WO2009103486A1

WO2009103486A1 - Surface cleaning head

Info

Publication number: WO2009103486A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/001103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vitali Fischer
Original assignee: Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2008-02-22
Filing date: 2009-02-17
Publication date: 2009-08-27
Also published as: EP2247393A1; EP2247393B1; PL2247393T3; DE102008011506A1; CN101939116B; CN101939116A

Abstract

The invention relates to a surface cleaning head for cleaning a surface, having a dome-shaped housing (11) that is open on one side, in which at least one spray arm (47, 48) having a spray nozzle (52, 53) is rotatably supported about a rotational axis, wherein the nozzle can be subjected to pressurized cleaning fluid and the same revolves about the rotational axis together with the spray arm in order to apply a surface to be cleaned with a fluid jet. In order to refine the surface cleaning head such that corner regions of the surface to be cleaned can also be subjected to a pressurized cleaning fluid in a simple manner, the invention provides that the surface cleaning head has at least one rotationally fixed additional nozzle (60). Said nozzle can be subjected to pressurized cleaning fluid, and an impact element (68) is associated with the same, which can be subjected to cleaning fluid coming from the additional nozzle.

Description

F LAC H E N RE G I N G S KO P F

The invention relates to a surface cleaning head for cleaning a surface, with a hood-shaped, unilaterally open housing in which at least one spray arm is rotatably mounted with a nozzle about a rotation axis, wherein the nozzle is acted upon with pressurized cleaning liquid and together with the spray arm to the The axis of rotation rotates to act on the surface to be cleaned with a liquid jet.

Such surface cleaning heads are known from German Patent DE 102 06 013 Cl. They are particularly suitable for cleaning hard surfaces, such as stone or wooden terraces, garage entrances and garage doors. To clean the hard surfaces, the pressure line of a high-pressure cleaning device can be connected to the surface cleaning head. Pressurized cleaning liquid can thus be supplied to the nozzle arranged on the at least one spray arm. With the help of the nozzle, the cleaning liquid can be applied to the surface to be cleaned. The nozzle undergoes a recoil, under the action of the spray arm is rotated about the axis of rotation in rotation. This makes it possible to apply a relatively large area within a short time with cleaning liquid. Usually, at least two spray arms are used, each carrying a nozzle, wherein all nozzles are acted upon simultaneously with pressurized cleaning liquid. The nozzles perform a circular motion during operation of the surface cleaning head. Although this allows a relatively large area of cleaning in a short space of time, however, makes it more difficult to clean corner areas of a surface.

Object of the present invention is to develop a generic surface cleaning head such that even corner regions of the surface to be cleaned in a simple manner with pressurized cleaning liquid can be acted upon.

This object is achieved in a surface cleaning head of the type mentioned in the present invention that the surface cleaning head has at least one rotatably held auxiliary nozzle, which is acted upon with pressurized cleaning liquid and associated with a baffle element, which can be acted upon by the auxiliary nozzle with cleaning liquid.

In addition to the at least one nozzle, which is arranged on a spray arm and rotates together with the spray arm about the rotation axis, the surface cleaning head according to the invention at least one rotatably held additional nozzle is used, which is associated with a baffle element. With the help of the additional nozzle, the user can apply a specific area of the surface to be cleaned, in particular a corner area, specifically with cleaning liquid. The liquid jet discharged from the auxiliary nozzle partly hits the surface to be cleaned outside the circular area defined by the nozzle rotating together with the respective spray arm, partly it strikes a baffle element associated with the auxiliary nozzle. The impact of cleaning liquid on the impact element has the consequence that the impact element with a force in the direction of the to be cleaned Surface is applied. This force can be transmitted from the baffle to the housing of the surface cleaning head. As a result, when the cleaning liquid is discharged through the auxiliary nozzle, the surface cleaning head experiences a force in the direction of the surface to be cleaned. This force is opposite to the recoil force exerted by the auxiliary nozzle. It is thus avoided in the delivery of cleaning fluid through the additional nozzle that the surface cleaning head lifts off due to the repulsive force of the auxiliary nozzle of the surface to be cleaned.

The surface cleaning head according to the invention is thus characterized by the fact that even corner areas can be reliably cleaned. For this purpose, the surface cleaning head on one or more non-rotatable additional nozzles. At least one additional nozzle is associated with a baffle element, so that the force exerted by the auxiliary nozzle upon delivery of cleaning liquid to the housing repulsive force is at least partially compensated by a force exerted by the cleaning liquid on the baffle element counterforce and therefore there is no danger that the surface cleaning head raised by the recoil force becomes. In addition to the at least one additional nozzle with an associated baffle element at least one additional nozzle can still be used, which is assigned no baffle element. It can also be provided that at least one additional nozzle are assigned a plurality of impact elements.

It can be provided that the nozzles held on a rotating spray arm can be acted upon simultaneously with the at least one additional nozzle with pressurized cleaning liquid, so that all nozzles of the surface cleaning head simultaneously direct a liquid jet onto the surface to be cleaned.

Alternatively it can be provided that the surface cleaning head has a switching device, with the aid of either the together with a spray arm rotating nozzles and / or the at least one additional nozzle can be acted upon with cleaning liquid. This gives the user the option of selectively applying to the surface to be cleaned a liquid jet circulating about the axis of rotation of the spray arms and / or a liquid jet from the auxiliary nozzle. In particular, corner regions of the surface to be cleaned can be specifically applied with cleaning liquid from an additional nozzle.

The switching device may comprise at least one actuating member, for example at least one foot pedal, with the aid of which the user can select the at least one additional nozzle and / or the rotating nozzles for cleaning the surface. It can be provided, for example, that the switching device has a first switching position, in which only the rotating together with a spray nozzle nozzles are acted upon by pressurized cleaning fluid, and a second switching position, in which only the at least one additional nozzle pressurized cleaning fluid acts becomes. It is advantageous if the switching device additionally has a third switching position in which both the nozzles rotating together with a spray arm and the at least one additional nozzle are supplied with cleaning liquid. The respective switching position can be selected by the user by means of the at least one, preferably movably held on the housing actuator. The at least one additional nozzle associated baffle element, which is connected to the housing, is aligned in an advantageous Ausf senkrechthrungsform perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spray arm. In such an orientation, the preferably plate-shaped or bar-shaped baffle element runs essentially parallel to the surface to be cleaned. If the baffle element is subjected to pressurized cleaning fluid, which is discharged from the associated additional nozzle, this has a maximum counterforce to the recoil force caused by the additional nozzle when the baffle element is oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the impact element projects laterally into the jet area of the cleaning liquid discharged from the associated auxiliary nozzle. In this case, the jet region is understood to mean the angular region over which the cleaning liquid discharged from the auxiliary nozzle is distributed. The beam area may be, for example, at least 40 °, preferably 50 ° to 60 °. The impact element protrudes laterally into the jet area, so that part of the cleaning liquid discharged by the additional nozzle is captured by the impact element. Starting from the auxiliary nozzle, this part of the cleaning fluid strikes the impact element immediately and then drips down from it.

Preferably, the impact element protrudes into the middle of the jet area of the cleaning liquid discharged from the auxiliary nozzle. It is favorable if a free end region of the impact element is arranged approximately at the level of the longitudinal axis of the associated additional nozzle. Conveniently, the impact element protrudes into the jet area on the side of the jet area facing the spray arm. The impact element is arranged in such a configuration on the side of the beam region which is assigned to the at least one, about the rotation axis rotating spray arm.

In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one, around the rotation axis rotating spray arm defines a spray area, which is surrounded by an annular cylinder wall, on the outside of a neck portion is attached, which extends over a portion of the outer circumference of the cylinder wall and together with the cylinder wall an additional space defined, in which at least the outlet opening of an additional nozzle and at a distance to this the associated impact element are arranged. In such an embodiment, the interior of the housing is subdivided into an area which is surrounded by the cylinder wall and receives at least one spray arm, and an area which receives at least the outlet opening of an additional nozzle as well as the impact element associated with this additional nozzle. It can be provided that the entire auxiliary nozzle is positioned in the additional space. In a preferred embodiment of the surface cleaning head, only one end region of the additional nozzle, which has its outlet opening, dips into the additional space.

It is advantageous if the attachment part is configured V-shaped in plan view. The additional space defined by the attachment part in such an embodiment is substantially triangular in plan view and has an arcuate base side formed by the cylinder wall surrounding the spray area, and two sides formed by the attachment part. th, which are preferably curved convex or concave. The triangular configuration facilitates the cleaning of corner areas of a surface.

Conveniently, the baffle element is held on the outside of the cylinder wall facing away from the spray arm.

It can be provided that the baffle element is integrally connected to the cylinder wall.

Preferably, the baffle element is designed plate-shaped or web-shaped.

The cylinder wall and the attachment part preferably carry a splash guard at their free edges. As a splash guard, for example, a bristle strip can be used or a spray lip made of an elastic material.

At least one additional nozzle is preferably designed as a spray nozzle. However, it is also possible to use a flat jet nozzle or a rotor nozzle.

In an advantageous embodiment, the baffle element has a reinforcing rib, so that it can withstand relatively large forces. The reinforcing rib is preferably arranged on the upper side of the impact element of the baffle plate facing the associated additional nozzle.

The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves in conjunction with the drawings for further explanation. Show it:

Figure 1: a perspective view of a surface cleaning head according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the surface cleaning head from FIG. 1.

In the drawing, an inventive surface cleaning head 10 is shown schematically with a hood-shaped, one-sided open housing 11, which has a housing lower part 12 and a housing upper part 13. The lower housing part 12 comprises an annular, self-contained in the plan view cylinder wall 15 which projects from an intermediate wall 16 down and carries at its free edge 17 a circumferential splash guard 18. The lower housing part 12 also comprises an externally attached to the cylinder wall 15 attachment portion 20 which is formed in plan view substantially V-shaped with a first leg 21 and a second leg 22 which define a housing tip 23 and at its lower free edge 24 also wear a splash guard 25.

The circumferential cylinder wall 15 defines in combination with the intermediate wall 16 a spray chamber 27 of the housing 11, and the attachment part 20 defines in combination with the region of the cylinder wall 15 covered by the attachment part 20 an additional space 28 of the housing 11.

The housing upper part 13 comprises a cover 30, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the surface cleaning head 10 practically over the entire length of the housing lower part 12 into the region of the housing tip 23, but which extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the surface cleaning head 10 only via a NEN portion of the housing base 12 extends. In addition, the upper housing part 13 comprises two arcuate handles 31, 32, which are integrally connected to the cover 30 and can be grasped by the user by hand. The cover 30, in combination with the area of the intermediate wall 16 covered by the cover 30, defines a distribution chamber 34 of the housing 11. In the distribution chamber 34, a central distribution part 37 is arranged, into which a supply pipe 38 opens, which is aligned around a pipe axis 39 Swivel axis 40 is pivotally mounted in the distributor part 37. At its free end facing away from the distributor part 37, the supply pipe 38 carries a connecting element 42, so that a pressure line, known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing, of a high-pressure cleaning device can be connected to the supply pipe 38.

The distributor part 37 is connected via a first supply line 45 with two diametrically opposed spray arms 47, 48 in fluid communication, each having a flow channel 49 and 50 and carry at its free end a nozzle 52 and 53, respectively. The nozzles are acted upon by the supply pipe 38 and the distributor part 37 and the subsequent supply line 37 first supply line 45 with pressurized cleaning liquid and produce an obliquely downwardly directed liquid jet of a cleaning liquid, the exit from the nozzles 52, 53 by reaction forces exert a torque on the spray arms 47, 48 and thereby rotate them. The axis of rotation 55 is aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the first supply line 45. Starting from the distributor part 37, a second supply line 57 runs within the distribution chamber 34, which enters the additional space 28 on the upper side and carries an additional nozzle 60 at its free end. The additional nozzle 60 is formed in the form of a spray nozzle and, in contrast to the rotating nozzles 52 and 53 held stationary on the housing 11. From the additional nozzle 60 pressurized cleaning fluid can be dispensed, which is distributed over a jet region 61 shown schematically in Figure 2.

The supply of cleaning liquid from the supply pipe 38 via the distributor part 37 takes place either only to the respectively arranged on a spray arm 47 and 48 nozzles 52 and 53 or to the auxiliary nozzle 60. The distributor part 37 forms for this purpose a switching device, the one in the Drawing for obtaining a better overview valve piston, not shown, which can be moved by means of the upper side of the housing 11 arranged foot pedals 64 and 65 between a first and a second switching position back and forth. In its first switching position, the valve piston of the distributor part 37 releases the flow path between the supply pipe 38 and the first supply line 45 and at the same time blocks the flow path between the supply pipe 38 and the second supply line 57, and in its second switching position the valve piston of the distributor part 37 provides the flow connection between the supply pipe 38 and the second supply line 57 and at the same time blocks the flow connection between the supply pipe 38 and the first supply line 45.

By operating the foot pedals 64 and 65, the user can thus select whether to apply pressurized cleaning fluid through the rotating nozzles 52 and 53 or via the additional nozzle 60. The use of the additional nozzle 60 is preferably carried out for cleaning corner areas of a surface.

Below the auxiliary nozzle 60 is at an interval to this on the outside of the cylinder wall 15 of the additional nozzle 60 associated impact element in the form of a baffle plate 68 formed on the upper side, d. H. on its the additional nozzle 60 facing top carries a reinforcing rib 69 and projects in the manner of a web to the outside of the cylinder wall 14. The baffle plate 68 is aligned perpendicular to the axis of rotation 55 of the spray arms 47 and 48 and protrudes on the spray arms 47, 48 facing side of the beam portion 61 in the beam portion 61, wherein the free end of the baffle plate 68 disposed approximately at the level of the longitudinal axis of the auxiliary nozzle 60 is. When pressurized cleaning liquid is discharged from the auxiliary nozzle 60, the auxiliary nozzle 60 exerts on the housing 11 a repulsive force away from the surface to be cleaned. A part of the cleaning liquid discharged from the auxiliary nozzle 60 impinges on the upper side of the baffle plate 68, so that the baffle plate 68 exerts on the housing 11 a counterforce directed counter to the repulsive force of the auxiliary nozzle 60. This has the consequence that even with a delivery of cleaning fluid through the additional nozzle 60 there is no danger that the surface cleaning head 10 lifts off with its front, the housing tip adjacent area of the surface to be cleaned.

A surface to be cleaned can be acted upon by means of the surface cleaning device 10 optionally with cleaning liquid from the rotating around the axis of rotation 55 nozzles 52 and 53 or with cleaning liquid from the auxiliary nozzle 60. By means of the circulating nozzles 52, 53, a relatively large area can be cleaned within a short time, and by the Use of the additional nozzle 60, in particular corner regions of the surface to be cleaned can be reliably applied with cleaning liquid.

When dispensing cleaning liquid via the additional nozzle 60, there is no danger that the housing 11 will be lifted off the surface to be cleaned due to the repulsive force of the additional nozzle 60 due to the use of the baffle plate 68.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning head for cleaning a surface, with a hood-shaped, one-sided open housing in which at least one spray arm is rotatably mounted with a nozzle about a rotation axis, wherein the nozzle is acted upon with pressurized cleaning liquid and together with the spray arm to the Rotary axis rotates to act on the surface to be cleaned with a liquid jet, characterized in that the surface cleaning head (10) at least one rotatably held additional nozzle (60), which is acted upon by pressurized cleaning liquid and an impact element (68) is assigned, the can be acted upon by the auxiliary nozzle (60) with cleaning liquid.

2. surface cleaning head according to claim 1, characterized in that the baffle element (68) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (55) of the at least one spray arm (47, 48) is aligned.

3. surface cleaning head according to claim loder 2, characterized in that the baffle element (68) projects laterally into the jet region (61) of the associated additional nozzle (60) discharged cleaning liquid.

4. surface cleaning head according to claim 3, characterized in that the baffle element (68) to the middle of the beam region (61) of the associated auxiliary nozzle (60) projecting cleaning liquid protrudes.

5. surface cleaning head according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the baffle element (68) on the at least one spray arm (47, 48) facing side of the beam region (61) protrudes into the beam region (61).

6. Surface cleaning head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one about the axis of rotation (55) rotating spray arm (47, 48) defines a spray area, which is surrounded by a cylinder wall (16), on the outside of a neck portion ( 20) is attached, which extends over a partial region of the outer circumference of the cylinder wall (15) and together with the cylinder wall (15) defines an additional space (28) in which at least the outlet opening of an auxiliary nozzle (60) and at a distance from this the Additional nozzle (60) associated baffle element (68) are arranged.

7. surface cleaning head according to claim 6, characterized in that the attachment part (20) in the plan view is V-shaped.

8. surface cleaning head according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the baffle element (68) on the at least one spray arm (47, 48) facing away from the outside of the cylinder wall (15) is held.

9. surface cleaning head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the baffle element (68) is integrally connected to a cylinder wall (15).

10. surface cleaning head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the baffle element (68) is designed plate or web-like.

11. Surface cleaning head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impact element (68) has a reinforcing rib (69).

12. surface cleaning head according to claim 11, characterized in that the reinforcing rib (69) on the associated additional nozzle (20) facing side of the impact element (68) is arranged.