WO2012171579A1

WO2012171579A1 - Sweeping vehicle having a brush disk adjuster

Info

Publication number: WO2012171579A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/060120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bastian Du Maire; Dietmar Kull; Uwe Weller; Martin SICKINGER
Original assignee: Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2011-06-17
Filing date: 2011-06-17
Publication date: 2012-12-20
Also published as: CN103608520B; EP2721220A1; KR20140026386A; CN103608520A

Abstract

Sweeping vehicle (10) comprising a disk brush (26) which has a brush disk (82) with brushes (84) held thereon, said brush disk being inclined relative to the horizontal; and an adjuster (92) for modifying the inclination of the brush disk (82) relative to the horizontal and for modifying the contact area of the brushes (84) with the floor surface, said adjuster comprising an adjusting element (90). The holding device (46; 150; 200) comprises an articulated polygon (56/ 174/ 212) constituted of joint limbs (58, 60, 62, 64; 176, 178, 180, 182; 202, 204, 206) which are interlinked on respective joints (69, 71, 73, 75; 169, 185, 187, 189; 209). The articulated polygon comprises a first joint limb (58/ 76/ 202) by means of which it is held on the sweeping vehicle (10), and a second joint limb (60/ 178) on which the disk brush (26) is held. The adjusting element (90) is variable in length and is connected to at least one joint limb (58/ 60 176/ 178/ 202 204/).

Description

CREW VEHICLE WITH BRUSH PLATE ADJUSTING DEVICE

The invention relates to a sweeping vehicle with a disc brush for sweeping dirt from a floor surface to be cleaned, which brush plate has a brush plate inclined relative to the horizontal with brushes held thereon and is rotatable about an axis of rotation, with an adjustment device comprising a adjusting element for changing the inclination of the brush plate with respect to the horizontal and to change the contact area of the brushes with the bottom surface and with a holding device for holding the disc brush on the sweeper.

In sweepers of this kind, the brush plate is inclined relative to the horizontal so that not all brushes of the plate brush contact the bottom surface at the same time. Instead, the contact area of the brush with the bottom surface, also called "sweeping mirror" or "working area", by the inclination of the brush plate, for example, a kidney-shaped, sickle-shaped or circular segment shape. This has the purpose of sweeping dirt in a defined direction from the bottom surface, so that the dirt can be picked up by means of a dirt pick-up device of the sweeping vehicle, such as a brush roller or a suction device, from the bottom surface. In the generic sweeper, as described for example in DE 40 01 088 AI, the inclination of the brush plate with respect to the horizontal and thus also be changed relative to the bottom surface to change the sweeping mirror. The change of the sweeping mirror takes place, for example, when cornering the sweeping vehicle and serves to change the direction in which dirt is swept by the ground surface so that it can still be picked up even when cornering by means of the dirt pick-up device. To adjust the plate brush of the DE 40 01 088 AI described sweeper a not uncomplicated and moderately robust construction is required. It comes as adjusting a piston-cylinder unit used, the brush plate against the Preload a spring pivoted, with an adjustable stop is also provided to limit the pivot angle.

Another generic sweeper is described in EP 1 769 950 A2. In order to adjust the sweeping level of the disc brush of this sweeping vehicle, a complicated construction is also required which requires, in addition to inclining the brush plate relative to the floor surface, lifting of the entire disc brush from the floor surface.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sweeping vehicle of the type mentioned in which a change in the contact area of the brushes with the bottom surface, i. the sweeping mirror, in a reliable and structurally simple way is possible.

This object is achieved in a generic sweeper vehicle according to the invention in that the holding device constructed from each joint hinged to joint members articulated polygon comprising a first joint member, via which the Gelenkpolygon is held on the sweeper, and with a second joint member on which held the disc brush is, and that the adjusting element is formed variable in length and is connected to at least one hinge member, wherein in dependence on a change in the length of the adjusting element, the orientation of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member changeable and the plate brush is pivotable about an inclined axis of rotation pivot axis.

The disc brush of the sweeping vehicle according to the invention is held on the sweeping vehicle by means of a joint polygon, which is constructed of hinged joint members, wherein the disc brush on the second articulated member and the joint polygon by the first joint member on the sweeping vehicle is otherwise held. The variable-length adjusting element is connected to at least one of the articulated members so that the shape of the articulated polygon can be changed by changing its length. In this case, the joint members are pivoted relative to each other, in particular, the second joint member is pivoted relative to the first joint member and thus the disc brush relative to the sweeping vehicle. Because the pivot axis is oriented obliquely to the axis of rotation, this also causes a change in the inclination of the brush plate relative to the horizontal and the bottom surface and a change in the sweeping mirror. The connection of two joint members to each other at a joint leads to the self-contained joint polygon of high stiffness and resulting low susceptibility to twisting, especially when the joint members are arranged in a common plane. This not only results in a stable mounting of the disc brush as a whole, but it can also be done by changing the length of the adjusting element and a change in shape of the joint polygon in a well-defined manner. As a result, the orientation of the first and second hinge members relative to each other and thus the sweeping mirror can be changed as reliably as the inclination of the brush plate despite outer acting on the plate brush vibrations due to bumps or the like can be maintained. Despite these advantages, the change of the sweeping mirror can be done in a structurally simple manner, for this it is sufficient to change the shape of the joint polygon to change the length of the adjustment.

The pivot axis and the axis of rotation can be skewed to each other and do not need to cut, so that the change in the inclination of the brush plate is possible.

It is advantageous if the adjusting element is connected to at least one joint connecting two hinge members with at least one joint member. This makes it possible to reduce the number of required crosspoint joints of the joint polygon and the connection point of the adjustment element to the Gelenkpolygon-, so that the holding device can be given a simpler structural design. For example, at least one point of the adjusting element can be integrated at the joint polygon in at least one of the existing joints. Preferably, the adjusting element is connected to a first end to a joint connecting two hinge members and held with a second end on the sweeping vehicle. By changing the length of the adjusting element, the angle between the two hinged joint members can be changed, which effectively forms a toggle. The change in angle results in a change in shape of the joint polygon and thus in a change in the orientation of the first and second hinge member relative to each other.

In a different embodiment of the sweeping vehicle according to the invention, it is advantageous if the adjusting element forms a joint member of the joint polygon, which together with a further joint member forms a joint of the joint polygon. By changing the length of the adjusting element, the shape of the joint polygon and thus the orientation of the first and the second hinge member relative to each other can be changed directly. This allows a particularly simple structural design of the holding device.

It is favorable if the second joint member and the adjusting element are different joint members of the joint polygon, i. the disc brush is not held on the adjusting element. This proves to be easier for the structural design of the holding device.

The number of hinge members is minimized and thus the design of the holding device kept as simple as possible when the adjusting element connects the first hinge member and the second hinge member together.

Preferably, the first hinge member and the second hinge member form opposite sides of the joint polygon. As a result, the plate brush can be brought in a structurally simple manner at a distance from the sweeper incidentally. This is for example advantageous if the disc brush a laterally on Kehrfahrzeug held disc brush whose brushes are to protrude beyond a base of the sweeper, about to clean the floor surface along a lateral boundary.

The joint polygon has three or more corners. In practice, it proves to be advantageous if the joint polygon is a four-bar linkage, in particular a concave four-bar linkage. In a joint polygon with more than three corners, in particular in a four-bar linkage, the fact that the joint polygon can take more than one shape for a given length of the joint members can be taken into account. This is favorable because a force acting on the plate brush weight and the associated counterforce of the bottom surface can influence the change in shape of the joint polygon with. Unlike the joint triangle can be achieved with the four-bar linkage in a simple manner that the size of the contact region of the brush with the bottom surface always remains approximately the same even with a continuous change in inclination of the brush plate. This reduces the disadvantage of uneven wear of the brushes and allows a better sweeping result to be achieved.

It is advantageous if the length of the adjusting element for forming the joint polygon is adjustable as a jointed parallelogram. In the case of an adjusting element forming a joint member, its length is adjustable so that it has the same length as a joint member of the articulated parallelogram opposite it, and in addition the two other joint members of the articulated parallelogram have identical lengths. The formation of the joint polygon as Gelenkparallelogramm offers over the just mentioned advantage in a structurally simple way the ability to change the distance of the brush plate relative to the bottom surface, but to maintain its inclination relative to the bottom surface. This is favorable if the plate brush is to be raised or lowered while maintaining the sweeping mirror relative to the bottom surface. For example, this can be done a "floating" storage of the disc brush, are automatically compensated in the bumps. Preferably, the length of the adjusting element during straight travel of the sweeping vehicle is adjustable so that the joint polygon forms a Gelenkparallelogramm. In the standard direction of travel of the sweeping vehicle, the above-described height adjustability of the disc brush can be ensured while maintaining the inclination of the brush disc. Conveniently, it is detected on the basis of the impact of a steering of the sweeping vehicle when the sweeper drives straight ahead, and adjusted the length of the adjusting element.

It is favorable if the adjusting element forms a longitudinal side of the articulated parallelogram and the second articulated member forms a narrow side of the articulated parallelogram. The articulated parallelogram is irregular in this embodiment, so no rhombus. This allows a structurally simple way the formation of a sufficiently large lever for pivoting the plate brush about the pivot axis, wherein at the same time the absolute change in length of the adjusting element can be kept low.

Advantageously, the holding device comprises a lifting parallelogram for raising and lowering the plate brush, one of whose sides is the first joint member. By means of the Hubparallelogramms, as explained above, the distance of the brush plate are changed relative to the bottom surface, for example, for a "floating" storage of the disc brush both in a straight-ahead and during cornering of the sweeper. In addition, the displacement of the sweeping mirror is possible as explained above.

In particular, in the last-described embodiment it can be provided that the first joint member is otherwise movably mounted on the sweeping vehicle, for example about a pivot axis aligned parallel to the pivot axis and perpendicular to a plane defined by the joint polygon. In another embodiment of the sweeping vehicle according to the invention, provision may be made for the first articulated member to be fixed immovably on the sweeping vehicle, moreover.

The adjusting element is preferably arranged on an upper side of the joint polygon facing away from the bottom surface, and the plate brush is arranged below the joint polygon. This ensures that the adjustment has the greatest possible distance from the bottom surface and dirt and dust that can be whirled up from the bottom surface is exposed to the least possible extent.

The disc brush can be kept space-saving on the sweeping vehicle when its center is located approximately below a center of the joint polygon.

Preferably, the joint polygon defines a vertical plane to achieve the simplest possible structural design. This is particularly advantageous if, as explained above, a joint parallelogram can be formed with the joint polygon. In this case, does not change the position of the brush plate relative to the sweeping vehicle otherwise when raising and lowering the plate brush, so that the sweeping mirror is stationary even with height adjustment of the plate brush with respect to the sweeping vehicle.

The pivot axis is advantageously aligned horizontally, which can be achieved in a structurally simple manner, when the joint polygon defines a vertical plane as in the last described advantageous embodiment of the sweeper. In this case, the pivot axis is aligned perpendicular to the plane defined by the joint polygon.

Preferably, the pivot axis is not orthogonal, d. H. with an angle other than 90 °, aligned with the axis of rotation. This is to be understood in the case of windshaft pivoting and pivoting axis such that an axis parallel to the axis of rotation and intersecting the pivot axis does not intersect this axis at an angle of 90 °. This embodiment offers the advantage that the sweeping mirror is pivoting the plate brush in the circumferential direction of the bottom surface facing ends of the brush rolls on the bottom surface. The sweeping mirror can be rolled continuously in this way by continuous change in length of the adjusting element on the bottom surface. This makes it possible to continuously change the direction in which dirt is swept from the ground surface, for example, depending on the impact of a steering.

In order to achieve a defined sweeping direction with the plate brush, the brush plate is inclined with respect to the horizontal and the axis of rotation obliquely aligned with the bottom surface. It is advantageous if the axis of rotation is oriented obliquely with respect to the bottom surface, irrespective of the length of the adjusting element. This makes it possible to dispense with an adjusting device in order to adjust the axis of rotation of a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface in an oblique to the bottom surface direction. This simplifies the structural design of the sweeping vehicle.

Advantageously, the pivot axis extends through or substantially through the center of the brush plate. This makes it possible to change the inclination of the brush plate relative to the bottom surface, wherein the position of the brush plate relative to the sweeping vehicle is otherwise stationary. The space required to change the sweeping mirror is thereby minimized.

It has already been mentioned that the length of the adjusting element can be adjusted depending on the steering. It is advantageous if the adjusting device has a steering input detection element in operative connection with the adjusting element for detecting the impact of a steering of the sweeping vehicle, wherein the length of the adjusting element is adjustable as a function of the impact of the steering. This gives the possibility to adjust the length of the adjusting element during cornering of the sweeping vehicle and thus to pivot the disc brush so that the direction in which dirt is swept by the ground surface assigns a dirt pick-up device of the sweeping vehicle. This allows for different Driving directions, especially when cornering, to achieve the best possible sweeping result.

Preferably, the adjusting device has a depending on the impact of the steering adjustable positive guide for the steering angle detection element, based on the position of which detects the impact of the steering. If the steering of the sweeping vehicle actuated, this leads to an adjustment of the forced operation, which in turn can be detected by the steering angle detection element, which in turn is coupled to the adjusting element. As a result, the impact of the steering can be detected in a structurally simple manner.

As reliable and structurally simple, it turns out in practice, when the forced operation is a slotted guide. Also conceivable is a forced operation in the form of a cam guide or a positive guide with cam control.

Constructively simple, a change in the length of the adjusting element can be achieved when the steering angle detection element and the adjusting element connected via a hydraulic line donor piston-cylinder units or slave-piston-cylinder units of a hydraulic system. In particular, it is a closed hydraulic system in which the lengths of the donor piston-cylinder unit and the slave-piston-cylinder unit are reciprocally mutually variable. If, for example, the length of the steering angle detection element is reduced, hydraulic fluid is displaced through the hydraulic line, which leads to an extension of the adjusting element and vice versa. In order to change the length of the steering angle detection element, this can intervene, for example with one end of a piston in the control link of a non-circular slide guide, which rotates in response to the impact of the steering. In other preferred embodiments of the sweeping vehicle according to the invention can be provided that the Lenkeinschlagserfassungs- element and the adjusting element are each piston-cylinder units of a pneumatic system.

It can also be provided that the adjusting element is mechanically coupled to the steering angle detection element, for example via a Bowden cable. An electrical coupling of the steering angle detection element and the adjusting element is also conceivable. The steering angle detection element can be designed as a rotary encoder, z. B. as a potentiometer or Hall sensor. A stepwise coupling of the steering angle detection element to the steering can be effected by one or more switches, for example microswitches.

As mentioned, it is known to receive the swept with the plate brush from the bottom surface dirt by means of a dirt pick-up device. This is usually arranged in the direction of travel behind the plate brush, preferably at a rear portion of the sweeping vehicle.

It is advantageous if the brush plate can be tilted by changing the length of the adjusting element in the direction of a vehicle center of the sweeping vehicle. In particular, this can be done at impact of the steering in a manner in which the sweeper performs a turn in a direction opposite to the arrangement of the disc brush side of the sweeper. For example, if the disc brush is a right disc brush, it may tilt the brush plate from the right towards the vehicle center when the sweeper is in a left turn. As a result, the sweeping mirror is shifted in the direction of the center of the vehicle. In a left turn this allows to sweep with the right disc brush areas of the floor surface, which would otherwise remain unpurified without a change in the inclination of the brush plate in the direction of the vehicle center. In sweepers, in which the dirt-collecting device is arranged by a arranged behind the and in distance to the side brush plate sweeping roller can be characterized the so-called "dirt sickle", an unclean crescent-shaped area of the ground surface in left turn, zoom out. Correspondingly, in the case of a right-hand turn, the brush plate of a left plate brush can be inclined in the direction of the vehicle center so that its sweeping mirror is displaced from the left in the direction of the vehicle center.

It is favorable if the sweeper vehicle has an auxiliary actuator brush arranged behind the plate brush in the vehicle longitudinal direction and a dirt pick-up device arranged behind the auxiliary regulator brush, wherein the auxiliary actuator brush can be lifted by the lifting surface of the sweeping vehicle from the ground surface and can be lowered onto the ground surface when the sweeping vehicle is cornering is. It was mentioned in the last described embodiment of the sweeping vehicle that when cornering the so-called "dirt sickle" can be reduced by tilting the plate plane in the direction of the vehicle center. In the present embodiment, by using the auxiliary actuator brush disposed between the disc brush and the dirt collecting device, the dirt sickle can even be completely removed by lowering the auxiliary actuator brush when cornering. Dirt in the area by using the plate brush alone remaining dirt sickle can namely turned away when cornering by means of the auxiliary actuator brush or the dirt pick-up device, such as a main brush roller, facing. For this purpose, the brush plate is preferably inclined in the direction of the vehicle center. When driving straight ahead of the sweeper vehicle, however, the auxiliary actuator brush is not needed. To avoid unnecessary brush wear, it can be lifted off the floor surface.

It has just been mentioned that the sweeping vehicle can have a right and a left plate brush. In particular, it is favorable if the sweeping vehicle comprises two plate brushes which are designed symmetrically to one another and which are arranged on mutually opposite sides on the sweeping vehicle. The two disk brushes symmetrically configured with respect to one another are preferably left and right disk brushes of the sweeping vehicle, and they are each like the disc brush one of the sweeping vehicles described above held on the sweeper or by means of the adjusting device relative to this adjustable. As far as references to the plate brush, the holding device, the adjusting device and their respective components or features are made above, this is to be understood as a reference to at least one disc brush, at least one holding device or at least one adjusting device.

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

Figure 1: a perspective view of an inventive

Sweeper;

Figure 2: a perspective view of a part of a chassis of

Sweeping vehicle of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the chassis of Figure 2 when driving straight ahead of the sweeper, wherein also a steering of the sweeping vehicle is shown;

FIG. 4 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 3 during a left turn travel of the sweeping vehicle;

Figure 5: a view in the direction of arrow "5" in Figu

FIG. 6: a view in the direction of the arrow "6" in FIG

FIG. 7: a view in the direction of the arrow "7" in FIG

FIG. 8 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 5 in a variant of the sweeping vehicle and FIG FIG. 9 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 5 in another embodiment

Variant of the sweeping vehicle.

A preferred embodiment of a sweeping vehicle according to the invention is designed as a so-called "ride-on sweeper", shown in perspective in Figure 1 and there occupied by the reference numeral 10. The sweeping vehicle 10 is used to clean a floor surface and can be moved for this purpose by means of a chassis 12 over the floor area. The chassis 12 comprises two wheels rotatable about a wheel axle 15 on a rear side 14 of the sweeping vehicle 10, of which only a right wheel 16 is shown in the drawing. For steering and propulsion, the sweeping vehicle 10 near its front side 18 includes a rotatably drivable steering roller 20 arranged in the region of its vehicle center plane 19, on which an operator can act in a known manner by means of a steering 221 comprising a steering wheel 22.

For receiving dirt from the floor surface to be cleaned, the sweeping vehicle 10 comprises a plurality of sweeping units. A sweeping roller 24, which is shown only schematically in FIGS. 3 and 4, is rotatably mounted about the wheel axle 15 between the wheels on the rear side 14. On the front side 18, the sweeping vehicle 10 comprises a right disc brush 26 and a left disc brush 28, and between the right disc brush 26 and the sweeping roller 24, an auxiliary actuator brush 30 is disposed on the right side of the sweeping vehicle 10. By means of the sweeping roller 24 and the disc brushes 26, 28 and 30 sweeping material can be swept up from the bottom surface and transferred to a dirt container 32 arranged on the rear side 14.

The sweeping units and the chassis 12 are, like the other components of the sweeping vehicle 10, such as a body 34, held on a chassis 36 of the sweeping vehicle 10 partially shown in Figures 2 to 4. The chassis 36 includes a rear, rectangular portion 38 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the center of the steering wheel 22 to the wheel axle 15th extends, and a front, trapezoidal portion 40 from the center of the steering wheel 22 to the front 18. To support the sweeping roller 24 on the rectangular portion 38 is a holding device, not shown in the drawing. The auxiliary actuator brush 30 is held on a cross member 42 of the section 38 by means of a holding device 44. The plate brushes 26 and 28 are held by means of holding means 46 and 48, respectively, on a right support 50 and left support 52 of the trapezoidal section 40, wherein the supports 50 and 52 form the non-parallel sides of the section 40.

The plate brushes 26 and 28 and the holding devices 46 and 48 are configured symmetrically relative to each other with respect to the vehicle center plane 19, so that subsequently only the right plate brush 26 and the right holding device 46 are discussed.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 2 and 5 to 7, the holding device 46 comprises a coupling mechanism 54 which forms a rigid polygon 56 and in particular a rigid and in particular torsion-resistant four-bar linkage 66 constructed from four hinged joint members 58, 60, 62 and 64. The first joint member 58 is immovably fixed to the right support 50 and aligned in the vertical direction. It forms a base of the four-bar linkage 66. The second link 60 forms the side of the four-bar linkage 66 opposite the first link 58. It is therefore arranged at a distance from the right-hand carrier 50.

At their ends facing the bottom surface, the hinge members 58 and 60 are connected to each other by means of the third hinge member 62. Here, the hinge member 62 is pivotally mounted on the hinge member 58 by means of a hinge 69 about a first pivot axis 68 and the hinge member 60 by means of a hinge 71 about a second pivot axis 70. At their ends facing away from the bottom surface, the hinge members 58 and 60 with each other by means of the fourth hinge member 64 connected. The fourth hinge member 64 is on the hinge member 58 by means of a hinge 73 about a third pivot axis 72 and on Articulated member 60 by means of a hinge 75 about a fourth pivot axis 74 pivotally mounted.

All four hinge members 58 to 64 lie in a common plane. The four-bar linkage 66 therefore defines a vertical plane relative to the

Swivel axes 68 to 74 are aligned vertically, ie. they each run horizontally.

At the second hinge member 60, a holding part 76 is fixed. The holding part 76 projects from the second joint member 60 in the direction of the first joint member 58 and at the same time from the four-bar linkage 66 in the forward direction of the sweeping vehicle 10. The holding member 76 is angled with respect to the plane defined by the four-bar linkage 66 and comprises a planar contact element 78, the surface normal obliquely to Floor surface and is aligned obliquely to the plane defined by the four-bar linkage 66.

At the contact element 78, the plate brush 26 is rotatably supported, wherein the axis of rotation 80 is aligned parallel to the surface normal of the contact element 78 and obliquely to the bottom surface. This means that a brush plate 82 of the plate brush 26 arranged below the contact element 78 extends parallel to the contact element 78. From the brush plate 82, brushes 84 of the plate brush 26 extend in the direction of the bottom surface.

At the top of the abutment element 78, a drive motor 86 (not shown in FIGS. 5 to 7) for driving the disc brush 26 is held around the axis of rotation 80.

The fourth hinge member 64 at the top of the four-bar linkage 66 is formed variable in length. In particular, it is configured as a piston-cylinder unit 88, it therefore forms an adjusting element 90 of an adjusting 92 of the sweeping vehicle 10 to change the shape of the four-bar linkage 66 and thus to change the inclination of the brush plate 82 with respect to the bottom surface, which will be discussed below. As is apparent from Figures 3 and 4, the adjusting device 92 comprises a further piston-cylinder unit 94, which is fixed to a bottom plate 96 which covers the trapezoidal portion 40. The piston-cylinder units 88 and 94 are connected to each other via a hydraulic line 98 shown only in Figures 3 and 4 in operative connection. They form a self-contained hydraulic system, with the respective lengths of the piston-cylinder assemblies 88 and 94 being reciprocal of each other, that is. by shortening the piston-cylinder unit 94 extends due to the coupling via the hydraulic line 98, the piston-cylinder unit 88 and vice versa.

The piston-cylinder unit 94 forms a steering angle detection element 100 of the adjusting device 92 in order to detect the impact of the steering wheel 22. For this purpose, one of the vehicle center plane 19 facing free end 102 of the piston-cylinder unit 94 engages in a positive guide 104 comprised by the adjusting device 92. The positive guide 104, this is not shown in detail in the drawing, is rotatably mounted on the bottom plate 96 about a vertical axis of rotation 106 which is located in the vehicle center plane 19. By turning the steering wheel 22 about a steering axis, not shown in the drawing, the positive guide 104 is pivoted about the axis of rotation 106, in the same direction, ie. when steering to the left in a counterclockwise direction and when steering to the right in a clockwise direction.

The forced operation 104 is configured as a slotted guide. It comprises a non-circular control link 108 with a first link section 110 and a second link section 112. The first link section 110 is formed semi-annular and the second link section 112 approximately in the form of a flattened half-ring. In a straight position of the steering wheel 22, d .h. when driving straight ahead of the sweeping vehicle 10 (FIG. 3), an imaginary parting line between the slide sections 110 and 112 runs straight perpendicular to the vehicle center plane 19. The operation of the sweeping vehicle 10 will now be described with reference in particular to FIGS. 3 to 6:

When driving straight ahead of the sweeper 10, the free end 102 engages the dividing line between the gate sections 110 and 112 in the control link 108 a. The hydraulic system formed from the piston-cylinder units 88 and 94 and the hydraulic line 98 is calibrated so that in this position of the piston-cylinder unit 94, the length of the piston-cylinder unit 88 is just dimensioned so that the four-bar linkage Figure 66 is a hinge parallelogram (Figure 5). In other words, when driving straight ahead of the sweeping vehicle 10, the distance of the pivot axes 68 and 70 from each other identical to the distance of the pivot axes 72 and 74 from each other.

The holding part 76 is aligned so that the axis of rotation 80 of the plate brush 26 is inclined in a direction away from the vehicle center plane 19 and facing in the direction of travel of the sweeping vehicle 10 direction, i. the brush plate 82 is inclined obliquely forward to the right of the sweeping vehicle 10 away. As a result, the brushes 84 rest on the bottom surface along an approximately kidney-shaped or semi-annular contact region, referred to hereinafter as "sweeping mirror" 114.

The sweeping mirror 114 (shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 3 and 4, only in sections in FIG. 4 for reasons of clarity) is arranged on a right front corner region of the sweeping vehicle 10 due to the position of the rotation axis 80. As a result, when driving straight ahead dirt to the right of the base of the sweeping vehicle 10, such as when it is moved along a lateral boundary of the ground surface, are swept in the direction of the vehicle center plane 19. This dirt can then be swept up by means of the sweeping roller 24, the sweeping mirror is denoted by 116. Since in straight travel of the sweeping vehicle 10, the four-bar linkage 66 is a Gelenkparallelogramm, bumps can be compensated by the coupling gear 54 without changing the inclination of the brush plate 82 relative to the bottom surface. For this purpose, the hinge members 58 and 60 and the hinge members 62 and 64 move parallel to each other, in the vertical plane defined by the four-bar linkage 66.

Furthermore, when driving straight ahead of the sweeping vehicle 10, the auxiliary actuator brush 30 is lifted from the bottom surface, but this is not visible in the illustration of Figure 3. For raising the auxiliary actuator brush 30, the holding device 44 is formed as a lifting device, for example in the form of a known Gelenkparallelogramms.

If the sweeping vehicle 10 makes a left turn, the positive guide 104 pivots about the axis of rotation 106. The free end of the piston-cylinder unit 94 moves in the control cam 108 into the flattened second slide section 112 on the axis of rotation 106 (FIG. 4). This leads to the extension of the piston-cylinder unit 94, and due to its coupling via the hydraulic line 98 with the piston-cylinder unit 88, the length of the latter is reduced (Figure 6).

The shortening of the piston-cylinder unit 88 causes the four-bar linkage 66 to deform from an articulated parallelogram into an irregular four-bar linkage. This is done by relative movement of the hinge members 58 to 64 to each other in the vertical plane of the four-bar linkage 66 about the pivot axes 68 to 74. The second hinge member 60 is pulled with its upper end in the direction of the fixed to the sweeper 10 fixed first link member 58.

The fixed to the second hinge member 60 holding part 76 follows its movement and is pivoted relative to the hinge member 62 about the pivot axis 70. This has the consequence that the plate brush 26 is pivoted relative to the chassis 36, about a pivot axis 118, due to the arrangement the hinge links 58-64 are also horizontally aligned in a vertical plane as are the pivot axes 68-74 to which it is parallel. The pivot axis 118 differs from the pivot axis 70, because the plate brush 26 is supported on pivoting with the brush 84 on the bottom surface by raising the four-bar linkage 66.

The pivot axis 118 extends at a small distance to a center of the brush plate 82, so that the plate brush 26 is pivoted almost stationary with respect to the chassis 36 about the pivot axis 118.

When pivoting the plate brush 26 and the brush plate 82 is pivoted about the pivot axis 118, so that changes its inclination with respect to the bottom surface. In particular, the brush plate 82 is tilted in the direction of the vehicle center plane 19, as well as the obliquely and in particular skewed to the pivot axis 118 aligned axis of rotation 80. This has the consequence that the sweeping mirror 114 moves in left-turning of the steering wheel 22 in the direction of the vehicle center plane 19. Because the axis of rotation 80 is aligned obliquely with respect to the pivot axis 118, the sweeping mirror 114 rolls on the bottom surface in the direction of the vehicle center plane 19. The displacement of the sweeping mirror 114 is carried out at left turn of the steering wheel 22 continuously, which is due to the shape of the second link section 112.

The displacement of the sweeping mirror 114 in the direction of the vehicle center plane 19 in the left turn of the steering wheel 22 serves to be able to sweep dirt between the disc brush 26 and the sweeping roller 24 in a direction from the bottom surface, so that it can still be absorbed by the sweeping roller 24. Without a shift of the sweeping mirror 114 remains at left turn travel of the sweeping vehicle 10 namely otherwise due to the distance of the disc brush 26 and the sweeping roller 24 from each other a crescent-shaped area of dirt on the bottom surface, the so-called "dirt sickle" (not shown). Thus can be reduced by the displacement of the sweeping mirror 114 at left turn the size of the dirt sickle. Since the sweeper 10, the plate brush 26 and the brush roller 24 have a relatively large distance from each other, it is no longer possible alone with the plate brush 26 above a certain impact of the steering wheel 22, to completely eliminate the dirt sickle. For this reason, the sweeping vehicle 10 encompasses the auxiliary actuator brush 30 already mentioned. When the steering wheel 22 is turned left, the auxiliary actuator brush 30 is lowered onto the floor surface by means of the holding device 44. Its axis of rotation 120 is inclined with respect to the vehicle center plane 19, so that its sweeping mirror 122 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4) with respect to the vehicle center plane 19 has a concave shape independent of the impact of the steering wheel 22. The sweeping mirror 122 adjoins the sweeping mirror 116 of the sweeping roller 24 so that the dirt sickle can be completely eliminated by means of the auxiliary actuator brush 30. Above a certain impact of the steering wheel 22, approximately in the situation illustrated in FIG. 4, the sweeping mirrors 114 and 122 of the disc brushes 26 and 30 may even overlap slightly for this purpose.

When driving straight ahead of the sweeping vehicle 10, the auxiliary actuator brush 30, as mentioned, raised from the bottom surface, so that it is not unnecessarily worn.

In a right turn of the sweeping vehicle 10, the length of the piston-cylinder unit 88 is not changed with respect to its length when driving straight ahead. This is due to the fact that the slotted section 110 is configured in the shape of a half ring, so that the length of the piston-cylinder units 94 and 88 does not change when the steering wheel 22 deflects correctly. This is also not necessary, since at right turn by means of the plate brush 26 swept from the bottom surface dirt in each case can be absorbed by the sweeping roller 24.

As the above explanations show, the formation of the joint member 64 as a variable-length adjusting element 90 for changing the shape of the four-bar linkage 66 allows a reliable and structurally particularly simple pivoting of the plate brush 26 such that the brush plate 82 with respect to the chassis 36 may be dependent on the impact of the steering 221. This allows a needs-based displacement of the sweeping mirror 114 to improve the cleaning result by reducing the dirt sickle, for their elimination addition the auxiliary actuator brush 30 is used.

On the left plate brush 28 above explanations are to be applied in a corresponding manner, wherein an adjusting device for adjusting the shape of the holding device 48- with the exception of an adjusting element 124- is not shown in the drawing.

Unlike the sweeping vehicle 10, the hinge member 64 could be mechanically coupled to the steering of the sweeping vehicle, for. B. by means of a Bowden. An electrical coupling of the joint member 64 with the steering of the sweeping vehicle is conceivable.

In a variant of the sweeping vehicle 10, which is shown in Figure 8 in a manner corresponding to Figure 5, instead of the holding device 46 for holding the plate brush 26, a holding device 150 is used. Using the holding device 150, the same advantages can be achieved as with the holding device 46.

The lifting device 150 comprises a first coupling mechanism 152 in the form of a Hubparallelogramms 154. The Hubparallelogramm 154 has four hingedly interconnected legs 156, 158, 160 and 162, of which the legs 156 and 160 parallel to each other extending narrow sides and the legs 158 and 162 parallel to each other form extending longitudinal sides of Hubparallelogramms 154. The leg 156 is fixed to the right-hand carrier 50. The leg 158 is pivotally mounted on the legs 156 and 160 about horizontal pivot axes 164 and 166, respectively, and the leg 162 is pivotally mounted on the legs 156 and 160 about horizontal pivot axes 170 and 168, respectively. Furthermore, the holding device 150 comprises a second coupling gear 172, which forms a stable and in particular torsionally stiff joint polygon 174. The articulated polygon 174 is constructed from four jointed links 176, 178, 180 and 182 forming a four-bar linkage 175. The first hinge member 176 is formed by the leg 162, and the second hinge member 178 forms the first hinge member 176 opposite side of the four-bar linkage 175th

On the hinge member 178, the disc brush 26 is held, and it is pivotally connected to the hinge member 180 forming leg 160 at its beyond the pivot axis 168 beyond the lower end about a horizontal pivot axis 184. On its side facing the right-hand support 50, the hinge member 178 is pivotally connected to the hinge member 182, which is formed by the adjusting element 90, about a horizontal pivot axis 186. The adjusting element 90 is pivotally connected at its end facing away from the plate brush 26 about a horizontal pivot axis 188 with the first hinge member 176. The pivot axis 188 runs near the pivot axis 170.

On the pivot axes 168, 184, 186 and 188 joints 169, 185, 187 and 189 are respectively formed, which connect the hinge members 176 and 180, 180 and 178, 178 and 182 or 182 and 176 articulated. All legs 156 to 162 and the second hinge member 178 and the adjusting element 90 lie in a common vertical plane defined by them.

On the Hubparallelogramm 154 can be acted upon in known and not shown manner so that thus indirectly held on it plate brush 26 can be raised from the bottom surface or lowered to this, for example, a "floating" storage of the plate brush 26 to compensate for uneven floors enable.

In addition, by means of the adjusting element 90, which in the manner described above via the hydraulic line, not shown in the figure 8 98 is coupled to the steering angle detection element 100, the inclination of the brush plate 82 are changed depending on the steering angle relative to the bottom surface. The change in the length of the adjusting element 90 leads to a change in shape of the four-bar linkage 175, and especially by lengthening the adjusting element 90, the brush plate 82 and thus the plate brush 26 can be inclined in the direction of the vehicle center plane 19. This leads, as mentioned, to the displacement of the sweeping mirror 114 in the direction of the vehicle center plane 19.

In order to allow an extension of the adjusting element 90 at left turn, the steering angle detection element 100 is to be shortened. For this purpose, a control link formed in the opposite direction to the control link 108 is required, for example a longitudinal-oval control link.

In a further variant of the sweeping vehicle 10, instead of the holding device 46, a holding device 200 is used for holding the plate brush 26. This is shown in FIG. 9 in a manner corresponding to FIG. Using the holding device 200, the same advantages can be achieved as with the holding device 46. The holding device 200 is constructed partially identical to the holding device 46, and for identical features of the two holding devices 46 and 200, the same reference numerals are used.

Unlike the holding device 46, the holding device 200 comprises a first joint member 202, which is fixed to the right-hand carrier 50 and has the shape of an upside-down L. Instead of the hinge member 64, which is formed in the holding device 46 by the adjusting element 90, the holding device 200 comprises two hinge members 204 and 206. Of these, the hinge member 204 is pivotally supported by the hinge 73 on the hinge member 202 about the pivot axis 72, and the hinge member 206th is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis 74 by means of the joint 75 on the hinge member 60. The hinge members 204 and 206 together form a hinge 209, on which they are pivotable relative to each other about a horizontal pivot axis 208. The Holding device 200 thereby comprises a coupling mechanism 210 in the form of a stable and in particular torsionally stiff joint polygon 212, in particular a joint pentagon 214 of the joint members 60, 62 and 202 to 206 in a common vertical plane.

The adjusting element 90 is connected at a first end to the joint 209. It extends in the vertical direction and is connected at a second end to the free end of the L-shaped joint member 202, so that the adjusting element 90 in the holding device 200, unlike the holding devices 46 and 150, is not part of the joint polygon 212.

By shortening the adjusting element 90, it is still possible for the holding device 200 to change the inclination of the brush plate 82 in the direction of the vehicle center plane 19 by displacing the sweeping mirror 114. If the adjusting element 90 is shortened in the manner described above, this leads to lifting of the joint 209 from the bottom surface. Thereby, the hinge members 204 and 206, which form a toggle 216, pivot relative to each other so that the shape of the hinge pent 214 changes. As in the case of the holding device 46, the hinge member 60 is pulled in the direction of the carrier 50, which leads to the pivoting of the plate brush 26 about the pivot axis 118 and the associated displacement of the sweeping mirror 114.

Claims

PAT E N TA N S P R O C H E

Sweeping vehicle with a disc brush (26) for sweeping dirt from a floor surface to be cleaned, which disc brush (26) has a brush plate (82) inclined relative to the horizontal with brushes (84) held thereon and is rotatable about an axis of rotation (80) an adjusting device (92) comprising an adjusting element (90) for changing the inclination of the brushing plate (82) with respect to the horizontal and changing the contact area of the brushes (84) with the bottom surface and with a holding device (46; 150; 200) for holding the Plate brush (26) on the sweeping vehicle (10) so that the holding device (46; 150; 200) comprises a joint (69, 71, 73, 75; 169, 185, 187 Joint polygon (56, 174, 212) constructed with interconnected hinge members (58, 60, 62, 64, 176, 178, 180, 182, 202, 204, 206) comprises a first hinge member (58, 176; 202) over which the articulated polygon (56; 174; 212) on the sweeping vehicle (10) is held, as well as with a second hinge member (60; 178) on which the disc brush (26) is held, and in that the adjusting element (90) is variable in length and with at least one hinge member (58, 60, 62, 64, 176, 178, 180, 182, 202, 204, 206 ), wherein in response to a change in the length of the adjusting element (90), the orientation of the first hinge member (58, 176; 202) relative to the second hinge member (60; 178) changeable and the plate brush (26) about an oblique to the axis of rotation (80) aligned pivot axis (118) is pivotable.

Sweeping vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting element (90) on at least one joint (58, 60, 64, 176, 178, 182, 204, 206) interconnecting joint (73, 75; 187, 189; 209) is connected to at least one hinge member (58, 60; 176, 178; 204, 206).

3. sweeper vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjusting element (90) with a first end on a two hinge members (204, 206) interconnecting joint (209) is connected and is held with a second end on the sweeping vehicle (10).

4. sweeping vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjusting element (90) has a hinge member (64, 182) of the joint polygon (56;

174).

A sweeping vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the second hinge member (60; 178) and the adjustment member (90) are different hinge members (60, 64; 178, 182) of the articulated polygon (56; 174).

6. sweeping vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the adjusting element (90) the first joint member (58; 176) and the second joint member (60; 178) interconnects.

A sweeping vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first hinge member (58; 176) and the second hinge member (60; 178) form opposite sides of the hinge polygon (56; 174; 212).

8. Sweeper vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint polygon (56; 174) has a four-bar linkage (66;

175).

9. sweeper vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the adjusting element (90) for forming the Gelenkpolygons (56) is adjustable as Gelenkparallelogramm.

10. sweeper vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that the adjusting element (90) forms a longitudinal side of the Gelenkparallelogramms and the second joint member (60) is a narrow side of the Gelenkparallelogramms.

A sweeping vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (46; 150) comprises a lifting parallelogram (154) for raising and lowering the disc brush (26), one of whose sides is the first link (56; 176).

12. sweeper vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first joint member (176) on the sweeping vehicle (10) is movably mounted.

13. sweeper vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first joint member (58; 202) on the sweeping vehicle (10) is fixed immovably.

14. Sweeper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting element (90) on one of the bottom surface facing away from the top of the Gelenkpolygons (56; 212) is arranged and the plate brush (26) below the Gelenkpolygons (56; 212) is arranged.

15. A sweeping vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulated polygon (56, 174; 212) defines a vertical plane.

16. sweeper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot axis (118) is aligned horizontally.

17. sweeper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot axis (118) is not aligned orthogonal to the axis of rotation (80).

18. sweeper vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis of rotation (80) is aligned obliquely relative to the bottom surface regardless of the length of the adjusting element (90).

19. A sweeping vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (92) has an element (100) which is in operative connection with the adjusting element (90) for detecting the impact of a steering (22) of the sweeping vehicle (10), wherein the length of the adjusting element (90) in dependence on the impact of the steering (22) is adjustable.

20. sweeper vehicle according to claim 19, characterized in that the adjusting device (92) depending on the impact of the steering (22) adjustable positive guide (104) for the steering angle detection element (100), based on the position of which detects the impact of the steering (22) ,

21. sweeper vehicle according to claim 20, characterized in that the

Forced operation (104) is a slotted guide (108).

22. sweeper vehicle according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the steering angle detection element (100) and the adjusting element (90) via a hydraulic line (98) connected donor piston-cylinder units (88, 94) and slave piston Cylinder units (88, 94) of a hydraulic system are.

23. sweeper vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brush plate (82) by changing the length of the Adjusting element (90) in the direction of a vehicle center (19) of the sweeping vehicle (10) is tilted.

24. sweeper vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sweeping vehicle (10) in the vehicle longitudinal direction behind the disc brush (26) arranged Hilfstellerbürste (30) and behind the Hilfsstellir brush (30) arranged dirt receiving device (24), wherein the Hilfsstellerbürste (30) when driving straight ahead of the sweeping vehicle (10) can be raised from the ground surface and when cornering of the sweeping vehicle (10) can be lowered onto the ground surface.

25. Sweeper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sweeping vehicle (10) comprises two symmetrically designed to each other plate brushes (26, 28) which are arranged on opposite sides of the sweeping vehicle (10).