EP4111923A1 - Floor cleaning machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Shown and described is a floor cleaning machine (1) with a base (5), a driven cleaning element arrangement (27) for engagement with a floor surface (3), the cleaning element arrangement (27) having at least one driven cleaning element (51, 61) on which engagement elements (63) are attached for engagement with a floor surface (3) to be cleaned, with sections of the engagement elements (63) extending in an engagement element plane (67), an operating handle (7) attached to the base (5) for guiding and actuating the Floor cleaning machine (1), a squeegee (21) for sucking up cleaning liquid from the floor surface (3), a dirty water tank (19) for receiving cleaning liquid picked up by the squeegee (21), a suction turbine (33) attached to the base (5) Having a suction turbine housing (85) having an inlet opening (87) and an outlet opening (89), wherein the suction turbine (33) is designed to generate a suction air flow from the squeegee (21) into the dirty water tank (19) during operation , wherein the suction turbine (33) is constructed in such a way that the suction air flow runs through the inlet opening (87) towards the outlet opening (89), a separating container (97) being provided which adjoins the suction turbine housing (85), the interior space of which ( 105) is connected to the inlet opening (87) and has an inlet (103) connected to the interior (105) and a bottom wall section (99) pointing to the interior (105), the bottom wall section (99) along a Viewed from the vertical axis (95), which runs perpendicular to the plane of the engagement element (67), is arranged closer to the plane of the engagement element (67) than the inlet opening (87), and with a drainage opening (113) leading into the environment from the bottom wall section (99), provided with a valve (115) designed to be closed when the suction turbine (33) is in operation and open when the suction turbine (33) is inoperative.

Description

The present invention relates to a floor cleaning machine, in particular a scrubbing machine, having a cleaning element arrangement for engagement with a floor surface to be cleaned.

Such floor cleaning machines include a base and a driven cleaning element assembly supported and driven on an underside of the base and having driven cleaning elements engageable with a floor surface to be cleaned. The brushes are used in particular for scouring a floor surface. Furthermore, the floor-cleaning machine comprises a control handle, preferably movably attached to the base, in particular pivotable via a joint, for guiding and actuating the floor-cleaning machine. The machine can be guided and operated directly by a user.

In addition, the floor cleaning machine has a squeegee attached to the base or to the operating handle for sucking up cleaning liquid from the floor surface, a dirty water tank attached to the base or to the operating handle to receive cleaning liquid picked up with the squeegee, and a suction turbine, which has a suction turbine housing, which has an inlet port and an outlet port. The suction turbine is designed to generate a suction air flow from the squeegee into the dirty water tank, the suction turbine being constructed in such a way that the suction air flow runs through the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

That's it EP 2 962 614 B1 discloses a floor cleaning machine having a base and a control handle extending away therefrom, which is connected to the base via a joint. Also provided on a base are two cleaning elements which are driven to rotate in opposite directions and whose axes of rotation are inclined to one another with respect to a vertical. In this way it is achieved that a propulsion is exerted on the base of the floor cleaning machine when the two cleaning elements rotate. However, due to the fact that the cleaning elements are inclined towards one another, the cleaning effect in the area of the rotationally driven cleaning elements is not uniform. On the contrary, the cleaning elements at the outer edge lie less firmly against the floor surface to be cleaned, so that the cleaning effect there is less. In addition, the of the rotating driven cleaning elements permanently generated propulsion in operation often disadvantageous. This is because a user has to exert considerable force in order to move the floor cleaning machine in other directions than in the direction of propulsion. In addition, in the floor cleaning machine known from this prior art, the suction turbine is provided separately from the base and is carried by the user as a separate component, which is comparatively inconvenient. Deviating from this prior art, it is also known that the suction turbine is attached to the operating handle, which has the disadvantage that it has a comparatively high weight, making it difficult for a user to move it and then when the operating handle is inclined to produce large torques that press the operating handle in more inclined positions.

Therefore, it is desirable that the suction turbine is attached to the base of the floor cleaning machine. However, this suffers from the following problem. If the suction turbine is installed at a comparatively low point in the floor cleaning machine viewed in the vertical direction, there is a risk that water contained in the suction air flow will collect in the area of the suction air turbine and a liquid level in this area will rise to such an extent that a turbine wheel of the suction turbine is moved by this liquid. In addition, due to the low position of the suction turbine, dirt-laden liquid can get into it and in particular into its drive motor. This can damage the suction turbine due to corrosion. This applies in particular to the turbine wheel, the bearings and the drive motor.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a floor cleaning machine in which the operating handle has a comparatively low intrinsic weight and the suction turbine is mounted in such a way that the risk of it being impinged with dirt-laden liquid is greatly reduced.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a floor cleaning machine with a base, a driven cleaning element arrangement mounted on an underside of the base for engagement with a floor surface, the cleaning element arrangement having at least one driven cleaning element on which engagement elements for engagement with a floor surface to be cleaned are attached, wherein portions of the engaging members intended to engage with the floor surface extend in an engaging element plane. Furthermore, the floor cleaning machine according to the invention has a control handle which is attached to the base, preferably pivotably via a joint, and which is used for guiding and actuating the floor cleaning machine. In addition, a squeegee for sucking up cleaning liquid from the floor surface is provided on the base or on the handle bar, and a dirty water tank for receiving cleaning liquid picked up with the squeegee is also attached to the base or on the handle bar.

In addition, according to the invention, a suction turbine is attached to the base, which has a suction turbine housing that has an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the suction turbine being designed to generate a suction air flow from the squeegee into the dirty water tank, the suction turbine being constructed in such a way that the Suction air flow runs through the inlet opening towards the outlet opening when the suction turbine is in operation.

According to the invention, the suction turbine is provided with a separator tank which is adjacent to the suction turbine housing, the interior of which communicates with the inlet opening of the suction turbine housing and which has an inlet which communicates with the interior and a bottom wall section which faces the interior. The bottom wall portion is located closer to the engaging member plane than the inlet opening, as seen along a vertical axis perpendicular to the engaging member plane. Further, from the bottom wall portion leads to the environment a drainage opening, which is provided with a valve designed to be closed when the suction turbine is in operation and open when the suction turbine is inoperative.

Accordingly, a floor cleaning machine according to the invention has a base on which a driven cleaning element arrangement provided with cleaning elements is provided, wherein the portions of the engaging elements which engage with the floor surface to be cleaned are arranged in an engaging element plane. Also attached to the base is a suction turbine which when in operation creates a suction flow of air from the squeegee into a dirty water tank. For this purpose, the suction turbine has a suction turbine housing which is provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, with the suction air flow leading from the inlet opening to the outlet opening during operation of the suction turbine. In addition, a separating tank is provided according to the invention has a bottom wall portion that is located closer to the engaging member plane than the inlet port when viewed in a direction of a vertical axis perpendicular to the engaging member plane. In addition, the separator tank is provided with an inlet from which the suction air flow generated by the suction turbine flows towards the inlet opening when the suction turbine is in operation. Finally, a drainage opening is provided in the bottom wall portion, which is provided with a valve designed to close when the suction turbine is in operation and open when the suction turbine is inoperative. The position of the valve therefore depends on whether the suction turbine is in operation or not.

With the structure according to the invention, the result is that the suction air stream flows through the separating container towards the inlet opening in the suction turbine housing. By arranging the separator tank and especially its bottom wall portion closer to the engaging element plane than the inlet opening, cleaning liquid accumulates in the separator tank and does not get into the suction turbine because the separator tank is lower than the suction turbine. When the suction turbine is switched off, this causes the valve, which is designed to be closed when the suction turbine is in operation and open when the suction turbine is inoperative, to open. Cleaning liquid that has accumulated in the separator tank then flows out through the opening. If the machine is put into operation again and the suction turbine is switched on, the valve in the drainage opening closes and the suction air flow can build up.

It is thus ensured with the floor cleaning machine according to the invention that, despite the arrangement of the suction turbine at the base and thus at a comparatively low position, it cannot be damaged by cleaning liquid that collects in front of the turbine on the suction side. On the contrary, water accumulating there is drained regularly when the suction turbine is switched off via the drainage opening which is arranged at a position located below the suction turbine.

In one embodiment, it is possible for the valve to be implemented as a solenoid valve that is electrically closed when the suction turbine is supplied with electric power and opens when the suction turbine is no longer supplied with electricity.

In a further preferred embodiment, the valve is designed in such a way that it closes when the pressure in the separating container is below the ambient pressure and opens when the pressure in the separating container is greater than or equal to the ambient pressure. When the suction turbine is switched off, the pressure in the interior space of the receiver tank and the ambient pressure equalize with each other, which in this embodiment causes the valve in the drainage opening to open, so that cleaning liquid accumulated in the separator tank drains out. If the machine is put into operation again and the suction turbine is switched on, the pressure in the separator tank falls below the ambient pressure, so that the valve in the drainage opening closes again and the suction air flow can build up. Thus, in this embodiment, no further actuator or the like is required to open and close the valve, but the pressure generated by the suction turbine alone is sufficient.

Furthermore, the valve can preferably be designed in such a way that the valve has a flexible tab which is attached to the outside of the separator tank opposite the drainage opening, the flexible tab being prestressed in such a way that a section of it is spaced from the drainage opening and uncovers it, when the pressure in the separator tank is greater than or equal to the ambient pressure, and that the section closes the drainage opening when the pressure in the separator tank is below the ambient pressure. In this way, a valve can be designed in a simple manner that opens and closes solely on the basis of the pressure in the separating container.

Preferably, the suction turbine has a turbine wheel driven to rotate about a turbine wheel axis, the turbine wheel axis coinciding with the vertical axis and the inlet opening being closer to the engagement element plane than the turbine wheel when viewed in the direction of the vertical axis. Such an embodiment has proven to be particularly efficient for generating a suction air flow.

In a further preferred manner, the suction turbine has a turbine motor with a rotationally driven motor shaft, the motor shaft extending along the turbine axis and being connected to the turbine wheel. Such a structure is particularly space-saving, since the turbine wheel and motor shaft are arranged coaxially.

In a further preferred embodiment, the turbine wheel is designed as a radial fan wheel, which is designed in such a way that during rotation it generates an air flow radially outwards from an inlet located on the turbine wheel axis, the suction turbine housing surrounding the turbine wheel and the inlet opening being arranged on the turbine wheel axis is and opposite the entrance. Since in a turbine wheel designed in this way the suction air flow emerges laterally, viewed in the axial direction of the turbine axis, a turbine arrangement can be created in this way, the axial length of which is comparatively small. The turbine arrangement on the base is therefore only of a small height, which is advantageous for the use of the floor cleaning machine.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the separating tank can have a receiving opening opposite the bottom wall section, the edge of which rests sealingly against the suction turbine housing, the inlet opening being arranged in the area of the suction turbine housing enclosed by the rim and the separating tank being detachably connected to the suction turbine housing. Due to the fact that the separating container is detachably attached to the suction turbine housing, the interior of the separating container can be easily cleaned, which is regularly necessary because of the dirt contained in the cleaning liquid.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the bottom wall section has an inlet opening section which is opposite to the inlet opening, wherein the bottom wall section has a drainage section from which the drainage opening extends, and wherein viewed along the vertical axis the drainage section is closer to the plane of the engaging element than the inlet opening section. In such an embodiment, it is ensured that no water can initially collect directly below the inlet opening, but instead flows in the direction of the drainage section or collects there. In order to securely prevent accumulation of cleaning liquid immediately below the inlet opening, it is particularly preferable if the inlet opening portion is the part of the bottom wall portion which is closest to the inlet opening as viewed along the vertical axis.

In order to prevent the water or cleaning liquid accumulating in the separating container from moving into the inlet, it is further preferred if the inlet opens into the inner space at a position further away from the engaging member plane than the bottom wall portion, as seen along the vertical axis. Thereby it is achieved that cleaning liquid is already drained from the bottom wall section before it reaches a level at which it can flow into the inlet. In a further preferred manner, the inlet is provided in a wall section of the separating container which, seen from the interior, points away from the plane of the engagement element and preferably runs parallel to the plane of the engagement element.

Finally, in a preferred embodiment of the floor cleaning machine according to the invention, the squeegee can be connected to the dirty water tank with a first line, with the dirty water tank being connected with a second line to the inlet of the separator tank and with when the suction turbine is in operation, the suction air flow from the squeegee , through the recovery tank and through the separator tank to the inlet port. In this embodiment, the suction turbine is arranged downstream of the dirty water tank, so that for this reason alone the amount of cleaning liquid that is applied to the suction turbine is minimal.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Bodenreinigungsmaschine gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung zeigt,

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Basis der Bodenreinigungsmaschine aus Figur 1 mit teilweise entferntem Gehäuse zeigt,

Figur 3

eine Querschnittsansicht der Basis der Bodenreinigungsmaschine aus Figur 1 zeigt,

Figur 4

eine Querschnittsansicht eines Teils der Basis der Bodenreinigungsmaschine aus Fig. 1 zeigt,

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht des Abscheidebehälters für die Saugturbine der Bodenreinigungsmaschine aus Figur 1 ist,

Figur 6

ein horizontaler Schnitt durch den Abscheidebehälter für die Saugturbine der Bodenreinigungsmaschine aus Figur 1 ist und

Figur 7

eine Querschnittsansicht wie Figur 4 zeigt, wobei die Luftströmung im Bereich der Saugturbine eingezeichnet ist.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing showing only one preferred exemplary embodiment, in which

figure 1

shows a perspective view of a floor cleaning machine according to the present invention,

figure 2

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the base of the floor cleaning machine figure 1 shows with partially removed housing,

figure 3

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the base of the floor cleaning machine figure 1 shows,

figure 4

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of part of the base of the floor cleaning machine 1 shows,

figure 5

a perspective sectional view of the separating container for the suction turbine of the floor cleaning machine figure 1 is,

figure 6

A horizontal section through the separating tank for the suction turbine of the floor cleaning machine figure 1 is and

figure 7

a cross-sectional view like figure 4 shows, with the air flow in the area of the suction turbine being drawn in.

In figure 1 an exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 according to the present invention is shown, which is designed here as a hand-held scrubber drier and is equipped with a cleaning element arrangement with which cleaning liquid is applied to the floor surface 3 (see figure 3 ) can be applied and has the cleaning elements for engagement with the floor surface 3 to be cleaned, and is provided with a suction foot with which scouring residues including the cleaning liquid can then be sucked off. The floor cleaning machine 1 described here has an operating handle 7 , described in more detail below, attached to a base 5 of the floor cleaning machine 1 , the operating handle 7 being attached to a base 5 in a pivotable manner.

The exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention described here comprises, as already mentioned, a base 5 on which an operating handle 7 is pivotably attached via a joint 9 . The control handle 7 extends from the joint 9, via which it is pivotably connected to the base 5, along a longitudinal axis 11 to an actuating end 13. The joint 9 is designed in such a way that when the control handle 7 rotates around the longitudinal axis 11 is pivoted, a torque is exerted on the base 5 so that it is pivoted about a vertical axis 15 relative to the bottom surface 3 , the vertical axis 15 running perpendicular to the bottom surface 3 . Due to its design, the joint 9 thus enables a user who grasps the operating handle 7 at its actuating end 13 to be able to steer the base 5 .

A cleaning fluid container 17 and a dirty water tank 19 are detachably attached to the control handle 7 and are connected to the base 5 and a suction foot 21 pivotably mounted on the base 5 via a first line 23 and a second line 25 in a manner to be described. The squeegee 21 can be pivoted between the position shown in the figures, in which it is opposite the floor surface 3 to be cleaned, and a folded-up position in which it is spaced apart from the floor surface 3 .

Finally, on the underside of the base 5 facing the floor surface 3 to be cleaned, a cleaning element arrangement 27 is provided, which is designed to engage with the floor surface 3 to be cleaned, the cleaning element arrangement 27 being driven by a drive motor 31 arranged in a housing 29 on the base . The drive motor 31 can be an electric motor, for example, which is supplied by a battery unit that is not shown in detail in the figures and is attached to the base 5 or the operating handle 7 . In principle, however, it is also conceivable for the drive motor 31 to be driven with compressed air, so that the invention is not limited to the use of electric motors.

Also arranged in the housing 29 of the base 5 is a suction turbine 33 , the suction side of which is connected to the upper end of the dirty water tank 19 via the second line 25 . The dirty water tank 19 is in turn connected to the squeegee 21 via the first line 23 . The suction turbine 33 forms a suction device, with the help of which a suction air flow is generated from the squeegee 21 into the dirty water tank 19 so that previously applied cleaning liquid can be sucked off the floor surface 3 to be cleaned. How next figures 2 and 3 As can be seen, additional lines 35 are provided in the base 5, via which cleaning liquid can be applied from the cleaning liquid container 17 through the base 5 into the area of the cleaning element arrangement 27 and thereby onto the floor surface 3 to be cleaned.

Like that one in particular figure 3 As can be seen, the drive motor 31 has an output shaft 39 which extends along an output axis 37 and is rotationally driven by the drive motor 31 . A first eccentric disc 41 and a second eccentric disc 43 are attached in a rotationally fixed manner to the output shaft 39 one behind the other, viewed in the axial direction of the output axis 37 . A first receiving element 45 is rotatably fastened to the outer circumference of the first eccentric disc 41 via a first bearing 47 , the first receiving element 45 being firmly connected to the inner cleaning body 49 of an inner cleaning element 51 . The first receiving element 45 can be rotated relative to the first eccentric disc 41 about a first axis of rotation D1 which runs parallel to the output axis 37 . The inner cleaning body 49 of the inner cleaning element 51 has a first receiving opening in which the first receiving element 45 is received. In addition, the inner cleaning body 49 extends in a Cleaning body plane 53, which runs parallel to the plane of the floor surface 3 to be cleaned during operation of the floor cleaning machine 1 when it is arranged on a floor surface 3 to be cleaned.

Similarly, a second receiving element 55 is rotatably attached to the outer circumference of the second eccentric disk 43 via a second bearing 57 , the second receiving element 55 being fixedly connected to an outer cleaning body 59 of an outer cleaning element 61 . The second receiving element 55 can be rotated relative to the second eccentric disc 43 about a second axis of rotation D2, which runs parallel to the output axis 37 and the first axis of rotation D1. The outer cleaning body 59 has a second receiving opening in which the second receiving element 55 and the inner cleaning body 49 of the inner cleaning element 51 are received. Therefore, the outer cleaning body 59 surrounds the inner cleaning body 49, and the outer cleaning member 61 is disposed around the inner cleaning member 51 externally. In addition, the outer cleaning body 59 and thus the outer cleaning element 61 also extend in the cleaning body plane 53.

Both the inner cleaning body 49 and the outer cleaning body 59 are arranged in the cleaning body plane 53, ie at least parts of both the inner cleaning body 49 and the outer cleaning body 59 intersect the cleaning body plane 53 when viewed in cross section figure 3 it can be seen that the inner cleaning element 51 and the outer cleaning element 61 have engagement elements 63 which are attached to the respective cleaning body 49, 59 and point to the side of the cleaning body plane 53 which points to the floor surface 3 to be cleaned. In the exemplary embodiment described here, the engagement elements 63 are designed as bristles and are generally intended to engage with the floor surface 3 to be cleaned with their end sections 65 . The end sections 65 are arranged in an engagement element plane 67 .

In the exemplary embodiment described here, the engagement elements 63 are designed as bristles. However, it is also conceivable that other forms of engagement elements are used, such as pads or the like.

In the exemplary embodiment described here, the first and the second eccentric disc 41, 43 are also arranged in such a way that the first and the second axis of rotation D1, D2 and the output axis 37 run in a common plane. This means that the eccentric discs 41, 43 are fixed to the output shaft 39 offset by 180° relative to one another.

How next Figures 3 and 4 As can be seen, the suction turbine 33 has a turbine motor 77 which rotationally drives a motor shaft 79 which extends along a turbine wheel axis 81 . A turbine wheel 83 is fixed to the motor shaft 79 so that it is rotationally driven by the turbine motor 77 and then rotates about the turbine wheel axis 81 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the turbine wheel axis 81 coincides with the output axis 37 of the drive motor 31 . However, it is also conceivable that the output axis 37 and the turbine axis 81 are offset to one another. The suction turbine 33 is also surrounded by a suction turbine housing 85, with the suction turbine housing 85 having an inlet opening 87 and a large number of outlet openings 89 inlet 91 lying on the turbine wheel axis 81 conveys air radially outwards, the inlet 91 being opposite the inlet opening 87 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the turbine wheel 83 therefore generates a flow which runs radially outwards from the inlet 91 and is formed in the turbine wheel plane 93 defined by the turbine wheel 83 . Therefore, in the embodiment shown here, the outlet openings 89 are formed in the suction turbine housing 85 at the level of the turbine wheel plane 93, so that the suction air flow generated by the rotating turbine wheel 83 then exits radially through the outlet openings 89 from the suction turbine housing 85, as is shown schematically in figure 2 can be seen.

How next Figures 3 and 4 can be seen, in the embodiment shown here, the motor shaft 79 of the turbine motor 77 extends along a vertical axis 95, which runs perpendicular to the engagement element plane 67 and thus also perpendicular to the floor surface 3 to be cleaned. Seen along the vertical axis 95, the inlet opening 87 in the suction turbine housing 85 is also arranged according to the invention such that it is arranged closer to the engagement element plane 67 than the turbine wheel 83. If the floor cleaning machine 1 is thus on a substantially horizontally extending to cleaning floor surface 3, the inlet opening 87 is below the turbine wheel 83.

How further in particular from the Figures 3 and 4 shows, viewed along the vertical axis 95 below the suction turbine 33 and thus closer to the engagement element plane 67 is provided a separating container 97, which is detachably connected to the suction turbine housing 85 and the wall of which has a bottom wall section 99 which, viewed along the vertical axis 95, is closer to the engagement element plane 67 is disposed as the inlet port 87 in the suction turbine casing 85. The bottom wall portion 99 further opposes the inlet port 87. As shown in FIG. In addition, the separator vessel 97 has a receiving opening 101 which faces the bottom wall portion 99 and into which a portion of the suction turbine housing 35 extends, the edge of the receiving opening 101 surrounding the portion of the suction turbine housing 85 in which the inlet opening 87 is provided. The edge of the receiving opening 101 is in sealing contact with the suction turbine housing 85 .

In addition, the separator tank 97 has an inlet 103, which also communicates with the inner space 105 of the separator tank 97, the inlet 103 being provided at a position in the inner space 105 of the separator tank 97, as viewed along the vertical axis 95, which is further away from the Engaging element plane 67 is defined as the bottom wall portion 99. Specifically, the inlet 103 is provided in a wall portion 107 of the separator vessel 97 that faces away from the engagement element plane 67 as viewed from the interior space 105 and that extends substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis 95. As a result, when the floor cleaning machine 1 is arranged on a floor surface 3 to be cleaned that runs essentially horizontally, the inlet 103 points vertically upwards. Finally, the inlet 103 is connected to an upper section of the waste water tank 19 on the operating handle 7 via the second line 25 . The interior space 105 of the separating container 97 is therefore connected overall both to the inlet 103 and to the inlet opening 87 .

Furthermore, in particular figure 4 , the perspective view of the separating container 97 figure 5 as well as the sectional view in figure 6 it can be seen that the bottom wall portion 99 facing the inner space 105 has an inlet opening portion 109 which faces the inlet opening 87 in the suction turbine housing 85 . In this case, the inlet opening section 109 is positioned in the bottom wall section 99 of the Separating container 97 formed so that it is that portion of the bottom wall portion 99 which is seen from the inlet port 87 in the direction of the vertical axis 95 opposite. Furthermore, the in figure 4 Seen left part of the inlet opening section 109 seen in the direction of the vertical axis 95 closest to the inlet opening. In addition, the bottom wall section 99 also has a drainage section 111 which, viewed along the vertical axis 95 , is that part of the bottom wall section 99 which is closest to the plane 67 of the engaging element. When the floor cleaning machine 1 is arranged on a horizontally aligned floor surface 3 to be cleaned. Thus, the inlet opening portion 109 is the portion of the bottom wall portion 99 that is highest, while the drain portion 111 is the portion of the bottom wall portion 99 that is lowest.

Next is in particular the figures 4 and 6 it can be seen that in the drainage section 111 a drainage opening 113 is provided, which in turn is provided with a valve 115 . The valve 115 is designed in such a way that it closes when the suction turbine 33 is in operation and the pressure in the interior space 105 in the separating container 97 is below the ambient pressure, i.e. the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the floor cleaning machine 1 . On the other hand, the valve 115 opens when the suction turbine is not in operation and the pressure in the interior space 105 is equal to or greater than the ambient pressure.

In the embodiment described herein, the valve 115 includes a flexible tab 117 mounted on the outside of the separator tank 97 opposite the drain opening 113, the flexible tab 117 being biased such that a portion 119 thereof is spaced from the drain opening 113 and this releases when the pressure in the separator tank 97 is greater than or equal to the ambient pressure. However, if the pressure in the separation tank 97 is below the ambient pressure because the suction turbine 33 is in operation, the section 119 closes the drainage opening 113.

In the exemplary embodiment described here, the valve 115 is designed in such a way that it is actuated solely by the pressure in the interior 105 of the separating container 97 . However, the present invention also encompasses other solutions in which a valve is used that is controlled depending on whether the suction turbine 33 is in operation or not. This can be a solenoid valve, for example.

Furthermore, in particular the figures 5 and 6 it can be seen that the inlet 103 is arranged in an edge area of the separation tank 97 close to a peripheral wall 121 which extends essentially parallel to the vertical axis 95 . The consequence of this is that a suction air flow generated by the suction turbine 33 first enters the separating container 97 through the inlet 103 essentially perpendicularly to the bottom wall section 99 and is then deflected by 90°, with the suction air flow then along the in figure 6 arrows 123 shown is guided along the peripheral wall 121 and a guide surface 124 provided in the interior 105 of the separating container 97 . This has the effect that liquid droplets contained in the suction air flow are separated on the peripheral wall 121 and the guide surface 124 and move from there in the direction of the drainage section 111, since this is the deepest section in the bottom wall section 99 and between the guide surface 124 and a gap is also provided in the dewatering section 111 . The arrangement of the inlet 103 in a wall section 107 pointing away from the engagement element plane 67 seen from the interior 105 and adjacent to the peripheral wall 121 therefore causes the separating container 97 to act in a similar way to a cyclone separator.

Finally is figure 5 It can be seen that in the wall section 107 pointing away from the engagement element plane 67, as seen from the interior 105 of the separating container 97, a further valve 125 is provided, which has a valve provided in this wall section 107 and in figure 5 opening, not shown, closes. The valve 125 is designed similarly to the valve 115, ie it is closed when the suction turbine 33 is in operation and in the interior 105 of the separating container 97 there is a lower pressure in comparison to the environment, while it opens when the pressure in the Interior 105 corresponds to the ambient pressure or is greater. This valve 125 is also formed by a tab 127 which is prestressed in such a way that at least one section 129 of it moves away from the wall section 107 and thus the opening provided therein when the pressure in the interior 105 corresponds to the ambient pressure or is greater. while section 129 abuts wall section 107 when the pressure in interior space 105 is lower than ambient pressure. The valve 125 is thus constructed essentially in the same way as the valve 115. The opening closed by the valve 125 serves as a ventilation opening to ensure that when the valve 115 opens, liquid present in the separating container 97 can actually flow out.

During operation of the exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention described above, a suction air flow is generated by the suction turbine 33 and the turbine wheel 83 driven by the turbine motor 77, which flows from the squeegee 21 through the first line 23 into the dirty water tank 19. As a result, cleaning liquid that was previously applied to the floor surface 3 to be cleaned is sucked off by means of the suction air flow.

Like in particular figure 7 emerges from the dirty water tank 19, the suction air stream flows further through the second line 25 into the inlet 103 and into the interior space 105 of the separating container 97. The suction air then flows further from the interior space 105 of the separating container 97 into the inlet opening 87 and is radially discharged by the turbine wheel 83 conveyed to the outside and leaves the suction turbine housing 85 via the outlet openings 89. The flow guidance within the separating container 97 is such that liquid contained in the suction air flow is separated on the peripheral wall 121 and the guide surface.

How next figure 7 As can be seen, at the end of the turbine motor 77 remote from the turbine wheel 83, the suction turbine 33 has a fan wheel 133 on its motor shaft in the area of a suction opening 131, via which cooling air is drawn through the turbine motor 77 during operation of the suction turbine 33 and via outlet openings 135 is expelled. In this way, the turbine motor 77 is cooled at the same time. However, the air flows, ie the intake air flow on the one hand and the cooling air flow on the other hand through the engine, are separate from one another.

Since the separating container 97 is arranged closer to the engaging element plane 67 as seen along the vertical axis 95 and the bottom wall section 99 is also closer to the engaging element plane 67, water contained in the suction air flow, which is entrained into the separating container 97, is also separated on the bottom wall section 99 . Since the inlet opening section 109 is in turn the highest part of the bottom wall section 99, water that settles there will then flow into the lower-lying drainage section 111 and initially collect there, since during operation of the suction turbine 33 the pressure in the interior 105 of the separating tank 97 is below the ambient pressure, so that the valve 115 is closed.

If the floor cleaning machine 1 and thus the suction turbine 33 or the turbine motor are switched off, the pressure in the interior 105 in the separating container 97 rises to ambient pressure, so that the valve 115 opens and the water located in the area of the drainage section 111 in particular can flow out . The valve 125 then also opens and ensures that air can flow into the separating container 97, which ensures drainage via the valve 115.

Because of the separating container 97 , which is arranged closer to the engagement element plane 67 when viewed in the direction of the vertical axis 95 , water collects there and cannot get into the area of the turbine wheel 83 or the turbine motor 77 . Rather, the water is automatically drained regularly via the valve 115 so that large amounts of water cannot accumulate in the area of the suction turbine 33 .

The fact that the suction turbine 33 is provided with a turbine wheel 83 located “below” the turbine motor 77 means that the arrangement of the suction turbine 33 and the separating container 97 seen in the vertical direction, i.e. along the vertical axis 95, only has small dimensions. Overall, the base of the floor cleaning machine 1 is therefore only low in height. Nevertheless, the suction turbine is arranged "upright", ie the turbine motor 77 is arranged above the turbine wheel 83 and the turbine wheel 83 rotates about a vertical axis.

Reference list:

1

floor cleaning machine

3

floor space

5

Base

7

control handle

9

joint

11

longitudinal axis

13

actuation end

15

vertical axis

17

cleaning fluid container

19

recovery tank

21

suction foot

23

first line

25

second line

27

cleaning element arrangement

29

Housing

31

drive motor

33

suction turbine

35

Management

37

output axis

39

output shaft

41

first eccentric disc

43

second eccentric disc

45

first recording element

47

first camp

49

inner cleaning body

51

internal cleaning element

53

cleaning body level

55

second receiving element

57

second camp

59

outer cleaning body

61

outer cleaning element

63

engagement element

65

end section

67

meshing element level

69

first elastic elements

71

second elastic elements

73

guide wheel

75

wheel axle

77

turbine engine

79

motor shaft

81

turbine wheel axle

83

turbine wheel

85

suction turbine housing

87

intake port

89

exhaust port

91

entry

93

turbine wheel level

95

vertical axis

97

separator tank

99

bottom wall section

101

intake opening

103

inlet

105

Interior - separator tank

107

wall section

109

inlet port section

111

drainage section

113

drainage hole

115

Valve

117

tab

119

section

121

peripheral wall

123

Arrow

124

guide surface

125

Valve

127

tab

129

section

131

intake port

133

fan wheel

135

exhaust port

Claims (12)

Floor cleaning machine (1) with a base (5), a cleaning element arrangement (27) supported on an underside of the base (5) and driven for engagement with a floor surface (3), the cleaning element arrangement (27) having at least one driven cleaning element (51, 61) on which engaging elements (63) for engagement are attached to a floor surface (3) to be cleaned, wherein sections of the engagement elements (63) intended for engagement with the floor surface (3) extend in an engagement element plane (67), a control bar (7) attached to the base (5) for guiding and actuating the floor cleaning machine (1), a suction base (21) attached to the base (5) or to the operating bar (7) for sucking up cleaning liquid from the floor surface (3), a dirty water tank (19) attached to the base (5) or the operating bar (7) for holding cleaning liquid picked up with the suction foot (21), a suction turbine (33) attached to the base (5) and having a suction turbine housing (85) having an inlet port (87) and an outlet port (89), wherein the suction turbine (33) is designed to generate a suction air flow from the squeegee (21) into the dirty water tank (19) during operation, wherein the suction turbine (33) is constructed in such a way that the suction air flow through the inlet opening (87) towards the outlet opening (89), a separating tank (97) being provided which adjoins the suction turbine housing (85), the interior space (105) of which communicates with the inlet opening (87) and the one inlet (103) communicating with the interior space (105) and one has a bottom wall section (99) pointing towards the interior (105), said bottom wall portion (99) being located closer to said engaging member plane (67) than said inlet port (87) as viewed along a vertical axis (95) perpendicular to said engaging member plane (67), and from the bottom wall portion (99) leading to the atmosphere a drainage opening (113) provided with a valve (115) designed to be closed when the suction turbine (33) is in operation and open , when the suction turbine (33) is out of order. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the valve (115) is designed such that it closes when the pressure in the separator tank (97) is below ambient pressure and opens when the pressure in the separator tank (97) is greater than or equal to ambient pressure is. A floor cleaning machine according to claim 2, wherein the valve comprises a flexible tab (117) mounted on the outside of the separator tank (97) opposite the drainage opening (113), and
wherein the flexible tab (117) is biased such that a portion (119) thereof is spaced from and uncovers the drainage port (113) when the pressure in the separator vessel (97) is greater than or equal to ambient pressure, and that the portion (119) closes the drainage opening (113) when the pressure in the separating container (97) is below ambient pressure. Floor cleaning machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suction turbine (33) has a turbine wheel (83) which is driven to rotate about a turbine wheel axis (81), the turbine wheel axis (81) coinciding with the vertical axis (95), and
wherein the inlet opening (87) is closer to the engagement element plane (67) than the turbine wheel (83) when viewed in the direction of the vertical axis (95). Floor cleaning machine according to claim 4, wherein the suction turbine (33) comprises a turbine motor (77) with a rotationally driven motor shaft (79), the motor shaft (79) extending along the turbine wheel axis (81) and being connected to the turbine wheel (83). Floor cleaning machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the turbine wheel (83) is designed as a radial fan wheel, which is designed such that it rotates generates an air flow radially outwards from an inlet (91) located on the turbine wheel axis (81), and
wherein the suction turbine housing (85) surrounds the turbine wheel (83) and the inlet opening (87) is arranged on the turbine wheel axis (81) and faces the inlet (91). Floor cleaning machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, wherein the separating container (97) has a receiving opening (101) opposite the bottom wall section (99), the edge of which bears sealingly against the suction turbine housing (85), wherein the inlet opening (87) is arranged in the region of the suction turbine housing (85) enclosed by the edge and wherein the separator tank (97) is detachably connected to the suction turbine housing (85). Floor cleaning machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, wherein the bottom wall section (99) has an inlet opening section (109) which is opposite to the inlet opening (87), said bottom wall portion (99) having a drainage portion (111) from which said drainage hole (113) extends, and wherein viewed along the vertical axis (95) the drainage portion (111) is closer to the engaging element plane (67) than the inlet opening portion (109). A floor cleaning machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inlet opening section (109) is that part of the bottom wall section (99) which is closest to the inlet opening (87) when viewed along the vertical axis (95). Floor cleaning machine according to one or more of Claims 1 to 9, in which the inlet (103), viewed along the vertical axis (95), opens into the interior space (105) at a position which is further away from the engagement element plane (105) than the bottom wall section (99 ). Floor cleaning machine according to claim 10, wherein the inlet (103) is provided in a wall portion (107) of the separation tank (97) which faces away from the engaging element plane (67) when viewed from the inner space (105). Floor cleaning machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, wherein the suction foot (21) is connected to the dirty water tank (19) by a first line (23), wherein the waste water tank (19) is connected to the inlet (103) of the separator tank (97) by a second line (25) and wherein when the suction turbine (33) is in operation, the suction air flow is from the squeegee (21), through the recovery tank (19) and through the separator tank (97) to the inlet port (87).

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