EP2949253B1 - Suction cup for a floor cleaning machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a squeegee for a floor cleaning machine having an outer body, the L-shaped leg having in longitudinal cross-section comprising a first horizontal leg and a second, perpendicular to the first leg extending vertical leg, with a detachably attached to the outer body inner body, a front and a rear abutment surface extending perpendicular to the first horizontal leg, with a resilient slit strip releasably attached to the inner body at the front abutment surface, with an elastic sealing strip releasably attached to the inner body at the rear abutment surface, and with a tension band which is designed to press the sealing strip against the inner body, wherein the slot strip and the sealing strip extend over the downwardly away from the first horizontal leg facing bottom of the inner body, so that a suction space between Chen the slot strip and the sealing strip is formed.

Floor cleaning machines and in particular scrubber-type machines operate by first applying liquid to the floor surface to be cleaned by means of a cleaning brush provided with driven brushes on the machine floor, the brushes releasing the dirt on the floor surface then absorbed by the cleaning fluid. A squeegee also attached to the scrubber will then resume picking up the dirt-laden fluid.

Such suction cups are known from the prior art and have seen in the direction of travel front slot bar, which is formed of rubber, rests with an edge on the bottom surface and having slots through the liquid can pass through. On the rear side of the squeegee seen in the direction of travel, a sealing strip is likewise provided made of rubber, which rests with an edge on the bottom surface, so that a suction space is formed between the slot strip and the sealing strip. This is connected via a suction line with a provided in the scrubber vacuum source. In operation, liquid penetrates through the slots into the suction space and is then sucked by the vacuum source.

Both the slot strip and the sealing strip are subject to a certain amount of wear during operation, so that it is necessary at regular intervals to replace both the sealing strip and the slot strip. Furthermore, the sealing strip and the slot strip must be attached to the squeegee so that the edges facing the bottom surface rest completely over the entire length of the strip on the bottom surface. In addition, the slot strip and the sealing strip must be attached to the inner body of the suction, so that the suction space formed therebetween is well sealed, and air can only flow through the slots provided in the slot strip therein. Finally, the structure of the suction cup should be such that a user can change the sealing strip and the slot strip quickly and reliably.

From the WO 2010/073007 A1 It is known that an inner body is inserted into a formed in an outer body of the Saugfußes guide groove, wherein between the two legs of the inner body and the wall of the groove, the sealing strip or the slot strip are arranged. However, such a structure is problematic due to manufacturing tolerances both in the outer body and in the sealing strip, the slot strip and the inner body. On the one hand, this can lead to the two bars not being in the correct orientation are used and that on the other hand, secondary air is drawn through leaks.

Furthermore, from the WO 2007/076181 A2 known to press the sealing strip and the slot strip by means of a conically shaped inner body in a groove in an outer body. Here, however, arises due to manufacturing tolerances, the problem that the height of the suction between the bottom of the inner body and the sealing and the slot strip varies, so that also changes the suction.

Finally, out of the WO 2011/057228 A1 , from which the present invention proceeds, known that a slit strip is first pushed onto domes on a vertically extending leg of an outer body. Subsequently, an inner body and finally the sealing strip are placed, wherein the entire arrangement of outer body, slot strip, inner body and sealing strip by means of a clamping band which engages with its outer ends at the free ends of the outer body, is fixed.

In this arrangement, it may happen that the inner body is deformed due to improper contact with the outer body and due to the bracing with the aid of a tensioning band acting on the outer body, that formed on the inner body bearing surfaces for the sealing strip and the slot strip not with the required alignment to the ground.

Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to provide a squeegee, which can be easily and reliably mounted on the one hand and are excluded in the incorrect assembly by an operator.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the inner body and the outer body are configured such that the inner body is coupled with a displacement movement perpendicular to the first horizontal leg and parallel to the second vertical leg with the outer body, and that the ends of the tension band with the Engage ends of the inner body.

In such a structure, for example, the slit strip between the vertical leg of the outer body and the inner body is arranged, while the rear located in the direction of travel sealing strip is clamped by means of the tension band on the inner body. But this distortion takes place only when the inner body is already pushed onto the outer body by a sliding movement perpendicular to the first horizontal leg and parallel to the second vertical leg on the outer body and coupled thereto. If the inner body is coupled to the outer body and in particular rests against the first horizontal leg, it can no longer be moved transversely and in particular not perpendicular to the second vertical leg.

The clamping band engages during clamping only on the inner body, but due to the engagement or the coupling of inner body and outer body can not be deformed relative to the outer body, and act on the outer body during bracing no forces that could deform this.

In a preferred embodiment, additional engagement means are provided in the region of the ends of the inner body and of the first horizontal leg of the outer body, which engage with one another when the inner body is pushed against the first horizontal leg. This makes it possible that the inner body no longer deform after being applied to the first, horizontally extending limb of the outer body can, even if exercised by the tension band forces on the inner body.

In a particularly preferred manner, these engagement means are designed such that domes are formed either on the first horizontal leg or on the inner body, which engage with corresponding recesses in either the first horizontal leg or the inner body. Such an embodiment is particularly easy to manufacture.

Further, it is preferred if the tension band has a first and a second portion and a tensioning device is provided which can assume a released position and a tensioning position. In the tensioning position, the distance between the free ends of the tensioning band provided at the mutually remote ends of the two sections is reduced relative to that of the released position. Such a tensioning device may for example be a toggle mechanism.

In order to further ensure that the tension band is tensioned only when the inner body is already pushed onto the outer body, it is preferred if one of the tension band and the outer body, in particular the first horizontal leg, has a pin extending transversely to the second vertical leg extends and the other from the outer body, in particular the first horizontal leg, and the clamping band has a tab with an extending in the direction of extension of the clamping band slot. In this case, the pin and the tab are arranged such that the pin extends through the slot when the inner body rests against the first leg and the clamping band rests against one of the slot strip and the sealing strip. Such an arrangement ensures that in the event that the clamping band is already tensioned when the inner body is not yet attached to the outer body and the inner body in this state should then be pushed onto the outer body, the tab in the Aufschiebebewegung before coming to rest with the pin, so that a further Aufschiebebewegung can not take place parallel to the second vertical leg. This signals to a user that he must first loosen the strap, then push the inner body parallel to the second vertical leg on the outer body and only then can tighten the strap.

When the strap is provided with the tensioning device already described, the slot is preferably sized so that the tensioning device can take both the dissolved and the tensioned position when the pin extends through the slot.

Preferably, the arrangement is formed so that the tab is formed on a portion of the tension band and the pin is provided on the first horizontal leg.

Finally, it is preferred if on the inner body extending to the first horizontal leg threaded bolts are provided which extend through holes in the first horizontal leg. In this way, the movement is clearly defined, along which the inner body is pushed onto the outer body before tensioning the tension band. In this case, then, the inner body can be easily fixed by means of wing nuts or the like, which are screwed onto the threaded bolt.

Fig. 1

das Ausführungsbeispiel in einer perspektivischen Darstellung von vorne zeigt,

Fig. 2

das Ausführungsbeispiel in einer perspektivischen Darstellung auch von hinten zeigt,

Fig. 3

das Ausführungsbeispiel im demontierten Zustand einer Ansicht von hinten zeigt,

Fig. 4

das Ausführungsbeispiel im demontierten Zustand in einer perspektivischen Darstellung von unten zeigt,

Fig. 5

ein Detail am Ende des Außenkörpers in perspektivischer Darstellung zeigt und

Fig. 6

ein Detail im mittleren Bereich des Saugfußes in perspektivischer Darstellung zeigt.

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

Fig. 1

the embodiment in a perspective view from the front shows

Fig. 2

the embodiment in a perspective view also from behind,

Fig. 3

the embodiment in disassembled state of a view from behind shows

Fig. 4

the embodiment in disassembled state in a perspective view from below,

Fig. 5

a detail at the end of the outer body in a perspective view shows and

Fig. 6

a detail in the central region of the suction in a perspective view shows.

Like from the Fig. 1 to 4 It can be seen, the embodiment shown in the drawing of a Saugfußes 1 according to the invention an outer body 3, which has a curved course in plan view, with the free ends 5 of the outer body 3 seen in the direction R, in which the Saugfuß 1 during operation of the scrubber to which it is attached, is pulled over the floor surface, extending farther forward than a middle section. As in particular from the 3 and 4 shows, the outer body 3 in cross-section perpendicular to the extension direction between the free ends 5 L-shaped legs 7, 9. Here, a first horizontal and parallel to the surface to be cleaned extending leg 7 is provided. Perpendicular thereto extends in the vertical direction, a second leg 9, which is attached to the seen in the direction of movement R front side of the first leg 7. This second leg 9 points from the first leg 7 down to the bottom surface to be cleaned.

On the outer body 3, two wheels 11 are provided which support the Saugfuß 1 in a movement over a floor surface to be cleaned. Finally, the outer body 3 in the middle of a through hole 13 through which a still further described connection piece is guided, and laterally spaced therefrom wing nuts 15 are provided, which engage with threaded bolts also described in more detail.

In addition, the squeegee 1 has an inner body 17 which similar to the outer body 3 has an arcuate course, so that the free ends 19 seen in the direction of movement R of the Saugfußes 1 extend further forward than the central portion, and a front and a rear abutment surface which run perpendicular to the second horizontal leg 9. Upwardly extending threaded bolts 21 are provided on the inner body 17, which can engage with the wing nuts 15 attached to the outer body 3 so that the inner body 17 can be removably attached to the outer body 3 by means of the threaded bolts 21 and the wing nuts 15, as shown in FIGS Fig. 1 and 2 is shown. In this case, the threaded bolts 21 ensure that the inner body 17 is coupled to the outer body 3 with a displacement movement perpendicular to the first horizontal leg 7 and parallel to the second vertical leg 9. If the inner body 17 is coupled to the outer body 3 and in particular rests against the first horizontal leg 7, it can no longer be moved transversely and in particular not perpendicular to the vertical leg 9.

In addition, the inner body 17 has a connecting piece 23 which likewise extends upwards in relation to the floor surface to be cleaned and which creates a passage connection to the underside of the inner body 17. In the assembled state, the connecting piece 23 extends through the Through hole 13 in the outer body 3 therethrough (see Fig. 1 and 2 ).

On the inner body 17, a sealing strip 27 are provided on the rear abutment surface, as viewed in the direction of movement R, on the front abutment surface and on the rear abutment surface, a sealing strip 27 which is made of an elastic material such as, for example Rubber, are formed, one for abutment on the bottom surface to be cleaned provided lower edge 29, 31 and extend down over the bottom 33 of the inner body 17 also so that below the inner body 17 between the slot strip 25 and the sealing strip 27, a suction is formed which can be connected via the connecting piece 23 in connection with a suction device in the scrubber-drier. The lower edges 29, 31 of the slit strip 25 and the sealing strip 27 extend in the assembled state in a common plane, so that the suction space formed is completed relative to the bottom surface to be cleaned when the squeegee 1 rests with the slot strip 25 and the sealing strip 27 on the bottom surface.

In the mounted state of the inner body 17 on the outer body 3, the slot strip 25 supported on projections on the front side of the inner body 17 rests on the rearwardly facing side of the second vertical leg 9 and is thus positioned between the inner body 17 and the outer body 3.

The sealing strip 27 is held by a clamping band 35 on the inner body 17. The tension band 35 has a first portion 37 and a second portion 39, which extend away from a clamping device 41, which is designed as a per se known toggle mechanism outwardly. In this case, the sections 37, 39 have openings 43 through which projections 45 provided on the inner body 17 extend. These projections 45 receive both the sealing strip 27 and the sections 37, 39 of the clamping band 35 in order to keep this in the untensioned state in position on the inner body 17.

With the clamping device 41, the clamping band 35 can be brought from a released position in which the sections 37, 39 are at a greater distance from each other, in a clamping position in which the sections 37, 39 are pulled towards each other.

At the first portion 37 of the tension band 35 is an upwardly extending tab 47 is provided which, as Fig. 6 shows, is provided with a parallel to the direction of extension of the first portion 37 extending slot 49. On the first horizontal leg 7 of the outer body 3, a pin 51 is provided in the region of the tab 47 on the rearwardly facing edge, which is arranged so that it extends in the mounted state of the inner body 17 on the outer body 3 through the slot 49 therethrough. In addition, the length of the slot 49 is dimensioned such that the pin 51, even if it extends through the slot 49 therethrough, does not hinder movement of the first portion 37 during clamping of the clamping device 41 and transferring it into the clamping position. The clamping device 41 can thus be transferred from the dissolved into the clamping position in itself in the slot 49 extending pin 51.

However, prevent the tab 47 and the pin 51, that the inner body 17 with attached thereto slot strip 25 and sealing strip 27 and tensioned strap 35 on the outer body 3 in the vertical direction by sliding the threaded bolt 21 is mounted on the wing nuts 15, since then the tab 47th comes to rest with the pin 51 and prevents further movement of the inner body 17 toward the outer body 3. Consequently the arrangement of tab 47 and pin 51 ensures that the tension band is applied and tensioned only after the attachment of the inner body 17 to the outer body 3.

How finally out Fig. 5 can be seen, the downwardly facing side of the first, horizontally extending leg 7 of the outer body 3 downwardly extending dome 53 in the region of the free ends 5, which can engage in corresponding recesses in the region of the free ends 19 of the inner body 17. The engagement of the domes 53 additionally fixes the position of the free ends 19 of the inner body 17 relative to the free ends of the outer body 3.

In the embodiment described above, the procedure for changing the slot strip 25 and the sealing strip 27 as follows.

First, the squeegee 1 must be released by loosening the wing nuts 15 of the machine, not shown. The engagement of tab 47 and pin 51 prevents the inner body 17 from being released from the outer body 3.

Subsequently, after releasing the tensioning device 41 and bringing it into the released position, the tensioning strap 35 must be removed from the inner body 17 in such a way that the sections 37, 39 are pulled off the projections 45 when the tensioning strap 35 is in the released position. Subsequently, because the tab 47 and the pin 51 no longer prevent a corresponding movement, the inner body 17 are removed after the release of the wing nuts 15 from the outer body 3. Then, the slot strip 25 and the sealing strip 27 can be exchanged by in turn deducted from the corresponding projections 45 and new strips are placed.

Subsequently, the inner body 17 is again pushed by a movement perpendicular to the first horizontal leg 7 parallel to the second vertical leg 9 on the outer body 3, wherein the threaded bolts 21 are screwed onto the wing nuts 15. This can only take place when the clamping band 35 is not yet placed on the rearwardly facing side of the inner body 17 on the projections 45, since otherwise the tab 47 would come into contact with the pin 51.

When the threaded bolts 21 of the inner body 17 are completely screwed onto the wing nuts 15, the clamping band 35 can be placed, wherein the pin 51 then extends through the slot 49 in the tab 47. Subsequently, the clamping device 41 is transferred to the clamping position, which is not hindered by the dimensions of the slot 49.

By this order, in which the inner body 17 is first placed on the outer body 3 and only then takes place a tensioning of the clamping band 35, it is ensured that the inner body 17 does not warp before placing. When the inner body 17 is placed on the outer body 3, prevent the threaded bolt 21 and the engagement of the dome 53 on the outer body 3 with corresponding recesses on the inner body 17, a deformation of the inner body 17. This in turn ensures that the slot strip 25 and the sealing strip 27th or whose bottom edges 29, 31 actually extend in a common plane which extends in use parallel to the floor surface to be cleaned, so that the lower edges 29, 31 actually abut against the bottom surface over their entire length. This ensures that the suction chamber formed under the inner body 17 is reliably sealed against the bottom surface and therein generates a sufficient negative pressure by means of a suction device, not shown, which is connected to the connecting piece 23 can be. Finally, the suction cup according to the invention is easy to assemble.

Claims (8)

1. Suction cup for a floor cleaning machine with an outer body (3) having legs (7,9) arranged in an L shape in their lengthwise cross section and comprising a first horizontal leg (7) and a second vertical leg (9) running perpendicular to the first leg (7),
   with an inner body (17) detachably connected to the outer body (3), said inner body having a front and a rear contact surface running perpendicular to the first horizontal leg (7),
   with a flexible slotted bar (25) detachably connected to the inner body (17) on the front contact surface,
   with a flexible sealing bar (27) detachably connected to the inner body (17) on the rear contact surface, and
   with a leaf spring (35) designed in such a way that the sealing bar (27) is pressed against the inner body (17),
   wherein the slotted bar (25) and the sealing bar (27) project beyond the underside (33) of the inner body (17) pointing downwards away from the first horizontal leg (7), so that a suction space is formed between the slotted bar (25) and the sealing bar (27),
   characterised in that,
   the inner body (17) and the outer body (3) are designed such that the inner body (17) is coupled to the outer body (3) with a displacement movement perpendicular to the first horizontal leg (7) and parallel to the second vertical leg (9), and
   that the ends of the leaf spring (35) engage with the ends (19) of the inner body (17).
2. Suction cup according to claim 1, wherein, in the region of the ends (19) of the inner body (17) and of the first horizontal leg (7), engagement means are provided which engage with each other when the inner body (17) is in close contact with the first horizontal leg (7).
3. Suction cup according to claim 2, wherein the engagement means have domes (53) formed on the first horizontal leg (7) extending away from them and
   wherein recesses to engage with the domes (53) are formed in the inner body (17) in the upper side pointing to the first horizontal leg (7).
4. Suction cup according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the leaf spring (35) has a first and a second section (37, 39),
   wherein a tensioning device (41) is provided which can adopt a released position and a tensioned position, and
   wherein, in the tensioned position, the distance between the free ends of the leaf spring (35) provided on the ends of the sections (37,39) separated from each other is reduced compared with the released position.
5. Suction cup according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one out of the leaf spring (35) and the outer body (3) has a pin (51) projecting transversely to the second vertical leg (9),
   wherein the other out of the first horizontal leg (7) and the leaf spring (35) has a bracket (47) with an elongated hole (49), said bracket extending in the extending direction of the leaf spring (35),
   wherein the pin (51) and the bracket (47) are arranged such that the pin (51) extends through the elongated hole (49) when the inner body (17) is in close contact with the first leg (7) and the leaf spring (35) is in close contact with the sealing bar (27).
6. Suction cup according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the elongated hole (49) is dimensioned such that the tensioning device (41) can adopt the released position and the tensioned position with the pin (51) extending into the elongated hole (49).
7. Suction cup according to claims 4,5 and 6, wherein the bracket (47) is provided on one of the sections (37) of the leaf spring (35) and the pin (51) is provided on the outer body (3), preferably on the first horizontal leg (7).
8. Suction cup according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein threaded bolts (21) extending to the first horizontal leg (7) are provided on the inner body (17), said bolts extending though holes in the first horizontal leg (7).

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