EP0281976A1 - Mobile floor-cleaning machine - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to increase the range of action of a mobile floor-cleaning machine, having an integrated fresh liquid and soiled liquid compartment (10, 11) and having a rotary cleaner (19), facing the floor on both sides of a pair (2) of rollers, with a suction nozzle (25) for the case of energy supply by means of an accompanying battery (33), the cleaning rotor (19) is associated with an adjustable machine frame (16) which has a protective curtain (26) hanging down in the circumferential region of the rotor facing away from the suction nozzle (26) (Figure 2). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a mobile floor cleaning machine with integrated fresh and dirty liquid compartments, with a cleaning rotor to be supplied from the fresh liquid compartment and exchanged without tools on a rotor receptacle, and with a suction nozzle conveying into the dirty liquid compartment, with a pair of castors between the cleaning rotor and suction nozzle, and with a handlebar receiving control elements.

A cleaning machine of this type already used in practice has on its underside a rotor holder which can be coupled to an accessory, in particular a brush or a drive plate with a pad, by placing the accessory on the floor and moving the device over the accessory and on top of it is put on. All that is required to snap the accessory into place is a brief tap on the motor assigned to the rotor.

In use, cleaning liquid mixed with cleaning concentrate is sprayed from the separate fresh water tank onto the floor to be treated via the rotor. At the same time, the rotor is used to scrub. A beam-like water suction nozzle following the rotor when the machine is pushed forward serves to soak up the dirty water still remaining after scrubbing, so that the floor can be scrubbed thoroughly in one operation and at the same time wiped dry, that is, vacuumed.

The known automatic cleaning machine has drives to be connected directly to the mains via a mains cable. In long corridors or large rooms, the power cord must therefore be plugged in frequently. In the case of the machine there are completely separate tanks for fresh and used liquid, so the entire tank volume can be used up to half on average; this also limits the radius of action of the known machine. To operate the cleaning rotor of the known machine, a relatively large amount of fresh liquid or industrial water is required, since the bottom surface processed by the rotor is completely unrestricted, so that the liquid can run away on all sides. Relatively much energy is therefore required to suck up the liquid with the aid of the suction nozzle. If you wanted to supply such an automatic cleaning machine from a battery, regardless of the network, the reduction in action would be almost as limited by the high energy consumption as by a power cord.

The invention is based on the object of improving the cleaning machine mentioned at the outset in such a way that it can be supplied with electricity from an entrained battery with an increased radius of action compared to cable operation. In particular, it will also do this be favorable to know and / or register the fill level of the fresh and / or dirty liquid compartments at any time and to facilitate the refilling of the fresh liquid compartment with the required detergent concentration. For the machine with cleaning rotor and suction nozzle mentioned at the outset, the solution according to the invention is primarily characterized by an adjustable machine frame to be adapted to the diameter of the cleaning rotor with a hanging protective curtain on a peripheral region of the rotor facing away from the suction nozzle.

The use of the protective curtain on the side of the cleaning rotor facing away from the suction nozzle ensures that the liquid sprayed or flowing into the area of the rotor essentially remains in the rotor working area of the floor - i.e. where it is used for scrubbing - and that at the same time the The suction power of the water suction nozzle is improved by shielding the rotor side opposite the nozzle except for a generally very narrow gap between the curtain and the floor. In this way, it is possible to create a battery-operated cleaning machine with suction nozzle performance that is significantly reduced compared to the possibilities of a mains drive, which can also process very large areas without constant recharging.

According to a further invention, the adjustable machine frame assigned to the cleaning rotor is produced from at least two frame parts which are to be pushed apart or into one another approximately radially with respect to the rotor. The frame parts can be connected to each other telescopically, for example. The adjustment itself can be carried out with the help of a motor. In this way, it is possible to largely limit the space enclosed by the machine frame with the protective curtain attached to it to the volume occupied by the cleaning rotor. This adjustment of the volume of the cleaning room is not only advantageous in connection with the power consumption of the suction nozzle, but also makes it possible to reach the edge of the surface to be cleaned with the cleaning agent regardless of the rotor diameter. Since there are generally only cleaning rotors of certain diameter groups, it is advantageous according to yet another invention to program the drive means for expanding or contracting the machine frame in such a way that the work space spanned by the machine frame with the aid of a control to be operated by the handlebar or the like of the machine, e.g. at the push of a button to adapt to the respective rotor diameter.

For a large operating radius of the automatic cleaning machine, it is necessary to set the amount of fresh liquid and dirty liquid carried on the surface to be cleaned without refilling the tank to the greatest possible value. Because of the considerable weight involved, it can be inexpensive, besides that at least one support roller, in particular one support roller pair, arranged between the cleaning rotor and the suction nozzle on the side of the cleaning rotor opposite the driving roller pair, preferably still within the space spanned by the machine frame. This ensures that the machine is always held in the correct position for the cleaning rotor in relation to the floor to be cleaned without the operator having to exert any force. If the support roller or the support rollers are attached to the adjustable machine frame, they can also be accommodated in the interior between the machine frame and the rotor, because when the rotor is enlarged, the support rollers are moved together with the machine frame out of its rotation area.

In known cleaning machines, it is necessary to engage and disengage the cleaning rotor, tilt the device about the axis of the castors so that a rotor can be pushed under the device and when lowering the respective coupling part, e.g. a conical driver star, the machine in the the corresponding driver receptacle of the rotor must be inserted and locked into place. If, on the other hand, the entire machine is to roll on three or four wheels due to the high weight, tipping the device to engage or disengage an automatic cleaning machine is hardly an option. Rather, it is rather provided to raise and lower the machine-side rotor holder via a foot pedal, in particular with a programmed control, for engaging and disengaging the cleaning rotor. For this the rotor receptacle should preferably be able to be controlled via coupling means to be actuated from the handlebar, dashboard or the like, in particular with the aid of a separate motor.

Finally, centering means are to be provided on the adjustable machine frame for centering a cleaning rotor pushed under the device with respect to the rotor holder. Despite the heavy weight of the machine, it is then easily possible to engage or disengage a rotor by raising or lowering the rotor holder of the device and simply pushing the rotor under the device with your foot.

For the sake of simplicity, "fresh or dirty water" is also used instead of "fresh or dirty liquid". In order to have a sufficient amount of fresh water or a sufficient space to hold dirty water even with large surfaces to be cleaned, a container consisting of a single total space is provided according to another invention, which is divided into a fresh water and a dirty water compartment by an intermediate wall is. In this case, a fixed partition wall, possibly with the expected final quantitative ratio of fresh water and dirty water corresponding position within the entire space, can be provided, or the partition wall can be designed flexibly as a dense membrane or water bag.

In the latter case of a flexible partition, the space available overall for the fresh water and dirty water can be gradually converted from a fresh water compartment into a dirty water compartment during operation by moving the partition or partition. This has the further advantage that, after the fresh water has been used up, simply by connecting the fresh water side to a water pipe in order to fill the entire space with fresh water, the dirty water can be automatically expelled from the device (into a drain). Of course, the fresh water side and the dirty water side of the container can also be equipped in this case with an inflow or outflow hose or the like.

To increase the radius of action of the machine according to the invention, in addition to or instead of the flexibility, it can also be advantageous to design the intermediate wall from filter material or to provide it with filter candles. In this case, part of the dirty water always flows back through the filters into the fresh water compartment; This double use also significantly increases the usable water volume.

Of course, when the machine according to the invention is in operation, it is also advantageous to know the amount of fresh water still available. For this purpose, further inventions are provided in the fresh water compartment of the tank for detecting the current fill level see. These probes should preferably be supplied with alternating voltage via an integrated circuit (IC) which switches through when the probe is immersed in the fresh water. The IC should switch through when and as long as the respective probe is covered with liquid. In this way, the fill level can be indicated by light-emitting diodes, pointer instruments, warning lights or the like.

Finally, to make it easier to refill with fresh water dosed with cleaning concentrate, it is advantageous to provide the fresh liquid compartment with a lid that can be swiveled by approximately 90 ° and has an integrated dosing container (for the cleaning concentrate). If necessary, the dosing container should be designed and preferably equipped with such a scale that the container, when the lid is open, measurably receives the concentrate in the desired amount and empties itself into the fresh water compartment when the lid is closed.

• Fig. 1 eine Seitenansicht, teilweise im Schnitt, eines fahrbaren Bodenreinigungsautomaten;
• Fig. 2 eine Projektion des Automaten nach Fig. 1 auf dem Boden mit zwei Positionen des ver­stellbaren Maschinenrahmens;
• Fig. 3 eine Ansicht des Automaten von Fig. 1 von links, teilweise im Schnitt;
• Fig. 4 eine Seitenansicht, teilweise im Schnitt, des fahrbaren Bodenreinigungsautomaten mit auswechselbarer mechanisch fester Zwi­schenwand;
• Fig. 5 einen Schnitt längs der Linie V-V von Fig 4;
• Fig. 6 einen Schnitt entsprechend Fig. 5 für den Fall einer als Membran oder Wassersack ausgebildeten flexiblen Zwischenwand;
• Fig. 7 einen Schnitt längs der Linie VII-VII von Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 den Kupplungsbereich von Gerätemitnehmer und Reinigungsrotor;
• Fig. 9 einen Schnitt längs der Linie IX-IX von Fig. 8; und
• Fig. 10 eine elektrische Versorgungsanlage für den fahrbaren Bodenreinigungsautomaten.

Details of the invention are explained on the basis of the schematic drawing of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section, of a mobile floor cleaning machine.
• FIG. 2 shows a projection of the machine according to FIG. 1 on the floor with two positions of the adjustable machine frame;
• Fig. 3 is a view of the machine of Figure 1 from the left, partly in section.
• 4 is a side view, partly in section, of the mobile floor cleaning machine with an exchangeable, mechanically fixed intermediate wall;
• 5 shows a section along the line VV of Fig. 4.
• FIG. 6 shows a section corresponding to FIG. 5 for the case of a flexible intermediate wall designed as a membrane or water bag;
• Fig. 7 is a section along the line VII-VII of Fig. 6;
• 8 shows the coupling area of device driver and cleaning rotor;
• Fig. 9 is a section along the line IX-IX of Fig. 8; and
• Fig. 10 is an electrical supply system for the mobile floor cleaning machine.

1 to 3 show a mobile floor cleaning machine in three different views, projections or cuts. The machine consists of a total of 1 car with casters 2 and support rollers 3 and handlebars 4 with control panel. A large part of the interior of the carriage 1 is occupied by a liquid tank designated 5 in total. This has a lid 6 with a metering container 7 attached to it, which has a scale. The scale should correspond to the mixing ratio of fresh water to cleaning concentration. When the lid 6 is open, the metering container 7 can be filled according to the predetermined mixing ratio. By closing the lid 6 in the closing direction 8, the contents 9 of the metering container 7 are emptied into the liquid tank 5.

The liquid tank 5 consists of a fresh water compartment 10 and a dirty water compartment 11. In the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of probes 12 are provided in the fresh water compartment 10 for indicating the fill level. With an integrated circuit or IC, the probes can be supplied with an alternating voltage (to prevent galvanic removal of the probes, direct current is not used). The IC switches through as soon as and as long as the probes are covered by a liquid. The fill level can be indicated by LEDs, pointer instruments, warning lights or the like.

The fresh water compartment 10 and the dirty water compartment 11 are separated from one another by an intermediate wall 13. The partition can be a fixed partition between the two compartments 10 and 11 as in Fig. 2 or 3 represent. It can also be arranged laterally displaceable or adjustable to separate the compartments 10 and 11 in order to adapt to the respective quantity ratio. 4 and 5, a fixed partition 13 with filter candles 14 inserted therein is shown schematically. 6 and 7, a flexible partition 15 for separating the fresh water compartment 10 from the waste water compartment 11 can be used instead of a fixed partition 13.

An important feature of the mobile floor cleaning machine is particularly clear from FIG. 2. According to FIGS. 1 and 2, an adjustable machine frame 16 is attached to the underside of the carriage 1, which consists of at least two approximately radially with respect to that on the underside 17 of the carriage 1 consists in a receptacle 18 coupled cleaning rotor 19 apart or to be pushed frame parts 20, 21. The frame parts 20, 21 are therefore radially displaceable in the direction of the arrows 22 and 23 shown in FIG. 2 in the direction of the receptacle 18. By adjusting the machine frame 16 in this way, it is possible to replace a rotor 19 with a smaller diameter by a rotor 24 with a larger diameter, and the machine room or washroom at least partially enclosed by the machine frame 16 in and under the cleaning rotor 19 or 24 as well as possible to adapt to its diameter.

On the back of the machine, that is, on the side facing away from the cleaning rotor 19 or 24 of the rollers 2, a suction nozzle 25 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 see that can have the shape of a squeegee. On the front of the machine, ie opposite the suction nozzle 25 and on the sides of the machine, that is to the side of the rotor, a curtain 26 is attached to the machine frame 16 according to FIGS. 1 and 4. It is thereby achieved that after the sides shielded by the machine frame 16 or curtain 26, water can practically not run off — at least on a level floor.

An embodiment of the rotor changing system is described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In order to couple a cleaning rotor 19, for example a brush, into the receptacle of the machine, designated 18 as a whole, a driver star 27 (with a motor 28) provided as a clutch is first raised in the direction of the arrow 29. The rotor 19 is then pushed under the machine until it hits the centering pin 30 shown in FIG. 9 for pre-centering. Thereupon the motor 28 is lowered in the direction of the arrow 29 such that the driving star 27 enters the driving receptacle 31 of the rotor 19 and engages there.

To eject a cleaning rotor 19 to be replaced, the motor 28 is raised in the direction of arrow 29, switched on briefly, in such a way that the rotor 19 falls off the driving star 27. After the machine has moved away from the side, the rotor 19 can be removed and - if desired - replaced by another accessory.

The mobile floor cleaning machine can, according to the exemplary embodiment, either from a battery or directly be operated directly from the network. 10, a battery pack 32 is inserted into the battery compartment (see also FIG. 1) of the machine in a fully wired manner and connected to the machine network. During mains operation (220 V, alternating current), the battery compartment 33 is inserted into a power supply unit 34 containing a transformer and a rectifier and is connected to the machine network. The power supply 34 has a connection line 35 to the next socket. The same power supply unit 34 can also be used outside the machine as a charger 36 of a battery pack 32 located in the battery compartment 33 of the machine.

Reference symbol list

• 1 = carriage
• 2 = castor
• 3 = support roller
• 4 = handlebar
• 5 = liquid tank
• 6 = lid (5)
• 7 = dosing container
• 8 = closing direction
• 9 = content (7)
• 10 = fresh water compartment
• 11 = waste water compartment
• 12 = probe
• 13 = fixed partition
• 14 = filter candle
• 15 = flexible partition
• 16 = machine frame
• 17 = underside (1)
• 18 = recording (19)
• 19 = cleaning rotor
• 20 = frame part
• 21 = frame part
• 22 = arrow (20)
• 23 = arrow (21)
• 24 = rotor, large diameter
• 25 = suction nozzle
• 26 = protective curtain
• 27 = drive star
• 28 = motor
• 29 = arrow
• 30 = centering pin
• 31 = recording (19)
• 32 = battery insert
• 33 = battery compartment
• 34 = power supply
• 35 = connecting line
• 36 = charger

Claims (20)

1. Mobile floor cleaning machine with integrated fresh and dirty liquid compartments (10, 11), with a cleaning rotor (19) to be supplied from the fresh liquid compartment (10) and to be replaced without tools on a rotor holder (18), in particular a brush or drive plate with pad, and with at least one a suction nozzle (25) conveying into the dirty liquid compartment (11), with a pair of castors (2) between the cleaning rotor (19) and suction nozzle (25) and with a handlebar (4) accommodating operating elements,
marked by
an adjustable machine frame (16) to be adapted to the diameter of the cleaning rotor (19) with a hanging protective curtain (26) on a peripheral area of the cleaning rotor (19) facing away from the suction nozzle (25). 2. Automat according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the machine room (16) consists of at least two frame parts (20, 21) to be pushed apart or into one another approximately radially with respect to the cleaning rotor (19). 3. Automat according to claim 2,
characterized,
that the frame parts (20, 21) are telescopically connected. 4. Automat according to one or more of claims 1 to 3,
characterized,
that the machine frame (16) is to be adapted with the aid of a motor to the diameter of a cleaning rotor (19) to be coupled into the rotor receptacle (18). 5. Automat according to claim 4,
characterized,
that the machine frame (16) at least two different diameters of cleaning rotors (19, 24) is to be adapted with the aid of a control, preferably programmed, to be operated by the handlebar (4) or a foot pedal, in particular according to the type of push button. 6. Automat according to one or more of claims 1 to 5,
marked by
at least one support roller (3), in particular a pair of support rollers, on the side of the cleaning rotor (19) opposite the pair of drive rollers (2). 7. Automat according to claim 6,
characterized,
that the support roller or the support roller pair (3) is connected to the adjustable machine frame (16). 8. Automat according to one or more of claims 1 to 7,
characterized,
that the rotor receptacle (18) has to be raised (29) and lowered via a foot pedal for engaging and disengaging a cleaning rotor (19). 9. Vending machine according to claim 8,
characterized,
that the rotor receptacle (18) from the handlebar (4) to be actuated coupling means, in particular a conical driver star adapted to a driver opening (32) of the cleaning rotor (19), preferably with a separate motor (28). 10. Automat according to one or more of claims 1 to 9,
characterized,
that centering means (30) are provided on the adjustable machine frame (16) for centering a cleaning rotor (19) with respect to the rotor holder (18). 11. Automat according to one or more of claims 1 to 10,
marked by
a divisible total space (5) for the fresh and dirty liquid compartments (10, 11). 12. Vending machine according to claim 11,
characterized,
that the fresh and dirty liquid compartments (10, 11) are separated from each other by a fixed partition (13). 13. Automat according to claim 12,
characterized,
that the fixed partition (13) is designed as a filter or contains filter candles (14). 14. Vending machine according to claim 11,
characterized,
that between the fresh liquid compartment (10) and the dirty liquid compartment (11) a flexible partition (15), in particular designed as a membrane or water bag, is provided. 15. Automatic machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 14,
characterized,
that probes (12) for detecting the tank fill level are arranged in the fresh liquid compartment (10). 16. Automat according to claim 15,
characterized,
that the probes (12) are to be supplied with alternating voltage via an integrated circuit which switches through when the probes (12) are immersed in the fresh liquid. 17. Automatic machine according to claim 16,
characterized,
that the integrated circuit and the probes level indicators, such as light emitting diodes, pointer instruments or warning lights, are assigned. 18. Automatic machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 17,
marked by
an optional battery compartment (33) accommodating a battery pack (32) or a power pack (34). 19. Automatic machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 18,
characterized,
that the fresh liquid compartment (10) has a cover (6) which can be swiveled by approximately 90 ° and has an integrated metering container (7) for cleaning concentrate, and that the metering container (7) has an open cover (6) for filling the concentrate and closing the cover (6 ) has an opening for pouring out the concentrate. 20. Automatic machine according to claim 19,
characterized,
that the dosing container (7) has a scale corresponding to the intended mixing ratio of fresh liquid to cleaning concentrate.

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