EP3478144B1 - Mobile floor-cleaning machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a mobile floor cleaning machine, comprising a chassis, a rear wheel device arranged on the chassis, a steerable front wheel device, and a steering rod device which is torque-effectively coupled to the front wheel device, the front wheel device being held on a carrier which is fixed to the chassis, and wherein a torque transfer device for transferring torque from the handlebar device to the front wheel device is arranged on the carrier, the handlebar device being torque-effectively coupled to the torque transfer device.

the DE 1 964 112 A1 discloses a vacuum sweeper in whose chassis sweeping apparatus, dirt collector, drive unit, energy source, in particular a battery, and driver's seat are arranged. A chassis frame has a portal-like design with at least one longitudinal beam running in the middle area above the energy source and the sweeping devices, the sweeping devices and the energy source being suspended in the area of the at least one longitudinal beam and being able to be installed downwards and/or to the side.

From the EP 0 934 017 B2 and U.S. 7,082,639 B2 mobile floor cleaning machines are known.

From the EP 1 734 853 B1 a side puller assembly is known.

From the US 6,802,098 B2 discloses an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the orientation of a powered cylindrical brush.

From the U.S. 7,059,015 B2 a floor cleaning machine is also known.

From the U.S. 2006/0230556 A1 an optimization method for a rotating brush is known.

The invention is based on the object of providing a mobile floor cleaning machine of the type mentioned at the outset, which can be manufactured in a simple manner and has a low weight.

In the case of the mobile floor cleaning machine mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved according to the invention in that the carrier is an element that is separate from the chassis and is connected to the chassis.

By providing the carrier, the chassis and the carrier can be optimized separately. The carrier can be designed in such a way that an optimized coupling of the front wheel device and the handlebar device is achieved, in particular with regard to storage and with regard to force absorption and force dissipation.

The chassis can then be manufactured in a simple manner and made from a plastic material, for example.

By arranging the torque transmission device on the carrier, a torque can be transmitted from the steering rod device to the front wheel device in an optimized manner, so that a steering movement can be converted directly to a corresponding movement of the front wheel device.

In principle, the steering rod device can be coupled to the front wheel device directly via the torque transmission device, or an intermediate gear can be provided.

The carrier is a separate element from the chassis, which is connected to the chassis. The beam and chassis are manufactured separately and then connected together. This allows these two components to be optimized separately.

In particular, the carrier is plate-shaped. As a result, it can be realized with a low weight and can be connected to the chassis in a simple manner.

It is favorable if the carrier is made from a metallic material and in particular from a light metal. As a result, on the one hand, it can be produced with a relatively low weight. On the other hand, large forces can be absorbed or dissipated via it. It can stock in a simple way such as a rotary bearing for the front wheel device and a rotary bearing or a rotary guide for the handlebar device are arranged on the carrier or are integrated into it.

It is favorable if a rotary bearing and/or a rotary guide for the steering rod device is arranged on the carrier. This allows an optimized guidance to be achieved.

In one embodiment, the carrier has an upper side and an underside facing away from the upper side, with the underside facing the floor when the floor cleaning machine is set up on a floor to be cleaned, and the pivot bearing or the rotary guide is arranged on the upper side and in particular the torque transmission device is arranged on the underside is arranged. As a result, the floor cleaning machine can be designed in a structurally simple manner. It can thus be produced in relatively few work steps.

The invention is also based on the object of providing a floor cleaning machine of the type mentioned at the outset, which has a low susceptibility to wear.

This object and the above-mentioned object are achieved according to the invention with the mobile floor cleaning machine mentioned at the outset in that a toothed belt device is provided as the torque transmission device for torque transmission from the steering rod device to the steerable front wheel device.

A toothed belt device has a relatively large freedom from play and low susceptibility to wear.

In particular, the handlebar device is non-rotatably connected to a first pulley and the front wheel device is non-rotatably connected to a second pulley, and there is a toothed belt for torque transmission arranged on the first pulley and the second pulley. As a result, for example, the handlebar device can also be arranged offset to the front wheel device with respect to corresponding axes of rotation. The available space on the floor cleaning machine can then be optimally used.

Furthermore, a step-up gear or step-down gear can be implemented in a simple manner by appropriately adjusting the diameters of the belt pulleys.

In one embodiment, the second pulley has a larger diameter than the first pulley. This allows a reduction gear to be implemented. If a specific angle of rotation is set on the handlebar device, for example by turning the steering wheel, then this reduction gear means that the corresponding effected angle on the front wheel device is smaller.

It is favorable if the second belt pulley is rotatably mounted on a carrier which holds the front wheel device. A rotary bearing can be arranged or integrated into the carrier in a simple manner. Relatively large forces can be absorbed.

It is favorable if the torque transmission device includes a reduction gear. As a result, a steering control can be carried out in a simple manner for an operator, in particular with regard to cornering.

In particular, a transmission ratio is in a range up to and including 1:4.5. For example, it is in the range of 1:2. A gear ratio of 1:2 means that turning the handlebar assembly through a certain angle causes the front wheel assembly to turn through half the corresponding angle.

In one embodiment, it is provided that an axis of rotation of the front wheel device for steering is spaced parallel to an axis of rotation of the steering rod device. The torque transmission device then has to bridge this distance. This can be done in a simple, low-wear manner, for example via a toothed belt device. An optimized use of space can thereby be achieved.

It is favorable if a cleaning tool device with at least one cleaning tool is held on the carrier. The corresponding carrier can then absorb and dissipate the mechanical forces due to the holding of the cleaning tool device even when the cleaning tool is in operation.

In particular, the cleaning tool device is positioned between the front wheel device and the rear wheel device and is positioned in particular below the chassis. This allows the available space to be used optimally.

It is favorable if a holding device for the cleaning tool device is fixed to the carrier. The cleaning tool device can then be held directly on the carrier via the holding device.

In one embodiment, the cleaning tool device is movably mounted (lockable) on the carrier and, in particular, pivotally mounted and, in particular, mounted via a link such as a parallelogram link. As a result, mobility of the cleaning tool device can be achieved in order in particular to be able to lift or lower it from the floor to be cleaned.

It is favorable if the holding device is assigned a lifting device, via which the at least one cleaning tool can be lifted relative to a floor to be cleaned and lowered onto the floor to be cleaned. In particular, there is then a lowering to the area to be cleaned Floor when a cleaning operation is to be performed. In the case of "driving operation" without cleaning, in which the floor cleaning machine is "transferred" to another location, the cleaning tool can then be lifted off in such a way that it just does not touch the floor.

It is favorable if the lifting device comprises at least one rod which is articulated to the chassis. This allows a lifting device to be implemented in a simple manner, which has to absorb relatively small forces. The main part of the forces can be absorbed by the carrier (and the corresponding holding device) and dissipated in the chassis. A lifting device can then be formed which essentially only provides a drive for a lifting movement or lowering movement and, if necessary, provides a counter bearing which, for example, prevents the cleaning tool device from tipping over.

In one embodiment, the at least one cleaning tool is a brush, such as a scrubbing brush or sweeping brush. In particular, the cleaning tool can be driven in rotation and is driven in rotation in a cleaning operation.

It is particularly advantageous if the chassis forms a unit that is made from a plastic material. As a result, the floor cleaning machine can be designed with a low weight. It can be made in a simple way. The chassis can be integrally manufactured, for example by a rotational molding process.

It is favorable if at least a partial area of a tank device is formed integrally on the chassis and is in particular connected in one piece to the chassis at least in a partial area. The tank device forms one or more tanks or one or more tanks are arranged on it. As a result, the number of components for the floor cleaning machine can be kept low and this can be produced in a simple manner and with a low weight.

For example, a tank for dirty liquid and/or a tank for cleaning liquid is arranged or formed on the tank device. A cleaning liquid such as water or water with a cleaning agent can be applied to a floor to be cleaned via the tank for cleaning liquid. The tank for dirty liquid allows excess liquid to be sucked off the floor and collected in the corresponding tank. In particular, the tank for cleaning liquid is formed integrally on the chassis and connected in one piece with it.

For example, the tank for dirty liquid is arranged above the tank for cleaning liquid in relation to the direction of gravity when the floor cleaning machine stands on a floor to be cleaned. This results in a compact structure. With the appropriate arrangement, a driver's seat holder can also be formed in a simple manner, for example.

It is advantageous if a suction device is arranged at least partially on a tank device, with the suction device in particular being arranged at least partially on a region of the tank device on which a tank for dirty liquid is seated or formed. This allows excess liquid to be sucked off a floor to be cleaned. A compact structure results. In particular, a suction unit (suction fan and motor) is arranged on and, for example, in the tank for dirty liquid. A squeegee, for example, is held directly by the chassis.

It is also advantageous if a dispensing device for cleaning liquid is arranged on the chassis. As a result, cleaning liquid can be applied directly to a floor to be cleaned or, for example, to a cleaning tool in order in particular to be able to loosen dirt on the floor to be cleaned.

It is favorable if a column device for the steering rod device is formed integrally on the chassis and, in particular, is connected in one piece to the chassis at least in a partial area. The column assembly at least partially houses the handlebar assembly. As a result, the floor cleaning machine can be manufactured in a simple and inexpensive manner with a low weight.

It is favorable if a driver's seat or driver's seat holder is formed integrally on the chassis or a tank device and in particular on a region of the tank device on which a tank for dirty liquid is located or is formed and is in particular connected in one piece. A driver's seat can then be formed or arranged in a simple manner. The number of components can be kept low. The floor cleaning machine can be manufactured with low weight.

The mobile floor cleaning machine is designed in particular as a ride-on machine. An operator sits on the machine while the floor cleaning machine is in operation.

In particular, the mobile floor cleaning machine is designed as a scrubbing machine or as a sweeper.

It is favorable if the chassis comprises a floor area on which the rear wheel device and the carrier are arranged, a column device which is integrally connected to the floor area and on which the handlebar device is arranged, and further comprises a tank device which is integral with the Floor area is connected.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Bodenreinigungsmaschine;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht der Bodenreinigungsmaschine gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine Schnittansicht in einer Ebene parallel zu der Zeichenebene gemäß Figur 2;

Figur 4

eine Unteransicht der Bodenreinigungsmaschine gemäß Figur 1 in der Richtung A gemäß Figur 2;

Figur 5

die gleiche Ansicht wie Figur 4, wobei ein Reinigungswerkzeug entfernt ist;

Figur 6

die gleiche Ansicht wie Figur 5, wobei eine Halteeinrichtung für das Reinigungswerkzeug entfernt ist; und

Figur 7

eine schematische Explosionsdarstellung einer Seitenansicht zur Illustration des grundsätzlichen Aufbaus der Bodenreinigungsmaschine gemäß Figur 1.

The following description of preferred embodiments serves to explain the invention in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. Show it:

figure 1

a perspective view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the invention;

figure 2

a side view of the floor cleaning machine according to FIG figure 1 ;

figure 3

a sectional view in a plane parallel to the drawing plane according to FIG figure 2 ;

figure 4

a bottom view of the floor cleaning machine according to FIG figure 1 in the direction A according to figure 2 ;

figure 5

the same view as figure 4 with a cleaning tool removed;

figure 6

the same view as figure 5 wherein a holder for the cleaning tool is removed; and

figure 7

a schematic exploded view of a side view to illustrate the basic structure of the floor cleaning machine according to figure 1 .

An embodiment of a mobile floor cleaning machine according to the invention, which in the Figures 1 to 7 shown and denoted by 10 is a scrubbing machine, which is designed as a ride-on machine.

The floor cleaning machine 10 has a chassis 12 . This chassis 12 is made of a plastic material such as PE.

In one embodiment, this chassis 12 is made using a rotational molding process.

The chassis 12 has a floor area 14 . On a floor to be cleaned 16 (cf. figure 2 ) installed floor cleaning machine 10, the floor area 14 faces the floor 16 and in particular is oriented at least approximately parallel to this floor 16.

A rear wheel device 18 with a right rear wheel 20 and a left rear wheel 22 in relation to a forward direction of travel 24 is arranged on the floor area 14 of the chassis 12 .

In one embodiment, the right rear wheel 20 and the left rear wheel 22 are rotatably mounted on a common shaft or each have their own shaft 26 (wheel axle). A drive 28 is provided for driving the shaft 26 and is arranged on the chassis 12 and thereby on the floor area 14 . The drive 28 forms a travel drive for the mobile floor cleaning machine 10.

It is possible for the drive 28 to drive the right rear wheel 20 and the left rear wheel 22 synchronously or for the drive 28 to be designed in such a way that the right rear wheel 20 and the left rear wheel 22 can be driven differently.

A carrier 30 is arranged on the floor area 14 of the chassis 12, which is connected to the floor area 14 of the chassis 12 and is fixed, for example, via a plurality of screws 32. A corresponding screw 32 is designed to be suitable for fastening in a plastic body.

The carrier 30 is plate-shaped and forms a carrier plate. It has an upper side 34 and a lower side 36 facing away from the upper side. The underside 36 faces the floor 16 when the floor cleaning machine 10 is set up on the floor 16 .

The carrier 30 is made from a metallic material and in particular from a light metal. In one embodiment, the carrier 30 is formed by an aluminum casting.

The chassis 12 has a front end 38 and a rear end 40 in the floor area 14 in relation to the forward direction of travel 24 . The carrier 30 is mounted to the chassis 12 with the floor portion 14 closer to the front end 38 than the rear end 40 . The carrier 30 is spaced apart from the rear wheel device 18. The rear wheel device 18 is arranged closer to the rear end 40 than to the front end 38 on the chassis 12.

The carrier 30 is related to a right outer side 42 and a left outer side 44 of the chassis 12 (cf. figure 4 ) arranged at least approximately in the middle.

A steerable front wheel assembly 46 is fixed to the carrier 30 . The front wheel device 46 includes, in particular, a steering roller 48 or is formed by such a steering roller 48 . This steering roller 48 is arranged in the middle in relation to the right outer side 42 and the left outer side 44 . It lies on a median plane between the right rear wheel 20 and the left rear wheel 22. (In figure 4 this center plane is indicated by the reference number 50.)

An axis of rotation of the front wheel assembly 46 lies parallel to an axis of rotation of the rear wheel assembly 18.

The front wheel device 46 is connected via a rotary bearing 52 (cf. figure 3 ) is rotatably mounted on the carrier 30 about an axis of rotation 54 . When the floor cleaning machine 10 is set up on a level floor 16 , the axis of rotation 54 is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to this floor 16 .

A column device 56 is arranged on the floor area 14 in the area of the front end 38 of the floor area 14 of the chassis 12 . The pillar assembly 56 is an integral part of the chassis 12 and is fabricated from the plastic material of the chassis 12 accordingly. It is integrally connected to the floor area 14 and is in particular connected to it in one piece. It extends upwards in a vertical direction 58 away from the base region 14 , this vertical direction 58 being at least approximately parallel to the axis of rotation 54 .

The floor cleaning machine 10 has a steering rod device 60 . The handlebar device 60 can be designed in one piece or in multiple pieces.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the steering rod device 60 has a multi-part design with a first steering rod 62 and a second steering rod 64 . It is oriented at least approximately parallel to the vertical direction 58 . The second steering rod 64 is coupled to the first steering rod 62 , the second steering rod 64 protruding upwards over the column device 56 . In the area of an upper end 68 of the second steering rod 64, a steering wheel 70 is arranged on the second steering rod 64, via which an operator (driver) can perform a steering movement of the floor cleaning machine 10 by correspondingly rotating the front wheel device 46 about the axis of rotation 54.

The steering wheel 70 is positioned spaced from a top 72 of the column assembly 56 . The second steering rod 64 is guided through a recess 74 between the upper side 72 and the receiving space 66 through the column device 56 and is particularly supported in the recess 74 by a pivot bearing 76 so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 78 .

The pivot bearing 76 is designed, for example, as a sliding bearing.

The axis of rotation 78 is at an obtuse angle to the axis of rotation 84. In one embodiment, this obtuse angle is approximately 160°.

The second link 64 is coupled to the first link 62 via a rotary joint 80 . The rotary joint 80 is positioned in the receiving space 66, for example. The rotary coupling 80 is designed in such a way that a rotation of the second steering rod 64 about the axis of rotation 78 is converted directly into a rotation of the first steering rod about the axis of rotation 84 , in particular at a constant angle.

A torque transmission device 82 is arranged on the carrier 30, which serves to transmit a torque of the steering rod device 60 (entered by an operator) to the front wheel device 46 in order to rotate the front wheel device 46 about the axis of rotation 54 for cornering.

The steering rod device 60 is coupled to the torque transmission device 82 via the first steering rod 62 .

In principle, it is possible for the axis of rotation 84 of the first steering rod 62 to be coaxial with the axis of rotation 54 of the front wheel device 46 and for the steering rod device 60 to be coupled directly to the front wheel device 46 via the first steering rod 62 . In this case, the connection which ensures a non-rotatable coupling of the handlebar device 60 to the front wheel device 46 forms the corresponding torque transmission device 82.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the axis of rotation 54 is offset parallel to the axis of rotation 84. The torque transmission device 82 then ensures spatial torque transmission due to the spacing of the first steering rod 62 with the axis of rotation 84 from the axis of rotation 54.

In one embodiment, a rotary guide 86 or a corresponding pivot bearing for the first steering rod 62 is arranged on the carrier 30 in order to correspondingly guide the first steering rod 62 on the carrier 30 in a rotatable manner.

For example, the rotary guide 86 is formed by a cylindrical tube through which the first steering rod 82 is passed. In this way, in particular, a plain bearing for the first steering rod 62 is formed on the carrier 30 .

The rotary guide 86 is arranged in particular on the upper side 34 .

In one embodiment, the torque-transmitting device 82 includes a first pulley 88 that is formed non-rotatably with the first steering rod 62 . In particular, the first pulley 88 is arranged on the underside 36 of the carrier 30 and is rotatable relative to the carrier 30 about the axis of rotation 84 due to the non-rotatable connection with the first steering rod 62 .

The carrier 30 correspondingly has a through-opening through which the first steering rod 62 is inserted, the first belt pulley 88 then being connected to the first steering rod 62 in a rotationally fixed manner on the underside 36 of the carrier 30 .

A second pulley 90 is arranged on the front wheel assembly 46 . The second belt pulley 90 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the steering roller 48 and is mounted on the carrier 30 so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation 54 via the pivot bearing 52 .

The pivot bearing 52 is formed by a ball bearing, for example, which is integrated into the carrier 30 .

Torque transmission device 82 is designed as a toothed belt device 92, which includes a toothed belt 94 (cf. Figures 4 to 6 ) which is arranged on the first pulley 88 and the second pulley 90. By means of the toothed belt 94, the torque of the first pulley 88 to the second pulley 90 and thereby from the steering rod assembly 60 to the caster wheel 48.

In one embodiment, the torque transfer device 82 is designed as a reduction gear with a gear ratio of up to and including 1:4.5.

In this embodiment, the first pulley 88 has a smaller diameter than the second pulley 90 .

In principle, however, it is also possible for a 1:1 ratio to be selected when using a toothed belt device 92 as the torque transmission device 82 .

A tank device 96 is also arranged on the floor area 14 in the area of the rear end 40 at a distance from the column device 56 and extending in the vertical direction 58 . This tank device 96 is an integral part of the chassis 12. In particular, it is in one piece with the chassis 12 and is connected to the floor area 14 at the same time.

The tank device 96 has a first area 98 and a second area 100 . The second area 100 is connected directly to the base area 14 , in particular in one piece, and follows it in the vertical direction 58 . The first area 98 is arranged on the second area 100 in the vertical direction 58 . A free space 102 is formed between the second region 100 and the column device 56 .

In one embodiment, the first area 98 is formed by one or more parts that are separate from the second area 100 and that are fixed to the second area 100 ("afterwards").

The first area 98 is related to the gravitational direction g when the floor cleaning machine 10 is set up on a horizontal floor 16, arranged above the second area 100 . It has a smaller length than the second region 100 in a longitudinal direction of the chassis 12 between the rear end 40 and the front end 38 . As a result, a step 104 is formed at the transition from the second area 100 to the first area 98 . This shoulder 104 has a contact surface 106 which is in particular at least approximately parallel to an underside of the floor area 14 .

The shoulder 104 with the contact surface 106 forms a holder for a driver's seat (operator's seat) 108, with a seat surface 110 (cf. figure 1 ) is disposed or formed on the second portion 108, and a backrest 112 is disposed or formed on the first portion 98. An operator sitting on the operator seat 108 can position his legs in the free space 102 between the column device 56 and the tank device 96 .

A first tank 114 for dirty liquid is arranged or formed on the tank device 96 in the first area 98 . A second tank 116 for cleaning liquid is arranged or formed on the second region 100 . The second tank 116 is integrally formed on the chassis 12 .

The floor cleaning machine 10 has a cleaning tool device 118 with (at least) one cleaning tool 120 . The cleaning tool 120 is used for (mechanical) cleaning processing of the floor 16 to be cleaned.

In the embodiment of the mobile floor cleaning machine 10 as a scrubbing machine, the cleaning tool 120 is a scrubbing brush, for example in the form of a plate.

The cleaning tool device 118 comprises a head 122 with the cleaning tool 120, which is attached to the carrier 30 via a holding device 124 (cf. in particular figure 5 ) is held. The holding device 124 includes one or more holders 126 which are fixed to both the carrier 30 and the head 122.

In figure 4 12 is a bottom view of the floor cleaning machine 10 in the direction A in FIG figure 2 shown. figure 5 is the same view as in figure 4 , with the head 122 removed with the cleaning tool 120. The holders 126 can be seen. figure 6 12 is a similar view with the retainer 124 on the retainers 126 removed.

The essential mechanical load for holding the cleaning tool device 118 with the cleaning tool 20 is taken over and dissipated by the carrier 30 . Correspondingly, the essential force load during the cleaning operation is absorbed by the carrier 30 and, if necessary, introduced from there into the chassis 12 .

In one embodiment, the holding device 124 is assigned a lifting device 128 (cf. figure 3 ) over which the head 122 is movable in the elevation direction 58 (and in the corresponding opposite direction). The lifting device 128 makes it possible to raise or lower the head 122 with respect to a floor 16 to be cleaned. For a cleaning operation, the head 122 can be lowered such that the cleaning tool 120 mechanically contacts the floor 16 to be cleaned.

The head 122 can be raised by the elevator 128 such that the cleaning tool 120 does not contact the floor 16 . In such a mode of operation, for example, the floor cleaning machine can be "transferred" to a cleaning area.

In the case of a carrier 30 rigidly arranged on the chassis 12, the cleaning tool device 118 can be moved with respect to the carrier 30 in order to enable lifting or lowering by the lifting device 128. In particular, the holding device 124 with its holder 126 (or its Holders 126) designed so that a pivotability is provided about one or more pivot axes 130 perpendicular to the axis of rotation 54 and 84 respectively.

For example, the holding device 124 is designed as a parallelogram linkage.

If a parallelogram linkage is provided, the cleaning tool 120 can be lifted or lowered with a corresponding configuration in such a way that an alignment plane with respect to the floor 16 does not change during the lifting movement or lowering movement.

The lifting device 128 is designed in such a way that it can be used to carry out the lifting movement or lowering movement of the head 122 in a driven manner. As mentioned above, the holding device 124 and the carrier 30, on which the holding device 124 is held, serve to absorb or support the head 122 substantially.

Furthermore, appropriate design of the lifting device 128 can prevent the head 122 from tipping over due to a pivotable mounting about the pivot axis 130 (possibly in the case of a parallelogram linkage with several pivot axes) on the carrier 30 .

In one embodiment, the lifting device 128 comprises a linkage 132 which is connected to a foot-operated pedal 134 (cf. figure 1 ) is paired. This linkage 132 has one or more rods 136 which are mounted pivotably on the chassis 12 and in particular on the second region 100 (or the floor region 14) via a pivot bearing 138. A coupling to the head 122 takes place via the linkage 132 in order to be able to carry out a lifting process or lowering process by means of mechanical coupling to the pedal 134, as described above.

The cleaning tool 120 of the cleaning tool device 118 is driven about an axis of rotation 140 . A corresponding drive 142 is provided for this purpose, which is integrated in particular in the head 122 .

During a cleaning operation of the floor cleaning machine 10, the axis of rotation 140 is oriented transversely and in particular at least approximately perpendicularly to the floor 16.

The head 122 with the cleaning tool 120 is supported by the carrier 30 and positioned between the rear wheel assembly 18 and the front wheel assembly 46 . It is positioned between an underside of the chassis 12 facing the floor 16 and the floor 16 .

A dispensing device 144 for cleaning liquid is arranged on the chassis 12 in particular on the second area 100 . This dispensing device 144 is fluidically connected to the second tank 116 . It includes, for example, a valve 146 (cf. figure 5 ), which is arranged in a line of the dispensing device 144 from the second tank 116 to the head 122. Cleaning fluid from the second tank 116 can be supplied through this line to the cleaning tool 120 in a controlled manner via the valve 146 .

A suction device 148 is provided, via which excess liquid on the floor 16 to be cleaned, which was previously applied in particular via the dispensing device 144, can be sucked off.

In one embodiment, the suction device 148 includes a suction unit 150, which is used to generate a suction flow. The suction unit 150 is arranged, for example, in the first area 98 of the tank device 96 . It is arranged, for example, on the first tank 114 and in particular in it.

Furthermore, the suction device 148 comprises a suction application device 152, through which the floor to be cleaned can be subjected to the suction flow. The suction application device 152 is fluidly connected to the suction unit 150 . Dirty liquid that has been sucked off is coupled into the first tank 114 .

The suction application device 152 has one or more suction lines 154 . Such a suction line 154 is arranged in particular in the area of the rear end 40 of the chassis 12 .

In one embodiment, a suction bar is arranged on the chassis 12 in the region of the rear end 40 (not shown in the drawing), which is part of the suction application device 152 and which is connected to the suction line or lines 154 . Excess liquid can be sucked off via the corresponding suction bar and then coupled into the first tank 114 .

The suction bar is in particular movable in such a way that it can be raised or lowered and in particular can be lowered or raised synchronously with the head 122 . During a cleaning operation, the squeegee is lowered to enable suction. The squeegee is raised for pure driving operation without cleaning operation.

A closable filling opening 156 is assigned to the second tank 116, through which cleaning liquid (water or water with a cleaning agent) can be supplied to the second tank 116, i. H. via which the second tank 116 can be filled. This filling opening 156 is arranged in particular on the column device 56 . It is arranged, for example, at the level of the rotary coupling 80 on the latter.

In particular, a line leads from the filling opening 156 to the second tank 116.

An emptying device 158 is assigned to the first tank 114 , via which dirty fluid can be sucked out of the first tank 114 .

In one embodiment, the emptying device 158 comprises a (closable) emptying pipe, which is positioned on an outer side of the first tank 114 and opens into it.

The floor cleaning machine 10 according to the invention works as follows:
In a cleaning operation, the head 122 with the cleaning tool 120 is lowered and this contacts the floor 16 to be cleaned. By rotating the cleaning tool 120 about the axis of rotation 140, the floor 16 to be cleaned is subjected to mechanical stress.

Cleaning liquid is applied from the second tank 116 to the cleaning tool 120 and thereby to the floor 16 to be cleaned by the dispensing device 144 . In particular, this results in a dissolving of dirt.

Excess liquid is sucked off the base 16 via the suction loading device 152 and coupled into the first tank 114 .

The floor cleaning machine 10 is designed in particular as a ride-on machine. An operator (driver) sits on the operator's seat 108. He controls the traveling movement. By turning the steering wheel 70, he controls cornering. The rotation of the steering wheel 70 is transmitted via the steering rod device 60 and the torque transmission device 82 to the front wheel device 46 and thereby to its steering roller 48 .

The toothed belt device 92 enables play-free transmission, which has little wear.

Typically, a gear ratio (reduction ratio) of 1:2 is chosen so that a certain angle of rotation on the steering wheel 70 causes the corresponding half angle of rotation about the axis of rotation 54 on the front wheel device 46 .

The chassis 12 is made with its components base area 14, column device 56 and at least a part of the tank device 96 integrally and in particular in one piece from a plastic material. In the exemplary embodiment described, the second area 100 with the second tank 116 for cleaning liquid is made in one piece with the chassis 12 . The carrier 30 holds the front wheel assembly 46, the torque transfer assembly 82 and the cleaning tool assembly 118.

The corresponding floor cleaning machine 10 can be manufactured with a low weight and relatively little use of materials and thus with low manufacturing costs.

The essential part, the beam 30, which has to bear large mechanical loads, is made of a metallic material. Furthermore, corresponding pivot bearings for the floor cleaning machine 10 can be formed on the carrier 30 outside of plastic parts. In particular, it can be achieved that the steering takes place via a metal part such as, for example, an aluminum die-cast part. The running gear with the chassis 12 is formed integrally with the tank device 96 .

Reference List

10

mobile floor cleaning machine

12

chassis

14

floor area

16

floor

18

rear wheel setup

20

right rear wheel

22

left rear wheel

24

forward driving direction

26

Wave

28

drive

30

carrier

32

screw

34

top

36

bottom

38

front end

40

rear end

42

right outside

44

left outside

46

front wheel setup

48

swivel castor

50

midplane

52

pivot bearing

54

axis of rotation

56

column setup

58

height direction

60

handlebar device

62

first handlebar

64

second handlebar

66

recording room

68

top end

70

steering wheel

72

top

74

recess

76

pivot bearing

78

axis of rotation

80

rotary coupling

82

torque transmission device

84

axis of rotation

86

rotary guide

88

first pulley

90

second pulley

92

toothed belt device

94

timing belt

96

tank facility

98

first area

100

second area

102

free space

104

Unit volume

106

contact surface

108

operator seat

110

seat

112

backrest

114

first tank (for dirty liquid)

116

second tank (for cleaning liquid)

118

cleaning tool setup

120

cleaning tool

122

head

124

holding device

126

holder

128

lifting device

130

pivot axis

132

linkage

134

pedal

136

pole

138

swivel bearing

140

axis of rotation

142

drive

144

discharge device

146

Valve

148

suction device

150

suction unit

152

suction impingement device

154

suction line

156

filling hole

158

emptying device

Claims (15)

1. Mobile floor-cleaning machine comprising a chassis (12), a rear-wheel apparatus (18) arranged on the chassis (12), a steerable front-wheel apparatus (46) and a steering-rod apparatus (60), which is operatively coupled to the front-wheel apparatus (46) for torque communication therewith, the front-wheel apparatus (46) being held on a support (30) secured on the chassis (12), and a torque transmission apparatus (82) for transmitting torque from the steering-rod apparatus (60) to the front-wheel apparatus (46) being arranged on the support (30), the steering-rod apparatus (60) being operatively coupled to the torque transmission apparatus (82) for torque communication therewith, characterised in that the support (30) is an element that is separate from the chassis (12) and connected to the chassis (12).
2. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterised by at least one of the following:

   the support (30) is configured in a plate-like manner;

   the support (30) is made of a metal material and in particular of a light metal;

   a pivot bearing and/or a pivot guide (86) for the steering-rod apparatus (60) is arranged on the support (30);

   the support (30) has a top side (34) and an underside (36), which faces away from the top side (34), the underside (36) facing the floor (16) when the floor-cleaning machine is placed on a floor (16) to be cleaned, and in that the pivot bearing or the pivot guide (86) is arranged on the top side (34) and, in particular, the torque transmission apparatus (82) is arranged on the underside (36).
3. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a toothed-belt apparatus (92) is provided as the torque transmission apparatus (82) for transmitting torque from the steering-rod apparatus (60) to the steerable front-wheel apparatus (46), and in particular

   in that the steering-rod apparatus (60) is connected to a first sheave (88) for conjoint rotation and the front-wheel apparatus (46) is connected to a second sheave (90) for conjoint rotation, and a toothed belt (94) for transmitting torque is arranged on the first sheave (88) and the second sheave (90), and in particular

   in that the second sheave (90) has a greater diameter than the first sheave (88), and in particular

   in that the second sheave (90) is rotatably mounted on a support (30) that holds the front-wheel apparatus (46).
4. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the torque transmission apparatus (82) comprises a reduction gear, and in particular
   in that a transmission ratio is in a range up to and including 1:4.5.
5. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a hinge pin (54) of the front-wheel apparatus (46) for steering is spaced apart from a hinge pin (84) of the steering-rod apparatus (60) in parallel therewith.
6. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a cleaning tool apparatus (118) comprising at least one cleaning tool (120) is held on the support (30), and in particular

   in that the cleaning tool apparatus (118) is positioned between the front-wheel apparatus (46) and the rear-wheel apparatus (18), and in particular is positioned below the chassis (12), and in particular

   in that a holding apparatus (124) for the cleaning tool apparatus (118) is secured on the support (32), and in particular

   in that the cleaning tool apparatus (118) is movably mounted on the support (32), and in particular is pivotably mounted and in particular is mounted by way of a link; and in particular in that the holding apparatus (124) is assigned a lifting apparatus (128), by means of which the at least one cleaning tool (120) can be lifted up in relation to a floor (16) to be cleaned and can be lowered towards the floor (16) to be cleaned, and in particular in that the lifting apparatus (128) comprises at least one rod (136) that is hinged to the chassis (12), and in particular

   in that the at least one cleaning tool (120) is a brush and is, for example, a scrubbing brush or a sweeping brush.
7. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the chassis (12) forms a unit that is made of a plastics material.
8. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a tank apparatus (96) is integrally formed on the chassis (12) at least in one portion (100), and in particular is connected to the chassis (12) in one piece at least in one portion (100), and in particular

   in that a tank (114) for dirty liquid and/or a tank (116) for cleaning fluid is arranged or formed on the tank apparatus (96), the tank (116) for cleaning fluid in particular being integrally arranged or formed on the chassis (12), and in particular

   in that the tank (114) for dirty liquid is arranged above the tank (116) for cleaning fluid in relation to the direction of gravity (g) when the floor-cleaning machine is standing on a floor (16) to be cleaned.
9. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a suction apparatus (148) is arranged at least in part on a tank apparatus (96), the suction apparatus (148) in particular being arranged at least in part on a region (98) of the tank apparatus (96) at which a tank (114) for dirty liquid is located or formed.
10. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an application apparatus (144) for cleaning fluid is arranged on the chassis (12).
11. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a pillar apparatus (56) for the steering-rod apparatus (60) is integrally formed on the chassis (12) and in particular is connected to the chassis (12) in one piece at least in one portion.
12. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a driver's seat or driver's seat holder (104, 106) is integrally formed on, and in particular connected in one piece to, the chassis (12) or a tank apparatus (96) and in particular a region (98) of the tank apparatus (96) at which a tank (114) for dirty liquid is located or formed.
13. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by being configured as a ride-on machine.
14. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by being configured as a scrubber-dryer machine or a sweeper machine.
15. Mobile floor-cleaning machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the chassis (12) comprises a bottom region (14) on which the rear-wheel apparatus (18) and the support (30) are held and on which a pillar apparatus (56) for the steering-rod apparatus (60) and a tank apparatus (96) are integrally arranged or formed.

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