GB2170398A

GB2170398A - Suction cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2170398A
Application number: GB08513613A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernst Lude
Original assignee: Duepro AG
Current assignee: Duepro AG
Priority date: 1984-06-02
Filing date: 1985-05-30
Publication date: 1986-08-06
Also published as: FI852155L; GB2170398B; SE461007B; FR2568765A1; FI852155A0; SE8502428D0; DE3420700A1; SE8502428L; FR2568765B1; GB8513613D0

Abstract

A suction cleaning apparatus for sucking up dirt and liquids comprises an internal combustion engine/suction fan unit (1) which is mounted on a plate (2) above a reception tank (11) for the dirt and liquid. The plate also supports auxiliary equipment for the internal-combustion engine (3) such as starter, ignition system, control and checking devices, a fuel tank (4), and an overflow prevention valve (15). The apparatus may be used for removing water from tennis courts. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Suction cleaning apparatus The invention relates to a suction cleaning apparatus comprising a motor/suction fan unit which is connected to a reception tankforthe dirt and/or liquid collected thereby, and a starting and controlling device for the motor.

In the case of known suction cleaning apparatuses of this kind, the suction fan generating the suction airflow is driven by a mains-operated electric motor so that these apparatuses have a mains connection line. If commercial use is made of the known suction cleaning apparatuses which are employed, for example, for cleaning large areas, such as halls, residential premises, sports centres, etc., there are therefore required very long leads of frequently 50 m and more. These long leads hamper work with these apparatuses to a very considerable extent.

This also applies if shorter leads are provided because these then have to be frequently plugged into different sockets, for which purpose there have to be provided a relatively large number of sockets in the space to be cleaned. In any event, much time is therefore necessary for cleaning with these apparatuses. Furthermore, the connection line has to be treated very carefu Ily so as to prevent any damage, which is mostly not ensured with auxiliary staff often employed. For example, sucking standing rain-water off tennis courts with the known suction cleaning apparatuses after short but heavy thundery showers in summer is extremely time-consuming and expensive since the provision of stored energy for the motor is expensive and since these energy stores in the form of re-chargeable batteries are very costly to buy and maintain.The batteries are furthermore very heavy so that the transportation and handling of the known suction cleaning apparatuses is elaborate and complicated.

The object of the invention is to provide a suction cleaning apparatus of this kind which has a very high suction capacity, on the one hand, but can be used easily and quickly at any time with a spatially unlimited movability, on the other hand.

The invention provides a suction cleaning apparatus for sucking up dirt and liquids, comprising a motor/suction fan unit which is connected to at least one reception tank for dirt and liquid and comprises a starting and controlling device for the motor, wherein the motor is a smallsized portable internal-combustion engine which, with a suction fan of the engine/suction fan unit, a fuel tank, an ignition device and an overflow valve, forms a construction assembly which is mounted on a common supporting plate and which covers an opening of the reception tank.

The suction fan of the suction cleaning apparatus according to the invention is driven by an internalcombustion engine, with which it is mounted, together with other apparatus parts, on the supporting plate which sits on the reception tank. As a result of this design, an electrical connection line is dispensed with, so that the suction cleaning apparatus can be moved as desired when extensive spaces and grounds are cleaned, its free movability not being hindered and rendered difficult by a connection line. In particular, there is during work no need to pay attention to the lead orto plug it into another socket for moving the apparatus, so that work is facilitated quite considerably and can be carried out in a substantially shorter time. By this means, a considerable financial saving can be achieved.

The use of the internal-combustion engine according to the invention furthermore has the advantage that, while its capacity is the same, it has a smaller constructional form and consequently a lower weight than an electric motor, so that the transportation and handling of the apparatus are considerably facilitated. Furthermore, the capacity of the internal-combustion engine is not limited, whereas generally 2000 watts cannot be exceeded with an alternating-current-operated electric motor.

Finally, there is also avoided the danger of a short circuit when working on a wet ground. Since this small, light-weight but strong internal-combustion engine is mounted, with the suction fan and the other apparatus parts, as a complete operable engine/suction fan unit on the supporting plate, this unit can be used universally. It can be connected to widely varying reception tanks for suction cleaning apparatuses of any size and shape. For example, the reception tank may be small and cup-shaped, so that the suction apparatus can be easily handled by one person. However, the reception tank may be large-sized, long and arranged on a vehicle.

Further features of the invention emerge from the other claims, the description and the drawings.

The invention will hereinafter be described in more detail with the aid of an exemplified embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in which:~ Fig. 1 partly shows, in section, a suction cleaning apparatus according to the invention with an engine/suction fan unit in the position of use, which unit sits on a partly shown reception tank which extends horizontally, Fig. 2 shows a top view of the suction cleaning apparatus shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows the engine/suction fan unit shown in Fig. 1 which is arranged on a different reception tank extending vertically, and Fig. 4 shows the engine/suction fan unit shown in Fig. 1 with a receptiontankwhich is fastened on a vehicle.

Figs. 1 to 4 show an engine/suction fan unit 1 with a supporting plate 2, on which there are arranged an internal-combustion engine 3 with a fuel tank 4, a suction fan 5 and an intermediate gearing 6. Known 'per se' auxiliary devices (not shown) required for the operation of the suction fan unit, such as starters, ignition systems, control and checking devices, are also fastened on the supporting plate 2.

The supporting plate is preferably designed as a circular disc (Fig. 2) with a circumferential edge 8 which has been outwardly and downwardly angled in a shoulder-shaped manner. The edge forms a profiled ring 8a which is L-shaped in cross-section and projects from the side 7 of the supporting plate 2, which side is directed away from the engine/ suction fan unit 1, and sits in an interlocked and air tight manner on a vertically upwardly projecting edge 9 of an opening 10 of a reception tank 11. In order to compensate for minor shaping defects and to establish an air-tight connection between the supporting plate 2 and the opening 10, there is arranged in the profiled ring 8a an elastic sealing ring 12 which lies, in a substantially interlocked manner, between the profiled ring and a radially inwardly arranged ring 8'.In order to provide a firm but always easily releasable connection between the engineisuction fan unit 1 and the reception tank 11,the supporting plate 2 preferably has on its circumference four equally spaced quick-acting locks 13,13' to 13"' which are provided with pivotally mounted hooks 21 which engage in counter-locking parts 14which are fastened on the top 18 ofthe reception tank 11. In orderto prevent any liquid which has been sucked up and collected in the reception tank 11 from penetrating into the engine/suction fan unit 1, there is provided in the supporting plate 2 a known 'per se' safety valve 15 which serves as an overflow prevention valve.For the transportation and easy handling of the suction cleaning apparatus there are provided on the profiled ring 8, preferably on the vertical profiled ring edge 8a, two diametrically opposite handles 16, 16' (Fig. 2). Due to its compact construction, the engine/suction fan unit 1 can be used universally and extremely economically. It can be readily fastened in a simple and fast manner to the reception tank that is necessaryforthe respective purpose of use.

For instance, the engine/suction fan unit 1 may, for the purpose of sucking rain-water off tennis courts, be placed on a vertically extending reception tank 11 (Fig. 3) without any problem and be fastened thereto in an air-tight manner via the quick-acting locks 13,13'. The reception tank 11 may be provided with rollers so that it can be easily moved.

In the construction shown in Fig. 4, the reception tank 11' is large-sized and is mounted on a carriage 19 which can be driven with a tractor (not shown).

The reception tank 11' has a socket22, whose edge engages in the profiled ring 8 of the engine/suction fan unit 1 and is provided with the counter-locking parts 14 for the hooks 21 of the quick-acting locks.

The engine/suction fan unit 1 is fastened on the socket 22 in the described manner.

The reception tanks 11, 11' have a connecting socket 23, 23' for a suction hose (not shown), to the free end of which there is connected a suction tool, with which the dirt and/orthe liquid is sucked offthe surface to be cleaned. The suction air flow is generated bythe suction fan 5 which is driven from the internal-combustion engine 3 through the intermediate gearing 6. It has a vertically arranged intermediate shaft 24 which carries a respective intermediate gear 25, 26 at the two ends. The lower intermediate gear 26 is connected via an enveloping drive 27, such as a chain, belt or rope drive, to a drive gear 28 of a drive shaft of the internal combustion engine 3. The use of a belt or rope drive on the intermediate gearing 6 has the advantage of a high degree of running silence and a minimal noise formation.

Claims

1. A suction cleaning apparatus for sucking up dirt and liquids, comprising a motor/suction fan unit which is connected to at least one reception tank for dirt and liquid and comprises a starting and controlling device for the motor, wherein the motor is a small-sized portable internal-combustion engine which, with a suction fan of the engine/suction fan unit, a fuel tank, an ignition device and an overflow valve, forms a construction assembly which is mounted on a common supporting plate and which covers an opening of the reception tank.

2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the internal-combustion engine is designed as an Otto engine.

3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the internal-combustion engine is designed as a Diesel engine.

4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the internal-combustion engine is designed as a liquefied petroleum gas engine.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the suction fan is connected to an intermediate gearing, and the intermediate gearing is also arranged on the supporting plate.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the supporting plate comprises a profiled ring by means of which it sits sealingly on an edge of the tank opening.

7. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the profiled ring is formed by a shoulder-shaped edge projecting from one plate side of the supporting plate.

8. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein there is arranged in the profiled ring a ringshaped sealing part.

9. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 6 to 8 wherein said supporting plate is circular.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the supporting plate is releasably connected to the reception tank by means of at least one quick-acting lock.

11. An apparatus according to Claim 10 comprising four quick-acting locks which are arranged at equal circumferential intervals around said supporting plate.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein there is provided on the supporting plate at least one handle.

13. An apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein there are provided on the supporting plate two diametrically opposed handles.

14. A suction cleaning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.