EP3415068A1 - Suction foot for a floor cleaning machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Shown and described is a squeegee for a floor cleaning machine having a squeegee base having a top wall with a front wall and a rear wall extending from the top wall, with a suction channel formed between the front wall and the rear wall and the rear wall forming a support edge Pad on a bottom surface to be cleaned, with a suction port, which is connected to the suction, extends through the upper wall and can be connected to a suction device of the floor cleaning machine, characterized by a rinsing device for supplying rinsing fluid into the suction channel, wherein the rinsing device a connection element for connection to a supply line for the flushing fluid, wherein the connection element is attached to the Saugfußbasis and connected for supplying flushing fluid with the suction channel.

Description

The present invention relates to a squeegee for a floor cleaning machine having a squeegee base having a top wall, a front wall and a rear wall extending from the top wall, a suction channel being formed between the front wall and the rear wall and the rear wall forming a support edge for resting on a floor surface to be cleaned, with a suction connection, which is connected to the suction channel, preferably extends through the upper wall and can be connected to a suction device of the floor cleaning machine. In addition, the present invention relates to a floor cleaning machine with such a suction cup, and a method for operating a floor cleaning machine.

In known from the prior art floor cleaning machines and scrubbers in particular a so-called squeegee is used to remove a present on a floor surface to be cleaned liquid that was previously applied by a cleaning device of the floor cleaning machine and may contain dirt from the bottom surface. This is done by negative pressure, which is provided by a dedicated suction device of the floor cleaning machine and with which the squeegee, in particular its suction, is acted upon.

During operation, dirt collects especially in the suction channel of the squeegee, and the squeegee must be cleaned at regular intervals. This cleaning of the squeegee is time consuming and often uncomfortable.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a squeegee which is easy to clean.

This object is achieved by a suction cup according to claim 1. The suction cup according to the invention has a flushing device for supplying flushing fluid into the suction channel, wherein the flushing device has a connection element for connection to a supply line for the flushing fluid and wherein the connection element is attached to the Saugfußbasis and connected for supplying flushing fluid with the suction channel.

With increasing operating time and repeated shutdown of the floor cleaning machine increasingly adhere dirt particles on the squeegee and in particular on the suction channel delimiting the rear wall and can dry there to a solid layer of dirt. The squeegee according to the invention can be cleaned in a particularly simple manner by means of the rinsing device by a rinsing fluid, For example, cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank of the floor cleaning machine, the connection element of the suction supplied and thus introduced into the suction channel. This flushing fluid can then be sucked off again by suction with the aid of the suction device present on the floor cleaning machine, so that in particular the suction duct can be flushed in a simple manner. Such a rinsing step can be done easily and at intervals that are shorter than those that lie between other cleaning operations, since this is associated with a much lower cost. As a result, the adhering dirt particles can be at least partially removed before they dry on the squeegee to a dirt layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the front wall of the suction channel may be sized so that it does not extend or not over its entire length to the floor surface to be cleaned. As a result, the suction of liquid or dirty liquid from the floor surface to be cleaned is simplified. Furthermore, the connection element may be formed as a hose coupling, so that the connection to a supply line for the flushing fluid is simplified.

A preferred embodiment of the squeegee has a curved Saugfußbasis, the ends of which are seen in the direction of travel of the floor cleaning machine in front of the suction. The curvature of the rear wall can also be partially smaller than the curvature of the front wall, in particular.

In another preferred embodiment, the purging device has a flushing fluid port connected to the connection element through which the flushing fluid can enter the suction channel and which is spaced from the suction port. With increasing distance between the Spülfluidöffnung and the suction port, a longer portion of the suction channel can be reliably flushed. In this embodiment, the cleaning effect is improved by the flushing fluid.

In a further preferred embodiment, the squeegee base, the front wall and the rear wall extend between a first end and a second end, and the suction port is arranged in particular centrally between the first and second end. Finally, in this embodiment, the flushing fluid port is located at the first end. In this embodiment, the entire portion between the first end and the suction port is reliably purged when a purging fluid is introduced. Here, it is also conceivable that a further flushing fluid opening likewise connected to the connection element is arranged at the second end, so that also the section between the second end and the suction connection is flushed.

Another preferred embodiment has a plurality of rinse fluid ports connected to the port and through which the purging fluid may enter the suction passage, wherein the purging fluid ports are disposed along the rear wall and spaced from one another. The flushing fluid openings may be regularly spaced from each other. In this embodiment, the cleaning effect is further improved.

In a further preferred embodiment, the connection element is arranged on the upper, the suction channel limiting wall. The connection element can open in the direction of the floor surface to be cleaned if the suction foot is arranged on a floor cleaning machine. This results in a particularly simple structure.

In another preferred embodiment, the Saugfußbasis is formed as a hollow body having an interior, wherein the pointing to the suction channel wall portion of the hollow body is formed by the upper wall and wherein the Spülfluidöffnung (s) is disposed in the upper wall / are. In this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide lines or the like in the Saugfußbasis to connect the Spülfluidöffnungen with the connection element. Rather, the interior forms the connection, and preferably the connection element is attached to the Saugfußbasis such that the flushing fluid can flow through the connection element in the interior of the Saugfußbasis. In a further preferred manner, the suction connection then extends through the upper wall and the inner space.

In a further preferred embodiment, the flushing device has one or more flushing fluid lines, the first ends of which are connected to the connection element and whose second ends are connected to the flushing fluid orifices. In this embodiment, it is not necessary to form the Saugfußbasis as a hollow body.

The object mentioned above is further achieved by a floor cleaning machine with the suction cup according to the invention. The floor cleaning machine has a running gear for moving the floor cleaning machine over a floor surface to be cleaned, a cleaning device attached to the landing gear for applying cleaning liquid to the floor surface to be cleaned, a dirty liquid tank, a suction device for sucking dirty liquid into the dirty liquid tank and one of the above-described suction feet , The squeegee is arranged in the direction of travel behind the cleaning device, and the suction connection is connected to the suction device. The floor cleaning machine according to the invention achieves the advantages already explained in connection with the suction foot.

Preferably, the floor cleaning device has a lifting device, which is designed to support the squeegee. The lifting device can convert the squeegee reversibly from an idle state in which the support edge is lifted from the floor surface to be cleaned to an operating state in which the support edge rests on the floor surface to be cleaned.

Preferably, in the floor cleaning machine, a cleaning liquid tank is provided, with which the connection element is connected. The cleaning liquid may form the flushing fluid. The cleaning fluid tank can serve as a reservoir for the flushing fluid. Thus, the feeding of the flushing fluid into the suction channel is simplified. In an alternative embodiment, the connection element can also be configured such that it can be connected to a domestic water connection so that domestic water can be used as flushing fluid.

• Zuführen von Spülfluid aus einem Reservoir für Spülfluid durch das Anschlusselement in den Absaugkanal und
• Betreiben der Absaugeinrichtung zum Absaugen des Spülfluids aus dem Absaugkanal.

Finally, the above object is also achieved by a method for operating one of the aforementioned floor cleaning machines, the method comprising the following steps:

• Supplying flushing fluid from a reservoir for flushing fluid through the connection element into the suction channel and
• Operating the suction device for sucking the flushing fluid from the suction channel.

Preferably, in the aforementioned method, the reservoir is formed by the cleaning liquid tank, and the cleaning liquid tank is connected to the connection member, so that cleaning liquid is supplied to the connection member as a rinsing fluid for rinsing. Thus, the feeding of the flushing fluid into the suction channel can be simplified, in particular during the operation of the floor cleaning machine.

Alternatively, during the first step, the connection element is connected to a domestic water connection. This allows an operator to clean the squeegee as needed or according to a maintenance schedule.

Finally, it is also possible that the reservoir is formed by the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning liquid tank is connected to the connection element, wherein during normal operation of the floor cleaning machine cleaning liquid is supplied at regular intervals through the connection element in the suction channel and thus during normal operation regularly is cleaned.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Bodenreinigungsmaschine mit einem Saugfuß ist,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Saugfußes ist,

Fig. 3

ein Schnitt durch den Saugfuß aus Fig. 2 in der Nähe eines Endes ist,

Fig. 4

ein Schnitt entlang der Mitte des Saugfußes aus Fig. 2 ist,

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch den Saugfuß aus Fig. 2 im Bereich des Anschlusselements ist

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Strömung im Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Saugfußes ist,

Fig. 7

ein Schnitt durch ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Saugfußes in der Nähe eines Endes ist und

Fig. 8

ein Schnitt durch den Saugfuß aus Fig. 7 im Bereich des Anschlusselements ist.

In the following, the present invention will be described with reference to a purely preferred embodiments showing drawing, wherein

Fig. 1

a side view of a floor cleaning machine with a suction cup,

Fig. 2

is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a suction cup according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a cut through the squeegee Fig. 2 near one end,

Fig. 4

a section along the center of the squeegee Fig. 2 is

Fig. 5

a cut through the squeegee Fig. 2 is in the region of the connection element

Fig. 6

is a perspective view of the flow in the embodiment of the invention Saugfußes,

Fig. 7

is a section through a second embodiment of a suction cup according to the invention in the vicinity of one end and

Fig. 8

a cut through the squeegee Fig. 7 is in the region of the connection element.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a floor cleaning machine 1 with an embodiment of a suction cup according to the invention. The floor cleaning machine 1 comprises a chassis 3, 5 comprehensive chassis for moving the floor cleaning machine 1 via a floor surface to be cleaned 7, a mounted on the chassis cleaning device 9 for applying cleaning liquid to the floor surface to be cleaned 7, a dirty liquid tank 11, a suction device (not shown ) for sucking off dirty liquid in the dirty liquid tank 11 and a squeegee 13 according to the embodiment described below. The squeegee 13 is arranged behind the cleaning device 9 in the direction of travel F of the floor cleaning machine 1, and a suction connection 15 of the suction foot 13 is connected to the suction device.

As the Fig. 2 to 5 show the embodiment of a suction 13 has a Saugfußbasis 17, on which a top wall 19 is formed, wherein a front wall 21 and a rear wall 23 extend from the upper wall 19 so that between the front wall 21 and the rear wall 23, a suction channel 25 is formed is, which is bounded above by the upper wall 19. In addition, the rear wall 23 has a support edge 27 for resting on the floor surface 7 to be cleaned.

In particular Fig. 4 shows, the suction port 15 is provided in the Saugfußbasis 17 and extends through the upper wall 19. In operation, it is connected to a suction device of the floor cleaning machine 1. Out Fig. 2 It can be seen that the suction connection 15 is arranged centrally between the first and second ends of the suction foot 13, between which the front and rear walls 21, 23 extend.

How further from the Fig. 2 to 5 can be seen, the Saugfußbasis 17 is formed as a hollow body which defines a closed interior space 29, which faces the suction channel 25 wall portion is formed by the upper wall 19. In addition, the interior 29 is bounded by a cover wall 30 and the front and the rear wall 21, 23. The suction port 15 extends through the interior 29 therethrough. As in particular in Fig. 5 can be seen, a connection element 31 is provided in the cover wall 30 on the Saugfußbasis 17, which is formed for example as a hose connection and via which a flushing fluid can be introduced into the interior 29.

In the upper wall 19 a plurality of Spülfluidöffnungen 33 are provided, which are connected in this embodiment in the manner of the connection element 31, that they also emanate from the inner space 29, wherein in the embodiment described here, the Spülfluidöffnungen 33 along the rear wall 23 and arranged to each other are spaced. But there are also other arrangements of Spülfluidöffnungen 33 conceivable. In particular, flushing fluid openings 33 are also provided on the first and second ends of the suction foot 13. Therefore, flushing fluid which has been led into the internal space 29 through the connection element 31 can enter the suction channel 25 through the flushing fluid openings 33. Thus, the connecting element 31, the inner space 29 and the Spülfluidöffnungen 33 form a flushing device for the suction channel 25 of the Saugfußes 13, the operation will be explained below.

To clean the previously described embodiment of a suction foot 13 according to the invention, the procedure is as follows:
When resting with the support edge 27 on the bottom surface 7 squeegee 13, the connection element 31 is connected to a reservoir for flushing fluid, preferably the cleaning liquid tank of the floor cleaning machine 1, and cleaning liquid is supplied as flushing fluid to the connection element 31. This passes from there into the interior 29 of the Saugfußbasis 17 and further through the Spülfluidöffnungen 33 in the suction passage 25. Parallel to the suction of the floor cleaning machine 1 is operated so that the flushing fluid in the form of cleaning liquid through the suction port 15 withdrawn from the suction channel 25 is entrained, wherein in the suction channel 25 existing dirt is entrained. Alternatively, it is also possible for water from a domestic water connection to be used as the flushing fluid, the domestic water connection being connected to the connection element 31 via a hose, so that the domestic water then enters the extraction duct 25.

Finally, it is also possible that the cleaning liquid tank is permanently connected to the connection element, wherein cleaning liquid is supplied at regular intervals through the connection element 31 in the suction channel 25. Thus, the squeegee 13 can be cleaned regularly during normal operation.

Since the Spülfluidöffnungen 33 are arranged in the embodiment over the entire width of the Saugfußes 13 and in particular at the ends, cleaning liquid flows through the entire suction channel 25, as shown schematically in FIG Fig. 6 is shown, which leads to a particularly good cleaning effect.

In this way, the suction foot 13 according to the invention with the flushing device in the form of the connecting element 31, which is connected to the flushing fluid openings 33, allows efficient cleaning of the suction channel 25 of the suction base 13 in a simple manner.

In the embodiment described above, the connection element 31 is connected to the flushing fluid openings 33 via the closed interior 29. At the second, in the Fig. 7 and 8th shown embodiment of a suction cup 13 according to the invention, the connecting element 31 and the Spülfluidöffnungen 33 via a flushing fluid line 35 are interconnected. In particular, a first end of the flushing fluid line 35 is connected to the connection element 31, while its second end is connected to the flushing fluid opening 33. Accordingly, in this second embodiment, the inner space 29 of the Saugfußbasis 17 is not used directly for the distribution of the flushing fluid, as is the case in the first embodiment. In addition, it is not necessary in this embodiment that the Saugfußbasis 17 is formed as a closed hollow body. Otherwise, the second embodiment does not differ in its basic operation from the first, and it will be achieved with the second embodiment, the advantages already mentioned in connection with the first embodiment.

reference numeral

1

Floor cleaning machine

3.5

bikes

7

floor area

9

cleaning device

11

Dirty liquid tank

13

suction cup

15

suction

17

Saugfußbasis

19

upper wall

21

front wall

23

rear wall

25

suction

27

supporting edge

29

inner space

30

cover wall

31

connecting element

33

Spülfluidöffnungen

35

flushing fluid line

Claims (14)

Suction cup for a floor cleaning machine (1) with
a squeegee base (17) having a top wall (19), a front wall (21) and a rear wall (23) extending from the top wall (19), between the front wall (21) and the rear wall (23) a suction channel (25) is formed and wherein the rear wall (23) has a support edge (27) for resting on a floor surface (7) to be cleaned,
with a suction connection (15) which is connected to the suction channel (25) and can be connected to a suction device of the floor cleaning machine (1),
characterized by a rinsing device for supplying rinsing fluid into the suction channel (25), wherein the rinsing device comprises a connection element (31) for connection to a supply line for the rinsing fluid, wherein the connection element (31) attached to the Saugfußbasis (17) and for supplying Flushing fluid is connected to the suction channel (25). A suction cup according to claim 1, wherein the purging means comprises a flushing fluid port (31) connected to the port through which the purging fluid can enter the suction passage and which is spaced from the suction port. A squeegee according to claim 2, wherein the squeegee base (17), the front wall (21) and the rear wall (23) extend between a first end and a second end, and the suction port (15) is arranged in particular centrally between the first and second ends and wherein the rinse fluid openings (33) are disposed at the first and second ends. Squeegee according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of rinsing fluid openings (33) are provided, which are connected to the connecting element (31) and through which the rinsing fluid can enter the suction channel (25), wherein the rinsing fluid openings (33) along the rear wall (23 ) are arranged and spaced from each other. Squeegee according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (31) on the upper wall (19) is arranged. Squeegee according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Saugfußbasis (17) is designed as a hollow body with an inner space (29),
wherein the to the suction channel (25) facing wall portion of the hollow body is formed by the upper wall (19) and
wherein the flushing fluid opening (s) (33) is / are arranged in the upper wall (19). Squeegee according to claim 6, wherein the connection element (31) is attached to the Saugfußbasis (17), that flushing fluid through the connection element (31) in the interior (29) of the Saugfußbasis (17) can flow. A squeegee according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the suction port (15) extends through the upper wall (19) and the inner space (29). Squeegee according to one of claims 2 to 6 or 8, wherein the rinsing means comprises one or more rinsing fluid lines (35), the first ends of which are connected to the connection element (31) and the second ends of which is connected to the one or more Spülfluidöffnungen (33). Floor cleaning machine (1) with a running gear for moving the floor cleaning machine over a floor surface (7) to be cleaned, with a cleaning device (9) attached to the landing gear for applying cleaning fluid to the floor surface (7) to be cleaned, with a dirty fluid tank (11), with a suction device for sucking dirty liquid into the dirty liquid tank (11) and with a suction foot (13) according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the squeegee (13) is arranged in the direction of travel behind the cleaning device (9) and
wherein the suction port (15) is connected to the suction device. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 10, wherein a cleaning liquid tank is provided and the connection element (31) is connected to the cleaning liquid tank. A method of operating a floor cleaning machine according to claim 10 or 11, comprising the following steps: Supplying flushing fluid from a reservoir for flushing fluid through the connection element (31) into the suction channel (25) and Operating the suction device for sucking the flushing fluid from the suction channel (25). The method of claim 12, wherein the reservoir is formed by the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning liquid tank is connected to the connection element (31), so that cleaning liquid is supplied as flushing fluid to the connection element (31). The method of claim 12, wherein the reservoir is formed by the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning liquid tank is connected to the connection element (31) and
wherein cleaning liquid is supplied at regular intervals through the connection element (31) in the suction channel (25).

Images