US20090031521A1 - Floor cleaning machine - Google Patents

Floor cleaning machine Download PDF

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Publication number
US20090031521A1
US20090031521A1 US12/219,342 US21934208A US2009031521A1 US 20090031521 A1 US20090031521 A1 US 20090031521A1 US 21934208 A US21934208 A US 21934208A US 2009031521 A1 US2009031521 A1 US 2009031521A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
chassis
floor
steering
actuation
machine according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/219,342
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Alessandro Crivellaro
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Comac SpA
Original Assignee
Comac SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Comac SpA filed Critical Comac SpA
Assigned to COMAC S.P.A. reassignment COMAC S.P.A. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CRIVELLARO, ALESSANDRO
Publication of US20090031521A1 publication Critical patent/US20090031521A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/29—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid
    • A47L11/30—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid by suction
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
    • A47L11/4044—Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4061—Steering means; Means for avoiding obstacles; Details related to the place where the driver is accommodated
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4063—Driving means; Transmission means therefor
    • A47L11/4069—Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4072—Arrangement of castors or wheels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a floor cleaning machine.
  • floor cleaning and drying machines for industrial or professional use are constituted substantially by a chassis which can move on the floor and supports floor cleaning means, constituted typically by at least one brush which can be actuated so as to rotate, by a device for dispensing a washing liquid, and by a suction device which draws the washing liquid and the dirt, partially drying the floor.
  • a floor wiper constituted by an elongated body which is arranged substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the machine and supports a strip of flexible material, such as rubber or the like, which is kept elastically in contact with the floor in order to allow, as the machine travels, to collect the washing liquid and the dirt removed by the action of the brush, which can thus be removed easily by the suction device, so as to leave the floor dry and clean.
  • the floor wiper is fixed to the machine chassis and typically has a considerable length, which increases its lateral footprint, so that if the machine chassis steers, regions which are wet because they are not affected by the action of the floor wiper are not left on the floor.
  • the floor wiper in order to avoid leaving dirty liquid residues on the floor if the machine chassis steers, the floor wiper is mounted so that it can rotate freely about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the floor, so that when the machine steers the floor wiper automatically arranges itself laterally with respect to the machine chassis due to its friction against the floor.
  • the floor wiper in case of steering, tends to arrange itself proximate to the side of the chassis that is directed toward the inside of the turn made by the machine, with the consequence however of leaving wet the region of the floor that lies on the opposite side.
  • the aim of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks noted above by providing a floor cleaning machine which is devised particularly for use in the industrial field and can perform deep cleaning of the floor without leaving residues of dirty liquid on the floor if the machine steers.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a floor cleaning machine which has a very simple structure and is easy to use.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a floor cleaning machine which is capable of offering great assurances of reliability and safety in use.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a floor cleaning machine which can be obtained easily starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials and is further competitive from an economical standpoint.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the machine according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the machine according to the invention with some parts omitted and other parts shown in phantom lines for the sake of simplicity;
  • FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the machine according to the invention, with parts omitted for greater clarity;
  • FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the rear part of the machine according to the invention, with some elements omitted for the sake of simplicity and illustrating the floor wiper in the central position;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the floor wiper of the machine according to the invention, shifted laterally with respect to the position shown in FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the front portion of the machine, with portions shown in phantom lines and other portions omitted, to show a steerable wheel which is arranged so as to allow the machine to turn in one direction;
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the steerable wheel of FIG. 5 , arranged for turning in the opposite direction;
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic top plan view of the machine according to the invention, during a turn.
  • the machine according to the invention comprises a chassis 2 which can move along the floor in a travel direction and supports, in a downward region, floor cleaning means 3 , which can comprise for example a nozzle, not shown, for dispensing a washing liquid, at least one brush 3 a which has a vertical or horizontal axis and can be actuated so as to rotate about its own axis by motor means which are supported by the chassis 2 and are not shown for the sake of simplicity, and a suction port 3 b, which can be connected to a known type of suction device and allows to pick up the washing liquid and the dirt removed by the brush 3 a.
  • floor cleaning means 3 which can comprise for example a nozzle, not shown, for dispensing a washing liquid
  • at least one brush 3 a which has a vertical or horizontal axis and can be actuated so as to rotate about its own axis by motor means which are supported by the chassis 2 and are not shown for the sake of simplicity
  • a suction port 3 b which can be connected to a known type
  • a floor wiper 4 which lies transversely to the travel direction of the machine.
  • the floor wiper 4 is mounted on the chassis 2 so that it can move along a path 4 a which lies substantially transversely to the advancement direction of the chassis 2 .
  • chassis 2 is provided with steering means 5 which can be maneuvered by the user to change the direction of travel of the chassis 2 .
  • the steering means 5 are arranged for example at a driver's seat 6 , which is preferably provided in a front region of the chassis 2 , and conveniently comprise at least one steerable wheel 7 , which is supported by the chassis 2 so that it can rotate about its own axis and about a steering axis which is substantially perpendicular to the floor.
  • the steerable wheel 7 can rotate about the steering axis by means of a steering element which can be maneuvered and is constituted for example by a steering wheel 8 , which is connected to the steerable wheel 7 in a per se known manner.
  • the output shaft of a driving motor 7 a is functionally connected by way of transmission means to the axle of the steerable wheel 7 ; such motor is advantageously mounted monolithically with respect to the steerable wheel 7 in its rotation about the steering axis.
  • the peculiarity of the invention consists in that it provides actuation means 10 which act on the floor wiper 4 to move it along the path 4 a following an intervention performed by the user on the steering means 5 to vary the travel direction of the chassis 2 .
  • the actuation means 10 are adapted to move the floor wiper 4 along the path 4 a in the opposite direction with respect to the center of curvature 100 of the turn made by the chassis 2 .
  • the floor wiper 4 is capable of drying the floor correctly in a region which is external to the turn made by the machine.
  • the actuation means 10 can be activated by way of the steering means 5 and are advantageously provided by providing kinematic connection means which are capable of producing a mechanical connection between the steering means 5 and the floor wiper 4 .
  • such kinematic connection means comprise at least one actuation rod 11 , which is functionally connected, at a first end 11 a to the steering means 5 and is connected kinematically, at a second end 11 b, to the floor wiper 4 .
  • the actuation rod 11 lies substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the chassis 2 and can perform a translational motion, in one direction or the other, along its own axis with respect to the chassis 2 in order to move in one direction or the other the floor wiper 4 along the path 4 a in response to an intervention of the user on the steering means 5 .
  • first elastic return means 12 act on the actuation rod 11 and are adapted to contrast the axial translational motion of the actuation rod 11 at least in one direction.
  • the first elastic return means 12 are constituted for example by a helical spring 13 , which is arranged around the actuation rod 11 , between an annular shoulder 14 , which is rigidly coupled to the actuation rod 11 , and an eye 15 , which is fixed to the chassis 2 and slidingly supports the actuation rod 11 .
  • the floor wiper 4 is connected to the chassis 2 by way of a pair of linkages 16 , which lie substantially parallel to each other and are articulated, at one of their ends, to the chassis 2 and, at their other end, to a respective end portion of the floor wiper 4 .
  • the actuation means 10 of the floor wiper 4 comprise at least one actuation arm 17 , which is pivoted to the chassis 2 about an oscillation axis which is substantially perpendicular to the floor and is functionally connected, with one of its end portions, to the floor wiper 4 .
  • the actuation arm 17 is capable of performing on command, following an intervention performed on the steering means 5 , an angular movement about its own oscillation axis in the same direction as the turn imparted to the chassis 2 by the steering means 5 and more precisely as the direction of rotation actuated to the steerable wheel 7 about its own steering axis, to steer the chassis 2 .
  • the actuation rod 11 is provided, at its first end 11 a, with an engagement head 19 , which protrudes with respect to the axis of the actuation rod 11 toward the steerable wheel 7 and is provided conveniently with a gliding wheel 19 a.
  • such abutment means are provided by providing a structure 20 which is connected monolithically to the steerable wheel 7 in its rotation about the steering axis and substantially defines, in points which are diametrically opposite with respect to the axis of the steerable wheel 7 and on opposite sides with respect to its steering axis, two abutment surfaces 21 which are directed toward each other and can engage selectively against the engagement head 19 of the actuation rod 11 depending on the direction of rotation imparted to the steerable wheel 7 , about the steering axis.
  • the structure 20 has an elongated plate 22 which lies substantially at right angles to the axis of the steerable wheel 7 and to its steering axis and has two folded end portions 22 a, 22 b, which protrude with respect to the plane of arrangement of the remaining portion of the elongated plate 22 in the opposite direction with respect to the steerable wheel 7 and define, with their mutually facing faces, the abutment surfaces 21 .
  • the folded end portions 22 a, 22 b are inclined and mutually converge toward the steerable wheel 7 .
  • the actuation rod 11 is advantageously connected to lever means which act on the actuation arm 17 to produce, following an axial translational motion of the actuation rod 11 produced by a rotation about the steering axis of the steerable wheel 7 , an angular movement of the actuation arm 17 about its own oscillation axis in the same direction as the rotation performed by the steerable wheel 7 about its own steering axis.
  • lever means comprise a first lever 23 , which is pivoted, at one of its ends, to the second end 11 b of the actuation rod 11 and, at the other end, to the chassis 2 , and a second L-shaped lever 24 , which is pivoted, with an intermediate region, to the chassis 2 about an articulation axis which is substantially perpendicular to the floor.
  • the second lever 24 can rotate about its own articulation axis in contrast with second return means, which are connected between the second lever 24 and the chassis 2 and are constituted for example by a torsion spring 25 which is arranged on the pivot of the second lever 24 .
  • the second lever 24 is pivoted with one side 24 a of the L-shape to an end of a linkage 26 , which is articulated, at its other end, to an intermediate portion of the first lever 23 and is conveniently adjustable in length by means of threaded elements.
  • the other side 24 b of the second lever 24 advantageously has a fork-shaped free end 27 which straddles the actuation arm 17 in order to engage it rigidly in the rotation of the second lever 24 about its articulation axis.
  • the floor wiper 4 is in a substantially centered position with respect to the rear part of the chassis 2 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the first lever 23 performs a rotation about its own fulcrum, which is connected to the chassis 2 , so as to actuate, by way of the linkage 26 , the second lever 24 so that it rotates about its own articulation axis, overcoming the action of the torsion spring 25 .
  • the second lever 24 thus actuated, in turn causes an angular movement of the actuation arm 17 about its own oscillation axis, in the same direction of rotation as the steerable wheel 7 , consequently achieving a movement of the floor wiper along the path 4 a, in the opposite direction with respect to the center of curvature of the turn performed by the chassis 2 .
  • the action of the torsion spring 25 on the second lever 24 allows to return the actuation arm 17 automatically to its initial position and consequently return the floor wiper 4 to its centered position.
  • the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions may be any according to requirements.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
  • Electric Suction Cleaners (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
US12/219,342 2007-08-02 2008-07-21 Floor cleaning machine Abandoned US20090031521A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07425500 2007-08-02
EP07425500A EP2022383B1 (de) 2007-08-02 2007-08-02 Bodenreinigungsmaschine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20090031521A1 true US20090031521A1 (en) 2009-02-05

Family

ID=38870329

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/219,342 Abandoned US20090031521A1 (en) 2007-08-02 2008-07-21 Floor cleaning machine

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20090031521A1 (de)
EP (1) EP2022383B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2009039527A (de)
CN (1) CN101357054A (de)
AT (1) ATE491384T1 (de)
DE (1) DE602007011253D1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140115819A1 (en) * 2012-10-30 2014-05-01 Wetrok Ag Floor cleaning apparatus
US8966699B2 (en) 2010-10-12 2015-03-03 Nilfisk-Advance A/S Floor washing-drying machine with automatically orienting scraping device
US10765286B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2020-09-08 Tennant Company Surface maintenance machine
US11254524B2 (en) 2016-04-14 2022-02-22 Richard S. Burns & Company, Inc. Debris carts and systems and methods of using same

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102014105460A1 (de) * 2014-04-16 2015-10-22 Vorwerk & Co. Interholding Gmbh Selbstfahrendes Bodenreinigungsgerät mit einem einem Führungsfahrzeug folgenden Folgewerkzeug
CN108742324B (zh) * 2016-08-29 2023-06-02 浙江洁宇环保装备科技有限公司 一种改进的工业除尘车
DE102020114179A1 (de) * 2020-05-27 2021-12-02 Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG Bodenreinigungssystem

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4158901A (en) * 1977-12-16 1979-06-26 Advance Machine Company Mobile surface cleaning machine having side mounted squeegees
US4173056A (en) * 1978-06-26 1979-11-06 Tennant Company Scrubbing machine with tracking squeegee
US5455985A (en) * 1994-01-10 1995-10-10 Tennant Company Steerable side squeegees
US6108859A (en) * 1998-07-29 2000-08-29 Alto U. S. Inc. High efficiency squeegee
US6163923A (en) * 1997-03-27 2000-12-26 Georg Hefter Maschinenbau Soil processing machine
US6212731B1 (en) * 1998-04-24 2001-04-10 Diversey Lever, Inc. Apparatus for cleaning floors
US7059015B2 (en) * 2002-03-21 2006-06-13 Tennant Company Tool mounting assembly for a surface maintenance machine

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4103087C1 (en) * 1991-02-01 1992-04-23 Kurt 8122 Penzberg De Zachhuber Scrubbing vacuum cleaner with following auxiliary brush - has scrapingstrips returning residual liq. from latter to suction mouth
US20060236494A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2006-10-26 Tennant Company Hard and soft floor surface cleaner
DE102005054499B4 (de) * 2005-11-16 2007-08-23 G. Staehle Gmbh U. Co. Boden-Reinigungsmaschine

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4158901A (en) * 1977-12-16 1979-06-26 Advance Machine Company Mobile surface cleaning machine having side mounted squeegees
US4173056A (en) * 1978-06-26 1979-11-06 Tennant Company Scrubbing machine with tracking squeegee
US5455985A (en) * 1994-01-10 1995-10-10 Tennant Company Steerable side squeegees
US6163923A (en) * 1997-03-27 2000-12-26 Georg Hefter Maschinenbau Soil processing machine
US6212731B1 (en) * 1998-04-24 2001-04-10 Diversey Lever, Inc. Apparatus for cleaning floors
US6108859A (en) * 1998-07-29 2000-08-29 Alto U. S. Inc. High efficiency squeegee
US7059015B2 (en) * 2002-03-21 2006-06-13 Tennant Company Tool mounting assembly for a surface maintenance machine

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8966699B2 (en) 2010-10-12 2015-03-03 Nilfisk-Advance A/S Floor washing-drying machine with automatically orienting scraping device
US20140115819A1 (en) * 2012-10-30 2014-05-01 Wetrok Ag Floor cleaning apparatus
US10765286B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2020-09-08 Tennant Company Surface maintenance machine
US11254524B2 (en) 2016-04-14 2022-02-22 Richard S. Burns & Company, Inc. Debris carts and systems and methods of using same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2009039527A (ja) 2009-02-26
CN101357054A (zh) 2009-02-04
EP2022383B1 (de) 2010-12-15
EP2022383A1 (de) 2009-02-11
ATE491384T1 (de) 2011-01-15
DE602007011253D1 (de) 2011-01-27

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AS Assignment

Owner name: COMAC S.P.A., ITALY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRIVELLARO, ALESSANDRO;REEL/FRAME:021334/0254

Effective date: 20080714

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION