaning bristles 64 engage below the brush roller 30 to a lesser extent, for example with a One third, one quarter or one fifth of their free ends.

The cleaning of the cleaning brush 48 by means of the brush roller 30 has the advantage that dirt adhering or arranged on or between the cleaning bristles 64 can be picked up and removed by the cleaning brush 48. As a result, the dirt is no longer discharged through the outer contour of the cleaning head 20 and distributed as a result of the rotation of the cleaning brush 48. As a result, with the use of the cleaning head 20 according to the invention and the scrubber-suction machine 10 according to the invention, an improved cleaning result compared with the known prior art can be achieved.

To increase the cleaning effect of the cleaning head 20 includes near the bottom 30 near a schematically shown in Figure 6 liquid dispensing device 82 in the form of a transverse to the longitudinal direction 34 aligned nozzle bar 84. The nozzle bar 84 is fed from the tank 24 in a known manner and not shown manner cleaning liquid , which can be discharged in the direction of the bottom surface 22 by outlet openings 86 arranged on the cleaning head 20 at the bottom. In FIG. 3, three outlet openings 86 can be seen beginning on, and a further outlet opening 86 is shown schematically in FIG.

In the following, reference will be made to a variant of the cleaning head 20 described above in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which the previously introduced reference numerals for its features are retained. In FIG. 6, among other things, the cleaning brush 48 is not shown for reasons of clarity.

As can be seen from Figures 6 and 7, below the nozzle bar 84 is parallel to the brush roller 30 and extending approximately along the half thereof, a shielding element 88 is arranged. The shielding element 88 is configured plate-shaped and formed in one piece with the holding element 56. Beispiels- example, the holding member 56 is made for this purpose in one piece from a folded sheet metal.

Toward the brush roller 30, the shielding element 88 extends only so far that a gap 90 is formed between the outer circumference of the brushing roller 30 and the shielding element 88, approximately along the middle third of the brushing roller 30. Towards that end of the brushing roller 30, which faces the housing side part 28, adjoins the intermediate space 90 a guide element 92 fixed to the shielding element 88. The guide member 92 bridged in the range of about a quarter to one third of the brush roller 30, which faces the housing side part 28, the gap 90. It is configured as a lip 94, in particular of a resilient plastic material extending in the rotational direction of the brush roller 30 at the outer periphery invests. In the direction of the housing side part 28, the guide member 92 projects beyond the shielding element 88 by approximately one third of its length.

Furthermore, it can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7 that the shielding element 88 comprises a retaining element 96 at its end facing the housing side part 28. The retaining element 96 is designed hook-shaped and manufactured, for example, by double edge-over of the shielding element 88, first in the direction of the bottom surface 22 and then again in a direction away from the bottom surface 22 direction. In this way, a hook 98 opened in the direction of the axis of rotation 54 with a first, approximately vertical section 100 and a second, horizontally extending section 102 of the retaining element 96 is formed. Together with the shielding element 88, the retaining element 96 forms an approximately U-shaped cross-section Profile, wherein between the shielding member 88 and the horizontal portion 102 in the direction of the axis of rotation 54 open space 104 is formed. Transverse to the longitudinal direction 34, the dimension of the retaining element 96 is approximately equal to the radius of the bristle carrier 62nd During rotation of the cleaning brush 48 about the axis of rotation 54, the cleaning bristles 64, as they move from the front 50 to the cleaning head 20, rotate beneath the shielding member 88. The cleaning bristles 64 pass under the space 90, but only with their end portions 74. This is shown in Figure 7 using a separately referenced cleaning bristle 106. For this reason, the cleaning bristles 64 are moistened with the cleaning liquid emerging from the outlet openings 86, but only in the region of the end sections 74. The sections of the cleaning bristles 64 that are radially inward in the direction of the bristle carrier 62 are screened by the shielding element 88 with respect to the exiting cleaning liquid.

Moistening the cleaning bristles 64 only at the end portions 74 has the purpose that, although dirt and dust in the contact area 76 can be bound, an unnecessary splashing of cleaning liquid due to the rotation of the cleaning brush 48 but should be avoided.

Upon further rotation about the axis of rotation 54, the end portions 74 are cleaned by driving over the brush roller 30 in the overlapping area 80 as explained above and freed from dirt. This also serves to reduce the amount of cleaning liquid adhering to the cleaning bristles 64 so that the cleaning bristles 64 remain wetted only. At the same time, cleaning liquid can be dispensed selectively to the cleaning bristles 42 of the brush roller 30.

Cleaning bristles 64, whose end portions 74 engage in the overlap region 80, are also shielded by the guide member 92 relative to the exiting from the outlet openings 86 cleaning liquid. In FIG. 7, precisely these cleaning bristles 64 leading ahead of the cleaning bristle 106 (8 pieces) are not shown for the sake of clarity. Beyond this shielding effect, the shielding element 88 and the guide element 92 have the purpose of targeting the dispensed cleaning fluid to the outer circumference of the To guide brush roller 30. For this purpose, in particular, the elastic design of the guide member 92 proves to be advantageous as a lip 94.

Upon further rotation of the cleaning brush 48 about the axis of rotation 54, the cleaning bristles 64 contact the retaining member 96. Here, the vertical portion 100 forms a first stop member 108 with counter to the direction of rotation of the cleaning brush 48 effective stop for the cleaning bristles 64. Figure 7 shows a selected cleaning bristle 110, which just strikes the stop member 108. By omitting four leading cleaning bristles 64, two further separately referenced leading cleaning bristles 112 and 114 are shown, which contact the first stop member 108.

By abutment against the first stop member 108, the cleaning bristles 64 are bent against the direction of rotation, since they are formed elastically deformable.

For the first time, the first stop member 108, shown using the example of the cleaning bristle 110, abuts approximately centrally between the bristle carrier 62 and the end portions 74. In the further course of the rotation of the cleaning brush 48, shown on the examples of the cleaning bristles 112 and 114, the cleaning bristles 64 "shorten" by bending in relation to the axis of rotation 54 radial direction. As a result, the cleaning bristles 64 are withdrawn from the overlap region 80, as it were, along the longitudinal direction 34. By the rotation of the cleaning brush 48, the cleaning bristles 64 slide along the vertical portion 100.

The horizontal portion 102 of the retaining member 96 forms a second stop member 116 for the cleaning bristles 64, which is effective in a direction away from the bottom surface 22 direction. When the cleaning bristles 64 strike the horizontal portion 102, they are subsequently raised from the bottom surface 22 as the cleaning brush 48 is rotated, simultaneously withdrawing from the overlap region 80. retained Therefore, cleaning bristles 64 extend in the space 104 between the horizontal portion 102 and the shielding member 88. In this case, they are supported in the radial direction on the vertical portion 100 and in the direction of the bottom surface 22 on the horizontal portion 102, from which they are each guided.

As long as the cleaning bristles 64 are retained by the retaining element 96, they are further shielded by means of the guide member 92 relative to the exiting from the outlet openings 86 cleaning liquid, which is indeed fed above the guide member 92 of the brush roller 30.

The retention of the cleaning bristles 64, i. The bending against the direction of rotation, and at the same time the lifting of the bottom surface 22 has the purpose of avoiding that dirt and cleaning liquid are discharged through the cleaning brush 48 from the first contact area 44 and the gap 78 and distributed outside the cleaning area of the cleaning head 20. The retaining element 96 is for this purpose just positioned so that it is immediately downstream of the overlap region 80 in the direction of rotation of the cleaning brush 48, so that in the overlap region 80 substantially only the end portions 74 can be run over by the brush roller 30 and cleaned. The positioning of the retaining element 96 thus also serves for the spatial limitation of the overlapping area 80.

In a corresponding manner, the nozzle bar 84 is arranged directly upstream of the overlap area 80 to avoid unnecessary distribution of cleaning liquid. The cleaning bristles 64 sweep from the first falling below the shielding element 88 to the overlap region 80 an angle of only about 20 °. Since the cleaning bristles 64 are moistened in the region of the intermediate space 90 at their end portions 74 with cleaning liquid, a superfluous spewing of cleaning liquid is largely avoided. The cleaning bristle 114 leading by three cleaning bristles of the cleaning brush 48 are not shown, which are also still retained by the retaining member 96. If the cleaning brush 48 has rotated further so far that the cleaning bristles 64 emerge from the intermediate space 104, they return to their original shape due to their elastic property. This is shown on a separately referenced cleaning bristle 118. The cleaning bristle 118 assumes a position in which the contact region 76 is already outside the contact region 44 of the brush roller 30, in particular outside of the housing 26. This effectively prevents the discharge of dirt and cleaning fluid from the cleaning region of the cleaning head 20 covered by the housing 26 become.

In order to prevent cleaning fluid and dirt from escaping from the intermediate space 78, the cleaning head 20 may further comprise a wiper 120, shown only schematically in FIG. 7, for wiping the bottom surface 22. The stripping member 120 defines the gap 78 and the space facing the housing side part 28 adjacent to the brush roller 32 in the direction of the housing side part 28 and the front side 50.

Furthermore, the cleaning head 20 comprises a splash protection element 122 shown only in FIGS. 3 and 4. The splash protection element 122 is fixed to the housing 26 on the right side 52 and covers the cleaning bristles 64 starting from the bristle carrier 62 with the exception of the end sections 74 the cleaning bristles are covered approximately over a rotation angle of 90 °.

Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a second preferred embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention, which is occupied therein by the reference numeral 130. The cleaning device 130, following cleaning head 132, can be used in the scrubber 10 instead of the cleaning head 20. The cleaning head 132 includes a schematically illustrated housing 134 in which about a vertical axis of rotation 136 a main cleaning tool 138 is rotatable. The main cleaning tool 138 is disk-shaped, in particular a disk brush 140 equipped with cleaning bristles, which is known per se and not shown in the drawing.

In order to clean the bottom surface 22, the disk brush 140 can rotate about the rotation axis 136 in a direction of rotation represented by an arrow 142 in FIG. 8, namely in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from above on the cleaning head 132. A contact region 144 of the disk brush 140 is limited by its outer circumference 146 and is also circular because of the circular configuration of the disk brush 140.

Furthermore, the cleaning head 132 comprises an auxiliary cleaning tool 148. The auxiliary cleaning tool 148 in the present case is the cleaning brush 48, which can also be used in the cleaning head 132. For an explanation of the features of the cleaning brush 48, reference is made to the above explanations.

The cleaning brush 48 is attached to the cleaning head 132 (not shown) so that the distance between the axes of rotation 136 of the disk brush 140 and 54 of the cleaning brush 48 is less than the sum of the radii of the disk brush 140 and the cleaning brush 48 the contact regions 76 and 144 of the cleaning brush 48 or the disk brush 140 partially overlap in an overlapping region 150 shown hatched in FIG. In the overlapping region 150, the cleaning bristles 64 of the cleaning brush 48 engage under the cleaning bristles of the disk brush 140 and can be cleaned of dirt in the region of their end sections 74. Since the directions of rotation 72 of the cleaning brush 48 and 142 of the disc brush 140 are rectified, the cleaning bristles 64 are effectively cleaned in the direction of their free ends.

The cleaning head 132 may further, this is not shown in the drawing, as well as the cleaning head 20, a liquid dispenser for dispensing cleaning fluid, a shielding element for shielding the cleaning bristles 64 from cleaning fluid, and a retaining element for retaining cleaning bristles 64 against the direction of rotation 72.

Claims

PAT E NTAN SP RU CHE

1. Cleaning device for a floor cleaning machine (10), in particular a scrubber or sweeper, wherein the cleaning device (18, 130) comprises a main cleaning tool (33, 138) which can be driven in rotation about a first axis of rotation (36, 136), comprising a first contact area (44 144) having a bottom surface (22) to be cleaned, and an auxiliary cleaning tool (46; 148) rotatable about a second rotation axis (54) in the form of a cleaning brush (48) with cleaning bristles (64) having a second contact region (76 ) of the cleaning brush (48) with the bottom surface (22), such that the first contact region (44; 144) and the second contact region (76) relate to a stationary positioning of the cleaning device (FIG. 18, 130) relative to the bottom surface (22) overlap each other at least partially for cleaning the cleaning bristles (64) by means of the main cleaning tool (33, 138) in an overlap region (80, 150) ppen.

2. Cleaning device (18; 130) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning bristles (64) engage under the main cleaning tool (33; 138) with approximately half their length.

3. Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cleaning bristles (64) by means of the main cleaning tool (33, 138) are cleaned in the direction of their free ends.

4. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main cleaning tool (33, 138) for cleaning the bottom surface (22) cleaning bristles (42).

5. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main cleaning tool (33) is a cleaning roller (30).

6. Cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized in that the cleaning brush (48) of the cleaning roller (30) with respect to a main movement direction (34) of the floor cleaning machine (10) is arranged upstream and that the cleaning roller (30), the bottom surface (22) in one of Main movement direction (34) opposite direction cleans.

7. Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the main cleaning tool (138) is a disc-shaped cleaning tool (140).

8. Cleaning device according to claim 7, characterized in that the direction of rotation (142) of the disc-shaped cleaning tool (140) about the first axis of rotation (136) and the direction of rotation (72) of the cleaning brush (48) about the second axis of rotation (54) are identical.

9. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (18; 130) comprises a liquid dispensing device (82) for moistening the cleaning bristles (64) with a cleaning liquid.

10. Cleaning device according to claim 9, characterized in that the liquid dispensing device (82) in the direction of rotation (72) of the cleaning brush (48) on the main cleaning tool (33; 138) is immediately upstream of the overlap region (80; 150).

11. Cleaning device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the cleaning bristles (64) only approximately at their the second Contact area (76) with the bottom surface (22) defining portions are moistened with cleaning liquid.

12. Cleaning device according to claim 11, characterized in that the cleaning device (18; 130) has at least one shielding element (88) for shielding the portions of the cleaning bristles (64) not defining the second contact region (76) from that of the liquid discharging device (82). discharged cleaning liquid.

13. Cleaning device according to claim 12, characterized in that the main cleaning tool (33, 138) can be supplied with cleaning liquid dispensed by the liquid discharge device (82) by means of the at least one shielding element (88).

14. Cleaning device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the at least one shielding element (88) is designed plate-shaped and below spaced from the bottom surface (22) arranged outlet openings (86) for cleaning liquid of the liquid discharge device (82) is arranged.

15. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (18; 130) has at least one retaining element (108) for the cleaning bristles (64) acting on at least one counter to the direction of rotation (72) of the cleaning brush (48) ) for retaining the cleaning bristles (64) against the direction of rotation (72).

16. Cleaning device according to claim 15, characterized in that the at least one retaining element (96) in the direction of rotation (72) of the cleaning brush (48) is immediately downstream of the overlap region (80; 150).

17. A cleaning device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the at least one retaining element (96) at least one in a direction away from the bottom surface (22) direction away second stop member (116) for the cleaning bristles (64) for lifting the cleaning bristles ( 64) from the bottom surface (22).

18. Cleaning device according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the at least one first stop member (108) and / or the at least one second stop member (116) form a guide surface for the cleaning bristles (64), along which the cleaning bristles (64 ) are guided during rotation of the cleaning brush (48).

19. Cleaning device according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that at least one retaining element (96) retained cleaning bristles (64) thereof are releasable by rotation of the cleaning brush (48), wherein the contact region (76) of released cleaning bristles (64) is arranged outside the first contact area (44, 144) of the main cleaning tool (33, 138).

20. Cleaning device according to one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the at least one retaining element (96) on the at least one shielding element (88) is fixed.

21. Cleaning device according to one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that the at least one retaining element (96) is designed hook-shaped.

22. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (18; 130) has a cleaning brush (48) outside a housing (26) for the main part. comprises at least partially covering splash guard element (122).

23. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second contact region (76) protrudes beyond the first contact region (44; 144) laterally in a direction aligned transversely to the main movement direction (34) of the floor cleaning machine (10).

24. Floor cleaning machine, comprising at least one cleaning device (18; 130) according to one of the preceding claims.