TW201907844A - Cleaning device with suction nozzle and mechanical cleaning element that is provided with a motor-driven oscillation plate - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning device (1), which comprises a housing (2), a suction nozzle (3), and a cleaning element (5) that mechanically acts on a surface-to-be-cleaned (4) during cleaning operation of the cleaning device (1), wherein the suction nozzle (3) is movable relative to the cleaning element (3) from a first position to a second position and vice versa, wherein a vertical projection of the suction nozzle (3) on the surface-to-be-cleaned (4) in a regular operation position of the cleaning device (1) projects beyond an outline of the housing (2) and/or the cleaning element (5) in the first position and is encompassed by the outline in the second position. In order to carry out cleaning with the cleaning element (5) until abutting an obstacle (10), the present invention proposes that the cleaning device (1) is provided with a motor-driven oscillation plate (14) for anti-rotatably supporting the cleaning element (5), particularly for holding a carrying board that accommodates the cleaning element (5) in a releasable manner.

Description

 Cleaning device with nozzle and mechanical cleaning element  

The present invention relates to a cleaning device having a housing, a nozzle, and a cleaning member that mechanically acts on a surface to be cleaned during a cleaning operation of the cleaning device, wherein the nozzle is movable relative to the cleaning member from the first position to a second position, and vice versa, wherein the nozzle is associated with a vertical projection of the cleaning device on the surface to be cleaned in a conventional operating position, protruding in the first position from the contour of the housing and/or the cleaning element, In the second position it is surrounded by its contour.

A number of different embodiments of cleaning devices of the above type have been disclosed in the prior art. Such cleaning devices can be, for example, vacuum cleaners or wet cleaning devices with suction nozzles. These cleaning devices can be constructed as separate cleaning devices or as an add-on to the basic equipment that connects the cleaning devices. Furthermore, such cleaning devices may be in the form of a self-propelled cleaning device or a self-propelled cleaning device, such as in the form of an autonomous cleaning robot.

The patent publication US 2008/0 141 485 A1, for example, discloses a cleaning robot having a cleaning brush with a bottom surface and a movable suction arm, which can extend its suction arm to the contour of the housing of the cleaning robot for further Clean the corner of the room well.

Based on the above prior art, it is an object of the present invention to improve a cleaning device such that the cleaning device provides a user with gain value and can be optimally cleaned, particularly in front of walls and/or obstacles.

The solution to achieve the above object of the invention consists in that the cleaning device has a motor-driven rocker plate for holding its cleaning elements in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular for a carrier plate that releasably retains its cleaning elements.

According to the invention, the cleaning device has a motor-driven rocker plate for holding its cleaning elements in a rotationally fixed manner. The rocker can be used in particular for a carrier plate that releasably retains its cleaning elements. According to this solution, the cleaning device has a rocking-driven rocker plate on which the cleaning element can be arranged directly, or particularly preferably the carrier plate carrying the cleaning element is releasably arranged on the rocker plate. The cleaning element is moved in a rocking manner by rocking the plate. If the cleaning element is attached to the carrier and the carrier is placed on the rocker, the cleaning element performs a rocking motion of the rocker. For example, the rocking plate can be oscillated in a circular shape by an electric motor type eccentric drive device. In particular, the invention proposes that the nozzle can be moved relative to the cleaning element at least such that it can be moved behind the path of movement of the cleaning element which is moved in the direction of movement relative to the direction of movement of the cleaning element in the direction of movement. A specific implementation thereof is that if the cleaning element is here allowed to be arranged relative to the housing, the cleaning element can pass through the nozzle without any hindrance to clean directly in front of an obstacle such as a wall.

This cleaning device is optimized so that it is also possible to optimally clean the area in front of the floor wall connection area, in the corner of the room and/or in front of the obstacle which is normally not accessible by the cleaning elements. By moving the nozzle from the first position to the second position, the distance between the cleaning element and the obstacle, the wall or other object protruding from the surface to be cleaned is reduced, so that the cleaning device can be further moved closer to the whole. Cleaning is performed there by means of cleaning elements. In this case, the nozzle can be held on the cleaning device to move the cleaning device from the first position to the second position upon contact or detection of an object raised from the surface to be cleaned. The distance measuring device of the cleaning device, for example, can detect the distance to the object, according to a defined reference distance between the cleaning device and the object to induce displacement of the nozzle. In addition, for example, the signal of the contact sensor disposed on the casing or the nozzle of the cleaning device can also be used to induce displacement of the nozzle. In addition, the nozzle can be moved from the first position to the second position based on contact with the object. If the cleaning element is associated with the orientation of the cleaning device during the normal operating position, which is arranged below the housing and preferably protrudes to the edge region of the housing, it is permeable to the nozzle between the object and the housing. Displacement, directing the cleaning element to the object in close proximity to completely clean the surface in front of its object in the event that the cleaning element comes into contact with the object. The cleaning element of the cleaning device can be, for example, a cleaning cloth which is arranged on a planar carrier and is guided within the scope of the surface to be cleaned. Furthermore, the cleaning element can also be a brush or cylindrical brush cylinder having a bristle element disposed on a planar body that rotates about a substantially horizontal axis or a vertical axis. In this case, the cleaning elements can be dry cleaned and/or wet cleaned to the surface to be cleaned.

In particular, the invention proposes that the first position of the nozzle is a suction position close to the surface to be cleaned, and the second position of the nozzle is a standby position that is farther from the surface to be cleaned than the first position. In the first position, in particular, the nozzle is brought close to the surface to be cleaned such that the suction opening of the nozzle applies a negative pressure to the surface to be cleaned. In this case, the housing of the nozzle can be placed directly on the surface to be cleaned, or in particular by a sealing element such as a sealing lip or bristle strip, at a distance from the surface to be cleaned. In the second position, the nozzle is removed from the surface to be cleaned, in particular lifted, and moved back into the housing or under the housing, or back to the outer edge region of the cleaning element, such that the nozzle The housing and/or cleaning elements of the cleaning device are not highlighted. In the second position, the suction nozzle can, for example, be transferred into the housing of the cleaning device or moved within the scope of the housing in relation to the orientation of the cleaning device during the normal operating position, or the nozzle can be associated therewith. The current direction of movement of the cleaning device is moved to the rear of the housing. In particular, the nozzle can be moved in the standby position so that it is not visible to the user from the outside and/or the shape is correspondingly inserted into the housing, for example, a recess that is inserted into the housing and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the nozzle. a groove adapted to receive the nozzle.

Furthermore, the invention proposes that in the first position, the nozzle is associated with the conventional direction of movement of the cleaning device during the cleaning operation in front of the cleaning element. If the cleaning device refers to a cleaning device held by a user, in order to clean a surface during successive forward and reverse movements, the cleaning device typically moves perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of the suction opening of the nozzle. Wherein the user follows a parallel movement trajectory within the range of the surface to be cleaned. When a self-propelled cleaning device is employed, the cleaning device typically moves in accordance with the direction of rolling of the drive wheels disposed on the cleaning device. The direction of rolling is generally oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the suction opening of the nozzle. In the first position, the nozzle is in front of the cleaning element along the direction of movement so that suction cleaning is first performed on the surface to be cleaned before the surface is mechanically treated by the cleaning element in the second position. This is advantageous because the dirt on the surface, especially such as pebbles or the like, in other cases the cleaning elements that may be mechanically applied to the surface will press onto the surface and cause scraping there. Injury or the like. Therefore, the nozzle is arranged on the cleaning device such that the nozzle first reaches the partition of the surface to be cleaned, and the mechanically acting cleaning element then reaches the partition.

Furthermore, the invention proposes that the nozzle is arranged on the cleaning device by means of at least one spring element. According to this technical solution, the nozzle is held on the cleaning device by means of one or more spring elements. Its spring element can be, for example, a coil spring, a leaf spring or the like. The spring element assists the nozzle in moving relative to the housing or cleaning device and transmits a direction to determine the preferred position of the nozzle, the restoring force of the spring element acting in that direction. The spring element or the spring elements may correspond to a guiding device that rotates the displacement movement of the nozzle to a particular direction to move the nozzle from the defined first position to the defined second position.

The invention proposes that the nozzle can be moved to the first position with the restoring force of the spring element, and that the nozzle can be moved to the second position against its restoring force. If the first position refers to the suction position of the nozzle adjacent to the surface to be cleaned, the nozzle is guided in the preferred position to the surface to be cleaned or placed on the surface to be cleaned. In order to proceed from this point to reach its second position, i.e., preferably the position of the nozzle to be removed or lifted from the surface to be cleaned, the restoring force of the spring element is overcome. This can be achieved, for example, by the fact that when the nozzle rests against the obstacle, the cleaning device is moved further towards the obstacle, the spring element of which is in turn pressed against its restoring force. Once the force opposite to its restoring force disappears, the spring element again relaxes in the direction of the first position of the nozzle, again producing the preferred position.

In particular, the invention proposes that the nozzle is arranged on the cleaning device by means of a pivoting mechanism. Its pivoting mechanism can have a pivoting arm that can move around the pivot axis to support the nozzle. The pivoting mechanism is adapted to move the nozzle from the first position to the second position and vice versa. The lever mechanism may correspond to a servo motor adapted to move its pivoting mechanism relative to the housing or cleaning element of the cleaning device between different positions of the nozzle. On the other hand, the pivoting mechanism can also be manually operated by the user of the cleaning device or by moving the cleaning device toward the object by the nozzle, at which point the pivoting mechanism is operated again.

In particular, the invention proposes that the nozzle can be moved from the first position to the second position when the contact with the obstacle occurs, in particular when the cleaning device moves in the direction of the obstacle, the nozzle contacts the obstacle. Then, it is moved by the driving force of the electric motor type driving device of the cleaning device. Therefore, the nozzle is held on the cleaning device to move the nozzle from the first position to the second position upon contact with the obstacle. By the relative movement of the cleaning device to the obstacle, in the case of maintaining contact between the nozzle and the obstacle, for example, the driving force of the cleaning device overcomes the restoring force of the spring element to reach the second position. The working principle of the mobile nozzle can be applied to both the cleaning device manually guided by the user and the self-propelled cleaning device. Furthermore, this embodiment is also suitable for moving the nozzle through the lever mechanism. In this case, the lever pivotable about the pivot axis can be deflected against the object and, as the case may be, the restoring force of the spring element. Wherein the lever mechanism pivots the nozzle to the second position. To this end, the lever supporting the nozzle is supported relative to the object, and as the cleaning device moves, the lever is deflected about its pivoting axis toward its object. Wherein, when the cleaning device is moved toward an obstacle or a wall, the suction nozzle is for example attached to an obstacle or a wall to avoid the abutment surface.

In particular, the invention provides that the suction nozzle has at least one roller and/or sliding element for abutting against the obstacle and/or rolling over the obstacle. The obstacle may be an object that is raised from the surface to be cleaned, such as a piece of furniture or a wall. The nozzle can be rolled by the roller to avoid the obstacle. The nozzle can slide along the obstacle with a small frictional resistance by the sliding element. The resistance that occurs when moving the nozzle relative to the obstacle is greatly reduced. At least one roller or at least one sliding element can guide the movement of the nozzle on the obstacle such that the nozzle follows a defined trajectory from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position . Embodiments having rollers or sliding elements disposed on the nozzle are suitable not only for cleaning devices having a pivoting mechanism, but also for cleaning devices having spring elements that hold the nozzles on the cleaning device.

This cleaning device can be a wet cleaning device or an add-on for a wet cleaning device. In this case, the cleaning element is preferably a wet cleaning element, in particular a rag, to which a liquid can be applied. The rag may be disposed over a cleaning roller that rotates about a horizontal or vertical axis of rotation, or on a carrier plate that is placed substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned during the cleaning operation of the cleaning device On, and carry out a circular movement.

1‧‧‧ cleaning device

2‧‧‧Shell

3‧‧‧ nozzle

4‧‧‧ (to be cleaned) surface

5‧‧‧ cleaning components

6‧‧‧Edge area

7‧‧‧ moving direction

8‧‧‧Spring elements

9‧‧‧ pivoting mechanism

10‧‧‧ obstacles

11‧‧‧ Roller

12‧‧‧Additions

13‧‧‧Basic equipment

14‧‧‧ rocking board

15‧‧‧sucking channel

16‧‧‧ handle

17‧‧‧Hands

18‧‧‧ switch

19‧‧‧Connectors

20‧‧‧ Wheels

21‧‧‧Ranging device

22‧‧‧ Groove

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a cleaning device of a first embodiment.

2 is a schematic illustration of a section of a cleaning device having a first position of a nozzle.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the partition of Figure 2 with the second position of the nozzle.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a cleaning nozzle of the cleaning device having a translating mechanism in a first position.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the division of the cleaning device of Figure 4 in a second position of the nozzle.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a cleaning device of another embodiment.

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of the cleaning device of Figure 6 having a nozzle in a first position.

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of the cleaning apparatus of Figure 6 or Figure 7 having a nozzle in a second position.

Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a cleaning device having a nozzle disposed in a first position on a pivoting mechanism.

Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of the cleaning device of Figure 9 having a nozzle in a second position.

The invention will now be described in detail in connection with the embodiments. Figure 1 shows a cleaning device 1 constructed here as a hand held wet cleaning device having a basic device 13 and an add-on 12 detachably received on the base device 13. The attachment 12 here likewise uniquely becomes the cleaning device 1 of the invention. The overall system composed of the add-on 12 and the basic device 13 will be referred to as a cleaning device 1 hereinafter. The basic device 13 has a handle 16, here for example a telescopic construction, so that the user of the cleaning device 1 can match the length of the handle 16 to its height. Furthermore, a handle 17 is arranged on the handle 16 through which the user can guide the cleaning device 1 during a conventional cleaning operation, i.e. slide the cleaning device within the range of the surface 4 to be cleaned. During the cleaning operation, the user usually guides the cleaning device 1 in the opposite direction of movement 7 within the range of the surface 4 to be cleaned. In this case, the user alternately slides the cleaning device 1 away from itself or pulls it toward itself. Arranged on the handle 17 is a switch 18, for example for turning the motor of the cleaning device 1 on or off. The nozzle 3 is held by the spring element 8 on the housing 2 of the attachment 12. In this case, the spring element 8 is embodied, for example, as a coil spring. The spring element 8 can correspond to a guiding device, not further illustrated, which deflects the spring action of the spring element 8 so as to achieve a tensioned or relaxed position of the spring element 8 along a defined path of motion. Furthermore, a suction channel 15 is arranged between the suction nozzle 3 of the cleaning device 1 and the housing 2, which connects the suction opening of the suction nozzle 3 with the motor fan unit of the cleaning device 1 so as to be in contact with the suction nozzle 3 A negative pressure is applied to the suction port. The motor fan unit is here preferably arranged in the basic device 13 of the cleaning device 1. In the illustrated pattern, the nozzle 3 is in a preferred position which corresponds to the relaxed position of the spring element 8. In this position, the suction opening of the suction nozzle 3 is guided to the surface 4 to be cleaned in order to suck the object to be sucked on the surface 4 into the cleaning device 1. On the underside of the housing 2 there is provided a cleaning element 5 which mechanically acts on the surface 4 to be cleaned. The cleaning element 5 is here a rag which is fastened to the rocker 14 of the cleaning device 1. The rocker can be driven by an eccentric drive. During the cleaning, the rocking plate 14 performs, for example, a rocking motion that is repeated at an oscillation frequency of, for example, 1000 U/m to 2000 U/m per minute. During the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 1, the rocking motion of the rocker 14 relative to the housing 2 of the cleaning device 1 is superimposed by moving the cleaning device 1 within the range of the surface 4 to be cleaned by the user. In the same plane, i.e. parallel to the surface 4, two movements are achieved, i.e. not only a manual displacement movement in the direction of movement 7, but also a rocking movement of the rocker 14 is achieved. The cleaning element 5 is, for example, an elastic cleaning cloth, in particular a microfiber cloth. It can be placed on the rocker 14 by a fixing means such as a devil's felt. As an alternative, the cleaning element 5 can also be supported by a carrier plate, which in turn can be connected to the rocker plate 14 in a rotationally fixed manner. In the drawings, the rocker 14 is flush with the edge region 6 of the housing 2 with respect to the housing 2 such that the rocker 14 is not exposed below the housing 2. In this case, the rocker 14 can, for example, not be able to pass through the edge region 6 and be turned out below the housing 2, so that the suction nozzle 3 forms the outermost outer surface of the cleaning device 1 projecting outwardly from the housing 2 in the position shown. Partition. The suction nozzle 3 can be moved from the suction position against the restoring force of the spring element 8 to the standby position, in which the suction nozzle 3 is moved into the recess 22 provided for this purpose of the housing 2, and thus It again protrudes from the contour of the housing 2 and no longer protrudes beyond the contour of the cleaning element 5.

2 and 3 show a longitudinal section of the attachment member 12, wherein Fig. 2 shows the suction position of the suction nozzle 3 moving outward, and wherein Fig. 3 shows the standby position of the suction nozzle 3 moved into the casing 2. . In FIG. 2, the cleaning device 1 is located in front of the obstacle 10, which is here, for example, the wall of the room. During the cleaning operation shown, the user first directs the cleaning device 1 to the obstacle 10 on the front side in order to perform suction cleaning of the surface 4 by means of the suction nozzle 3. Once the suction nozzle 3 comes into contact with the obstacle 10, the sliding force applied by the user to the cleaning device 1 acts against the restoring force of the spring member 8 holding the suction nozzle 3. Thus, in the preferably guided motion, the suction nozzle 3 is moved from the suction position shown in Fig. 2 to the standby position shown in Fig. 3 against the restoring force of the spring member 8. Therefore, the cleaning element 5 disposed below the casing 2 can clean the surface 4 until it approaches the obstacle 10, which is not possible in the suction position shown in Fig. 2 of the nozzle 3. Once the user again removes the cleaning device 1 from the obstacle 10, the spring element 8遂 can be relaxed again, again moving the suction nozzle 3 in the direction of the restoring force of the spring element 8 to the suction position shown in FIG. In this position, in addition to cleaning by the cleaning element 5, the suction nozzle 3 can also be used for suction cleaning.

4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the cleaning device 1 held by the user. In this embodiment, the suction nozzle 3 is passed through a pivoting mechanism 9 having a joint 19 to be disposed on the casing 2 of the cleaning device 1. According to the embodiment shown, the suction nozzle 3 has a roller 11 which can be rolled by the roller when it abuts against the obstacle 10. In this way, on the one hand, damage to the obstacle 10 is avoided, and on the other hand the friction between the suction nozzle 3 and the obstacle 10 is eliminated or at least substantially reduced. As detailed above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the suction position of the self-priming nozzle 3 shown in FIG. 4 to the nozzle 3 shown in FIG. 5 is achieved by the sliding force applied to the cleaning device 1 by the user. The transition to the alternate location. As an alternative to the roller 11, the nozzle 3 can also have a sliding element.

Although not shown in the drawings, one of the cleaning devices 1 contacting the sensor can of course also cause the nozzle 3 to move between the two positions shown based on the measured distance to the obstacle 10. Furthermore, even if manual movement requires manual intervention by the user and is less comfortable than other embodiments, the nozzle 3 can be manually moved in principle.

6 to 10 respectively show a cleaning device 1 constructed as a self-propelled cleaning device. The cleaning device is here, for example, a combined suction wiper cleaning device 1 having a suction nozzle 3 and a cleaning element 5 held on the rocker plate 14, ie a cleaning cloth for wet wiping. The cleaning device 1 has motor-driven wheels 20 for self-moving. The cleaning device 1 also has a navigation and self-positioning device by which the cleaning device 1 can be oriented and moved within the environment to avoid undesired collisions with the obstacle 10. The cleaning device 1 also has a distance measuring device 21 to measure the distance to the obstacle 10. The computing device can establish an environmental map for the cleaning device 1 in conjunction with the measured distance values, and the navigation and self-positioning device accesses the environmental map for orientation and movement within its environment.

As previously described in connection with the cleaning device 1 held by the user, the displacement of the nozzle 3 from the suction position to the standby position is also achieved with respect to the cleaning device 1 shown in Figures 6-10.

6 to 8 relate to an embodiment in which the suction nozzle 3 is held by the spring element 8 on the casing 2 of the cleaning device 1.

9 and 10 show an embodiment in which the suction nozzle 3 is pivotally held by the pivoting mechanism 9 on the casing 2 of the cleaning device 1. The pivoting mechanism 9 can complementarily correspond to a spring element 8 which is not shown in detail. The pivoting mechanism 9 has a joint 19 around which the suction nozzle 3 can be pivoted from the suction position to the standby position. According to this embodiment, the roller 11 is arranged to be turned over again on the suction nozzle 3, and when it comes into contact with the obstacle 10, the roller can roll on the obstacle 10 so that the obstacle 10 is low-resistance. The nozzle 3 is moved along a track. The displacement of the suction nozzle 3 is continued until the suction nozzle 3 is transferred into the recess 22 of the casing 2 of the cleaning device 1 as shown in FIG. In this position, the cleaning element 5 moving in a flush manner with the edge region 6 of the housing 2 can also be cleaned directly in front of the obstacle 10 or on the obstacle without the need for the nozzle 3 to clean the device 1 is separated from the obstacle 10 by a certain distance.

Claims (9)

 A cleaning device having a casing (2), a suction nozzle (3) and a cleaning element (5) mechanically acting on the surface to be cleaned (4) during the cleaning operation of the cleaning device (1), wherein The nozzle (3) is movable relative to the cleaning element (5) from a first position to a second position, and vice versa, wherein the nozzle (3) is associated with the cleaning device (1) in a conventional operating position a vertical projection on the surface to be cleaned (4) protruding in the first position from the contour of the housing (2) and/or the cleaning element (5), and in the second position Surrounded by a profile, it is characterized in that a motor-driven rocker plate (14) is provided for holding the cleaning element (5) in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular for releasably retaining a receiving element (5). Carrier board.    The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the first position of the nozzle (3) is a suction position close to the surface to be cleaned (4), and the second position of the nozzle (3) is The first position is a spare position that is farther from the surface to be cleaned (4).    A cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the first position, the suction nozzle (3) is associated with the conventional moving direction (7) of the cleaning device (1) during the cleaning operation. The front of the component (5).    A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nozzle (3) is arranged on the cleaning device (1) by at least one spring element (8).    The cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the nozzle (3) is movable to the first position with a restoring force of the spring member (8), and the nozzle (3) can overcome the restoring force In case, move to the second position.    A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the suction nozzle (3) is disposed on the cleaning device (1) by a pivoting mechanism (9).    The cleaning device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the nozzle (3) is movable from the first position to the second position upon contact with the obstacle (10), particularly cleaning there When the device (1) moves in the direction of the obstacle (10), when the nozzle (3) comes into contact with the obstacle, the driving force of the electric motor type driving device of the cleaning device (1) is transmitted. mobile.    A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the suction nozzle (3) has at least one roller for abutting against and/or rolling on the obstacle (10) (11) ) and / or sliding components.    A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cleaning device (1) is a wet cleaning device or an add-on (12) for a wet cleaning device.