WO2016034371A1

WO2016034371A1 - Underwater cleaning machine having a filter device

Info

Publication number: WO2016034371A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/068355
Authority: WO
Inventors: Torsten Reuss
Original assignee: Torsten Reuss
Priority date: 2014-09-02
Filing date: 2015-08-10
Publication date: 2016-03-10
Also published as: EP3189196A1; EP3189196B1; ES2756710T3; DE102014013109A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an underwater cleaning machine (10) having a filter device (45) for a water flow (W), which flows into the filter device (45) via a dirty-water inlet (48), flows through at least one filter (50) of the filter device (45), which at least one filter filters dirt from the water flow (W), and flows out of the filter device (45) via an outlet (51), wherein the filter device (45) comprises a dirt collection container (46) for collecting dirt filtered from the water flow (W), which dirt collection container is arranged between the dirty-water inlet (48) and the at least one filter (50), and wherein the filter device (45) is designed for long-term operation underwater. According to the invention, the underwater cleaning machine comprises a cleaning device (60, 160; 260) for cleaning the at least one filter (50).

Description

Torsten Reuss, Hindenburgstr. 3, D-73265 Dettingen under Teck

Underwater cleaning machine with a filter device

The invention relates to an underwater cleaning machine with a filter device for a water flow, which flows through a dirty water inlet into the filter device, flows through at least one filter of the filter device, which filters out dirt from the water flow, and flows through an outlet from the filter device, wherein the filter device a Dirt collecting container for collecting filtered from the water flow dirt disposed between the dirty water inlet and the at least one filter, and wherein the filter device is provided for a permanent operation under water.

Such an underwater cleaning machine is, for example, in

EP 1 947 268 B1. The previously known underwater cleaning machine is designed as a cleaning robot.

Further underwater cleaning machines are for example in

US 2014/0014140 A1 or EP 2 725 1 69 A1.

From time to time the filter must be changed in each case, ie the cleaning machine is taken out of service, apart from the cleaning water tank, so to speak, maintained. The filter is removed and a new or cleaned filter container used. This is both time consuming and awkward. The cost of each new filter inserts are significant. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved underwater cleaning machine.

To solve the problem is provided in an underwater cleaning machine of the type mentioned that it has a cleaning device for cleaning the at least one filter.

It is a basic idea that the at least one filter (it is also possible to provide a plurality of filters) is, so to speak, continuously cleaned so that flow through the filter is not reduced or only marginally lower. Thus, the cleaning machine can be operated, so to speak, always with optimum performance, i. to be flowed through with a maximum water flow. The machine can remain permanently under water until the dirt collector is full. During this time, the cleaning effect or filter effect is optimal. The suction power is not degraded by a peu ä peu with dirt zusetzen filter unlike the prior art just. A possibly even only partially forming filter cake is removed by the cleaning device continuously, whereby the cleaning performance of the cleaning machine is optimal and remains.

Both mechanical and fluid cleaning principles are readily available for cleaning.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the cleaning device comprises non-flow-bonded mechanical cleaning means for cleaning the at least one filter or is formed thereby. Thus, it is thus advantageous for the at least one filter to be mechanical in nature, i. For example, at least not exclusively by a countercurrent principle, is cleaned.

The mechanical cleaning agents include, for example, one or more scrapers, to which or relatively the filter is moved or which relies to move the filter, vibrating means or vibrator to vibrate the at least one filter or the like. Of course, it is advantageous if the mechanical cleaning is still supported by a countercurrent principle or at least in combination, the mechanical cleaning and a countercurrent principle are provided. However, only or exclusively mechanical cleaning agents can be provided.

In practice, a mechanical concept has proven advantageous, which will be explained below.

The cleaning device expediently has at least one wiper for removing dirt from the at least one filter. The scraper makes a relative movement along the surface of the at least one filter, i. that, for example, the scraper is guided past the filter or the filter is guided past the scraper. It is also a so-called double movement possible, i. that both the scraper and the at least one filter to be cleaned are moved.

A relatively quick cleaning, i. that the scraper cleans a respective area of the at least one filter with a cycle time of about 0.5 to 2 or even 3 contact times per second is advantageous. Thus, for example, if the scraper rotates relative to the filter or the filter relative to the scraper, a rotational speed of, for example, 0.5-3 revolutions per second is advantageous. The filter remains very clean.

It should be mentioned at this point that, of course, a type of filter belt is also conceivable, ie that a filter can be guided past a respective scraper, for example by a circulation movement, in particular also a linear circulation movement. The filter belt can, for example, circulate like a conveyor belt, wherein the at least one wiper strikes the filter belt, for example a textile belt. Preferably, however, the at least one filter is disc-shaped or plate-shaped.

Such a disk-shaped filter can be configured, for example, in the manner of a filter plate, which is guided past the at least one scraper by a rotational movement.

Preferably, a drive device for driving the at least one filter is provided relative to the at least one scraper. For example, a kind of stepping motor or the like may be provided. If a filter disk is used, it can be driven, for example, at its outer peripheral region, in particular tangentially. Thus, therefore, the drive motor in this case is radially outward and does not reduce the effective filter area. But it is also possible that a rotary drive is provided for example in the center of a plate-like filter disc. Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the drive motor outside the dirt compartment, i. is provided outside the Schmutzsammeiraums the dirt collection container.

Alternatively, it is readily conceivable that the at least one scraper is provided for example on a plate-like or disc-shaped body which rotates relative to the at least one filter and / or is linearly displaced. It is also possible, for example, for the at least one scraper to be provided on a circulating belt and, as it were, for scraping past the at least one filter. Of course, several scrapers can be easily arranged on this band or the aforementioned disk-shaped body.

The at least one filter and the at least one scraper may also undergo oscillatory motion back and forth relative to each other to effect the cleaning. A corresponding oscillation drive can therefore act, for example, on the at least one filter or the at least one wiper. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the filter is stationary relative to a housing of the cleaning machine, while the at least one scraper is movably mounted on or relative to the housing. This arrangement also has fluidic advantages, for example.

It should also be mentioned that in the presence of a plurality of filters, each of these filters or just some of the filters, at least in any case a filter, is cleaned according to the invention. It is also conceivable to provide different Abreinigungsprinzi- pia for different filters, that is, for example, to clean off coarse dirt using a scraper or a scraper arrangement, while provided for finer particles of dirt filter, for example, based on ultrasonic vibrations.

The at least one filter is suitably movably mounted between a housing of the cleaning machine and a lid of the cleaning machine, for example, rotatably mounted, displaceably mounted or both. Preferably, a bearing receptacle is present, which is limited on the one hand by the lid, on the other hand by the housing of the cleaning machine. The lid may be at least partially flow-impermeable. But it is also possible that the lid is wholly or partly formed by a flow-permeable structure, in particular a support structure, or has such a structure or support structure.

Preference is also a tightness between the lid on the one hand and the housing on the other. This tightness can be advantageously provided by eccentric contours between the lid and the housing. When the cover is rotated relative to the housing, the eccentric contours come into sealing, contacting contact with each other and thus form a seal.

It is particularly preferred if, for example, a circumferential cavity is formed between the housing and the lid, which has a certain axial and radial play with respect to a rotation axis of the filter unit or of the filter allows the filter to rotate relative to the housing or lid. Due to the design measures, which become even clearer by the drawing, it is also ensured that the tightness between the housing and lid does not hinder the movement of the at least one filter for the rotational movement and thus the cleaning. The cavity forms, for example, an annular space in which an annular rim of the at least one filter or a holder for the at least one filter is rotatably received.

The scraper, for example, have a kind of stripper edge.

For example, a kind of lip or the like is conceivable that brushes along the filter to be cleaned. The lip may have such a scraper edge. The lip can also be rounded on the front side, so that it comes with relatively soft or round contours in engagement with the filter to be cleaned.

Furthermore, it has turned out to be advantageous in practice if the wiper has a brush or a brush arrangement. The brush is preferably very soft, so that it does not damage a possibly sensitive surface of the at least one filter.

At this point, it should be mentioned that the at least one scraper can definitely comprise several components which come into engagement with the respective filter in parallel or successively. So it is conceivable, for example, that a rough cleaning with, for example, a kind of stripper lip takes place, while then a brush still does the fine cleaning work.

In order to improve the scraper action of the at least one scraper, it may have a particularly long effective contact line for contact with the at least one filter, for example by a curvature, by a zigzag course or the like. The at least one filter can be multi-dimensional in an embodiment not shown in the drawing, ie, for example, have a convolution in, in particular downstream.

However, it is preferred if the at least one filter has only a single filter plane and has a flat shape. The filter is preferably plate-shaped or disk-shaped. It is also advantageous if the filter has no waviness or folding. A plate-like filter has proved to be advantageous.

The at least one filter is expediently formed by a monofilament or has a monofilament. A filter fabric, for example a textile fabric or stainless steel fabric, is also advantageous to use as a filter. Particularly preferred is a stainless steel mesh, which may have a particularly narrow mesh structure, at the same time the permeability to the water flow is good, in particular even higher than in a textile fabric. It should be noted at this point that a filter fleece is quite conceivable, but not realized in the embodiment.

The mesh size of the filter fabric is suitably between about 20 μηι and 65 μηι. In particular, in a filter fabric made of metal material, for example stainless steel, despite these small meshes, there is a high effective or percentage permeability, for example greater than 35 or 40%. In other words, therefore, the at least one filter is, so to speak, a small obstacle in the flow of water, whereby it filters out high-quality dirt particles contained in the water flow. However, continuous cleaning, which is preferred, keeps the filter clean. Thus, when the wiper or wiper assembly strikes the respective filter plane or zone of the at least one filter with a relatively high cycle time, for example at least every 2 seconds, but preferably at least one to three times a second, the filter is kept very clean, ie the flow permeability remains constantly high, but at the same time small and smallest particles are filtered out. So the machine works with the highest quality. The cleaning device is preferably designed for continuous cleaning during the flow through the water flow. Thus, for example, the scraper can be continuously moved along the filter or, conversely, the filter can be continuously moved along the scraper.

However, it is quite possible that the cleaning takes place in cycles, which is advantageous, for example, in a countercurrent cleaning, which will be explained later.

The at least one filter is suitably provided by a flow-permeable support structure, for example a grid arrangement, supporting rods or the like, on its upstream side or downstream side, i.e. on its upstream side or downstream side. supported on the inflow or outflow side or both. Thus, the filter can be relatively soft and yielding while the support structure provides support for the filter. The support structure may be, for example, very coarse mesh, the supporting portions of the support structure are solid and resilient. Thus, so the support structure is a low flow resistance, but effectively prevents bending of the filter. This remains flat and can thus be cleaned in an optimal manner.

It is preferably provided in the region of the cleaning device that the at least one filter is supported by a flow-impermeable support part. Thus, the filter, for example, can not move away from the cleaning scraper, whereby the Abreinigungsqualität is significantly better.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that an impact plate is provided at an outflow opening, from which the water flow flows in the direction of the at least one filter, which directs the flow direction of the water flow away from the filter. The water flow does not flow with full force in the direction of the filter, which could damage or at least bulge it out, for example. This measure is advantageous in particular together with the following measure:

Namely, it is preferably provided that the cleaning machine has a guide channel for the water flow, which runs, for example, linear or spiral. At the end region of the guide channel, the cleaning device is advantageously provided. The guide channel expediently runs tangentially past the at least one filter. Such a guide channel may for example be bounded on one or more peripheral sides by a closed wall. But also the at least one filter can form part of the guide channel. The water to be purified or the water flow thus flows, for example tangentially to the filter along, with gradually dirt from the water flow fails and can be collected in the dirt collector.

For example, the guide channel runs past the dirt collecting container, which causes dirt to be precipitated from the water flow, so to speak. It is preferred if the guide channel is provided between the dirt collecting container and the cleaning device. In the longitudinal direction, therefore, the guide channel so to speak runs away from the dirt collecting container in the direction of the cleaning device.

The guide channel may, for example, be configured as a kind of calming channel, which helps to reduce the flow rate of the water stream before the cleaning takes place.

It is preferred if an intermediate cover covering the dirt collecting container is provided, which provides at least a part of the guide channel.

In addition to the abovementioned mechanical cleaning using a scraper, it is also possible for the cleaning device to produce a vibration generator. transmission device, for example, for generating a vibrating movement, for generating ultrasonic vibrations or the like of the filter.

Furthermore, it is possible that the cleaning device has a countercurrent device for generating a Abreinigungsströmung with the reverse flow direction than the water flow. This is easily achieved, for example, that the suction unit, which is preferably on board the cleaning machine, from time to time generates a reverse direction than the water flow flowing Abreinigungsstrom and / or valves or other control means are provided to the water flow, so to speak, in the opposite direction redirect.

Namely, a suction unit for generating the water flow is preferably provided on board the cleaning machine. Thus, the cleaning machine generates the water flow virtually itself. However, it is also possible that the cleaning machine has a connection for an external suction unit. For example, the outlet region of the filter device is provided, so to speak, with a connecting piece for such a suction unit. But it is also possible that at the beginning of the filter device, a suction unit is both arranged as part of the cleaning machine and as an external, attachable component or module or can be arranged.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the cleaning machine has a release brush arrangement for removing dirt from a substrate to be cleaned or a surface to be cleaned. The Lösebürstenanordnung is suitably driven, for example, a rotational movement, a rolling motion or the like.

The flow of water can already lead to the underwater cleaning machine sucking itself to the surface to be cleaned, so to speak. In addition, a suction device, which is separate from the suction unit, is also preferred for suctioning onto the substrate to be cleaned during cleaning. provided. This suction device is preferably in the vicinity of at least one suction opening. The suction device comprises, for example, a suction rotary body which has a blade arrangement or other guide means which generate a flow radially outward during a rotation. Preferably, a sealing arrangement is provided on the outer circumference of the Ansaugrotationskörpers, for example, a brush assembly or the like, through which flows out of the Ansaugrotationskörper radially outward from a sealing space and there generates a negative pressure, so to speak. The negative pressure causes the cleaning machine to suck itself to the ground, so to speak. For example, the Ansaugrotationskörper is formed by a vortex wheel or has such.

The dirt collector can form an integral part of the housing of the cleaning machine. Thus, in this case, so to speak, the cleaning machine emptied now and then. However, an embodiment in which the cleaning machine has a container receptacle for the dirt collecting container is particularly preferred, so that, as it were, it represents a component which can be removed by the cleaning machine.

A preferred embodiment provides that the dirt collecting container has the smoothest possible inner surface. The dirt collecting container is, for example, substantially cylindrical. The dirt collecting container may for example be designed as a kind of pot. It is preferred if the dirt collecting container has flow-impermeable walls.

The at least one filter preferably forms a lid or a cover for the dirt collecting container. In other words, in this embodiment, which is preferred, the filter does not form the dirt collecting container or the dirt collecting space as such, but instead is a separate component. Thus, the dirt collecting container can be conveniently emptied and cleaned, in both cases, namely when it comes from the housing of the cleaning machine. forms a remote component or even if it forms an integral part of the housing.

When emptying the dirt collector then only the dirt collection room must be cleaned and not consuming the filter.

A dirt receiving space or Schmutzsammeiraum the dirt collector is conveniently divided into a chamber for coarse dirt and a chamber for fine dirt. The chamber for fine dirt is suitably larger. It is preferred if a relatively small opening in the direction of the dirt collecting space is provided in the area of the cleaning device, in particular in the region of the wiper. The small opening contributes to the fine dirt in the chamber or at least the area for the fine dirt is not or only slightly stirred up.

The underwater cleaning machine may be, for example, a hand-held underwater cleaning machine. The cleaning machine can be manually guided by an operator over the surface to be cleaned.

But it is also possible that the cleaning machine is designed in the manner of a cleaning robot, so for example, drive wheels, drive chains or drive belts or other propulsion means or drive means for movement along a surface to be cleaned along.

The cleaning machine may also be designed in the manner of a vacuum cleaner, i. that it sucks in dirty water and purifies or blows out purified water, so to speak.

Furthermore, the cleaning machine can be designed for stationary operation, ie that it is for example mounted in a floating pond, where it continuously filters out dirt from the water in the manner of a circulating system. The cleaning machine expediently comprises a housing on which a cleaning head is arranged. The cleaning head carries, for example, at least one suction opening for sucking in the water flow and expediently also a release brush arrangement. It is preferred if the cleaning head is plate-like. But also a dome-like construction of the cleaning head is possible.

In a central region of the cleaning head, it is expedient to provide the suction device or an additional suction device acting in addition to the water flow.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 shows a perspective oblique view of a front part of an underwater cleaning machine,

2 shows the underwater cleaning machine obliquely from below,

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cleaning machine;

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the cleaning machine with a cover in an assembly position,

FIG. 5 shows the view according to FIG. 4, but with the lid adjusted to the position of use,

FIG. 6 shows a view into the cleaning machine from above with the lid open,

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in Figure 6 of

Cleaning machine, FIG. 8 shows a detail Z from FIG. 7 concerning an edge region of the housing and the lid of the cleaning machine,

9 shows a section along a line B-B through the cleaning machine according to Figure 6, and

10 shows a variant of the cleaning machine according to the preceding figures with a counterflow cleaning device and a suction nozzle in the same cross-sectional plane as in Figure 7.

The underwater cleaning machine 10 shown in the drawing is suitable for cleaning, for example, swimming ponds. It can also be used stationary, i. that it is used locally, for example, in the manner of a circulation device and remains stationary during this cleaning process, for example, at the edge of the pond. Furthermore, the cleaning machine 10 can also be used, as it were, as a robot, i. that on the basis of, for example, drive wheels or the like autonomously mobile cleans the ground of a Schwimmbehältnisses, especially a garden pond. The illustrated embodiment provides that the cleaning machine 10 is guided by means of a handle 1 1 by an operator.

At a free end portion of the handle 1 1 (not shown) this can be taken. At the other end of the handle 1 1, a housing 15 of the cleaning machine is held. The handle 1 1 has, for example, a fork 12, the fork arms 13 extend laterally past the housing 15 and are movably connected thereto via pivot joints 14.

The housing 15 has an upper part 1 6 and a lower part 17. In the lower part 17, a suction unit 20 is received. The upper part 1 6 is closed by a lid 18. In the upper part 1 6 is a drive motor 19 which serves, among other things for driving the suction unit 20. The suction unit 20 is located in an inner space of the lower part 17. For example, a driven by the drive motor 19 impeller 21 is rotatably received there, which generates a water flow from a cleaning head 25 in the direction of the upper part 16.

The drive motor 19 is supplied by an electrical connection line 22 with electric current, thus energy. In a chamber 23 controlling components or electrical components for the drive motor 19 are provided. However, these are not shown in the drawing for the sake of simplicity.

Down on the suction unit 20 may also be provided as shown in Figure 10, an intake manifold 24 instead of the cleaning head 25. In this embodiment, the cleaning machine 10 functions, for example, as a kind of vacuum cleaner. You can run this vacuum cleaner, for example, on the surface to be cleaned on the basis of the handle 1 1 or connect to the inlet of the intake manifold 24 a hose or pipe. It can also be provided at the beginning of the cleaning machine 10, a nozzle or the like, for example, the front of the intake manifold 24 or a hose connected thereto.

But you can imagine this suction operation but also readily that the cleaning machine 10 permanently stationary in a holder, not shown, remains at a predetermined location of a garden pond, a garden pool or the like, that is under water, and in a continuous operation dirty water S sucks in and leaves out purified water. The dirty water S thus flows, for example via the intake manifold 24 in the cleaning machine 10 a.

The cleaning head 25 expediently has a release brush arrangement 26. The release brush assembly 26 includes, for example, a radially outer Brush ring 27. The brushes of the brush ring 27 are formed, for example, by annular brush segments.

Radially further inside release brushes 28 are provided. The release brushes 28 are part-ring, so do not extend over an entire annular circumference. As a result, dirty water S can easily flow from radially outside into the interior of the release brush arrangement 26 and be sucked in via inflow openings 34 from the suction unit 20 into the interior of the housing 15.

A suction device 30 in the center of the cleaning head 25 provides an additional suction effect on the substrate to be cleaned, for example, the surface of a garden pond. The suction device 30 comprises a Ansaugrotationskörper 31, which has a radially outer seal 32 or is rotatably received within a radially outer seals 32. The Ansaugrotationskörper is formed for example by a vortex wheel. Blades 33 of the Ansaugrotationskörpers 31 generate a flow radially outward, which flows through the seal 32 which in the interior of the seal 32, below the Ansaugrotationskörpers 31, generates a negative pressure. The seal 32 is formed for example by a brush assembly.

The housing 15 has a peripheral wall 35, which is approximately cylindrical. In a bottom portion 36 of the housing 15, an inner housing 37 is provided for the tight reception of the drive motor 19. Its output 40 extends downwardly in front of a bottom wall 38 of the housing 15, where it drives the impeller 21 and in the axial extension of the suction device 30, in particular the Ansaugrotationskörper 31. Via a gear 39, preferably a planetary gear, the brush plate 29 is also rotationally driven. However, the transmission 39 lowers the rotational speed of the output 40 and / or changes its direction of rotation such that the brush plate 29 and thus the release brush assembly 26 are driven at a lower rotational speed than the suction rotational body 31 and the suction unit 20, and also with a different rotational direction. In this way, with a single drive motor 19 of the entire Functional part for loosening of dirt and suction of dirty water driven.

The suction unit 20 thus ensures that dirty water S passes through the inlet openings 34 into the interior of the housing 15. The impeller 21 conveys the dirty water S via a channel 41 which extends, for example approximately annularly around the impeller 21 around, in a channel 42 which extends from the lower part 17 forth on the drive motor 19 over to an outflow opening 43 out. From the outflow opening 43, the dirty water S flows into a container receptacle 44 of the housing 15.

In the container receptacle 44, a dirt collecting container 46 of a filter device 45 is accommodated. The dirt collecting container 46, like the container receptacle 44, is substantially cylindrical. A peripheral wall 47 of the

Dirt collecting container 46 is approximately positive fit in any case with Berührkontakt on the inner circumference of the peripheral wall 35 of the housing 15, in particular of the upper part 16 of the housing 15 at. A bottom wall 48 a of the dirt collecting container 46 is supported on the top of the inner case 37.

The outflow opening 43 of the channel 42 opens into a dirty water inlet 48 of the dirt collecting container 46. Opposite the outflow opening 43 is a baffle plate 49, which deflects the stream of dirty water, so that it does not strike the front of a filter 50, which covers the dirt collecting container 46. Thus, therefore, the dirty water S not directly from the outflow 43 coming through the filter 50 flow through frontally, which would impose this high force and in extreme cases can lead to damage, but is placed in a rotational movement, in which the dirty water S, so to speak at the Along the inside of the peripheral wall 47 and thus tangentially past the filter 50 past.

From the dirty water S can thus precipitate dirt in a dirt collecting space 52 of the dirt collecting container 46, so purified or at least clearly clean water as the water flow W downstream, thus at an outlet 51 of the filter device 45 flows out. The water flow W charged with dirt and particles was previously referred to as dirty water flow S.

The dirt collecting container 46 is partially covered by an intermediate cover 53, which covers, so to speak, the upper end face of the dirt collecting container partially. The intermediate cover 53 has a cover wall 54 which, together with the peripheral wall 47 of the dirt collecting container 46, defines a guide channel 55. The guide channel 55 is further limited, as it were, by the filter 50, it being understood that the dirty water S the guide channel 55 only as purified water, namely as water, which has flowed through the filter 50, from the outlet 51 and the downstream side can flow out of the filter 50.

Between the dirty water inlet 48 and the guide channel 55, an opening 56 is provided through which dirt from the dirty water S in the direction of Schmutzsammeiraums 52 of the debris collection container 46 can drop directly. In this way, coarse dirt falls directly from the dirty water S immediately, for example, small stones or the like. The Schmutzsammeiraum 52 is, for example, in a chamber 52a for coarse

Dirt (below the opening 56) and a chamber 52 b for fine dirt divided. For this purpose, a parting surface 52c, e.g. a partition or bulkhead, provided.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the dirty water S flows into the guide channel 55, which runs in a spiral around the axis of rotation D and ends at a cleaning device 60 which continuously cleans the filter 50. The intermediate wall or top wall 54 therefore rises continuously from the opening 56 in the direction of the filter 50, which, inter alia, also causes or can bring about a calming effect on the dirty water S in advance or on the inflow side of the cleaning device 60. Another effect is in it too see that the guide channel 55, so to speak directs the dirty water flow S in the direction of the filter 50.

Increasingly, as it were in the direction of the end region of the guide channel 55, a filter cake forms, which is, however, immediately cleaned again by the cleaning device 60.

In the dirt collecting space 52 of the dirt collecting container 46, supporting projections 57 are provided, on which the intermediate lid 53 rests.

The dirt collecting container 46 is removed from the container receptacle 44 for emptying. In addition, in this case, the intermediate cover 53 is removed, so that in the dirt collection chamber 52 befindlicher dirt can be disposed of easily. Due to the uniform and continuous cleaning of the filter 50, however, this only has to be done at long intervals, ie the dirt collecting container 46 can be almost completely filled with dirt before it has to be emptied. Since the cleaning machine 10 works very efficient and time-saving. In addition, it is an advantage that the filter 50 so to speak represents only a lid for the dirt collecting container 46 and also always kept clean by the cleaning the relatively smooth inner walls of the dirt collecting container 46 can be cleaned easily.

The cleaning device 60 comprises a scraper 61. The scraper 61, which is formed for example by a flexible scraper body, in this case has an arc shape.

Between the scraper 61 and the top wall 54, so the bottom of the guide channel 55, an opening 58 is provided, can get through the scraper 61 from the filter 50 stripped dirt or filter cake in the dirt collecting chamber 52 of the dirt collector 46. The opening 58 is provided above the fine dirt compartment 52b. The opening 58 is preferably slightly smaller than the opening 56.

In any case, it is an advantageous measure that the partition wall 52b subdivides the dirt collecting chamber 52, so that the dirty water flowing in via the dirty water inlet 48 does indeed cause a certain turbulence in the water

Schmutzsammeiraum 52 provides, but this does not spread to the area of the chamber 52b for the fine dirt and there can provide unwanted turbulence.

On the intermediate cover 53, a holder or receptacle 59 is further provided for the scraper 61, so that it can be detachably installed in the filter device 45 and cleaning device 60. Thus, it is readily possible to replace the scraper 61 against another, for example, not worn scraper or to use different scrapers, depending on the filter 50 used, for example, depending on the filter fabric or the like.

The scraper 61 extends between a radial outer periphery of the filter 50 and the rotation axis D or the center of the filter 50, so that it can clean the entire radius of the filter 50, so to speak.

The scraper 61 is presently formed by a brush or comprises a brush. A brush holder 62, for example, in the receptacle 59 can be inserted.

The scraper 61 is stationary with respect to the dirt collecting container 46. The relative movement between scraper 61 and filter 50 is effected by a drive motor 63 which drives a filter holder 64 of the filter 50. The filter holder 64 comprises, for example, an annular support frame onto which a filter fabric 65, which is indicated only schematically in the drawing, is clamped. The filter fabric 65 is very close-meshed, yet permeable. The mesh size of the filter fabric 65 is, for example, in the range of about 20 μηι to 65 μηι. The filter fabric 65 is preferably a metal fabric, preferably a stainless steel fabric. A diameter of a stainless steel wire, so base material of the metal fabric, is very small, whereby at a narrow mesh size yet a high permeability to the water, that is, a low flow resistance of the filter fabric can be achieved.

On the outer circumference of the filter holder 64, a toothing 66, that is a toothed rim, is provided, with which a drive pinion 66a of the drive motor 63 meshes. Thus, therefore drives the drive motor 63, the filter holder 64 to a rotational movement, so that the filter cloth 65 rotates past the scraper 61, wherein on the filter cloth 65 accumulated dirt is scraped off or scraped off and dropped through the opening 58 into the dirt collecting space 52.

The drive motor 63, for example, a stepper motor, is preferably attached to the outside of the housing 15, so that it can be easily replaced. Furthermore, the drive motor 63 is outside of the dirt collecting container 46, so not in the dirt room. For example, the drive motor 63 at the top of a cover plate 67, which covers the chamber 23 for the control, be arranged and replaced when worn. Alternatively, it is also possible to arrange the drive motor 63 in the chamber 23 so that its output shaft penetrates the cover plate 67 at an opening 67a. This is the case in the exemplary embodiment.

On a radial upper outer circumference of the dirt collecting container 46, a bearing receptacle 68 is formed, on which the filter holder 64, so the ring is rotatably mounted. This pivot bearing is not hindered by the fact that the filter 50 is held by the lid 18 on the housing 15. Namely overlaps the filter 50 radially outwards, while holding it on the one hand as a filter cover on the dirt collection chamber 52 and the dirt collecting 46, but on the other hand allows the necessary rotational play or movement play that the drive motor 63, the filter 50 rotatably drive for cleaning. The lid 18 is held on the housing 15 by means of a bayonet closure. Of course, a screw cap, a latch or the like could be provided instead of the bayonet closure.

For example, bayonet projections 69 protrude radially outward in front of the peripheral wall 35 at its upper end side, which engage with the bayonet receptacles (not visible in the drawing) on the inner circumference of a retaining ring 70 of the plate-like cover 18. Thus, when an operator represents the lid between the release position shown in FIG. 4 and the closed position shown in FIG. 5, the bayonet projections 69 engage or disengage the bayonet receptacles so that the cover 18 is attached to or detached from the housing 15. By appropriate arrow marks or a lock symbol on a handle 71 this is easily understood by the operator.

The arrangement is made such that a radially outer sealing surface 72 on the outer circumference of a Flanschvorsprungs 73 of the dirt collecting container 46 and a radially inner sealing surface 74 on the inner circumference of the retaining ring 70 have a certain eccentricity of the type, the sealing surfaces 72, 74 during rotation from the release position ( FIG. 4) into the closing position (FIG. 5) in sealing contact with each other.

The retaining ring 70 has a stepped shape such that the bearing receptacle 68 remains free for the rotational movement of the filter holder 64.

The retaining ring 70 carries a support structure 75, for example, a grid 76, which supports the filter fabric 65 on the upper side or downstream, against the force of the water flow W.

On the other hand, a flow-impermeable supporting part 77 is provided above the cleaning device 60. The support part 77 may, for example, have the advantage that at this point a possible flow-calm zone is formed and / or the cleaning process is not disturbed as possible. An advantage of the support section 77 is also to be seen in the fact that the filter fabric 65 is supported against the action of the scraper 61, so this can strip dirt from the filter fabric 65 in an optimal manner.

Further cleaning principles are indicated in connection with FIG. For example, a cleaning device 1 60, which would preferably be arranged in the region of the opening 58, a countercurrent device 1 61, for example, a turbine for generating a direction of the dirty water flow S opposite counterflow G have.

It is also conceivable that, instead of the cleaning device 60 or 1 60 or to supplement it, a vibration generating device 261, e.g. a vibrator or an ultrasonic unit is provided, which constitutes a further cleaning device 260. The vibration generating device 261 may generate ultrasonic vibrations that cause the filter 50 to vibrate and in any case ensure that particles or other dirt from the filter 50 are cleaned.

The scraper 61 and the vibration generating device 261 form mechanical cleaning agents 90, 290 or components thereof.

At the cleaning devices 1 60, 260 is also clear that a cleaning device does not necessarily have to be in Schmutzsammeiraum the cleaning machine, but for example, can be placed outside. For example, the cleaning devices 1 60, 260 are arranged on the outside of the cover 18.

Claims

claims

1 . Underwater cleaning machine (10) with a filter device (45) for a water flow (W), which flows through a dirty water inlet (48) into the filter device (45), at least one filter (50) of the filter device (45) flows through the dirt the water flow (W) and flows out of the filter device (45) via an outlet (51), the filter device (45) having a dirt collecting container (46) for collecting dirt filtered out of the water flow (W) between the dirty water inlet (48) and the at least one filter (50) is arranged, and wherein the filter means (45) is provided for a permanent operation under water, characterized in that it comprises a cleaning device (60, 1 60, 260) for cleaning the at least one Filter (50).

2. underwater cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning device (60.1 60; 260) non-flow-bound mechanical cleaning means (90; 290) for cleaning the at least one filter (50) or is formed thereby.

3. underwater cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cleaning device (60, 160, 260) at least one scraper (61) for stripping (61) of dirt from the at least one filter (50), wherein the scraper (61) on the surface of the at least one filter (50) by a relative movement of the scraper (61) and the filter (50) along each other strips.

4. underwater cleaning machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one scraper (61) a respective region of the at least one filter (50) in a cycle of about 0.5-5 times per second, suitably 0.5 until three times a second, even more preferably 0.5-2 times, per second cleans.

5. Underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a drive means for driving the at least one filter (50), in particular a holding the filter (50) holding device relative to one or the at least one scraper (61) ,

6. Underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the scraper (61) comprises a brush and / or a flexible wiper lip and / or a wiper edge.

7. Underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one filter (50) between a housing (15) of the cleaning machine (10) and a lid (18) of the cleaning machine (10), in particular one at least comprising a filter (50) supporting flow-permeable support structure (75) is movable, in particular rotatably mounted, wherein the lid (18) and the housing (15) expediently provide a bearing receptacle (68) for the at least one filter (50).

8. underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one filter (50) has only a single filter plane and / or has no folding and / or plate-like and / or at least in one by the water flow (W) flowed through area has a flat shape or extends in a single flat plane.

9. Underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one filter (50) is formed by a monofilament or comprises a monofilament and / or of a filter fabric, in particular a textile fabric or stainless steel fabric is formed or a such includes.

10. underwater cleaning machine according to claim 8, characterized in that a mesh size of the filter fabric between about 20 μηι and 65 μηπ, in particular between about 20 μηι and 45 μηπ, and / or the at least one filter (50) has a percentage permeability greater than 30%, in particular greater than 35% or 40%.

1 1. Underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (60, 1 60; 260) is designed for continuous cleaning during the flow through the water flow (W).

12. Underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one filter (50) is supported by a flow-permeable support structure (75), in particular a grid (76), on the inflow side and / or outflow side.

13. Underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one filter (50) in the region of the cleaning device (60, 1 60; 260) is supported by a flow-impermeable support part (77).

14. Underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at an outflow opening, from which the water flow (W) in the direction of at least one filter (50) flows out, and / or at the dirty water inlet (48) a baffle plate or a steering area is provided, which directs the flow direction of the water flow (W) of the filter (50) away.

15. Underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a particular spiral-shaped guide channel (55) for the water flow (W), at the end region of which the cleaning device (60, 1 60, 260) is provided and / or tangential to the at least one filter (50) passes.

16. underwater cleaning machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the guide channel (55) extends past the dirt collecting container (46) or between the dirt collecting container (46) and the cleaning device (60, 1 60, 260) is provided and / or to a (18) intermediate cover (53) covering the dirt collecting container (46) and / or extending between the dirty water inlet (48) to the cleaning device (60), between a first input region of the guide channel (50) and the dirty water inlet (48) an opening (56) communicating with the debris collecting container (46) and the separator (60) upstream of a second opening (58) communicating with the debris collecting container (46); and the debris collecting container (46) defining a settling zone between the two openings (56, 58) / or a separating surface (52c) dividing the dirt collecting container (46) into zones.

17. Underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning device (60, 1 60; 260) at least one countercurrent device (1 61) for generating a purge flow with reverse flow direction than the water flow (W) and / or a vibration generating means (1 62) for generating provided for releasing dirt vibrations of the filter (50).

18. Underwater cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a suction unit (20) for generating the water flow (W) and / or a Lösebürstenanordnung (26) for detaching dirt from a substrate to be cleaned and / or a suction unit (20) separate suction device (30) for sucking the surface to be cleaned and / or the dirt collecting container (46) is accommodated in a container receptacle (44) of a housing (15) of the cleaning machine (10) and forms a component that can be detachably arranged on the housing (15) and / or that the at least one filter (50) has a cover for a dirt collecting space ( 52) of the dirt collecting container (46) and / or that the dirt collecting chamber (52) of the dirt collecting container (46) has at least two chambers which are separate from one another or regions separated by a dividing wall.