EP2857586B1 - Floor cleaning machine with side brush - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a floor cleaning machine having a chassis mounted on a vehicle frame for moving the floor cleaning machine on a surface to be cleaned, with a rotatably driven side brush, which is supported on an arm which is pivotally connected about a vertical axis with a bracket attached to the vehicle frame wherein the arm has a first arm portion and a second arm portion joined together by a pivotal connection defining a vertical pivot axis, the first arm portion pivotally connected about the axis to the vehicle frame and the side brush mounted on the second arm portion Pivoting connection comprises a locking mechanism which is designed such that the first and second arm portion are held in a predetermined orientation to each other when acting on the pivotal connection torque under a predetermined Sc value, and pivotal movement of the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion is enabled when a torque acting on the pivotal connection is above the predetermined threshold, with one of the first and second arm portions having an engagement member, the other of the first and second Arm portion has a guide member having a guide surface which is provided with a latching recess which is arranged such that the engagement element engages in the predetermined orientation in the latching recess, wherein the engagement member and the guide member relative to each other are displaceable and biased towards each other and wherein the guide element is provided on the first arm portion and the engagement member on the second arm portion.

Such floor cleaning machines are provided and provided in many cases with two laterally swingable side brushes, in particular to clean surfaces or paths in such a way that the floor cleaning machine drives over the corresponding surface, wherein the rotating side brushes, which are mounted laterally seen in the direction of travel of the machine, promote dirt on the surface in the area in the center in front of the vehicle. There, the dirt is sucked by a suction device and conveyed to a dirt container in the machine.

The side brushes are adjustably mounted on the vehicle frame so that the width of the area they cover and in which they promote dirt towards the center, is adjustable. For this purpose, it is known that the side brushes are attached to the free end of a arm which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle frame. In such a structure, however, there is the problem that the holder of the side brushes may be damaged when one of the side brush collides with the forward drive of the floor cleaning machine with an obstacle.

It is from the EP 1 715 103 B1 it is known that the arm on which the side brush is mounted has two arm sections pivotally connected to each other, the pivotal connection between the arm sections being such that the two sections can be pivoted relative to each other when a torque exceeding a limit torque acts on the pivot connection. If the torque is below this limit torque, the arm sections are in a fixed predetermined position to each other. This means that in normal operation, the two arm portions are in the predetermined position to each other and the side brush is thus guided over the surface to be cleaned when driving the floor cleaning machine. However, the broom collides with an obstacle, acts on the pivotal connection beyond the limit torque beyond torque, and the one arm portion may be opposite be pivoted to the other, and it does not directly damage the bracket of the side brush. Rather, the driver of the machine has time to stop the ride.

In the in the EP 1 715 103 B1 described construction, a toggle mechanism is used to design the pivotal connection such that a pivoting of the arm portions against each other takes place only when the torque acting on the connection is above a limit torque. This mechanism is complicated and takes up a relatively large amount of space.

From the GB 2 244 741 A , from which the present invention proceeds, is also known a floor cleaning machine, a side brush holding arm is formed in two parts of two arm portions, wherein the arm portions are pivotally connected to each other about a pivot axis. Laterally outwardly away from the first arm portion is a pivotally mounted thereto latch with a detent recess, which is biased toward a likewise laterally offset from the other arm portion, there fixedly mounted engagement member. When the latch and the engagement member are engaged with each other, the arm portions are rigidly coupled together.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a floor cleaning machine with a side brush in which the side brush holder prevents it or the holder from being damaged by a broom collision with an obstacle but the holder is damaged Nevertheless, it is simple and space-saving.

This object is achieved in that one of the first and second arm portion has an engagement element, that the other of the first and second arm portion has a guide element with a guide surface extending around the pivot axis, which is provided with a detent recess, which is arranged in that the engagement element engages with the latching recess at the predetermined orientation, and that the engagement element and the guide element are displaceable relative to one another and biased toward one another.

In such a construction, only the guide element has to be attached to the one arm section, while the other arm section has the engagement element, wherein both are displaceable relative to one another. In this case, either the guide element, the engagement element or both can be displaced. In addition, it is then only necessary that a bias voltage is generated which forces the elements into engagement with each other. Finally, the guide surface has a latching recess into which the engagement element engages when the arm portions are in the predetermined orientation to each other. In order to then pivot the arm portions against each other, it is only necessary that the engagement member is moved out of the detent recess against the action of the spring bias out. Thus, by the choice of the spring preload, the limit torque can be set, which, when exceeded, pivoting of the arm sections takes place. The structure is thus designed comparatively simple and space-saving.

Furthermore, the guide member is attached to the first, hinged to the vehicle frame arm portion, while the engagement member is provided on the second arm portion which carries the side brush.

In addition, the engagement element is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the second arm portion and biased by a spring towards the guide member. This is associated with the advantage that the second arm portion, which is provided away from the vehicle frame and carries the side brush, can be comparatively slender and lightweight, while the guide element is mounted with the guide surface close to the vehicle frame on the first arm portion. In addition, then also extends the spring which biases the engagement element, if at all, only to a small extent beyond the dimensions of the second arm portion.

In particular, when the engagement element is designed as a parallel to the pivot axis bolts, a space-saving arrangement is achieved.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment, it is possible to form the second arm section as a tubular body, wherein "tubular" here is not only to be understood that the body is circular in cross section, but any cross-sectional shapes are conceivable. All that is decisive is that the tubular body has in its interior a cavity extending along its longitudinal direction having. Then, in the interior of the body, a spring may be received, which biases a bolt extending through slots in the wall, which forms the engagement element. In particular, the bolt may extend parallel to the pivot axis. With such a structure, the mechanism that biases the engagement member may be completely housed inside the tubular body and thus protected against contamination.

Finally, the guide element may be formed as a guide disc extending in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis, on which the guide surface is formed with the latching recess, which then extends parallel to the pivot axis. Such a structure is comparatively easy to implement.

In a further preferred manner, a swivel arm may be provided which is supported on the vertical axis about a vehicle frame mounted on the bracket. Attached to the pivot arm is a stop engageable with the arm and disposed on the pivot arm such that the stop limits the pivotal range of the arm outwardly about the vertical axis away from a central axis extending centrally in the direction of travel through the floor cleaning machine. wherein means for adjusting the pivotal position of the pivot arm are provided relative to the vertical pivot axis.

The adjustable swivel arm with the stop makes it possible for the arm to be freely pivotably supported by the side brush. Due to the adjustability of the swivel arm, the circumference is easily adjusted by which the arm can swing freely away from the center axis of the floor cleaning machine relative to the vehicle frame.

In order for the arm to remain in abutment away from the central axis during operation in the outer position, only the direction of rotation of the side brush drive must be selected such that upon rotation of the side brush on a surface to be cleaned, a reaction force acts on the arm away from the central axis pivots. Such a structure is then associated with the overall advantage that the side brush obstacles, which come on the side facing away from the central axis side of the side broom with this, can easily escape by a pivoting movement of the arm inward, without that a resistance on the part Bracket of the arm is opposite.

Another related advantage is that the previously described mechanism, with which the first and second arm portions are locked against pivoting with each other, must only allow pivoting of the second arm portion away from the central axis since the torque on the second arm portion is the threshold only when an obstacle so attacks the side brush that it is pressed away from the central axis. When an obstacle pushes the side brush toward the central axis, the arm as a whole can pivot freely inward, so that the arm portions do not have to be pivoted against each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the arm has an abutment portion which extends in the pivot plane of the arm beyond the vertical axis of the side brush away, wherein the stop is arranged on the pivot arm, that it at the center axis facing side of the abutment portion with this can come to the plant. Such a structure makes it possible to form the pivot arm so that it is arranged on the side of the vertical axis facing the central axis is and does not have to extend far outward from the central axis.

Further, an auxiliary stopper may be attached to the pivoting arm and disposed thereon such that the auxiliary stopper restricts the pivotal range of the arm inwardly about the vertical axis toward the central axis. This allows the swing arm to be used to push the arm outwardly from a transport position close to the vehicle frame.

It is particularly preferred if the additional stop is arranged on the pivot arm so that it can come to bear on the side facing the central axis of the arm with this. This ensures that the pivot arm does not have to extend beyond the arm laterally outwardly away from the central axis.

For adjusting the pivot arm, it is preferred if the pivot arm spaced from the vertical pivot axis with one end of a linear actuator, preferably a hydraulic cylinder is connected, the other end is fixedly mounted on the vehicle frame.

The above-described arrangement of a swing arm whose pivotal position is adjustable relative to the vertical pivot axis and which is provided with a stop, as well as the associated preferred embodiments are independently inventive, and may also be used independently of the locking mechanism between the first and second arm portion , In particular, this mechanism can be used with the swivel arm in general, a side brush holding arm on a floor cleaning machine.

Fig. 1

das Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Bodenreinigungsmaschine in perspektivischer Ansicht zeigt,

Fig. 2

eine der Seitenbesenanordnungen der Bodenreinigungsmaschine aus Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung von vorne zeigt, wobei der erste und zweite Armabschnitt in der vorgegebenen Ausrichtung sind,

Fig. 3

die Seitenbesenanordnung aus Fig. 2 in perspektivischer Darstellung von der Seite zeigt,

Fig. 4

die Seitenbesenanordnung aus Fig. 3 in einer Schnittdarstellung zeigt,

Fig. 5

die Seitenbesenanordnung der Bodenreinigungsmaschine aus Fig. 2 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung von der Seite zeigt, wobei der erste und zweite Armabschnitt aus der vorgegebenen Ausrichtung heraus gegeneinander verschwenkt sind,

Fig. 6

die Seitenbesenanordnung der Bodenreinigungsmaschine aus Fig. 2 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung von der Seite zeigt, wobei der erste und zweite Armabschnitt ebenfalls aus der vorgegebenen Ausrichtung heraus gegeneinander verschwenkt sind,

Fig. 7

die Verbindung des Arms der Seitenbesenanordnung aus Fig. 2 mit dem Fahrzeugrahmen in einer ersten Schwenkstellung des Arms zeigt und

Fig. 8

die Verbindung des Arms der Seitenbesenanordnung aus Fig. 2 mit dem Fahrzeugrahmen in einer zweiten Schwenkstellung des Arms zeigt.

In the following, the present invention will be explained with reference to a merely a preferred embodiment illustrative drawing, wherein

Fig. 1

the embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the invention in a perspective view shows

Fig. 2

one of the side brush assemblies of the floor cleaning machine Fig. 1 in a perspective view from the front, wherein the first and second arm portion are in the predetermined orientation,

Fig. 3

the side brush assembly Fig. 2 in a perspective view from the side,

Fig. 4

the side brush assembly Fig. 3 in a sectional view shows

Fig. 5

the side brush assembly of the floor cleaning machine Fig. 2 in a perspective view of the side shows, wherein the first and second arm portion are pivoted out of the predetermined orientation against each other,

Fig. 6

the side brush assembly of the floor cleaning machine Fig. 2 in a perspective view of the side shows, wherein the first and second arm portion are also pivoted out of the predetermined orientation against each other,

Fig. 7

the connection of the arm of the side brush assembly Fig. 2 shows with the vehicle frame in a first pivotal position of the arm and

Fig. 8

the connection of the arm of the side brush assembly Fig. 2 with the vehicle frame in a second pivotal position of the arm shows.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 with side brush assemblies according to the invention 3. The side brush assemblies 3 are mounted on both sides of the central axis M of the floor cleaning machine 1. The central axis M extends along the direction of travel in the longitudinal direction from the front end to the rear end centrally through the floor cleaning machine 1, as is apparent from Fig. 1 can be seen.

The floor cleaning machine 1 is provided with a chassis having four wheels 5 ', 5 ", whereby the front wheels 5' are steerable The chassis with the wheels 5 ', 5" is mounted on a vehicle frame 7. As further out Fig. 2 can be seen, a bracket 9 is mounted vertically adjustable on the vehicle frame 7, which supports the two side brush assemblies 3 on the vehicle frame 7.

In the Fig. 2 to 8 in each case the left side brush assembly 3 seen in the direction of travel of the floor cleaning machine 1 is shown. The right side brush assembly 3, however, is designed mirror-symmetrically to it, so that it is not necessary to illustrate this also in detail and explain.

The side brush assemblies 3 have a side brush 11, which is driven in rotation by a hydraulic motor 13 and is arranged below a holding plate 15. The plate 15 with the hydraulic motor 13 is articulated via a first arm portion 17 and a second arm portion 19 having arm 21 pivotally mounted on the holder 9 via a mechanism explained in more detail below. In this case, the arm 21 is pivoted about a vertical axis 23 relative to the holder 9 be adjusted so that thereby the width of the region of the surface to be cleaned, which is detected by the side brush 11 when driving the floor cleaning machine 1. In this context, the term "vertical" should be understood to mean that the axis 23 is approximately perpendicular but not necessarily exactly perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned. Rather, it should be achieved that is moved by a pivoting movement of the arm 21 about the axis 23 of the side brush 11 substantially horizontally across the surface to be cleaned.

How the particular Fig. 3 and 5 show, the second arm portion 19 is pivotally connected to a likewise substantially vertically extending pivot axis 25 with the first arm portion 17. The first arm portion 17 has a guide element in the form of a guide plate 27, which extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis 25 and on which a parallel to the pivot axis 25 extending curved guide surface 29 is provided. The guide surface 29, which extends in the plane of the guide plate 27 about the pivot axis 25 around, also has a latching recess 31.

The second arm portion 19 is formed as a tubular body with a rectangular cross-section, wherein inside the second arm portion 19, a coil spring 33 between a fixedly attached to the second arm portion 19 stop 35 and a slidably held in the second arm portion 19, designed as a bolt 37 engaging member is provided wherein the bolt 37 extends through slots 39 in the wall of the second arm portion 19. In this case, the bolt 37 extends parallel to the pivot axis 25 and is displaceable along the slots 39 and thus in the extension direction of the second arm portion 19.

In the in the Fig. 2 to 4 shown predetermined alignment of first arm portion 17 and second arm portion 19, the second arm portion 19 extends along a line which is defined by the connecting line which passes through the axis 23 and the pivot axis 25. In this case, engages the engagement element formed as a bolt 37 in the latching recess 31 in the guide surface 29 of the guide plate 27, wherein the spring 33 holds the bolt 37 in this position. Characterized the second arm portion 19 is prevented from pivoting relative to the first arm portion 17 about the pivot axis 25, since a torque on the second arm portion 19 must be applied to the bolt 37 against the action of the spring 33 to move out of the locking recess 31. The minimum required torque and thus the associated threshold value is defined by the shape of the latching recess 31 and the bias of the spring 33. When the second arm portion 19 is pivoted out of the predetermined orientation as shown in FIGS Fig. 5 and 6 is shown, the bolt 37 bears against the guide surface 29, being held by the spring 33 in abutment therewith.

How finally out of the Fig. 2 7 and 8, the pivotal position of the entire arm 21 with respect to the vertical axis 23 relative to the bracket 9 can be adjusted by means of a hydraulic cylinder 41 and a pivoting arm 43. The below-described arrangement of the swinging arm 43 provided with a stopper 45 can also be applied generally to the swingable mount regardless of the arrangement of the two arm portions 17, 19 coupled via the lock mechanism to the bolt 37 and the guide washer 27 used by side brushes and represents a independently inventive aspect in the embodiment.

The first arm portion 17 of the arm 21 is pivotally mounted about the axis 23 on the pivot arm 43. The pivotable about the pivot axis 23 pivot arm 43 in turn has a stop 45 which is spaced from the pivot axis 23, extending parallel to the vertical axis 23 and specifies how far the first arm portion 17 of the holder 9 and thus from the central axis M can swing away to the outside. The stopper 45 therefore limits the pivotal range of the arm 21 about the vertical axis 23 away from the central axis (M).

The stopper 45 may come into abutment with the arm 21 in the form of the first arm portion 17, the first arm portion 17 having an abutment portion 47 extending in the pivoting plane of the arm 21 beyond the vertical axis 23 from that on the arm 21 Side brush 11 extends away. The stopper 45 is arranged on the pivot arm 43 such that it can come to rest on the side of the contact section 47 pointing to the center axis M or to the holder 9. Thus, the abutment 45 is disposed between the arm 21 and the bracket 9, and it is not necessary for the pivot arm 43 to extend beyond the vertical axis 23, away from the central axis M and the bracket 9, respectively.

By means of the hydraulic cylinder 41, the pivotal position of the pivot arm 43 can be adjusted relative to the vertical axis, wherein the pivot arm 43 is spaced from the vertical axis 23 connected to one end of the hydraulic cylinder 41, the other end is fixedly mounted on the vehicle frame 9.

Further, an auxiliary stop 49 is mounted on the pivot arm 43, which is arranged on the pivot arm 43 such that the additional stop 49, the pivoting range of the arm about the vertical Axis 23 towards the central axis M and towards the holder 9 is limited inwards. This additional stopper 49 also extends parallel to the vertical axis 23 of the pivot arm 43 away and is arranged so that it also at the pointing to the central axis M and the holder 9 side of the arm 21 and the first arm portion 17 with this Plant can come. This is also the additional stop 49 between the vertical axis 23 and the bracket. 9

Characterized in that the direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor 13 is selected so that in operation on contact of the side brush 11 with the bottom surface to be cleaned on the arm 21, a reaction force which pivots this away from the central axis M and the holder 9, which is the first Arm portion 17 provided abutment portion 47 in operation at the stop 45 at. But he can swing against the reaction force towards the holder 9. Thus, the predetermined by the hydraulic cylinder 41 pivot position of the pivot arm 43, as far as the arm 21 is pivoted with the side brush 11 to the outside away from the central axis M of the floor cleaning machine 1.

At the beginning of the operation of the side brush assembly, the pivot arm 43 is made of the in Fig. 7 shown position in which the arm 21 is held by the stopper 45 in a position close to the holder 9, in the in Fig. 8 shown pivoted position. In this case, additional stop 49 serves to cause the arm 21 to be pressed outwardly away from the holder 9 when the pivoting arm 43 is pivoted.

By the above-described choice of the direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor 13 and the side brush 11 acts on contact of the side brush 11 with the surface to be cleaned on the arm 21, a reaction force that pushes the arm 21 outwardly away from the central axis M and the bracket 9, so the contact portion 47 normally abuts against the stop 45.

Then, when in operation, the floor cleaning machine 1 is moved over a floor surface to be cleaned, the side brush 11 driven by the hydraulic motors 13 dirt to the center of the floor cleaning machine and thus promote a suction mouth, not shown, located in the side brush assemblies 3, the second arm portion 19 relative to the first arm portion in the previously described predetermined orientation, wherein the bolt 37 engages in the latching recess 31.

Now, the case may occur that an obstacle is in the way of the side brush 11. When the side brush 11 moves in front of this obstacle, depending on the position of the obstacle relative to the side brush 11, it can freely pivot against the previously described reaction force, which is generated by the rotation of the side brush 11, towards the holder 9 and thus avoid the obstacle when the obstacle away from the central axis facing side of the side brush 11 comes to rest with this. This is possible because the arm 21 is supported freely pivotable about the vertical axis 23 inwardly.

On the other hand, when the obstacle comes to rest on the side of the side broom 11 facing the central axis M, it can not escape by a pivoting movement of the arm 21 due to the abutment of the arm 21 against the stop 45. Then, due to the movement of the floor cleaning machine 1 on the second arm portion 19, a torque with respect to the pivot axis 25 acts to push the second arm portion 19 away from the center axis M and the bracket 9. This torque exceeds the threshold value defined by the spring 33 and the shape of the detent recess 31, so that the pin 37 is pressed out of the detent recess 31 against the action of the spring 33 and the second arm portion 19 relative to the first arm portion 17 performs a pivoting movement away from the holder 9, as shown in the Fig. 5 and 6 is shown.

The side brush 11 can thus initially avoid the obstacle, not shown, by this pivoting movement. The duration of this evasive movement gives the driver of the floor cleaning machine 1 sufficient time to stop the ride. This can prevent damage to the bracket 9 or the arm 21 from occurring.

In this case, the arrangement of the arm portions 17, 19 and the engagement element in the form of the bolt 37 and the guide element in the form of the guide plate 27 is comparatively simple and space-saving.

Claims (10)

1. Floor cleaning machine comprising a chassis attached to a vehicle frame (7) for moving the floor cleaning machine (1) over a surface to be cleaned,
   comprising a rotary driven side brush (11), which is mounted on an arm (21) which is connected pivotably about a vertical axis (23) to a mount (9) attached onto the vehicle frame (7),
   wherein the arm (21) comprises a first arm section (17) and a second arm section (19), which are connected pivotably to one another by a pivot connection defining a vertical pivot axis (25),
   wherein the first arm section is connected pivotably about the vertical axis (23) to the vehicle frame (7) and the side brush (11) is mounted on the second arm section (19),
   wherein the pivot connection comprises a locking mechanism, which is designed such that the first and second arm section (17, 19) are held in a predefined alignment relative to one another, if a torque acting on the pivot connection is below a predefined threshold, and a pivot movement of the second arm section relative to the first arm section is made possible, if a torque acting on the pivot connection is above the predefined threshold,
   wherein one of either the first and second arm sections (17, 19) comprises an engagement element (37),
   wherein the other of the first and second arm sections comprises a guiding element (27) with a guiding surface (29) which is provided with a locking depression (31) which is arranged such that the engagement element (37) engages with the predefined alignment into the locking depression (31), and
   wherein the engagement element (37) and the guiding element (27) are displaceable relative to one another and pretensioned towards one another and
   wherein the guiding element (27) is provided on the first arm section (17) and the engagement element (37) is provided on the second arm section (19),
   characterised in that
   the guiding surface (29) extends about the pivot axis (25) and in that the engagement element (37) can be displaced in longitudinal direction of the second arm section (19) and pretensioned by means of a spring (33) towards the guiding element (27).
2. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the engagement element is designed as a bolt (37) running parallel to the pivot axis (25).
3. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 2, wherein the second arm section (19) is designed as a tubular body and
   wherein the bolt (37) extends through elongated holes (39) in the wall of the tubular body.
4. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 3, wherein the spring element (33) is arranged on the inside of the tubular body.
5. Floor cleaning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guiding element is designed as a guiding disc (27) extending in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis (25), wherein the guiding surface (29) runs parallel to the pivot axis (25).
6. Floor cleaning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   wherein a pivot arm (43) is provided which is mounted pivotably about the vertical axis (23) on a mount (9) attached to the vehicle frame (7),
   wherein on the pivot arm (43) a stop (45) is attached which can come into contact with the arm (21) and which is arranged on the pivot arm (43) such that the stop (45) externally delimits the pivot range of the arm (21) about the vertical axis (23) away from a central axis (M) running centrally through the floor cleaning machine (1) in the direction of travel and
   wherein means are provided for adjusting the pivot position of the pivot arm (43) relative to the vertical axis (23).
7. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 6, wherein the arm (21) has a contact section (47) which extends in the pivot plane of the arm (21) over the vertical axis (23) away from the side brush (11) and
   wherein the stop (45) is arranged on the pivot arm (43) such that on the side of the contact section (47) pointing towards the central axis (M) it can come into contact with the latter.
8. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 6 or 7, wherein on the pivot arm (43) an additional stop (49) is attached which is arranged on the pivot arm (43) such that the additional stop (49) inwardly delimits the pivot range of the arm (21) about the vertical axis (23) towards the central axis (M).
9. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 8, wherein the additional stop (49) is arranged on the pivot arm (21) such that on the side of the arm (21) pointing towards the central axis (M) it can come into contact with the latter.
10. Floor cleaning machine according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the pivot arm (43) is connected spaced apart from the vertical axis (23) to one end of a linear actuator, preferably a hydraulic cylinder (41), the other end of which is mounted securely on the vehicle frame (7).

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