JPH0866344A - Floor washing machine provided with splash guard function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To eliminate all the defects of a contact-type splash guard in which the skirt is directely brought into contact with a floor surface, and also to reduce the consumption of washing water by means of intermittent water supply for reducing the waste of washing water as little as possible by using a noncontact type splash guard utilizing air seal. CONSTITUTION: The exhaust of a suction blower 5 is supplied to a supply pipe 12 that surrounds a washing brush 3 or pad, and this exhaust is jetted against the floor through the nozzles 13 or slits that have been formed to the supply pipe 12. Thereby, a splash guard by means of air seal is constituted around the washing brush 3 or pad, and washing water is supplied to the inside of the splash guard through a feedwater pipe 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a floor cleaning machine for cleaning a floor surface by supplying clean water or cleaning liquid (hereinafter simply referred to as cleaning water) to a cleaning brush or pad rotated by a motor. Splash guard function that can prevent the washing water from splashing out or overflowing due to the rotation of the washing brush or pad during washing. The present invention relates to a floor washer equipped with.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional floor cleaning machines include, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
As described in each of the drawings of JP-A-3-242214, a floor surface called a skirt, which is formed on the bottom surface of the machine body to surround the front portion and left and right side views of the cleaning brush or pad, and has an approximately U-shaped cross section. By installing a contact-type splash guard (protective curtain), the washing water was prevented from splashing out or overflowing.

[0003]

However, by contacting the bottom of the skirt made of an elastic member such as rubber with the floor surface, it is possible to prevent the washing water from splashing or overflowing. If there is unevenness or steps on the floor surface of the splash guard, a gap is created between the splash splash and the skirt, and the wash water is scattered or overflows from this gap. Since the skirt is a consumable item that wears due to friction with the floor surface, it is necessary to replace it with a new one after using it for a certain period of time. Cleaning the skirt is troublesome because the bottom edge of the skirt that is in contact with the floor rasles dust on the floor. The wash water supplied is sequentially discharged rearward from the opening of the rear portion of the skirt formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section as the washing machine advances after washing, and is then sucked and collected by the squeegee. A very large amount of wash water is wasted. There were various problems.

Therefore, the technical problem of the present invention is to solve the problems of generation of a gap with the floor surface and wear due to contact with the floor surface by using a non-contact type splash guard utilizing an air seal, In addition, it also solves the problem of rubbing dust, and it has excellent anti-scattering function and anti-spill function, and uses the supplied cleaning water for cleaning for a relatively long time to minimize the waste of water. It is to provide a floor cleaning machine devised to prevent it.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Means taken in the present invention for solving the above technical problems are as follows.

In a floor cleaning machine configured to rotate a cleaning brush or pad while supplying cleaning water to clean the floor surface, and to absorb the cleaned water with a squeegee and collect it in a dirty water tank.

(1) A compressed air supply pipe is provided so as to surround the front portion and both left and right sides of the cleaning brush or pad, and the compressed air is directed inward toward the floor on the bottom side of the supply pipe. A large number of nozzles that form an air seal by jetting are provided, and a rubber blade that surrounds the rear portion of the cleaning brush or pad is mounted between the rear ends of the supply pipes, and these supply pipes and rubber blades are attached. The cleaning water should be supplied through the water supply pipe to the enclosed interior.

(2) A compressed air supply pipe is provided so as to surround the cleaning brush or pad, and compressed air is jetted inward toward the floor on the bottom side of the supply pipe to provide an air seal. A large number of nozzles to be formed are provided, and the cleaning water is supplied through a water supply pipe inside the supply pipe.

(3) The exhaust of a suction blower exerting a suction action for sucking sewage on a squeegee is supplied to a supply pipe arranged so as to surround a cleaning brush or a pad as an air source of an air seal. .

(4) Forming a large number of slits for injecting compressed air inward toward the floor to form an air seal on the bottom side of the supply pipe that surrounds the cleaning brush or pad.

(5) The cleaning water supply from the water supply pipe is configured to be intermittent water supply or constant water supply at regular time intervals.

(6) An overflow hole is provided in a rubber blade surrounding the rear portion of the cleaning brush or pad, and an opening / closing valve for opening the hole at a predetermined time interval or when necessary is attached to the rubber blade.

(7) The rubber blade surrounding the rear part of the cleaning brush or pad is provided with an overflow hole, and the rubber blade is provided with a pulling device for pulling the rubber blade from the floor surface at a constant time interval or when necessary. .

(8) An exhaust port is formed in the middle of an air pipe for supplying compressed air to the supply pipe, and a relief valve is operated to switch from the suction blower to this exhaust port at regular intervals or when necessary. Provide a switching device that allows the compressed air that comes in to escape to the exhaust port.

(9) An optical sensor for detecting the degree of dirt of the wash water is provided within the range surrounded by the supply pipe, and when the degree of dirt of the wash water detected by the optical sensor exceeds a set level, the pull-up is performed. Pulling up the rubber blade by the device,
Alternatively, it should be configured so that the relief valve is switched by the switching device.

[0016]

Each of the means described in (1) to (9) above operates as follows.

According to the means described in the above (1), the compressed air jetted toward the floor surface from the plurality of nozzles provided on the bottom surface side of the supply pipe is the front portion and the left and right side portions of the cleaning brush or pad. Since a non-contact type air seal (air curtain) is constructed on the above, and the remaining rear part is surrounded by a rubber blade, scattering and overflow of cleaning water can be prevented by these air seals and rubber blades. Since it is a non-contact type, it can solve the problem of gaps with the floor surface and wear, and also the problem of dust Russell, the nozzle injects compressed air inward toward the floor surface and dust outside Since it can be forcibly taken in, this can be reliably prevented, and further, cleaning water is stored inside the splash guard surrounded by the air seal and rubber blade,
In addition, since the cleaning brush or pad is rotated and cleaned in the portion where the cleaning water is accumulated, it is possible to exhibit an excellent cleaning action for a relatively long time without wasting the cleaning water.

According to the means described in the above (2), the cleaning brush or the pad is surrounded by an air seal, and the cleaning water is supplied to the inside of this enclosure, that is, the inside of the splash guard. This makes it possible to exert an excellent cleaning action without splashing or spilling water to the outside and also exhibiting the above-mentioned characteristics of the non-contact type splash guard.

According to the means described in the above (3), the exhaust air of the suction blower exerting the suction action on the squeegee that sucks the dirty water after washing is directly supplied as the air source of the air seal, that is, the compressed air. Since there is no need to provide an air pump or the like for air sealing, it is possible to simplify the overall structure of the floor cleaning machine.

According to the means described in the above (4), the compressed air is jetted inward from the slit formed on the bottom surface side of the supply pipe toward the floor surface to form the air seal. It makes it possible to exert the same action as the non-contact type splash guard described above.

According to the means described in (5) above, the cleaning water is stored inside the splash guard surrounded by the air seal and the rubber blade, and the cleaning water or the cleaning brush does not overflow to the outside and the cleaning brush or pad is used. Since it is sufficient to intermittently supply water or squeeze water, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of cleaning water supplied compared to conventional cleaning machines that constantly supply water. To

According to the means described in the above (6), when the cleaning water accumulated inside the splash guard surrounded by the air seal and the rubber blade is contaminated or exceeds a certain amount, a certain time Since the on-off valve opens at intervals or when necessary to open the overflow hole formed in the rubber blade, these dirty cleaning water or excess cleaning water overflows backward to the outside and is replaced with new cleaning water, Allows for drainage.

According to the means described in the above (7), when the amount of cleaning water accumulated inside the splash guard surrounded by the air seal and the rubber blade exceeds a certain amount, the overflow water formed on the rubber blade is used. The squeegee can be made to flow out from the hole to the outside and sucked by the squeegee, and the pulling device pulls up the rubber blade from the floor surface at a certain time interval or when necessary, so that the dirty cleaning water in the splash guard is discharged to the outside. If the squeegee is caused to flow out, and the squeegee is sucked, and then the rubber blade is pushed down to resupply the cleaning water, the cleaning water in the splash guard can be replaced with new cleaning water.

According to the means described in the above (8), when the switching device switches the relief valve to allow the compressed air to escape to the exhaust port, the supply of the compressed air to the supply pipe is stopped and the air seal is lost. Pour the dirty cleaning water out of the splash guard and let the squeegee suck it in, and then
Replace the escape valve and recreate the splash guard,
By resupplying the wash water, it is possible to replace the wash water in the splash guard with new wash water.

According to the means described in the above (9), when the degree of dirt of the wash water accumulated in the splash guard exceeds the set level, the optical sensor detects this and operates the pulling device or the switching device. The cleaning wastewater exchanging action described above and above can be exerted to restart the cleaning of the floor surface with new cleaning water.

As described above, the technical problems described above can be solved by the above means, and the problems of the conventional art can be solved.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of a floor cleaning machine having a splash guard function according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a floor surface cleaning machine having a splash guard function according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the structure of a main part. In the drawings, 1 is a body of a floor cleaning machine, 1a is a steering wheel for driving, 2 is a wheel driven and rotated by a motor 2M, 3
Is a roll-type cleaning brush that is rotated by a motor 3M to clean the floor surface, 3a and 3b are arms that support the cleaning brush 3, 4 is a waste water tank mounted in the machine body, 4
a is a drainage hose for draining the wastewater DW in the tank 4, 5
Is a suction blower which is rotated by a motor 5M and exerts a suction action on the waste water tank 4 through the suction pipe 6, and the suction force exerted in the waste water tank 4 is provided through the waste water pipe 7 to the squeegee provided at the rear part of the machine body 1. It acts on 8 and sucks and collects the sewage on the floor into the sewage tank 4.

Reference numeral 10 is a brush cover, and 12 is a supply of compressed air which is formed in a substantially U-shape with the rear portion opened as shown in FIG. 2 so as to surround the front portion and the left and right side portions of the cleaning brush 3 described above. The supply pipe 12 fixed to the front bottom surface of the machine body 1 in a state in which the cleaning brush 3 is surrounded by a pipe as shown in the drawing has a tip end of an air pipe 11 whose root end is connected to the exhaust port of the suction blower 5 described above. While the compressed air exhausted from the suction blower 5 is supplied to the supply pipe 12, the supplied compressed air is tilted slightly inward toward the floor on the bottom side of the supply pipe 12. Are jetted vigorously from a large number of protruding nozzles 13 ... to form air seals (air curtains) on the front side and the left and right sides of the cleaning brush 3.

Next, 17 is a mounting plate (stay) installed between the open rear ends of the supply pipe 12 formed in the above-mentioned U-shape.
A rubber blade 15 for closing the open rear end portion of the supply pipe 12 is attached to the outer surface (rear surface) of the mounting plate 17, and the lower end is always brought into close contact with the floor surface as shown in FIG. Is in a state.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the rubber blade 15 described above. The rubber blade 15 is provided with a large number of overflow holes 15a ... facing the water line WL. The mounting plate 17 is also provided with a large number of outflow holes 17a for discharging the washing water WA as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 2 or 4, and is surrounded by the air seal and the rubber blade 15. When the wash water WA accumulated in the splash guard exceeds the water line WL, the solenoid 16 that can be turned on at a certain time interval or as necessary closes the overflow hole 15a of the rubber blade 15. The opening / closing valve 16b is opened to drain the excess washing water WA rearward through the holes 15a ... And to suck it into the squeegee 8 as the machine body 1 travels.

Reference numerals 14T and 14S are light-transmissive sensors, each of which has a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, mounted between lower portions of the supply pipe 12 in order to detect the degree of contamination of the wash water WA accumulated in the splash guard. Therefore, a reflection type sensor may be used instead.

The solenoid 16 is used as a pulling device for sliding the rubber blade 15 up and down, and the rod 16a of the solenoid 16 is connected to the upper end of the rubber blade 15 so that the solenoid 16 is turned on. Then, the rubber blade 15 is pulled up from the floor surface to release all the washing water WA accumulated in the splash guard rearward, and the squeegee 8 described above is used to wash the washing water WA.
In some cases, it may be configured to suck (cleansing dirty water).

Further, in the figure, VT is a battery, 9 is a water supply pump 9P for supplying water, and a clean water tank (not visible because it is hidden in the dirty water tank 4 in the drawing) mounted on the machine body 1 is used to wash water inside the splash guard. A water supply pipe for supplying WA (clean water), and 9a denotes a water supply pipe having a large number of water spray holes 9b connected to the tip of the water supply pipe 9.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, non-contact type splash guards are formed by air seals on three sides of the cleaning brush 3 except for the rubber blade 15 at the rear portion. In addition, the cleaning water WA is supplied to the inside of the splash guard to store the cleaning water WA in a certain amount, and the cleaning brush 3 is rotated to clean the floor surface inside the cleaning water WA. The floor surface can be washed without wasting the waste water, and the splash guard can reliably prevent scattering and overflow of the washing water WA due to the rotation of the washing brush 3.

Further, when the washing water WA in the splash guard is contaminated or accumulated more than necessary, the solenoid 16 which is turned on at a predetermined time interval or as needed is used for overflow of the rubber blade 15. Since the holes 15a of ... are opened to sequentially overflow,
It is possible to replace the dirty cleaning water WA with a new one and to drain the unnecessary cleaning water WA.

When the cleaning water WA accumulated in the splash guard is contaminated by cleaning, the optical sensor 14T,
14S detects the degree of dirt, and when the dirt level exceeds a set value, the solenoid 16 described above is turned on to pull up the entire rubber blade 15 and allow all the dirty wash water WA to escape rearward to obtain new wash water. It can also be exchanged.

The pump 9P for supplying the cleaning water WA is stopped or squeezed when the rubber blade 15 closes the rear part of the splash guard, and the rubber blade 15 is in operation.
Washes by the solenoid 16 and become dirty
When A is discharged, it operates to supply new wash water, and when a fixed amount of water has been supplied, the water supply is stopped or throttled again, and intermittent water supply is repeated.

In some cases, the solenoid 16 may be used to automatically pull up the rubber blade 15 at regular intervals using a timer to periodically replace the dirty cleaning water WA.

FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the essential structure of another embodiment of the floor surface cleaning machine having the splash guard function according to the present invention. In this embodiment, compressed air surrounding the cleaning brush 3 is used. By forming the supply pipe 12 of No. 1 also on the rear side of the cleaning brush 3 to form an air seal by injecting compressed air around the cleaning brush 3,
The inside of a splash guard whose entire circumference is air-sealed is supplied with cleaning water WA for cleaning.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view for explaining the structure of the compressed air switching device used in the floor cleaning machine of the type in which the entire circumference of the cleaning brush 3 is surrounded by an air seal as described above. , 11a is an exhaust port formed in the middle of the air pipe 11 described above, and 18 is the exhaust port 11a and the air pipe 11
Is a relief valve for switching and opening / closing the passage, and 18M is a motor for switching the relief valve 18.

According to the switching device configured as described above, the relief valve 18 is provided with the exhaust port 11 during the normal cleaning operation.
Although a is closed and all the compressed air sent from the suction blower 5 is sent to the supply pipe 12 side, the above-mentioned optical sensors 14T and 14S stain the cleaning water WA (level over).
Or when the timer has timed out, the motor 18M operates and the relief valve 18 is in the illustrated state, that is, the passage of the air pipe 11 is closed and the exhaust port 11 is closed.
It is configured to perform a switching operation so that a is opened.

When the exhaust port 11a is opened as described above, all the compressed air is exhausted from the exhaust port 11a, so that the air seal formed around the cleaning brush 3 is completely disappeared and the cleaning water WA is discharged to the rear. The squeegee 8 can be sucked, and then the relief valve 18 is driven by the motor 18M.
Back to the state where the exhaust port 11a was closed, and the water supply pipe 9
By supplying the cleaning water WA again from the above, new cleaning water WA can be accumulated in the reformed splash guard and cleaning can be restarted.

FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the structure of the main part of another embodiment of the present invention. In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, compressed air is inclined inward toward the bottom side of the supply pipes 12 and 12a. A large number of slits 13 are provided on the bottom surface side of the supply pipe 12 or 12a in this embodiment, though the air seal is formed by ejecting the plurality of nozzles 13 ...
S ... to form compressed air into these slits 13S
Is sprayed inwardly toward the floor surface to form an air seal.

Although a roll type brush is described as the cleaning brush 3 in each of the embodiments shown in the drawings, a disk type brush may be used instead.
Further, since a roll type or disk type pad may be used instead, the cleaning member to be used is not limited to the roll type brush only, and the disk type brush or pad is used. In this case, it goes without saying that the entire supply pipe 12 surrounding this is also formed into a circular shape to form a circular air seal, that is, a splash guard.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical construction of the present invention. In the figure, 20 is a CP which is the center of the control unit.
U and 21 are memories storing system programs, and the above-mentioned wheel motor 2M, brush driving motor 3M, blower motor 5M are connected to the interface circuit 23 connected between the CPU 20 and the memory 21 via the bus 22. , A motor 9M for the water supply pump 9P and a motor 18M for the relief valve, and a sensor 14 for detecting dirt.
T, 14S or timer and overflow hole 15
The opening / closing means of the opening / closing valve 16b for opening / closing a ... Or the solenoid 16 constituting the pulling device of the rubber blade 15 is connected, and further the display panel 1T and the operation switch 24 are connected, and each is stored in the memory 21. The system is controlled according to the system program.

Since the floor cleaning machine having the splash guard function according to the present invention has the structure as described above, the splash guard is formed around the cleaning brush 3 or the pad by the air seal and the rubber blade 15, and the inside thereof is formed. When the cleaning brush 3 or the pad is rotated by the motor 3M by supplying the cleaning water WA to the motor 3M, the supplied cleaning water WA is stored in the cleaning water WA by the sealing action of the splash guard, and the cleaning water WA remains Cleaning water WA in which the cleaning brush 3 or the pad is stored in order to maintain the accumulated state
It is possible to exert an excellent cleaning action by rotating the inside of the cleaning roller.

During the cleaning operation by the cleaning brush 3 or the pad, the supply of the cleaning water WA is temporarily stopped or squeezed (intermittent water supply). Therefore, as shown in FIG. The water supply time, that is, the cleaning operation time can be lengthened by a considerably smaller amount than that of the above.

In addition, the cleaning water WA soiled by the cleaning
Is the level detection by the dirt detection sensors 14T and 14S,
Or the solenoid 16 according to the time up of the timer
Opens the on-off valve 16b attached to the rubber blade 15 to open the overflow hole 15a, so that the dirty cleaning water WA can be sequentially drained from the hole 15a and replaced with a new one, The device (solenoid 16) or the switching device (motor 18M) is actuated to pull up the entire rubber blade 15 or stop the supply of compressed air, so that all the dirty cleaning water WA from the cleaning brush 3 or the pad portion. It is also possible to discharge the cleaning water WA and replace it with new cleaning water WA. Furthermore, at the time of cleaning, the cleaning water WA is not scattered or overflowed by the non-contact type splash guard by the air seal,
You can clean it without rubbing dust on the floor.

[0050]

As described above, according to the floor cleaning machine having the splash guard function of the present invention, the non-contact type splash guard prevents the cleaning water from splashing or overflowing to the surroundings. It is a non-contact type, and because it is a non-contact type, there is no need to replace the skirt (protective curtain) or to clean the trash that has rassel, and it is convenient and economical for anyone to use. In addition, since the amount of washing water used is small, it can be washed for a long time with one replenishment, or the tank for washing water (clean water) and the dirty water tank can be made smaller to make the entire washing machine It is possible to achieve the advantage that it can be miniaturized, and by using the exhaust of the suction blower that exerts a suction action for sucking dirty water on the squeegee as it is as an air source of the air seal, Points to allow Ryakuka and cost reduction and I cooperation with, the effect is very high.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of a floor surface cleaning machine having a splash guard function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a main part of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a rubber blade used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a rear rubber blade portion.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the main part of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the main part of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an essential part for explaining the configuration of the switching device portion in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a difference in water supply amount between the present invention and a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 WA Washing water (clean water) 1 Machine body of washing machine 3 Washing brush 5 Suction blower 8 Squeegee 9 Water supply pipe 11 Air pipe 11a Exhaust port 12, 12a Supply pipe 13 Nozzle 13S Slit 14T, 14S Fouling detection sensor 15 Rubber blade 15a Overflow hole 16 Solenoid (Pulling device) 16b Open / close valve 18 Relief valve (Switching device)

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A floor surface cleaner configured to rotate a cleaning brush or pad while supplying cleaning water to clean the floor surface, and to absorb the cleaned waste water with a squeegee and collect it in a waste water tank. A supply pipe for compressed air is piped so as to surround the front part and both left and right parts of the cleaning brush or pad, and the compressed air is jetted inward toward the floor on the bottom side of the supply pipe. A large number of nozzles that form a seal are provided, and a rubber blade that surrounds the rear portion of the cleaning brush or pad is mounted between the rear ends of the supply pipe, and the inside surrounded by these supply pipe and rubber blade. A floor cleaning machine with a splash guard function, characterized in that cleaning water is supplied through a water supply pipe. 2. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein a compressed air supply pipe is provided so as to surround a cleaning brush or a pad, and the bottom side of the supply pipe faces the floor surface. Splash that is characterized in that a large number of nozzles that eject compressed air inwardly to form an air seal are provided, and that wash water is supplied through a water supply pipe inside the supply pipe. Floor cleaning machine with guard function. 3. The squeegee is configured so that the exhaust air of a suction blower which exerts a suction action for sucking dirty water is supplied to a supply pipe which is arranged so as to surround a cleaning brush or a pad as an air source of an air seal. A floor cleaning machine having a splash guard function according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A large number of slits for forming an air seal by injecting compressed air inward toward the floor surface are formed on the bottom surface side of the supply pipe surrounding the cleaning brush or pad. A floor cleaning machine having the splash guard function described in 1 or 2. 5. A floor having a splash guard function according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning water supplied from the water supply pipe is configured to be intermittently supplied or squeezed at regular intervals. Face cleaning machine. 6. A rubber blade surrounding a rear portion of the cleaning brush or pad is provided with an overflow hole, and an opening / closing valve for opening the hole at a predetermined time interval or when necessary is attached to the rubber blade. A floor cleaning machine having the splash guard function according to claim 1. 7. A rubber blade surrounding a rear portion of the cleaning brush or pad is provided with an overflow hole, and a pulling device for pulling the rubber blade from the floor surface is attached to the rubber blade at a predetermined time interval or when necessary. The floor cleaning machine having the splash guard function according to claim 1. 8. An exhaust port is formed in the middle of an air pipe for supplying compressed air to a supply pipe, and a relief valve is operated to switch from the suction blower to this exhaust port at regular intervals or when necessary. A floor cleaning machine having a splash guard function according to claim 2, further comprising a switching device for letting incoming compressed air escape to an exhaust port. 9. A pulling device is provided when an optical sensor for detecting the degree of dirt of cleaning water is provided within a range surrounded by the supply pipe, and when the degree of dirt of cleaning water detected by the optical sensor exceeds a set level. 8. The floor washer having a splash guard function according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the rubber blade is pulled up by the above method or the relief valve is changed over by a changeover device.