Floor cleaning machine

Abstract

The present application describes a floor cleaning machine (1), which comprises: a base (5); a driven cleaning element assembly (27) for engaging with a floor (3), wherein the cleaning element assembly (27) comprises at least one driven cleaning element (51, 61), on which is mounted an engaging element (63) for engaging with the floor (3) to be cleaned, wherein a section of the engaging element (63) extends in an engaging element plane (67); an operating vertical rod (7) mounted on the base (5) for guiding and manipulating the floor cleaning machine (1); a suction foot (21) for sucking cleaning liquid from the floor (3); a sewage tank (19) for containing the cleaning liquid sucked in by the suction foot (21); and a suction turbine (33) mounted on the base (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a floor cleaning machine, in particular a scrubber-suction machine, having a cleaning element assembly for engaging with a floor to be cleaned.

[0002] Such a floor cleaning machine comprises a base and a driven cleaning element assembly held on the bottom side of the base, the cleaning element assembly having driven cleaning elements that can engage with the floor to be cleaned. In this case, the brush is used in particular for scrubbing the floor. In addition, the floor cleaning machine comprises an operating lever, which is preferably movably, in particular pivotably, mounted on the base via a joint, and which guides and operates the floor cleaning machine. In this case, the machine can be directly guided and operated by a user.

[0003] The floor cleaning machine also has a suction foot mounted on a base or an operating rod for sucking cleaning liquid from the floor, a dirty water tank mounted on the base or the operating rod for receiving the cleaning liquid sucked in by the suction foot, and a suction turbine having a suction turbine housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The suction turbine is designed to generate a suction air flow from the suction foot into the dirty water tank, wherein the suction turbine is configured such that the suction air flow extends through the inlet opening toward the outlet opening. Background Art

[0004] Therefore, a floor cleaning machine is known from EP 2 962 614B1, which has a base and an operating vertical rod extending away from the base and connected to the base by a joint. In addition, two cleaning elements driven in opposite directions are provided on the base, and the rotation axes of these cleaning elements are inclined relative to the vertical direction. In this way, when the two cleaning elements rotate, a propulsion force is applied to the base of the floor cleaning machine. However, since these cleaning elements are inclined relative to each other, the cleaning effect in the area of ​​the rotationally driven cleaning elements is uneven. More precisely, the cleaning element is not too close to the ground to be cleaned at the outer edge, so the cleaning effect there is relatively poor. In addition, the propulsion force continuously generated by the rotationally driven cleaning elements is often disadvantageous during operation. Because the user must apply a large force to make the floor cleaning machine deviate from the propulsion direction and move in other directions. In addition, in the case of the floor cleaning machine known in the prior art, the suction turbine is arranged separately from the base and carried by the user as a separate component, which is relatively uncomfortable. Furthermore, unlike the prior art, the suction turbine is mounted on the operating lever, which has the disadvantage that the operating lever is relatively heavy and therefore difficult for the user to move and that when the operating lever is tilted, a greater torque is caused which presses the operating lever into a more tilted position.

[0005] It is therefore desirable to mount the suction turbine on the base of the floor cleaning machine. However, this is associated with the following disadvantages. If the suction turbine is mounted at a relatively low point on the floor cleaning machine, as viewed in the vertical direction, there is a risk that water contained in the suction air flow accumulates in the region of the suction air of the turbine and the liquid level in this region rises to such an extent that the turbine wheel of the suction turbine moves through this liquid. Furthermore, due to the low position of the suction turbine, liquid with dirt can enter the suction turbine and in particular its drive motor. The suction turbine can therefore be damaged by corrosion. This applies in particular to the turbine wheel, the bearings and the drive motor. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a floor-cleaning machine in which the operating lever has a relatively low own weight and in which the suction turbine is equipped in such a way that the risk of it being impinged with liquid laden with dirt is greatly reduced.

[0007] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a floor cleaning machine having a base and a cleaning element assembly fixed on the bottom side of the base, which is driven and used to engage with the ground, wherein the cleaning element assembly has at least one driven cleaning element, and an engaging element for engaging with the ground to be cleaned is mounted on the at least one cleaning element, wherein the section of the engaging element provided for engaging with the ground extends in the plane of the engaging element. In addition, the floor cleaning machine according to the present invention has an operating vertical rod for guiding and operating the floor cleaning machine, which is preferably pivotally mounted on the base via a joint. In addition, a suction foot for sucking cleaning liquid from the ground is provided on the base or the operating vertical rod, and a sewage tank for accommodating the cleaning liquid sucked in by the suction foot is also mounted on the base or the operating vertical rod.

[0008] Furthermore, according to the invention, a suction turbine is mounted on the base, the suction turbine having a suction turbine housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein the suction turbine is designed to generate a suction air flow from the suction foot into the sewage tank, wherein the suction turbine is constructed such that when the suction turbine is in operation, the suction air flow extends through the inlet opening in the direction of the outlet opening.

[0009] According to the invention, the suction turbine is provided with a separation container, which is adjacent to the suction turbine housing, wherein the interior space of the separation container is connected to the inlet opening of the suction turbine housing and the separation container has an inlet connected to the interior space and a bottom wall section pointing to the interior space. Observed along a vertical axis extending perpendicularly to the plane of the coupling element, the bottom wall section is arranged closer to the plane of the coupling element than the inlet opening. In addition, a drainage opening is introduced from the bottom wall section to the surroundings, and the drainage opening is provided with a valve, which is designed to be closed when the suction turbine is in operation and open when the suction turbine is not in operation.

[0010] Therefore, the floor cleaning machine according to the present invention has a base, on which a driven cleaning element assembly provided with cleaning elements is arranged, wherein the section of the coupling element that is coupled to the floor to be cleaned is arranged in the coupling element plane. In addition, a suction turbine is mounted on the base, which generates a suction air flow from the suction foot to the sewage container during operation. For this purpose, the suction turbine has a suction turbine housing provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein when the suction turbine is in operation, the suction air flow is led from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. In addition, according to the present invention, a separation container having a bottom wall section is provided, which, when viewed in the direction of a vertical axis extending perpendicularly to the coupling element plane, is arranged closer to the coupling element plane than the inlet opening. In addition, the separation container is provided with an inlet, from which the suction air flow generated by the suction turbine flows to the inlet opening when the suction turbine is in operation. Finally, a drain opening is provided in the bottom wall section, which drain opening is provided with a valve which is designed to be closed when the suction turbine is in operation and open when the suction turbine is not in operation. The position of the valve thus depends on whether the suction turbine is in operation.

[0011] In the structure according to the invention, a suction air flow is achieved through the separation container to the inlet opening in the suction turbine housing. Since the separation container and in particular its bottom wall section are arranged closer to the plane of the coupling element than the inlet opening, the cleaning liquid accumulates in the separation container and does not reach the suction turbine because the separation container is lower than the suction turbine. When the suction turbine is shut down, this causes the valve to open, which is designed to close when the suction turbine is in operation and open when the suction turbine is not in operation. Subsequently, the cleaning liquid accumulated in the separation container flows out through the opening. If the machine is put into operation again and the suction turbine is turned on, the valve in the drain opening is closed and a suction air flow can be formed.

[0012] Thus, in the floor cleaning machine according to the invention, it is ensured that, despite the fact that the suction turbine is arranged on the base and therefore at a relatively low position, the suction turbine is not damaged by cleaning fluid that accumulates in front of the turbine on the suction side. More precisely, when the suction turbine is switched off, the water that has accumulated there is regularly drained away via the drain opening that is arranged at a position below the suction turbine.

[0013] In one embodiment, it is possible for the valve to be embodied as a solenoid valve which is closed when the suction turbine is supplied with electrical power and which is open when the suction turbine is not supplied with electrical power.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the valve is designed to close when the pressure in the separation container is lower than the ambient pressure, and to open when the pressure in the separation container is greater than or equal to the ambient pressure. When the suction turbine is shut down, the pressure in the interior space of the receiving container matches the ambient pressure, which causes the valve in the drain opening to open in this embodiment, so that the cleaning liquid accumulated in the separation container flows out. If the machine is put into operation again and the suction turbine is turned on, the pressure in the separation container drops below the ambient pressure, so the valve in the drain opening closes again and a suction air flow can be formed. Therefore, in this embodiment, no additional actuator or the like is required to open and close the valve, but only the pressure generated by the suction turbine is sufficient.

[0015] Furthermore, the valve can preferably be designed in such a way that it has a flexible web which is mounted on the outside of the separation container relative to the drain opening, wherein the flexible web is preloaded so that when the pressure in the separation container is greater than or equal to the ambient pressure, a section of the flexible web is spaced apart from the drain opening and releases it, whereas when the pressure in the separation container is lower than the ambient pressure, the section closes the drain opening. In this way, a valve which opens and closes solely on the basis of the pressure in the separation container can be designed in a simple manner.

[0016] Preferably, the suction turbine has a turbine wheel which is driven so as to rotate about a turbine wheel axis, wherein the turbine wheel axis coincides with the vertical axis and wherein the inlet opening, viewed in the direction of the vertical axis, is closer to the plane of the coupling element than the turbine wheel. Such an embodiment has proven to be particularly effective for generating the suction air flow.

[0017] In a further preferred manner, the suction turbine has a turbine motor with a rotationally driven motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft extends along the turbine axis and is connected to the turbine wheel. Such a design is particularly space-saving, since the turbine wheel and the motor shaft are arranged coaxially.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the turbine impeller is designed as a centrifugal fan impeller, which is designed so that when it rotates, it generates an air flow radially outward from an air inlet located on the axis of the turbine impeller, wherein the suction turbine housing surrounds the turbine impeller and the inlet opening is arranged on the axis of the turbine impeller and opposite to the air inlet. In a turbine impeller designed in this way, since the suction air flow is discharged laterally when viewed in the axial direction of the turbine axis, a turbine assembly with a relatively small axial length can be provided in this way. The turbine assembly on the base thus has only a very small height, which is conducive to the use of the floor cleaning machine.

[0019] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the separation container can have a receiving opening opposite the bottom wall section, the edge of which bears sealingly against the suction turbine housing, wherein the inlet opening is arranged in the region of the suction turbine housing enclosed by the edge, and wherein the separation container is releasably connected to the suction turbine housing. Due to the releasable mounting of the separation container on the suction turbine housing, the interior of the separation container can be easily cleaned, which is often necessary due to dirt contained in the cleaning fluid.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment, the bottom wall section has an inlet opening section opposite the inlet opening, wherein the bottom wall section has a drainage section from which the drainage opening extends, and wherein the drainage section, viewed along the vertical axis, is closer to the plane of the engagement element than the inlet opening section. In such an embodiment, it is ensured that water does not initially accumulate directly below the inlet opening, but rather flows out in the direction of the drainage section or accumulates there. In order to reliably prevent the cleaning liquid from accumulating directly below the inlet opening, it is particularly preferred that the inlet opening section is the part of the bottom wall section that is closest to the inlet opening, viewed along the vertical axis.

[0021] In order to prevent water or cleaning liquid accumulated in the separation container from moving toward the inlet, it is further preferred that the inlet opens into the interior at a position further away from the plane of the joining element than the bottom wall section, as viewed along the vertical axis. This achieves that the cleaning liquid is already discharged from the bottom wall section before it reaches a level at which it can flow into the inlet. In a further preferred manner, the inlet is arranged on a wall section of the separation container, which, as viewed from the interior, points away from the plane of the joining element and preferably extends parallel to the plane of the joining element.

[0022] Finally, in a preferred embodiment of the floor cleaning machine according to the invention, the suction foot can be connected with a dirty water tank by a first line, wherein the dirty water tank is connected with a second line to the inlet of the separation container, and wherein when the suction turbine is in operation, the suction air flow extends from the suction foot, through the dirty water tank and through the separation container to the inlet opening. In this embodiment, the suction turbine is arranged downstream of the dirty water tank, so that for this reason the amount of cleaning liquid applied to the suction turbine is already minimal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings which show only preferred exemplary embodiments, wherein

[0024] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a floor cleaning machine according to the present invention,

[0025] Figure 2 shows the housing partially removed, Figure 1 A perspective view of the base of a floor cleaning machine,

[0026] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the base of a floor cleaning machine,

[0027] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 A sectional view of a portion of a base of a floor cleaning machine,

[0028] Figure 5 Shown for Figure 1 A perspective sectional view of a separation container of a suction turbine of a floor cleaning machine,

[0029] Figure 6 Shown is a Figure 1 A horizontal section through a separation container of a suction turbine of a floor cleaning machine, and

[0030] Figure 7 Shows something like Figure 4 A cross-sectional view showing the air flow in the region of the suction turbine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] exist Figure 1 1 shows an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention, which is designed as a manually guided scrubber-suction machine and is provided with a cleaning element assembly and a suction foot, with which a floor 3 (see Figure 3) to apply cleaning liquid and the cleaning element assembly has a cleaning element for engaging with the floor 3 to be cleaned, with the suction foot being able to subsequently suck away the cleaning residues containing the cleaning liquid. The floor cleaning machine 1 described here has an operating lever 7, which is described in more detail below and is mounted on a base 5 of the floor cleaning machine 1, wherein the operating lever 7 is pivotally mounted on the base 5.

[0032] The described embodiment of the floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention comprises the already mentioned base 5, on which the operating lever 7 is pivotably mounted via a joint 9. Here, the operating lever 7 extends from the joint 9, via which the operating lever is pivotably connected to the base 5, along the longitudinal axis 11 to the operating end 13. The joint 9 is designed here so that when the operating lever 7 is pivoted about the longitudinal axis 11, a torque is applied to the base 5, so that the base is pivoted about the vertical axis 15 relative to the ground 3, wherein the vertical axis 15 extends perpendicularly to the ground 3. The joint 9 thus makes it possible, due to its structure, that a user who grips the operating lever 7 at its operating end 13 can turn the base 5.

[0033] A cleaning liquid container 17 and a dirty water tank 19 are releasably mounted on the operating vertical rod 7, and are connected to the base 5 and a suction foot 21 pivotably held at the base 5 via a first line 23 and a second line 25 in a manner to be described below. Here, the suction foot 21 can be pivoted between the position shown in the figure, in which the suction foot and the floor 3 to be cleaned are opposite, and an upwardly turned position in which the suction foot and the floor 3 are spaced apart.

[0034] Finally, a cleaning element assembly 27 is provided on the bottom side of the base 5 facing the floor 3 to be cleaned, which is designed to engage with the floor 3 to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning element assembly 27 is driven by a drive motor 31 arranged in a housing 29 on the base. The drive motor 31 can be, for example, an electric motor powered by a battery unit not shown in detail in the figure and mounted on the base 5 or the operating vertical rod 7. However, in principle, it is also conceivable to drive the drive motor 31 with compressed air, so the present invention is not limited to the use of an electric motor.

[0035] A suction turbine 33 is also arranged in the housing 29 of the base 5, the suction side of which is connected to the upper end of the dirty water tank 19 via the second line 25. The dirty water tank 19 is in turn connected to the suction foot 21 via the first line 23. The suction turbine 33 constitutes a suction device, by means of which a suction air flow is generated from the suction foot 21 into the dirty water tank 19, so that the previously applied cleaning liquid can be sucked away from the floor 3 to be cleaned. Figure 2 and Figure 3It can also be seen that further lines 35 are provided in the base 5 , via which cleaning liquid can be applied from the cleaning liquid container 17 through the base 5 into the region of the cleaning element arrangement 27 and there onto the floor surface 3 to be cleaned.

[0036] As especially in Figure 3 It can be seen in the figure that the drive motor 31 has an output shaft 39 extending along the output axis 37 and driven by the drive motor 31. Observed in the axial direction of the output axis 37, the first eccentric disc 41 and the second eccentric disc 43 are sequentially mounted on the output shaft 39 in a rotationally non-rotatable manner. The first receiving element 45 is rotatably fastened to the outer periphery of the first eccentric disc 41 by means of a first bearing 47, wherein the first receiving element 45 is fixedly connected to the inner cleaning body 49 of the inner cleaning element 51. Here, the first receiving element 45 can rotate relative to the first eccentric disc 41 around the first rotation axis D1 extending parallel to the output axis 37. Here, the inner cleaning body 49 of the inner cleaning element 51 has a first receiving opening, in which the first receiving element 45 is received. In addition, the inner cleaning body 49 extends in a cleaning body plane 53, and when the floor cleaning machine is arranged on the floor 3 to be cleaned, the cleaning body plane extends substantially parallel to the plane of the floor 3 to be cleaned when the floor cleaning machine 1 is running.

[0037] In a similar manner, the second receiving element 55 is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the second eccentric disc 43 by means of a second bearing 57, wherein the second receiving element 55 is fixedly connected to the outer cleaning body 59 of the outer cleaning element 61. Here, the second receiving element 55 can rotate relative to the second eccentric disc 43 around the second rotation axis D2 extending parallel to the output axis 37 and the first rotation axis D1. Here, the outer cleaning body 59 has a second receiving opening, in which the second receiving element 55 is received on the one hand, and the inner cleaning body 49 of the inner cleaning element 51 is received on the other hand. Therefore, the outer cleaning body 59 surrounds the inner cleaning body 49, and the outer cleaning element 61 is arranged on the periphery of the inner cleaning element 51. In addition, the outer cleaning body 59 and therefore the outer cleaning element 61 also extend in the cleaning body plane 53.

[0038] The inner cleaning body 49 and the outer cleaning body 59 are arranged in the cleaning body plane 53, that is, at least part of the inner cleaning body 49 and the outer cleaning body 59 intersects with the cleaning body plane 53 when viewed in cross section. Figure 34, it can be seen that the inner cleaning element 51 and the outer cleaning element 61 have engagement elements 63, which are fastened to the respective cleaning bodies 49, 59 and point toward the side of the cleaning body plane 53 that points toward the floor surface 3 to be cleaned. The engagement elements 63 are designed as bristles in the embodiment described here and are generally provided for engaging with the floor surface 3 to be cleaned with their end sections 65. The end section 65 is arranged in the engagement element plane 67 here.

[0039] In the embodiment described here, the engagement elements 63 are designed as bristles. However, it is also conceivable to use other forms of engagement elements, such as pads or the like.

[0040] In the embodiment described here, the first and second eccentric discs 41, 43 are also arranged such that the first and second rotation axes D1, D2 and the output axis 37 extend in a common plane. In this connection, the eccentric discs 41, 43 are fastened to the output shaft 39 offset by 180° to one another.

[0041] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can also be seen that the suction turbine 33 has a turbine motor 77 which rotationally drives a motor shaft 79, which extends along a turbine wheel axis 81. A turbine wheel 83 is fastened to the motor shaft 79, so that the turbine wheel is rotationally driven by the turbine motor 77, wherein the turbine wheel then rotates about the turbine wheel axis 81.

[0042] In the embodiment shown here, the turbine wheel axis 81 coincides with the output axis 37 of the drive motor 31. However, it is also conceivable that the output axis 37 and the turbine axis 81 extend offset relative to each other. In addition, the suction turbine 33 is surrounded by a suction turbine housing 85, wherein the suction turbine housing 85 has an inlet opening 87 and a plurality of outlet openings 89. In the embodiment shown here, the turbine impeller 83 is designed as a centrifugal fan impeller, so that the turbine impeller conveys air radially outward from an air inlet 91 located on the turbine impeller axis 81 when rotating about the turbine impeller axis 81, wherein the inlet opening 87 is opposite to the air inlet 91. Therefore, the turbine impeller 83 generates an air flow in the embodiment shown here, which extends radially outward from the air inlet 91 and is formed in a turbine impeller plane 93 defined by the turbine impeller 83. In the embodiment shown here, the outlet opening 89 is therefore designed in the suction turbine housing 85 at the height of the turbine wheel plane 93, so that the suction air flow generated by the rotating turbine wheel 83 then exits the suction turbine housing 85 radially through the outlet opening 89, which is schematically shown in FIG. Figure 2 It can be seen in.

[0043] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can also be seen that in the embodiment shown here, the motor shaft 79 of the turbine motor 77 extends along a vertical axis 95, which extends perpendicularly to the engagement element plane 67 and therefore also perpendicularly to the floor surface 3 to be cleaned. According to the invention, the inlet opening 87 is also arranged in the suction turbine housing 85, viewed along the vertical axis 95, in such a way that it is arranged closer to the engagement element plane 67 than the turbine wheel 83. The inlet opening 87 is therefore located below the turbine wheel 83 when the floor cleaning machine 1 is arranged on a floor surface 3 to be cleaned that extends essentially horizontally.

[0044] Especially in Figure 3 and Figure 4 8 further shows that, viewed along the vertical axis 95, a separation container 97 is provided below the suction turbine 33 and therefore in the vicinity of the joining element plane 67, which separation container is detachably connected to the suction turbine housing 85 and whose wall has a bottom wall section 99, which is arranged in the suction turbine housing 85 closer to the joining element plane 67 than the inlet opening 87, viewed along the vertical axis 95. In addition, the bottom wall section 99 is opposite to the inlet opening 87. In addition, the separation container 97 has a receiving opening 101, which is opposite to the bottom wall section 99 and into which a section of the suction turbine housing 35 extends, wherein the edge of the receiving opening 101 surrounds the section of the suction turbine housing 85 provided with the inlet opening 87. The edge of the receiving opening 101 here rests sealingly against the suction turbine housing 85.

[0045] In addition, the separation container 97 has an inlet 103 which is also connected to the interior 105 of the separation container 97, wherein the inlet 103 is arranged in the interior 105 of the separation container 97 at a position further away from the plane 67 of the coupling element than the bottom wall section 99 as viewed along the vertical axis 95. The inlet 103 is arranged in particular in a wall section 107 of the separation container 97 which, as viewed from the interior 105, points away from the plane 67 of the coupling element and extends substantially perpendicularly to the vertical axis 95. Thus, when the floor cleaning machine 1 is arranged on the floor 3 to be cleaned which extends substantially horizontally, the inlet 103 points vertically upward. Finally, the inlet 103 is connected to the upper section of the sewage tank 19 on the operating vertical rod 7 via the second line 25. Thus, the interior 105 of the separation container 97 is generally connected not only to the inlet 103, but also to the inlet opening 87.

[0046] In addition, especially in Figure 4 , Figure 5 A perspective view of the separation container 97 and Figure 6It can be seen in the cross-sectional view in FIG that the bottom wall section 99 pointing toward the interior space 105 has an inlet opening section 109 opposite to the inlet opening 87 in the suction turbine housing 85. Here, the inlet opening section 109 is designed in the bottom wall section 99 of the separation container 97 in such a way that the inlet opening section is a section of the bottom wall section 99 opposite to the inlet opening 87 when viewed in the direction of the vertical axis 95. In addition, in Figure 4 9, the left part of the inlet opening section 109 is closest to the inlet opening when viewed in the direction of the vertical axis 95. In addition, the bottom wall section 99 also has a drainage section 111, which is the part of the bottom wall section 99 closest to the engagement element plane 67 when the floor cleaning machine 1 is arranged on the horizontally oriented floor 3 to be cleaned when viewed along the vertical axis 95. Therefore, the inlet opening section 109 is the highest section of the bottom wall section 99, and the drainage section 111 is the lowest section of the bottom wall section 99.

[0047] Especially in Figure 4 and Figure 6 It can also be seen that a drain opening 113 is provided in the drain section 111, which in turn is provided with a valve 115. The valve 115 is designed here to close when the suction turbine 33 is in operation and a pressure lower than the ambient pressure (i.e. the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the floor cleaning machine 1) is present in the interior space 105 in the separation container 97. Conversely, the valve 115 opens when the suction turbine is not in operation and the pressure in the pressure interior space 105 is greater than or equal to the ambient pressure.

[0048] In the embodiment described here, the valve 115 has a flexible web 117 which is mounted on the outside of the separation container 97 relative to the drain opening 113, wherein the flexible web 117 is preloaded so that when the pressure in the separation container 97 is greater than or equal to the ambient pressure, a section 119 of the flexible web is spaced apart from and releases the drain opening 113. However, since the suction turbine 33 is in operation, the pressure in the separation container 97 is lower than the ambient pressure, and the section 119 closes the drain opening 113.

[0049] In the embodiment described here, the valve 115 is designed so that it is actuated only by the pressure in the interior 105 of the separation container 97. However, the invention also includes other solutions in which a valve is used, the control of which depends on whether the suction turbine 33 is running. The valve can be a solenoid valve, for example.

[0050] In addition, especially in Figure 5 and Figure 6It can be seen that the inlet 103 is arranged in the edge region of the separation container 97 close to the peripheral wall 121 extending substantially parallel to the vertical axis 95. This allows the suction air flow generated by the suction turbine 33 to first pass through the inlet 103, substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall section 99, into the separation container 97, and then be turned by 90°, wherein the suction air flow then flows along the Figure 6 The arrow 123 shown in the figure is guided along the peripheral wall 121 and along the guide surface 124 arranged in the interior 105 of the separation container 97. This has the effect that the droplets contained in the suction air flow are separated on the peripheral wall 121 and the guide surface 124 and move from there in the direction of the drainage section 111, because the drainage section is the lowest section of the bottom wall section 99 and there is also a gap between the guide surface 124 and the drainage section 111. Therefore, the inlet 103 is arranged in the wall section 107 pointing away from the joining element plane 67 when viewed from the interior 105 and adjacent to the peripheral wall 121, so that the separation container 97 acts similarly to a cyclone separator.

[0051] Finally Figure 5 It can be seen that a further valve 125 is provided in the wall section 107 pointing away from the joining element plane 67 when viewed from the interior 105 of the separation container 97, which is closed in the wall section 107 and in the Figure 5 . The valve 125 is designed similarly to the valve 115, i.e., when the suction turbine 33 is in operation and there is a lower pressure in the interior 105 of the separation container 97 than in the surroundings, the valve is closed, and when the pressure in the interior 105 is equal to or greater than the ambient pressure, the valve is opened. The valve 125 is also composed of a web 127, which is preloaded so that when the pressure in the interior 105 is equal to or greater than the ambient pressure, at least one section 129 of the web moves away from the wall section 107 and thus away from the opening arranged therein, and when the pressure in the interior 105 is lower than the ambient pressure, the section 129 abuts against the wall section 107. Therefore, the valve 125 is substantially constructed in the same manner as the valve 115. The opening closed by the valve 125 serves as a ventilation opening to ensure that the liquid present in the separation container 97 can actually flow out when the valve 115 is open.

[0052] When the above-described embodiment of the floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention is operated, a suction air flow is generated by the suction turbine 33 and the turbine motor 77 driven by the turbine impeller 83, wherein the suction air flow flows from the suction foot 21 through the first line 23 into the dirty water tank 19. The cleaning liquid previously applied to the floor 3 to be cleaned is thereby sucked away by means of the suction air flow.

[0053] Especially in Figure 7: The suction air flow from the dirty water tank 19 continues to flow through the second line 25 into the inlet 103 and into the interior 105 of the separation container 97. The suction air flows out of the interior 105 of the separation container 97 and then continues to flow into the inlet opening 87, is transported radially outward by the turbine impeller 83 and leaves the suction turbine housing 85 via the outlet opening 89. The flow guidance in the separation container 97 is such that the liquid contained in the suction air flow is separated on the peripheral wall 121 and the guide surface.

[0054] exist Figure 7 It can also be seen that the suction turbine 33 has a fan wheel 133 at the end of the turbine motor 77 facing away from the turbine wheel 83, on the motor shaft of the turbine motor, in the region of the suction opening 131, through which cooling air is sucked in by the turbine motor 77 during operation of the suction turbine 33 and discharged through the outlet opening 135. The turbine motor 77 is simultaneously cooled in this way. The air flows, namely the suction air flow on the one hand and the cooling air passing through the motor on the other hand, are separated from one another.

[0055] Since the separation container 97 is arranged close to the connection element plane 67 when viewed along the vertical axis 95, and the bottom wall section 99 is likewise close to the connection element plane 67, the water contained in the suction air flow and entrained into the separation container 97 is also separated at the bottom wall section 99. Since the inlet opening section 109 is again the highest part of the bottom wall section 99, the water deposited there subsequently flows into the lower drainage section 111 and accumulates there first, because the pressure in the interior 105 of the separation container 97 is lower than the ambient pressure during operation of the suction turbine 33, and the valve 115 is therefore in the closed state.

[0056] When the floor cleaning machine 1 and therefore the suction turbine 33 or the turbine motor is shut down, the pressure in the interior 105 in the separation container 97 rises to ambient pressure, so that the valve 115 opens and the water present in particular in the region of the drainage section 111 can flow out. The valve 125 then also opens and ensures that air can flow into the separation container 97, which ensures drainage via the valve 115.

[0057] The separation container 97 arranged close to the joining element plane 67, viewed in the direction of the vertical axis 95, thus achieves that water accumulates there and cannot reach the region of the turbine wheel 83 or the turbine motor 77. Rather, the water is automatically discharged regularly via the valve 115, so that no large amounts of water can accumulate in the region of the suction turbine 33.

[0058] Since the suction turbine 33 is provided with a turbine wheel 83 located “below” the turbine motor 77, it is also achieved that the assembly consisting of the suction turbine 33 and the separation container 97 has only small dimensions when viewed in the vertical direction, i.e. along the vertical axis 95. As a result, the base of the floor cleaning machine 1 has a small height overall. In addition, the suction turbine is arranged “upright”, i.e. the turbine motor 77 is arranged above the turbine wheel 83, and the turbine wheel 83 rotates about a vertically extending axis.

[0059] Reference numerals list:

[0060] 1 Floor cleaning machine

[0061] 3 Ground

[0062] 5 Base

[0063] 7 Operating lever

[0064] 9 Connectors

[0065] 11 Longitudinal axis

[0066] 13. Control end

[0067] 15 Vertical axis

[0068] 17 Cleaning fluid container

[0069] 19 Wastewater tank

[0070] 21. Foot Suction

[0071] 23 First Line

[0072] 25 Second Line

[0073] 27 Cleaning element assembly

[0074] 29 Shell

[0075] 31 Drive motor

[0076] 33 Suction turbine

[0077] 35 lines

[0078] 37 Output axis

[0079] 39 Output shaft

[0080] 41 First eccentric disc

[0081] 43 Second eccentric disc

[0082] 45 first receiving element

[0083] 47 First bearing

[0084] 49 Internal Cleansing Body

[0085] 51 Internal cleaning element

[0086] 53 Cleaning body plane

[0087] 55 Second receiving element

[0088] 57 Second bearing

[0089] 59 External cleaning body

[0090] 61 External cleaning element

[0091] 63 Joint elements

[0092] 65 End section

[0093] 67 Joint element plane

[0094] 69 first elastic element

[0095] 71 second elastic element

[0096] 73 Guide wheel

[0097] 75 Axle

[0098] 77 Turbine Motor

[0099] 79 Motor shaft

[0100] 81 Turbine impeller axis

[0101] 83 Turbine impeller

[0102] 85 Suction turbine housing

[0103] 87 Entrance opening

[0104] 89 Exit opening

[0105] 91 Air Inlet

[0106] 93 Turbine impeller plane

[0107] 95 Vertical axis

[0108] 97 Separation Container

[0109] 99 Bottom wall section

[0110] 101 Acceptance of Opening

[0111] 103 Entrance

[0112] 105 Separation container interior space

[0113] 107 Wall Segment

[0114] 109 Entrance opening section

[0115] 111 Drainage Section

[0116] 113 Drainage opening

[0117] 115 Valve

[0118] 117 Splice

[0119] 119 Segment

[0120] 121 Wall

[0121] 123 Arrow

[0122] 124 Guide surface

[0123] 125 Valve

[0124] 127 Splice

[0125] 129 Segment

[0126] 131 Suction opening

[0127] 133 Fan impeller

[0128] 135 Exit opening

Claims

1. A floor cleaning machine (1), comprising: base (5); A cleaning element assembly (27) fixed to the bottom side of the base (5) and driven for engaging with a floor surface (3), wherein the cleaning element assembly (27) comprises at least one driven cleaning element (51, 61), on which an engaging element (63) for engaging with a floor surface (3) to be cleaned is mounted, wherein a section of the engaging element (63) provided for engaging with the floor surface (3) extends in an engaging element plane (67); An operating vertical rod (7) mounted on the base (5) for guiding and manipulating the floor cleaning machine (1); A suction foot (21) mounted on the base (5) or the operating vertical rod (7) for sucking cleaning liquid from the floor (3); A sewage tank (19) mounted on the base (5) or the operating vertical rod (7) for containing cleaning liquid sucked in by the suction foot (21); a suction turbine (33) mounted on the base (5), the suction turbine having a suction turbine housing (85) with an inlet opening (87) and an outlet opening (89); wherein the suction turbine (33) is designed to generate a suction air flow from the suction foot (21) to the sewage tank (19) during operation, wherein the suction turbine (33) is configured such that the suction air flow extends through the inlet opening (87) toward the outlet opening (89), A separation container (97) is provided, which adjoins the suction turbine housing (85), whose interior space (105) is connected to the inlet opening (87), and which has an inlet (103) connected to the interior space (105) and a bottom wall section (99) facing the interior space (105), wherein the bottom wall section (99) is arranged closer to the engagement element plane (67) than to the inlet opening (87), viewed along a vertical axis (95) extending perpendicularly to the engagement element plane (67), and A drainage opening (113) is introduced from the bottom wall section (99) to the surroundings, and the drainage opening is provided with a valve (115) which is designed to be closed when the suction turbine (33) is in operation and to be open when the suction turbine (33) is not in operation.

2. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the valve (115) is designed to close when the pressure in the separation container (97) is lower than the ambient pressure, and to open when the pressure in the separation container (97) is greater than or equal to the ambient pressure.

3. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 2, wherein the valve has a flexible tab (117) which is mounted on the outside of the separation container (97) opposite the drain opening (113), and The flexible web (117) is preloaded so that when the pressure in the separation container (97) is greater than or equal to the ambient pressure, the section (119) of the flexible web is spaced apart from the drain opening (113) and opens the drain opening, and when the pressure in the separation container (97) is lower than the ambient pressure, the section (119) closes the drain opening (113).

4. The floor-cleaning machine according to claim 1 , wherein the suction turbine ( 33 ) has a turbine wheel ( 83 ) which is driven in rotation about a turbine wheel axis ( 81 ), wherein the turbine wheel axis ( 81 ) coincides with the vertical axis ( 95 ), and The inlet opening (87) is located closer to the engagement element plane (67) than to the turbine wheel (83), viewed in the direction of the vertical axis (95).

5. Floor-cleaning machine according to claim 4, wherein the suction turbine (33) has a turbine motor (77) with a rotationally driven motor shaft (79), wherein the motor shaft (79) extends along the turbine impeller axis (81) and is connected to the turbine impeller (83).

6. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 5, wherein the turbine impeller (83) is designed as a centrifugal fan impeller, the centrifugal fan impeller being designed so that when it rotates, it generates an air flow radially outward from an air inlet (91) located on the turbine impeller axis (81), and The intake turbine housing (85) surrounds the turbine wheel (83), and the inlet opening (87) is arranged on the turbine wheel axis (81) and opposite the air inlet (91).

7. Floor cleaning machine according to one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 6, wherein the separation container (97) has a receiving opening (101) opposite the bottom wall section (99), the edge of which bears sealingly against the suction turbine housing (85), wherein the inlet opening (87) is arranged in a region of the suction turbine housing (85) which is surrounded by the edge, and The separation container (97) is detachably connected to the suction turbine housing (85).

8. Floor cleaning machine according to one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 6, wherein the bottom wall section (99) has an inlet opening section (109) opposite the inlet opening (87), wherein the bottom wall section (99) has a drainage section (111), the drainage opening (113) extends from the drainage section, and In this case, viewed along the vertical axis (95), the water discharge section (111) is closer to the engagement element plane (67) than the inlet opening section (109).

9. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 8, wherein the inlet opening section (109) is the portion of the bottom wall section (99) which is closest to the inlet opening (87) as viewed along the vertical axis (95).

10. A floor cleaning machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, 5, 6 and 9, wherein the inlet (103) opens into the interior space (105) at a position further away from the engagement element plane (67) than the bottom wall section (99) as viewed along the vertical axis (95). 11 . The floor-cleaning machine according to claim 10 , wherein the inlet ( 103 ) is arranged in a wall section ( 107 ) of the separation container ( 97 ) which faces away from the engagement element plane ( 67 ) when viewed from the interior ( 105 ).

12. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the suction foot (21) is connected to the dirty water tank (19) via a first line (23). The sewage tank (19) is connected to the inlet (103) of the separation container (97) via a second line (25), and in, When the suction turbine (33) is in operation, the suction air flow extends from the suction foot (21), through the sewage tank (19) and through the separation container (97) to the inlet opening (87).

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