EP3106567B1 - Floor cleaning machine with liquid storage device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a floor cleaning machine having a vehicle frame to which a landing gear for moving the floor cleaning machine in a cleaning traveling direction via a floor to be cleaned surface is provided with a cleaning device attached to the vehicle frame, which can engage the floor surface to be cleaned to clean it; and with which a cleaning liquid can be applied to the floor surface to be cleaned, with a liquid receiving means for stripping and receiving the applied to the bottom surface to be cleaned cleaning liquid, which is arranged opposite to the cleaning direction behind the cleaning device, wherein the liquid receiving means at least one transverse to the cleaning direction Having extending sealing lip which is mounted on a drawbar and which is arranged so that it can rest with an edge on the floor surface to be cleaned, u nd wherein the drawbar is mounted transversely to the cleaning direction of travel movable on the vehicle frame.

From the DE 103 05 611 A1 , from which the present invention proceeds, such a floor cleaning machine is known. It is applied with the help of a mounted between the front and the rear axle of the chassis of the floor cleaning machine scrubbing cleaning liquid on the floor surface to be cleaned and at the same time cleaned with the help of provided on the scrubbing brush heads the bottom surface. The applied cleaning liquid initially remains on the bottom surface and is sucked from the opposite of the cleaning direction seen behind the scrubbing deck and in particular arranged behind the rear squeegee, wherein the squeegee has a front and a rear sealing lip, between which a gap is formed. This Gap is connected to a provided in the floor cleaning machine wastewater tank, and in the dirty water tank, a negative pressure can be generated by means of a blower, so that liquid can be sucked from the intermediate space in the dirty water tank.

In such floor cleaning machines, the following technical problem now arises.

A scrub deck has a certain working width, over which cleaning fluid is applied to the floor surface to be cleaned. This cleaning fluid must be sucked off again across the entire width. Therefore, when the floor cleaning machine makes a turn, it is necessary for the squeegee to move transversely of the landing gear to ensure that the squeegee covers the area covered by the scrub deck as much as possible.

For this purpose it is from the DE 103 05 611 A1 known to direct the squeegee on a chassis on a trapezoidal arrangement. On the one hand, this ensures that the squeegee can execute a lateral movement towards the instantaneous cornering corner when cornering. On the other hand, with this arrangement, if the squeegee makes a turn from the wall after running parallel to a vertical wall where one end of the squeegee is very close to the wall, the squeegee will allow the squeegee to do the same can perform the required lateral evasive movement. This is necessary because the squeegee is located behind the rear axle and, therefore, during such cornering, makes a pivoting movement towards the wall, which would lead to a collision.

However, with such an arrangement, it is necessary to attach side scrapers to the scrub deck, which concentrate the liquid applied in the scrub deck to the floor surface to be cleaned to a narrower strip whose width is less than that of the scrub deck. Without the side scrapers and the associated reduction in the width of the area where liquid remains on the floor surface, the width of that area would be too large to be completely caught by the squeegee.

However, this has the disadvantage that these scrapers are subject to considerable wear due to their contact with the floor surface to be cleaned and thus need to be replaced regularly, which is associated with increased maintenance of the machine.

Based on the prior art, it is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a floor cleaning machine with a liquid receiving device, which is supported on the vehicle frame, that even when cornering as large as possible coverage is given to the area acted upon by the cleaning device and still in a Curve away from a vertical wall that can dodge without problems.

According to the invention this object is achieved in that the drawbar is pivotally connected to a holding element about a first vertical pivot axis which extends vertically to the floor surface to be cleaned, that the holding element from a normal position horizontally, transversely to the direction of cleaning movement is displaceable, wherein the holding element is biased by biasing means in the normal position that a vehicle frame mounted on the support member is provided, that a first arm is provided which has a first and a second end that the first end of the first arm to a second vertical pivot axis is pivotably coupled to the support member such that the second end of the first arm is pivotally hinged to the support member about a third vertical pivot axis such that the second and third vertical pivot axes are parallel to each other and the first vertical pivot axis is parallel to the direction of travel Seen between the second and the third vertical pivot axis is arranged.

Such an arrangement made possible by the pivoting of the drawbar, at the free end of which extending transversely to the direction of cleaning cleaning lip of the liquid receiving device is mounted that when cornering and pivoting of the squeegee about the first vertical pivot axis in a position in which the squeegee vertically extends to the tangent to the circle around the instantaneous pole of the movement of the machine, the remote from the instantaneous end of the suction cup has a very large distance to the instantaneous pole, so that a total of a given width of the squeegee reaches a very large coverage with the swept from the scrubber area can be. This is because the squeegee performs a simple pivotal movement about the first vertical pivot axis.

In this context, the term "vertical" axis in the sense of the present invention is understood to mean a unidirectional axis extending from the floor surface to be cleaned upwards, at an angle close to 90 °, but not necessarily perpendicular to the floor surface extends.

In addition, by the Querverlagerbarkeit of the holding element by means of the pivotable first arm, wherein the drawbar is in turn pivotally hinged to the support member, achieved that when the floor cleaning machine after a parallel drive directly along a vertical wall Curve away from the wall to drive, the squeegee can escape to the instantaneous pole. In this case, the first pivot axis between the second and the third pivot axis is mounted, so that the entire holder for the liquid receiving device and the squeegee despite a distance of the pivot point of the drawbar from the sealing lip has a small length.

Thus, in particular for a predetermined length of the floor cleaning machine, which is determined by the position of the squeegee at the rear end, a maximum overlap of the first acted upon by the cleaning device or the scrubbing area by the liquid receiving device or the squeegee, without affecting the maneuverability of the Floor cleaning machine in particular after a parallel drive to restrict a vertical wall.

It is preferred if the first vertical pivot axis is spaced from the sealing lip, i. seen against the cleaning direction seen the first vertical pivot axis is arranged in front of the sealing lip. This ensures that the squeegee assumes a stable pivoting position and does not oscillate back and forth about the first vertical pivot axis.

In a preferred embodiment, a second arm is provided having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the second arm is pivotally hinged to the support member about a fourth vertical pivot axis, the second end of the second arm being about a fifth vertical pivot axis is pivotally hinged to the support member, wherein the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth vertical pivot axis parallel to each other and wherein the second and the fourth vertical pivot axis transverse to the cleaning direction of travel have a first distance and the third and the fifth vertical pivot axis transverse to the cleaning direction of travel have a second distance.

In this way, the holding element, on which the drawbar is pivotably articulated about the first vertical pivot axis, supported by a stable trapezoidal arrangement displaceable transversely to the cleaning direction on the vehicle frame. It is particularly preferred if the distance of the first ends of the arms, which are attached to the vehicle frame, is smaller than the distance of the second ends, which are pivotally articulated on the holding element. This has the further advantage that when one side or a free end of the squeegee collides with an obstacle and makes a movement toward the center of the vehicle, this free end must necessarily also perform a movement counter to the direction of travel, which increases the risk of damage further reduced at the squeegee.

In order to allow a biasing of the retaining element and thus in this preferred embodiment of the arms of the trapezoidal assembly towards the normal position, it is preferred that a first and a second biasing arm are provided having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends pivotally mounted about the vertical axis of the support member, wherein the first biasing arm rests on the side remote from the second arm side of the first arm, wherein the second biasing arm rests on the side facing away from the first arm side of the second arm and wherein the first and the second Biasing arm are biased towards each other and rest in the normal position on the support element, directly or indirectly.

In this arrangement, the biasing arms are always deflected against the biasing force when the trapezoidal assembly is pivoted out of the arms transversely to the cleaning direction. On the other hand, the direct or indirect investment defines the Preload arms on the support element the normal position. Overall, therefore, on the one hand a robust and on the other hand simply constructed construction is provided with which a bias in the direction of the central normal position for the trapezoidal arrangement can be produced.

It is particularly preferred if the first biasing arm and the first arm about a common axis, namely the second vertical pivot axis, are supported on the support member and analogously, the second biasing arm and the second arm also about a common axis, namely the fourth vertical pivot axis, attached to the support element. This further simplifies the construction and avoids friction between the biasing arms and the arms during a pivotal movement.

Finally, it is preferable to be able to adjust the vertical position of the squeegee relative to the vehicle frame when the support member is pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame about a first horizontal pivot axis and the second ends of the arms are pivotally attached to the support member about a second horizontal pivot axis, wherein the first and second horizontal pivot axes are parallel to each other.

To thereby ensure that the squeegee has the same orientation to the vehicle frame regardless of the vertical position, it is further preferred if the first horizontal pivot axis intersects the second and fourth vertical pivot axis and the second horizontal pivot axis intersects the third and fifth vertical pivot axis, wherein a connecting arm is provided having first and second ends spaced apart from each other by the distance between the first and second horizontal pivot axes, the first end of the connecting arm being pivotally displaceable vertically to the first horizontal axis pivotally on the vehicle frame is hinged, wherein the second end of the connecting arm is pivotally displaced vertically offset from the second horizontal axis on the holding element and wherein the distance of the first end of the connecting arm from the first horizontal pivot axis is equal to the distance of the second end of the connecting arm from the second horizontal pivot axis ,

In such a construction, the connecting arm on the one hand and the two arms on the other hand form a vertical parallelogram arrangement, which ensures that the holding element, on which the drawbar is provided, maintains its orientation relative to the vehicle frame, regardless of the vertical position of the holding member.

Finally, the liquid intake device or the squeegee may preferably have a first and a second sealing lip, which are arranged one behind the other in the cleaning direction, so that a gap is formed between the sealing lips, wherein the gap is connected to a provided on the floor cleaning machine recovery tank and wherein the dirty water tank connected to a vacuum source.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht des Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Bodenreinigungsmaschine ist,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Halterung des Saugfußes des Ausführungsbeispiels aus Figur 1 ist, und

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht von oben auf die Halterung aus Fig. 2 ist.

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

Fig. 1

a side view of the embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a side view of the holder of the suction of the embodiment FIG. 1 is and

Fig. 3

a top view from the top of the bracket Fig. 2 is.

How out Fig. 1 1, the exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention has a vehicle frame 3 on which a chassis comprising a front wheel 5 and two rear wheels 7 is mounted, which serves to move the floor cleaning machine 1 along a cleaning travel direction 9 over a floor surface 11 to be cleaned , In general, the cleaning direction 9 extends from the rear wheels 7 connecting the rear axle to the front wheel 5 and is perpendicular to the rear axle.

On the vehicle frame 3, a cleaning device in the form of a scrub deck 13 is mounted vertically adjustable, which has rotationally driven brush heads 15 which can engage with the bottom surface 11 to be cleaned in order to remove dirt therefrom. These may be, for example, plate brush heads or roller brush heads. Furthermore, the scrub deck 13 is connected via a connecting line 17 to a cleaning liquid tank provided on the vehicle frame 3 so that cleaning liquid can be applied to the floor surface 11 to be cleaned in the scrub deck 13.

Contrary to the cleaning direction 9 seen behind the scrub deck 3, a liquid receiving device in the form of a suction cup 19 is provided, which is also supported on the vehicle frame 3, to a hereinafter described in more detail holder 21 is used.

The squeegee 19 has opposite to the cleaning direction 9 seen in succession a first sealing lip 23 and a second sealing lip 25, wherein the second sealing lip 25 has a pointing to the bottom surface 11 to be cleaned edge, which may rest against the bottom surface 11 when the squeegee 19 out is lowered to the bottom surface 11. The sealing lips 23, 25 are arranged on a base body 27 of the squeegee so that they extend substantially transversely or vertically to the plane defined by the bottom surface 11 and form a gap 29 between them. Through the base body 27, a suction line 31 extends through, which is connected to the intermediate space 29 and connects it with a provided in the floor cleaning machine 1 waste water tank 33, wherein the waste water tank 33 is in turn connected to a vacuum source in the form of a blower 35, so that means the blower 35 dirty water from the intermediate space 29 between the sealing lips 23, 25 can be sucked.

The bracket 21 is in detail in the FIGS. 2 and 3 shown and has a fixedly mounted on the vehicle frame 3 holder 37 to which a support member 41 is pivotally mounted about a first horizontal pivot axis 39. Furthermore, the holder 21 has a first arm 43 which has a first end 45 and a second end 47. In addition, a second arm 49 is provided which also has a first end 51 and a second end 53.

At the second ends 47, 53 of the arms 43, 49, a holding member 55 is mounted in still described in detail manner, on which in turn pivotally about a first vertical pivot axis 57, a drawbar 59 is attached, at its remote from the first vertical pivot axis 57 end the base body 27 of the suction cup 19 is fixedly mounted. The first vertical pivot axis 57 is arranged so that it is spaced toward the scrub deck 13 from the sealing lips 23, 25 and the base body 27.

The first end 45 of the first arm 43 is pivotally connected to the support member 41 about a second vertical pivot axis 61. The second end 47 of the first arm 43 is pivotable about a third vertical pivot axis 63 with the retaining element 55 connected. Similarly, the first end 51 of the second arm 49 is pivotally coupled to the support member 41 about a fourth vertical pivot axis 65, while the second end 53 of the second arm 49 is also pivotally connected to the support member 55 about a fifth vertical pivot axis 67.

Thus, the arms 43, 49 can pivot relative to the support member 41 in a common horizontal plane as the second and fourth vertical pivot axes 61, 65 are parallel to one another.

In this context, the term "vertical pivot axis" in the context of the present invention, an axis to be understood, which extends away from the bottom surface 11 upwards, but not necessarily perpendicular to the bottom surface 11 and by the wheels 5, 7 defined Level of the landing gear must run, but can only run almost perpendicular to it.

The third and the fifth vertical pivot axis 63, 67 also run parallel to one another and also parallel to the second and the fourth vertical pivot axis 61, 65. Thus, the arms 43, 49 together with the support element 41 on the one hand and the retaining element 55 on the other hand form a trapezoidal arrangement, wherein the distance of the second and the fourth vertical pivot axis 61, 65 from each other is smaller than the distance that has the third vertical pivot axis 63 of the fifth vertical pivot axis 67.

As the FIGS. 2 and 3 show, the first vertical pivot axis 57 between the second and fourth vertical pivot axis 61, 65 on the one hand and the third and fifth vertical pivot axis 63, 67 on the other hand arranged and with it between the articulation points of the arms 43, 49 on the support element 41 and the holding element 55.

At the side remote from the second arm 49 side of the first arm 43 is located on a first biasing arm 69, whose one end 71 is also pivotable about the second vertical pivot axis 61. In the same way, on the side of the second arm 49 facing away from the first arm 43, there is a second pretensioning arm 73 pivotable with one end 75 about the fourth vertical pivot axis 65. In this case, the ends of the biasing arms 69, 73 remote from the pivot axis 61, 65 are connected to one another via a helical spring 77, so that the biasing arms 69, 73 are biased toward one another. In addition, the biasing arms 69, 73 are in the in Fig. 3 shown normal position directly on the support member 41 at. But it is also conceivable that the biasing arms 69, 73 rest in the normal position on the arms 43, 49 indirectly to the support member 41. The arms 43, 49 are in any case between the support member 41 and the biasing arms 69, 73 and are pressed by the biasing arms 69, 73 in the normal position in which they rest on the support member 41.

How finally out Fig. 2 can be seen, the second ends 47, 53 of the arms 43, 49 are pivotally connected to the holding member 55 about a second horizontal pivot axis 79. Furthermore, it is off Fig. 2 it can be seen that the first horizontal pivot axis 39 intersects the second and fourth vertical pivot axes 61, 65, while the second horizontal pivot axis 79 intersects the third and fifth vertical pivot axes 63, 67.

In addition, the bracket 21 also has a connecting arm 81, the first end 83 is vertically offset from the first horizontal pivot axis 39 in the plane of the second and fourth vertical pivot axis 61, 65 pivotally connected to the vehicle frame 3 and in this case the holder 37 is connected while the second end 85 of the connecting arm 81 pivotally vertically offset from the second horizontal pivot axis 79 in the plane of the third and fifth vertical pivot axis 63, 67 is connected to the holding member 55.

Thus, the connecting arm 81 on the one hand and the arms 43, 49 on the other hand form a parallelogram arrangement, which ensures that the holding member 55, regardless of the angular position of the arms 43, 49 relative to the vehicle frame 3 always has the same horizontal orientation to the vehicle frame 3.

During operation of the floor cleaning machine 1, it moves along the direction of cleaning 9 over the floor surface 11 to be cleaned, the sealing lip 25 of the suction foot 19 rests on the floor surface 11 to be cleaned and wipes off water therefrom, so that this from the space 29 through the suction line 31 in the Dirty water tank 33 can be sucked.

When the floor cleaning machine 1 makes a turn, the squeegee 19 can perform a pivoting movement about the first vertical pivot axis 57, wherein the fact that the first vertical pivot axis 57 has only a small distance in the direction of the cleaning direction 9 from the squeegee 19 itself, that of the Momentalpol the cornering removed end of the squeegee 19 has a large radial distance from this instantaneous pole. This in turn means that the coverage that the squeegee 19 has with the area that has been subjected to water by the scrub deck 13 is very large. This makes it possible, in particular, to dispense with side scrapers on the scrub deck 13.

When the floor cleaning machine 1 moves in the vicinity of a vertical wall parallel thereto, one end of the squeegee 19 abuts against this wall and then cornering away from the wall to be performed, the end of the squeegee 19, which is located near the wall, can collide with the wall. In this case, the arms 43, 49 of the holder 51 perform a movement against the action of the coil spring 77, so pivot in a direction that faces away from the wall, so that the squeegee 19 of the wall evades without being damaged.

It is no problem that a pivoting movement of the drawbar 59 about the first vertical pivot axis 57 initially would not cause the outermost point of the suction cup 19 would move to the center of the floor cleaning machine 1.

Thus, by the combination of the squeegee 19, which is articulated pivotably about a pivot axis 57, which is seen against the cleaning direction 9 in front of the squeegee 19, with a lateral or transverse to the cleaning direction 9 extending displaceability of the support member 55 allows for the drawbar 59 that a large overlap is achieved between the area covered by the squeegee 19 and the area acted upon by the scrub deck 13, without restricting the maneuverability of the floor cleaning machine 1. In addition, it is achieved by the arrangement of the first vertical pivot axis 57 between the second and fourth vertical pivot axis 61, 65 on the one hand and the third and fifth vertical pivot axis 63, 67 on the other hand, that the entire holder for the suction 19 despite the advantages mentioned has a short length ,

Claims (9)

1. A floor cleaning machine with a vehicle frame (3), on which a carriage (5, 7) for moving the floor cleaning machine (1) in a cleaning travel direction (9) over a floor surface (11) to be cleaned is provided,
   with a cleaning device (13) attached to the vehicle frame (3), which can engage with the floor surface (11) to be cleaned for cleaning the same, and with which a cleaning liquid can be applied to the floor surface (11) to be cleaned,
   with a liquid collecting device (19) for removing and collecting the cleaning liquid applied to the floor surface (11) to be cleaned, which is arranged behind the cleaning device (13) when viewed contrary to the cleaning travel direction (9),
   wherein the liquid collecting device (19) comprises at least one sealing lip (25) extending transversely to the cleaning travel direction (9), which is attached to a drawbar (59) and arranged in such a way that it can rest with one edge on the floor surface (11) to be cleaned, and
   wherein the drawbar (59) is movably mounted on the vehicle frame (3) transversely to the cleaning travel direction (9),
   characterised in that
   the drawbar (59) is pivotably articulated on a holding element (55) about a first vertical pivot axis (57) which extends perpendicularly to the floor surface (11) to be cleaned,
   the holding element (55) can be horizontally displaced from a normal position transversely to the cleaning travel direction (9), wherein the holding element (55) is pre-tensioned in the normal position by pre-tensioning means (77),
   a support element (41) mounted on the vehicle frame (3) is provided,
   a first arm (43) is provided which comprises a first and a second end (45, 47),
   the first end (45) of the first arm (43) is pivotably articulated on the support element (41) about a second vertical pivot axis (61),
   the second end (47) of the first arm (43) is pivotably articulated on the holding element (55) about a third vertical pivot axis (63),
   the second and the third vertical pivot axes (61, 63) extend parallel to each other, and
   the first vertical pivot axis (57) is arranged between the second and the third vertical pivot axes (61, 63) when viewed parallel to the travel direction (9).
2. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1,
   wherein a second arm (49) is provided which comprises a first and a second end (51, 53),
   wherein the first end (51) of the second arm (49) is pivotably articulated on the support element (41) about a fourth vertical pivot axis (65),
   wherein the second end (53) of the second arm (49) is pivotably articulated on the holding element (55) about a fifth vertical axis (67),
   wherein the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth vertical pivot axes (61, 63, 65, 67) extend in parallel to one another, and
   wherein the second and the fourth vertical pivot axes (61, 65) have a first distance transversely to the cleaning travel direction (9) and the third and the fifth vertical pivot axes (63, 67) have a second distance transversely to the cleaning travel direction (9) .
3. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 2, wherein the first distance is smaller than the second distance.
4. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 2 or 3,
   wherein a first and a second pre-tensioning arm (69, 73) are provided which have a first end (71, 75) and a second end,
   wherein the first ends (71, 75) are pivotably articulated on the supporting element (41) about vertical axes,
   wherein the first pre-tensioning arm (69) is supported against that side of the first arm (43) which faces away from the second arm (49),
   wherein the second pre-tensioning arm (73) is supported against that side of the second arm (49) which faces away from the first arm (43), and
   wherein the first and the second pre-tensioning arms (69, 73) are pre-tensioned towards each other and in the normal position are supported against the support element (41).
5. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 4,
   wherein a spring connects the second ends of the pre-tensioning arms (69, 73).
6. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 4 or 5,
   wherein the first pre-tensioning arm (69) is pivotably mounted on the support element (41) about the second vertical pivot axis (61) and
   wherein the second pre-tensioning arm (73) is pivotably mounted on the support element (41) about the fourth vertical pivot axis (65).
7. The floor cleaning machine according to one of claim 2 to 6, wherein the support element (41) is pivotably attached on the vehicle frame (3) about a first horizontal pivot axis (39),
   wherein the second ends (47, 53) of the arms (43, 49) are pivotably attached on the holding element (55) about a second horizontal pivot axis (79) and
   wherein the first and the second horizontal pivot axes (39, 79) extend parallel to each other.
8. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 7,
   wherein the first horizontal pivot axis (39) intersects with the second and the fourth vertical pivot axes (61, 65),
   wherein the second horizontal pivot axis (79) intersects with the third and the fifth vertical pivot axes (63, 67),
   wherein a connecting arm (81) is provided, which has a first end (83) and a second end (85), the distance of which from one another corresponds to the distance between the first and the second horizontal pivot axes (39, 79),
   wherein the first end (83) of the connecting arm (81) is pivotably articulated on the vehicle frame (3), vertically offset to the first horizontal pivot axis (39),
   wherein the second end (85) of the connecting arm (81) is pivotably articulated on the holding element (55), vertically offset to the second horizontal pivot axis (79) and
   wherein the vertical distance of the first end (83) of the connecting arm (81) from the first horizontal pivot axis (39) is equal to the vertical distance of the second end (85) of the connecting arm (81) from the second horizontal pivot axis (79).
9. The floor cleaning machine according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the liquid collecting device (19) comprises a first and a second sealing lip (23, 25), which when viewed in cleaning travel direction (9) are arranged one behind the other so that a gap (29) is formed between the sealing lips (23, 25),
   wherein the gap (29) is connected to a waste water tank (33) provided on the floor cleaning machine (1) and
   wherein the waste water tank (33) is connected to a negative pressure source (35).

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