EP4014826A1 - Floor cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor cleaning device (1) with a housing (2) which extends in a working direction (y), in a transverse direction (x) and in a vertical direction (z), and with a cleaning chamber arranged in the housing (2). (3), which is accessible through a cleaning opening (4) on the underside. According to the invention, a front deflection means (5) and a rear deflection means (6) spaced apart from the front deflection means (5) in the working direction (y) are arranged in the cleaning chamber (3). A flexible cleaning means (7) is guided on the front deflection means (5) and the rear deflection means (6).

Description

The invention relates to a floor cleaning device with a housing which extends in a working direction, in a transverse direction and in a vertical direction. A cleaning chamber is arranged in the housing and is accessible through a cleaning opening on the underside (in the vertical direction).

Floor cleaning devices are placed on a floor surface and are used to loosen and remove dirt particles adhering to and/or embedded in it. For this purpose, various cleaning elements are known from the prior art, with which this purpose can be achieved or supported.

In a widespread class of floor cleaning elements, these have brush arrangements which are movable with respect to the floor surface to be cleaned. In particular, brush plates come into consideration here, which rotate about a vertical axis and serve in particular to feed dirt particles to a central collection point. Furthermore, arrangements with cleaning rollers are known, which are rotatably mounted about horizontal axes. Due to a relative speed between the peripheral surface of the cleaning rollers and the surface to be cleaned, dirt particles can be detached from them and, if necessary, transported away. In addition to their function of loosening dirt particles, the cleaning rollers can also serve in particular to feed the loosened dirt particles to a collection point and, very particularly preferably, to sweep or shovel them into the interior of the housing.

Depending on the nature and sensitivity of the floor to be cleaned, such cleaning rollers can be provided with special surfaces. In particular, bristle sets, foamed surfaces and/or textile covers come into consideration here.

The cleaning result that can be achieved with known floor cleaning devices can still be improved. With the known methods, not all dirt particles can always be reliably loosened and removed from the floor. It is also problematic that a particularly intimate contact between the cleaning element and the floor surface to be cleaned - especially through the application of great force - can improve the cleaning result on the one hand, but also leads to damage to the floor surface with greater frequency and severity.

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of specifying an improved floor cleaning device with which the previous disadvantages are overcome. The object of the invention and the solution to this problem is a floor cleaning device according to patent claim 1. Preferred configurations are specified in the dependent claims.

Based on the generic floor cleaning device, the invention provides that a front deflection means and a rear deflection means spaced apart from the front deflection means in the working direction are arranged in the cleaning space. Within the scope of the invention, a flexible cleaning means is guided on the front deflection means and the rear deflection means. In cooperation with the front deflection means and the rear deflection means, this flexible cleaning means can provide a particularly large contact surface where it comes into contact with the floor surface to be cleaned. This large contact surface makes it possible to achieve a particularly good cleaning effect even with a low contact pressure. Compared to a cleaning roller with a particularly large diameter this design also has the advantage that a particularly low overall height (in the vertical direction) can be achieved.

The front deflection means is preferably designed as a front cleaning roller which is mounted such that it can rotate about a first axis of rotation running in the transverse direction. In this case, the first cleaning roller forms a first outer surface that is essentially in the shape of a cylinder jacket, on which the flexible cleaning agent rests. The front cleaning roller also serves as a deflection means. It also serves to exert a force on the cleaning agent from the top in order to press it against a floor surface to be cleaned, if necessary. The radius of the front cleaning roller can be adapted in particular to the space available within the floor cleaning device. This radius is particularly preferably chosen to be as large as possible within the scope of the available space, on the one hand to provide a larger pressing surface and on the other hand to bend the flexible cleaning means only to a small extent, i. H. especially not to kink or break.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the rear deflection means is designed as a rear cleaning roller which is mounted such that it can rotate about a second axis of rotation running in the transverse direction. The same considerations as for the front cleaning roller come into play here.

The front cleaning roller and/or the rear cleaning roller particularly preferably have a diameter of between 1.5 cm and 6 cm. On the one hand, a corresponding radius of curvature is selected to be large enough not to damage the flexible cleaning agent. On the other hand, a handy and space-saving structure can be guaranteed in this value range. In particular, cleaning rollers of such a size are suitable for installation in standard household floor cleaning equipment.

The front cleaning roller and/or the rear cleaning roller preferably has a width, measured in the transverse direction, which makes up at least 75%, preferably at least 90%, in particular at least 95% of the housing width. In this case, essentially the entire width of the housing can be used for cleaning with the flexible cleaning agent. In particular, the front cleaning roller and/or the rear cleaning roller have a width of at least 20 cm, preferably at least 30 cm.

Depending on the application profile and/or the space requirement, the front deflection means and/or the rear deflection means can also consist of non-rotatable parts—in particular as deflection rods running in the transverse direction or as guide surfaces. A corresponding guide surface can also be designed with a rounded, in particular arc-shaped, longitudinal section, i.e. perpendicular to the transverse direction.

The front cleaning roller and/or the rear cleaning roller are particularly preferably driven in a rotatable manner. As a result, the flexible cleaning agent (relative to the housing and/or the floor area to be cleaned) can be set in motion. For this purpose, in particular, an electric motor is provided in or on the housing, which is coupled to the front cleaning roller and/or the rear cleaning roller. To improve the power transmission, the driven cleaning roller or cleaning rollers can be equipped on their outer surface with a driver profile, which is arranged in an associated profile on the rear side of the cleaning agent facing the cleaning rollers.

In particular, the electric motor or motors can be connected to the first cleaning roller and/or the second cleaning roller by a belt drive and/or a gear train. Alternatively or additionally, the electric motor can also be arranged inside the front cleaning roller or the rear cleaning roller. Alternatively, the cleaning rollers can also be driven by alternative forms of drive, for example by air flow turbines.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the cleaning agent is wound onto the front cleaning roller and/or the rear cleaning roller. The cleaning agent is guided around at least one of the two cleaning rollers in several full circuits and extends from there to the other cleaning roller. In addition to the function of being able to provide a relative movement of the cleaning agent, the wound layers of the cleaning agent also serve as a "stock" of unused or clean material of the cleaning agent or, on the other hand, used or contaminated material of the cleaning agent.

An alternative preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the flexible cleaning agent is guided in an endless loop around the front deflection means (in particular the front cleaning roller) and the rear deflection means (in particular the rear cleaning roller). This makes it possible to move the flexible cleaning device in the same direction indefinitely if required. There is also no need for complex coordination of the movements of the two rollers, in contrast to a variant in which the cleaning agent is rewound from the front cleaning roller to the rear cleaning roller.

Combinations are also conceivable in which a flexible support band is guided continuously around the front deflection means and the rear deflection means. The flexible cleaning agent can then be supported on the underside of the support belt. In particular, the flexible cleaning agent can be wound up or down independently of the front deflection means and the rear deflection means.

The flexible cleaning means is particularly preferably designed as a cleaning belt. The cleaning belt is particularly flat. This means that its width--running in the transverse direction--and its longitudinal extension are designed to be greater by a factor of 10 than the extension in the thickness direction.

The cleaning belt particularly preferably has a flexible carrier and at least one cleaning device. The carrier determines the shape of the cleaning belt and is guided on the front deflection means and the rear deflection means. The cleaning device is intended in particular to loosen dirt particles present on or in the floor area to be cleaned and, if necessary, to transport them away. The carrier and the cleaning device are particularly preferably connected to one another (in particular over the entire surface).

The carrier can in particular be made of a preferably elastomeric plastic—in particular natural rubber or a synthetic rubber such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). In order to improve durability and dimensional stability, such a plastic carrier can be additionally reinforced with fibers and/or provided with textile reinforcements. The carrier preferably has at least one textile layer. The carrier is preferably formed entirely by the textile layer. This textile layer can in particular have a woven or knitted structure. This has the particular advantage of high liquid and air permeability. In addition, the textile layer can also form at least part of the cleaning device at the same time. Additional fibers can preferably also be braided or meshed or knitted into the textile layer.

A fiber structure arranged on the surface of the support facing the floor area to be cleaned is particularly suitable as a cleaning device. The fibrous structure can be designed in particular as a fibrous web with free fiber ends and/or meshes protruding in the direction of the floor area to be cleaned. The fibrous structure fulfills the function of a mop or wiping cloth, with which wet and/or dry cleaning of the floor surface is made possible.

To improve the cleaning effect, the fibrous structure has, in particular, crimped fibers and/or microtexturing of the fibers (so-called microfibers). According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the fiber structure has a mixture of different types of fibers—in terms of fineness, texturing and/or structuring.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the floor cleaning device is designed as a vacuum cleaning device. The cleaning room is connected or can be connected to a suction air duct.

The suction air duct of the vacuum cleaning device is provided with a blower for generating a suction air flow and also has a separating device for separating dirt particles carried along in the suction air flow. In the event that wet cleaning is also provided, a liquid separator can also be arranged within the suction air duct—preferably in the separating device.

In the case of a suction cleaning device, the cleaning effect—supported by the flexible cleaning agent—is additionally expanded by a suction cleaning component. The dirt particles loosened by the cleaning agent are carried away with the suction air flow and caught in the separating devices. Furthermore, dirt particles taken up in the flexible cleaning device are preferably removed again by the suction air flow, so that the cleaning effect of the cleaning device is improved.

According to a variant of the invention, the suction air duct is connected directly to the cleaning room. The cleaning room thus fulfills the function of a suction channel (in particular a vacuum cleaner floor nozzle). The underside—preferably—further single opening (the underside cleaning opening) thus forms a so-called suction mouth.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the suction air guide is connected directly to the flexible cleaning means with a suction line. As a result, the suction effect (of dirt particles and any moisture content) can be additionally intensified and concentrated.

According to a preferred embodiment, the vacuum cleaning device is designed as a vacuum cleaner nozzle for a vacuum cleaner. In a (conventional) vacuum cleaner, the blower for generating the suction air flow and the separating device are arranged in a separate vacuum cleaner housing (so-called canister cleaner). This is via a suction line connected to the vacuum cleaner floor nozzle. The suction line can in particular have a suction hose and/or a suction pipe.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaning device is designed as a base part, also as an "attachment device" of an upright vacuum cleaner. In the case of an upright vacuum cleaner, the base part is connected directly to the vacuum cleaner housing or can be formed integrally with this.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaning device is designed as a vacuum cleaner robot or as an assembly of a vacuum cleaner robot. Vacuum cleaner robots in particular benefit from the additional cleaning effect and the very small vertical space requirement of the flexible cleaning agent. For reasons of energy efficiency, vacuum cleaner robots cannot regularly generate large suction air flows over longer periods of time. Therefore, additional collection brushes and bristle rollers are usually used more frequently in vacuum cleaning robots. In the context of the present invention, this approach is additionally expanded to include the concept of a flexible cleaning agent which offers a large-area cleaning effect with a very low risk of damage to the floor surface. In this case, the cleaning effect in particular can be improved—in relation to the energy expenditure used—if the actual cleaning is achieved by the flexible cleaning element and the suction power is predominantly, essentially or in particular completely concentrated on suctioning off the flexible cleaning agent.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the front deflection means and/or the rear deflection means is height-adjustable. By adjusting the height of the deflection means can be determined whether and if applicable, with which contact pressure or which contact pressure the flexible cleaning agent comes into contact with a floor surface to be cleaned. Mobility in the vertical direction can also be used to avoid coarse dirt particles and/or obstacles lying on the floor surface to be cleaned in the vertical direction (vertical direction).

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the first deflection means and/or the second deflection means can be fixed in discrete height positions. Various cleaning states can be achieved in a targeted manner during operation.

For example, it can be provided that at least the front deflection means or the rear deflection means is arranged in a first height position such that the flexible cleaning agent—in the region of the respective deflection means—is held above a support plane of the floor cleaning device. In this first height position, the cleaning agent has no floor contact—at least in this area—during the cleaning operation. A corresponding setting can be selected, for example, if no cleaning operation with the flexible cleaning agent is desired - for example, to refrain from damp wiping sensitive wooden floors. It is also conceivable that the flexible cleaning means has ground contact in a second area--in particular in the area of the respective other front or rear deflection means or in the area of a further deflection means. The raised first height position then causes the flexible cleaning means to form an inclined plane, which is particularly suitable for sliding onto large dirt particles. The front deflection means and/or the rear deflection means are preferably arranged in a second height position in such a way that the deflection means is (preferably completely) arranged above the support plane of the floor cleaning device and the flexible cleaning means extends at least in the vertical direction up to the support plane. Particularly preferably, the flexible cleaning means protrudes slightly in the vertical direction over the support plane--in particular by a value of between 1 mm and 5 mm. In this height position, the front deflection means and the rear deflection means are in particular completely above the support plane. In this functional position, the weight of the floor cleaning device is supported by other support means, for example support rollers, while the flexible cleaning device rests essentially "free of forces" on the floor surface to be cleaned, at least in the first area. Here, only a slight ground contact is made with a low contact pressure. This means that damage to the floor material can be avoided as far as possible. At the same time, only a small amount of friction is created between the flexible cleaning agent and the floor surface.

Alternatively or additionally, it is provided in a third height position that the first deflection means and/or the second deflection means protrude downwards in the vertical direction relative to the support plane of the floor cleaning device. In this configuration, the weight of the floor cleaning device rests directly on the floor surface via the deflection means and the flexible cleaning device. As a result, a particularly large pressing force can be generated in order to be able to carry out a particularly thorough cleaning if necessary.

The support plane of the floor cleaning device is defined by the underside of the housing or the support elements arranged thereon. Unless the floor cleaning device is designed as an assembly of a larger component, these support elements can also be arranged in the vicinity of the housing. The supporting elements form the most downward protruding points in the vertical direction. These can be designed, for example, as parts of the housing, in particular the edges of the opening on the underside—so-called suction mouth edges. Furthermore, the use of support rollers or support wheels or skids is possible. The support plane of the floor cleaning device can also be designed to be variable, in particular by adjusting the support elements. If the floor cleaning device is placed without force on a flat floor surface to be cleaned, the support plane is aligned with the surface of this floor.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, an electromotive height adjustment is provided. For this purpose, the front deflection means and/or the rear deflection means is coupled to an electromotive actuator. This is preferably connected to a control unit which regulates actuation of the actuator. In particular, it can be provided that the desired height position is set on the basis of a user input and/or on the basis of measured parameters—such as the speed of movement of the floor cleaning device or the contact pressure. Automatic detection of the floor covering is also possible.

Alternatively or additionally, one or more height positions can be achieved by a mechanical selection element, in particular a rotary selector switch or toggle switch.

Provision is preferably made for the front deflection means and/or the rear deflection means to be in a first configuration (freewheeling position) and/or at least are supported to be freely movable in the vertical direction in a first vertical region (freewheel region). In the freewheeling position or in the freewheeling area, the first deflection means or the second deflection means with the flexible cleaning means guided thereon rests on a floor surface to be cleaned, in particular due to its own weight. Due to the free mobility in the vertical direction, a quick and targeted adjustment to any unevenness in the floor is possible.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the front deflection means and/or the rear deflection means are prestressed, in particular spring-loaded, in a second configuration (spring position) and/or in at least a second vertical area (spring area). The prestress can be directed downwards in the vertical direction in order to increase the contact pressure force in addition to the dead weight. Provision can also be made for the prestressing force to be directed upwards, so that the contact pressure is reduced in relation to its own weight.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that a vertical movement is freely permitted in a first freewheeling area. At least one preload area is provided directly on the top and/or bottom adjacent to the freewheel area, the preload force of which is directed in the direction of the freewheel area. This ensures a "soft" stop. The position of the "stop" - and thus the size of the freewheeling area - can be adjusted in particular by mechanical and/or electromechanical adjustment means. It is also conceivable that the spring force can be regulated within a spring position or a spring range by setting means.

Provision is particularly preferably made for the floor cleaning device to be switchable by means of a selector switch between the first configuration, the second configuration and/or locking the front deflection means or the rear deflection means in a discrete vertical position.

Provision is particularly preferably made for the cleaning means to be coupled to a drive. On the one hand, the drive can cause a relative movement between the cleaning agent and the floor surface to be cleaned in order to achieve a cleaning effect due to mechanical interaction. Alternatively or additionally, a soiled area of the cleaning agent can also be removed from the floor area to be cleaned and then stored separately and/or processed by cleaning for renewed use.

To drive the cleaning device it is provided that the front deflection means - in particular the front cleaning roller -, the rear deflection means - in particular the rear cleaning roller - and/or an additional drive means are rotatably driven and mechanically coupled to the flexible cleaning device.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one central deflection means, on which the cleaning agent is guided, is arranged between the front deflection means and the rear deflection means. The central deflection means can perform one or more functions: On the one hand it is possible--particularly in the case of an endlessly circulating flexible cleaning device--to stretch the cleaning means through the central deflection means. The longitudinal tension of the flexible cleaning agent - especially in the working direction - can be adjusted by means of a so-called belt tensioner. Furthermore, it is possible to use the at least one central deflection means to move the flexible cleaning means to press against a floor surface to be cleaned - regardless of whether there is ground contact in the area of the front deflection means and/or the rear deflection means. The middle deflection means is thus also effective as a pressure means.

The central deflection means is particularly preferably designed as a central cleaning roller which is mounted in the cleaning chamber so that it can rotate about a third axis of rotation running in the transverse direction. This can in particular be a pressure roller and/or a tensioning roller.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the central deflection means—in particular the central cleaning roller—is guided in the cleaning chamber so that it can move in the vertical direction. The middle deflection means can fulfill its pressing and/or tensioning function by its own weight and/or mechanical prestressing (in particular spring loading).

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the floor cleaning device has at least one dispensing device for a cleaning liquid. In particular, the dispensing liquid comprises at least one dosing and/or conveying unit, with which the cleaning liquid can be portioned, if necessary, and conveyed in the direction of the floor area to be cleaned. For this purpose, a spray nozzle is preferably provided, with which the cleaning liquid can be dispensed onto the floor surface to be cleaned and/or onto the flexible cleaning agent.

The cleaning agent is preferably released onto that side of the flexible cleaning agent which comes into contact with the floor surface to be cleaned. In the case of a liquid-permeable cleaning agent, delivery can also take place on the opposite rear side.

A reservoir is preferably provided on the floor cleaning device and/or an adjacent assembly to provide the cleaning liquid. The reservoir is particularly preferably designed to be removable or replaceable.

The floor cleaning appliance particularly preferably has a liquid wiping device and/or a wringing device, with which excess cleaning liquid can be removed from the flexible cleaning agent. The stripping device or the wringing device locally compresses the flexible cleaning agent--in particular when it moves relative to the housing--so that the material of the flexible cleaning agent has a lower absorption capacity for liquids. As a result, the cleaning liquid is at least partially removed from the flexible cleaning device, in particular dirt particles carried along in the cleaning liquid also being separated out.

According to a preferred embodiment, the stripping device or wringing device has at least one stripping edge, which is arranged adjacent to the front deflection means, the rear deflection means or a central deflection means, so that a narrow gap remains between this deflection means and the stripping edge. The stripping edge can be designed in particular as a rubber lip.

According to a further preferred alternative, the stripping or wringing device has at least one compression roller, which compresses the flexible cleaning agent in relation to the front deflection means, the rear deflection means or a central deflection means.

Furthermore, a pair of rollers can also be provided as a wringing device, which forms a roller gap through which the flexible cleaning agent is guided. According to a preferred embodiment, the pair of rollers is rotatably driven. In this way, on the one hand, a drive of the flexible cleaning device can be provided alone or, alternatively, the main drive of the flexible cleaning device can be relieved. Very particularly preferably, the drive of the flexible cleaning device and the pair of rollers are coupled to one another, preferably mechanically coupled to one another.

A collecting tray is preferably provided for discharging the cleaning liquid which is removed by the scraping device or the wringing device. This is particularly preferably connected to a suction air duct. Alternatively or additionally, a suction line for removing excess dirt and cleaning liquid components can be arranged directly in the area of the scraping or wringing device.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the front deflection means, the rear deflection means and the flexible floor cleaning element guided thereon can be removed from the floor cleaning device. This enables replacement or external cleaning.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a floor cleaning device as described above. This has at least one housing with a cleaning chamber which is arranged in the housing and is accessible through a cleaning opening on the underside. A front deflection means and a rear deflection means spaced apart from the front deflection means in the working direction are arranged in the cleaning chamber. A flexible cleaning means is guided on the front deflection means and the rear deflection means. The flexible cleaning means is preferably coupled to a drive which is adapted to move the flexible cleaning means relative to the housing.

The drive is preferably set up for continuous operation. In the process, the flexible cleaning agent is set in constant motion relative to the housing. This is expedient in particular in the case of an endlessly circulating cleaning device. The speed of movement and/or the direction of movement can particularly preferably be set via a selection element, in particular a selection switch or an electronic controller.

Alternatively or additionally, the flexible cleaning means can be driven intermittently by the drive. In this case, periods of time with a relative movement and an activated drive alternate with periods of time that do not provide for any relative movement.

A movement phase in intermittent operation is preferably dimensioned such that the flexible cleaning agent is transported further by at least a length which corresponds to the distance between the front deflection means and the rear deflection means in the working direction. In this way, particularly in solutions in which the flexible cleaning agent is unwound from a supply and wound onto a storage spool, the material of the flexible cleaning agent facing the floor surface to be cleaned can be completely exchanged.

The triggering of an active phase in intermittent operation can, in particular, be manual, ie by user action, time-controlled in fixed cycles and/or sensor-controlled. In particular, motion sensors, contamination sensors and moisture sensors are relevant sensors under consideration. For example, it is possible to trigger further transport of the cleaning agent when the floor cleaning device is at a standstill (detected by a motion sensor). It is also conceivable for the cleaning agent to be triggered automatically when a certain contamination and/or moisture threshold is exceeded.

Fig. 1

einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Bodenreinigungsgerät gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 2

einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Bodenreinigungsgerät gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 3A bis 3D

verschiedene Ausführungsformen zur Führung des flexiblen Reinigungsmittels,

Fig. 4A bis 4D

verschiedene Ausführungsformen zur Höhenverstellung eines oder mehrerer Umlenkmittel,

Fig. 5A und 5B

verschiedene Optionen zur Anordnung eines mittleren Umlenkmittels und

Fig. 6A und 6B

verschiedene Möglichkeiten zur Ausbildung eines Abstreifmittels.

Die Fig. 1

zeigt einen Längsschnitt senkrecht zu einer Querrichtung x durch ein

erfindungsgemäßes Bodenreinigungsgerät 1. Das Bodenreinigungsgerät 1 ist als Saugreinigungsgerät in Form einer Staubsaugerbodendüse mit einem Gehäuse 2 ausgebildet, an dessen in einer Arbeitsrichtung y hinterem Ende ein Sauganschlussstutzen S angeordnet ist. Der Sauganschlussstutzen ist an dem Gehäuse 2 um eine in der Querrichtung x verlaufende Kippachse k schwenkbeweglich gelagert und an eine Saugluftführung anschließbar. Die Saugluftführung kann insbesondere ein Saugrohr, einen Saugschlauch und/oder ein Staubsaugergehäuse beinhalten. Insbesondere kann die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Staubsaugerdüse 1 auch als Reinigungsvorsatzgerät eines Aufrechtstaubsaugers verwendet werden.The invention is explained below using schematic representations of various exemplary embodiments. They show:

1

a longitudinal section through a floor cleaning device according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

2

a longitudinal section through a floor cleaning device according to the invention according to a second embodiment,

Figures 3A to 3D

various embodiments for guiding the flexible cleaning agent,

Figures 4A to 4D

various embodiments for adjusting the height of one or more deflection means,

Figures 5A and 5B

various options for arranging a central deflection means and

Figures 6A and 6B

various ways of forming a stripping means.

The Fig. 1

shows a longitudinal section perpendicular to a transverse direction x through a

floor cleaning device 1 according to the invention. The floor cleaning device 1 is designed as a vacuum cleaning device in the form of a vacuum cleaner floor nozzle with a housing 2, at the rear end of which, in a working direction y, a suction connection piece S is arranged. The suction connection piece is mounted on the housing 2 such that it can pivot about a tilting axis k running in the transverse direction x and can be connected to a suction air duct. The suction air duct can in particular contain a suction pipe, a suction hose and/or a vacuum cleaner housing. In particular, the in 1 vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 shown can also be used as a cleaning attachment of an upright vacuum cleaner.

The housing 2 extends in the working direction y, the transverse direction x and a vertical direction z perpendicular to the working direction y and the transverse direction x. Shown only schematically in the longitudinal section is a cleaning chamber 3 which is arranged in the housing 2 and is accessible through a cleaning opening 4 on the underside in the vertical direction z.

It is provided within the scope of the invention that a front deflection means 5 and a rear deflection means 6 spaced apart from the front deflection means 5 in the working direction y are arranged in the cleaning chamber 3 . A flexible cleaning means 7 is guided on the front deflection means 5 and the rear deflection means 6 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the front deflection means 5 is designed as a front cleaning roller, which is held in the housing 2 so as to be rotatable about a first axis a ₁ running in the transverse direction x. The rear deflection means 6 is designed as a rear cleaning roller, which is retained in the housing so as to be rotatable about a second axis a ₂ also running in the transverse direction x.

To drive the flexible cleaning device 7, an electric motor 8 is provided, which is coupled to the front cleaning roller 5 by a belt drive 8a. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the electric motor 8 is supplied via an energy storage unit 9 in the form of an accumulator arranged in the housing 2 and is controlled by a control unit 10 . Alternatively or additionally, the energy can also be supplied externally - i.e. in particular by an additional energy storage device, for example arranged on the suction pipe and/or the suction cleaning device.

The housing 2 is supported on a floor surface 11 to be cleaned by rear casters 12a and front casters 12b. The axes of rotation a ₁ and a ₂ of the front cleaning roller 5 and the rear cleaning roller 6 are arranged in such a way that the flexible cleaning agent 7 rests on the floor surface 11 to be cleaned. The inventive guidance on a front deflection means 5 and a rear deflection means 6 creates a particularly large contact surface, the size of which depends on the width of the flexible cleaning device 7 in the transverse direction x and the distance A between the first axis of rotation a ₁ and the second axis of rotation a ₂ in depends on the working direction y. The height of the abdominal cavity required, on the other hand, is essentially determined by the first diameter d ₁ of the front deflection means 5 and the second diameter d ₂ of the rear deflection means 6 .

To improve the cleaning effect, the floor cleaning device 1 also has a dispensing device 13 for a cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid is stored in a removable reservoir 14 in the housing 2 . The dispensing device includes a spray nozzle and a feed pump for metered dispensing of the cleaning liquid. In the embodiment shown, the nozzle of the dispenser 13 is oriented so that an emerging mist of the cleaning liquid impinges on the floor surface 11 to be cleaned. The cleaning liquid serves to loosen dirt particles on the surface of the floor area 11 to be cleaned and to bind them in the liquid for removal. The dispensing device 13 is also controlled by the control module 10 .

In the 2 an alternative embodiment of a floor cleaning device 1 ′ according to the invention in the form of a vacuum cleaner robot is shown in a longitudinal center section. This comprises a housing 2', which is provided with rear drive wheels 12a' in the working direction y, as well as a pivotable front support wheel 12b'. A cleaning chamber 3', which is open on the underside and has a flexible cleaning means 7' with a guide through a front deflection means 5' and a rear deflection means 6', is formed as an assembly in the housing 2'. A suction line is integrated into the housing 2' of the vacuum cleaner robot, which has a dirt collection container 15, a filter element 16 and a suction air line 17 with a blower 18 arranged therein. Both the fan 18 and a drive motor 8' coupled to the rear deflection means 6' are supplied by means of an energy storage device 9'. Furthermore, a wiping lip 19 is arranged in the cleaning space 3 ′, which wipes off moisture components—in particular a cleaning liquid—carried along in the flexible cleaning means 7 ′, so that these are taken up in the collection space 15 .

In the Figures 3A to 3D different variants for guiding the flexible cleaning agent are shown within the scope of the present invention: The illustration corresponds to FIG Figure 3A the in the 1 and 2 shown embodiments. The flexible cleaning means 7 is designed as an endlessly circulating cleaning belt which is stretched between the front cleaning roller 5 and the rear cleaning roller 6 . That The endlessly circulating cleaning belt 7 has a carrier layer 7a made of a synthetic rubber material and a textile cleaning layer 7b (cleaning device) attached thereto. A fibrous web 7c protrudes from the cleaning layer 7b on the side facing away from the deflection means 5, 6. The two deflection means 5, 6 designed as cleaning rollers can both be driven simultaneously. Also is - in the 1 and 2 shown - only one of the two rolls can be driven.

In the Figure 3B an alternative configuration of the flexible cleaning device 7" is shown in simplified form. A detailed representation of several layers was omitted, but this is also possible within the scope of this embodiment. In the embodiment according to Figure 3B the flexible cleaning agent 7" is wound up in multiple layers both on the front deflection means 5 and on the rear deflection means 6. A rotary movement of both deflection means 5, 6 can on the one hand produce a relative movement of the cleaning means 7" in relation to the housing 2, 2', to achieve a mechanical cleaning effect. On the other hand, it is also possible to remove soiled areas of the cleaning agent 7" from the contact area with the floor surface 11 to be cleaned and to wind it onto one of the two cleaning rollers 5 or 6. Fresh, unpolluted material of the cleaning agent 7" can then be removed from the "stock" of the each other deflection means 6 and 5 are unwound.

Another preferred embodiment is in the Figure 3C shown. There, between the front deflection means 5 and the rear deflection means 6, a supporting belt 20 is guided in an endless manner. An alternative flexible cleaning element 7‴ is guided along the outside of this support belt. The alternative cleaning element can be unwound from a supply spool 7a‴ and wound onto a depot spool 7b‴. In this Embodiment, it is not necessary that the flexible cleaning agent 7 ‴ has a particularly high mechanical stability. In this embodiment, the main forces are intercepted by the support band 20 .

For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that the deflection means 5 or 6 is not limited to the cleaning rollers shown in the preceding figures. It is also possible, for example, as in 3D shown, a driven cleaning roller 6' is to be provided as the rear deflection means, around which the flexible cleaning means 7"" designed as an endless cleaning belt is guided. A deflection rod 5′ mounted immovably on the housing 2 is provided as the front deflection means 5″.

In particular, the invention also includes variants in which the flexible cleaning means 7, 7', 7", 7"" (in particular together with the deflection means 5, 6, 5', 6') is designed to be removable from the housing 2 or 2' In this way, in particular, a quick exchange for unused or undamaged cleaning agent 7, 7', 7", 7‴ can take place. Such a change is particularly preferably provided as part of a cartridge system.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a height adjustment of at least one of the two deflection means 5, 6 is provided. This is purely schematic based on the Figures 4A to 4C regardless of the configuration of the floor cleaning device 1, 1': The figures again show an exemplary embodiment in which the flexible cleaning agent 7 is guided continuously around a front cleaning roller 5 and a rear cleaning roller 6. These each have a first axis of rotation a ₁ and a second axis of rotation a ₂ , which are aligned in the transverse direction x. Shown purely schematically, a mechanical selector switch 21 is provided on the housing 2, which between different discrete

Positions is movable.

the Figure 4A shows a first setting position in which both the first axis of rotation a ₁ and the second axis of rotation a ₂ are lowered to the maximum. The two deflection means 5, 6 protrude from the underside of the housing 2, so that the floor cleaning device 1, 1′ comes into contact with the floor almost exclusively via the flexible cleaning agent 7, which rests on the floor surface 11 to be cleaned. A front support element 12b and a rear support element 12a have no ground contact in this setting position and do not contribute to the support.

In the Figure 4B a second setting position is shown, in which the underside of the flexible cleaning device 7 is aligned with the support plane formed by the front support element 12b and the rear support element 12a. In this position, the cleaning agent 7 is in contact with the floor, but does not only have to bear the weight of the floor cleaning device 1, 1'. Depending on the design or setting, the flexible cleaning means 7 can also rest "free of forces" on the floor surface 11 to be cleaned.

The one in the Figure 4C The third position shown shows a configuration in which the two deflection means 5, 6 are raised in such a way that the flexible cleaning agent 7 has no ground contact. This position can be selected by the user if it is not possible or desired for the flexible cleaning device 7 to contribute to cleaning. This can be the case with carpeted floors, for example.

In the embodiments in the Figures 4A to 4C Both the front axis of rotation a ₁ and the rear axis of rotation a ₂ are each accommodated in a vertically running guide 22 . In this embodiment, the vertical position of the two deflection means 5, 6 can be set discretely between the three positions shown. The axes of rotation a ₁ , a ₂ are each locked in these height settings.

This shows the Figure 4D an alternative embodiment of the height adjustment. This is shown purely as an example for an axis of rotation: The alternative guide 22' has a sliding block 23 which is accommodated by the alternative guide 22'. The slot nut 23 is mechanically coupled to an axis of rotation (for example a ₁ , a ₂ ). The slot nut 23 can be moved freely in a first area II (freewheel area). In this area, the deflection means coupled to the axis of rotation or the flexible cleaning means guided thereon is moved downwards under its own weight and possibly rests on a surface to be cleaned. Furthermore, a first spring area I and a second spring area III are provided at the vertical ends. In each of these, a spring element 24 is arranged, which in each case generates a spring force in the direction of the middle free-wheeling area II when it comes into contact with the sliding block 23 .

As a further option of the invention, provision can be made for a central deflection means 25 to be arranged between the front deflection means 5 and the rear deflection means 6 . This is based on the Figures 5A and 5B clarifies: The deflection means 25 can on the one hand be designed as a pressing means which produces or locally reinforces the contact between the front deflection means 5 and the rear deflection means 6 with a floor surface 11 to be cleaned. According to an alternative - in Figure 5B illustrated - embodiment, the middle deflection means 25 'can also be designed as a belt tensioner, which keeps the flexible cleaning agent 7 under a required longitudinal tension.

Dewatering mechanisms can also be designed to remove excess liquid components that are entrained in the flexible cleaning device 7 . These are in the Figures 6A and 6B shown as an example. In the Figure 6A is - in accordance with 1 a pair of rollers 26a, 26b is formed, through the nip of which the flexible cleaning agent 7 is guided. The flexible cleaning agent 7 is compressed in the nip so that excess liquid components emerge and drip off. For this purpose, a collecting tray 27 is particularly preferred. In order to empty the collecting tray 27, it can particularly preferably be fluidically connected to the suction connection piece 3 via a suction line 28a. As a result, the collected liquid is sucked in and discharged with the suction air flow. Alternatively or additionally, suction nozzles 28b can also be formed in the area of the pair of rollers 26a, 26b, which are coupled directly to the suction channel 3.

Alternatively or additionally, a wiper lip 19 or a wiper element can be provided, which causes the required thickness compression of the flexible cleaning agent 7 by pressure against a deflection means 5, 6. Also in the area of such a wiping means 19, wiping nozzles 28b′ can preferably be provided in order to collect the escaping liquid. Such a targeted suction is necessary in particular when - only relatively low suction power is available - as in the case of a vacuum cleaner robot.

Claims (20)

Floor cleaning device (1, 1') with a housing (2) which extends in a working direction (y), in a transverse direction (x) and in a vertical direction (z) and with a cleaning space (3 ), which is accessible through a cleaning opening (4) on the underside, characterized in that in the cleaning chamber (3) a front deflection means (5) and a rear deflection means (6) spaced apart from the front deflection means (5) in the working direction (y) is arranged and that a flexible cleaning means (7) is guided on the front deflection means (5) and the rear deflection means (6). Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 1, characterized in that the front deflection means (5) is designed as a front cleaning roller mounted so as to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation (a ₁ ) running in the transverse direction (x). Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rear deflection means (6) is designed as a rear cleaning roller mounted so as to be rotatable about a second axis of rotation (a ₂ ) running in the transverse direction (x). Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the rear cleaning roller (6) and/or the front cleaning roller (5) is rotatably driven. Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 4, characterized in that the cleaning agent (7) is wound onto the front cleaning roller (5) and/or the rear cleaning roller (6). Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the flexible cleaning means (7) runs endlessly around the front deflection means (5), in particular the front cleaning roller, and the rear deflection means (6), in particular the rear cleaning roller, is guided. Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flexible cleaning means (7) is designed as a cleaning belt. Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (1) is designed as a suction cleaning device and that the cleaning chamber (3) can be connected to a suction air duct. Vacuum cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 8, characterized in that the vacuum cleaning device is designed as a vacuum cleaner nozzle for a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 8, characterized in that the vacuum cleaning device is designed as the base part of an upright vacuum cleaner. Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 8, characterized in that the suction cleaning device is designed as an assembly of a vacuum cleaner robot (1'). Floor-cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the front deflection means (5) and/or the rear deflection means (6) can be adjusted in height. Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 12, characterized in that the front deflection means (5) and/or the rear deflection means (6) can be fixed in discrete height positions. Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the front deflection means (5) and/or the rear deflection means (6) in a first configuration and/or at least in a first vertical region (I) in are freely movable in the vertical direction (z). Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the front deflection means (5) and/or the rear deflection means (6) are in a second configuration and/or in at least one second vertical region (II , III) are biased, in particular spring-loaded. Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of Claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (1, 1') can be selected by means of a selector switch (21) between the first configuration, the second configuration and/or a locking of the front deflection means ( 5) or the rear deflection means (6) can be switched to a discrete vertical position. Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the flexible cleaning means (7) is coupled to a drive (8, 8'). Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that at least one central deflection means (25) is arranged between the front deflection means (5) and the rear deflection means (6), on which the flexible cleaning means (7 ) is led. Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 18, characterized in that the central deflection means (25) is guided in the housing (2, 2') so as to be movable in the vertical direction (z). Floor cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of Claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (1, 1') has at least one dispensing device (13) for a cleaning liquid.

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