WO2012065621A1

WO2012065621A1 - Floor cleaning device comprising a pivotable dirt receptacle

Info

Publication number: WO2012065621A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/067482
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Nonnenmann; Bernhard Maurer; Michael Oesterle
Original assignee: Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2010-11-15
Filing date: 2010-11-15
Publication date: 2012-05-24
Also published as: EP2640248B1; CN103200852B; EP2640248A1; CN103200852A; DK2640248T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor cleaning device (10), comprising a storage reservoir (22) for a cleaning liquid that is to be applied onto a floor surface (16) to be cleaned, a cleaning device (20) for removing dirt from the floor surface (16), a dirt receptacle (28) for suctioning the removed dirt and cleaning liquid under the effect of a suction unit, and a dirt liquid container (24) for absorbing the suctioned dirt and the suctioned cleaning liquid. According to the invention, the dirt receptacle (28) is retained in a pivoting manner at the floor cleaning device (10) by at least one joint (64), which is composed of a first joint member (52) and a second joint member (50) that interacts with the first joint member, and is pivotable about at least one pivot axis (66, 68, 70). In order to provide such a floor cleaning device (10), the dirt receptacle (28) of which is pivotably retained in a simple and reliable manner at the floor cleaning device (10), it is proposed according to the invention that the first joint member (52) is a joint shell (58) and the second joint member (50) is a joint head (54) mounted in said joint shell.

Description

FLOOR CLEANER WITH SWIVEL DIRT RECEIVING

The invention relates to a floor cleaning device, comprising a reservoir for applying to a floor surface to be cleaned cleaning liquid, a cleaning device for removing dirt from the bottom surface, a dirt collecting device for sucking away debris and cleaning liquid under the action of a suction unit and a dirty liquid container for receiving the sucked dirt and the suctioned cleaning liquid, wherein the dirt-receiving device is held by at least one joint with a first joint member and a cooperating with this second joint member about at least one pivot axis pivotally mounted on the floor cleaning device.

Such floor cleaning devices, also known under the names "scrubber-drier" and "scrubbing machine", are described for example in US 4,492,002, DE 197 29 307 C1 and EP 1 913 859 AI. The floor surface to be cleaned can be acted upon by means of the cleaning liquid, in particular water, in order to increase the cleaning effect exerted by the cleaning device on the floor surface. The mixture of detached dirt and cleaning liquid can be sucked off by means of the so-called "suction" dirt collecting device under the action of a suction unit of the floor cleaning device and in the

Dirty liquid containers are transferred. Incidentally, the dirt collecting device is pivotally supported on the floor cleaning device about at least one pivot axis in order to lower it on the floor surface and lift it from it and to be able to compensate for unevenness of the floor surface to be cleaned.

Object of the present invention is to provide a floor cleaning device of the type mentioned, the dirt receiving device on manufacturing technology simple and reliable manner is pivotally held on the floor cleaning device.

This object is achieved in a generic floor cleaning device according to the invention in that the first joint member is a joint shell and the second joint member is a joint head mounted in this.

The above embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the invention allows a flat abutment of the first joint member and the second joint member, namely the joint shell and the joint head, to each other. In addition, effective forces can be derived in this way over the at least one joint between the dirt-collecting device and the floor cleaning device. The load per area of the joint members is thereby comparatively small. This makes it possible, for example, to make the joint members less massive than in the known from the prior art floor cleaning devices and even to use these coming to use screw, rivet and / or welded joints of metal parts for movably supporting the dirt receiving device on the floor cleaning device , The use of alternative manufacturing materials, in particular plastic, for the production of the condyle and / or the joint shell in a cost plastic forming process is conceivable. This also allows, for example, the formation of the joint head and / or the joint shell such that they can be connected snapping or detent with each other and / or by means provided for this purpose, for example, also made of plastic molded securing members by connectors together.

In addition, a particularly good management of the dirt receiving device when pivoting can be achieved by the flat bearing of the joint shell and the condyle. The risk that the dirt collecting device tilted relative to the floor cleaning device is thereby reduced, which facilitates the handling of the floor cleaning device. Due to the comparatively large area of interaction between the joint head and the joint shell, the at least one joint also experiences only a relatively small amount of wear even when dirt has entered. This leads to a long service life of the at least one joint and thereby to a reliable movable mounting of the dirt pick-up device on the floor cleaning device.

Position and / or directional indications such as "top", "bottom", "horizontal", "vertical" or the like are hereinafter referred to as an operating position of the floor cleaning appliance, in which the floor cleaning device is positioned on a horizontal bottom surface.

It is advantageous if the joint shell is a half-shell, because this allows to derive forces occurring between the dirt-collecting device and the floor cleaning device over as large a surface as possible. In addition, by means of the half-shell, guidance of the joint head relative to the joint shell can be achieved over as large an angular range as possible.

Preferably, the condyle is insertable from below into the joint shell, wherein the joint shell for this purpose may have an insertion opening for the condyle on its side facing the bottom surface. In practice it turns out that this makes it easier to connect the dirt pick-up device to the floor cleaning device. Furthermore, it is easier in this way to clean the joint cup of dirt occurred. In particular, dirt that has entered the joint shell can also fall out of the joint shell by itself through the insertion opening. The wear of the at least one joint can be kept low.

Preferably, the joint shell is opened only in the direction of the bottom surface, so that it has no further opening except the above-mentioned insertion opening. The entry of dirt and thereby the wear of the at least one joint can be kept even smaller. It is advantageous if the at least one joint is a ball joint. In this case, the first joint member, namely the joint shell, a particular hemispherical shell for receiving the second joint member, namely an at least partially spherical condyle. The use of the ball joint makes it possible for the dirt collecting device to be pivotally mounted on the floor cleaning device by three pivot axes which are arranged in pairs perpendicular to one another. The dirt pick-up device may, for example, be pivotable about a first, vertical pivot axis, which is particularly useful when cornering the floor cleaning device. In addition, a pivoting about a second, horizontal and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning device aligned pivot axis is possible. This allows the dirt-collecting device to pivot to compensate for running in the longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning device uneven floors. The ability to pivot the dirt picking device about the second horizontal axis also allows the dirt picking device to be lifted from the ground surface when not in use and lowered onto the ground surface for use. Further, a pivoting about a third, extending in the longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning device horizontal pivot axis is possible. This can be compensated by means of the dirt receiving device transverse to the longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning device uneven floors.

A structurally simple embodiment of the floor cleaning device can be achieved if the dirt receiving device is held by means of only one joint on the floor cleaning device movable, in particular by means of the above-mentioned ball joint.

It is advantageous if the floor cleaning device comprises a chassis, on which one of the hinge members is integrally formed. The chassis, a support device of the floor cleaning device, for example, can be used to hold the cleaning device, a chassis, a suction unit, the reservoir and / or the dirty liquid container. In addition, from the chassis is used to hold the dirt receiving device, wherein the floor cleaning device in the strict sense arranged joint member is formed integrally with the chassis. This allows a structurally particularly simple embodiment of the joint member. In addition, components can be saved because the hinge member is not made separately from the chassis and is fixed by means of fasteners on this. For integral formation of the joint member with the chassis, which may be particularly preferably integrally formed as a whole, the chassis is made for example of a plastic material.

It is favorable when the dirt-collecting device comprises the condyle and the floor-cleaning device, moreover, the joint shell. This proves to be advantageous in practice, in particular in a one-piece design of the joint shell with the chassis.

In another embodiment of the floor cleaning appliance according to the invention, provision may be made for the dirt holding device to comprise the joint shell and the floor cleaning appliance, moreover, the joint head.

Preferably, the floor cleaning device comprises at least one securing member for securing the condyle in the joint shell. The at least one securing member can assume a securing position in which the joint head is secured against loosening out of the joint shell. By transferring the at least one securing member into a release position, this fuse can be repealed and the joint head can be removed from the joint shell in order to release the dirt-collecting device from the floor-cleaning device by the way.

In practice, it proves to be advantageous if the at least one securing member is formed separately from the joint head and / or from the joint shell. This makes it possible to make the at least one joint and the at least one securing member in constructive terms as simple as possible. A structurally particularly simple embodiment is made possible by the fact that the at least one securing member is integrally formed, especially from a plastic material.

It is advantageous if the at least one securing member comprises or forms at least one stop element for the condyle, which counteracts an insertion direction of the condyle in the joint shell. The stop element can receive a holding force required for holding the joint head in the joint shell and thereby secure the joint head in the joint shell. Beyond the stop element, the at least one securing element can form a contact element for the joint head when it is arranged in the joint shell. The joint head can thereby occupy a defined position relative to the joint shell and be guided, for example, during pivoting by the contact element.

Preferably, the at least one securing member comprises two spaced-apart, arranged on opposite sides of the joint head stop elements. By means of the two stop elements, the at least one securing member engage around the joint head and thereby reliably secure against loosening from the joint shell. Between the two stop elements of the joint head is preferably free of play, but still arranged movable relative to at least one securing member. The securing member can contribute in this way to a guide of the pivoting of the dirt receiving device relative to the floor cleaning device.

In practice, it proves to be advantageous if the at least one securing member has a connecting portion connecting the stop elements together. This contributes to a stiffening of the at least one securing member. This can in this development of the floor cleaning device, for example, the shape of a U-shaped bracket, the legs each form a stop element and in particular contact element for the condyle. It is advantageous if the at least one securing member comprises or forms a contact element for an edge of the joint shell. This makes it possible to apply the at least one securing member in the securing position to the edge of the insertion opening of the joint shell. The at least one securing member thereby assumes a defined position relative to the joint shell. This proves to be advantageous in practice for a reliable securing of the condyle in the joint shell.

It is favorable if the at least one securing member is assigned a securing member receptacle connected to the joint shell, into which the at least one securing member for securing the condyle in the joint shell can be inserted. At the securing member receiving a force exerted by the joint head on the at least one securing member holding force can be derived. The securing member receptacle is preferably rigidly connected to the joint shell and in particular integrally with the chassis via the chassis. If the at least one securing member can be inserted into the securing member receptacle in a form-fitting manner, it can assume a particularly well-defined position relative thereto.

In a handling-friendly manner, the dirt pick-up device can otherwise be attached to the floor cleaning device and released from it, if the at least one securing element can be removed without tools into the securing element receptacle and / or without tools from the securing element receptacle. For example, the at least one securing member can be inserted into the securing member receptacle.

Preferably, the at least one securing member is rotatably formed with respect to the joint shell. If the dirt pick-up device is pivoted relative to the floor cleaning device, the joint shell and the at least one securing member perform no relative movement to one another, so that a friction of these two components together and their wear can be reduced. It is advantageous if the dirt-receiving device comprises a holder with a one of the hinge members having first holding part and a second holding part for holding a squeegee, which is tiltable relative to the first holding part. The dirt-collecting device has one of the joint members, for example the joint head, which is arranged on the first holding part. The second holding part is tiltable relative to the first holding part, in particular about an axis aligned horizontally and transversely to a longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning appliance. By inclining the second holding part relative to the first holding part, the setting angle of the suction strip over which the mixture of dirt and cleaning liquid is sucked from the bottom surface can be varied relative to the bottom surface. This makes it possible to flexibly adapt the suction properties of the dirt-collecting device to different ground conditions.

Optionally may be provided in a floor cleaning device of the type mentioned to achieve the same advantage that the dirt receiving device comprises a holder having a one of the joint members having first holding part and a second holding part for holding a squeegee, which is tiltable relative to the first holding part.

Preferably, the second holding part is tiltably mounted on the first holding part about a tilting axis, for example, the aforementioned horizontal and perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning device aligned axis. By tilting the holding parts relative to each other, the inclination of the suction bar can be varied in a structurally simple manner.

It is advantageous if the joint member is formed integrally with the first holding part, because this allows a structurally simple embodiment of the holder. For example, the first holding part and the joint member are made in one piece from a plastic material. Also, the second holding part may be made of a plastic material. In another type of embodiment of the floor cleaning appliance according to the invention, which has a dirt holding device with a holder not comprising two holding parts that are not movable relative to one another, it can be provided that the articulated element of the dirt holding device is manufactured in one piece with the holder, in particular of a plastic material.

It is favorable when the dirt-collecting device comprises an adjusting device with at least one actuator which can be actuated by an operator for tilting the first holding part and the second holding part relative to one another. The adjusting device can be actuated by means of the at least one actuator, so that the operator tend the holding parts relative to each other and can adapt the dirt-collecting device to the soil condition. This makes it easier for the operator to handle the floor cleaning appliance.

A compact design of the dirt-collecting device can be achieved in that the adjusting device is arranged between the joint member and the squeegee, which can be arranged in each case at opposite ends of the dirt-receiving device.

In practice, it proves to be reliable for the function of the adjusting device when the at least one actuator is movably mounted on one of the holding parts and has a positive guide for at least one guide member of the other of the holding parts. Thus, the at least one actuator is movably mounted, for example, on the first holding part, and the second holding part has at least one guide member engaging in the positive guide formed by the actuator. Depending on a movement of the at least one actuator relative to the first holding part, a movement of the second holding part relative to the first holding part can be effected due to the positive guide, in particular a change in the inclination of the holding parts relative to each other. In the at least one guide member is z. B. around an engaging in the positive guide pin of the second holding part, Wel- is arranged at a distance from the aforementioned tilting axis and on a suction side of the opposite side of the tilting axis. A movement of the at least one guide member in one direction, which encloses an angle with a connecting line of the guide member with the tilting axis, then causes a rocking movement of the second holding part relative to the first holding part.

A reliable function of the adjusting device can be achieved in practice in that the forced operation is a sliding guide.

Advantageously, the at least one actuator can be actuated without tools. This facilitates an operator's handling of the floor cleaning device.

It is advantageous if the at least one actuator is a rotary handle or comprises a rotary handle. The rotary handle is conveniently operated without tools by the operator and, for example, rotatably mounted on the first holding part. On the circumference of the rotary handle, a positive guide, designed as a link guide, may be arranged, in which a guide member of the second holding part can engage. If the rotary handle is rotated relative to the first holding part, the guide member performs relative to the first holding part of a movement that can be transmitted to the tilt adjustment of the squeegee on the same.

Preferably, the adjusting device comprises locking elements for locking the at least one actuator in a plurality of positions relative to the holder, which correspond to different angles of inclination of the holding parts relative to each other. This allows reliable operation of the adjusting device and facilitates a user's operation. By means of the locking elements, for example interengaging locking elements on at least one actuator and on the holder, the actuator can be releasably locked relative to the holder. This makes it possible to desired adjustment of the inclination of the holding parts relative to each other to avoid the.

It is advantageous if the dirt-receiving device has a display device for indicating the relative position of the first holding part and the second holding part relative to one another. From the relative position of the holding parts to each other an operator can derive the Aufstellwinkel dei squeegee on the bottom surface in a simple manner, which facilitates the handling of the floor cleaning device operator.

The following description of a preferred embodiment of the inven tion is used in conjunction with the drawings for more detailed explanation of the invention. There are shown: a side view of a floor cleaning device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the floor cleaning device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 4, showing a dirt receiving device of the floor cleaning device of Figure 1 and their support on the floor cleaning device;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 3 and

Figure 5: a partial perspective view of the dirt receiving device of the floor cleaning device of Figure 1 in an exploded view.

Figures 1 and 2 show in a side or a rear view before ferred embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the invention, designed as a scrubber 10 and overall with the reference sign 10 is occupied. The scrubber-drier 10 is a so-called "walk-behind" machine which controls an operator by means of a control unit 14 arranged on a rear side 12 via a floor surface 16 to be cleaned.

Position and / or direction indications such as "top", "bottom", "horizontal", "vertical" or the like are in the present case to refer to an operating position of the scrubber 10, in which the scrubber 10 is positioned on horizontally oriented bottom surface 16.

For cleaning the bottom surface 16, the scrubber 10 comprises a cleaning device 20 arranged on its front side 18, which has two brush rollers, not shown in the drawing, to detach dirt from the bottom surface 16, for which the cleaning device 20 for this purpose initially with respect to the configuration shown in the drawing the bottom surface 16 is lowered.

Furthermore, the scrubber 10 comprises a reservoir 22 for a cleaning liquid, in particular water, which can be supplied to the cleaning device 20 for acting on the bottom surface 16 in order to increase the cleaning effect. Above the storage container 22, the scrubber 10 comprises a dirty liquid container 24 for receiving the mixture of detached dirt and cleaning liquid, which can be sucked off the bottom surface 16 by means disposed on the bottom 16 and on the back 12 of the scrubber 10 dirt collecting device 28.

For this purpose, the dirt collecting device 28 comprises a known per se, only shown in Figures 1 to 3 suction strip 30 with a nozzle-shaped connecting element 32 to which a suction hose, not shown in the drawing can be connected. About this suction hose, the squeegee 30 by means of a suction unit, also not shown, the scrubber 10 in a known manner with negative pressure beauf- be beat so that the mixture of dirt and cleaning liquid can be transferred into the dirty liquid container 24.

To hold the dirt receiving device 28, the scrubber 10 comprises a chassis 34 which in the present case is produced in a simple manufacturing process from a plastics material in a cost-effective manner. The chassis 34 is used to hold the cleaning device 20, a chassis 36 of the scrubber 10, and mentioned, the dirt pickup device 28. Further, the chassis 34 carries the containers 22 and 24 and the aforementioned suction unit.

The dirt receiving device 28, this is particularly clear from Figures 3 to 5, has a holder 38 for the squeegee 30, which holder 38 comprises two each in one piece, for example, made of a plastic material holding parts 40 and 42. With the second holding part 42, the suction strip 30 is connected by means of known connection elements in the form of wing nuts 44 and 46 (Figure 2). The two holding parts 40 and 42 are tiltably mounted to one another about a horizontally extending tilting axis 48 defined on the second holding part 42. This will be discussed in more detail later.

On its side facing the chassis 34, the essentially plate-shaped holding part 40 has an upwardly projecting hinge member 50, which can otherwise interact with a joint member 52 formed on the chassis 34 for movably supporting the dirt-receiving device 28 on the scrubber-drier 10. The hinge member 50 is integrally formed on the one-piece holding part 40 condyle 54, especially of spherical shape. The condyle 54 has almost the contour of a solid ball, but is constructed to save material for manufacturing reasons of a plurality of mutually parallel and mutually perpendicular intersecting spherical discs. Starting from the condyle 54 a relatively narrowed to this neck portion 56 is formed on the holding part 40. The cooperating with the condyle 54 hinge member 52 is formed on the one-piece chassis 34 in the form of a joint shell 58. The joint shell 58 is a hemisphere shell having an insertion opening 60 for the condyle 54. The insertion opening 60 faces the bottom surface 16 and defines a horizontal plane aligned parallel thereto. A circular edge 62, so to speak at the "equator" of the joint shell 58, grips the insertion opening 60 (FIG. 3).

The joint head 54 and the joint shell 58 together form a joint 64 designed as a ball joint for the movable mounting of the dirt receiving device 28 on the scrubber 10, moreover. The joint 64 is the only joint for the movable mounting of the dirt receiving device 28, which allows their pivoting about three pairs perpendicular to each other pivot axes 66, 68 and 70 relative to the scrubber 10.

The pivot axis 66 is a vertical pivot axis, the pivot axis 68 about a first horizontal and perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the scrubber 10 aligned pivot axis, and the pivot axis 70 about a second horizontal and in the longitudinal direction of the scrubber 10 extending pivot axis. Thus, a particularly versatile movable mounting of the dirt receiving device 28 on the scrubber 10 by means of only one joint 64 allows, and this under a structurally particularly simple embodiment of the joint 64. This is especially by the one-piece production of the condyle 54 with the holding part 40 and the joint shell 58 scored with the chassis 34.

A pivoting of the dirt receiving device 28 about the pivot axis 68 can be carried out, for example, during commissioning and decommissioning of the scrubber 10, wherein the dirt receiving device 28 is lowered to the bottom surface 16 or raised by this. For lifting the dirt collecting device 28, the scrubber 10 has a known tension element 72 in the form of a on the second holding part 42 fixed bracket 74, which an operator can act on the back 12 with a pointing away from the bottom surface 16 tensile force. Decreasing tension on the bracket 74 allows lowering the dirt receiving device 28 about the pivot axis 68 on the bottom surface 16th

Further, the pivoting about the pivot axis 68 allows the compensation of unevenness of the bottom surface 16 in the longitudinal direction of the scrubber 10th

The pivoting of the dirt-receiving device 28 relative to the scrubber 10 about the vertical pivot axis 66 is when cornering the scrubber 10 is advantageous so that the left of the cleaning device 20 mixture of dirt and cleaning liquid can still be reliably sucked from the bottom surface 16.

The pivoting of the dirt receiving device 28 relative to the scrubber 10 about the horizontal pivot axis 70 allows compensation of unevenness of the bottom surface 16 which are transverse to a longitudinal direction of the scrubber 10 extends.

The formation of the joint 64 as a joint of the joint head 54 and the joint shell 58 also makes it possible to derive surface forces occurring between the chassis 34 and the dirt-receiving device 28. The force occurring per unit area is thereby relatively low in the region of the joint 64. This makes it possible to produce the joint 64 from less solid components than is the case with hinges for movably holding dirt-holding devices in floor-cleaning appliances known from the prior art. In particular, by using the one-piece design of both joint members 50 and 52 with the chassis 34 and the holding part 40 can be dispensed with screw, weld and rivet. Overall, this results in a manufacturing technology simple design of the articulated mounting of dirt collection mevorrichtung 28, which is still very flexible due to the spherical joint 64.

Since the joint shell 58 opens only in the direction of the bottom surface 16, the entry of dirt into the joint shell 58 on the one hand is low, and on the other dirt can be removed from the joint shell 58 in a simpler manner. This offers the advantage that the joint 64 is exposed to only slight wear.

The design of the joint shell 58 as a half shell allows during the pivoting of the dirt receiving device 28 a guide of the condyle 54 over a large angular range.

To secure the condyle 54 in the joint shell 58 includes the

The securing member 76 is configured in the form of a substantially U-shaped bracket 78 with two relatively spaced webs 80 and 82 which at one of their ends via a connecting portion 84 with each other are connected.

At their free ends, the webs 80 and 82 parallel to each other and are separated from each other by a gap 86 through which the neck portion 56 can be guided on the condyle 54 therethrough. Further in the direction of the connecting portion, the webs 80 and 82 form approximately half rings and thereby enclose a circular opening 88 having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the condyle 54. In this way, the webs 80 and 82 form a stop element 90 at the top such as an abutment member 92 for the condyle 54, which is effective against a direction of insertion of the condyle 54 in the joint shell 58. The edge of the opening 58 formed on the upper side by the webs 80 and 82 also forms a contact element 94 for the edge 62 of the joint shell 58. Considering only the webs 80, 82 and the connecting portion 84, the bracket 78 is plate-shaped. Of the plane defined in this way are in the vertical direction two anti-rotation members 96 and 98 from the connecting portion 84 from.

In order to fix the bracket 78 to the chassis 34, a securing member receptacle 100 is formed adjacent to the edge 62 (FIG. 4). The fuse link receptacle 100 comprises two formed in the chassis 34 and separated by a web 102 openings 104 and 106. In the openings 104 and 106, the webs 80 and 82 can be positively inserted with their free ends, so that the chassis 34 is a counter-stop for forms the bracket 78 to derive the force acting on this holding force for the condyle 54.

For connecting the dirt receiving device 28 with the scrubber 10, moreover, the following procedure can be adopted:

First, the neck portion 56 can be inserted through the gap 86 between the lands 80, 82 into the opening 88 such that the lands 80 and 82 engage around the joint head 54 on opposite sides. The operator can thereupon introduce the condyle 54 in the joint shell 58 and the bracket 78 in the securing member receptacle 100 in a user-friendly manner without tools. Here, the holder 38 is preferably aligned obliquely to the bottom surface 16, so that the operator can grip the bracket 78 behind the joint head 54 on the connecting portion 84.

The positive fit of the webs 80, 82 in the openings 104 and 106 already allows the concern of the stop elements 90, 92 on the joint head 54 and the contact element 94 at the edge 92 of the insertion opening. The holding part 40 and the joint head 54 thereby occupy a particularly well-defined position relative to the chassis 34. The connecting portion 84 is between the underside of the chassis 34 and the top of the holding member 40 at its portion adjacent the condyle 54 (Figure 3).

The anti-rotation members 96 and 98 engage around the edge 62 of the joint shell 58 adjacent portion on its back side 12 facing the left and right. As a result, in addition to the form-fitting manner in the openings 104 and 106 engaging webs 80 and 82, a rotation of the bracket 78 relative to the chassis 34 can be achieved. When pivoting the dirt receiving device 28 relative to the chassis 34, the bracket 78 is therefore stationary relative to this, so that a closure between the bracket 78 and the chassis 34 can be avoided. By abutting the joint head 54 contact elements 90 and 92, this can also be performed during the pivoting.

The above-described mounting of the condyle 54 by means of the bracket 78 on the operator without tools and therefore user-friendly manner feasible manner is basically sufficient for holding the dirt receiving device 28. In order to reduce the load on the fuse link receptacle 100, it may be additionally provided that the connecting portion 84 by means of a mechanical connection element, for example in the form of a screw 108, also on the chassis 34 is fixed. For this purpose, the chassis 34 has a connecting element designed corresponding thereto, in particular a screw dome 110.

As already mentioned, the holding parts 40 and 42 are tiltable relative to each other about the tilting axis 48. The tilting axis 48 is defined by the bracket 74 attached to the second holding part 42 for raising and lowering the dirt receiving device 28, which laterally engages in bearing recesses 112 and 114 formed on the second holding part 42 (FIG. 5). The bearing recesses 112 and 114 can be immersed in depressions 116 and 118 formed on the first holding part 40 and fixed therein by means of a fixing part 120 of the dirt receiving device 28. The fixing member 120 is substantially plate-shaped and has two the walls of the bearing recess 112 and 114 cross-hook-shaped fixing members 122 and 124 on. With the first holding part 40, the fixing part 120 is connected at the bottom, for example, using a connecting element in the form of a screw 126th

To tilt the holding parts 40 and 42 relative to one another, the dirt receiving device 28 comprises an integrated adjusting device 128. The adjusting device 128 has an actuator 130 in the form of a user-actuated rotary handle 132. The rotary handle 132 is on the first holding part 40 in a to this Purpose trained cylindrical receptacle 134 rotatably mounted about a vertical axis of rotation 136, wherein it is supported on the lower side of the fixing part 120. An annular collar 138 grips the receptacle 134 at the top, and from the annular collar 138 are in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis 136 in the direction of the fixing member 120 a plurality of locking members in the form of locking projections 140 (Figure 5). The latching projections 140 may cooperate with locking members, also in the form of latching projections 142, which are formed on a shoulder 144 of the rotary handle 132. In this way, the rotary handle 132 relative to the holding part 40 in a plurality of angular positions releasably lockable, wherein an adjustment by the operator, as mentioned, can be done without tools against the resistance of the latching locking projections 140, 142nd

On the outer circumference of the rotary handle 132, a positive guide 146 is arranged in the form of a slide guide 148. The slotted guide 148 comprises two helically over the outer periphery of the rotary handle 132 extending control scenes, of which only a control link is shown in the drawing.

On the second holding part 42 guide members for cooperation with the slide guide 148 are arranged, of which in the drawing (Figure 5) only one guide member 150 is shown. The guide member 150 and the guide member, not shown, are bearing journals which protrude from a lever arm 152 or 154 of the holding member 42 end in the direction of the rotary handle 132 and engage in the guide slot 148, wherein the lever arms 152 and 154 engage around the rotary handle side. Relative to the tilt axis 48, the guide member 150th and the guide member, not shown, spaced on the squeegee 30 opposite side of the tilting axis 48. In this way, the second holding member 42 performs the function of a rocker.

Tilting the retainers 40 and 42 relative to one another serves to alter the inclination of the squeegee 30 with respect to the bottom surface 16. This changes the setting angle of wiper lips 156 and 158 of the squeegee 30 (Figure 3) on the bottom surface 16. This makes it possible to adapt the dirt receiving device 28 to the nature of the bottom surface 16, depending on the installation angle of the squeegee 30, the suction force for suction of dirt and cleaning fluid can be varied.

Tilting the retainers 40 and 42 relative to each other functions as follows:

The operator actuates the rotary handle 132 by rotation about the axis of rotation 136 against the resistance of the locking projections 140, 142. This causes the distance of the guide member 150 and the guide member, not shown relative to the fixing member 120 changes, due to the spiral shape of the circumference on As a result, the lever arms 152 and 154 are raised or lowered, depending on the direction of rotation of the rotary handle 132, which finally leads to the tilting of the second holding part 42 about the tilting axis 48.

In order to make it easier for the operator to recognize the relative position of the holding parts 40 and 42 relative to one another and thus the installation angle of the suction strip 30 on the bottom surface 16, the dirt pick-up device 28 has an integrated display device 160. This comprises on the rotary handle 132 on the top side mounted markings 162, which cooperate with a arranged on the holding part 40 marking 164.

Claims

PAT E NTAN SP RETURN

A floor cleaning appliance (10) comprising a reservoir (22) for a cleaning surface to be cleaned on a floor surface (16), a cleaning device (20) for removing dirt from the bottom surface (16), a dirt collecting device (28) for the suction of detached Dirt and cleaning fluid under the action of a suction unit and a dirty liquid container (24) for receiving the sucked dirt and the extracted cleaning liquid, wherein the dirt receiving device (28) by means of at least one joint (64) with a first hinge member (52) and with a cooperating with this second articulated member (50) is pivotally supported on the floor cleaning appliance (10) about at least one pivot axis (66, 68, 70) so that the first articulated member (52) has a joint cup (58) and the second hinge member (50) is a bearing in this condyle (54).

2. Floor cleaning appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint shell (58) is a half-shell.

3. Floor cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the condyle (54) from below into the joint shell (58) is insertable.

4. Floor cleaning appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint shell (58) is open only in the direction of the bottom surface (16).

5. Floor cleaning appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one joint (64) is a ball joint.

6. Floor cleaning appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dirt collecting device (28) by means of only one joint (64) is movably held on the floor cleaning device (10).

7. Floor cleaning appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (10) comprises a chassis (34) on which one of the hinge members (52) is integrally formed.

8. Floor cleaning appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dirt collecting device (28) the condyle (54) and the floor cleaning device (10) otherwise the joint shell (58).

9. Floor cleaning appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (10) comprises at least one securing member (76) for securing the condyle (54) in the joint shell (58).

10. Floor cleaning appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one securing member (76) is formed separately from the condyle (54) and / or from the joint shell (58).

11. Floor cleaning appliance according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the at least one securing member (76) is integrally formed.

12. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the at least one securing member (76) at least one counter to an insertion of the condyle (54) in the joint shell (58) effective stop element (90, 92) for the condyle (54 ) or trains.

13. Floor cleaning device according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least one securing member (76) comprises two spaced te, on opposite sides of the joint head (54) arranged stop elements (90, 92).

14. Floor cleaning device according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one securing member (76) has a stop elements (90, 92) interconnecting connecting portion (84).

15. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the at least one securing member (76) comprises or forms a contact element (94) for an edge (62) of the joint shell (58).

16. Floor cleaning appliance according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that the at least one securing member (76) associated with the joint shell (58) associated fuse link receptacle (100), in which the at least one securing member (76) for securing the condyle (54) in the joint shell (58) is insertable.

17. Floor cleaning appliance according to claim 16, characterized in that the at least one securing member (76) can be removed without tools into the securing member receptacle (100) and / or without tools from the securing member receptacle (100).

18. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that the at least one securing member (76) rotatably relative to the joint shell (58) is formed.

19. Floor cleaning appliance according to one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the dirt collecting device (28) comprises a holder (38) having one of the hinge members (50, 52) having first holding part (40) and a second Holding part (42) for holding a squeegee (30) which is tiltable relative to the first holding part (40).

20. Floor cleaning appliance according to claim 19, characterized in that the second holding part (42) on the first holding part (40) about a tilting axis (48) is tiltably mounted.

21. Floor cleaning appliance according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the joint member (50) is formed integrally with the first holding part (40).

22. Floor cleaning appliance according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the dirt collecting device (28) has an adjusting device (128) with at least one operator-operable actuator (130) for tilting the first holding part (40) and the second holding part (42 ) relative to each other.

23. Floor cleaning device according to claim 22, characterized in that the adjusting device (128) between the hinge member (50) and the suction strip (30) is arranged.

24. Floor cleaning device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the at least one actuator (130) on one of the holding parts (40, 42) is movably mounted and a positive guide (146) for min. at least one guide member (150) of the other of the holding parts (42, 40).

25. Floor cleaning device according to claim 24, characterized in that the forced operation (146) is a slotted guide (148).

26. Floor cleaning appliance according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that the at least one actuator (130) can be actuated without tools.

27. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that the at least one actuator (130) is a rotary handle (132) or a rotary handle (132).

28. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 22 to 27, characterized in that the adjusting device (128) locking elements (140, 142) for locking the at least one actuator (130) in a plurality of positions relative to the holder (38), the different Inclination angles of the holding parts (40, 42) relative to each other.

29. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 19 to 28, characterized in that the dirt receiving device (28) has a display device (160) for indicating the relative position of the first holding part (40) and the second holding part (42) to each other.