EP3463027B1 - Cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cleaning device according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular the invention relates to a cleaning device with a carrier body, arranged at a lower end of the carrier body wiper plate for supporting a arranged on at least one side of the wiper plate cleaning element, a liquid tank for receiving cleaning liquid and a conduit system for supplying the cleaning liquid in the direction of the cleaning element via a pumping device. In addition, the generic cleaning device has a metering system with at least one reservoir for a cleaning additive, which is designed such that it is able to add the cleaning additive to the cleaning liquid.

Such a cleaning device may for example be part of a wiper system, wherein the cleaning device then as a wiper device, which is for example a floor wiper, may be formed. Such a wiper device is from the DE 10 358 467 A1 or the US 2005/0207825 A1 known. This wiper device has a carrier body in the form of a handle, at the lower end of a wiper plate is provided, which is provided with a reference as a cleaning element. The wiper device further comprises the liquid tank for receiving cleaning liquid, usually mixed with or without cleaning agent added water. Via a pump, which forms the pumping device, the liquid is sprayed through the conduit system in front of the surface, which is to be subsequently cleaned during the wiping movement of the cleaning element. A more elaborate cleaning device with a similar technique of providing a mixture of cleaning fluid and cleaning agent is disclosed in US Pat WO 2004/017805 A1 described.

The known devices make it easy and easy to provide fluid to solve even stubborn dirt. Depending on the intended use, the cleaning additives provided may be added to the cleaning liquid for this purpose. The disadvantage of the DE DE 10 358 467 A1 known device consists firstly that the cleaning liquid is sprayed in front of the cleaning element, which of course is only possible if there is sufficient space available. For corners and edges and under furniture, this can be difficult.

Further, in all of the above-mentioned devices, another disadvantage is that the cleaning additive must be mixed with the cleaning liquid, so that the user must either measure accurately, how much cleaning additive added cleaning liquid he needs or store the staggered cleaning liquid after use or dispose.

From the US 2008/0222835 A1 , which corresponds to the preamble of independent claim 1, a portable steam cleaner is known, which ejects from a nozzle with detergent added water vapor. The US 2015/0128996 A1 describes a cleaning robot with a wipe that can be soaked through a tank of cleaning water and a detergent.

However, all known cleaning devices have the disadvantage that an individual dosage and in particular selection of the detergent is not or only comparatively expensive possible.

A particularly advantageous application of the present invention consists in a wiper system, which is not designed as a complete wetting system, but are used in the substantially dry, only occasionally moistened cleaning elements. Such a wiper system may for example have a mobile storage box with dry cleaning elements in the form of towels and a cleaning device according to the aforementioned type. The storage box may be mounted on rollers in a preferred embodiment, wherein storage box and / or cleaning device may be formed so that the cleaning device can be coupled to the storage box.

In general, however, the invention can also be used in conjunction with all other cleaning devices, for example, suction devices for windows or other surfaces, regardless of their orientation. Also in connection with classical wet wiping systems, the invention can be used. In all cases, however, there is the problem that when separate cleaning liquid is to be supplied to the cleaning element or before the cleaning element is to be applied to the surface to be cleaned, this cleaning liquid must be previously added with the required cleaning additive. Often, however, only small parts of the surface will be contaminated, for which the cleaning additive is required, or the area will in principle be smaller than the area that could be cleaned with the cleaning liquid present in the liquid tank. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a cleaning device with the one hand, the cleaning is effective and easy, and on the other hand is easy to use.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a cleaning device according to claim 1.

According to the invention, a system is now used in which cleaning additive can be supplied in a targeted manner via a metering system. In a simple variant, this could also be done by injections into the liquid tank. In this variant, the advantage of the invention is that the user always has a supply of cleaning additive available, which he can choose and bring into the cleaning liquid.

Preferably, however, the cleaning liquid is not already mixed in the liquid tank, but only in the line system with the cleaning additive. This eliminates the above-mentioned drawback that too much cleaning liquid is mixed with the cleaning additive, so that either the cleaning additive needs to be unnecessarily consumed or disposed of.

In the embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, moreover, at least two reservoirs are provided for the provision of different cleaning additives. This embodiment has an adjustment device, via which the respective reservoir can be selected. In this context, selecting means that a flow connection is established between the line system and the reservoir, so that the cleaning additive can be activated. Optional, fluidic reducing agents in the line to the line system, the amount of cleaning additive can also be adjusted, if desired.

How this activation occurs depends on the consistency of the cleaning additive. If, for example, a liquid cleaning additive is used, in particular in the form of a concentrate, the respective one can be used via lines Reservoir with the piping system, which serves the supply for the cleaning liquid to be connected.

Alternatively, the cleaning additive can also be introduced directly into the cleaning element via a separate distribution line. The lines are preferably closed by valves, so that they can be selectively opened and closed especially when using multiple reservoirs. In addition, these valves can also be used to control the volume flow which is introduced from the reservoir into the liquid flow of the cleaning liquid.

The valves are preferably formed by an adjusting device, which the user can operate from the outside. This may, for example, be a sliding element which, in different positions, leaves one of the lines extending from one of the reservoirs to one connection to the cleaning fluid line system, while the other lines are closed, for example by being compressed by a blocking element. Of course, all other forms of valves are possible, for example, via a sliding element in each case the closing means of a separate valve can be transferred from the Öffnungsin the closed position and vice versa. Also, all lines can be closed or opened separately, which makes it possible in particular to use a mixture of cleaning additives.

For example, it may be advantageous to use a cleaning additive that increases the cleaning effect or is used as a solvent, for example for grease. By contrast, another cleaning additive, for example, could be used exclusively for aromatizing the cleaning fluid. Here are basically all mixtures conceivable that improve the cleaning effect, bring in flavors or disinfect, depending on what is desired by the user. Finally, a mixture adapted to the cleaning element can also be used so that, for example, a solvent-containing material is used in a rather abrasive coating, while a pure aromatic substance is admixed to a soft, polishing coating.

The adjusting device is therefore preferably designed such that in each case at least one cleaning additive stored in an active reservoir can be added via the metering system of the cleaning fluid, while one or more further, in passive additives kept ready cleaning additives from the supply to the cleaning liquid. This can be done via the slide already described as adjustment. Controlling and adding the cleaning additives, if they are liquid, can also be done via the flow dynamics of the cleaning liquid. For example, a portion of the conduit system may be formed with a Venturi nozzle, so that the negative pressure generated in this nozzle is able to suck the cleaning additive automatically.

Alternatively, however, in the preferred embodiment, the dosing system may also include a metering pump which actively pumps the liquid cleaning additive into the conduit system. This metering pump can either be operated separately by an operating means by the user or be coupled in their operation with the pumping device for the cleaning liquid.

Thus, for example, the pumping device for the cleaning fluid may be formed by a manually operated pump whose pump body is moved via a Bowden cable or other traction means. Here, for example, be provided on the handle of the cleaning device, a corresponding actuating means. Such an actuating means may be a lever through which the Bowden cable can be tightened. At the same time, this movement can also be coupled to the movement of the pump body of the metering pump.

Finally, the flow occurring in the line system can also actuate a resistance means provided in the line system upon actuation of the pumping device for discharging cleaning liquid, which then in turn actuates the metering pump. For example, a small impeller can be driven by the flow of the cleaning fluid, which is arranged on a shaft which in turn drives the pumping element of the metering pump. The lines, both those of the cleaning fluid supplying line system and the lines for supplying the cleaning additive, are preferably at least partially formed by flexible hoses.

The reservoirs can be arranged on a common carrier body, for example in the form of an exchangeable cartridge. The reservoirs can be designed so that the user can easily refill them. The carrier body is preferably detachably connected to the cleaning device. The adjustment device may be provided in this case both on the carrier body and on the remaining part of the cleaning device. In both cases, the outgoing lines from the reservoir pass over the adjustment device and are connected to a, provided on the cleaning device outside the support body, central connection to the line system.

The lines between a reservoir and the adjusting device preferably have closing means, in particular in the form of switchable valves, which automatically close by releasing the carrier body of the cleaning device or manually via the operation of the pumping device or a separate operation via one or more, further handles are actuated ,

If the cleaning additive is not liquid, it may be present, for example, as a capsule, tablet or in any other form, as known in particular from coffee machines. In this case, the reservoir is formed as a receptacle for such a capsule or tablet, wherein the cleaning additive can then be formed as a soluble additive and the recording is in fluid or diffusion communication with the tank and / or conduit system to the tablet in liquid or To bring diffusion contact with the liquid. The cleaning device then includes, for example, a capsule housing forming the receptacle, wherein the conduit system comprises a conduit from the fluid tank to the capsule housing and a pumping device for pumping the fluid from the fluid tank into the conduit system.

In the possible embodiment, which can be used both with liquid and with soluble, solid substances, the receptacle is formed by a rotatable magazine, which may in particular be a revolving magazine. Herein then the capsules, tablets or pads can be arranged on a circular path in individual compartments, wherein by rotating the magazine, the desired capsule, tablet or the desired pad is rotatable in the liquid path.

In principle, the invention can also be used in conjunction with the generic type wiper device mentioned at the beginning, ie spray the cleaning additive in front of the wiping surface. In the preferred embodiment, however, the invention is implemented in conjunction with a moisture penetration of the cleaning element by the mop plate. In this case, preferably, the mop plate at least a distributor line with a plurality of outflow openings, via which the mixture of cleaning fluid and cleaning additive flowing out of the line system into the mop plate is able to wet the cleaning element from behind. This can be limited to the front region of the cleaning element or even detect areas located further back.

Preferably, the supply of the cleaning additive is provided downstream of the liquid tank in the liquid stream, so that the smallest possible proportion of the cleaning liquid located in the conduit system is mixed with the cleaning additive, so a quick switching when changing or omitting the cleaning additive is possible.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to FIGS.

Fig. 1

eine erste Ausgestaltung eines erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsgerätes,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Dosiereinheit mit drei Reservoiren und einer Einstellvorrichtung,

Fig. 2-2

eine Einstellbarkeit des Kolbenhubes der Dosierpumpe in schematischer Funktionsansicht,

Fig. 3

ein Wischsystem mit einem Flüssigkeitstank zum Durchfeuchten des Wischtuchs,

Fig. 4

eine weitere Ausgestaltung eines Wischsystems mit Flüssigkeitstank,

Fig. 5

einen Flüssigkeitstank eines Wischsystems mit Schublade zum Einlegen eines Reinigungspads,

Fig. 6

eine alternative Möglichkeit für die Anordnung von Reinigungskapseln im Strömungsweg zur Wischplatte,

Fig. 7

eine letzte Ausgestaltung eines Wischsystems mit Flüssigkeitstank,

Fig. 8

eine Ausgestaltung eines als Wischplatte ausgebildeten Reinigungselementes in einer Ansicht von unten und

Fig. 9

die Wischplatte aus Figur 8 in einer Seitenansicht im Schnitt.

In the drawings shows:

Fig. 1

A first embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a metering unit with three reservoirs and a setting device,

Fig. 2-2

an adjustability of the piston stroke of the metering pump in a schematic functional view,

Fig. 3

a wiper system with a liquid tank for wetting the wipe,

Fig. 4

a further embodiment of a wiper system with liquid tank,

Fig. 5

a liquid tank of a wiper system with drawer for inserting a cleaning pad,

Fig. 6

an alternative possibility for the arrangement of cleaning capsules in the flow path to the mop plate,

Fig. 7

a final embodiment of a wiper system with liquid tank,

Fig. 8

an embodiment of a cleaning element designed as a wiper plate in a view from below and

Fig. 9

the mop plate off FIG. 8 in a side view in section.

In FIG. 1 an inventive cleaning device is shown. The cleaning device is designed here as a floor wiper with a mop plate 4, a handle 5 and a handle 6. On the handle 6, an actuating means 7 is provided, via which a pumping device 3 can be actuated, which is able to pump cleaning liquid from a liquid tank 2 in the lower region of the stem 5 through a nozzle 12 in front of the wiping region of the mop plate 4.

In the housing body of the liquid tank 2, a cartridge in the form of a magazine 17 can be used, which is shown here next to the receiving opening for the cartridge. This magazine 17 receives here two reservoirs 15 with cleaning additives, which are arranged together on a support body of the magazine 17 so that they can be used together and removed.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a possible embodiment of the reservoir 15 and the pumping means, which are formed here by the pumping device 3 and the metering pump 8. The pumping device 3 pumps cleaning liquid in the form of water from top to bottom, wherein in addition to the pumping device 3, the metering pump 8 is provided, can be discharged through the cleaning additives from reservoirs 15 through lines 9 in the flow channel of the cleaning liquid.

Which of the three reservoirs 15 are activated depends on the setting of the adjusting device 10, which is designed here as a slide, which leaves one of the three lines 9 open depending on the angular position and the two other lines 9 depressed. Of course, positions of the slide can be provided in which none of the lines 9 or two or all three lines 9 are open. By color indication, in particular on the outside of the adjustment device 10, the user can be displayed which of the three reservoirs 15 is currently open.

The metering pump 8 of the metering unit may be a piston pump, a gear pump, a vane pump, a peristaltic pump or a diaphragm pump. It is also possible to aspirate the cleaning additive according to the Venturi principle or via a sensor-controlled valve device. The reservoirs 15 can, as shown here, be arranged side by side, so that the structure of the magazine 17, as he is in FIG. 1 is shown can result. Alternatively, a radial arrangement of the reservoirs 15 and a single removal of, for example, tubular reservoirs 15 carried upward. A linear arrangement of the reservoirs 15 with each other is possible.

The individual reservoirs 15 can be latched via latching means, possibly with associated seals, in their recording. Here, for example, comes a snap connection into consideration, as it is known from garden hoses. Also, a spring-loaded locking connection or a screw connection, in particular under opening of the opening of the reservoir 15 covering film when using a reservoir 15 for the first time, are possible.

Instead of an adjusting device 10, which uses the above-mentioned slider under impressions of unnecessary lines 9, and rotary valves, pure sliding elements or a rotatable magazine 17 can be used according to the turret principle. Finally, any means by which the inflow can be restricted and / or blocked is suitable for turning the reservoirs 15 on or off. Furthermore, the adjusting device 10 may be formed or have additional means for this purpose, that the amount of the cleaning additive supplied to the liquid flow is adjustable. This can be done via adjustable reducing valves or other flow resistances.

In Figure 2-2 such a possibility is represented functionally. Here, the metering pump 8 and the pumping device 3 for the cleaning liquid are shown schematically. The cleaning liquid pumping device 3 is activated by a lifting rod which cooperates with a user-operable handle. About the lever 13, the piston rod 14 of the metering pump is coupled to the lifting rod or the piston rod of the pumping device 3, wherein the lever 13 is adjustably mounted in its inclination (here, the left end can be raised or lowered). As a result, the stroke of the piston rod 14 of the metering pump 8 is changed at the same stroke of the piston rod of the pumping device 3, so that the setting of the inclination angle of the lever 13 of the stroke of the metering pump 8 and thus the delivered amount can be adjusted. The tilt adjustment can be adjusted by an externally accessible knob or other means.

In a similar manner, the lifting movement of both pistons can be coupled to one another and to one another in an adjustable manner via other types of transmission, for example an articulated connection via disks which can be rotated relative to one another.

In the illustrated embodiment, the dosing pump 8 shown on the left can be reduced in its stroke, when the transverse lever 13 is moved by the actuator upwards, so that the actuating force, concentric with the piston rod 14 of the dosing pump 8 shown on the right, only at the left metering pump 8 triggers a smaller stroke. In the same way, of course, both metering pump 8 could be manipulated, for this purpose, then the right metering pump 8 would also have to be arranged decentralized to the actuating force.

In the FIGS. 3 to 7 Embodiments of the cleaning device are shown, which also have a liquid tank 2 through which the wipe 11 can be moistened through the mop plate 4 therethrough. In the FIG. 3 embodiment shown has a liquid tank 2, which is provided in the lower region of the stem 5 of the cleaning device. In this cleaning device, two devices to operate the function are available. On the one hand an actuating means 7 is provided to actuate the pumping device 3 for conveying the cleaning liquid. About a separate sliding sleeve 18 of the cleaning additive is supplied. For this purpose, the sliding sleeve 18 displaceable along the handle 5 actuates the metering pump 8 (not shown here).

Below the liquid tank 2, a receptacle for a capsule as a reservoir 15 is provided in the flow path, through which the liquid additional cleaning additives can be added. This can on the one hand be a cleaning agent, on the other hand, it can also be a perfume. Disinfectants can of course be added in this way. Preferably, the receptacle is designed so that the capsule can be interchangeably inserted into it and in the course of operation either dissolves or releases the substances bound in it, provided that the cleaning additives are not liquid.

FIG. 4 shows a similar embodiment, but not only a capsule is provided here, but it is a magazine 17 is used, which is rotatably mounted between two upper limits. By turning the magazine 17 becomes manual in each case a receptacle between a supply and a discharge line of the conduit system rotated. This allows the user to move the desired capsule into the fluid path. About seals the corresponding receptacle is of course sealed so that the liquid can enter and exit only through the lines 9.

In FIG. 5 In turn, an embodiment is shown in which a replacement of the cleaning additives can be made particularly easily. Here, for example, instead of a capsule, a pad, as it is known for example from the coffee preparation used. However, the form of the additive which is in principle immaterial to the implementation of the inventive concept. The pad is held here in a drawer, which can be inserted into the liquid tank 2 or the pipe system below the liquid tank 2. In this way, it can be easily and simply replaced and placed in the flow path.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a similar system. Here, the receptacle for receiving the capsule is provided directly on the side wings of the mop plate 4. Again, of course, instead of a single shot, a rotatable magazine 17 or a slide with a plurality of capsules arranged side by side can be provided. Also the drawer solution according to FIG. 5 can of course be implemented here. This embodiment has the particular advantage that the capsule is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the wiper plate 4, so that after exchange of the capsule only a small residual amount of the previous substance is present in the conduit system.

The feeds to the capsule holders are preferably formed by elastic tubes, so that the rotation of the wiper plate 4 relative to the stem 5 is not canceled. Alternatively, of course, the liquid tank 2 can be arranged directly on the wiper plate 4, but this will only be useful if you work with little liquid, otherwise the inertia of the wiper plate 4 is too large. Furthermore, even with this solution, a connection to an actuating means 7 would have to be provided.

In FIG. 7 another example of an embodiment of a capsule system is shown. Here, the liquid flows past a long-drawn, serving as a reservoir 15 capsule container with a capsule, wherein the material of the cleaning additive diffuses through a membrane into the liquid flow into it. In all embodiments, the enriched with the additive liquid stream is introduced via the manifolds 16 and outflow openings at the bottom of the mop plate 4 in the wipe 11.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show an example of a possible embodiment of the wiper plate 4. Here it can be seen that the wiper plate 4 has a gap in the central region, in which a distribution line 16 is arranged, which is connected to the conduit system for supplying cleaning fluid. The distribution line 16 has individual nozzles 12, via which the cleaning liquid added with the cleaning additive is introduced into the wipe 11, which is arranged below the wiper plate 4 shown here on the head (only in FIG FIG. 9 shown). In this way, a rear moistening of the wipe 11.

The dosage of the cleaning additive is basically independent of the way to which the mixture of cleaning fluid and cleaning additive is applied and which design has the cleaning device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

liquid tank

3

Pumping device for cleaning fluid

4

mop plate

5

stalk

6

Handle

7

actuating means

8th

metering

9

Lines from the reservoir to the pipe system

10

adjustment

11

wipe

12

jet

13

Lever for quantity metering

14

Piston rod of the dosing pump

15

reservoir

16

distribution lines

17

magazine

18

sliding sleeve

Claims (15)

1. Cleaning apparatus with

   • a support body,

   • a wiper plate (4) arranged at a lower end of the support body for supporting a cleaning element arranged at least on one side of the wiper plate (4),

   • a fluid tank (2) for receiving cleaning fluid, and

   • a pipeline system for supplying the cleaning fluid in the direction of the cleaning element by means of a pump device (3), and

   • a dosing system with at least one reservoir (15) for a cleaning additive, the same designed in a way that it can add the cleaning additive to the cleaning fluid,

   characterised in that
   at least two reservoirs (15) are envisaged, which are selectable by means of a setting device (10), wherein the setting device (10) is designed in such a way that at least one cleaning additive each, stored in an active reservoir (15), can be added to the cleaning fluid via the dosing system whilst one or more further cleaning additives held ready in passive reservoirs (15) are inhibited from being supplied to the cleaning fluid.
2. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the reservoirs (15) can be selectively connected with the pipeline system via the setting device (10) designed as a slide.
3. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that that reservoir (15) is designed as an additional tank and the dosing system has a dosing pump (8), which can pump a cleaning additive formed by a fluid into the pipeline system.
4. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reservoirs (15) are connected with the pipeline system via pipelines (9) and the setting device (10) comprises blocking means, which can selectively block the other pipelines (9) whilst releasing one pipeline (9).
5. Cleaning apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the blocking means are formed by a slide, wherein the slide can be displaced into at least two positions, in which it releases just one pipeline (9) each running from a reservoir (15) to the pipeline system and blocks all other pipelines (9).
6. Cleaning apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the pipelines (9) are made of flexible hoses.
7. Cleaning apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the reservoirs (15) are arranged on a common support body, which is disconnectably connected with the cleaning apparatus, wherein the pipelines (9) exiting from the reservoirs (15) runs via the setting device (10) and are connected to the pipeline system with a central connection on the cleaning apparatus outside of the support body, and the setting device (10) is arranged on the support body or on the cleaning apparatus outside of the support body.
8. Cleaning apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the pipelines (9) have manually closable valves between the reservoir (15) and the setting device (10).
9. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that adjustable reducing valves are envisaged for setting the dispensed quantity of the quantity of cleaning additive dispensed from the reservoir (15) in the pipelines (9), or in that the setting device (10) is designed in a way that it can limit the flow through a pipeline (9).
10. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the two proceeding claims, characterised in that the pipelines (9) have valves between the reservoir (15) and the setting device (10), which close independently when disconnecting the support body from the cleaning apparatus.
11. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or according to claim 2, characterised in that the reservoir (15) is designed as a receptacle for a capsule or tablet made of a dissolvable additive for adding to the cleaning fluid, wherein the receptacle is in fluid or diffusion connection with the fluid tank (2) and/or pipeline system for bringing the tablet into fluid or diffusion contact with the fluid, and wherein the cleaning apparatus has a capsule housing forming the receptacle and the pipeline system comprises a pipeline (9) from the fluid tank (2) to the capsule housing as well as a pump device (3) for pumping the fluid from the fluid tank (2) into the pipeline system.
12. Cleaning apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the receptacle is formed by a rotatable magazine (17), in particular a turret magazine, in which capsules, tablets or pads are arranged in individual compartments on a circular path, which can be rotated into the fluid path through rotating the magazine (17) for selecting the desired capsule, tablet or the desired pad, wherein the compartment is designed and sealed in such a way that the fluid is pumped into the compartment and pumped out of the same onto the wiper plate (4) via a drainage line.
13. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pipeline system is connected with the wiper plate (4), wherein at least one distribution line (16) with several nozzles (12) as outflow openings is envisaged in the wiper plate (4), through which the mixture of cleaning fluid and cleaning additive flowing out of the pipeline system onto the wiper plate (4) can soak the cleaning element formed by a wiper cloth (11), in particular from behind.
14. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pump device (3) can also actuate the dosing system.
15. Cleaning apparatus according to the preceding claim in connection with claim 3, characterised in that the cleaning apparatus has a handle that can be activated with an actuating means (7), with which the pump device (3) and the dosing pump (8) can be actuated simultaneously.

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