WO1994005196A1

WO1994005196A1 - Mobile automatic floor cleaner

Info

Publication number: WO1994005196A1
Application number: PCT/EP1993/002271
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franz Kresse; Rainer Osberghaus
Original assignee: Henkel Ecolab Gmbh & Co. Ohg
Priority date: 1992-09-02
Filing date: 1993-08-24
Publication date: 1994-03-17
Also published as: FI950952A; EP0658089A1; DE4229204C2; DE4229204A1; FI950952A0

Abstract

A mobile automatic floor cleaner with integral clean and dirty liquid compartments, with a cleaning rotor to be supplied from the clean liquid compartment and with at least one suction nozzle discharging into the dirty liquid compartment, the clean and dirty liquid compartments being mutually separated by a partition and, in the operative condition, an underpressure in relation to the ambient pressure prevailing in the dirty liquid compartment, is to be improved by giving it a wider radius of action with reliable, blockage-free operation and easy maintenance. This is achieved in that the dirty and clean liquid compartments (7, 6) are fitted with a tightly shut and openable connection (15) which, when open, allows liquid to flow from the dirty into the clean liquid compartment (7, 6).

Description

"Mobile floor cleaning machine"

The invention relates to a mobile floor cleaning machine with an integrated fresh and dirty liquid compartment, with a cleaning rotor to be supplied from the fresh liquid compartment and with at least one suction nozzle conveying into the dirty liquid compartment, the fresh and dirty liquid compartment being separated from one another by an intermediate wall and in the dirty liquid compartment there is a negative pressure in relation to the ambient pressure in the operating state.

Such a mobile floor cleaning machine is known (Floordress BA 4300 from the applicant). In these floor cleaning machines, cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the floor to be treated from a separate fresh liquid compartment via the rotor. At the same time, the rotor is used to scrub. A bar-like water suction nozzle following the rotor when the machine is pushed forward serves to collect the dirty water still remaining after scrubbing, so that the floor can be scrubbed thoroughly in one operation and, at the same time, can be wiped dry, that is, vacuumed off. In addition, there is a negative pressure of up to 165 mbar in the dirty water compartment for adequate suction in the operating state. A disadvantage of the known floor cleaning machine is that after emptying the fresh liquid compartment filled with the cleaning liquor and the corresponding filling of the dirty liquid compartment with suctioned off dirty cleaning liquor, the cleaning process must be interrupted after a certain operating time, since the fresh liquid compartment is refilled and the dirty liquid compartment accordingly must be emptied.

It has already become known, for example, from US 4,377,017, a mobile floor cleaning machine, the fresh and dirty liquid compartments of which, unlike the generic floor cleaning machine, have a uniform pressure level, ie a uniform negative pressure, via a pressure equalization opening, with this floor cleaning machine being continuous during the cleaning process ¬ nuously the dirty liquid is returned through an overflow into the fresh liquid compartment, a separator being provided for rough cleaning thereof. With this design, a rough separation of the dirty liquid into solid particles and liquid is possible, but it cannot be ruled out that, with appropriate fill levels in the liquid spaces or compartments, a considerable proportion of dirt particles in the area of the separator and thus also in the fresh liquid compartment can enter. This can lead to constipation conditions, so that during the continuous cleaning process interruption times nevertheless occur which are necessary for cleaning the machine.

The object of the invention is to improve a generic floor cleaning machine in such a way that it has a larger radius of action with a reliable, blockage-free method of operation and is easy to maintain.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a mobile floor cleaning machine of the type described at the outset in that the dirt and fresh liquid compartment is equipped with a connection which is tightly closed in the operating state and is evident, and in the open state allows liquid to pass from the dirt into the fresh liquid compartment.

With the invention, the radius of action of such a floor cleaning machine is significantly increased, since the cleaning liquid can be reused several times without the reliability of the machine being impaired thereby. The floor cleaning machine initially works like a conventional generic machine, ie the corresponding cleaning liquid is dispensed from the fresh liquid compartment and the soiled cleaning liquid is then poured into the dirty water ^s' igkeitsabteil sucked. During operation, the two compartments are separated from each other in a pressure-tight manner, ie there can be no liquid exchange between the compartments.

The extracted dirty liquid can therefore already sediment in the dirty liquid compartment during operation, or coarse dirt particles can be retained by appropriate filter devices. As soon as the fresh liquid compartment is completely emptied, the cleaning process is interrupted and pressure equalization is brought about in both compartments, then the connection is opened, so that due to the level difference in both liquid compartments, the returned dirty liquid flows into the fresh liquid compartment, due to the long residence time in the dirty liquid Essentially no solid particles enter the fresh liquid compartment since these have already settled on the bottom of the dirty liquid compartment. There is thus a discontinuous return of the dirty liquid into the fresh liquid compartment; after the liquid exchange or transition, the connection between the two compartments is closed again in a pressure-tight manner, whereupon the cleaning process can begin again. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the connection between the dirty and fresh liquid compartment is designed as a closable opening in the intermediate wall. The closure of the opening can advantageously only be actuated when the automatic machine is not in the operating or cleaning state, so that it can be reliably avoided that the opening can be opened during cleaning and that a liquid exchange can take place.

For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if the opening in the intermediate wall is provided with a slide, the operating end of which, in the open state, projects beyond the upper edge of the intermediate wall forming a support for the cover. It is then reliably ensured that only after opening the lid, i.e. after the cleaning process has been interrupted and the negative pressure in the dirty liquid compartment has been released through the opening of the cover, the opening can be released and thus a liquid transfer is possible. At the same time, the machine can only be put into operation again or the lid closed when the slide is fully inserted and thus completely closes the opening in the intermediate wall.

It is advantageously provided that the slide is guided in guide rails on the intermediate wall and on the closing is designed as an elastic ball. After the automatic reclosing and recommissioning, the negative ball in the dirty liquid compartment seals the elastic ball into the opening in the intermediate wall and closes it completely.

It is particularly advantageous if the opening in the intermediate wall is arranged approximately in the lower third of the same. It is then ensured that a sufficient amount of liquid can get into the fresh liquid section from the dirty liquid section. Since both compartments expediently have approximately the same volume, it is then ensured that the fill level in both compartments settles at the same level during the overflow process. However, it should be ensured that the opening is not in the immediate vicinity of the bottom surface in order to avoid that sedimented solid particles of the dirty liquid can pass into the fresh liquid compartment.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the suction nozzle in the dirty liquid section is provided with a removable sieve bag. This configuration is particularly advantageous when particularly dirty floors are to be cleaned, since cleaning is possible with this additional device to carry out the extracted dirty liquid before it enters the dirty liquid compartment. Sieves with different mesh sizes can of course be used, for example mesh sizes of 31 iz, 63 fax or even 80 jpm have proven to be advantageous.

The sieve bag is particularly preferably made of polyester. This material is rot-proof, so that the sieve bag can be used over a long period of time.

It is particularly expedient if the basket-shaped sieve bag is oriented in the direction of gravity downward in the dirty liquid compartment with respect to the end of the intake manifold. Since there is a negative pressure in the dirty liquid compartment in the operating state, the dirty liquid reaches the sieve bag via the suction nozzle, the suction of the majority of solid particles remaining in the sieve bag, which has to be cleaned accordingly from time to time.

Furthermore, the invention advantageously provides that a solenoid valve is arranged at the fresh liquid compartment outlet. With such a solenoid valve can be provided that a tight seal between the fresh and dirty liquid compartment during operation condition and there are therefore no pressure fluctuations in the fresh liquid compartment, an undisturbed dosing of the liquor is achieved, since such a solenoid valve ensures perfect liquid passage even with slight contamination of the liquid, which can occur due to the return of the dirty liquid.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawing, for example. This shows in

1 is a perspective view of a mobile floor cleaning machine according to the invention;

Fig. 2 also partially in perspective a liquid container of the floor cleaning machine with fresh and dirty liquid compartment and in

3 analogously to FIG. 2 a second embodiment of the floor cleaning machine.

The mobile floor cleaning machine shown in FIG. 1 has a carriage, generally designated 1, with castors 2 and a handlebar 3 with an operating device (not shown). A large part of the interior of the carriage 1 is occupied by a liquid tank, generally designated 4, which can be closed with a cover 5. The liquid tank 4 consists of a fresh water compartment 6 and a dirty water compartment 7, the two compartments being separated from one another by a fixed partition 8.

On the underside of the carriage 1, a cleaning rotor 9 is shown, which can be driven by an invisible drive. In the rear sub-area of the car, i.e. H. A suction bar 11 is arranged on the side of the driving rollers 2 facing away from the cleaning rotor 9. A suction hose 12 with a connector 13 is connected to the suction bar 11 and opens into the dirty water compartment 7 of the liquid tank 4 via an intake connector 14.

The design of the liquid tank 4 is essential for the invention. First, in the intermediate wall 8, approximately in the area of the lower third of it, between the fresh and dirty water compartments 6, 7 there is provided a connection which is designed as an opening 15 and which is in the operating state of the machine , in which the cover 5 closes the liquid tank 4 in a pressure-tight manner and in which there is an underpressure of up to 165 mbar with respect to the ambient pressure and the pressure in the fresh water compartment 6 in the dirty water compartment 7 for suctioning the dirty water, with a slide 16 or one at the Slider arranged ball 17 is closed pressure-tight. The slider 16 is guided in guide rails (not shown) on the intermediate wall 8 and is designed as an elastic ball 17 at the closure end. In the closed state of the slide 16, this elastic ball 17 seals against the opening edge of the opening 15 from the side of the fresh liquid compartment 6 and is sucked into this opening in a sealing manner by the negative pressure in the dirty water compartment 7. The operating end 18 of the slide 16 is in the open state beyond the upper edge of the intermediate wall 8 forming a support for the lid 5, such that the lid 5 can be reclosed and the machine can only be started up when the slide 16 is as far from the intermediate wall 8 withdrawn (version according to FIG. 2) or pushed so far into the tank (version according to FIG. 3) that the ball 17 seals the opening 15 in a sealing manner.

The intake port 14 in the dirty liquid compartment is provided with a removable (e.g. bayonet lock) screen bag 19, preferably made of polyester. In this case, this basket-shaped, preferably conical sieve bag 19 is arranged in the dirty water compartment 7 oriented downward in the direction of gravity relative to the end of the intake manifold. The sieve bag 19 can additionally be arranged in a basket-shaped holder.

The liquid tank 4 also has a fresh water filter 20 in a known manner in the fresh water compartment 6 at the outlet and in Dirty water compartment 7 has a float 21 and a filter 22 with a connection to a turbine. In addition, a solenoid valve is arranged at the fresh water compartment outlet, although this is not shown in the drawing.

When the machine is started up for the first time, the fresh water compartment 6 is initially completely filled with a clean cleaning liquor, while the dirty water compartment 7 is completely empty. In this case, the opening 15 is closed in a pressure-tight manner by the ball 17 of the respective slide 16 and the two compartments 6 and 7 are also pressure-tightly closed at the top by the closed cover 5. While fresh liquid is continuously discharged from the fresh water compartment 6 during the cleaning process, a vacuum of about 165 mbar is set in the dirty water compartment 7 by means of a pump (not shown), as a result of which dirty liquid is sucked in from the cleaned floor surface via the suction bar 11 via the suction nozzle 14 is, whereby through the sieve bag 19 solid particles do not enter the actual dirty water compartment 7 from the outset. The dirty liquid then collects continuously in the dirty water compartment 7, and due to the long residence time, almost complete sedimentation takes place, i.e. H. Solid particles that have still passed through the sieve bag 19 settle on the bottom surface of the compartment 7.

If the fresh water compartment 6 is completely emptied, the operation of the cleaning machine is interrupted. Then the Lid 5 is opened, as a result of which there is a sudden pressure equalization in the dirty water compartment 7, ie the negative pressure is reduced accordingly. The slide 16 is then accessible so that by opening, ie moving, the same ball 17 is removed from the opening 15 and the opening 15 is released and dirty liquid can enter the fresh water compartment 6 without large solid particles. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the slide 16 is displaced towards the fresh liquid compartment for this purpose and in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 the slide 16 is pulled upwards, so that the opening 15 is freed from the elastic ball 17 closing it. After equalization of the fill levels in both compartments 6, 7, the opening 15 is closed again by moving the slide 16 in the opposite direction and the cover 5 is also closed accordingly, so that the two compartments 6 and 7 are in turn separated from one another in a pressure-tight manner. The cleaning process can then start again.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown. Further refinements of the invention are possible without leaving the basic idea. Thus, of course, the pressure-tight connection in the operating state between the dirty liquid compartment 7 and the fresh liquid compartment 6 can also take place outside the liquid tank 4, for example via a tap between the two tank emptying hoses (indicated in FIG. 1) and the like.

Claims

Expectations:

1. Mobile floor cleaning machine with integrated fresh and dirty liquid compartment, with a cleaning rotor to be supplied from the fresh liquid compartment as well as with at least one suction nozzle conveying into the dirty liquid compartment, the fresh and dirty liquid compartment being separated from one another by an intermediate wall and in which Dirty liquid compartment in the operating state there is a negative pressure relative to the ambient pressure, characterized in that the dirty and fresh liquid compartment (7, 6) with ei¬ ner in the operating state tightly closed, reveal, in the open state a liquid passage from the dirt into the fresh liquid compartment (7 , 6) enable connection (15).

2. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, - characterized in that the connection between the dirt and fresh liquid compartment (7, 6) is designed as a closable opening (15) in the intermediate wall (8).

3. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 2, characterized. that the opening (15) in the intermediate wall (8) is provided with a slide (16), the operating end (18) of which, in the open state, projects beyond the upper edge of the intermediate wall (8) forming a support for the cover (5).

4. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the slide (16) is guided in guide rails on the intermediate wall (8) and is formed at the closure end as an elastic ball (17).

5. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the opening (15) in the intermediate wall (8) is arranged approximately in the lower third thereof.

6. Floor cleaning machine according to Claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the suction nozzle (14) in the dirty liquid compartment (7) is provided with a removable sieve bag (19).

7. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 6, characterized. that the sieve bag (19) consists of polyester.

8. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the basket-shaped sieve bag (19) is arranged with respect to the Ansaug¬ nozzle end oriented in the direction of gravity downwards.

9. Floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that a solenoid valve is arranged at the fresh liquid compartment outlet.