EP3833490B1 - Surface-cleaning head - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a surface cleaning head for cleaning a surface, with a hood-shaped housing which is open at the bottom when the surface cleaning head is in a horizontal position of use and which has a working space in which at least one spray arm with a cleaning nozzle is mounted so that it can rotate about an axis of rotation, the cleaning nozzle being Pressurized cleaning liquid can be applied and rotates together with the spray arm about the axis of rotation for applying a cleaning liquid jet to an area of a surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head.

Such surface cleaning heads are from the documents WO 2008/151743 A2 and WO 2009/103486 A1 known. They are particularly suitable for cleaning hard surfaces, such as floor surfaces, especially stone or wooden terraces, garage entrances and, for example, garage doors. To clean the hard surfaces, the pressure line of a high-pressure cleaning device can be connected to the surface cleaning head. Pressurized cleaning liquid, in particular water, can be supplied to the surface cleaning head via the pressure line. The surface cleaning head can be moved along a surface to be cleaned, with the hood-shaped housing covering a region of the surface to be cleaned. The housing has a working space in which at least one spray arm with a cleaning nozzle is mounted so that it can rotate about an axis of rotation. The pressurized cleaning liquid can be supplied to the cleaning nozzle arranged on the at least one spray arm. When the surface cleaning head is moved along the surface to be cleaned, the area of the surface to be cleaned currently covered by the housing can be exposed to a jet of cleaning liquid using the cleaning nozzle, so that dirt can be detached from the surface to be cleaned. When the jet of cleaning liquid is discharged, the spray arm located on it experiences The cleaning nozzle has a recoil, under the effect of which the spray arm is set in rotation together with the cleaning nozzle about the axis of rotation.

Usually, at least two spray arms are used, each carrying a cleaning nozzle, with all cleaning nozzles being provided with cleaning liquid under pressure at the same time. The cleaning nozzles perform a circular movement when the surface cleaning head is in operation. By moving the surface cleaning head along the surface to be cleaned, dirt can be detached from a relatively large surface within a short time.

The object of the present invention is to further develop a surface cleaning head of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it achieves an improved cleaning result.

In the case of a surface cleaning head of the generic type, this object is achieved according to the invention in that the surface cleaning head has at least one first additional nozzle held in a rotationally fixed manner, with a region of the surface to be cleaned that is not currently covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head being sprayed with a jet of cleaning liquid by the at least one first additional nozzle is acted upon.

The surface cleaning head according to the invention enables the user, with the aid of the at least one cleaning nozzle, which rotates about the axis of rotation together with a spray arm, to direct a jet of cleaning liquid onto an area of the surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing, so that dirt can be removed from the surface to be cleaned in the covered area surface can be solved. When the surface cleaning head moves further along the surface to be cleaned, the housing then releases the area of the surface in which dirt was loosened under the effect of the cleaning liquid jet emitted by the at least one cleaning nozzle, and the loosened dirt can be removed with the aid of the at least one first non-rotatable device additional nozzle can be rinsed off the surface. The at least one first additional nozzle is held in a rotationally fixed manner on or in the housing and pressurized cleaning fluid can be supplied to the at least one first additional nozzle. A cleaning liquid jet can be applied to a region of the surface to be cleaned that is not covered by the housing from the at least one first additional nozzle. The surface cleaning head according to the invention can thereby achieve an improved cleaning result.

It is favorable if the at least one first additional nozzle is assigned a housing opening through which the jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle can emerge from the housing. In such an embodiment of the surface cleaning head according to the invention, the at least one first additional nozzle can be arranged inside the housing. The jet of cleaning liquid emitted by it can emerge from the housing via the associated housing opening.

The housing opening assigned to the at least one first additional nozzle is preferably arranged on a front side of the housing.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the at least one first additional nozzle is arranged on an outside of the housing, in particular on an upper side or on a front side of the housing.

The housing of the surface cleaning head according to the invention preferably has a lower housing part and an upper housing part, with the lower housing part surrounding the working space and the upper housing part being arranged on the lower housing part, and with the at least one first additional nozzle being positioned at least partially in the lower housing part and/or in the upper housing part. In such an embodiment of the invention, the lower housing part surrounds the at least one rotatably mounted spray arm on which a cleaning nozzle is arranged, and the lower housing part and/or the upper housing part surround at least a partial area of the at least one first additional nozzle. In particular, the at least one first additional nozzle can be arranged entirely in the lower part of the housing or in the upper part of the housing.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing upper part has a nozzle receiving space with a housing opening. The at least one first additional nozzle can be positioned in the nozzle receiving space and the jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle can emerge from the nozzle receiving space via the housing opening.

The at least one first additional nozzle is preferably designed as a flat jet nozzle or as a rotor nozzle. A fan-shaped jet of cleaning liquid can be generated by means of the flat jet nozzle, and a jet of cleaning liquid in the form of a point jet circulating on a cone surface can be generated by means of the rotor nozzle. Such flat jet nozzles and rotor nozzles are known per se to a person skilled in the art and therefore do not require any further explanation in the present case. The design as a flat jet or rotor nozzle makes it possible to apply a jet of cleaning liquid to a relatively large area of the surface to be cleaned in order to rinse away dirt that has been loosened from the surface using the at least one cleaning nozzle.

The nozzle opening of the at least one first additional nozzle is preferably larger than the nozzle opening of the at least one cleaning nozzle, which is held on a rotatably mounted spray arm. The smaller nozzle opening of the cleaning nozzle allows cleaning liquid to be applied to the area of the surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head, which has a high flow rate, whereas the cleaning liquid discharged from the at least one first additional nozzle due to the larger nozzle opening of the first additional nozzle has a lower flow rate. Under the action of the cleaning liquid discharged at high flow rate from the at least one cleaning nozzle, in the housing covered area on the surface to be cleaned can be effectively loosened, and the loosened dirt can be rinsed off the surface as the surface cleaning head moves further along the surface to be cleaned outside of the housing with the aid of the cleaning liquid discharged at a lower flow rate from the at least one first additional nozzle .

It is favorable if the jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle is inclined downwards at an angle of at least 10° to the horizontal, based on a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head.

The jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle is preferably aligned at an angle to the surface to be cleaned. This makes it easier to effectively rinse the surface to be cleaned.

It is particularly advantageous if the jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle is inclined downwards at an angle of 10° to 80°, in particular at an angle of 30° to 60°, to the horizontal relative to a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head .

The jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the at least one cleaning nozzle is inclined downwards at an angle of at least 60°, preferably at an angle of 60° to 80°, to the horizontal relative to a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head.

When the surface cleaning head is used in a horizontal position, the jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the at least one rotating cleaning nozzle preferably hits the surface to be cleaned at a steeper angle than the jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle.

In an advantageous embodiment of the surface cleaning head according to the invention, the working space is surrounded by a housing wall on which at least one sliding element is arranged. If the surface cleaning head is moved along the surface to be cleaned, the at least one sliding element can slide along the surface to be cleaned and support the surface cleaning head on the surface to be cleaned. This facilitates the handling of the surface cleaning head.

The housing wall surrounding the working space is preferably designed as an outer housing wall.

The housing wall surrounding the working space preferably has a housing edge that faces the surface to be cleaned during use of the surface cleaning head, and the at least one sliding element is arranged on the housing edge.

It is favorable if several sliding elements are arranged on the housing wall, for example three or four sliding elements.

It is advantageous if the at least one sliding element is detachably held on the housing wall. The at least one sliding element is subject to wear when sliding along the surface to be cleaned. If the at least one sliding element is detachably held on the housing wall, it can be easily replaced if necessary.

In particular, it can be provided that the at least one sliding element can be replaced without using a special tool.

It is favorable if the housing wall surrounding the working space has a housing edge which faces the surface to be cleaned during use of the surface cleaning head and on which a spray protection device is arranged, for example a bristle strip. It can thereby be avoided that cleaning liquid from the at least one cleaning nozzle directed at an area covered by the housing of the surface to be cleaned, unintentionally sprays out of the area covered by the housing.

The spray protection device preferably has a plurality of spray protection elements which extend along the edge of the housing, with at least one sliding element being arranged between two adjacent spray protection elements.

In an advantageous embodiment, the surface cleaning head has at least one second non-rotatable additional nozzle, wherein a cleaning liquid jet can be applied to an area of the surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head by the at least one second additional nozzle. In such an embodiment of the surface cleaning head according to the invention, in addition to at least one first non-rotatable additional nozzle, which directs a jet of cleaning liquid onto an area of the surface to be cleaned that is not covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head, at least one second non-rotatable additional nozzle is used, directing a jet of cleaning liquid at an area covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head. With the aid of the at least one second additional nozzle, the user can, for example, apply a jet of cleaning liquid to a corner area of the surface to be cleaned, which is covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head.

The at least one second additional nozzle is advantageously designed as a flat jet nozzle or as a rotor nozzle. As already mentioned, a fan-shaped jet of cleaning liquid can be generated by means of a flat jet nozzle, and a jet of cleaning liquid in the form of a point jet circulating on a cone surface can be generated by means of a rotary nozzle.

It is advantageous if the jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the at least one second additional nozzle has a greater angle of inclination to the horizontal relative to a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head than the jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle.

In particular, it can be provided that the jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the at least one second additional nozzle is inclined at an angle of at least 70°, preferably at least 80°, to the horizontal relative to a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head.

The surface cleaning head preferably has a switching device, by means of which the at least one cleaning nozzle and/or the at least one first additional nozzle and/or the at least one second additional nozzle can be supplied with cleaning liquid. For example, it can be provided that either the at least one cleaning nozzle or the at least one first additional nozzle or the at least one second additional nozzle can be pressurized with cleaning liquid by means of the switching device, so that either the at least one cleaning nozzle or the at least one first additional nozzle or a jet of cleaning liquid can be emitted from the at least one second additional nozzle.

The switching device preferably has three operating elements that can be actuated by the user, in particular three foot pedals. The user can control the dispensing of cleaning liquid by means of the operating elements. Depending on which operating element the user actuates, the cleaning liquid can be dispensed via the at least one cleaning nozzle and/or via the at least one first additional nozzle and/or via the at least one second additional nozzle.

The switching device is preferably set up in such a way that when the first operating element is actuated, only the at least one cleaning nozzle is supplied with cleaning fluid, and when the second operating element is actuated, only the at least one first additional nozzle is supplied with cleaning fluid, and that when the third operating element is actuated only cleaning fluid is supplied to the at least one second additional nozzle.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the switching device has a first valve member and a second valve member. The valve members can each have at least two switching positions that the user can specify by actuating the operating elements in order to control the dispensing of cleaning liquid.

The valve members preferably each have a valve inlet and a first valve outlet and a second valve outlet.

It is of particular advantage if the two valve members each have an adjusting body which can be moved back and forth in a valve receptacle between a first switching position and a second switching position. In the first switching position, the actuating body can release a flow path from a valve inlet to a first valve outlet, for example, and in the second switching position the actuating body can release a flow path from the valve inlet to a second valve outlet, for example.

The adjusting bodies are preferably each coupled to at least one operating element.

It is favorable if the two valve members have identically configured adjusting bodies and identically configured valve receptacles for the adjusting bodies. This allows the surface cleaning head to be manufactured more cost-effectively and the surface cleaning head to be assembled more easily.

The actuating bodies of the valve members are preferably coupled to one another via a coupling device. This makes it possible to cause a change in the switch position of the other control body when the switch position of one of the two control bodies changes.

The coupling device preferably has a movably mounted coupling member.

The coupling member is advantageously designed as a rocker which is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis.

It is advantageous if the pivot axis of the rocker is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the at least one spray arm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating body of the first valve member can be moved into a first switching position by actuating a first operating element, and the actuating body of the second valve member can be moved into a first switching position by actuating a second operating element, with a movement of one of the two actuating bodies via the coupling device can be transferred into a movement of the other actuating body in the opposite direction, and wherein both actuating bodies can be moved into their second switching position by actuating a third operating element. If the user actuates the first operating element in such an embodiment of the invention, the actuating body of the first valve member can be moved from its second switching position into its first switching position. The movement of the actuating body of the first valve member can be transferred via the coupling device into an oppositely directed movement of the actuating body of the second valve member, so that the actuating body of the second valve member assumes its second switch position. If the user actuates the second operating element, the actuating body of the second valve member can be moved from its second switching position into its first switching position, and the movement of the actuating body of the second valve member can be reversed via the coupling device of the actuating body of the first valve member are transmitted, so that the actuating body of the first valve member assumes its second switching position. If the user actuates the third operating element, both control bodies can be moved into their second switching position.

As already mentioned, the valve members preferably have a valve inlet and a first and a second valve outlet. It is favorable if a supply line is connected to the valve inlet of the first valve member, via which the first valve member can be supplied with pressurized cleaning liquid, for example from a high-pressure cleaning device, and if the first valve outlet of the first valve member is connected to the at least one cleaning nozzle, and when the second valve outlet of the first valve member is connected to the valve inlet of the second valve member. If the actuating body of the first valve member assumes its first switching position, it can release a flow path from the valve inlet to the first valve outlet, so that pressurized cleaning liquid can be supplied to the at least one cleaning nozzle. If the actuating body of the first valve member assumes its second switching position, it can release the flow path from the valve inlet to the second valve outlet, so that pressurized cleaning fluid can be fed to the valve inlet of the second valve member via the first valve member.

The first valve outlet of the second valve member is preferably connected to the at least one first additional nozzle and the second valve outlet of the second valve member is connected to the at least one second additional nozzle. If the actuating body of the second valve member assumes its first switch position, it can release the flow path from the valve inlet to the first valve outlet, so that pressurized cleaning liquid can be supplied to the at least one first additional nozzle. If the actuating body of the second valve member assumes its second switching position, it can release a flow path from the valve inlet to the second valve outlet, so that pressurized cleaning liquid can be supplied to the at least one second additional nozzle.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Flächenreinigungskopfs schräg von oben;

Figur 2:

eine Draufsicht auf den Flächenreinigungskopf aus Figur 1;

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Flächenreinigungskopfs aus Figur 1 schräg von unten;

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Flächenreinigungskopfs aus Figur 1, wobei ein Gehäuseoberteil entfernt wurde;

Figur 5:

eine Teilschnittansicht einer Umschalteinrichtung des Flächenreinigungskopfs aus Figur 1;

Figur 6:

eine Unteransicht der Umschalteinrichtung aus Figur 5.

The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is used in connection with the drawing for more detailed explanation. Show it:

Figure 1:

a perspective view of a surface cleaning head at an angle from above;

Figure 2:

a top view of the surface cleaning head figure 1 ;

Figure 3:

a perspective view of the surface cleaning head figure 1 obliquely from below;

Figure 4:

a perspective view of the surface cleaning head figure 1 , with a case top removed;

Figure 5:

a partial sectional view of a switching device of the surface cleaning head figure 1 ;

Figure 6:

a bottom view of the switching device figure 5 .

In the drawing, a preferred embodiment of a surface cleaning head according to the invention is shown schematically, which is assigned the reference numeral 10 overall. The surface cleaning head 10 can be moved along the surface to clean a surface, in particular a hard surface, for example a floor surface, and can be supplied with pressurized cleaning liquid by a high-pressure cleaning device which is known per se and is therefore not shown in the drawing can be applied to the surface to be cleaned.

The surface cleaning head 10 has a hood-shaped housing 12 which, in the illustrated horizontal position of use, is open downwards in the direction of the surface to be cleaned. The housing 12 is designed in two parts and has a lower housing part 14 and an upper housing part 16 . The lower housing part 14 comprises an outer housing wall 18 which surrounds a working space 20 in the circumferential direction, and a partition wall 22 which covers the working space 20 . The upper housing part 16 is arranged on the lower housing part 14 .

The housing outer wall 18 has a housing edge 24 which faces the surface to be cleaned during use of the surface cleaning head 10 and on which a splash protection device 26 is held. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the spray protection device 26 is formed by three spray protection elements 28, 30, 32, each of which is designed as a bristle strip. A sliding element 34 , 36 , 38 is releasably held on the housing edge 24 between directly adjacent splash guard elements. A further sliding element 40 is detachably held on the free edge of an intermediate wall 42 which protrudes downwards from the partition wall 22 into the working space 20 . The surface cleaning head 10 can be supported on the surface to be cleaned by means of the sliding elements 34, 36, 38, 40, the sliding elements 34, 36, 38, 40 sliding along the surface when the surface cleaning head 10 is moved along the surface to be cleaned. During use of the surface cleaning head 10, the sliding members 34, 36, 38, 40 are subject to wear. They can therefore be replaced if necessary without using a special tool.

The lower housing part 14 forms a housing tip 44 on a housing front side 43, and the intermediate wall 42 carries a baffle wall 46 on its side facing the housing tip 44.

The upper housing part 16 forms a cover 48 and covers a switching space 50. In the switching space 50, a first valve member 52 and a second valve member 54 are arranged. This is in particular from the figures 4 and 5 clear.

The upper housing part 16 has a first recess 56 , a second recess 58 and a third recess 60 .

A first operating element in the form of a first foot pedal 62 is arranged in the first recess 56, which is mounted pivotably about a first pivot axis 63 and carries a first pivot arm 64 protruding into the control room 50 on its underside facing the partition 22.

A second operating element in the form of a second foot pedal 66 is arranged in the second recess 58, which is mounted pivotably about a second pivot axis 67 and carries a second pivot arm 68 protruding into the control room 50 on its underside facing the partition 22.

A third operating element in the form of a third foot pedal 70 is arranged in the third recess 60, which is mounted pivotably about a third pivot axis 71 and has two third pivot arms 72a, 72b on its underside facing the partition wall 22, which protrude into the switching space 50.

The swing arms 64, 68 and 72a, 72b arranged on the undersides of the foot pedals 62, 66 and 70 are in particular made of figure 6 clear.

The two valve members 52, 54, in combination with a coupling device explained in more detail below in the form of a rocker 148 and in combination with the foot pedals 62, 66 and 70 and the swivel arms 64, 68, 72a and 72b, form a switching device 73 which figure 6 is shown schematically in a bottom view.

A feed pipe 74 which is mounted in the control room 50 so as to be pivotable about a fourth pivot axis 76 opens into the control room 50 . At its free end protruding from the control room 50, the feed pipe 74 carries a connecting element 78, by means of which a connection element known per se is connected to the feed pipe 74 and is therefore included in the drawing to achieve a better overview not shown pressure line of a high-pressure cleaning device can be connected.

The supply tube 74 is in fluid communication with a valve inlet 82 of the first valve member 52 via a first connecting line 80 . The valve inlet 82 opens into a valve receptacle 84 of the first valve member 52. The valve receptacle 84 is designed in the form of a stepped through bore and accommodates an adjusting body 86, which can be moved back and forth in the valve receptacle 84 between a first switch position and a second switch position. In figure 5 1, the adjusting body 86 of the first valve member 52 is shown in its second switching position, in which it is at a distance from a front end surface 90 of a valve housing 92 of the first valve member 52 with a front end region 88 facing the first pivot arm 64. In this switching position, a rear end area 94 of the adjusting body 86 facing away from the first swivel arm 64 rests against a rear end surface 96 of the valve housing 92 .

When the control body 86 of the first valve member 52 assumes its first switching position (not shown in the drawing), the front end area 88 of the control body 86 rests against the front end surface 90 and the rear end area 94 of the control body 86 protrudes from the valve receptacle 84 and takes a Distance to the rear end surface 96 of the valve housing 92 a.

The first valve member 52 has a first valve outlet 98 and a second valve outlet 100 . In its first switching position, adjusting body 86 of first valve member 52 opens a flow path from valve inlet 82 to first valve outlet 98, and in the second switching position, adjusting body 86 opens a flow path from valve inlet 82 to second valve outlet 100.

The first valve outlet 98 is followed by a second connecting line 102 which passes through the partition 22 and protrudes into the working chamber 20 . At its end facing away from the first valve member 52 carries the second Connecting line 102 has two spray arms 104, 106 which are rigidly connected to one another and are diametrically opposite one another and which each carry a cleaning nozzle 108 or 110 at their free end and can be rotated together about an axis of rotation 112. This is made out in particular figure 3 clear.

The cleaning nozzles 108, 110 each produce a downwardly directed jet of cleaning liquid which, when it emerges from the cleaning nozzles 108, 110, exerts a recoil on the spray arms 104, 106, so that the spray arms 104, 106 are rotated about the axis of rotation 112. During use of the surface cleaning head 10, in which it is moved along a surface to be cleaned, a region of the surface to be cleaned covered by the housing 12 can be subjected to pressurized cleaning liquid by the cleaning nozzles 108, 110.

The second valve outlet 100 of the first valve member 52 is in fluid communication with a valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 via a third connecting line 114 . The valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 opens into a valve receptacle 118 of the second valve member 54, which is configured identically to the valve receptacle 84 of the first valve member 52. In the valve receptacle 118 is an actuating body 120 of the second valve member 54 between a first switching position and a second switching position stored to be movable back and forth. The actuator 120 of the second valve member 54 is configured identically to the actuator 86 of the first valve member 52. The actuator 120 has a front end portion 122 which faces the second pivot arm 68 of the second foot pedal 66. In figure 5 the adjusting body 120 of the second valve member 54 is shown in its first switching position, in which the front end region 122 of the adjusting body 120 bears against a front end face 124 of a valve housing 126 of the second valve member 54 . In this first switching position, a rear end region 128 of the actuating body 120 facing away from the second swivel arm 68 projects out of the valve receptacle 118 and is at a distance from a rear end face 130 of the valve housing 126 .

In the second switching position of the adjusting body 120 , not shown in the drawing, the front end area 122 is at a distance from the front end face 124 and the rear end area 128 rests against the rear end face 130 .

The second valve member 54 has a first valve outlet 132 and a second valve outlet 134 . A fourth connecting line 136 is connected to the first valve outlet 132 of the second valve member 54, via which the second valve member 54 is in flow communication with a first additional nozzle 138 held in a rotationally fixed manner. The first additional nozzle 138 is arranged in a nozzle receiving space 140, which is formed by the upper part of the housing 16 and has a housing opening 142, through which a jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the first additional nozzle 138 can get out of the housing 12 into an area that is exposed during use of the surface cleaning head 10 is not covered by the housing 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first additional nozzle 138 is designed as a flat jet nozzle which can emit a fan-shaped jet of cleaning liquid. Alternatively, the first additional nozzle 138 could also be designed as a rotor nozzle, which can emit a jet of cleaning liquid in the form of a point jet circulating on the surface of a cone. The jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the first additional nozzle 138 is inclined downward at an angle of at least 10° to the horizontal relative to a horizontal position of use of surface cleaning head 10, in particular at an angle of 10° to 80°, for example at an angle of 30° to 60° °.

The second valve outlet 134 of the second valve member 54 is followed by a fifth connecting line 144, via which the second valve member 54 is in flow communication with a second additional nozzle 146 held in a rotationally fixed manner. The second additional nozzle 146 protrudes into the working chamber 20 in the area between the intermediate wall 42 and the housing tip 44 . While the surface cleaning head 10 is in use, a region of a surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing 12 can be exposed to a jet of cleaning liquid via the second additional nozzle 146 . In the illustrated In the exemplary embodiment, the second additional nozzle 146 is designed as a flat jet nozzle that can emit a fan-shaped jet of cleaning liquid. Alternatively, the second additional nozzle 146 could also be designed as a rotor nozzle, which can emit a jet of cleaning liquid in the form of a point jet circulating on the surface of a cone. The jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the second additional nozzle 146 has a greater angle of inclination to the horizontal in relation to a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head 10 than the jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the first additional nozzle 138 .

If the adjusting body 120 of the second valve member 54 takes its in figure 5 shown first switching position, the actuating body 120 releases a flow path from the valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 to the first valve outlet 132 of the second valve member 54 . If the control body 120 assumes its second switching position, it opens a flow path from the valve inlet 116 to the second valve outlet 134 .

The adjusting bodies 86 and 120 of the two valve members 52, 54 are coupled to one another via a coupling device. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the coupling device is designed in the form of a rocker 148 which can be pivoted about a fifth pivot axis 150 . The fifth pivot axis 150 is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation 112 of the two spray arms 104, 106. The rocker 148 has a first rocker end 152 and a second rocker end 154 . The first rocker end 152 can be placed on the rear end area 94 of the adjusting body 86 of the first valve member 52 and the second rocker end 154 can be placed on the rear end area 128 of the adjusting body 120 of the second valve member 54 .

The coupling of the actuating bodies 86, 120 of the two valve members 52, 54 via the rocker 148 has the result that the actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52 is displaced into its second switching position when the actuating body 120 of the second valve member 54 changes to its first switching position. In a corresponding manner, the actuating body 120 of the second valve member 54 is in its second Shifted switching position when the actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52 goes into its first switching position.

The user of the surface cleaning head 10 has the option of supplying pressurized cleaning liquid either to the cleaning nozzles 108 , 110 arranged on the spray arms 104 , 106 or to the first additional nozzle 138 or the second additional nozzle 146 .

If the user actuates the first foot pedal 62, the first swivel arm 64 comes to rest on the front end region 88 of the adjusting body 86 of the first valve member 52 and moves the adjusting body 86 into its first switch position, in which it releases the flow path from the valve inlet 82 to the first valve outlet 98 , so that the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 pressurized cleaning liquid can be supplied. The cleaning nozzles 108, 110 can apply pressurized cleaning liquid to an area of a surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing 12 during use of the liquid cleaning head 10 in order to loosen dirt adhering to the surface. At the same time, the flow path from the valve inlet 82 to the second valve outlet 100 is interrupted, so that neither the first additional nozzle 138 nor the second additional nozzle 146 is supplied with cleaning liquid.

If the user actuates the second foot pedal 66, the second swivel arm 68 comes to rest on the front end region 122 of the actuating body 120 of the second valve member 54 and moves the actuating body 120 into its first switch position, in which it opens the flow path from the valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 to first valve outlet 132 releases. At the same time, the actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52 is pushed by the pivotable rocker 148 into its second switch position, in which it opens the flow path from the valve inlet 82 to the second valve outlet 100, so that pressurized cleaning fluid can flow via the third connecting line 114 and the fourth connecting line 136 can be supplied to the first additional nozzle 138 . From the first additional nozzle 138, during the use of the Liquid cleaning head 10 are not covered by the housing 12 area of the surface to be cleaned with pressurized cleaning liquid to rinse off dirt loosened from the surface. Since at the same time the flow path from the valve inlet 82 of the first valve member 52 to the first valve outlet 98 of the first valve member 52 is interrupted and also the flow path from the valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 to the second valve outlet 134 of the second valve member 54 is interrupted, neither the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 nor the second additional nozzle 146 cleaning liquid are supplied.

If the user actuates the third foot pedal 70, then the third pivoting arms 72a and 72b come to rest on the rear end regions 94 or 128 of the adjusting bodies 86 and 120, so that both adjusting bodies 86, 120 are transferred to their second switching position. As a result, the second auxiliary nozzle 146 can be supplied with pressurized cleaning liquid, which flows from the supply pipe 74 via the first valve member 52, the third connecting line 114, the second valve member 54 and the fifth connecting line 144 to the second auxiliary nozzle 146. The second additional nozzle 146 can apply a pressurized jet of cleaning liquid to an area of a surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing 12 during use of the liquid cleaning head 10 in order, for example, to loosen dirt from the surface in a corner area of the surface to be cleaned. Since at the same time the flow path from the valve inlet 82 of the first valve member 52 to the first valve outlet 98 of the first valve member 52 is interrupted and also the flow path from the valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 to the first valve outlet 132 of the second valve member 54 is interrupted, neither the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 nor the first additional nozzle 138 cleaning liquid are supplied.

The first additional nozzle 138 has a nozzle opening 156 which is larger than the nozzle openings 158 and 160 of the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 and is also larger than the nozzle opening 162 of the second additional nozzle 146. As a result, the flow speed of the first additional nozzle cleaning liquid discharged is smaller than the flow rate of the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 and from the second auxiliary nozzle 146.

To clean a surface, the user has the option, for example, of first actuating the first foot pedal 62 and moving the surface cleaning head 10 along a surface to be cleaned, with cleaning fluid under pressure being emitted via the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 in order to adhere to the surface to be cleaned to loosen adhering dirt. If required, the user can actuate the third foot pedal 70 so that cleaning liquid under pressure is discharged via the second additional nozzle 146, for example for cleaning edge or corner areas of the surface to be cleaned. The user can then actuate the second foot pedal 66 so that liquid is supplied to the first additional nozzle 138 and this directs a jet of cleaning liquid onto an area of the surface to be cleaned that is not covered by the housing 12, in order to thereby remove the loosened dirt from the surface to rinse off.

Claims (15)

1. Surface cleaning head for cleaning a surface, with a hood-shaped housing (12) that is open downward in a horizontal use position of the surface cleaning head (10) and comprises a working space (20) in which at least one spray arm (104, 106) with a cleaning nozzle (108, 110) is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (112), wherein the cleaning nozzle (108, 110) can be acted upon with pressurized cleaning liquid and together with the spray arm (104, 106) circulates about the axis of rotation (112) for acting upon a region of a surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing (12) during the use of the surface cleaning head (10) with a cleaning liquid jet, characterized in that the surface cleaning head (10) comprises at least one first non-rotationally held additional nozzle (138), wherein a region of the surface to be cleaned that is not covered by the housing (12) during the use of the surface cleaning head (10) can be acted upon by the at least one first additional nozzle (138) with a cleaning liquid jet, wherein the dirt released by the cleaning nozzle (108, 110) can be rinsed off the surface by means of the at least one first non-rotationally held additional nozzle (138).
2. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first additional nozzle (138) is associated with a housing opening (142) by way of which the cleaning liquid jet delivered by the at least one first additional nozzle (138) can exit the housing (12).
3. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (12) comprises a housing bottom part (14) and a housing top part (16), wherein the housing bottom part (14) surrounds the working space (20) and the housing top part (16) is arranged on the housing bottom part (14), and wherein the at least one first additional nozzle (138) is at least partially arranged in the housing bottom part (14) and/or in the housing top part (16).
4. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least one first additional nozzle (138) is configured as a flat jet nozzle or as a rotor nozzle.
5. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the nozzle opening (156) of the at least one first additional nozzle (138) is larger than the nozzle opening (158, 160) of the at least one cleaning nozzle (108, 110).
6. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the cleaning liquid jet delivered by the at least one first additional nozzle (138), in relation to a horizontal use position of the surface cleaning head (10), is inclined at an angle of at least 10° to the horizontal, preferably in that the cleaning liquid jet delivered by the at least one first additional nozzle (138) is inclined at an angle of 10° to 80°, in particular 30° bis 60°, to the horizontal.
7. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the working space (20) is surrounded by a housing wall (18) on which at least one sliding element (34, 36, 38, 40) is arranged, preferably in that the at least one sliding element (34, 36, 38, 40) is releasably held on the housing wall (18).
8. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 7, characterized in that the housing wall (18) comprises a housing edge (24), which during the use of the surface cleaning head (10) points toward the surface to be cleaned and on which a splash protection device (26) is arranged, in particular in that the splash protection device (26) comprises a plurality of splash protection elements (28, 30, 32), between which in each case at least one sliding element (34, 36, 38, 40) is arranged.
9. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the surface cleaning head (10) comprises at least one second non-rotationally held additional nozzle (146), wherein a region of the surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing (12) during the use of the surface cleaning head (10) can be acted upon with a cleaning liquid jet by the at least one second additional nozzle (146), in particular in that the at least one second additional nozzle (146) is configured as a flat jet nozzle or as a rotor nozzle.
10. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 9, characterized in that the cleaning liquid jet delivered by the at least one second additional nozzle (146), in relation to a horizontal use position of the surface cleaning head (10), has a greater angle of inclination to the horizontal than the cleaning liquid jet delivered by the at least one first additional nozzle (138).
11. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 9 to 10, characterized in that the surface cleaning head (10) comprises a switching device (73), by means of which the at least one cleaning nozzle (108, 110) and/or the at least one first additional nozzle (138) and/or the at least one second additional nozzle (146) can selectively be acted upon with cleaning liquid, preferably in that the switching device (73) comprises three operating elements, in particular three foot pedals (62, 66, 70).
12. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 11, characterized in that the switching device (73) comprises a first valve member (52) and a second valve member (54), wherein the two valve members (52, 54) each comprise an actuating body (86, 120), which is movably mounted in a valve receptacle (84, 118) and is movable back and forth between a first switch position and a second switch position.
13. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 12, characterized in that the actuating bodies (86, 120) are each coupled to at least one operating element and/or in that the two valve members (52, 54) comprise identically configured actuating bodies (86, 120) and identically configured valve receptacles (84, 118).
14. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the actuating bodies (86, 120) of the valve members (52, 54) are coupled to one another by way of a coupling device, preferably in that the coupling device comprises a movably mounted coupling member, in particular in that the coupling member is configured as a rocker (148), which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (150), wherein the pivot axis (150) of the rocker (148) is preferably aligned in parallel to the axis of rotation (112) of the at least one spray arm (104, 106).
15. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 14, characterized in that the actuating body (86) of the first valve member (52) is movable into a first switch position by actuating a first operating element, and in that the actuating body (120) of the second valve member (54) is movable into a first switch position by actuating a second operating element, wherein a movement is transmittable from one of the two actuating bodies (86, 120) via the coupling device into an oppositely directed movement of the other actuating body (120), and wherein both actuating bodies (86, 120) are movable into their second switch position by actuating a third operating element.

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