WO2004017805A1

WO2004017805A1 - Method for cleaning floor surfaces and floor-cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2004017805A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/001789
Authority: WO
Inventors: Helmut Barbisch
Original assignee: Walser + Co. Ag
Priority date: 2002-08-20
Filing date: 2003-02-21
Publication date: 2004-03-04
Also published as: EP1531711A1; AU2003208743A1; AT412189B; ATA12482002A

Abstract

Disclosed is a floor-cleaning apparatus (1) comprising at least one tool which impinges upon the floor surface that is to be cleaned, at least one vapor outlet (6) for expelling vapor, and at least one cleaner outlet (7,13) for discharging cleaner towards the floor surface. The cleaner outlet and the vapor outlet are jointly arranged in front of the effective area of the cleaning tool (3) relative to the direction of movement (A) of the floor-cleaning apparatus. A vapor pipe system (5) which extends across a vaporizing section and is connected in an effective manner to a vapor generator (8) is disposed upstream of the cleaning tool (3). An application tube (13) which extends across an application section and is connected in an effective manner to a cleaner tank (14) is also arranged upstream of the cleaning tool.

Description

Procedure cleaning floor surfaces and floor cleaning device

The invention relates to a method for cleaning floor surfaces according to the preamble of claim 1 and a floor cleaning device according to the preamble of claim 12. With such methods or with such floor cleaning devices, all types of soiled floors in the private, public or commercial sector are to be cleaned. In contrast to pure dirt suction devices, there is intensive thermal and mechanical exposure to the floor area.

The use of steam in combination with rotating brushes has been known and used for a long time. For example, US 4,369,544 shows a machine for washing floor surfaces, in which steam is applied both directly to the floor surface and indirectly to a wiper belt pressed against the floor surface. The mechanical treatment takes place via rotating brushes. Suction systems are also provided.

A similar device is described in US 4,696,074. The steam is generated directly in front of the spray nozzles on hot plates to avoid condensation.

Finally, DE-U 295 08 713 describes a floor cleaning device in which, in addition to a rotating brush and a steam outlet, a device for applying an additional cleaning liquid to the floor surface is also provided. A suction device for the loosened dirt is also provided here.

A disadvantage of the known methods and devices is that they are not able to remove heavy soiling, such as chewing gums that have become stuck and stuck together, as well as oils, resins and the like, to be removed from the floor surface without residue. Spraying with steam and, if necessary, with a cleaning liquid is only able to loosen loose dust and dirt particles, which can then be suctioned off. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method of the type mentioned at the outset, with which even heavily soiled floors can be cleaned in a rational manner without residue.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a method which has the features in claim 1. The steam, preferably dry steam, and the cleaning liquid are applied together in relation to the direction of movement of the floor cleaning device in front of the active surface of the cleaning tool on the floor surface. The application is carried out at a distance from the cleaning tool in such a way that, at a maximum permissible feed rate, there is a certain contact time before mechanical processing takes place with the cleaning tool. It has surprisingly been found that this combined thermal and chemical treatment of the soiled areas is sufficient to remove coarse dirt such as e.g. To remove oils, resins, chewing gum from the floor surface in such a way that they can be completely detached by mechanical means.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the exposure time is at least two seconds, preferably at least three seconds. This enables a continuous softening of the dirt adhering to the floor surface before it is completely removed by the mechanical action of the cleaning tool. A considerable improvement and acceleration of the detachment process can be achieved if the cleaning liquid is heated to a temperature of above 50 ° Celsius, preferably above 70 ° Celsius, for example to approximately 80 ° Celsius, before the floor surface is acted on. On the one hand, this prevents rapid condensation of the steam in the area of application and, on the other hand, it also prevents the contaminated areas from cooling down. Finally, heating the cleaning liquid also improves its chemical reactivity. This is particularly important when removing stuck and stuck chewing gum, since spraying the already heated chewing gum with cold cleaning liquid would immediately chill the surface of the chewing gum, making it difficult to dissolve and causing the cleaning tool to stick.

Various measures are available for heating the cleaning liquid, which can also be combined with one another. For example, the cleaning liquid can be heated during the supply to the floor surface by heat exchange with steam-carrying supply lines or with their surroundings. However, it is also conceivable to heat the cleaning liquid by mixing it with the steam supplied, the cleaning liquid being able to convert itself into steam to some extent. A steam / cleaning liquid mixture can be applied to the floor surface via a mixture application line in front of the cleaning tool.

The steam itself can be applied to a steaming section upstream of the cleaning tool in relation to the direction of movement, and can thus act flatly on the soiled areas. In addition, steam can also be applied to the floor surface via a steam application path that completely or partially surrounds the cleaning tool. This ensures that the cleaning tool is also subjected to the mechanical action of the floor surface under the continuous action of steam and at high temperature. The steam can be applied at a temperature of 130 ° to 200 °, preferably 160 ° to 180 ° C and at a pressure of 4 to 8 bar. The cleaning agent is a special combination of raw materials with biodegradable anionic and nonionic surfactants with individual vegetable components, complexing agents and alcohol. The agent is liquid and completely miscible with water. The pH value in the concentrate is around 9.40. The density is 1.030 g / i.

An alkali with a pH of 7 to 10 is preferably used as the cleaning agent. Depending on how dirty the floor is, the cleaning agent can be specially tailored.

A particularly advantageous mechanical action of the cleaning tool is achieved if the bottom surface of a cleaning tool active surface is acted upon by several brushes rotating in the same direction about its vertical axis and in a planetary manner around a common center.

The object of the invention is achieved in terms of the device with a floor cleaning device having the features in claim 12. The cleaning agent outlet or the steam outlet is arranged together in front of the effective surface of the cleaning tool in relation to the direction of movement of the floor cleaning device. The cleaning tool can be preceded by a steam pipe system which extends over a vapor deposition section and is operatively connected to a steam generator and which is at least partially provided with openings directed towards the bottom surface. The steam pipe system ensures that a sufficiently large area is exposed during a sufficient exposure time. The steaming section is preferably the same width as the active surface of the cleaning tool.

Of course, a different construction would also be conceivable instead of the steam pipe system, in order to ensure the most intensive and extensive vapor deposition on the vapor deposition section. For this purpose, the steam could be conducted into a planar chamber which extends over the vapor deposition section and which is provided with a perforated plate on the underside. The steam flows out of the openings in the perforated plate against the floor surface. Alternatively, a plurality of steam nozzles directed against the bottom surface could also be provided, which are fed individually with steam. In certain cases it would even be conceivable to control the outlet openings in such a way that the size or the configuration of the vapor deposition section can be changed.

The steam pipe system can have a plurality of steam pipes running transversely to the direction of movement of the floor cleaning device in order thereby to ensure an adequate distribution of the steam. Finally, the cleaning tool itself can also be completely or partially surrounded by a steam line with openings directed towards the bottom surface or against the cleaning tool.

The cleaning tool can also be preceded by an application tube which extends over an application section and is Nem detergent tank is operatively connected and is provided with openings directed against the floor surface. This application tube is preferably arranged in the immediate vicinity of the cleaning tool, that is to say in relation to the direction of movement between the steam pipe system and the cleaning tool.

To heat the supplied cleaning agent, a preferably meandering heating section can be arranged in the area of the steam pipe system in the supply line from the cleaning agent tank to the application pipe. The heating takes place via a heat exchange between steam-carrying lines or their surroundings and lines carrying cleaning agents.

To convey the cleaning agent out of the cleaning agent tank, a pump, preferably a vibrating piston pump, can be arranged, with which cleaning agent is ejected intermittently, for example every two seconds. The impulse to the pump occurs automatically via a control with an adjustable impulse time. However, manual control of the pump by pressing a button is also conceivable.

The cleaning agent can be applied to the floor surface completely separately from the steam. However, it is also conceivable that the steam pipe system is short-circuited with the application pipe or with the heating section to form a steam-cleaning liquid mixture. In this way, steam is added to the already heated cleaning agent to increase its effectiveness.

According to an alternative solution, it is possible that the steam pipe system is also operatively connected directly to a detergent tank from which the detergent enters the steam supply line can be added. The metering takes place immediately after the steam generator and the cleaning agent emerges as a mixture with the steam from both the steam pipe system and the application pipe.

A particularly intensive effect of the steam and the cleaning liquid is achieved if the vapor deposition section and the active surface of the cleaning tool are at least partially surrounded by an enclosure which serves as a vapor barrier and extends to the bottom surface. The enclosure, together with housing parts of the floor cleaning device, results in an approximately hermetic sealing of a certain floor section from the atmosphere, which ensures an optimization of the cleaning effect. The border can consist, for example, of flexible plastic material or the like.

The cleaning tool can be at least one brush that can be placed on the bottom surface and is designed as a disk or as a roller. Particularly optimal results can be achieved if the cleaning tool has three disk-shaped brushes which can be driven in the same direction about their vertical natural axis and which together can be rotated around a central axis in the manner of a planet. The overlapping movements ensure intensive mechanical loading of the floor surface, easy machine guidance and good accessibility even in difficult places such as curbs etc. The brushes can be mounted on a freely rotating turntable and via a central drive axis with a belt drive reversible and speed-adjustable motor can be driven. The belt drive enables the brushes to be driven in the same direction in a particularly simple manner at the same speed. The turntable itself is not a motor can be driven in rotation, but instead starts to rotate as a result of the torque on the brushes, depending on their direction of rotation.

The brushes can advantageously be plugged onto a brush bearing by means of clamping couplings. Since the brushes are consumables, they must be easy to replace and if possible without tools.

The cleaning tool is advantageously vertically displaceably mounted on a chassis such that its own weight rests on the floor surface. This has the advantage that readjustment due to the wear of the bristles is not necessary and that the brushes are always pressed against the floor with the same force.

The chassis can also be articulated to a mobile drawbar, which makes handling the device much easier. Depending on the construction, the floor cleaning device can be pulled or pushed. Self-guiding versions would also be conceivable, as is already known, for example, in street cleaning machines.

The steam can be produced on a mobile steam generator, which is connected to the floor cleaning device via a flexible steam line. For this purpose, an auxiliary vehicle can be provided in which all the components required for the steam generation, preferably 40-80 kW / h to 210 ° C., are accommodated, namely a water tank, a water pump for feeding the steam generator, a fuel tank, a burner with fan and an injection unit for the fuel. In addition, an auxiliary tank can also be provided, which holds cleaning liquid which is metered in directly on the steam generator. This auxiliary tank can alternatively or in addition to a cleaning be provided on the floor cleaning device. Of course, it would also be conceivable in certain cases to feed steam of the appropriate temperature and pressure directly from a fixed network into the floor cleaning device.

Further advantages and individual features of the invention result from the following description of an exemplary embodiment and from the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a floor cleaning device with an auxiliary vehicle containing the steam generator,

FIG. 2: a top view of the underside of the floor cleaning device in the plane of the heating section for the cleaning liquid,

FIG. 3: a top view of the underside of the floor cleaning device in the plane of the steam pipe system for the steam,

FIG. 4: a top view of the underside of the floor cleaning device on the combination of the two levels according to FIGS. 2 and 3,

Figure 5: a greatly simplified cross section through the

Cleaning tool

FIG. 6: a greatly simplified side view of the floor cleaning device, FIG. 7: a cross section through a single brush in the area of the clamping coupling,

FIG. 8: a top view of the underside of a brush bearing,

FIG. 9: a greatly simplified perspective illustration of the mounting of the cleaning tool,

FIG. 10: a cross section through a bearing point according to FIG. 9,

FIG. 11: a schematic representation of the mode of operation of a floor cleaning device for linear feed,

FIG. 12: a schematic representation of the mode of operation of an alternative floor cleaning device for any radial feed,

FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of the line routing for the different media,

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning device pulled by a vehicle, and

Figure 15 shows an embodiment of a floor cleaning device integrated in a vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the floor cleaning device designated overall by 1 essentially consists of a chassis 30 with rollers 31 (FIG. 6) with a steam attachment 45, on which the steam-carrying or the cleaning-liquid-carrying lines are arranged. A cylindrical brush housing 52 is mounted vertically displaceably in a bearing ring 44 on the chassis 30 in the manner described in more detail below. This brush housing contains the cleaning tool, which is not visible here, the necessary gear and the drive motor 24, which is an electric motor. The brush housing 52 can be lifted out of its storage by means of handles 48 in order to access the cleaning tool.

To push the floor cleaning device, it is provided with a drawbar 33 which has a pair of running wheels 32 and which is connected in an articulated manner to the brush housing 52 by means of a joint suspension 34. On the drawbar, both an operation panel 46 ^Λ and a control unit 46 is arranged for controlling the various functions, as well as a detergent tank fourteenth

A steam generator 8, which is equipped with a burner 39 and a heating coil 58, is accommodated in an auxiliary vehicle 35, as indicated schematically. Decalcified or distilled water or demineralized, filtered rainwater flows through this heating spiral 58, which is heated by the burner and converted into steam. Fuel is supplied from a fuel tank 37 with the aid of an injection unit 41. The water required for steam generation comes from a water tank 36 and is supplied to the steam generator with the aid of a water pump 40. In addition, the auxiliary vehicle can also have an auxiliary tank 38, which can also hold cleaning fluid. The steam from the steam generator 8 is fed to the floor cleaning device via a flexible and preferably insulated hose 42. The electrical supply for all components takes place via a socket 47 on the auxiliary vehicle 35. The flexible hose 42 is thus also assigned an electrical line for the electrical consumers on the floor cleaning device.

The floor cleaning device 1 is advanced on a floor surface 2 in the direction of arrow A. Dirt 43 adhering to the floor surface, in particular chewing gum, is first acted upon and detached by the steam attachment 45, then by the cleaning agent and then by the cleaning tool in the brush housing 52.

The structure and function of the steam generator 45 will first be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 shows a heating section 16 for the cleaning liquid in the form of a line running in a meandering manner in a horizontal plane. This has an inlet 15 which is operatively connected to the detergent tank 14 (FIG. 1) via the pressure side of a pump 17 (FIG. 6). This is preferably a vibrating piston pump, but other types of pumps would also be conceivable. The heating section 16 is connected to an application tube 13 which is convexly curved towards the cleaning tool 3 and which has a plurality of openings 7 directed towards the floor. The application tube 13 extends over an application section for cleaning liquid, the overall width of which corresponds approximately to the width of the cleaning tool 3.

In Figure 3, the steam pipe system 5 is shown, which extends over a total of 9 designated steaming section and also has steam lines extending in a horizontal plane. Some of these steam lines are designed as straight or curved cross tubes 11. The steam pipe system has a plurality of steam outlet openings 6 directed towards the bottom surface, so that the steaming section 9 is evenly steamed. The steam pipe system 5 is fed as centrally as possible via a steam inlet 49. The steam pipe system 5 could also be designed as a meandering curved pipe system.

The cleaning tool 3 is completely of a ring line

12 surrounded for steam, which is also provided with openings 10 directed against the bottom surface and / or obliquely against the cleaning tool. This ring line is also fed via a steam inlet 49 ^Λ . Finally, the above-mentioned application pipe 13 or the heating section 16 is also short-circuited with the steam pipe system 5 or with the steam feed line 59. This connection takes place via a connecting pipe 60 which leads to the inlet 15 for cleaning agents (FIG. 2) and which advantageously branches off from the steam line between the two steam inlets 49, 49. Of course, it would also be conceivable to branch off the steam at another point, for example from the ring line 12 or else to feed the steam at another point, for example directly into the application pipe 13. The steam is fed into the line for cleaning agents and the latter is heated up approx. 80 ° C and there is a mixture of steam and cleaning agent, which is applied to the application tube 13 on the floor surface.

FIG. 4 shows how the steam pipe system 5 interacts with the heating section 16. The two pipe systems lie directly one above the other on horizontal levels, as can be seen in FIG. As a result of this neighborhood and as a result of the course of the heating section 16, the cleaning liquid is additionally heated by the steam pipe system 5 or by the steam escaping there, before it reaches the application pipe

13 exits itself. It can also be seen from FIG. 6 that the ring line 12 and the steam pipe system 5 are fed via a common steam connecting piece 50. This is connected to the flexible hose 42 according to FIG. 1. The suction line 51 for the cleaning agent leads to the cleaning agent tank 14. Optionally, seen in the feed direction, a suction device 61 is arranged directly above the bottom surface after the cleaning tool, said suction device being connected to a suction pump.

The function of the cleaning tool 3 is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The cleaning ^tool 3 has three brushes 19, 19 ^Λ and 19 ^Λλ arranged in a star shape and designed as disks. These brushes are rotatably mounted on a turntable 25 about a vertical axis. The turntable 25 is in turn held freely rotatably in the brush housing 52 via a bearing, preferably a roller bearing 53. The brush axes 20 run parallel to a central drive axis 21, which penetrates the turntable 25 and which is connected to the electric motor 24. At the end of the drive axle 21 there is a drive wheel 23 which drives a drive belt 22. The drive belt wraps around driven wheels 54 on each brush, so that the brushes are driven in the same direction. The drive belt can be a V-belt, a chain or preferably a toothed belt. Depending on the direction of rotation of the central drive axis 21, the brushes 19, 19 ^λ and 19 ^λ rotate together in one or the other direction and, due to the contact pressure on the base surface, bring about a torque on the turntable 25, which subsequently also in the direction of the arrow a starts to turn in one direction or the other.

As already mentioned, the cleaning tool with its gear is in a pot-shaped brush housing that is open at the bottom 52 housed. This is mounted in a bearing ring 44 on the chassis 30 so as to be vertically displaceable in the direction of arrow b, as can be seen from FIG. Details of this storage are shown in Figures 9 and 10. Vertical guide slots 55 are arranged on the outer surface of the brush housing 52 at regular intervals on the circumference. Spring bolts 56, which are arranged on the bearing ring 44 and which can be withdrawn on a handle 57, engage in these guide slots.

Obviously, the brush housing is rotatably but vertically displaceable so that the brushes always rest on the floor surface with the same weight even if the bristles wear out gradually. To lift out the entire brush housing, the spring bolts 56 are withdrawn.

According to FIGS. 7 and 8, for example, a single brush 19 has a brush disk 28 which can be coupled to a brush bearing 26 by clamping. For this purpose, the latter has, for example, four bolts 27. Clamping bearings 29 made of rubber or plastic are embedded in the brush disk 28 and are provided with oval or elliptical openings for receiving the bolts 27. The maximum width of these openings is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the bolts 27, so that a clamping bracket is ensured.

6 further details of the chassis 30 can be seen. Depending on the size of the floor cleaning device, this has rollers 31 which hold the steam attachment 45 relatively deep above the floor. The entire steam attachment and also the actual active surface 4 of the cleaning tool (FIG. 4) are surrounded by an enclosure 18 (FIG. 1). This apron-like seal ensures that a closed steam atmosphere is maintained above the floor surface to be cleaned.

The suspension of the brushes 19, 19 ^Λ , 19 ^{, λ} allows adaptation to uneven floors due to the flexible clamp bearings, each brush disk 28 being able to assume an inclination up to a certain angle from the horizontal plane. Obviously, this type of storage enables optimal cleaning even on uneven surfaces such as cobblestones and the like.

The sequence of the cleaning process is also symbolically represented in FIGS. 11 and 12. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 11, the movement of the floor cleaning device takes place uniformly linearly in the direction of arrow A, as is provided in the exemplary embodiment described. When feeding, the bottom surface section 2a is first heated using the steaming section on the steam attachment 45. This bottom surface section lies at a distance from the bottom surface section 2c, which corresponds to the active surface 4 of the cleaning tool. At the intermediate floor surface section 2b, the heated cleaning liquid is applied to the floor surface which has already been preheated at section 2a. In order to ensure a complete softening of the adhering dirt and a subsequent detachment, the travel speed must be selected in such a way that the bottom surface section 2a is subjected to steam for a period of about 2 to 4 seconds before the cleaning tool subsequently begins with the mechanical removal. Depending on the functioning of the device, the cleaning liquid can not only be sprayed on in section 2b, but also jointly in sections 2a and 2b. Evaporation also takes place in the section via the ring line mentioned above 2c instead of and preferably directed obliquely inwards against the cleaning tool operating on the active surface 4.

A floor cleaning device is indicated in FIG. 12, the individual cleaning components of which are constructed concentrically. The cleaning tool would be completely surrounded by an annular steam attachment and the application tube for the cleaning liquid would also be arranged in a ring around the cleaning tool. In such a case, the floor cleaning device could, as indicated in FIG. 12, be moved radially in any direction, a floor area section 2a always being steamed first, before it was sprayed with cleaning liquid in section 2b and then mechanically treated at section 2c.

FIG. 13 again shows a schematic side view of the wiring of the device described above. The steam is fed from the steam generator 8 via the hose 42 to the connecting piece 50 on the floor cleaning device. From there, the steam feed line 59 divides and leads on the one hand to the steam inlet 49 on the steam pipe system 5 and on the other hand to the steam inlet 49 on the ring line 12. In between, a connecting line 60 branches off, which opens before the inlet 15 into the line for the cleaning liquid.

The cleaning agent is removed from the cleaning agent tank 14 by means of the pump 17 via the suction line 51 and pumped into the section 16. In order to prevent steam from getting into the pump 17 or into the cleaning agent tank 14, a check valve 62 is arranged between the pump and the connecting pipe 60. As can be seen from this illustration, the mixture of steam and cleaning agent is heated in the heating section 16 arranged close to and parallel to the steam pipe system 5 before it is sprayed onto the bottom surface of the application pipe 13 through the openings 7. The bottom surface itself is previously heated by the steam flowing out of the openings 6. In the area of mechanical processing of the floor surface, the working temperature is maintained by the steam that flows out of the openings 10.

According to FIG. 14, the floor cleaning device 1 including the suction device 61 is pulled by a towing vehicle 63, which also has all the elements required for the supply, such as e.g. which contains steam generators, the detergent tank, etc. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 15, the floor cleaning device is integrated in the vehicle 64. The suction device 61 is arranged at the rear of the vehicle in order to vacuum the cleaned floor again.

The floor cleaning device according to the invention is suitable for all compact mineral floors made of asphalt, concrete, natural stone, slate, marble, travertine, etc. However, it is not suitable for textile floors, such as carpets or the like. Distilled, demineralized, filtered rainwater or decalcified tap water is preferably used for the steam generator. Optionally, the device could also be provided with a suction device, which is arranged downstream of the cleaning tool in relation to the direction of movement. This would make a separate wiping or suction of the detached contaminants unnecessary. The remaining liquid, i.e. condensed water vapor and cleaning liquid, could also be removed immediately with the suction. The brushes can be steel, plastic or natural brushes. The speed of the brushes can be adjustable in a manner known per se. The cleaning liquid can either be added automatically or dosed manually using the push button. The latter has the advantage that cleaning fluid can be metered in optimally depending on the degree of soiling and thus saved.

The motor for driving the cleaning tool could also be a gasoline or diesel engine which, for example, simultaneously drives the feed pump for the cleaning agent. In this way, the floor cleaning device would be independent of electricity and there would be no need for an electrical cable.

Depending on the application of the floor cleaning device, the effective area of the cleaning tool could be adjusted. For example, it would be conceivable for particularly narrow cleaning areas to arrange only a single rotating brush. For strongly inclined surfaces and even for vertical wall sections, a portable cleaning device could be used according to the same principle of action, in which the contact pressure of the cleaning tool is applied manually. The term "floor cleaning device" also does not restrict its use in any way, so that, for example, use on any other surface would be appreciated, such as mobile panels made of glass, steel etc., ship hulls, aircraft wings and much more.

Claims

claims

1. A method for cleaning floor surfaces (2) with a mobile floor cleaning device (1), the floor surface being acted upon with at least one cleaning tool (3), as well as with steam and with at least one cleaning liquid, characterized in that the steam and the Cleaning liquid based on the direction of movement (A) of the floor cleaning device (1) are applied together in front of the active surface (4) of the cleaning tool (3) and act on it during an exposure time.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the exposure time is at least 2 seconds, preferably at least 3 seconds.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cleaning liquid is heated to a temperature of above 50 ° Celsius, preferably above 70 ° Celsius, before the application to the floor surface.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the cleaning liquid is heated during the supply to the floor surface by heat exchange with steam-carrying supply lines or with their surroundings.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the cleaning liquid is heated by mixing with the supplied steam.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a steam cleaning liquid mixture over a mixture application section is applied to the floor surface in front of the cleaning tool.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the steam is applied to the bottom surface of a steaming section (9) upstream of the cleaning tool (3) with respect to the direction of movement (A).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the steam is applied to the floor surface via a steam application section wholly or partly surrounding the cleaning tool (3).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that steam is applied at a temperature of 130 ° to 200 °, preferably 160 ° to 180 ° C and at a pressure of 4 to 8 bar.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an alkali with a pH of 7 to 10, containing anionic and nonionic surfactants and alcohol is applied as cleaning agent.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the bottom surface is acted upon on a cleaning tool effective surface with a plurality of brushes rotating in the same direction about its vertical natural axis and in the manner of a planet around a common center.

12. Mobile floor cleaning device (1) with at least one cleaning tool (3) acting on the floor surface (2) to be cleaned and with a steam outlet (6) for ejecting steam or with a cleaning agent outlet (7) for ejecting flow of cleaning agent against the floor surface in the area of the cleaning tool, characterized in that the cleaning agent outlet (7) or the steam outlet (6) in relation to the direction of movement (A) of the floor cleaning device (1) in front of the active surface (4) of the cleaning tool (3) are arranged.

13. Floor cleaning device according to claim 12, characterized in that the cleaning tool (3) is an upstream over a steaming section (9) extending steam ear system (5) which is in operative connection with a steam generator (8) and which is at least partially with against Bottom surface (2) directed openings (6) is provided.

14. Floor cleaning device according to claim 13, characterized in that the vapor deposition section (9) is at least as wide as the active surface (4) of the cleaning tool (3).

15. Floor cleaning device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the steam pipe system (5) has a plurality of steam tube (11) extending transversely to the direction of movement (A) of the floor cleaning device (1).

16. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the cleaning tool (3) is wholly or partly surrounded by a steam line (12) with openings (10) directed against the floor surface and / or against the cleaning tool.

17. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the cleaning tool (3) is preceded by an application pipe (13) extending over an application section, which is provided with a cleaning agent tank (14). is in operative connection and is provided with openings (7) directed towards the bottom surface.

18. Floor cleaning device according to claim 13 and 17, characterized in that in the feed line from the detergent tank

(14) to the application pipe (13) a preferably meandering heating section (16) is arranged, which is arranged for heating the supplied cleaning agent in the area of the steam pipe system (5).

19. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the cleaning agent can be ejected with a pump, preferably with a vibrating piston pump.

20. Floor cleaning device according to claim 18, characterized in that the steam pipe system (5) to form a steam-cleaning liquid mixture with the application pipe

(13) or is short-circuited with the heating section.

21. Floor cleaning device according to claim 13, characterized in that the steam pipe system (5) is also operatively connected to a detergent tank (14) from which the detergent can be metered into the steam supply line.

22. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 13 to 21, characterized in that the steaming section (9) and the active surface (4) of the cleaning tool (3) at least partially from a serving as a vapor barrier and reaching down to the bottom surface (2) border (18 ) are surrounded.

23. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 12 to 22, characterized in that the cleaning tool (3) little- at least has a rotating brush (19) which can be placed on the base surface (2).

24. Floor cleaning device according to claim 23, characterized in that the cleaning tool (3) has at least three disk-shaped brushes (19, 19 ^λ , 19 ^ΛX ) which can be driven in the same direction about their vertical natural axis and which can be rotated together in a planetary ^manner about a central axis (21) ,

25. Floor cleaning device according to claim 24, characterized in that the brushes on a freely rotatable turntable

(25) and can be driven via a central drive axle (21) by a belt drive (22) with a reversible speed-adjustable motor (24).

26. Floor cleaning device according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the brushes can be plugged onto a brush bearing (26) by means of flexible clamping couplings (29) in such a way that they are detachably mounted and movable in relation to the floor surface.

27. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that the cleaning tool is vertically displaceably mounted on a chassis (30) such that it rests on the floor surface with its own weight.

28. Floor cleaning device according to claim 27, characterized in that the chassis (30) is articulated to a mobile drawbar (33).

29. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 12 to 28, characterized in that the steam on a mobile steam generator which can preferably be operated with fossil fuel Can be produced, which is connected to the floor cleaning device (1) via a flexible steam line (42).

30. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 12 to 29, characterized in that it has a suction device for suctioning dirt and / or liquid.

31. Motor vehicle with at least one floor cleaning device according to one of claims 12 to 30, wherein the sources for steam and / or for cleaning liquid are integrated in the motor vehicle and the floor cleaning device is attached to the motor vehicle or is stretched in front of the motor vehicle or suspended under the motor vehicle.