EP2849620B1 - Self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device and method for controlling the movement thereof - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device, comprising a housing and a cleaning tool in the form of a cleaning bristles cleaning brush, wherein the housing forms a Bürstenaufnahmeraum in which the cleaning brush to a relative to a longitudinal or main movement direction of the floor cleaning device in the transverse direction of the floor cleaning device aligned rotational axis is received driven drivable, and wherein the housing brush covers covers or forms that cover the cleaning brush frontally at least partially.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method for controlling the movement of a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device.

Floor cleaning devices of the type mentioned allow the autonomous cleaning of a floor surface. For the method on this, the floor cleaning device comprises a housing typically held on the chassis with drive wheels, which are assigned by a control unit controllable drive motors. The aligned in the transverse direction of the floor cleaning device cleaning brush can be rotated by means of another drive motor in rotation. This makes it possible to turn off dirt particles from the floor surface to be cleaned, to turn to a dirt container of the floor cleaning device and to collect it. The cleaning brush is arranged in the brush receiving space and at its end faces in each case at least partially covered by a brush cover. The brush covers serve to protect existing obstacles in the room to be cleaned from contact with the rotating cleaning brush. This proves to be particularly important for curtains or curtains that could be caught by the cleaning brush, wound up and thereby damaged.

The brush covers can further form lateral walls of the brush receiving space, which then proves to be advantageous if the floor cleaning device has a suction unit for sucking away the swept dirt particles. Thereby, a lateral air inlet into the brush receiving space can be largely avoided and the cleaning result can be improved.

In floor cleaning devices of the type mentioned above, it proves to be disadvantageous that edge areas of the room to be cleaned, especially along walls or in corners, only inadequately detected and cleaned by the covered by the brush cover cleaning brush. In order to improve the edge and corner cleaning autonomous floor cleaning equipment, it is known in autonomous floor cleaning devices to provide additional turn-on with over a base of the floor cleaning device protruding cleaning bristles, with which edges and corners are cleaned. However, such floor cleaning devices have a complicated construction. In addition, they are also subject to the disadvantage that obstacles, such as curtains or curtains, can be caught, wound up and damaged by the cleaning bristles.

Self-propelled floor cleaning devices with cleaning brushes are in the DE 102 42 257 A1 and the EP 1 716 801 A2 described.

Object of the present invention is to provide a generic floor cleaning device with which a better cleaning result can be achieved.

This object is achieved in a floor cleaning device of the type mentioned in the present invention that at least one brush cover is designed to be movable relative to the housing, and of a bristle cover position in which the brush cover cleaning bristles of the cleaning brush in the transverse direction of the floor cleaning device laterally projects into a bristle release position, in the part of the cleaning bristles in the transverse direction of the floor cleaning device protrudes laterally over the brush cover, and vice versa is feasible.

In the floor cleaning device according to the invention, at least one of the brush covers occupy two positions. In a bristle cover position, the brush cover projects laterally over cleaning bristles in the transverse direction of the floor cleaning device. In the present case, this can be understood in particular to mean that the brush cover is arranged on the outside in relation to the cleaning bristles in the transverse direction. Obstacles, which are located on the brush receiving space facing away from the outside of the brush cover can be protected by this before the rotating cleaning brush. From the bristle cover position, the brush cover can be transferred to a bristle release position. In the bristle release position, a portion of the cleaning bristles, especially the cleaning bristles on the brush cover facing the end of the cleaning brush in the transverse direction of the floor cleaning device laterally protrude beyond the brush cover. A part of the cleaning bristles can protrude in this way with the free bristle ends on the outside of the floor cleaning device and in particular protrude beyond its base. This makes it possible with the floor cleaning device according to the invention to clean even difficult to clean edges and corners effectively. The cleaning bristles that protrude beyond the brush cover can pick up dirt particles along the edges and in the corners and sweep them away from the floor. As a result, an improved cleaning result can be achieved with the floor cleaning appliance according to the invention.

The movement of the floor cleaning appliance according to the invention can in particular be controlled so that it is positioned with its longitudinal direction parallel to an edge and the edge facing brush cover is transferred from the bristle cover position in the bristle release position. This causes cleaning bristles to protrude beyond the brush cover at the edge. By moving the floor cleaner parallel to the edge, the floor area along the edge can be effectively cleaned.

Preferably, cleaning bristles of the cleaning brush protrude at an angle to the rotation axis in the direction of the brush cover, at least at their end facing the at least one movable brush cover. The oblique to the axis of rotation and obliquely to a related radial direction of the cleaning brush stand in the direction of the brush cover. Thereby, the movement amount of the brush cover for transferring from the bristle cover position to the bristle release position and vice versa can be reduced.

It is advantageous if both brush covers can each be transferred from a bristle cover position into a bristle release position and vice versa. The cleaning bristles can thereby protrude on both sides of the floor cleaning device laterally over the respective brush cover, so that the cleaning result can be improved overall.

It is advantageous if the at least one movable brush cover is arranged on the outside of the housing and in the bristle cover position, preferably also in the bristle release position, sections the outer contour of the housing forms. The at least one movable brush cover is arranged on the outside on a left or right side of the floor cleaning device, based on its longitudinal or main movement direction. Furthermore, the brush cover forms part of the outer contour, at least in the bristle cover position. This gives the possibility that the brush cover can contact an obstacle such as in particular an edge or wall and, as a result of the contact, can be transferred from the bristle cover position in the direction of its bristle release position and, in particular, into the bristle release position. Preferably, the brush cover also forms a portion of the outer contour in the bristle release position so that permanent contact with an obstruction such as an edge or wall can be maintained while cleaning bristles protrude beyond the brush cover to permit cleaning along the edge or wall.

In the last-mentioned advantageous embodiment of the floor cleaning appliance according to the invention, in particular the possibility of a passive transfer of the movable brush cover from the bristle cover position to the bristle release position is given by an obstacle contacting it. A drive for the brush cover can be saved in this way.

It can be provided that at least one brush cover completely or substantially completely covers the cleaning brush on the front side. This allows for improved protection of obstacles. Furthermore, there is the possibility of the brush receiving space through the brush cover laterally completely or substantially completely close.

It is advantageous if, between the at least one movable brush cover and a touch-down surface defined by the floor cleaning device, which coincides with positioning of the floor cleaning appliance on a set-up surface with a set-up level defined by this, a gap is formed which the cleaning bristles pass through in the bristle release position of the brush cover. Since the cleaning of the bottom surface is performed by the cleaning bristles contacting them, it is sufficient to provide a space between the brush cover and the touch plane when the brush cover assumes the bristle release position. The cleaning bristles can pass through the gap and thereby protrude laterally across the brush cover while rotating about the axis of rotation.

It proves to be advantageous if the at least one movable brush cover has a front brush cover section and a rear brush cover section on its side facing the floor cleaning device side, based on an operating position of the floor cleaning device on the footprint, in the longitudinal or main movement direction of the floor cleaning device and an intermediate this arranged Recess, which pass through the cleaning bristles in the bristle release position of the brush cover. In the region of the recess, the lower edge of the brush cover can recede relative to the edge at the front and rear brush cover sections with respect to the touch plane, so that the edge in the region of the recess is higher than on the brush cover sections before and behind. Thereby, in particular, there is the possibility that the cleaning bristles only reach through the recess when the brush cover assumes the bristle release position, whereas they do not reach under the brush cover in the area of the front and rear brush cover sections. This allows substantially complete coverage of the cleaning brush by the brush cover. At the same time the cleaning bristles may protrude beyond the brush cover in the bristle release position

It can be provided that the at least one movable brush cover on its side facing a footprint for the floor cleaning device side, based on an operating position of the floor cleaning device on the footprint, at least partially concave. For example, the above-mentioned recess has a concave shape seen from below. The Berührhrebene facing lower edge of the brush cover can be configured concave from front to back over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning device. Thereby, a gap can be formed between the brush cover and the touch plane, which are penetrated by the cleaning bristles in the bristle release position of the brush cover.

In an advantageous embodiment of the floor cleaning appliance according to the invention, it proves to be advantageous if the cleaning bristles in rotation about the axis of rotation in an angular range of about 30 ° to about 70 °, preferably about 40 ° to about 60 °, on the at least one movable, the bristle release position protruding brush cover cover. As a result, the cleaning bristles may protrude over the brush cover when approaching the bottom surface, when it comes in contact with and when leaving the bottom surface, so that outside of these arranged bottom surface areas can be cleaned.

Advantageously, the at least one movable brush cover is displaceable in the axial direction of the cleaning brush for transferring the bristle cover position into the bristle release position and vice versa, wherein the brush cover is conveniently displaced in the direction of the cleaning brush for transferring the bristle cover into the bristle release position. This makes it possible to give the floor cleaning appliance a structurally simple design. For example, a brush cover which is arranged on the outside of the housing and in particular forms a section of the outer contour can be displaced in the direction of the cleaning brush upon contact with an obstacle, for example an edge or a wall, and transferred from the bristle cover position into the bristle release position.

Preferably, the at least one movable brush cover is mounted displaceably, in particular on the housing, moreover.

Conveniently, a guide device is provided for guiding the at least one movable brush cover when transferring from the bristle cover position into the bristle release position and vice versa. For this purpose, co-operating guide elements may be provided on the brush cover and on the housing.

Preferably, the floor cleaning device comprises at least one restoring element, against the restoring force of which the at least one movable brush cover can be transferred from the bristle cover position into the bristle release position. Due to the restoring force, the brush cover can be transferred from the bristle release position to the bristle cover position, without that this requires a drive. For example, the restoring force acts in the axial direction of the cleaning brush and in particular for displacement of the brush cover in the axial direction away from the cleaning brush.

It is advantageous if at least on the front side of the cleaning brush, which is covered by the at least one movable brush cover, no bearing elements for rotatably supporting the cleaning brush are available. By such a "flying bearing" on the movable brush cover facing the end of the cleaning brush, a more compact construction of the floor cleaning device can be achieved, in which the movable brush cover may have a relatively small distance from the cleaning brush in the bristle cover position. Cleaning bristles protruding therefrom in the bristle release position of the brush cover may be made comparatively short. The bearing elements for brush mounting can be laid from the front side in the direction of the brush center.

Conveniently, the at least one movable brush cover in its bristle cover position is spaced from the brush cover facing cleaning bristles of the cleaning brush. As a result, wear of the cleaning bristles can be avoided by the brush cover, when this assumes the bristle cover position. Furthermore, a quieter operation of the floor cleaning device is possible. It may be provided that the cleaning bristles contact the movable bristle cover occupying the bristle release position on the inside, except when a clearance between the underside of the brush cover and the contact plane of the floor cleaning device passes through.

It proves to be advantageous if the at least one movable brush cover is designed to be convex on its outer side facing away from the brush receiving space, in particular in the case of a brush cover forming sections of the outer contour, which is displaceable in the direction of the cleaning brush is by contacting an obstacle. It can be seen that the movable brush cover can be reliably transferred by the convex configuration from the bristle cover position into the bristle release position.

To achieve the same advantage, it is advantageous if the at least one movable brush cover on its outside facing away from the brush compartment, relative to the longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning device on its front and / or rear relative to the longitudinal direction inclined bevels. This is favorable, for example, if the floor cleaning appliance contacts an obstacle, in particular a wall, at an angle to the longitudinal or main direction of movement. Due to the bevels, such as chamfers or radii, the brush cover can contact the wall in a simpler way, so that it can be transferred from the bristle cover position in the bristle release position and in particular axially displaced in the direction of the cleaning brush.

At least one brush cover preferably comprises an elastically deformable lip on its side facing a footprint for the floor cleaning appliance, with respect to an operating position of the floor cleaning appliance on the footprint. The elastically deformable lip, for example of a rubber material, reduces the likelihood that the floor cleaning appliance will stick to the floor surface with the brush cover. This is particularly advantageous when cleaning carpet surfaces. It also proves to be advantageous if the movement of the floor cleaning device is controlled depending on the relative position and / or relative movement of the at least one brush cover and the housing incidentally to each other, such as in a so-called "wall" or "obstacle tracking ride", which will be discussed below becomes. It can be largely ensured that the brush cover is moved only by contact with a lateral obstacle such as a wall, but not by contact with the bottom surface, so that the control of the movement is not affected.

The lip is in particular extends in or substantially in the longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning device. Conveniently, a gap is formed between the lip and the touch plane through which the cleaning bristles may protrude beyond the brush cover in its bristle release position. The above-mentioned recess may in particular be formed on the lip.

It is advantageous if at least one brush cover has a cover part which at least partially covers the cleaning brush, and a Schmutzableitteil, which is arranged in the brush receiving space and a Schmutzableitfläche for discharging with the cleaning brush from a bottom surface facing away from dirt particles in the direction of an inlet opening of a Dirt container of the floor cleaning device. From the bottom surface remote dirt particles can reach the Schmutzableitfläche, which is directed towards the inlet opening of the dirt container. This makes it possible to transfer dirt particles targeted in the dirt container. In particular, in the presence of a suction unit for generating a suction air flow through the brush receiving space in the dirt container into such a design of the floor cleaning device proves to be advantageous.

The cover part may for example be designed plate-shaped or substantially plate-shaped. The Schmutzableitteil can project axially from the cover and engage in the brush receiving space.

Conveniently, the Schmutzableitteil is firmly connected to the cover and is moved together with this, with a movement of a movable brush cover from the bristle cover position in the bristle release position and vice versa. As a result, the structural design of the floor cleaning device can be kept simple.

It can be provided that the Schmutzableitteil the cleaning brush in the circumferential direction partially surrounds. For example, the Schmutzableitteil surrounds the cleaning brush over about three quarters of its circumference.

If the floor cleaning appliance operates according to the "dustpan" cleaning principle, the dirt drainage area in the longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning appliance is preferably arranged behind the cleaning brush, and dirt particles can be swept from below onto the dirt drainage area.

Conveniently, the floor cleaning device comprises a sensor unit for detecting a relative position and / or relative movement of the at least one movable brush cover and the housing to each other. The sensor unit may provide, for example, a sensor signal, depending on which the movement of the floor cleaning device can be controlled. This allows in particular a so-called "wall tracking drive" in which the floor cleaning device is moved parallel to a wall along which the floor surface is cleaned with outstanding over the brush cover bristle release position cleaning bristles, the brush cover transferred by contact with the wall in the bristle release position and in this is held.

It is advantageous if the sensor unit has at least one sensor element, with which the relative position and / or relative movement of the at least one movable brush cover and the housing, moreover, can be detected contactlessly with respect to one another, in particular a contact-related detection of the relative position subject to mechanical wear and / or To avoid relative movement.

Conveniently, a continuous detection of the relative position and / or relative movement of the at least one movable brush cover and the housing is otherwise provided. The movement of the floor cleaning device can be controlled in this way more accurately.

It proves to be advantageous in an implementation of the floor cleaning device in practice, when the at least one sensor element is a Hall sensor. Using a Hall sensor, a high measurement accuracy and a contactless detection of the relative position and / or relative movement can be ensured. A continuous detection of the relative position and / or relative movement is possible.

Conveniently, the sensor unit has at least one magnet which is arranged in a receptacle of the at least one movable brush cover, and the at least one Hall sensor is otherwise arranged on the housing and interacts with the at least one magnet. Upon movement of the brush cover, the magnet arranged in the receptacle is moved. This movement can be registered by the housing, which is otherwise arranged on the Hall sensor, and a related sensor signal can be provided. The at least one magnet is arranged, for example, in a receptacle formed by the aforementioned dirt drainage part, preferably on its side facing away from the cleaning brush, in order to protect the magnet from dirt particles. For example, the Schmutzableitteil a arranged above the cleaning brush section with a recording, in which the magnet is inserted from above and a housing portion on which the Hall sensor is arranged, covers the bottom, so that the Hall sensor protected from dirt particles can be.

It is advantageous if the floor cleaning device comprises a control unit, to which a sensor signal with respect to the relative position and / or relative movement of the at least one movable brush cover and the housing incidentally fed to each other, and if the floor cleaning device comprises a drive wheels exhibiting running gear, which at least one associated with the control unit in operative connection drive motor is associated, which is controlled by the control unit in response to the sensor signal.

This allows, as already mentioned, a control of the movement of the floor cleaning device depending on the sensor signal of the sensor unit. In particular, this can also be done the already mentioned "wall tracking drive" and the floor surface to be cleaned along walls.

It can be provided that the floor cleaning device comprises a suction unit for sucking dirt into a dirt container of the floor cleaning device. By using the suction unit, a better cleaning result can be achieved.

Object of the present invention is also to provide a method for controlling the movement of a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device, by the execution of a better cleaning result is achieved.

This object is achieved by an inventive method in which the movement of one of the aforementioned self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning devices is controlled, with a sensor unit of the floor cleaning device a relative position and / or relative movement of the at least one movable brush cover and the housing incidentally to each other is detected and a control unit of the floor cleaning device, a sensor signal is supplied in this regard, and wherein the floor cleaning device comprises a drive wheels exhibiting chassis, which is at least one associated with the control unit in operative connection drive motor, which is controlled by the control unit in response to the sensor signal.

As already mentioned, the relative position and / or relative movement of the brush cover and the housing relative to one another can be used with the method according to the invention in order to carry out cleaning near obstacles close to the edge. The others already in connection with the invention Floor cleaning device mentioned advantages can also be achieved using the method.

It is advantageous if the presence of an obstacle, in particular a wall, is detected with the sensor unit and the control unit calculates the path of the floor cleaning appliance in the direction of the obstacle so that the floor cleaning appliance contacts the obstacle with the at least one movable brush cover and this is moved from the bristle cover position to the bristle release position. After detecting the obstacle, in particular a wall, the floor cleaning device can be moved so that the brush cover is transferred by contacting the obstacle in the bristle release position, so that cleaning bristles protrude over the brush cover. In particular, the floor cleaning device can be aligned parallel to the obstacle, taking into account the sensor signal.

Conveniently, the floor cleaning device is moved depending on the sensor signal along the obstacle, with contacting the obstacle with the at least one movable brush cover, wherein the brush cover occupies the bristle release position. This makes it possible to perform a so-called "obstacle tracking ride" in which the floor surface is cleaned along the obstacle. In particular, the floor cleaning device is moved parallel to the obstacle.

It is advantageous if the motor current and / or the motor torque of the at least one drive motor is detected and the control unit is provided with a relevant measurement signal that is taken into account by the control unit in the drive of the drive motor in addition to the sensor signal. The motor current and / or the motor torque are in particular a measure of the resistance that the obstacle opposes the floor cleaning device when it is moved along the obstacle. If, for example, the floor cleaning appliance tilts relative to the obstacle, this can be done by the floor cleaning appliance be determined based on the motor current and / or motor torque and the control of the drive motor can be changed so that the floor cleaning device moves along the obstacle again. In combination with the sensor signal of the control unit, obstacle tracking travel can thereby be performed in a more reliable manner.

With the method according to the invention, in particular improved corner cleaning is possible. For example, corners to be cleaned are approached and cleaned from two directions. The floor cleaning device may perform wall tracking travels along the corners abutting walls, the corner being approached along one wall, the floor cleaning device subsequently being positioned against the other wall, and the corner being approached along the other wall. It proves to be advantageous if the floor cleaning device, as mentioned above, comprises two movable brush covers on opposite outer sides.

Figur 1:

eine Ansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Bodenreinigungsgerätes von unten;

Figur 2:

eine vergrößerte Darstellung von Detail A in Figur 1, wobei eine Bürstenabdeckung des Bodenreinigungsgerätes eine Borstenüberdeckstellung einnimmt;

Figur 3:

eine Darstellung entsprechend Figur 2, wobei die Bürstenabdeckung eine Borstenfreigabestellung einnimmt;

Figur 4:

eine Seitenansicht des Bodenreinigungsgerätes aus Figur 1 in Richtung des Pfeiles "4" in Figur 1;

Figur 5:

eine geschnittene Teildarstellung des Bodenreinigungsgerätes aus Figur 1 in perspektivischer Explosionsdarstellung, wobei insbesondere ein Teil eines Gehäuses, einer Bürstenabdeckung, einer Reinigungsbürste und ein Magnet einer Sensoreinheit des Bodenreinigungsgerätes dargestellt sind und

Figur 6:

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild des Bodenreinigungsgerätes aus Figur 1.

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 view of a preferred embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the invention from below;

FIG. 2:

an enlarged view of detail A in FIG FIG. 1 wherein a brush cover of the floor cleaning device assumes a bristle cover position;

FIG. 3:

a representation accordingly FIG. 2 wherein the brush cover occupies a bristle release position;

FIG. 4:

a side view of the floor cleaning device FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrow "4" in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5:

a sectional partial view of the floor cleaning device FIG. 1 in a perspective exploded view, wherein in particular a part of a housing, a brush cover, a cleaning brush and a magnet of a sensor unit of the floor cleaning device are shown and

FIG. 6:

a schematic block diagram of the floor cleaning device FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 1 shows in a view from below a preferred embodiment of a total occupied by the reference numeral 10 floor cleaning device. The floor cleaning device 10 is self-propelled and self-steering and designed in the form of a so-called "cleaning robot". For the procedure on a set-up or floor surface 12 ( FIG. 4 ), the floor cleaning device 10 comprises a chassis 14, the two drive wheels 15 and 16 and two non-driven pivoting castors 17 and 18 has. The drive wheels 15, 16 and the castors 17, 18 define a touch level of the floor cleaning device 10, which coincides in its operating position with a set-up level defined by the bottom surface 12.

The chassis 14 is held on the underside of a housing 20 of the floor cleaning device 10, which forms a base body of the floor cleaning device 10. The housing 20 defines a longitudinal or main direction of movement 22 of the floor cleaning device 10, along which the floor cleaning device 10 moves when the drive wheels 15 and 16 are driven with equal force, the bottom surface 12 opposes them the same resistance and the floor cleaning device 10 contacted no obstacle.

How out FIG. 6 shows, the drive wheels 15, 16 associated with drive motors 24 and 25, which are connected via control lines 26 and 27 with a control unit 28 in operative connection and can be controlled by this. Furthermore, the drive wheels 15, 16 are associated with Radencoder 29 and 30, which are connected via signal lines 31 and 32 to the control unit 28 to provide these signals relating to the number of revolutions of the wheels 15 and 16 respectively.

The floor cleaning device 10 further comprises a floor cleaning unit 34, which is in operative connection with the control unit 28 via control lines, of which in FIG. 6 by way of example only one control line 35 is shown. The floor cleaning unit 34 includes a cleaning brush 36 and an in FIG. 1 only schematically illustrated suction unit 37th

The cleaning brush 36 is configured as a roller brush which defines a brush axis 39 aligned in the transverse direction 38 of the floor cleaning appliance 10, which at the same time is also a rotation axis of the cleaning brush 36. The cleaning brush 36 is rotatably drivable in a brush receiving space 40 formed by the housing 20 near the front of the floor cleaning device 10, wherein a drive motor, not shown in the drawing, of the floor cleaning unit 34 is provided for its drive. In the brush receiving space 40, the cleaning brush 36 is mounted "free-floating", with their end faces 41 and 42 are free of bearing elements for rotatable mounting. The bearing of the cleaning brush 36 is rather at a distance from the respective end faces 41, 42 via bearing bushes 43 and 44. The driving force of the drive motor is transmitted via the bearing bush 43 to the cleaning brush 36.

The cleaning brush 36 operates on the "dustpan" cleaning principle, wherein its direction of rotation is such that dirt particles facing away from the bottom surface 12 in the direction of the back of the floor cleaning device 10 and on a sloping backwards and upwards Schmutzableitfläche 45 swept. Under the action of the suction unit 37, the dirt particles are sucked into a dirt container 46 from the Schmutzableitfläche 45, through an inlet opening 47 of the dirt container 46 therethrough ( FIG. 5 ).

As in particular from the FIGS. 1 to 3 As can be seen, the brush receiving space 40 extends along the entire transverse direction 38 from a left side 48 to a right side 49 of the floor cleaning device 10. At the left side 48 and the right side 49, the brush receiving space 40 by brush covers 50 and 51 of the housing 20th laterally closed in the transverse direction 38. The brush covers 50 and 51 thereby form walls of the brush receiving space 40, which cover the cleaning brush 36 at the end faces 41 and 42 substantially completely. The brush covers 50 and 51 are also arranged on the outside of the floor cleaning device 10, wherein they form part of the base body of the outer contour of the floor cleaning device 10 and on the left side 48 and the right side 49 on the other components of the floor cleaning device 10 in the transverse direction 38th protrude laterally.

The brush covers 50 and 51 are formed with respect to a central longitudinal plane of the floor cleaning device 10 symmetrically in function and structure to each other. For this reason, only the brush cover 50 on the left side 48 will be discussed below.

The brush cover 50 comprises a cover member 52 arranged on the outside in the transverse direction and a dirt removal member 53 arranged on the inside thereof in the transverse direction 38. The cover member 52 covers the cleaning brush 36 on its end face 41 on the outside substantially completely. On the inside, the dirt removal part 53 protrudes from the cover part 52, which has an axial extent with respect to the brush axis 39 and engages in the brush receiving space 40.

The cover member 52 has a side view approximately egg-shaped to elliptical and spatially a concave-convex shape, wherein it is outside convex in the longitudinal direction 22 and formed in the height direction of the floor cleaning device 10. At the outer edge, the cover 52 has a two-stage chamfer 54 which extends from the front to the back along the edge of the cover 52. In particular, the cover 52 is thereby provided at the front and at the back relative to the longitudinal direction 22 with a chamfer, so that its contour in the housing 20 passes over the rest.

The cover 52 includes two portions, a larger, upper portion 55 and a smaller, lower portion 56. The lower portion 56 faces the bottom surface 12 and is configured as a lip 57. The lip 57 is made of an elastically deformable material, such as rubber. manufactured, and extends substantially in the longitudinal direction 22. Between the lip 57 and the bottom surface 12, a gap 58 is formed. The space has the purpose that the brush cover 50 is not tilted during the process on particular carpet floor surfaces 12 and the floor cleaning device 10 gets stuck. In order to reduce the risk of tilting in addition, the elastically deformable lip 57 is provided, whereas the upper portion 55 of the cover 52 is formed rigid.

The lip 57 has a front lip portion 59 and a rear lip portion 60, along which the lower edge of the lip 57 extends parallel to the bottom surface 12, respectively. The gap 58 in the region of the front lip portion 59 and the rear lip portion 60 is the same size and is in the range of a few millimeters. Between the lip portions 59 and 60 there is a middle lip portion 61, in the region of which the lip 57 has a recess 62 concave relative to the bottom surface 12. Due to the recess 62, the lower edge of the lip 57 deviates with respect to the bottom surface 12, so that the gap 58 in the region of the recess 62 is larger than in the region of the lip portions 59 and 60.

The recess 62 has approximately the shape of a club widening from the rear to the front, and is positioned in the longitudinal direction 22 so that its center is approximately below the brush axis 39. Viewed from the left 48 ( FIG. 4 ), the cleaning brush 36 is thereby not completely covered by the cover member 52 in a small portion, with respect to free ends of the cleaning bristles 63 of the cleaning brush 36, and with respect to these over an angular range of about 55 degrees as it rotates about the brush axis 39 ,

The Schmutzableitteil 53 surrounds the cleaning brush 36 in its circumferential direction to about three quarters and has a front portion 64, an upper portion 65 and a rear portion 66 on. The rear portion 66 forms a Schmutzableitfläche 67, which covers the already mentioned Schmutzableitfläche 45 axially over the length of the Schmutzableitteils 53. Debris removed from the cleaning brush 36 can therefore be directed onto the dirt deflecting surface 67 and guided by it in the direction of the inlet opening 47. This is advantageous because it allows the inlet opening 47 with its outer edge of the left side 48 can be spaced and dirt particles can still be reliably guided into the dirt container 46.

The brush cover 50 is mounted on the housing 20 by the way axially displaceable. For this purpose, fixed to the cover 52 bearing elements 68 in the form of bearing pins on the front and at the rear set (in FIG. 5 shown on the housing 20). The bearing elements 68 engage in corresponding bearing elements 69 on the housing 20 in the form of bearing sleeves (only one bearing element 69 in FIG FIG. 5 shown). The displacement of the brush cover 50 takes place counter to the restoring force of an elastic return element 70, in the present case in the form of a helical spring, which is supported in a bearing sleeve on the housing 20, engages in a receptacle on the cover 52 and is supported on this. The restoring force acts to the outside, so that the brush cover 50 is pressed in a basic position by the return element 70 to the outside and against the restoring force on the cleaning brush 36 can be moved to.

As in particular from FIG. 2 3, the brush cover 50 laterally projects beyond the bristles 63 on the end of the cleaning brush 36 facing the brush cover 50 in the transverse direction 38, so that the cover 52 is arranged outside with respect to the free ends of the cleaning bristles 63. The cleaning bristles 63 are arranged on the brush receiving space 40 facing side of the cover 52 with their free ends and in particular axially spaced from the cover 52. For this reason, the basic position of the brush cover 50 is also referred to as bristle cover position, which it occupies when no force acts on it from the outside. A contact of the cleaning bristles 63 due to wear with the cover 52 can be avoided.

If the floor cleaning device 10 contacts an obstacle, for example a wall, along which a cleaning is to take place, the brush cover 50 can be displaced due to a force acting in the axial direction of the cleaning brush 36. The displacement of the brush cover 50 takes place in the direction of the cleaning brush 36 into a bristle release position (FIG. 3). In the inserted bristle release position, the cleaning bristles 63 on the cover part 52 facing the end of the cleaning brush 36 project laterally beyond the cover 52 with their free ends in the transverse direction 38. The cleaning bristles 63 pass through the gap 58 in the region of the recess 62 over the above-mentioned angular range of approximately 55 °. For this purpose, it proves to be advantageous that the cleaning bristles 63 are aligned at the end facing the cover 52 obliquely with respect to the brush axis 39 and the radial direction related thereto.

Since the cleaning brush 36 36 is cantilevered, a compact design can be achieved in which only a small displacement of about 5 mm is required to move the brush cover 50 from the bristle cover to the bristle release position.

In the bristle release position of the brush cover 50, the cleaning bristles 63 protrude laterally beyond the cover 52 in the transverse direction 38. As a result, it is possible, in particular, to carry out a cleaning of the bottom surface 12 as far as the brush cover 50, which contacts and displaces it from the bristle cover position into the bristle release position. Even in the bristle release position, the brush cover 50 forms with the cover 52 a part of the outer contour of the floor cleaning device 10, so that the free ends of the laterally projecting cleaning bristles 63 at the same time protrude beyond the base body and the base of the floor cleaning device 10.

With the floor cleaning device according to the invention thereby a more effective cleaning of the bottom surface 12 can be achieved. By transferring the brush cover 50 from the bristle cover position to the bristle release position, areas of the floor surface 12 close to obstacles can be detected and dirt particles can be turned away therefrom. Under the action of the suction unit 37, the dirt particles can also be sucked through the formation of a suction flow through the intermediate space 58 into the dirt container.

Both in the bristle cover position and in the bristle release position, the cover part 52 substantially completely covers the cleaning brush 36 on the front side. Obstacles such as, in particular curtains or curtains are thereby protected from being detected by the cleaning brush 36. In addition, the suction flow in the direction of the suction unit 37 is improved.

The floor cleaning device 10 further comprises a sensor unit 72 having a plurality of sensor elements, which are connected via signal lines to the control unit 28 in operative connection, of which in FIG. 6 only one signal line 73 is shown. The sensor unit 72 has a Hall sensor 74, which is associated with the brush cover 50. The Hall sensor 74 is fixed to the housing 20, on a housing portion 75, which is disposed above the upper portion 65 of the Schmutzableitteils 53. At the upper portion 65 a trough-shaped receptacle 76 is formed, in which a permanent magnet 77 is positioned.

Also in the case of the brush cover 51, a corresponding Hall sensor, a receptacle and a magnet are provided.

With the Hall sensor 74, a relative movement and a relative position of the brush cover 50 relative to the housing 20, moreover, detected contactlessly and the control unit 28 a related continuous sensor signal can be provided. Incidentally, if the brush cover 50 moves relative to the housing 20, a signal is generated in the Hall sensor 74 due to the moving magnet 77, which signal can be evaluated by the control unit 28 for detecting the movement and / or the position of the brush cover 50.

The control unit 28 can control the drive motors 24 and 25 as a function of the sensor signal via the control lines 26 and 27. This makes it possible, in particular, to move the floor cleaning appliance 10 along and in particular parallel to an obstacle, such as in particular a wall, in order to carry out a cleaning of the floor area 12 close to the obstacle.

For a near-wall cleaning of a floor surface 12 by performing a so-called "wall-tracking run", in which the brush cover 50 contacts the wall, it is possible, for example, to proceed as follows:

The floor cleaning device 10 can detect the wall by means of sensor elements of the sensor unit 72 and transmit a sensor signal to the control unit 28. This is in FIG. 4 an optical sensor element 78 shown, but it could also be provided a tactile sensor element. The control unit 28 may calculate the path, and in particular the angle, at which the floor cleaning appliance 10 is moved towards the wall so that the brush cover 50 contacts the wall and is displaced therefrom from the bristle cover position towards the bristle release position. For this purpose, it proves to be advantageous that the cover 52 is convex on the outside and has the chamfer 54. The brush cover 50 can be shifted even when the floor cleaning device 10 is aligned at a relatively large angle to the wall.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the floor cleaning device 10 contacts the obstacle with the brush cover 50, a relevant sensor signal is transmitted to the control unit 28 and then determined by the control unit 28 with the aid of the sensor element 78 that the obstacle is one Wall acts.

The floor cleaning device 10 can then be aligned with the longitudinal direction 22 parallel to the wall, wherein the brush cover 50 assumes the bristle release position and the wall continues to contact substantially flat. For fine adjustment of the contact, the cover 52 on the outside flat projections 79 which are designed rib-shaped and extend in the longitudinal direction 22. As mentioned above, the free ends of the cleaning bristles 63 pass through the gap 58 in the region of the recess 62.

The floor cleaning device 10 can then be moved parallel to the wall, with a near-wall cleaning due to the bristle release position engaging brush cover 50 is possible. In addition, the movement can be controlled by the sensor signal of the Hall sensor 74. If the sensor element changes, the control unit 28 can recognize that the floor cleaning appliance 10 deviates from the desired direction of movement and actuate the drive motors 24 and 25 to correct the movement.

In the motion control motor currents and / or motor torques of the drive motors 24 and 25 can be included, which can also be detected by the control unit 28, and signals of the Radencoder 29 and 30. If the floor cleaning device 10, for example, when driving along the wall tilted change the engine power and / or the engine torque and the rotational speeds of the drive wheels 15 and 16. The control unit 28 can determine from the measurement signals, in addition to the sensor signal of the Hall sensor 74 that the floor cleaning device 10 deviates from the desired direction of movement and optionally make a direction correction.

Since both the left side 48 and the right side 49 movable brush covers 50 and 51 are present, the floor cleaning device 10 can make wall-tracking trips with the left side 48 and the right side 49. This proves to be particularly advantageous for corner cleaning. For example, the floor cleaning appliance 10 moves as far as possible along a first wall into the corner and cleans along the first wall. Subsequently, the floor cleaning device 10 can reset, approach the second wall and as far as possible drive along the second wall into the corner while cleaning along the second wall. It turns out that in this way, corners can be cleaned except for only a relatively small residual dirt area not covered by the sweeping mirror of the cleaning brush 36.

Claims (17)

1. Self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaner (10), comprising a housing (20) and a cleaning tool in the form of a cleaning brush (36) comprising cleaning bristles (63), wherein the housing (20) forms a brush accommodating space (40) in which the cleaning brush (36) is accommodated so as to be rotationally drivable about an axis of rotation (39) aligned in the transverse direction (38) of the floor cleaner (10), in relation to a longitudinal or main direction of movement (22) of the floor cleaner (10), and wherein the housing (20) comprises or forms brush covers (50, 51) which cover the cleaning brush (36), at least in sections, at the end faces thereof, characterized in that at least one brush cover (50, 51) is constructed so as to be movable relative to the remaining housing (20) and is transferable from a bristle covering position in which the brush cover (50, 51) protrudes laterally over cleaning bristles (63) of the cleaning brush (36) in the transverse direction (38) of the floor cleaner (10) to a bristle releasing position in which some of the cleaning bristles (63) project laterally beyond the brush cover (50, 51) in the transverse direction (38) of the floor cleaner (10), and vice versa.
2. Floor cleaner in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that cleaning bristles (63) of the cleaning brush (36) stand out at least at its end facing the at least one movable brush cover (50, 51) at a slant to the axis of rotation (39) in the direction of the brush cover (50, 51).
3. Floor cleaner in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that both brush covers (50, 51) are each transferable from a bristle covering position to a bristle releasing position and vice versa.
4. Floor cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one movable brush cover (50, 51) is arranged on the outside of the housing (20), and in the bristle covering position, preferably also in the bristle releasing position, forms a section of the outer contour of the housing (20).
5. Floor cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one brush cover (50, 51) covers the cleaning brush (36) at the end face completely or substantially completely.
6. Floor cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one movable brush cover (50, 51) is displaceable in the axial direction of the cleaning brush (36) for transference from the bristle covering position to the bristle releasing position and vice versa, preferably in that the floor cleaner (10) comprises at least one resetting element (70), against the resetting force of which the at least one movable brush cover (50, 51) is transferable from the bristle covering position to the bristle releasing position.
7. Floor cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that no mounting elements for rotatable mounting of the cleaning brush (36) are present at least at the end face (41) of the cleaning brush (36) which is covered by the at least one movable brush cover (50, 51).
8. Floor cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one movable brush cover (50, 51), in the bristle covering position, is spaced from the cleaning bristles (63) of the cleaning brush (36) which face the brush cover (50, 51).
9. Floor cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one brush cover (50, 51) comprises at its side facing a set-down surface (12) for the floor cleaner (10), in relation to an operating position of the floor cleaner (10) on the set-down surface (12), an elastically deformable lip (57).
10. Floor cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one brush cover (50, 51) comprises a cover part (52) which at least partially covers the cleaning brush (36) at the end face and a dirt discharge part (53) which is arranged in the brush accommodating space (40) and forms a dirt discharge surface (67) for discharging dirt swept off a floor surface (12) with the cleaning brush (36) in the direction towards an inlet opening (47) of a dirt container (46) of the floor cleaner (10).
11. Floor cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor cleaner (10) comprises a sensor unit (72) for detecting a relative position and/or relative movement of the at least one movable brush cover (50, 51) and of the remaining housing (20) with respect to each other, preferably contactlessly by means of at least one sensor element (74) of the sensor unit (72).
12. Floor cleaner in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the at least one sensor element (74) is a Hall sensor (74), and in that the sensor unit (72) comprises at least one magnet (77) which is arranged in a receptacle (76) of the at least one movable brush cover (50, 51), and in that the at least one Hall sensor (74) is arranged on the remaining housing (20) and interacts with the at least one magnet (77).
13. Floor cleaner in accordance with claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the floor cleaner (10) comprises a control unit (28) which can be supplied with a sensor signal relating to the relative position and/or relative movement of the at least one movable brush cover (50, 51) and of the remaining housing (20) with respect to each other, and in that the floor cleaner (10) comprises a chassis (14) having drive wheels (15, 16), with which there is associated at least one drive motor (24, 25) which is in operative connection with the control unit (28) and can be controlled by the control unit (28) in dependence upon the sensor signal.
14. Floor cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor cleaner (10) comprises a suction unit (37) for sucking in dirt into a dirt container (46) of the floor cleaner (10).
15. Method for controlling the movement of a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaner in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a relative position and/or relative movement of the at least one movable brush cover and of the remaining housing with respect to each other is detected with a sensor unit of the floor cleaner, and a sensor signal relating thereto is supplied to the control unit of the floor cleaner, and wherein the floor cleaner comprises a chassis having drive wheels with which there is associated at least one drive motor which is in operative connection with the control unit and is controlled by the control unit in dependence upon the sensor signal.
16. Method in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that the presence of an obstacle, in particular, a wall, is detected with the sensor unit, and the path of the floor cleaner in the direction towards the obstacle is calculated with the control unit such that the floor cleaner contacts the obstacle with the at least one movable brush cover and the brush cover is moved from the bristle covering position to the bristle releasing position.
17. Method in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that the floor cleaner is moved along the obstacle in dependence upon the sensor signal, thereby contacting the obstacle with the at least one movable brush cover assuming the bristle releasing position, wherein the motor current and/or the motor torque of the at least one drive motor is preferably detected and the control unit is provided with a measurement signal relating thereto, which is taken into account in addition to the sensor signal by the control unit when controlling the drive motor.

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