KR102439114B1 - Efficient surface treating machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machine for treating surfaces lying in the XY plane. The machine includes a body, a body plate, a cleaning plate, a drive assembly, and an attachment assembly. The cleaning plate is positioned between the body plate and the XY plane. The drive assembly is coupled to the cleaning plate for driving the cleaning plate with cleaning vibrations in a vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane. The attachment assembly flexibly attaches the cleaning plate to the body plate to allow the cleaning plate to vibrate relative to the body plate and isolate the cleaning vibration from the body. In order to move the machine in the XY plane, a connector for connecting a member such as a handle is attached to the body.

Description

Efficient surface treatment machine {EFFICIENT SURFACE TREATING MACHINE}

The present invention relates to a machine for treating work surfaces such as carpets, tiles, floors formed of wood and other materials. The most efficient and effective surface treatment is to use vibration, a “scrubbing” motion to loosen materials on a work surface. On floors and other work surfaces, cleaning towels, commonly referred to as “pads,” are used in combination with a solvent and/or cleaning agent including water or steam. If the floor becomes dirty by rubbing it with a cleaning towel, the towel is replaced with a clean one.

In US Patent Publication No. 20070107150A1, an invention invented by Yale Smith and published on May 17, 2007 entitled "a Carpet Cleaning Apparatus And Method With Vibration, Heat, And Cleaning Agent" is described. In this patent publication, a combination of oscillatory motion, controllable heat, and a cleaning agent is used. Such a device comprises a base cleaning plate, heating elements with electrical connections, and means for moving the cleaning plate to create a rubbing motion.

Important attributes of the surface treatment machine are cleaning effect, ease of use, convenience, stability, lightness, less machine wear, long service life, and ease of maintenance. This attribute is important for machines used in heavy-duty work environments or used by other consumers at home or in other light-duty work environments.

Cleaning effectiveness requires the machine to include small vibrations that create localized vibrations in the cleaning plate to impart a "rubbing" motion to the surface being treated. For cleaning floors such local vibrations are preferably in the range of several millimeters. Cleaning effectiveness and convenience require that the cleaning plate be rectangular in shape so that it can be used immediately along straight edges and moved easily into rectangular corners. In order to satisfy these properties, machines with round bottom plates are not desirable.

Ease of use and convenience require stability, appropriate size and weight, and ease of operator control. Designs that place the motor and drive assembly high above the cleaning plate are undesirable, as such configurations tend to exacerbate vertical instability. Vertical instability causes unwanted vibrations of the cleaning plate up and down in modes that are in and out of the plane of the working surface. The plane of the working plane is called the floor plane or the XY plane. Vertical instability is distinct from horizontal vibration, which provides a localized vibration to impart a “rubbing” motion to the cleaning plate. Horizontal oscillations are parallel to the plane of the working plane parallel to the XY plane. Moreover, vertical instability is undesirable because it uses an excessive amount of energy, reduces the energy efficiency of the machine, and causes increased wear on the motor, drive shaft, driver, and drive bushing. . Increased wear increases maintenance costs and reduces machine life. User fatigue increases dramatically when unwanted vertical vibrations occur.

High energy efficiency is an important attribute. For machines powered by batteries or by AC electrical service through an AC-to-DC converter, the size and cost of the motor is a function of the energy requirements and scrubbing plate required to drive the transmission. For DC motors, energy requirements are important for the motor and the AC-to-DC converter used to convert AC electrical service to DC. The higher the energy efficiency of a machine, the smaller and less expensive the AC-DC converter, batteries, and motors needed to power the machine.

Another factor in cleaning effectiveness is determined by the material of the machine in contact with the floor material. Brushes are not absorbent and are therefore inefficient in removing solids and liquids from the floor. In existing machines that use towels, such towels are usually made of synthetic material and do not absorb and retain solids and liquids from the floor. In the case of a towel mainly made of cotton, it has a disadvantage that it is not easily rubbed, and the energy efficiency is low due to high friction with the floor surface.

In light of this background, it would be desirable to have improved surface treatment machines for treating carpets, tiles, wood and other surface materials.

The present invention is a machine for treating surfaces lying in the XY plane. Such a machine includes a body, a body plate, a cleaning plate, a drive assembly, and an attachment assembly. The cleaning plate is positioned between the body plate and the XY plane. The drive assembly is coupled to the cleaning plate for driving the cleaning plate with cleaning vibrations in a vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane. The attachment assembly flexibly attaches the cleaning plate to the body plate in a compressed state to allow the cleaning plate to vibrate relative to the body plate and isolate the cleaning vibration from the body.

In one embodiment, a connector for connecting a member, such as a handle, is attached to the body to move the machine in the XY plane.

In one embodiment, the attachment assembly includes a plurality of squeezing devices connected between the cleaning plate and the body to bring the cleaning plate and the body towards each other. Such crimping devices are, for example, O-rings, springs, elastic bands or cushion shaft connectors. The attachment assembly includes a plurality of rolling separators, such as ball bearings, in compression from the compression device to separate the cleaning plate and the body plate.

In one embodiment, the cushion shaft connector has a first end and a second end, the first end having a first compression washer and a first end cap for engaging the body plate in a compressed state. ), and the second end includes a second compression washer and a second end cap for engaging the cleaning plate in a compressed state. In a state in which the cleaning plate is vibrating, the first end cap and the first compression washer, and the second end cap and the second pressing washer apply increasing pressure at the moving end of the cleaning plate during the cleaning vibration, thereby causing the cleaning plate to vibrate. It tends to limit the scope.

In one embodiment, the drive assembly includes a DC motor and a motor such as a battery and a power supply. Such a motor has a stator fixed to the cleaning plate and a rotor rotating on a motor shaft about the stator. An offset weight is attached to one section of the rotor, which is rotated asymmetrically by the rotor around the motor shaft to cause vibration of the motor and the attached cleaning plate. Therefore, the cleaning plate is driven by vibration of a vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane.

In one embodiment, the drive assembly includes a first motor device and a second motor device. The first motor device includes a first stator fixed to the cleaning plate, a first rotor for rotating in a first direction about the first stator and the first motor shaft, and a first rotor attached to and about the first motor shaft. and a first offset weight, rotated by the first rotor, whereby the cleaning plate is driven with a first oscillation in a first oscillation pattern parallel to the XY plane. The second motor arrangement includes a second stator fixed to the cleaning plate, a second rotor for rotating in a second direction about the second stator and the second motor shaft, and a second rotor attached to the second rotor and configured to rotate around the second motor shaft. and a second offset weight, which is rotated by the second rotor, whereby the cleaning plate is driven with a second vibration in a second vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane. The cleaning plate has a combined vibration formed by combining the first vibration pattern and the second vibration pattern.

In implementations, the first direction is clockwise and the second direction is counterclockwise.

In one implementation, the drive assembly synchronizes the rotation of the first rotor and the second rotor, such that the first offset weight and the second offset weight are maintained at a synchronized rotation angle, a mechanical gear or electronic network. synchronizers such as

In one embodiment, the first rotor and the second rotor each have a first phase angle and a second phase angle with respect to the first offset weight and the second offset weight measured in an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the machine, respectively , the synchronizer operates to maintain substantially the same first and second phase angles.

In an embodiment in which the synchronizer comprises an electronic network, the network includes a first sensor for detecting a position of the first rotor with a first position signal, a first sensor for sensing a position of a second rotor with a second position signal a second sensor for driving the first and second motors in response to the first position signal and the second position signal, thereby causing the first offset weight and the second offset weight to remain synchronized at the same rotational angle; do.

In one embodiment, the cleaning plate comprises a cleaning towel attached to the cleaning plate.

In one embodiment, the connector engages the handle so that the user holding the handle can move the machine on a floor lying in the XY plane.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention become apparent from the detailed description that follows in conjunction with the drawings.

1 is a side view of one embodiment of a surface treatment machine on a surface to be treated;
Fig. 2 is a front view of the surface treatment machine of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic front view with additional details of one embodiment of the motors in the drive assembly and cleaning plate assembly of the machine of Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 4 is a schematic top view of the device of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a front view of the body, skirt, and cleaning pad of the surface treatment machine of Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 6 is a schematic front view with additional details of another embodiment of the motors in the drive assembly and cleaning plate assembly of the machine of Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 7 is a schematic top view of the machine of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a typical motor of the type shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the support of Fig. 8 type and two motors attached to the cleaning plate;
FIG. 10 is a corner perspective view of an O-ring embodiment of a squeezing device that provides squeezing between the cleaning plate and the body of the surface treatment machine of FIGS. 1 and 2;
11 is a schematic corner perspective view and schematic view of another embodiment of a pressing device providing compression between a body and a cleaning plate;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another crimping device similar to the crimping device shown in Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is a cutaway perspective view showing the inside of the compression device, the body, and the cleaning plate of Fig. 11;
14 is a perspective view of another crimping device.
Fig. 15 is a front view of the pressing device of Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 is a front view of another embodiment of the pressing device of Fig. 14;
17 is a perspective view of another crimping device providing crimping between the body and the cleaning plate.
Fig. 18 shows four different positions of the cleaning plate shown by way of example when the two motors are synchronized and rotate in opposite directions;
Fig. 19 is a top view of four different positions of the cleaning plate when two motors rotating in opposite directions are synchronized as shown in Fig. 18;
Fig. 20 shows four different positions of the cleaning plate shown by way of example when the two motors are synchronized and rotate in the same direction;
Fig. 21 is a top view of four different positions of the cleaning plate when the two motors rotate in the same direction as shown in Fig. 20;
Fig. 22 shows eight different positions of the cleaning plate shown by way of example when the two motors are not synchronized and rotate in opposite directions;
23 is a perspective view of a typical motor having an asymmetric weight;
Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a pair of motors with synchronized motors each having an asymmetric weight;
25 is a perspective view of a pair of drive gears each having an asymmetric weight with drive gears synchronized by a pair of synchronizing gears;
Fig. 26 is a schematic top view of the gears of Fig. 25, with a motor, a pulley, and a belt for driving the gears;
27 is a schematic front view with additional details of one embodiment of a single motor and cleaning plate assembly suitable for use with the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2;
Fig. 28 is a schematic top view of the apparatus of Fig. 27;
Fig. 29 is a view showing four different positions of the cleaning plate shown by way of example when the single motor drives the cleaning plate;
Fig. 30 is a top view of the cleaning plate in four different positions of Fig. 29;
31 is a bottom view of the body plate;
Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view (end view) of the body plate of Figure 31;
33 is a top view of the cleaning plate;
Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning of Fig. 33;
Fig. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the body plate of Fig. 32, placed parallel to the cleaning plate of Fig. 34 and held biased by ball bearings;
Fig. 36 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 35 with a body plate adjacent to the cleaning plate and held offset from the cleaning plate by a single rolling ball bearing;
FIG. 37 shows the view of FIG. 36 with the body plate adjacent to the cleaning plate and held offset from the cleaning plate by one rolling bearing in one direction;
FIG. 38 is an enlarged view of FIG. 36 with the body plate adjacent to the cleaning plate and held offset from the cleaning plate by one rolling bearing rolling in a direction opposite to that of FIG. 37;
Fig. 39 shows a synchronizer unit and a battery for driving a first motor and a second motor;
Fig. 40 is a schematic top view of a surface treatment machine having a first motor and a second motor rotating in reverse;
Fig. 41 is a schematic front view showing details of another embodiment of the motors in the drive assembly and cleaning plate assembly of the machine of Figs. 1 and 2;
42 shows a loop layer and a hook attachment assembly as one of the layers forming part of the loop;
Fig. 43 shows a plastic layer and hook attachment assembly, another one of the layers forming part of a loop;
44 shows a hook layer and hook attachment assembly, another one of the layers forming part of a loop;
45 is an interior view of a loop and hook embodiment of an attachment assembly formed by combining the layers of FIGS. 42 , 43 , and 44 ;

In FIG. 1 , a surface treatment machine 1 includes a body 9 , a drive assembly 10 , and a cleaning plate assembly 12 . The body plate 16 is securely attached and is a part of the body 9 . The cleaning plate assembly 12 is driven by the drive assembly 10 to clean or wipe a floor surface 18 lying in a floor plane termed the XY plane. The cleaning plate assembly 12 includes a cleaning plate 5 and a cleaning pad 6 . In some embodiments, the machine 1 includes a skirt 8 attached as part of a body 9 and superposed over and around the cleaning plate assembly 12 .

1 , a machine 1 includes a handle assembly 15 attached to a body 9 to enable a user to guide the machine 1 over a floor surface lying in the XY plane. The handle assembly 15 has a length extending from the body 9 at a variable angle with the XY plane and is connected to the body by a connector 15-1. The handle assembly 15 is rotatably attached to the body 9 and in use adjusts an acute angle with the cleaning surface for cleaning. The handle assembly 15 includes a latch (not shown) for latching the handle assembly 15 in an upright position for transport and storage of the machine 1 when not in operation.

Drive assembly 10 has a drive assembly height dimension H, measured from the XY plane. The cleaning plate assembly 12 usually has a length and a width that lie in the XY plane of the floor surface. The smaller of the length dimension and the width dimension, or if the length and width of the cleaning plate assembly 12 are the same, only the dimension is the minimum processing dimension, ie, M_D. In order to provide stability with respect to the machine 1, the height dimension H is usually less than 0.25 of the minimum handling dimension M_D. A low drive assembly height dimension is important in minimizing or preventing unwanted vertical instability. The vertical instability causes the cleaning plate to vibrate undesirably up and down in modes that are in and out of the XY plane, which is the plane of the working plane 18 . Such unwanted vibrations are a complex function of the floor surface material and a function of the machine's movements during operation with the design of the machine. For normal and intended operation, the machine operates with vibrations in the XY plane of the floor surface. When the machine is moved between positions on the floor by the machine operator, some forces from the XY plane are inherently generated. If the drive assembly 10 height dimension, H, is too high, these forces from the XY plane will tend to accumulate at an intensity reaching the resonant oscillation frequency identified as vertical instability. Such vertical instability can be difficult for the operator to control and waste energy. In some implementations, vertical instability is minimized or eliminated by having the drive assembly height dimension H less than 0.25 of the minimum processing dimension M_D.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the surface treatment machine 1 of FIG. 1 . The surface treatment machine 1 comprises a body 9 with a handle assembly 15 . The handle assembly 15 is shown latched in an upright position. The cleaning plate assembly 12 is driven by the drive assembly 10 in the body 9 in an oscillating pattern. The body plate 16 is part of the body 9 and is rigidly attached to the body 9 . The cleaning plate assembly 12 includes a cleaning plate 5 and a cleaning pad 6 .

3, a front view with additional details of one embodiment of the drive assembly 10, body plate 16, and cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 1 is shown. The drive assembly 10 includes motors 22-1 and 22-2 directly connected to the cleaning plate 5 . Motors 22-1 and 22-2 include offset weights 23-1 and 23-2, respectively. The offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 cause the cleaning plate 5 and the attached cleaning pad 6 to vibrate in the XY plane, that is, in a plane parallel to the floor. The body plate 16 is separated from the cleaning plate 5 by ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2. The pressing devices 28-1 and 28-2 bring the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 toward each other, and the ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2 are the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5. The plate 5 is held apart. The ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2 allow the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 to slide parallel to each other parallel to the XY plane, thereby preventing the cleaning plate from oscillating parallel to the XY plane. allow

The motors 22-1 and 22-2 are connected to the cleaning plate 5 and not connected to the body plate 16 or any other part of the body 9 . The body 9 includes openings 14-1, 14-2 through which the motors 22-1, 22-2 extend without contacting the body 9. Motors 22-1 and 22-2 preferably have the same dimensions in the Z-axis direction perpendicular to the XY plane. In one implementation, motors 22-1 and 22-2 have a Z-axis dimension of 1.1 inches (28 mm). In Figure 3, body plate 16 and cleaning plate 5 are measured to have dimensions of approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) by 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) when viewed parallel to the XY plane in one exemplary embodiment. do. In order to provide stability with respect to the machine 1, the height dimension H, which is approximately 40 mm, is much less than the minimum processing dimension 0.25 and M_D which is 16.5 cm (see FIG. 4 ). With an H/M_D of 4/16.5 equal to approximately 0.24, the machine 1 of Figure 3 is very stable, in which case there is no significant Z-axis instability.

In FIG. 3 , the battery and synchronizer unit 17 provides synchronized battery power to drive the motors 22-1 and 22-2. With synchronized operation, the weights 23-1, 23-2 are maintained in a predetermined rotational direction by the operation of electrical signals sent and received with the motors 22-1 and 22-2. In operation, the first offset weight 23-1 and the second offset weight 23-2 are maintained at a synchronized rotation angle. The synchronized rotation angle is the same angle repeatedly for each rotation of the motors. For example, when the first offset weight 23-1 is 90° and the second offset weight 23-2 is also 90° with respect to each rotation, the first offset weight 23-1 and the second offset weight 23-1 The offset weights 23-2 are the synchronized rotation angles. The synchronized rotation angles can be arbitrary values. By way of further example, for each rotation, the first offset weight 23-1 may be 0° and the second offset weight 23-2 may be 180°. When the rotation angles are different during different rotations, the first offset weight 23-1 and the second offset weight 23-2 are maintained at the rotation angles that are not synchronized. For example, the first offset weight 23-1 is 90° for one rotation, the second offset weight 23-2 is also 90° for one rotation, and the first offset weight 23- for another rotation. When 1) is 90° and the second offset weight 23-2 is 75°, the first offset weight 23-1 and the second offset weight 23-2 are rotation angles that are not synchronized.

In one exemplary implementation in Figure 3, motors 22-1 and 22-2 are 12 pole HobbyKing Donkey ST3508-730KV outrunner motors. Such motors usually run on voltages up to 15 volts and with a maximum current of 35 amps. The total height of such motors is 28 mm, and revolutions per minute (RPM) is approximately 4100 rpm at an operating voltage of usually 6 volts.

In FIG. 3 , an attachment assembly 50 is provided with pressing devices 28 - connected between the cleaning plate 5 and the body plate 16 to bring the cleaning plate 5 and the body plate 16 towards each other. 1, 28-2) including a plurality of pressing devices. Compression devices such as devices 28-1 and 28-2 are, for example, O-rings, springs, elastic bands or cushion shaft connectors. The crimping devices 28 - 1 , 28 - 2 in the embodiment of FIG. 3 are O-rings. The attachment assembly 50 includes the ball bearings 91-1 and 91- under pressure from the pressing devices 28-1 and 28-2 to separate the cleaning plate 5 and the body plate 16. 2) including a plurality of rolling separators.

4 shows a schematic top view of the machine 1 of FIG. 3 . The drive assembly 10 includes motors 22-1 and 22-2 directly connected to the cleaning plate 5 . Motors 22-1, 22-2 include a central shaft 21-1, 21-2 on which a rotor (not explicitly shown) of the motors rotates. Motors 22-1 and 22-2 include offset weights 23-1 and 23-2, respectively. The offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 cause the attached cleaning pad 6 to vibrate in the XY plane, that is, in a plane parallel to the floor by the operation of the cleaning plate 5 (as described in connection with FIG. 3 ). like). The pressing devices 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, and 28-4 are O-rings, and bring the body plate 16 toward the cleaning plate 5 (the pressing devices 28-1, 28). -2) as shown in Fig. 3). A handle connector (15-1) is provided for connecting the handle to the body (9). Normally, the machine 1 is pushed forward during surface cleaning or other surface treatment in the Y-axis direction in the XY plane. As shown in FIG. 4 , the offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 at one point in time are all oriented in the X-axis direction or parallel to the X-axis direction, so it is defined as having an X-axis orientation of 0°. do. The X-axis direction is perpendicular to the Y-axis direction, that is, perpendicular to the movement direction. When the motors rotate, the offset weights 23-1, 23-2 are oriented at different angles at all angles from 0° to 360°.

The embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 is a machine 1 for treating surfaces lying in the XY plane. The machine 1 has a body 9 having a body plate 16, a cleaning plate 5 positioned between the body plate 16 and the XY plane, and a cleaning plate 5 with a cleaning vibration in a vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane. It has a drive assembly (10) connected to the cleaning plate (5) for driving. The machine 1 is configured to flexibly attach the cleaning plate to the body plate 16 in a compressed state to allow the cleaning plate 5 to vibrate relative to the body plate 16 and isolate the cleaning vibration from the body. and an attachment assembly (50). Compression between the cleaning plate 5 and the body plate 16 is applied by the attachment assembly 50 . The attachment assembly 50 includes a plurality of pressing devices 28 connected between the cleaning plate 5 and the body plate 16 to bring the cleaning plate 5 and the body plate 16 towards each other. Attachment assembly 50 includes a plurality of rolling separators, such as ball bearings 91 , which are under pressure from compression devices 28 to separate cleaning plate 5 and body plate 16 .

5 shows a front view of the machine 1 of FIG. 3 , which includes a handle connector 15 - 1 , a body 9 , a skirt 8 , and a cleaning pad 6 .

또는 다른 부착 수단을 사용하여 세정판(5)에 부착한다. 세정판(6')은 일 구현예에서 세정 패드(6)가 도 3에서의 세정판(5)에 부착하는 것과 같은 방식으로 Velcro

또는 다른 부착 수단을 사용하여 세정판 연장기(5')에 부착한다.6 shows a front view with details of another embodiment of the surface treatment machine 1 . The machine 1 of FIG. 6 includes a drive assembly 10 , a body plate 196 , and a cleaning plate assembly 12 of the type described in connection with FIGS. 1 , 2 , and 3 . The drive assembly 10 includes motors 22'-1 and 22'-2 directly connected to the cleaning plate 5 . Motors 22'-1 and 22'-2 include offset weights 23-1 and 23-2, respectively. A cleaning plate extender 5 ′ is attached to the cleaning plate 5 . The cleaning plate extender 5' has a dimension larger than that of the cleaning plate 5 to accommodate the cleaning pad 6'. The cleaning pad 6 ′ is substantially larger than the cleaning plate 6 . The cleaning plate extender 5 ′ is in one embodiment Velcro in such a way that the cleaning pad 6 attaches to the cleaning plate 5 in FIG. 3 .

or other attachment means are used to attach to the cleaning plate 5 . The cleaning plate 6 ′ is in one embodiment Velcro in the same way that the cleaning pad 6 attaches to the cleaning plate 5 in FIG. 3 .

or other attachment means to attach to the cleaning plate extender 5'.

In Fig. 6, the offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 cause the cleaning plate 5, the cleaning plate extender 5', and the attached cleaning pad 6' to move in the XY plane, that is, a plane parallel to the floor. to vibrate in The body plate 16 is separated from the cleaning plate 5 by ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2. The pressing devices 28-1 and 28-2 allow the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 to approach each other, and the ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2 are connected to the body plate 16. and the cleaning plate 5 are held apart. The ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2 allow the body plate 16, the cleaning plate 5, and the cleaning plate extender 5' to slide parallel to each other in the XY plane, so that the cleaning plate (5), the cleaning plate extender 5', and the cleaning pad 6' are allowed to vibrate in the XY plane.

The larger cleaning pad 6' is advantageously driven by the larger motors 22'-1, 22'-2. One typical motor for motors 22-1 and 22-2 of FIG. 6 is the Turnigy Multistarr 4822-390KV, 22 pole outrunner motor, which operates with a maximum voltage of 22 volts and a maximum current of 15 amps. do. The total height of such a motor is 28 mm, and the RPM is in the range of 2500 to 5000 RPM. At a typical 12 volt operation, the motors rotate at approximately 4200 rpm. 7 shows a schematic top view of the machine 1 of FIG. 6 . Drive assembly 10 includes motors 22'-1 and 22'-2 connected directly to cleaning plate extender 5' via cleaning plate 5 (see FIG. 6). Motors 22'-1 and 22'-2 include offset weights 23-1 and 23-2, respectively. The offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 are caused by the operation of vibration of the cleaning plate 5 so that the cleaning plate extender 5' and the attached cleaning pad 6' are parallel to the XY plane, that is, to the floor. Let it vibrate in one plane (as described with respect to FIG. 6 ). The pressing devices 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, 28-4 bring the body plate 16 toward the cleaning plate 5 (with respect to the pressing devices 28-1, 28-2). as shown in Figure 6). A handle connector (15-1) is provided for connecting the handle to the body (9). The motors 22'-1, 22'-2 in FIGS. 6 and 7 may have the same size as the motors in FIG. 3, or alternatively for driving the larger cleaning pad 6'. You can have more power.

6 , body plate 16 and cleaning plate 5 measure approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) by 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) when viewed parallel to the XY plane in one exemplary embodiment. In one exemplary embodiment, the cleaning plate 5' measures approximately 14 inches (35.5 cm) by 8 inches (20 cm) when viewed parallel to the XY plane. In order to provide stability with respect to the machine 1, the height dimension H, which is approximately 40 mm, is much less than the minimum processing dimension, which is 0.25, M_D, which is 16.5 cm (see FIG. 4 ). With a ratio (H/M_D) of 4/20 equal to approximately 0.2, the machine 1 of FIG. 3 is very stable without any significant Z-axis instability.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a typical motor 22 of the type shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The motor 22 includes a motor shaft formed by a central shaft 21 and a rotor 41 rotating about a stator 42 . The stator 42 comprises legs 24 for mounting the motor and in particular the stator 42 . The rotor 41 has an offset weight 23 attached so that it tends to vibrate when the rotor rotates.

9 is a perspective view showing that two motors 22-1 and 22-2 of the type of FIG. 8 are attached to the cleaning plate 5 by feet 24-1 and 24-2, respectively. have.

FIG. 10 shows a corner perspective view of an embodiment of the machine 1 , wherein the pressing devices 28 - 1 , 28 - 3 provide for pressing between the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 . The motor 22-1 has an offset weight 23-1. The pressing devices 28-1 and 28-3 are O-rings, or provide compression between the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5, while the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 slide relative to each other. It is made of another resilient material that still has sufficient flexibility to allow it and thereby allow the cleaning plate 5 to vibrate. When the cleaning plate 5 vibrates with respect to the body plate 16, the pressing devices 28-1 and 28-3 are stretched, limiting the movement of the cleaning plate 5 with respect to the position of the body plate 16. The tendency is to apply increased compression. The increased compression tends to limit the movement of the cleaning plate 5 relative to the body plate 16 . Usually, the amplitude of the vibration is between 1 mm and 4 mm.

11 shows a schematic corner perspective view of another embodiment of a pressing device 28 ′, which provides compression between the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 . The crimping device 28' has end caps 41 and 16 formed of metal or other rigid material. The end cap 41 has a washer 42 made of plastic or other resilient material, which is pressed against the surface of the body plate 16 and pressed. The end cap 46 has a washer 45 made of plastic or other resilient material, which is pressed against the surface of the cleaning plate 16 and pressed against the surface of the cleaning plate 16 . A rigid connector 43 extends from the end cap 41 and engages a rigid connector 44 extending from the end cap 46 . In one embodiment, the spacing between the ends 41 , 46 can be adjusted by swapping one for the other so that the initial compression applied between the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 is adjusted to the desired amount. (43, 44) is threaded. When the cleaning plate 5 vibrates against the body plate 16, the shafts 43, 44 are inclined, and the end caps 41, 46 are also inclined, thereby applying increased pressure to the washers 42, 45. do. When the offset of the position of the cleaning plate 5 increases with respect to the position of the body plate 16, the inclination of the shafts 43 and 44 increases, and the pressing force against the elastic washers 42 and 45 increases. The increased compression tends to limit the movement of the cleaning plate 5 relative to the body plate 16 .

12 is a perspective view of another crimping device 28" that provides compression between the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5. The crimping device 28" includes end caps formed of metal or other rigid material. (41, 46). The end cap 41 has a washer 42 made of plastic or other resilient material that is pressed against the surface of the body plate 16 to a compressed state. The end cap 46 has a washer 45 made of plastic or other resilient material that abuts against the surface of the cleaning plate 16 and pushes it into a compressed state. A non-stretchable connector 44 ′ extends from the end cap 41 to the end cap 46 . In one embodiment, the connector 44 ′ has a fixed length that, when installed in a surface treatment machine, initially creates an applied compression between the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 . When the cleaning plate 5 vibrates against the body plate 16, the shaft 44' flexes, does not elongate and takes up a new position 44'-1, increasing the end caps 41 and 46. applied pressure to the washers (42, 45). 11, the end caps 41, 46 are tilted as the shaft 44' moves to the 44'-1 position so that the compression of the end caps 41, 46 against the washers 42, 45 is more uniform. do not support As the offset of the position of the cleaning plate 5 with respect to the position of the body plate 16 increases, the pressing forces on the elastic washers 42 and 45 increase. The increased compression tends to limit the movement of the cleaning plate 5 relative to the body plate 16 .

13 is a perspective view showing the inside of the pressing device 28' of FIG. 11 is shown. 11 , the pressing device 28 ′ drives the body plate 16 towards the cleaning plate 5 . A ball bearing 91-1 is firmly held in place between the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 . Cooperating with the crimping device 28 ′, the ball bearing 91-1 helps to provide a low friction interface between the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 , thereby cleaning the body plate 16 . Allow vibration of the plate (5). Since the ball bearing 91-1 is pressed and held between the cleaning plate 5 and the body plate 16, unwanted vibration in the Z-axis perpendicular direction perpendicular to the XY plane of the floor is avoided or minimized.

In FIG. 13 a portion of attachment assembly 50 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 ) includes a cleaning plate 5 and a body plate 28 ′ connected between the cleaning plate 5 and the body plate 16 . Let (16) approach each other. The attachment assembly 50 includes a rolling separator in the form of a ball bearing 91-1, which is pressurized from a pressing device 28', to separate the cleaning plate 5 and the body plate 16.

14 is a perspective view of another crimping device 28'″. The crimping device 28'″ has end caps 41 and 16 formed of metal or other rigid material. The end cap 41 has a washer 42 made of plastic or other elastic material that is pressed against the surface of the body plate 16 of FIG. 11 . The end cap 46 has a washer 45 made of plastic or other resilient material that is pressed against the surface of the cleaning plate 16 of FIG. 11 . A connector 44" extends from the end cap 41 to the end cap 46. In one embodiment, the connector 44" has a fixed length and, when installed in a surface treatment machine, the body plate 16 ) and the non-stretching which initially creates the compression applied between the cleaning plate 5 (see FIG. 11 ). The crimping device 28'" is tapered to a narrower diameter than the shaft 44" of FIG. 14, and is more flexible and bends when the cleaning plate 5 vibrates. , which is different from the pressing device 28″ of FIG. 12 .

Fig. 15 shows a front view of the crimping device 28'" of Fig. 14. The crimping device 28'" has end caps 41, 16 formed of metal or other rigid material. The end cap 41 has a washer 42 made of plastic or other elastic material that is pressed against the surface of the body plate 16 and pressed. The end cap 46 has a washer 45 made of plastic or other resilient material that is pressed against the surface of the cleaning plate 16 and pressed against the surface of the cleaning plate 16 (see FIG. 11 ). A connector 44" extends from the end cap 41 to the end cap 46. In one embodiment, the connector 44" has a fixed length and, when installed in a surface treatment machine, the body plate 16 ) and the non-stretching which initially creates the compression applied between the cleaning plate 5 (see FIG. 11 ). The crimping device 28'" is tapered to a narrower diameter than the shaft 44" of FIG. 14, and is more flexible and bends when the cleaning plate 5 vibrates. different from the compression device 28" of FIG.

Fig. 16 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the crimping device 28'" of Fig. 15. The crimping device 28"" has end caps 41', 46' formed of metal or other rigid material. The end caps 41', 46' have a slight curvature that follows the curvature encountered when the shaft 44'" is tilted while the cleaning plate 5 vibrates (see FIG. 11). The end cap 41' has a washer 42' made of plastic or other resilient material that is pressed against the surface of the body plate 16 while being pressed (see FIG. 11). The resilient washer 42' conforms to the curvature of the end cap 41'. The end cap 46' has a washer 45' made of plastic or other resilient material that presses against the surface of the cleaning plate 16 while pressing (see FIG. 11). The resilient washer 45' conforms to the curvature of the end cap 46'. A connector 44" extends from the end cap 41' to the end cap 46'. In one embodiment, the connector 44" is of a fixed length and when installed in a surface treatment machine, the body plate ( 16) and the non-stretching one that initially creates the compression applied between the cleaning plate 5 (see Fig. 11). The crimping device 28″″ is tapered to a narrower diameter than the shaft 44″ of FIG. 14 , and is more flexible and bends when the cleaning plate 5 vibrates. different from the compression device 28" of FIG. Resilient washers 42', 45' matching the curved end caps 41', 46' help ensure that the vibration of the cleaning plate 5 is smoothed (see Fig. 11).

17 shows a perspective view of another crimping device 44'" providing compression between the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5. The crimping device 44'" may be a conventional metal extension spring or alternative Typically, it is rubber or other non-metallic elastic material.

18 shows a displaced top view of four different positions of the cleaning plate 5 according to the machine 1 of FIGS. 3 and 4 . The four different positions are 95-1. Designated 95-2, 95-3, and 95-4, they represent many different positions of the machine 1 when subjected to vibration. In FIG. 18 , the rotors of the motors 22-1 and 22-2 rotate in opposite directions indicated by triangular symbols. In an embodiment with counter rotation of motors 22-1 and 22-2 as in FIG. 18 , hard surfaces such as wooden floors and rugs with short piles and loops In the field, cleaning is particularly appropriate. A vibration of 2 mm was found to be adequate for machines with an M_D of 6.5 inches minimum handling dimension (see Figure 1). In general, a small vibration of 1 to 4 mm is applied.

As shown in Fig. 18, at an instant in time, all of the offset weights 23-1, 23-2 are oriented as shown in a view 95-1 parallel to the X-axis direction at an angle of 180°. do. The X-axis direction is perpendicular to the vertical Y-axis direction, that is, perpendicular to the movement direction.

In FIG. 18 , offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 at another instant in time show a weight 23-1 having an angle of 270° with respect to the X-axis and a weight having an angle of 90° with respect to the X-axis. Oriented as shown in view 95-2 with 23-2.

In Fig. 18, the offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 at another instant in time show a weight 23-1 having an angle of 0° with respect to the X-axis and a weight having an angle of 0° with respect to the X-axis ( 23-2) as shown in view 95-3.

In FIG. 18, the offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 at another instant in time show the weight 23-1 having an angle of 90° with respect to the X-axis and the weight having an angle of 270° with respect to the X-axis ( 23-2) as shown in view 95-4.

Offset weights 23- at different instants in time at all angles from 0° to 360°, views 95-1, 95-2, 95-3, and 95-4 are examples when the rotor of the motors rotate 1, 23-2) is oriented. The offset weights 23-1, 23-2 in FIG. 18 are synchronized while the angular orientation for many rotations of the offset weights 23-1, 23-2 over 360° remains the same. Further, the offset weights 23-1, 23-2 in Fig. 18 are synchronized and phased to be substantially the same angle in the X-axis direction, that is, substantially in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction (at right angles). Synchronized and phased to the same angle. In particular, in the orientation of the view 95 - 1 , the offset weights 23 - 1 and 23 - 2 both form an angle of 180° with respect to the X axis. In particular, in the orientation of the view 95-3, the offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 both form an angle of 0° with respect to the X axis. A very good performance is achieved when the examples of orientation of views 95-1 and 95-3 have the same phase angle, ie 180° and 0°, when the phase angles are within approximately ±10° of each other. For example, the offset weight 23-1 may be at 20° when the offset weight 23-1 is at 0°.

19 is an unmoved top view of the cleaning plate 5 in four representative different positions of FIG. 18 . 95-1, 95-2 according to FIGS. 19, 10, and 14. Transmissions drive through four different locations, designated 95-3 and 95-4.

A top view of four different positions of the cleaning plate 5 using the machine 1 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown. The four different positions are 96-1, 96-2. 96-3, and 96-4. In FIG. 20 motors 22-1 and 22-2 rotate in the same direction and remain oriented. With the same direction of rotation of the motors 22-1 and 22-2 in embodiments, the cleaning action is particularly suitable for soft surfaces such as deep piles and rugs with loops. A vibration of 4 mm was found to be adequate for machines with an M_D of 7 inches minimum handling dimension (see Figure 1). For hard surfaces such as rugs with short piles and roofs, and hard surfaces such as wooden floors, a vibration of 2 mm was found to be adequate for machines with an M_D minimum treatment dimension of 6.5 inches. Generally, vibrations in the range of approximately 2 to 4 mm are applied. However, the range of vibrations may be greater for machines with different processing dimensions.

As shown in Fig. 20, at an instant in time, all of the offset weights 23-1, 23-2 are oriented as shown in the view 96-1 parallel to the X-axis direction at an angle of 180 DEG . The X-axis direction is perpendicular (at right angles) to the perpendicular Y-axis direction, that is, perpendicular to the direction of movement.

20, the offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 at another instant in time show a weight 23-1 having an angle of 270° with respect to the X-axis and a weight having an angle of 270° with respect to the X-axis. Oriented as shown in view 96-2 with 23-2.

In FIG. 20, offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 at another instant in time show a weight 23-1 having an angle of 0° with respect to the X-axis and a weight having an angle of 0° with respect to the X-axis. Oriented as shown in view 96-3 with 23-2.

20, the offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 at another instant in time show a weight 23-1 having an angle of 90° with respect to the X-axis and a weight having an angle of 90° with respect to the X-axis. Oriented as shown in view 96-4 with 23-2.

Offset weights 23- at different instants in time at all angles from 0° to 360°, views 96-1, 96-2, 96-3 and 96-4 are examples when the rotor of the motors rotate 1, 23-2) is oriented. The offset weights 23-1, 23-2 in FIG. 20 are synchronized while the angular orientation for many rotations of the offset weights 23-1, 23-2 over 360° remains the same. Further, the offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 in FIG. 20 are synchronized and phased to be substantially the same angle in the X-axis direction, that is, to be substantially the same angle in the direction perpendicular to the movement direction. Synchronized and phased. In particular, in the orientation of view 96-1, both offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 form an angle of 180° with respect to the X axis. In particular, in the orientation of the view 96-3, the offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 both form an angle of 0° with respect to the X axis. A very good performance is achieved when the examples of orientation of views 96-1 and 96-3 have the same phase angle, ie 180° and 0°, when the phase angles are within approximately ±10° of each other. For example, the offset weight 23-1 may be at 20° when the offset weight 23-1 is at 0°.

FIG. 21 shows an unmoved top view in four different positions of FIG. 20 with respect to the cleaning plate using the machine 1 of FIGS. 3 and 4 . The four different positions are 96-1, 96-2. 96-3, and 96-4.

22 shows a top view, moved in eight different positions of the cleaning plate 5 according to the machine 1 of FIGS. 3 and 4 . Eight different positions are designated 97-1, 97-2, ..., 97-8, and of the cleaning plate 5 of the machine 1 when the motors 22-1, 22-2 are out of synchronization. It represents many different locations. In Fig. 22, the motors 22-1 and 22-2 are rotated in opposite directions. With the motors of FIG. 22 , the drive shafts 21-1 and 21-2 remain oriented and are not synchronized. In an embodiment such as FIG. 22 where there is a counter rotation of the motors 22-1 and 22-2, a cleaning action is suitable for hardwood floors and for rugs with short piles and loops. A vibration of 2 mm was found to be adequate for machines with an M_D of 6.5 inches minimum handling dimension (see Figure 1). When the actuators 22-1, 22-2 are not synchronized, sometimes the machine 1 tends to pull in one direction or another in the XY plane. The minimum preferred phase orientation of offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 is view 97-8 with offset weight 23-1 at 0° and offset weight 23-2 at 180°. as shown in Synchronized operation, as described in connection with FIGS. 18-21 , avoids 180° out-of-phase states of view 97-8 in FIG. Avoid out-of-phase states.

23 is a perspective view of a typical motor 22' having an asymmetric offset weight 23'. The motor 22 includes a central shaft 21 and a rotor 41 rotating about a stator 42 (not explicitly shown). The stator 42 comprises legs 24 for mounting the motor and in particular the stator. The rotor 41 has an offset weight 23' attached so that when the rotor turns, the offset weight 23' rotates and thus causes vibration of what is attached to the leg 24. In the described embodiment, the ring 19 is attached to the rotor 41 . The ring 19 includes holes 30 only around the rotor 41 . Most of the holes 30 are empty, and a number of holes 31 are filled with a heavy material such as metal to form an offset weight 23'. The ring 19 is a fiber belt in one embodiment and includes a gear 51 having metal teeth in another embodiment.

24 shows a perspective view of two motors 22'-1. 22'-2 each having asymmetric weights 23'-1 and 23'-2, in which case the motors are synchronized. Motor 22'-1 includes a rotor 41-1 that rotates about a central shaft 21-1 attached to leg 24-1. The leg 24-1 is firmly attached to the cleaning plate 5 . The rotor 41-1 has an offset weight 23 attached so that the offset weight 23'-1 causes vibration of the cleaning plate 5 attached to the leg 24-1 when the rotor rotates, thus causing vibration. '-1). In the described embodiment, the ring 19-1 is attached to the rotor 41-1. The ring 19-1 includes holes 30-1 only around the rotor 41-1. Most of the holes 30 are empty, and a number of holes 31-1 are filled with a heavy material such as metal to form an offset weight 23'-1. The ring 19-1 includes a gear 51-1. Motor 22'-2 includes a rotor 41-2 that rotates about a central shaft 21-2 attached to leg 24-2. Legs 24 - 2 are firmly attached to the cleaning plate 5 . The rotor 41-2 has an offset weight 23 attached so that the offset weight 23'-2 causes vibration of the cleaning plate 5 attached to the leg 24-2 when the rotor rotates, thus causing vibration. '-2). In the described embodiment, the ring 19 - 2 is attached to the rotor 41 - 2 . The ring 19-2 includes holes 30-2 only around the rotor 41-2. Most of the holes 30 - 2 are empty, and a number of holes 31 - 2 are filled with a heavy material, such as metal, to form an offset weight 23'-2. The ring 19-2 includes a gear 51-2. The motors 22'-1 and 22'-2 have teeth in which the gear 51-1 meshes with the teeth of the gear 51-2, so that the rotation of the rotors 41-2 and 41-2 is Positioned to be synchronized. Through this synchronization, the motors 22'-1 and 22'-2 rotate in opposite directions, and oscillating operation is effected as described in connection with FIGS. 18 and 19 .

25 is a perspective view of a pair of drive gears 37-1 and 37-2. The drive gears 37-1 and 37-2 each have asymmetric offset weights 23'-1. 23'-2. Drive gears 37-1 and 37-2 rotate around spindles 21-1 and 21-2, respectively. Spindles 21-1 and 21-2 are attached to a stator (not shown) and feet 24-1 and 24-2, respectively, and these feet 24-1 and 24-2 are bolted and welded. or attached to the cleaning plate 5 by other fixing means. Drive gears 37-1 and 37-2 are driven by synchronization gears 38-1 and 38-2, respectively. The synchronization gears 38-1 and 38-2 are attached to the cleaning plate 5 through bushings 39-1 and 39-2, respectively. When the synchronization gear 38-2 turns clockwise, the drive gear 37-2 and the synchronization gear 21-3 turn counterclockwise. When the synchronizing gear 21-3 turns counterclockwise, the driving gear 37-1 turns in a clockwise direction opposite to the counterclockwise direction of the driving gear 37-2.

26 is a schematic top view of the gears 37-1 and 37-2 and the gears 38-1 and 38-2 of FIG. 25, showing the motor 22-3 and the pulleys 35-1 and 35- 2), and with a belt 36 for driving the gears. 25 and 26, a single motor 22-3 drives two separate offset drivers 37-1 and 37-2 in opposite directions and synchronously.

27 is a schematic front view showing further details of one embodiment of a drive assembly 10 having a drive motor 22 ′-1 and a cleaning plate 5 , which are shown in the machine 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 . ) is suitable for The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 22'-1 connected directly to the cleaning plate 5 . Motor 22'-1 includes an offset weight 23'-1. The offset weight 23'-1 causes the cleaning plate 5 and the attached cleaning pad 6 to vibrate in the XY plane, that is, in a plane parallel to the floor. The body plate 16 is separated from the cleaning plate 5 by ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2. The pressing devices 28-1 and 28-2 allow the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 to approach each other, and the ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2 are connected to the body plate 16 and The cleaning plate 5 is held apart. The ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2 allow the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 to slide parallel to each other in the XY plane, thereby allowing the cleaning plate to vibrate in the XY plane. The crimping devices 28-1, 28-2 may be any equivalent crimping devices, such as those described in connection with FIGS. 11-17.

27 shows that the motor 22'-1 is connected to the cleaning plate 5 and not connected to the body plate 16 or any other part of the body 9. The body 9 includes an opening 14-1 through which the motor 22'-1 extends without contacting the body 9. The battery unit 17' provides battery power to drive the motor 22'-1.

FIG. 28 shows a schematic top view of the machine 1 of FIG. 17 . The drive assembly 10 includes a motor 22'-1 connected directly to the cleaning plate 5 . The motor 22-1 includes an offset weight 23'-1. The offset weight 23-1 causes the cleaning pad 6 attached in the XY plane, i.e., in a plane parallel to the floor by operation of the cleaning plate 5, to vibrate (as described in connection with FIG. 3 ). The pressing devices 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, and 28-4 bring the body plate 16 toward the cleaning plate 5 (the pressing devices 28-1, 28-2). as shown in Figure 3). A handle connector 15 - 1 is provided for connecting the handle to the body 9 .

FIG. 29 shows four different positions of the cleaning plate 5 , shown by way of example, when the single motor of FIGS. 27 and 28 drives the cleaning plate 5 . The four different positions are designated 98-1, 98-2, 98-3, and 98-4.

Fig. 30 is a top view of Fig. 29 in four different positions. The four different positions are designated 98-1, 98-2, 98-3, and 98-4.

Figure 31 is a bottom view of the body plate 16 of Figure 3 is shown. The body plate 16 has pockets 81 for receiving the ball bearings, which pockets 81 include pockets 83-1, 83-2, 83-3, and 83-4. The body plate 16 has notches 83-1, 83-2, 83- for receiving the crimp O-rings 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, and 28-4 of FIG. 3, and 83-4).

FIG. 32 shows a cross-sectional view of the body plate 16 of FIG. 31 taken along section line 32-32' of FIG. Body plate 16 includes deep recesses 81-2, 81-4 for holding ball bearings, such as ball bearing 91, usually shown as recess 81-2.

33 is a top view of the cleaning plate 5 of FIG. 31 is shown. The cleaning plate 5 has pockets 82 for receiving the ball bearings in pockets 81-1, 81-2, 81-3, 81-4 of the body plate 16 of FIG. 31, respectively; These pockets 82 include pockets 82-1, 82-2, 82-3, and 82-4. The cleaning plate 16 has notches 84-1, 84-2, 84-3, and 84-4).

FIG. 34 shows a cross-sectional view of the cleaning plate 5 of FIG. 33 taken along section line 34-34' of FIG. Body plate 16 includes deep recesses 81-2, 81-4 for holding ball bearings, such as ball bearing 91, usually shown as recess 81-2. The cleaning plate 5 includes shallow recesses 82-2 and 82-4 for engaging ball bearings, such as the ball bearing 91 in FIG. 22 . The shallow recesses 82-2 and 82-4 lie parallel to the deep recesses 81-2 and 81-4 when the body plate 16 is placed parallel to the cleaning plate 5. Ball bearings such as the ball bearing 91 are located in the deep recesses 81-2 and 81-4 and contact the shallow recesses 82-2 and 82-4. The diameter of the ball bearings is such that the ball bearings hold the body plate 16 away from the cleaning plate 5, with shallow recesses 82-2 and 82-4 and deep recesses 81-2 and 81-4. greater than the combined depth of

In FIG. 35 a fixed body plate 16 is adjacent to the cleaning plate 5 and is in particular removed from the cleaning plate 5 by means of rolling bearings such as ball bearings 91-2 and 91-4 shown as typical. leaned over and held on The ball bearings 91-2 roll in the recess 81-2 in the body plate 16, and roll in the recess 82-2 in the cleaning plate 5. The ball bearings 91-4 roll in the recess 81-4 in the body plate 16, and roll in the recess 82-4 in the cleaning plate 5.

FIG. 36 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 35 with a fixed body plate 16 adjacent to the cleaning plate 5 and held offset from the cleaning plate 5 by a single rolling bearing, a ball bearing 91 . have. The ball bearings 91 are usually ball bearings 91-2 and 91-4. The ball bearing 91 has a diameter D _b large enough to maintain a gap by dimension C to separate the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 . The diameter D _b is equal to a sufficient height H _b to maintain the clearance C when the ball bearing is in the pockets 81 , 82 . The diameter Dc of the pockets 81 , 82 is substantially larger than the diameter D _b to enable the cleaning plate 5 to vibrate in the XY plane relative to the fixed body plate 16 .

FIG. 37 shows an enlarged view of FIG. 36 with a fixed body plate 16 adjacent to the cleaning plate 5 and held offset from the cleaning plate 5 by a ball bearing 91 . The cleaning plate 5 was moved by a maximum amount in one direction along the Y axis. Since the diameter Dc of the cavity is large enough to allow such movement, the ball bearing 91 has sufficient room in the pockets 81 , 82 to allow movement of the cleaning plate 5 . have

FIG. 38 shows an enlarged view of FIG. 36 with a fixed body plate 16 adjacent to the cleaning plate 5 and held offset from the cleaning plate 5 by a ball bearing 91 . The cleaning plate 5 was moved by a maximum amount in one direction along the Y axis opposite to the direction of movement in FIG. 37 . Since the diameter Dc of the cavity is large enough to allow such movement, the ball bearing 91 has sufficient space in the pockets 81 , 82 to allow movement of the cleaning plate 5 .

39 shows a battery and synchronizer unit 17 for driving the first motor 22-1 and the second motor 22-2. The first position sensor 94-1 detects the position of the rotor 41-1 of the first motor 22-1, and the second position sensor 94-2 detects the position of the second motor 22-1. Detects the position of the rotor 41-2. The first position sensor 94-1 provides a first position signal indicating the position of the rotor 41-1 of the first motor 22-1 to the controller 93, and the second position sensor 94- 2) provides the controller 93 with a second position signal indicating the position of the rotor 41-2 of the first motor 22-2. The first position signal originally indicates the position of the first offset weight 23-1, and the second position signal originally indicates the position of the second offset weight 23-2. The controller 93 analyzes the difference between the first position signal and the second position signal, and the difference approaches zero, so that the angular position of the first offset weight 23-1 and the second offset weight 23- The first motor 22-1 and the second motor 22-2 are driven so that the angular positions of 2) are the same.

40 shows a schematic top view of a part of the surface treatment machine 1 . The surface treatment machine 1 has a first motor 22-1 and a second counter rotating motor 22-2. The first motor 22-1 and the second motor 22-2 have stators connected to the cleaning plate 5 . The first motor 22-1 has a rotor rotating in a counterclockwise direction, and the second motor 22-2 has a rotor rotating in a clockwise direction. The first motor 22-1 and the second motor 22-2 are positioned forward in the Y-axis direction of the connector 15-1, which is a part of the handle assembly 15 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). ). The rotating first motor 22-1 and the second motor 22-2 have rotational momentum and are thus bounded by a known physics principle known as conservation of rotational momentum. As a result, the first motor 22-1 tends to generate a force vector Vcc in the Y-axis direction, and the second motor 22-2 tends to generate a force vector Vc in the Y-axis direction. There is this. As a result of these force vectors, the cleaning plate 5 and the attached first motor 22-1, and the second motor 22-2 are the first motor attached with the cleaning plate 5' indicated by the displaced broken line. As shown by (22-1') and the second motor 22-2', it tends to be driven in the Y-axis direction. Driving forces resulting from force vectors have been found to be beneficial and contribute significantly to ease of operation when advancing a surface treatment machine over a surface being cleaned or otherwise treated.

41 is a front view with additional details of one embodiment of the drive assembly 10, body plate 16, and cleaning plate assembly 12 of FIG. 1 . The drive assembly 10 includes motors 22-1 and 22-2 directly connected to the cleaning plate 5 . The motors 22-1 and 22-2 include offset weights 23-1 and 23-2, respectively. The offset weights 23-1 and 23-2 cause the cleaning plate 5 and the attached cleaning pad 6 to vibrate in the XY plane, that is, in a plane parallel to the floor. The cleaning pad 6 is attached to the cleaning plate 5 by a connecting device 74 . In one embodiment, the connecting device comprises on one side a loop surface for attaching to hook elements 53 which are rigidly attached to the cleaning plate 5 . The body plate 16 is separated from the cleaning plate 5 by ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2. The pressing devices 28-1 and 28-2 allow the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 to approach each other, and the ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2 are connected to the body plate 16 and The cleaning plates 5 are held apart from each other. The ball bearings 91-1 and 91-2 allow the body plate 16 and the cleaning plate 5 to slide parallel to each other and parallel to the XY plane, whereby the cleaning plate vibrates parallel to the XY plane. allow to do

Motors 22-1 and 22-2 are connected to a cleaning plate 5 which is not connected to the body plate 16 or to any other part of the body 9 . The body 9 includes openings 14-1, 14-2 through which the motors 22-1, 22-2 extend without contacting the body 9. Motors 22-1, 22-2 preferably have small dimensions in the Z-axis direction perpendicular to the XY plane to help lower the center of gravity of the machine 1 towards the XY plane.

In FIG. 41 , a power unit 117 provides power to drive the motors 22-1 and 22-2. When the power unit 117 includes a battery and a synchronizer, the weights 23-1 and 23-2 rotate predetermined by operation of an electrical signal to and from the motors 22-1 and 22-2. direction is maintained. In operation, the first offset weight 23-1 and the second offset weight 23-2 are maintained at a synchronized rotation angle. The synchronized rotation angle is the same angle repeatedly for each rotation of the motors. For example, if the first offset weight 23-1 is 90° for each rotation, and the second offset weight 23-2 is also 90°, the first offset weight 23-1 and the second offset The weight 23-2 is a synchronized rotation angle. The synchronized rotation angle can be any value. According to another example, the first offset weight 23-1 may be 0° and the second offset weight 23-2 may be 180° with respect to each rotation. When the rotation angles are different during different rotations, the first offset weight 23-1 and the second offset weight 23-2 are maintained at the rotation angles that are not synchronized. For example, the first offset weight 23-1 is 90° with respect to one rotation, the second offset weight 23-2 is 90° with respect to another rotation, and the first offset weight 23-1 is about another rotation. is 90°, and if the second offset weight 23-2 is 75°, the first offset weight 23-1 and the second offset weight 23-2 are rotation angles that are not synchronized.

When the power unit 117 includes a battery and does not include a synchronization device, the weights 23-1, 23-2 are not held in a predetermined rotational direction, but during operation so that an unsynchronized operation is obtained. It tends to be in a random rotational direction that varies. Unsynchronized operation causes the offset weights to be at a synchronized angle of rotation, and at a different angle of rotation at different times.

In Fig. 41, pressing devices 28-1, 28-2, connected between the cleaning plate 5 and the body plate 16 to bring the cleaning plate 5 and the body plate 16 towards each other, The attachment assembly 50 includes a plurality of compression devices such as Crimping devices such as devices 28-1 and 28-2 are, for example, O-rings, springs, elastic bands or cushion shaft connectors. The crimping devices 28-1, 28-2 in the embodiment of FIG. 41 are O-rings. Attachment assembly 50, such as ball bearings 91-1, 91-2, under pressure from compression devices 28-1, 28-2 to separate cleaning plate 5 and body plate 16 a plurality of rolling separators.

In FIGS. 42 , 43 , and 44 , three layers of one embodiment of the connecting device 74 are shown. These three layers form a loop and hook embodiment of the connecting device 74 .

In FIG. 42 the roof layer 73 is one of the layers forming part of the loop and hook assembly. The loops of the roof layer 73 form a good rope and hook fastening to the hook elements 53 that are securely attached to the cleaning plate 5 of FIG. 41 .

In FIG. 43 plastic layer 72 is another one of the layers forming part of connection device 74 .

In FIG. 44 , the hook layer 71 is another one of the layers forming part of the connecting device 74 .

In FIG. 45 , an interior view of the loop and hoop embodiment of the connecting device 74 is visible, formed by the combination of the layers of FIGS. 42 , 43 , and 44 . The layers 71 , 72 , 73 are attached together to form a loop and hook embodiment of the connecting device 74 as one piece. In one embodiment, the layers 71 , 72 , 73 are stitched together to form a single attachment structure 74 . The roof layer 73 is designed to be secured to the hooks 53 of the cleaning plate 12 (see FIG. 41 ). Loop and hook fixation made with loops of hooks 53 and layers 73 uses “small hooks” of about 0.04 inches. Similarly, hook layer 71 provides “small hooks” of about 0.04 inches. As an alternative, hook layer 71 provides “large hooks” ranging between 0.08 inches and 0.25 inches. In one embodiment, the hooks are 0.10 inches. With a selection of small hooks and large hooks for each of the layers 73 , 71 , the loop and hook connection device 74 functions as a hook size converter. Small hooks are useful for securing loops and hooks to the cleaning plate 12 . Large hooks are useful for loop and hook fixation to cleaning heads such as floor pad heads. In addition to being a hook size converter, the loop and hook assembly 74 functions as a barrier to prevent dust and liquids from penetrating into the cleaning plate 12 of FIG. 41 . Accordingly, the loop and hook connection device 74 is generally larger than the cleaning plate 12 . In one embodiment, the cleaning plate 12 measures 7 inches by 11 inches and the loop and hook connection device 74 measures 8 inches by 12 inches.

Although in one embodiment the loop and hook connection device 74 is formed using three independent layers 71 , 72 , 73 other structures may be formed. For example, the hooks in layer 71 can be cast as part of plastic layer 72 , thereby obviating the need for layer 71 . As a further alternative to the connection device 74 , the hook elements 53 of FIG. 41 and the loop layers 73 of FIGS. 42 and 45 may be connected by clips, latches, or other attachment mechanisms, 43 and 45 can be removed by allowing the layers 72 to adhere directly to the cleaning plate 5 .

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (21)

A machine for processing surfaces lying in the XY plane, comprising:
a body having a body plate,
a cleaning plate located between the body plate and the XY plane;
a drive assembly coupled to the cleaning plate for driving the cleaning plate with cleaning vibrations in a vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane;
and an attachment assembly for flexibly attaching the cleaning plate to the body plate in a compressed state to allow the cleaning plate to vibrate relative to the body plate and isolate the cleaning vibration from the body. The method of claim 1,
The attachment assembly comprises:
a plurality of pressing devices connected between the cleaning plate and the body to bring the cleaning plate and the body toward each other;
and a plurality of rolling separators in compression from the pressing device to separate the cleaning plate and the body plate. 3. The method of claim 2,
The crimping devices are one or more of O-rings, springs, elastic bands, cushion shaft connectors. 3. The method of claim 2,
wherein the rolling separators are ball bearings. 3. The method of claim 2,
each crimping device crimping a corresponding rolling separator. 3. The method of claim 2,
The compression device includes a cushion shaft connector having a first end and a second end, the first end including a first compression washer and a first end cap for engaging the body plate in a compressed state, The second end includes a second compression washer and a second end cap for engaging the cleaning plate in a compressed state, so that the first end cap and the first pressing washer and the second end cap in a vibrating state of the cleaning plate and the second compression washer applies increasing pressure at the moving end of the cleaning plate during cleaning vibrations. The method of claim 1,
the drive assembly comprising a motor;
The motor is
a stator fixed to the cleaning plate;
a rotor rotating on a motor shaft about the stator;
and an offset weight rotated asymmetrically by the rotor about the motor axis, wherein the cleaning plate is driven with vibration in a vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane. 8. The method of claim 7,
wherein the motor is a DC motor. 9. The method of claim 8,
and a battery for powering the DC motor. The method of claim 1,
the drive assembly comprising a first motor device and a second motor device;
The first motor device,
a first stator fixed to the cleaning plate;
a first rotor rotating in a first direction about the first stator and a first motor shaft; and
and a first offset weight attached to the first rotor and rotated by the first rotor about the first motor axis such that the cleaning plate is driven with a first vibration in a first vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane; ,
The second motor device,
a second stator fixed to the cleaning plate;
a second rotor rotating in a second direction about the second stator and a second motor shaft; and
and a second offset weight attached to the second rotor and rotated by the second rotor about the second motor axis such that the cleaning plate is driven with a second vibration in a second vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane; ,
whereby the cleaning plate has a combined vibration formed by the combination of the first vibration pattern and the second vibration pattern. 11. The method of claim 10,
wherein the first direction is clockwise and the second direction is counterclockwise. 11. The method of claim 10,
wherein the drive assembly includes a synchronization device for synchronizing rotation of the first rotor and the second rotor such that the first offset weight and the second offset weight are maintained at a synchronized rotation angle. 13. The method of claim 12,
the first rotor and the second rotor respectively have a first phase angle and a second phase angle measured in an axis normal to the direction of movement of the machine with respect to the first offset weight and the second offset weight, respectively;
wherein the synchronizer is operative to maintain substantially equal first and second phase angles. 13. The method of claim 12,
wherein the synchronizer comprises mechanical gears. 13. The method of claim 12,
the synchronization device comprises an electronic feedback network;
The electronic feedback network,
A first sensor for detecting the position of the first rotor with a first position signal,
a second sensor for detecting the position of the second rotor with a second position signal;
a controller responsive to the first position signal and the second position signal to drive the first motor and the second motor, wherein the first offset weight and the second offset weight are synchronized to a synchronized rotational angle; A machine maintained by becoming. The method of claim 1,
wherein the cleaning plate includes a vibrating substrate, a towel support plate connected to the vibrating substrate, and a cleaning towel attached to the towel support plate. The method of claim 1,
wherein the connector includes a handle so that a user can move the machine on a floor lying in the XY plane. A machine for processing surfaces lying in the XY plane, comprising:
a body having a body plate,
a cleaning plate located between the body plate and the XY plane;
a drive assembly coupled to the cleaning plate for driving the cleaning plate with cleaning vibrations in a vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane;
an attachment assembly for flexibly attaching the cleaning plate to the body plate in a compressed state to allow the cleaning plate to vibrate relative to the body plate and isolate the cleaning vibration from the body;
a connector attached to the body to receive a member for moving the machine in the XY plane;
the drive assembly comprising a first motor device and a second motor device;
The first motor device,
a first stator fixed to the cleaning plate;
a first rotor rotating in a first direction about the first stator and a first motor shaft;
a first offset weight attached to the first rotor and rotated by the first rotor about the first motor axis so that the cleaning plate is driven with a first vibration in a first vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane. have,
The second motor device,
a second stator fixed to the cleaning plate;
a second rotor rotating in a second direction about the second stator and a second motor shaft;
a second offset weight attached to the second rotor and rotated by the second rotor about the second motor axis so that the cleaning plate is driven with a second vibration in a second vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane. by having,
and the cleaning plate has a cleaning vibration formed by combining the first vibration pattern and the second vibration pattern. 19. The method of claim 18,
The attachment assembly comprises:
a plurality of pressing devices connected between the cleaning plate and the body to bring the cleaning plate and the body toward each other;
a plurality of rolling separators in compression from the pressing devices to separate the cleaning plate and the body plate. 19. The method of claim 18,
wherein the drive assembly has a height dimension (H), the cleaning plate has a minimum processing dimension (M_D), and the ratio (H/M_D) is less than 0.25. A machine for processing surfaces lying in the XY plane, comprising:
a body having a body plate,
a cleaning plate located between the body plate and the XY plane;
a drive assembly coupled to the cleaning plate for driving the cleaning plate with cleaning vibrations in a vibration pattern parallel to the XY plane;
an attachment assembly for flexibly attaching the cleaning plate to the body plate in a compressed state to allow the cleaning plate to vibrate relative to the body plate and isolate the cleaning vibration from the body;
a connection device having one side for connection to the cleaning plate and another side for connection to the cleaning pad.

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