High-pressure washer and method for assembling a high-pressure washer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high-pressure cleaner having an operating element (10) rotatably arranged in a housing (2) of the high-pressure cleaner (1), the operating element being used to operate a control element (20) that can rotate about a control rotation axis (50). The operating element (10) and the control element (20) are torsionally connected to each other via at least one universal joint (3, 4).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-pressure cleaner and a method for assembling a high-pressure cleaner. Background Art

[0002] A high-pressure cleaner with a knob is known from WO 2012 / 119640 A2. By means of the knob, an operating element can be rotated. The rotational axes of the knob and the operating element are arranged coaxially with each other. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to improve a high-pressure cleaner of the above type such that the operating element and the actuating element can be arranged offset relative to each other.

[0004] This object is achieved by a high-pressure cleaner having an operating element rotatably arranged on the housing of the high-pressure cleaner, the operating element being used to operate an actuating element that can rotate about an actuating rotational axis, wherein the operating element and the actuating element are torsionally resistant to each other by means of at least one universal joint.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to describe a method for assembling a high-pressure cleaner having an operating element and an actuating element, wherein the operating element and the actuating element should be torsionally resistant to each other by means of at least one universal joint.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method for assembling a high-pressure cleaner having an operating element rotatably arranged on the housing of the high-pressure cleaner, the operating element being used to operate an actuating element that can rotate about an actuating rotational axis, wherein the operating element and the actuating element are torsionally resistant to each other by means of at least one universal joint, wherein first, in the assembled state, a structural assembly consisting of the operating element and a connecting piece is inserted through an opening in the housing of the high-pressure cleaner, wherein subsequently, when guiding the structural assembly through the operating element, the connecting piece of the structural assembly is inserted into the actuating element, wherein then the operating element is pressed against the connecting piece supported on the actuating element, thereby converting the structural assembly from the assembled state to the use state, and wherein finally the operating element is fixed to the housing of the high-pressure cleaner.

[0007] According to the present invention, the operating element and the actuating element are torsionally connected to each other by at least one universal joint. Thereby, the operating element and the actuating element can be arranged offset relative to each other. The rotational axes of the operating element and the actuating element do not have to be arranged coaxially relative to each other, but can be inclined relative to each other. Thereby, the actuating element can move relative to the operating element and, in addition, the actuating element can be actuated by the operating element. This can be advantageous, for example, if the actuating element is fixed to a vibrating component of the high-pressure cleaner, such as a pump.

[0008] Advantageously, the at least one universal joint allows movement of the actuating element relative to the operating element in the direction along the actuating rotational axis. Thereby, the structural unit composed of the operating element and the actuating element can span different distances. It is also possible to move the two end points of the operating element and the actuating element relative to each other in two planes extending parallel to each other and at the same time the actuating element can be actuated by the operating element.

[0009] In an advantageous refinement of the present invention, it is provided that the operating element and the actuating element are torsionally connected to each other by two universal joints. In particular, the operating element and the actuating element are arranged relative to each other at a distance measured in the direction along the actuating rotational axis. By using two universal joints, the actuating rotational axis of the actuating element and the operating rotational axis of the operating element can be arranged offset relative to each other and at the same time parallel to each other. In addition, in particular, the actuating element can be arranged relative to the operating element in a direction perpendicular to the operating rotational axis, and the operating element and the actuating element do not have to be inclined relative to each other in this case.

[0010] It is expedient to arrange a connecting element between the operating element and the actuating element. In particular, the two universal joints are a first universal joint and a second universal joint. The first universal joint is advantageously constructed between the operating element and the connecting element, and the second universal joint is constructed between the actuating element and the connecting element.

[0011] The connecting element expediently has two operating universal joint pins. The operating element advantageously has at least one operating receiving slot for each operating universal joint pin, which is open in the direction along the actuating rotational axis towards the actuating element, for receiving the corresponding operating universal joint pin. Thereby, the operating universal joint pins can also be supported in a simple manner. Thereby, the first universal joint pin can be constructed in a simple manner.

[0012] The connecting element suitably has two actuating cardan pins. The actuating element advantageously has, for each actuating cardan pin, at least one actuating receiving slot that opens towards the actuating element along the direction of the actuating rotation axis, and the actuating receiving slot is used for receiving the corresponding actuating cardan pin. Thereby, the actuating cardan pin can also be supported in a simple manner. Thereby, the second cardan pin can be constructed in a simple manner.

[0013] In an advantageous refinement of the invention, it is provided that the actuating element and the actuating element are spaced apart from one another such that the connecting element is thereby held between the actuating element and the actuating element, the actuating cardan pin is arranged within the actuating receiving slot, and the actuating cardan pin is arranged within the actuating receiving slot. Thereby, the connecting element is held between the actuating element and the actuating element in a simple manner. At the same time, the spacing can be selected such that the connecting element has a free space for movement between the actuating element and the actuating element.

[0014] The actuating element and the connecting element form a structural assembly. In an advantageous refinement of the invention, it is provided that the structural assembly has an operating state in which the actuating element and the connecting element can move relative to one another, and the structural assembly has an assembled state in which the first cardan joint is locked by means of a releasable locking connection between the actuating element and the connecting element. Thereby, the structural assembly can be comfortably installed in the high-pressure cleaner. Therefore, the structural assembly can be easily connected to the actuating element in the assembled state when assembling the high-pressure cleaner and then be converted to the operating state. The releasable locking connection between the actuating element and the connecting element is locked in the assembled state, whereby the connecting element can be placed on the actuating element by means of guidance by the actuating element. Here, the structural assembly can be grasped only on the actuating element. Due to the locking of the locking connection, the connecting element follows the movement of the actuating element as if it were rigidly connected to the actuating element.

[0015] Advantageously, the structural assembly is locked in the assembled state such that the actuating rotation axis of the actuating element and the following longitudinal axis are placed coaxially with one another, and the connecting element extends along the longitudinal axis. Thereby, the connecting element can be guided particularly easily by means of the actuating element.

[0016] The first universal joint in particular has two axes of rotation, which extend respectively through one of the two operating universal joint pins. Advantageously, the latching connection prevents the connecting member from deflecting relative to the operating element about the two axes of rotation of the first universal joint in the assembled state. In particular, the latching connection consists of a first locking device on the operating element and a second locking device on the connecting member. Advantageously, it is provided that the first locking device is a projection on the edge of the operating receiving gap, and in the assembled state, the second locking device configured as an engaging projection of the connecting member is held in a clamped manner between the projections on the edge of the operating receiving gap.

[0017] In particular, it is provided that for each operating universal joint pin, two operating receiving gaps are respectively provided for receiving the operating universal joint pin, and the operating receiving gaps are arranged in the wall of the operating element surrounding the operating axis of rotation. Advantageously, projections that prohibit the connecting member from moving away from the operating element along the direction of the operating axis of rotation and projections that prohibit the connecting member from moving towards the operating element along the direction of the operating axis of rotation are alternately provided on the edges of the operating receiving gaps along the circumferential direction around the operating axis of rotation.

[0018] Preferably, the latching connection is so elastic that the structural assembly can be converted from the assembled state to the use state by pressing the operating element towards the connecting member along the direction of the operating axis of rotation. Thereby, the structural assembly can be quickly and simply converted from the assembled state to the use state.

[0019] In particular, the operating element is provided for operating a member of the high-pressure cleaner that can move relative to the housing. In particular, when the operating element is arranged on a member of the high-pressure cleaner that can move relative to the housing, the universal joint according to the invention has great advantages. Thereby, the high-pressure cleaner can be designed such that the operating element is designed as a structure that cannot move relative to the housing of the high-pressure cleaner and nevertheless the operating element can be used to operate the operating element arranged on the movable member of the high-pressure cleaner.

[0020] In a special design of the invention, the member is elastically supported relative to the housing by means of a buffer element. Thereby, the movement of the member can be slowed down. In particular, it can be provided that the member is a pump with a motor. Advantageously, the operating element is provided for operating the pressure regulating mechanism of the pump. The operating element is advantageously arranged on the pump.

[0021] The method according to the invention is used for assembling a high-pressure cleaner having a structural assembly, the structural assembly having an operating state and an assembled state, wherein in the operating state the operating element and the connecting element are movable relative to one another, and wherein in the assembled state the first universal joint is locked by a releasable locking connection between the operating element and the connecting element; the method according to the invention provides that first, in the assembled state, the structural assembly consisting of the operating element and the connecting element is inserted through an opening in the housing of the high-pressure cleaner. Subsequently, when guiding the structural assembly through the operating element, the connecting element of the structural assembly is inserted into the operating element. Then the operating element is pressed against the connecting element supported on the operating element, thereby converting the structural assembly from the assembled state to the operating state. Finally, the operating element is fixed to the housing of the high-pressure cleaner. By this assembly method, the connecting element can be connected to the operating element quickly and comfortably in a simple manner. This can be done without tools. In the operating state of the structural assembly, the connecting element and the operating element are already connected to each other by the first universal joint. For this, no separate assembly step is required. Description of the Drawings

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained below with the aid of the drawings. Among them:

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view of the high-pressure cleaner is shown,

[0024] Figure 2 A perspective, partially cut-away view of the high-pressure cleaner according to Figure 1 is shown,

[0025] Figure 3 A detail indicated by III in Figure 2 is shown,

[0026] Figure 4 A top view of the operating element, the connecting element and the actuating element in Figure 2 along the direction of the arrow indicated by IV in Figure 2 is shown,

[0027] Figure 5 A detail indicated by V in Figure 2 is shown,

[0028] Figure 6 A detail indicated by VI in Figure 5 is shown,

[0029] Figure 7 A detail indicated by VII in Figure 5 is shown,

[0030] Figure 8 Shows a perspective view of a structural assembly composed of operating elements and connecting elements in the state of use,

[0031] Figure 9 Shows Figure 8 The perspective view of the structural assembly in the assembled state,

[0032] Figure 10 And 11 Shows Figure 8 And 9 The perspective view of the connecting element,

[0033] Figure 12 Shows the perspective view of the operating element,

[0034] Figure 13 Shows Figure 12 The side view of the operating element, and

[0035] Figure 14 Shows a symbolic illustration of the assembly method. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0036] Figure 1 Shows a high-pressure cleaner 1 having a housing 2. The high-pressure cleaner 1 has wheels 43 that can rotate about a rotation axis 44. The high-pressure cleaner 1 can be pulled along a pulling direction 49 on the wheels 43. The pulling direction 49 extends perpendicular to the rotation axis 44.

[0037] As Figure 2 Shown, the housing 2 has an opening 6 on the side with respect to the pulling direction 49. An operating element 10 is arranged in the opening 6. The operating element 10 is supported in a rotatable manner in the opening 6. The operating element 10 is used to operate a rotatable control element 20. As can be seen in the partially cut-away illustration, the high-pressure cleaner 1 has a component that can move relative to the housing 2. The movable component is a pump 5. The control element 20 is used to control the pump 5. The pump 5 has a motor (not shown). The control element 20 is used to control the pressure regulating mechanism of the pump 5. The control element 20 is arranged on the pump 5.

[0038] As Figure 3 Shown, the pump 5 is supported in an elastic manner relative to the housing 2 by means of a buffer element 7. For this purpose, the pump 5 has a support projection 8. The support projection 8 projects relative to the base 9 of the pump 5.

[0039] The support protrusion 8 is supported on the housing 2 by a buffer element 7. The buffer element 7 is elastic. During operation of the pump 5, the buffer element 7 reduces the transmission of vibrations from the pump 5 to the housing 2.

[0040] As Figure 4 shown, the operating element 10 can rotate about an operating rotation axis 40. The operating element 10 is supported in the housing 2. The operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 are arranged relative to each other at a spacing d measured in the direction of the operating rotation axis 40. The operating element 10 has a length l measured in the direction of the operating rotation axis 40. The spacing d between the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 is greater than the length l of the operating element 10.

[0041] During operation of the pump 5, vibrations of the pump 5 occur, which cause movement of the pump 5 relative to the housing 2. The actuating element 20 is rotatably fixed to the base body 9 of the pump 5. The actuating element 20 can rotate about an actuating rotation axis 50. When the base body 9 of the pump 5 vibrates, the actuating element 20 also vibrates. During operation of the pump 5, the actuating element 20 moves relative to the operating element 10. Due to the spacing between the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 and the vibrations of the actuating element 20 during operation of the pump 5, it is difficult to achieve a rigid connection between the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20. As Figure 4 shown, the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 are connected to each other by a connecting element 30.

[0042] As Figure 5 shown, the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 are torsionally resistant to each other by at least one universal joint 3, 4. In the present embodiment, the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 are torsionally resistant to each other by two universal joints 3, 4. A first universal joint 3 is constructed between the operating element 10 and the connecting element 30. A second universal joint 4 is constructed between the actuating element 20 and the connecting element 30.

[0043] The second universal joint 4 is shown in detail in Figure 6 The connecting element 30 has two actuating universal joint pins 33 and 34. The actuating universal joint pins 33 and 34 are arranged at the end of the connecting element 30 facing away from the operating element 10. The first actuating universal joint pin 33 is oriented perpendicular to the second actuating universal joint pin 34. This is also shown in Figure 10 As can be seen in Figure 6As can be seen, the first actuating cardan pin 33 is supported in the actuating element 20 so as to be rotatable about a first actuating axis of rotation 53. The second actuating cardan pin 34 is supported in the actuating element 20 so as to be rotatable about a second actuating axis of rotation 54. The first actuating cardan pin 33 extends along the first actuating axis of rotation 53. The second actuating cardan pin 34 extends along the second actuating axis of rotation 54. In addition, the actuating cardan pins 33 and 34 are fixed components of the connecting element 30. The actuating cardan pins 33 and 34 are integrally formed with the body 38 of the connecting element 30. The first actuating axis of rotation 53 and the second actuating axis of rotation 54 are always perpendicular to each other.

[0044] The actuating element 20 has at least one actuating receiving slot 21, 22, 23, 24 for receiving the respective actuating cardan pins 33, 34 for each actuating cardan pin 33, 34. The at least one actuating receiving slot 21, 22, 23, 24 opens towards the actuating element 10 in the direction of the actuating axis of rotation 50. The at least one actuating receiving slot 21, 22, 23, 24 is U-shaped. The longitudinal direction of the U-shape extends along the actuating axis of rotation 50. In the present embodiment, the actuating element 20 has a first actuating receiving slot 21 and a second actuating receiving slot 22 for the first actuating cardan pin 33 (not shown in Figure 6 ). The first actuating receiving slot 21 and the second actuating receiving slot 22 extend in a common plane. In the present embodiment, the common plane of the first actuating receiving slot 21 and the second actuating receiving slot 22 is the symmetry plane of the first actuating receiving slot 21 and the second actuating receiving slot 22. The first actuating receiving slot 21 and the second actuating receiving slot 22 are opposed to each other with respect to the actuating axis of rotation 50. For the second actuating cardan pin 34, the actuating element 20 has a third actuating receiving slot 23 and a fourth actuating receiving slot 24. The third actuating receiving slot 23 and the fourth actuating receiving slot 24 are in a common plane. In the present embodiment, the common plane of the third actuating receiving slot 23 and the fourth actuating receiving slot 24 is the symmetry plane of the third actuating receiving slot 23 and the fourth actuating receiving slot 24. The plane of the first actuating receiving slot 21 and the second actuating receiving slot 22 is perpendicular to the plane of the third actuating receiving slot 23 and the fourth actuating receiving slot 24. The third actuating receiving slot 23 and the fourth actuating receiving slot 24 are opposed to each other with respect to the actuating axis of rotation 50.

[0045] The first actuating cardan pin 33 is inserted into the first actuating receiving slot 21 and the second actuating receiving slot 22. The first actuating rotational axis 53 lies in the plane in which the first actuating receiving slot 21 and the second actuating receiving slot 22 extend. The second actuating cardan pin 34 is inserted into the third actuating receiving slot 23 and the fourth actuating receiving slot 24. The second actuating rotational axis 54 lies in the plane in which the third actuating receiving slot 23 and the fourth actuating receiving slot 24 extend. The actuating receiving slots 21, 22, 23 and 24 open towards the actuating element 10. The second cardan joint 4 comprises the actuating cardan pins 33 and 34 and the actuating receiving slots 21, 22, 23 and 24. The second cardan joint 4 permits movement of the actuating element 20 relative to the actuating element 10 in the direction of the actuating rotational axis 50. The second cardan joint 4 permits movement of the connecting piece 30 relative to the actuating element 20 in the direction of the actuating rotational axis 50. Here, the first actuating cardan pin 33 can be moved in the actuating receiving slots 21 and 22 in the plane spanned by the actuating receiving slots 21 and 22. Here, the first actuating rotational axis 53 is also moved in the plane of the actuating receiving slots 21 and 22 or here the plane spanned by the actuating receiving slots 21 and 22 and fixed in position relative to the actuating receiving slots 21 and 22 is moved relative to the first actuating rotational axis 53 such that the first actuating rotational axis 53 lies in the plane spanned by the actuating receiving slots 21 and 22 at other positions. Similarly, the second actuating cardan pin 34 can be moved in the actuating receiving slots 23 and 24. In a similar manner, the second actuating rotational axis 54 is moved here in the actuating receiving slots 23 and 24. Here, the second actuating rotational axis 54 and the plane spanned by the actuating receiving slots 23 and 24 are moved relative to one another, wherein the second actuating rotational axis 54 always lies in the plane spanned by the actuating receiving slots 23 and 24. By means of this movement option, the second cardan joint 4 also functions without problems during vibration or relative movement of the actuating element 20. Thereby, the spacing shown in Figure 4 between the actuating element 10 and the actuating element 20 can be increased or decreased without the option of actuating the actuating element 20 by means of the actuating element 10 being cancelled.

[0046] The first cardan joint 3 is shown in detail in Figure 7 . The connecting piece 30 has two actuating cardan pins 31 and 32. The actuating cardan pins 31 and 32 are arranged on the end of the connecting piece 30 facing away from the actuating element 20. The first actuating cardan pin 31 is oriented perpendicular to the second actuating cardan pin 32. This is also shown in Figure 11 . As can be seen inFigure 7 As can be seen, the first operating universal joint pin 31 is supported in the operating element 10 so as to be rotatable about the first operating rotation axis 51. The second operating universal joint pin 32 is supported in the operating element 10 so as to be rotatable about the second operating rotation axis 52. The first operating universal joint pin 31 extends along the first operating rotation axis 51. The second operating universal joint pin 32 extends along the second operating rotation axis 52. The operating universal joint pins 31 and 32 are fixed components of the connecting member 30. The operating universal joint pins 31 and 32 are integrally formed with the body 38 of the connecting member 30. The first operating rotation axis 51 and the second operating rotation axis 52 are always perpendicular to each other.

[0047] The operating element 10 has at least one operating receiving slot 11, 12, 13, 14 for receiving the respective operating universal joint pins 31, 32 for each operating universal joint pin 31, 32. The at least one operating receiving slot 11, 12, 13, 14 opens towards the operating element 20 in the direction of the operating rotation axis 40. The at least one operating receiving slot 11, 12, 13, 14 is U-shaped. The longitudinal direction of the U-shape extends in the direction of the operating rotation axis 40. In the present embodiment, the operating element 10 has a first operating receiving slot 11 and a second operating receiving slot 12 (not shown in Figure 7 ). The first operating receiving slot 11 and the second operating receiving slot 12 extend in a common plane. In the present embodiment, the common plane of the first operating receiving slot 11 and the second operating receiving slot 12 is the symmetric plane of the first operating receiving slot 11 and the second operating receiving slot 12. The first operating receiving slot 11 and the second operating receiving slot 12 are opposed to each other with respect to the operating rotation axis 40. For the second operating universal joint pin 32, the operating element 10 has a third operating receiving slot 13 and a fourth operating receiving slot 14. The third operating receiving slot 13 and the fourth operating receiving slot 14 are in a common plane. In the present embodiment, the common plane of the third operating receiving slot 13 and the fourth operating receiving slot 14 is the symmetric plane of the third operating receiving slot 13 and the fourth operating receiving slot 14. The plane of the first operating receiving slot 11 and the second operating receiving slot 12 is perpendicular to the plane of the third operating receiving slot 13 and the fourth operating receiving slot 14. The third operating receiving slot 13 and the fourth operating receiving slot 14 are opposed to each other with respect to the operating rotation axis 40.

[0048] The first operating cardan pin 31 is inserted into the first operating receiving slot 11 and the second operating receiving slot 12. The first operating rotational axis 51 lies in the plane in which the first operating receiving slot 11 and the second operating receiving slot 12 extend. The second operating cardan pin 32 is inserted into the third operating receiving slot 13 and the fourth operating receiving slot 14. The second operating rotational axis 52 lies in the plane in which the third operating receiving slot 13 and the fourth operating receiving slot 14 extend. The operating receiving slots 11, 12, 13 and 14 open towards the actuating element 20. The first cardan joint 3 includes the operating cardan pins 31 and 32 and the operating receiving slots 11, 12, 13 and 14. The first cardan joint 2 permits movement of the actuating element 20 relative to the operating element 10 in the direction of the operating rotational axis 40. The first cardan joint 3 permits movement of the connecting element 30 relative to the operating element 10 in the direction of the operating rotational axis 40. Here, the first operating cardan pin 31 can be moved in the operating receiving slots 11 and 12 in the plane spanned by the operating receiving slots 11 and 12. Here, the first operating rotational axis 51 is also moved in the plane of the operating receiving slots 11 and 12 and here the plane spanned by the operating receiving slots 11 and 12 and fixed in position relative to the operating receiving slots 11 and 12 is moved relative to the first operating rotational axis 51 such that the first operating rotational axis 51 lies in the plane spanned by the operating receiving slots 11 and 12 at other positions. Similarly, the second operating cardan pin 32 can be moved in the operating receiving slots 13 and 14. In a similar manner, the second operating rotational axis 52 is moved in the operating receiving slots 13 and 14 here. The second operating rotational axis 52 and the plane spanned by the operating receiving slots 13 and 14 are moved relative to one another here, where the second operating rotational axis 52 always lies in the plane spanned by the operating receiving slots 13 and 14. With this movement option, the first cardan joint 3 also functions without problems during vibrations or relative movements of the actuating element 20 or the connecting element 30. Thereby, the spacing shown in Figure 4 between the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 can be increased or decreased without the option of operating the actuating element 20 by means of the operating element 10 being cancelled.

[0049] As Figure 4As shown, the spacing between the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 is arranged such that the connecting element 30 is thereby held between the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20. The operating universal joint pins 31 and 32 are arranged inside the operating receiving slots 11, 12, 13 and 14, and the actuating universal joint pins 33 and 34 are arranged inside the actuating receiving slots 21, 22, 23 and 24. The spacing d between the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 is selected such that a relative movement of the actuating element 20 relative to the operating element 10 in a specific movement free space in the direction of the operating rotation axis 40 can be carried out, and at the same time, not only can the operating universal joint pins 31 and 32 not slip out of the operating receiving slots 11, 12, 13 and 14, but also the actuating universal joint pins 33 and 34 cannot slip out of the actuating receiving slots 21, 22, 23 and 24. Thereby, the vibration movement of the pump 5 can be compensated by the universal joints 3 and 4. At the same time, the actuating element 20 can be operated by the operating element 10 here.

[0050] The movement free space is so large that the maximum possible spacing between the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 measured in the direction of the operating rotation axis 40 is at least 110% of the minimum possible spacing between the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 measured in the direction of the operating rotation axis 40. The movement free space is so large that the maximum possible spacing between the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20 is at most 130% of the minimum possible spacing between the operating element 10 and the actuating element 20.

[0051] Figure 8 The operating element 10 and the connecting element 30 are shown. The connecting element 30 is inserted into the operating element 10. The connecting element 30 with its operating universal joint pins 31 and 32 is inserted into the operating receiving slots 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the operating element 10. The operating element 10 and the connecting element 30 form a structural assembly 60. In Figure 8 in, the structural assembly 50 is in the use state 61. In the use state 61, the operating element 10 and the connecting element 30 can move relative to each other. The connecting element 30 has a longitudinal axis 39. The connecting element 30 extends along the longitudinal axis 39. In the use state 61, the longitudinal axis 39 of the connecting element 30 can be inclined relative to the operating rotation axis 40 of the operating element 10. In the use state 61, the connecting element 30 can rotate about at least one of the operating rotation axes 51 and 52.

[0052] Figure 9Shows the structural assembly 60 in the assembled state 62. In the assembled state 62, the first universal joint 3 is locked by a releasable locking connection 63. The locking connection 63 is constructed between the operating element 10 and the connecting element 30 in the assembled state 62. In the assembled state 62, the operating element 10 and the connecting element 30 form a rigid unit. In the assembled state 62, the connecting element 30 cannot be deflected relative to the operating element 10 about one of the operating rotation axes 51 or 52. In the assembled state 62, the structural assembly 60 is locked such that the operating rotation axis 40 of the operating element 10 and the longitudinal axis 39 of the connecting element 30 are placed coaxially with each other. In the assembled state 62, the locking connection 63 prevents the connecting element 30 from being deflected relative to the operating element 10 about the two operating rotation axes 51 and 52 of the first universal joint 3.

[0053] The locking connection 63 consists of a first locking device 15 and a second locking device 35. The first locking device 15 is a part of the operating element 10. The second locking device 35 is a part of the connecting element 30. In this embodiment, the first locking device 15 includes a plurality of components. The first locking device 15 are the protrusions 16 and 18 on the edges 17, 19 of the operating receiving slots 11, 12, 13 and 14. The first operating receiving slot 11 and the second operating receiving slot 12 each have an edge 17. The edges 17 of the first operating receiving slot 11 and the second operating receiving slot 12 are constructed separately from each other. The third operating receiving slot 13 and the fourth operating receiving slot 14 each have an edge 19. The edges 19 of the third operating receiving slot 13 and the fourth operating receiving slot 14 are constructed separately from each other. The edges 17 and 19 have a substantially U-shaped shape. The opening of the U-shape faces the connecting element 30.

[0054] The protrusion 16 projects beyond the edges 17 of the operating receiving slots 11 and 12 in a direction perpendicular to the operating rotation axis 40. Each of the operating receiving slots 11 and 12 has two protrusions 16. The two protrusions 16 of the operating receiving slots 11, 12 are arranged opposite to each other. This is also shown in Figure 13 It is shown. The two protrusions 16 of the operating receiving slots 11, 12 are at the same height with respect to the direction of the operating rotation axis 40.

[0055] As Figure 9As shown, the projection 18 projects beyond the edges 19 of the operation receiving slots 13 and 14 in a direction perpendicular to the operation rotation axis 40. Each of the operation receiving slots 13 and 14 has two projections 18. The projections 18 are opposed to each other. The projections 18 are at the same height with respect to the direction of the operation rotation axis 40.

[0056] The second locking device 35 includes a plurality of components. The second locking device 35 is a fitting projection 36. The fitting projection 36 is part of the two operation universal joint pins 31 and 32. The operation universal joint pins 31 and 32 each have a base body 37. The fitting projection 36 projects beyond the base bodies 37 of the operation universal joint pins 31 and 32 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 39 of the connecting member 30.

[0057] In the assembled state 62, the first locking device 15 is held in the second locking device 35 in a clamped manner. In the assembled state 62, the fitting projection 36 of the connecting member 30 is held in a clamped manner between the projections 16 and 18 on the edges 17 and 19 of the operation receiving slots 11, 12, 13 and 14.

[0058] The operating element 10 has a wall body 41 surrounding the operation rotation axis 40. The operation receiving slots 11, 12, 13 and 14 are arranged in the wall body 41. Along the circumferential direction 42 around the operation rotation axis 40, projections 16 that prohibit the connecting member 30 from moving away from the operating element 10 in the direction of the operation rotation axis 40 in the assembled state 62 and projections 18 that prohibit the connecting member 30 from moving towards the operating element 10 in the direction of the operation rotation axis 40 in the assembled state 62 are alternately provided on the edges 17 and 19 of the operation receiving slots 11, 12, 13 and 14. As Figure 9 shown, the projection 16 on the edge 17 of the first operation receiving slot 11 prohibits the fitting projection 36 of the first operation universal joint pin 31 from moving away from the operating element 10. The projection 18 on the edge 19 of the third operation receiving slot 13 prohibits the fitting projection 36 of the second operation universal joint pin 32 from moving towards the operating element 10.

[0059] In the assembled state 62 of the structural assembly 60, the connecting element 30 is held in a clamped manner with respect to the direction of the operating rotation axis 40 between the projection 16 of the first operating receiving gap 11 and the projection 18 of the third operating receiving gap. The projections 16 of the first operating receiving gap 11 and the projection 18 of the third operating receiving gap 13 are arranged relative to each other with a spacing with respect to the direction of the operating rotation axis 40, which spacing corresponds to the width of the engaging projections 36 of the operating universal joint pins 31 and 32 measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis 39 of the connecting element 30. The same applies to the projection 16 shown in Figure 12 and the projection 18 of the fourth operating receiving gap 14 in the second operating receiving gap 12.

[0060] The latching connection 63 is so elastic that the structural assembly 60 can be converted from the assembled state 62 shown in Figure 9 to the use state shown in Figure 8 by pressing the operating element 10 in the direction of the operating rotation axis 40 onto the connecting element 30. The projection 18, which prohibits the movement of the connecting element 30 in the direction of the operating element in the assembled state 62, is rounded off in the direction of the operating rotation axis 40 on its side facing the connecting element 30. Thereby, when the operating element 10 is pressed in the direction of the operating rotation axis 40 towards the connecting element 30 in the assembled state 62, the operating receiving gaps 11 and 12 are expanded. Here, the operating element 10 is brought closer to the connecting element 30 such that the operating universal joint pins 31 and 32 penetrate deeper into the operating receiving gaps 11, 12, 13 and 14. In this region of the operating receiving gaps 11, 12, 13 and 14, the engaging projections 36 of the operating universal joint pins 31 and 32 are no longer clamped between the projections 16 and 18. The latching connection 62 is released and the structural assembly 60 is in the use state 61.

[0061] When assembling the high-pressure cleaner 1, the operating element 10, the connecting element 30 and the actuating element 20 must be connected to each other to achieve the state shown in Figure 5 . Here, the actuating universal joint pins 33 and 34 shown in Figure 6 must be inserted into the actuating receiving gaps 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the actuating element 20. For this purpose, the connecting element 30 must be inserted through the smaller opening 6 ( Figure 2 ) in the housing 2 of the high-pressure cleaner 1. Since the connecting element 30 is shorter than the spacing between the housing 2 and the actuating element 20, the connecting element 30 must be guided completely through the opening 6 here ( Figure 4). To avoid the use of tools and the necessity of great skill, the following is to be done here: The structural assembly 60 composed of the operating element 10 and the connecting element 30 is first inserted in the assembled state 62 ( Figure 9 ) through the opening 6 in the housing 2 of the high-pressure cleaner 1. Subsequently, when guiding the structural assembly 60 through the operating element 10, the connecting element 30 of the structural assembly 60 is inserted into the operating element 20. Here, only the operating element 10 has to be guided by hand. The connecting element 30 follows the movement of the operating element 10 due to the locked latching connection 63. Thereby, the operating receiving slots 21, 22, 23 and 24 ( Figure 6 ) of the operating element 20 can quickly, precisely and easily come into contact with the operating universal joint pins 33 and 34 of the connecting element 30. The second universal joint 4 is constructed by the placement of the connecting element 30 in the operating element 20. The rotational movement of the connecting element 30 causes the rotational movement of the operating element 20. After inserting the connecting element 30 into the operating element 20, the operating element 10 is pressed against the connecting element 30 supported on the operating element 20, thereby converting the structural assembly 60 from the assembled state 62 ( Figure 8 ) into the operating state 61. Thereby, the first universal joint 3 is ready for use. The connecting element 30 can move relative to the operating element 10. The rotational movement of the operating element 10 about the operating rotation axis 40 causes the rotational movement of the connecting element 30. Finally, the operating element 10 is fixed to the housing 2 of the high-pressure cleaner 1 ( Figure 2 ).

[0062] The assembly of the high-pressure cleaner includes the method steps 101, 102, 103 and 104 symbolically shown in Figure 14 . The assembly method starts with the first assembly step 101. The structural assembly 60 composed of the operating element 10 and the connecting element 30 is in the assembled state 62 ( Figure 9 ) and is inserted through the opening 6 ( Figure 2 ) in the housing 2 of the high-pressure cleaner 1. In the second assembly step 102 ( Figure 14 ), when guiding the structural assembly 60 through the operating element 10, the connecting element 30 of this structural assembly 60 is inserted into the operating element 20 ( Figure 5 ). In the third assembly step 103 ( Figure 14 ), the operating element 10 is pressed against the connecting element 30 supported on the operating element 20, thereby converting the structural assembly 60 from the assembled state 62 ( Figure 9 ) into the operating state 61 ( Figure 8 ). In the fourth assembly step 104, the operating element 10 is fixed to the housing 2 of the high-pressure cleaner 1 (Figure 2 ). The assembly steps 101, 102, 103 and 104 are performed in the described order.

Claims

1. A high-pressure washer having an operating element (10) arranged rotatably on a housing (2) of the high-pressure washer (1), the operating element being used to operate a control element (20) that can rotate about a control rotation axis (50). Wherein, The control element (20) is arranged to control a component of the high-pressure washer (1) that can move relative to the housing (2), and the control element (20) is arranged on a component of the high-pressure washer (1) that can move relative to the housing (2). It is characterized in that the operating element (10) and the control element (20) are torsionally resistant to each other through at least one universal joint, and the at least one universal joint is configured to allow the control element (20) to move relative to the operating element (10) along the direction of the control rotation axis (50) through the relative movement of the at least one universal joint itself.

2. The high-pressure washer according to claim 1, It is characterized in that, The operating element (10) and the control element (20) are arranged relative to each other at a distance (d) measured along the direction of the operating rotation axis (40) of the control element (20), and the operating element (10) and the control element (20) are torsionally resistant to each other through two universal joints.

3. The high-pressure washer according to claim 2, It is characterized in that, A connecting member (30) is arranged between the operating element (10) and the control element (20), the two universal joints are a first universal joint (3) and a second universal joint (4), the first universal joint (3) is configured between the operating element (10) and the connecting member (30), and the second universal joint (4) is configured between the control element (20) and the connecting member (30).

4. The high-pressure washer according to claim 3, It is characterized in that, The connecting member (30) has two operating universal joint pins, and the operating element (10) has at least one operating receiving slot for each operating universal joint pin that opens towards the control element (20) along the direction of the control rotation axis (50), and the operating receiving slot is used to receive the corresponding operating universal joint pin.

5. The high-pressure washer according to claim 4, It is characterized in that, The connecting member (30) has two control universal joint pins, and the control element (20) has at least one control receiving slot for each control universal joint pin that opens towards the operating element (10) along the direction of the control rotation axis (50), and the control receiving slot is used to receive the corresponding control universal joint pin.

6. The high-pressure washer according to claim 5, It is characterized in that, The operating element (10) and the actuating element (20) are spaced apart from each other such that the connecting element (30) is thereby held between the operating element (10) and the actuating element (20), the operating universal joint pin is arranged within the operating receiving gap, and the actuating universal joint pin is arranged within the actuating receiving gap.

7. The high-pressure cleaner according to claim 3, characterized in that the operating element (10) and the connecting element (30) form a structural assembly (60), the structural assembly (60) having an operating state (61) in which the operating element (10) and the connecting element (30) are movable relative to each other, and the structural assembly (60) having an assembled state (62) in which the first universal joint (3) is locked by means of a releasable locking connection (63) between the operating element (10) and the connecting element (30).

8. The high-pressure cleaner according to claim 7, characterized in that the structural assembly (60) is locked in the assembled state (62) such that the operating rotation axis (40) of the operating element (10) and the longitudinal axis (39) of the connecting element (30) are placed coaxially with each other, and the connecting element (30) extends along the longitudinal axis.

9. The high-pressure cleaner according to claim 7, characterized in that the connecting element (30) has two operating universal joint pins, and the operating element (10) has at least one operating receiving gap for each of the two operating universal joint pins that opens towards the actuating element (20) in the direction of the actuating rotation axis (50), the operating receiving gap being for receiving the respective operating universal joint pin, the first universal joint (3) having two operating rotation axes which each extend through one of the two operating universal joint pins, and the locking connection (63) prevents the connecting element (30) from deflecting relative to the operating element (10) about the two operating rotation axes of the first universal joint (3) in the assembled state (62).

10. The high-pressure cleaner according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking connection (63) consists of a first locking device (15) on the operating element (10) and a second locking device (35) on the connecting element (30).

11. The high-pressure cleaner according to claim 10, characterized in that The connecting element (30) has two operating cardan pins, and for each of the two operating cardan pins, the operating element (10) has at least one operating receiving slot that opens towards the actuating element (20) in the direction of the actuating rotation axis (50), the operating receiving slot being for receiving the respective operating cardan pin, the first locking device (15) being a projection on the edge of the operating receiving slot, in the assembled state (62), the second locking device (35) of the connecting element (30), which is configured as an engaging projection (36), being held in a clamped manner between the projections.

12. The high-pressure cleaner according to claim 7, characterized in that the snap connection (63) is elastic such that the structural assembly (60) can be converted from the assembled state (62) into the use state (61) by pressing the operating element (10) onto the connecting element (30) in the direction of the operating rotation axis (40).

13. The high-pressure cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that the component is elastically supported relative to the housing (2) by means of a damping element (7).

14. The high-pressure cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that the component is a pump (5) with a motor, the actuating element (20) being provided for actuating the pressure regulating mechanism of the pump (5), and the actuating element (20) being arranged on the pump (5).

15. A method for assembling a high-pressure cleaner, the high-pressure cleaner having an operating element (10) rotatably arranged on a housing (2) of the high-pressure cleaner (1), the operating element being used to operate a control element (20) that can rotate about a control rotation axis (50), wherein the operating element (10) and the control element (20) are torsionally connected to each other by at least one universal joint, wherein a connecting piece (30) is arranged between the operating element (10) and the control element (20), wherein the operating element (10) and the connecting piece (30) form a structural assembly (60), the structural assembly (60) having an operating state (61) in which the operating element (10) and the connecting piece (30) can move relative to each other, wherein the structural assembly (60) has an assembled state (62) in which the universal joint is locked by a releasable locking connection (63) between the operating element (10) and the connecting piece (30), wherein first, in the assembled state (62), the structural assembly (60) composed of the operating element (10) and the connecting piece (30) is inserted through an opening (6) in the housing (2) of the high-pressure cleaner (1), wherein then, when guiding the structural assembly (60) through the operating element (10), the connecting piece (30) of the structural assembly (60) is inserted into the control element (20), wherein then the operating element (10) is pressed against the connecting piece (30) supported on the control element (20), thereby converting the structural assembly (60) from the assembled state (62) to the operating state (61), and wherein finally the operating element (10) is fixed to the housing (2) of the high-pressure cleaner (1).

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