EP2667760B1 - Cleaning device for a floor cleaning machine and cleaning machine with a cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

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 driven 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 in the EP 0 230 665 B1 described. 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. When in the EP 0 230 665 B1 described soil cleaning machine dirt is swept with the cleaning brush in the direction of a central longitudinal plane of the floor cleaning machine and detected in their movement of a Hauptreinigungswerkzeüg 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.

Other floor cleaning machines are in the US Re. 36.565 and in the US 4,041,567 described.

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 replaced by the main cleaning tool by "running over" and cleaning the cleaning bristles from the main cleaning tool in the overlap area be defined with and consequently 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 portions defining the second contact region with the bottom surface, ie only approximately the portions 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, i. 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 contact 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 advantageous if at least one retaining element retained by cleaning bristles are releasable from the latter while rotating the cleaning brush, the contact region of released cleaning bristles being arranged outside the first contact region of the main cleaning tool is. 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 direction transverse to a main movement direction 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.

Figur 1:

eine Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Bodenreinigungsmaschine, umfassend eine erste bevorzugte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung;

Figur 2:

die Reinigungsvorrichtung der Bodenreinigungsmaschine aus Figur 1 in einer Seitenansicht;

Figur 3:

eine Vorderansicht (teilweise) der Reinigungsvorrichtung der Bodenreinigungsmaschine aus Figur 1;

Figur 4:

eine Draufsicht auf die Reinigungsvorrichtung der Bodenreinigungsmaschine aus Figur 1;

Figur 5:

eine schematische Darstellung eines Reinigungsbesens und zweier Reinigungswalzen der Reinigungsvorrichtung von oben;

Figur 6:

eine schematische Schnittansicht längs der Linie 6-6 in Figur 3 unter Ausblendung einiger Bauteile der Reinigungsvorrichtung bei einer Variante der Reinigungsvorrichtung;

Figur 7:

eine schematische Ansicht der Variante der Reinigungsvorrichtung von unten und

Figur 8:

eine schematische, stark vereinfachte Darstellung einer zweiten bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung von oben.

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:

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;

FIG. 2:

the cleaning device of the floor cleaning machine FIG. 1 in a side view;

FIG. 3:

a front view (partially) of the cleaning device of the floor cleaning machine FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4:

a plan view of the cleaning device of the floor cleaning machine FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5:

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

FIG. 6:

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

FIG. 7:

a schematic view of the variant of the cleaning device from below and

FIG. 8:

a schematic, highly simplified representation 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 as in FIG. 1 configured in side view and therein total occupied by the reference numeral 10 scrubber-suction designed. The scrubber 10 is a so-called "walk-behind" machine, which controls a Bedienpersoh by means of a arranged on the rear panel 12 control unit 14 sliding.

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 in particular from the FIGS. 2 to 4 As can be seen, the cleaning head 20 comprises a hood-like housing 26 with housing side parts, of which in the FIGS. 1 and 2 only one housing side part 28 is shown. The Housing side part 28 is in FIG. 2 shown partially open 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, each perpendicular to a through in FIG. 1 by means of an arrow 34 symbolized longitudinal direction of the scrubber 10 are aligned. 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 include cleaning bristles 42, of which only in FIG. 2 some cleaning bristles 42 of the brush roller 30 are shown schematically. 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 in particular from the Figures 5 and 7 As can be seen, the cleaning bristles 42 contact the bottom surface 22 in a transverse to the longitudinal direction 34 aligned strip-shaped contact region 44 for the case of the brush wad 30. In the Figures 5 and 7 the contour of the contact area 44 is indicated by dashed lines 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 shown in FIGS Figures 3 and 4 becomes clear, protrudes transversely to the longitudinal direction 34 on the outer contour of the housing 26 and, moreover, beyond the outer contour of the scrubber 10.

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 (FIG. 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 ( FIG. 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, whose contour in FIG. 5 is shown in sections by dashed lines. The contact region 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, while not viewing 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 include only a small angle, that 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 overlap area 80 is in FIG. 5 characterized by 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 in FIG. 5 arranged laterally next to the overlap region 80, designated by the reference numeral 81 and also 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 the front 30 in FIG. 6 The nozzle bar 84 can be supplied from the tank 24 in a manner known per se and not shown cleaning liquid, which are discharged through the bottom of the cleaning head 20 arranged outlet openings 86 in the direction of the bottom surface 22 can. In FIG. 3 three outlet openings 86 can be seen beginning on, and another outlet opening 86 is in FIG. 6 shown schematically.

The following is on in the FIGS. 6 and 7 represented variant of the cleaning head 20 described so far, in which the previously introduced reference numerals are retained for its features. In FIG. 6 Among other things, the cleaning brush 48 is not shown for reasons of clarity.

Like from the FIGS. 6 and 7 can be seen, a shielding element 88 is disposed below the nozzle bar 84 parallel to the brush roller 30 and extending approximately along the half thereof. The shielding element 88 is designed plate-shaped and formed integrally with the holding element 56. For example the holding member 56 is for this purpose made 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.

Continue from the FIGS. 6 and 7 that the shielding element 88 at its end facing the housing side part 28 comprises a retaining element 96. 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 gap 90, but only with their end portions 74. This is in FIG. 7 illustrated by 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 For example, exactly these cleaning bristles 106 leading cleaning bristles 64 (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 counter to the direction of rotation of the cleaning brush 48 effective stop for the cleaning bristles 64th FIG. 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 include an in FIG. 7 only schematically illustrated Abstreifglied 120 for stripping the bottom surface 22 include. 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.

Further, the cleaning head 20 comprises only in the Figures 3 and 4 The splash guard element 122 is fixed on the right side 52 on the housing 26 and covers the cleaning bristles 64 from the bristle carrier 62, with the exception of the end portions 74. In the circumferential direction of the axis of rotation 54, the cleaning bristles are covered approximately over a rotation angle of 90 °.

FIG. 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 is not shown in the drawing.

For cleaning the bottom surface 22, the disk brush 140 about the rotation axis 136 in a in FIG. 8 rotate in the direction of rotation shown by an arrow 142, namely, in a view from above of the cleaning head 132 in the counterclockwise direction. 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 areas 76 and 144 of the cleaning brush 48 and the disc brush 140 in sections in an in FIG. 8 Overlap area 150 shown hatched overlap. 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 (19)

1. A cleaning device for a floor cleaning machine (10), in particular a scrubber vacuum or sweeper, wherein the cleaning device (18; 130) comprises a main cleaning tool (33; 138), drivable in rotation about a first rotational axis (36; 136), having a first contact region (44; 144) with a floor surface (22) to be cleaned, as well as an auxiliary cleaning tool (46; 148), drivable in rotation about a second rotational axis (54), in the form of a cleaning brush (48) with cleaning bristles (64) which define a second contact region (76) of the cleaning brush (48) with the floor surface (22), characterized in that related to a fixed positioning of the cleaning device (18; 130) relative to the floor surface (22), the first contact region (44; 144) and the second contact region (76) at least partially overlap one another in an overlap region (80; 150) for cleaning of the cleaning bristles (64) by means of the main cleaning tool (33; 138).
2. A cleaning device (18; 130) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning bristles (64) engage underneath the main cleaning tool (33; 138) with approximately half their length.
3. A cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cleaning bristles (64) can be cleaned in the direction of their free ends by means of the main cleaning tool (33; 138).
4. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main cleaning tool (33; 138) has cleaning bristles (42) to clean the floor surface (22).
5. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main cleaning tool (33) is a cleaning roller (30).
6. A cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized in that the cleaning brush (48) is arranged in front of the cleaning roller (30) with regard to a main motion direction (34) of the floor cleaning machine (10) and in that the cleaning roller (30) cleans the floor surface (22) in a direction opposite to the main motion direction (34).
7. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the main cleaning tool (138) is a disc-shaped cleaning tool (140).
8. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (18; 130) comprises a fluid discharge device (82) to moisten the cleaning bristles (64) with a cleaning fluid.
9. A cleaning device according to claim 8, characterized in that in the rotational direction (72) of the cleaning brush (48) towards the main cleaning tool (33; 138), the fluid discharge device (82) is arranged directly in front of the overlap region (80; 150).
10. A cleaning device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the cleaning bristles (64) are moistenable with cleaning fluid only approximately at their portions defining the second contact region (76) with the floor surface (22).
11. A cleaning device according to claim 10, characterized in that the cleaning device (18; 130) has at least one shielding element (88) to shield the portions, not defining the second contact region (76), of the cleaning bristles (64) with respect to the cleaning fluid discharged by the fluid discharge device (82).
12. A cleaning device according to claim 11, characterized in that cleaning fluid discharged by the fluid discharge device (82) can be fed to the main cleaning tool (33; 138) by means of the at least one shielding element (88).
13. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (18; 130) comprises at least one hold-back element (96) with at least one first stop member (108) for the cleaning bristles (64), effective contrary to the rotational direction (72) of the cleaning brush (48), to hold back the cleaning bristles (64) contrary to the rotational direction (72).
14. A cleaning device according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one hold-back element (96) is arranged directly after the overlap region (80; 150) in the rotational direction (72) of the cleaning brush (48).
15. A cleaning device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the at least one hold-back element (96) comprises at least one second stop member (116) for the cleaning bristles (64), effective in a direction directed away from the floor surface (22), to raise the cleaning bristles (64) from the floor surface (22).
16. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, 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 upon rotation of the cleaning brush (48).
17. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that cleaning bristles (64) held back by the at least one hold-back element (96) are releasable by the latter with rotation of the cleaning brush (48), wherein the contact region (76) of released cleaning bristles (64) is arranged exterior to the first contact region (44; 144) of the main cleaning tool (33; 138).
18. A cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (18; 130) comprises a spray protection element (122) at least partially covering the cleaning brush (48) outside of a housing (26) for the main cleaning tool (33; 138).
19. A floor cleaning machine, comprising at least one cleaning device (18; 130) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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