Floor cleaning machine

Abstract

The present application describes a floor cleaning machine (1) having a base (5) and an operating vertical rod (7), wherein the base (5) has a cleaning element assembly (27) with at least one driven cleaning element (51, 61), wherein the free end of the engaging element (63) is arranged in a cleaning plane when engaging with the floor (3), wherein the operating vertical rod (7) extends along a longitudinal axis (11) between a proximal end and a manipulation end (13) and is pivotally mounted on the base (5) by a joint (9), so that the operating vertical rod can be pivoted in any direction relative to the base (5), wherein the joint (9) comprises: a sleeve-shaped bellows (81), a first support element (87) and a second support element (91), the two support elements being arranged inside the bellows (81) and mounted at the proximal end of the operating vertical rod (7) pointing away from the operating vertical rod.

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 cleaning element assembly arranged on the bottom side of the base, which is movably held and driven, and which has a driven brush that can engage with the floor to be cleaned. Here, the brush is used in particular for scrubbing the floor. In addition, the floor cleaning machine comprises a drive motor preferably arranged on the base for driving the cleaning element assembly and an operating vertical rod preferably movably, in particular pivotably mounted on the base by a joint, which is used to guide and operate the floor cleaning machine. Here, the machine can be directly guided and operated by the user, or it can be mounted on a chassis and operated from there. Background Art

[0003] Therefore, a floor cleaning machine is known from WO 2020 / 234904 A1, 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 to each other 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 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 element is often disadvantageous during operation. Because the user must apply a large force to move the floor cleaning machine away from the propulsion direction in other directions. Here, the joint between the base and the operating vertical rod can be designed in such a way that a sleeve made of an elastic material is provided with a steel spiral (Stahlwendel) embedded therein.

[0004] However, such a joint design has proven to be disadvantageous because, although a torque parallel to a vertical axis extending perpendicularly to the floor to be cleaned can be applied to the base via the operating lever, a pressure force cannot be applied along the longitudinal axis of the operating lever in the direction of the base. More precisely, the technical solution of the described construction does not allow the operating lever to be guided relative to the base and to be able to perform a defined movement. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a floor cleaning machine having a base and an operating lever pivotably connected to the base, wherein the joint is of simple design and still allows forces acting in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the operating lever to be transmitted to the base.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a floor cleaning machine having a base and an operating vertical rod, wherein the base has a cleaning element assembly with at least one driven cleaning element, on which an engaging element is provided, wherein the cleaning element is designed to engage with the floor to be cleaned with the engaging element arranged thereon, so that the free end of the engaging element is arranged in a cleaning plane when engaging with the floor.

[0007] The operating vertical rod extends along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a manipulation end and is pivotally mounted on the base by a joint so that the operating vertical rod can be pivoted in any direction relative to the base, wherein the joint is designed so that a torque is applied to the base when the operating vertical rod is rotated about its longitudinal axis, and the torque is designed so that the base is thereby pivoted about a vertical axis extending perpendicular to the cleaning plane.

[0008] The joint comprises: a sleeve-shaped bellows extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the base and the second end is connected to the operating vertical rod; a first support element arranged inside the bellows and mounted on the base pointing away from the base; and a second support element arranged inside the bellows and mounted on the proximal end of the operating vertical rod pointing away from the operating vertical rod, wherein the free end of one of the first support element and the second support element has a protrusion designed to be a convex spherical shell shape, and the free end of the other of the first support element and the second support element has a receiving recess designed to be a concave spherical shell shape, and the receiving recess is designed to receive the protrusion.

[0009] Therefore, the floor cleaning machine according to the present invention has a base and an operating vertical rod connected to the base via a joint, wherein a cleaning element assembly including at least one driven cleaning element is provided on the base, wherein the cleaning element also has coupling elements, which are configured to engage with the floor to be cleaned on which the floor cleaning machine moves.

[0010] The at least one cleaning element can in particular be a brush element having bristles extending away from the cleaning body, the free ends of which are then arranged for engagement with the floor to be cleaned. However, further designs of the cleaning element are also conceivable, in which the engagement element is designed, for example, as a pad, so that the invention is not limited to cleaning elements in the form of brush elements.

[0011] However, the engagement elements provided on the at least one cleaning element are configured such that their free ends provided for engagement with the floor surface to be cleaned are arranged in a common cleaning plane when the cleaning element engages with the floor surface.

[0012] In addition, a joint is provided in the floor cleaning machine according to the present invention, by means of which the base is pivotably connected to an operating vertical rod extending along the longitudinal axis, so that the operating vertical rod can be pivoted relative to the base in any direction. In addition, the joint is also designed so that the rotation of the operating vertical rod around its longitudinal axis applies a torque extending perpendicular to the cleaning plane to the base. When the floor cleaning machine is placed on the ground to be cleaned, since the cleaning plane is defined by the free end of the coupling element on the at least one cleaning element, this means that the joint is designed so that the rotation of the operating vertical rod is related to the rotational movement of the base on the ground to be cleaned. Therefore, the user can control the orientation of the base on the ground to be cleaned by means of the operating vertical rod.

[0013] Finally, the joint is designed according to the invention such that it has a sleeve-shaped bellows in which a first support element and a second support element are arranged, wherein the first support element is mounted on the base in a manner pointing away from the base, and the second support element is mounted on the proximal end of the operating lever, also pointing away from the operating lever. One of the two support elements is designed as a protrusion of a convex spherical shell-like configuration, while the other support element is designed as a concave spherical shell-shaped receiving recess. Here, the protrusion and the receiving recess are designed such that the protrusion is received in the receiving recess, so that the protrusion is guided for the pivoting movement.

[0014] The latter means that the projection and the receiving recess are dimensioned so that when the projection is received in the receiving recess, the receiving recess guides the projection so that the operating lever must pivot along a predetermined path relative to the base so that the projection abuts in the receiving recess.

[0015] However, the dimensions of the projection and the receiving recess do not have to be determined so that they cannot be separated from each other.

[0016] Due to the fact that the projections or receiving recesses are provided on the base and the operating lever, it is achieved that the operating lever is guided on the base during the pivoting movement relative to the base. This has the advantage that forces applied to the operating lever along its longitudinal axis are also transmitted to the base, so that the user can transmit such forces to the base in a more defined manner than in the prior art, which enables better controllability of the base. In addition, the guidance of the operating lever on the mating surface formed by the projections or receiving recesses is related to the fact that the user is more directly connected to the base in terms of touch when operating the machine according to the invention, so that the user can more easily feel the resistance against the movement of the base on the floor to be cleaned and can therefore better check whether the cleaning process is proceeding in the desired manner.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the first support element is provided with a protrusion designed in the shape of a convex spherical shell, while the second support element arranged on the operating lever has a receiving recess designed in the shape of a concave spherical shell.

[0018] Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment, at least one locking element can be provided on the operating lever, which can be moved relative to the operating lever between an engaged position and a released position, wherein a receiving section connected to the base is provided, and wherein the locking element and the receiving section are designed such that in the engaged position the locking element can engage with the receiving section, so that the operating lever is locked relative to the base and prevented from moving relative to the base, and in the released position of the locking element the operating lever can move relative to the base. In this way, it can be achieved that the operating lever can be fixed relative to the base in a predetermined locked position. This makes it possible that the floor cleaning machine is designed with a parking position from which the operating lever cannot be accidentally pivoted out.

[0019] In a further preferred manner, the parking position is designed such that when the floor cleaning machine is engaged with the floor to be cleaned, the longitudinal axis of the operating lever extends substantially perpendicularly to the cleaning plane, i.e. perpendicularly to the plane in which the free ends of the engaging elements of the cleaning elements are arranged. In particular, when the operating lever is arranged perpendicularly to the engaging plane of the cleaning elements in the parking position, it is achieved that the machine cannot be tilted in this position. If the machine additionally has wheels, for example at the edge pointing toward the suction foot (mounted on the base for sucking liquid from the floor to be cleaned), the floor cleaning machine can be tilted as a whole in the parking position by pivoting the operating lever and then rolled on the floor.

[0020] In a further preferred manner, the operating lever can have an operating element at the operating end, which is coupled to the at least one locking element, so that by moving the operating element the locking element is moved from the engaged position to the released position. In this way, the user can release the operating lever from the parking position or the locked position in a simple manner.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking element is movable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the operating lever relative to the operating lever between an engaged position and a released position.

[0022] In this preferred embodiment, the second support element can be held displaceably on the operating vertical rod between a first position and a second position in the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein the second support element engages with the at least one locking element, so that when the second support element moves from the first position to the second position, the locking element moves from the engaged position to the released position. Thus, when the support element is displaced along the longitudinal axis, the support element disengages the at least one locking element from the receiving section. Thus, the support element additionally serves to release the locking of the operating vertical rod relative to the base.

[0023] In this case, it is particularly preferred if the actuating element is connected to the second supporting element, so that the second supporting element can be moved from the first position into the second position by moving the actuating element.

[0024] Furthermore, it is preferred that the second support element is located further away from the actuating end of the actuating lever in the first position than in the second position.

[0025] Furthermore, the second support element can be preloaded into a first position along the longitudinal axis of the operating stem in a direction away from the actuating end, and a first preloading device is provided, which preloads the first and second ends of the bellows away from each other. In this design, it is achieved that the second support element must first overcome the action of the corresponding preloading device and enter the second position in order to bring the locking element into its release position further away from the projection, wherein a force must also be applied for this purpose. However, when the locking element is released relative to the receiving section, the first preloading device moves the operating stem and therefore the second support element away from the base, so that the locking element is no longer opposite the receiving section. It can thus be achieved that the second support element is pressed again in the direction of the projection due to its preloading force in the first position and comes into contact with the projection in such a way that the receiving recess receives the projection.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, it can also be achieved that the projection, which is preferably provided on the base, is received in the receiving recess so that the second support element and thus the operating lever is prevented from moving away from the first support element and thus the base, in particular in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the operating lever, thereby providing a direct connection of the operating lever to the base.

[0027] In a further preferred manner, a locking element can be provided on the operating lever, which can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the operating lever between an engaged position and a released position, wherein the receiving section is provided in the projection as a recess pointing away from the base, the recess being designed to receive the locking element when the locking element is in the engaged position, wherein the locking element in the engaged position locks the operating lever relative to the base and prevents the operating lever from moving relative to the base. Such an embodiment has the advantage that the locking element can be easily moved starting from a handle element provided at the operating end of the operating lever via a connection extending along the longitudinal axis. Thus, actuation starting from the handle element can be easily realized.

[0028] In this context, it is particularly preferred if the actuating element arranged in the region of the handle element is coupled to the locking element such that actuation of the actuating element causes a movement of the locking element along the longitudinal axis in the direction of the actuating end.

[0029] Finally, when a second preloading device is provided which applies a force to the operating lever to push it into a position in which the longitudinal axis extends perpendicularly to the cleaning plane, it is achieved that the user does not have to apply a large force to the operating lever in order to keep it in this position, especially in the case of a large tilt of the operating lever. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings which show only preferred exemplary embodiments, wherein

[0031] Figure 1 A perspective view of a first embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the present invention is shown.

[0032] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the base of a floor cleaning machine,

[0033] Figure 3 Shown from below Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a floor cleaning machine.

[0034] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the operating vertical rod section of a floor cleaning machine,

[0035] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 A sectional view of a joint region between a base and an operating vertical rod of a floor cleaning machine, wherein the locking element is in an engaged position and engages with the receiving section,

[0036] Figure 6 Shows Figure 1A sectional view of a floor cleaning machine in the region of a connection between a base and an operating vertical rod, wherein the locking element is in a released position,

[0037] Figure 7 Shows Figure 1 A sectional view of a floor cleaning machine of the type shown in FIG. 1 , in the region of a joint between a base and an operating vertical rod, wherein the locking element is in an engaged position and is spaced apart from the receiving section,

[0038] Figure 8 Shows Figure 1 A sectional view of a floor cleaning machine in the region of a joint between a base and an operating vertical rod, wherein the operating vertical rod is pivoted relative to the base,

[0039] Fig. 9 Shown with Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the operating vertical rod section of a second embodiment of a similar floor cleaning machine,

[0040] Fig.10 Shows Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view of a joint section of an operating vertical rod of a floor cleaning machine, wherein the locking element in the engaged position is received in the receiving section, and

[0041] Fig.11 Shows Fig. 9 A sectional view of a joint section of an operating lever of a floor cleaning machine, wherein a locking element in a release position is released by the receiving section and the operating lever is pivoted to the maximum extent relative to the base. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] exist Figure 1 1 shows a first embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention, in which the floor cleaning machine is designed as a manually guided scrubber and is provided with a cleaning element assembly, by means of which a floor 3 (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) for applying cleaning liquid and having a cleaning element for engaging with the floor 3 to be cleaned. In addition, the scrubber-suction machine is provided with a suction foot, with which the cleaning residues containing the cleaning liquid can be sucked away again. The described embodiment of the floor cleaning machine 1 here has an operating lever 7, which will be described in more detail below, which is mounted on the base 5 of the floor cleaning machine 1, wherein the operating lever 7 is pivotally mounted on the base 5.

[0043] The first embodiment of the floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention described here comprises the already mentioned base 5, on which the operating lever 7 is mounted by means of a joint 9, which will be described more precisely below. Here, the operating lever 7 extends from the joint 9, by means of which the operating lever is pivotably connected to the base 5, along the longitudinal axis 11 to the operating end 13, wherein the proximal end of the operating lever 7 is arranged adjacent to the joint 9. The joint 9 is designed here so that when the operating lever 7 is pivoted or rotated 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.

[0044] 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 the suction foot 21 pivotably held at the base 5 via lines 23, 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 tilted position in which the suction foot and the floor 3 are spaced apart.

[0045] Finally, a cleaning element assembly 27 is provided on the bottom side of the base 5 facing the floor surface 3 to be cleaned (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ), the cleaning element assembly 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 the figure and mounted on the base 5 or the operating vertical rod 7. However, the present invention is not limited to electric motors, and in principle it is possible to drive the drive motor 31 using compressed air. This can be the case when the floor cleaning machine 1 is used as an additional device on a self-driving machine.

[0046] 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 a line 25. The dirty water tank 19 is in turn connected to the suction foot 21 via a 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 cleaning liquid can be sucked away from the floor 3 to be cleaned. In addition, an additional line 35 is provided in the base 5, by which the cleaning liquid can be applied from the cleaning liquid container 17 through the base 5 to the region of the cleaning element assembly 27 and there applied to the floor 3 to be cleaned.

[0047] As especially in Figure 2It 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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 2 and Figure 3 It can be seen in the figure that the inner cleaning element 51 and the outer cleaning element 61 have a coupling element 63, which is fastened to the corresponding cleaning body 49, 59 and points to the side of the cleaning body plane 53, which points to the ground 3 to be cleaned. The coupling element 63 is configured to engage with the ground 3 to be cleaned. In the embodiment described here, the cleaning element 63 is designed as a bristle. However, it is also conceivable that the cleaning element is made of a pad or the like. In general, the coupling element 63 of the cleaning element 51, 61 is designed so that the free ends of these coupling elements can engage with the ground 3 to be cleaned, wherein the free end of the coupling element 63 is arranged in a cleaning plane that coincides with the plane of the ground 3 to be cleaned when engaging with the ground 3.

[0050] In the embodiment described here, the first and second eccentric discs 41, 43 are also arranged so that when the output shaft 39 rotates, the first and second rotation axes D1, D2 and the output axis 37 always extend in a common plane. In this connection, the eccentric discs 41, 43 are fastened to the output shaft 39 offset by 180° from each other.

[0051] exist Figure 2 It can also be seen in the figure that the output shaft 39 has an output shaft section 39', which extends into the first and second receiving openings of the inner cleaning body 49 and the outer cleaning body 59 and also extends over the area of ​​the output shaft 39, where the projection of the inner cleaning body or the outer cleaning body 49, 59 on the output shaft 39 falls. In this area, the first eccentric element 41 and the second eccentric element 43 are arranged in sequence as viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 39. Finally, the cleaning bodies 49, 59 are constructed and fastened to the output shaft 39 by means of the eccentric disks 41, 43 and the receiving elements 45, 55, so that the projection of the inner cleaning body 49 on the output shaft 39 and the projection of the outer cleaning body 59 on the output shaft 39 at least partially overlap, so that the structure composed of the two cleaning bodies 49, 59 is as short as possible along the axial extension of the output axis 37.

[0052] In the embodiment described herein, the inner cleaning element 51 and the outer cleaning element 61 are also designed to have the same mass, and the inner cleaning element 51 and the outer cleaning element 61 have mating surfaces, which are composed of cleaning elements 63 connected thereto, and the cleaning elements utilize these mating surfaces to engage with the floor 3 to be cleaned, wherein the mating surfaces of the two cleaning elements 51, 61 have the same size.

[0053] In addition, especially in Figure 3 It can be seen that, when viewed along the cleaning body plane 53, the outer cleaning element 51 has a triangular outer contour, wherein the sides of the triangular outer contour are designed to be convex. In addition, the second receiving opening has a triangular inner contour in the cleaning body plane 53, and the inner cleaning element 51 also has a triangular outer contour in the cleaning body plane 53. However, the present invention is not limited to the form of the cleaning elements 51, 61 described here. More precisely, it is also conceivable that the cleaning element is designed as a triangle, rectangle or trapezoid with straight sides in a top view, wherein the orientation of the possible tip is different from the preferred direction of movement of the floor cleaning machine, i.e. the tip points in the direction of movement or in the opposite direction.

[0054] In addition, Figure 25 shows that a drive motor holding element 65 is provided on the base 5, on which the drive motor 31 is fixedly mounted. The drive motor holding element 65 is pivotably fixed relative to the base 5 by means of an elastic element 66, wherein the drive motor holding element 65 can be pivoted relative to the base 5 around a pivot axis 67 extending parallel to the cleaning body plane 53. In addition, the pivot axis 67 extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction in which the floor cleaning machine 1 moves forward during normal operation. Since the drive motor holding element 65 is pivotably fixed on the base 5 and is fixedly connected to the drive motor 31 and therefore to the cleaning element assembly 27, the cleaning elements 51, 61 can be pivoted relative to the base 5, and the orientation of the cleaning elements 51, 61 can be automatically adapted to the direction of the floor 3, without the user having to pivot the base 5 accordingly for this purpose.

[0055] exist Figure 2 6 and 7. It can also be seen that a first elastic element 69 is provided, which is fixedly connected to the inner cleaning body 49 via the first receiving element 45 on the one hand, and is fixedly connected to the drive motor holding element 65 on the other hand. In the same way, a second elastic element 71 is provided, which is fixedly connected to the outer cleaning body 59 via the second receiving element 55 on the one hand, and is fixedly connected to the drive body holding element 65 on the other hand. The elastic elements 69, 71 are designed here so that: even if they are fixedly connected to the drive motor holding element 65 and the corresponding cleaning body 49, 59, these elastic elements still allow limited movement of the cleaning body 49, 59 parallel to the cleaning body plane 53.

[0056] When the drive motor 31 is switched on and the output shaft 39 is rotating, the inner cleaning body 49 and the outer cleaning body 59, and therefore the inner cleaning element 51 and the outer cleaning element 61, all perform an eccentric movement around the output axis 37. Such an eccentric movement is distinguished by the fact that, viewed perpendicularly to the cleaning body plane 53, each point of the cleaning element 51 and the second cleaning element 61 moves substantially in a circle around an axis extending parallel to the output axis 37, but wherein the axes of the points that do not coincide when viewed perpendicularly to the cleaning body plane 53 are different from each other. Thus, in such an eccentric movement, for each cleaning element 51, 61, all points of the cleaning element 51, 61 move in a single direction of movement when viewed perpendicularly to the cleaning body plane 53 at any point in time.

[0057] Since the first and second rotation axes D1, D2 are arranged together with the output axis 37 in a common plane or the eccentric disks 41, 43 are simultaneously offset by 180°, the eccentric movements of the inner cleaning element 51 and the outer cleaning element 61 are phase-shifted relative to each other, so that the movement direction of the points of the inner cleaning element 51 is at any time opposite to the movement direction of the points of the outer cleaning element 61, as viewed perpendicularly to the cleaning body plane 53. As a result, the eccentric movements are phase-shifted by 180° relative to each other.

[0058] Because the cleaning bodies 49, 51 are connected to the drive motor holding element 65 via elastic elements 69, 71, these cleaning bodies can only move relative to the drive motor holding element 65 in a small range, the movement of the cleaning bodies 49, 59 is limited by the above-mentioned eccentric movement, and the cleaning bodies 49, 51 cannot rotate relative to the base 5 around their corresponding rotation axes D1, D2.

[0059] Furthermore, the masses and engagement surfaces of cleaning elements 51 , 61 are equally large, which together with the always opposing movements of cleaning elements 41 , 51 ensures that the forces and moments generated by the movement of cleaning elements 51 , 61 cancel each other out and no generated forces act on base 5 .

[0060] Finally, it can be seen in the figure that guide wheels 73 are fixed on the base 5 and can rotate about a common wheel axle 75. The wheel axle 75 extends parallel to the pivot axis 67 and therefore also parallel to the brush plane 53 and perpendicular to the direction in which the floor cleaning machine 1 moves on the floor 3 to be cleaned during normal operation. When the guide wheels 73 are placed on the floor 3 to be cleaned, the user does not have to apply a large force to the operating vertical rod 7, and the floor cleaning machine 1 can easily move in the direction defined by the wheel axle 75. Here, the guide wheels 73 can be mounted on the base 5 at such a height that these guide wheels are placed on the floor 3 to be cleaned only when a corresponding force is applied to the base 5 by means of the operating vertical rod 7 (based on this force, the base 5 is pivoted relative to the drive motor holding element 65 about the pivot axis 67). In such an arrangement of the guide wheels 73, it is up to the user to determine whether the machine should perform a linear movement or move without the guide wheels 73 contacting the floor 3.

[0061] Now, in the following reference Figures 4 to 8 The structure of the joint 9 of the first embodiment is described, wherein the joint 9 connects the base 5 to the operating vertical rod 7, so that the operating vertical rod 7 can pivot relative to the base 5, but at the same time the base 5 can also be controlled, that is, a torque around the vertical axis 15 can be applied to the base 5 by means of the operating vertical rod 7.

[0062] In the first embodiment described here, the connection 9 comprises a sleeve-shaped bellows 81, which has a first end 83 and a second end 85, wherein the first end 83 is fastened to the base 5 and, in the embodiment described here, to the housing 29 arranged on the base 5, and the second end 85 is fastened to the proximal end of the operating lever 7. The sleeve-shaped bellows 81 surrounds a first support element 87, which is fastened to the base 5 or to the housing 29 mounted on the base and which has a convex spherical shell-shaped projection 89 at its free end. The first support element 87 here points away from the base 5. Furthermore, a second support element 91 is at least partially received inside the inner bellows 81, which is displaceably mounted on the operating lever 7 in the first embodiment and has a concave spherical shell-shaped receiving recess 93 at its free end. The second support element 91 here points away from the actuating end 13 of the operating lever 7. The receiving recess 93 is adapted so that the projection 89 of the first support element 87, which is designed as a convex spherical shell, can be received therein. In the preferred first embodiment described here, the projection 89 and the receiving recess 93 are particularly designed so that the projection 89 is flat against the receiving recess 93. However, other designs are also conceivable. In addition, it is also possible to provide a convex projection on the second support element and a concave receiving recess on the first support element.

[0063] exist Figure 5 It can also be seen that only the proximal end of the operating vertical rod 7 is shown in the figure, and the second support element 91 is preloaded by a spring 95 in a direction away from the operating end 13 and thus in the direction of the first support element 87, one end of the spring is supported on the operating vertical rod 7, and the other end of the spring is supported on the second support element 91. Figure 5 It can also be seen that the first support element 87 and therefore the base 5 or the housing 29 have a receiving section in the form of a circumferential groove 97 which is designed below the spherical shell-like projection 89 and surrounds the first support element 87 in this exemplary embodiment.

[0064] In addition Figure 5 It can be seen that a locking element 99 is provided at the proximal end of the operating vertical rod 7, which can be locked relative to the operating vertical rod 7. Figure 5 The joint position shown in Figure 6 , so that the locking elements can be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7. Figure 5 and Figure 6When the locking protrusion 101 on the locking element 99 is in the axial position relative to the surrounding groove 97, when the locking element 99 is in the engaged position, these locking elements engage with the surrounding groove 97 ( Figure 5 ).

[0065] like Figure 5 As shown, in the first embodiment described here, the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7 extends perpendicularly to the cleaning plane or perpendicularly to the plane in which the floor surface 3 to be cleaned extends when the locking element 99 is in the engaged position and engages with the receiving section in the form of a groove 97. In addition, when the locking element 99 engages with its latching projection 101 in the surrounding groove 97, the operating lever 7 is locked relative to the base 5, thereby preventing the operating lever from moving, in particular from pivoting relative to the base 5. However, when the locking element 99 is in the released position, the operating lever 7 can be pivoted relative to the base 5, which will be described further below.

[0066] As already mentioned, the second support element 91 can be displaced along the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7 with the receiving recess 93 arranged thereon, counteracting the action of the spring 95, wherein the second support element 91 can be displaced away from the actuating end 13 and at Figure 5 The first position shown in Figure 6 The second support element 91 is designed and arranged so that it moves from the first position (see Figure 5 ) moves to the second position (see Figure 6 ), so that these locking elements are moved outwardly in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7 and thus transversely to the longitudinal axis 11 from the engaged position to the released position. To this end, the free end of the second support element 91 engages with the locking elements 99 or moves along these locking elements so that these locking elements are pivoted outwardly.

[0067] In order to move the second support element 91 from the first position to the second position against the action of the spring 95, a pivotable operating element 105 in the form of a lever is provided adjacent to the handle element 103 at the operating end 13 of the operating vertical rod 7, wherein the operating element 105 is connected to the end of the second support element 91 closest to the operating end 13 of the operating vertical rod 7 via an operating rod 107. For this purpose, the end of the operating rod 107 engages in the hole 109 at this end of the second support element 91. As a result, the pivoting movement of the operating element 105 moves the second support element 91 between the first position and the second position. In this way, the locking element 99 is connected to the operating element 105 via the second support element 91, so that the locking element 99 moves between the engaged position and the released position.

[0068] Finally, the bellows 81 is designed as a preloading device, for example, it has a steel wire, which preloads the first end and the second end 83, 85 away from each other, so that when the locking element 99 is arranged with a locking protrusion 101 arranged thereon relative to the surrounding groove 97, a force is applied to the operating vertical rod 7, which presses the operating vertical rod from the base 5 to a position where the locking protrusion 101 is spaced apart from the groove 97 when viewed along the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating vertical rod 7.

[0069] In order to operate the above-mentioned first embodiment of the floor cleaning machine 1, in the floor cleaning machine, the operating lever 7 must first be released, that is, the locking of the joint 9 must be released. For this purpose, the user pulls the operating element 105 toward the handle element 103 at the operating end 13 of the operating lever 7, so that the operating lever 107 moves along the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7 toward the operating end 13, thereby further moving the second support element 91 relative to the operating lever 7 from the position at which the second support element 91 is located. Figure 5 The first position shown in FIG. Figure 6 Since the free end of the second support element 91 is engaged with the locking element 99 on the operated space 7, the locking element 99 is moved from Figure 5 The engagement position shown in the Figure 6 , in which the latching projection 101 on the locking element 99 engages with the surrounding groove 97 on the first support element 87, and in which the latching projection 101 no longer engages with the groove 97. This in turn enables the preload force of the bellows 81 to move the operating lever 7 as a whole away from the base 5 in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown. Since the operating vertical rod 7 as a whole moves away from the base 5, the second support element 91 can be moved relative to the operating vertical rod 7 toward the first support element 87, toward the first position, based on the preload force of the spring 95, wherein the receiving recess 93 is in contact with the spherical shell-shaped protrusion 89, so that the free end of the second support element 91 is in contact with the first support element 87 and is guided thereon. On the other hand, the operating vertical rod 7 as a whole moves away from the base 5 based on the preload force of the bellows 81 and the spring 95, however, the preload force of the spring 95 causes the second support element 91 to move toward the first support element 87 again after the locking element 99 is released, and the protrusion 89 and the receiving recess 93 engage with each other. Especially in Figure 8 It can be seen here that the actuating lever 7 is set into a pivoting movement due to the engagement between the projection 89 and the receiving recess 93 .

[0070] After the operating lever 7 is released in the above-described manner, so that it can be pivoted relative to the base 5, in the further operation of the above-described first embodiment, cleaning liquid is applied from the cleaning liquid container 17 to the floor 3 to be cleaned via the line 35, while the drive motor 31 is also running, so that the cleaning elements 51, 61 are driven into an eccentric movement, in which the engagement element 63 engages with the floor 3 to be cleaned and these engagement elements clean together with the applied cleaning liquid. Since the eccentric movement of the two cleaning elements 51, 61 is phase-shifted by 180°, in particular, no generated forces are applied to the base 5 around the vertical axis 15. As a result, the user can guide the floor cleaning machine 1 in a simple manner with the aid of the operating lever 7. Since the joint 9 is designed in the manner already described, the user can also change the orientation of the base 5 by rotating the operating lever 7 around the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7 with the aid of the handle element 103. As already described, when the joint 9 is released and the operating lever 7 can be freely pivoted relative to the base 5, the receiving opening 93 abuts against the protrusion 89, so that when the operating lever 7 is pivoted relative to the base 5, the operating lever 7 is guided on the base 5 and the force transmission is not only performed by the bellows 81. As a result, the force applied by the user in the axial direction of the operating lever 7 can be well transmitted to the base 5. In addition, due to the engagement of the protrusion 89 with the receiving opening 93, the guidance prevents the axial movement of the operating lever 7 toward the base 5.

[0071] Since the cleaning bodies 51, 61 and in particular the outer cleaning body 61 are designed in a triangular shape, the floor cleaning machine 1 can also be moved well in angled areas. In addition, during operation, when the floor cleaning machine 1 moves on the floor 3, the suction foot 21 sucks the cleaning liquid away from the floor 3 to be cleaned again based on the suction air flow generated by the suction turbine 33. The cleaning liquid with dirt is collected in the dirty water tank 19.

[0072] Since the assembly consisting of the drive motor 31 and the cleaning elements 51, 61 has only a very short structural length when viewed in the axial direction of the output axis 37, the height of the base 5 of the floor cleaning machine is very small, and the floor cleaning machine 1 can also move in a region where the space is greatly restricted in the vertical direction when the operating vertical rod 7 is pivoted greatly relative to the vertical direction. Therefore, the structural dimensions of the drive device of the cleaning elements 51, 61 are very small, which greatly expands the application possibilities of the floor cleaning machine 1 according to the present invention. Based on the type of drive device for generating the eccentric movement of the cleaning elements 51, 61, which is preferably phase-shifted by 180°, it is also achieved that a uniform cleaning effect is achieved over the entire plane in which the cleaning elements 51, 61 engage with the floor 3 to be cleaned, and on the other hand, the generated torque is not applied to the base 5 of the floor cleaning machine 1.

[0073] When the first embodiment of the floor cleaning machine according to the present invention is no longer to be operated or is to be interrupted, the operating vertical rod 7 is pivoted so that its longitudinal axis 11 extends perpendicularly to the cleaning plane or perpendicularly to the floor 3 to be cleaned, and the operating vertical rod 7 is then pressed toward the base 5 against the preload force generated by the spring in the bellows 81. Here, the locking element 99 is first squeezed open due to the engagement with the protrusion 89 and then engages again with its locking projection 101 in the groove 97, thereby locking the operating vertical rod 7 in the vertical position. During this movement, the second support element 87 can be pressed against the operating end 13 of the operating vertical rod 7 against the preload force of the spring 95. As a result, the joint 9 is then reached again. Figure 5 , in which the second support element 91 occupies its first position.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the floor cleaning machine 1 has a suction turbine 33, a cleaning fluid container 17 and a dirty water tank 19 in addition to a battery unit. However, it is also conceivable that the floor cleaning machine 1 having the structure of the above-mentioned drive device for the cleaning elements 51 and 61 is used together with another floor cleaning machine designed to be self-driving, and the other floor cleaning machine supplies power to the drive motor 31, conveys the cleaning fluid, and the other floor cleaning machine is used on the existing suction device to generate a suction air flow in the suction foot to suck away the cleaning fluid. As a result, there is no need to provide a battery unit, a suction turbine, a cleaning fluid container and a dirty water tank.

[0075] Reference below Figures 9 to 11 A second embodiment of the floor cleaning machine according to the present invention will be described, wherein the floor cleaning machine according to the second embodiment differs from the floor cleaning machine according to the first embodiment only in the structure of the joint 9, and the remaining parts are substantially designed to be the same, so information about these remaining parts refers to the description of the first embodiment.

[0076] In the floor cleaning machine according to the second embodiment, the connection 9 also has a bellows 81, the first end 83 of which is fastened to the base 5 or to the housing 29 surrounding the drive motor 31. In addition, the bellows 81 has a second end 85, which is fastened to the operating lever 7 in the proximal region, wherein the operating lever also extends along the longitudinal axis 11 (see in particular Fig.11 ).

[0077] Especially in Fig. 9 It can also be seen that in the second embodiment, a handle element 103 is also provided at the operating end 13 of the operating vertical rod 7. Fig. 91 and 19, an actuating element 105 is provided adjacent to the handle element, which is also designed as a lever and is connected to an actuating rod 107. The actuating rod 107 extends along the longitudinal axis 11 of the actuating rod 7 from the actuating end 13 to the proximal end.

[0078] exist Fig.10 and Fig.11 , it is further shown that a first support element 87 is provided on the base 5 or the housing 29, which is also designed as a protruding spherical shell-shaped protrusion 89 in this embodiment. Here, the protrusion 89 in this embodiment has a recess 111 pointing away from the base 5 or the housing 29, and when the floor cleaning machine is arranged on the floor with the cleaning element, the recess in the embodiment shown here extends substantially perpendicularly to the cleaning plane or perpendicularly to the plane of the floor 3 to be cleaned.

[0079] exist Fig.10 and Fig.11 It can also be seen that at the proximal end of the operating lever 7, a second support element 91 is provided, which has a receiving recess 93, which is designed as a concave spherical shell and points away from the operating lever 7 and is dimensioned and designed to receive the projection 89 of the first support element 87. Furthermore, the receiving recess 93 is dimensioned and extends around the projection 89 to such an extent that the second support element 91 cannot be removed from the projection 89 simply due to an axial movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7. Rather, the form fit in this direction prevents such a movement.

[0080] Finally Fig.10 and Fig.11 It can also be seen that a displaceable locking element 99 is provided along the longitudinal axis 11 at the proximal end of the operating vertical rod 7, and the locking element is connected to the operating rod 107, so that the movement of the operating element 105 realizes the axial movement of the locking element 99 along the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating vertical rod 7.

[0081] When the locking element 99 is in Fig.10 and engages with the recess 111 in the projection 89 of the first support element 87, the operating lever 7 is locked relative to the base 5 and in particular cannot perform a pivoting movement relative thereto, whereas when the locking element 99 occupies the engagement position shown in FIG. Fig.11 Such a pivoting movement of the operating lever 7 is only possible when the control lever 7 is in the release position shown in FIG.

[0082] In the second embodiment of the floor cleaning machine according to the invention, the first support element 87 and the second support element 91 are also guided to each other. However, in particular, the torque in the direction of the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating vertical rod 7 is not transmitted via this guidance, but for this purpose, a bellows 81 is also provided in this embodiment. However, the mutual guidance of the two support elements 87, 91 enables the forces acting in the axial direction of the operating vertical rod 7 along the longitudinal axis 11 to be transmitted to the base 5. In addition, the bellows 81 is designed in this embodiment so that the bellows applies a torque to the operating vertical rod 7, which pushes the operating vertical rod in the direction of the following position, in which the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating vertical rod 7 extends substantially perpendicular to the cleaning plane or perpendicular to the plane of the floor 3 to be cleaned when the machine is arranged on the floor with the cleaning elements.

[0083] In this embodiment, when the floor cleaning machine is started, the locking element 99 can first be released from the recess 111 by pivoting the operating element 105, so that the operating lever 7 can then be freely pivoted relative to the base 5, which is necessary in the operation of the floor cleaning machine described above. When the operation is to be ended or interrupted, the operating lever 7 can be pivoted back to the vertical position, in which it can be achieved that the locking element 99 is released from the released position (see Fig.11 ) is displaced into the recess 111 and thus enters the engagement position to prevent the operating lever 7 from subsequently pivoting relative to the base 5. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is also proposed that the operating lever 7 is guided by two surfaces abutting against each other during the pivoting movement, which can achieve the transmission of axial forces on the one hand and better controllability of the base 5 on the other hand.

[0084] Reference numerals list:

[0085] 1 Floor cleaning machine

[0086] 3 Ground

[0087] 5 Base

[0088] 7 Operating lever

[0089] 9 Connectors

[0090] 11 Longitudinal axis

[0091] 13. Control end

[0092] 15 Vertical axis

[0093] 17 Cleaning fluid container

[0094] 19 Wastewater tank

[0095] 21. Foot Suction

[0096] 23 lines

[0097] 25 lines

[0098] 27 Cleaning element assembly

[0099] 29 Shell

[0100] 31 Drive motor

[0101] 33 Suction turbine

[0102] 35 lines

[0103] 37 Output axis

[0104] 39 Output shaft

[0105] 39' Output shaft section

[0106] 41 First eccentric disc

[0107] 43 Second eccentric disc

[0108] 45 first receiving element

[0109] 47 First bearing

[0110] 49 Internal Cleansing Body

[0111] 51 Internal cleaning element

[0112] 53 Cleaning body plane

[0113] 55 Second receiving element

[0114] 57 Second bearing

[0115] 59 External cleaning body

[0116] 61 External cleaning element

[0117] 63 Joint elements

[0118] 65 Drive motor holding element

[0119] 66 Elastic element

[0120] 67 Pivot axis

[0121] 69 first elastic element

[0122] 71 second elastic element

[0123] 73 Guide wheel

[0124] 75 Axle (the right edge of the picture in the email attachment is a cross-section)

[0125] 81 Bellows

[0126] 83 First end

[0127] 85 Second end

[0128] 87 First support element

[0129] 89 protrusion

[0130] 91 Second supporting element

[0131] 93 Receiving recess

[0132] 95 Spring

[0133] 97 Grooves

[0134] 99 Locking element

[0135] 101 Locking protrusion

[0136] 103 Handle element

[0137] 105 Control elements

[0138] 107 Joystick

[0139] 109 holes

[0140] 111 recess

Claims

1. A floor cleaning machine (1), the floor cleaning machine comprising base (5) and Operating lever (7), The base (5) has a cleaning element assembly (27) with at least one driven cleaning element (51, 61), and an engaging element (63) is provided on the at least one cleaning element. The cleaning element (51, 61) is designed to engage with a floor surface (3) to be cleaned with the engaging element (63) arranged thereon, so that the free end of the engaging element (63) is arranged in a cleaning plane when engaging with the floor surface (3). The operating vertical rod (7) extends along the longitudinal axis (11) between the proximal end and the operating end (13) and is pivotally mounted on the base (5) via a joint (9) so that the operating vertical rod can be pivoted relative to the base (5) in any direction. wherein the joint (9) is designed so that when the operating lever (7) is rotated about its longitudinal axis (11), a torque is applied to the base (5), the torque being designed so that the base (5) is thereby pivoted about a vertical axis (15) extending perpendicularly to the cleaning plane, The connector (9) comprises: A sleeve-shaped bellows (81), the bellows extending between a first end and a second end (83, 85), the first end (83) of the bellows being connected to the base (5), and the second end (85) of the bellows being connected to the operating vertical rod (7); a first supporting element (87) arranged inside the bellows (81) and mounted on the base (5) pointing away from the base; as well as a second supporting element (91), which is arranged inside the bellows (81) and is mounted at the proximal end of the operating vertical rod (7) so as to point away from the operating vertical rod, The free end of one of the first support element and the second support element (87, 91) has a protrusion (89) designed to be convex in the shape of a spherical shell, and the free end of the other of the first support element and the second support element (87, 91) has a receiving recess (93) designed to be concave in the shape of a spherical shell, and The receiving recess (93) is designed to receive the projection (89) and to guide the pivoting movement.

2. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the first supporting element (87) has the protrusion (89) designed to be convex in shape of a spherical shell, and the second supporting element (91) has the receiving recess (93) designed to be concave in shape of a spherical shell.

3. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one locking element (99) is provided on the operating vertical rod (7), and the at least one locking element can be moved relative to the operating vertical rod (7) between an engaged position and a released position, A receiving section (97) connected to the base (5) is provided, and The locking element (99) and the receiving section (97, 111) are designed so that in the engagement position, the locking element (99) can engage with the receiving section (97, 111) so that the operating vertical rod (7) is locked relative to the base (5) and prevented from moving relative to the base (5), and in the release position of the locking element (99), the operating vertical rod (7) can move relative to the base (5). 4 . The floor-cleaning machine according to claim 3 , wherein the longitudinal axis ( 11 ) of the operating lever ( 7 ) extends perpendicularly to the cleaning plane when the locking element ( 99 ) is engaged with the receiving section ( 97 ).

5. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 3, wherein the operating vertical rod (7) has an operating element (105) at the operating end (13), and the operating element is connected to the at least one locking element (99), so that the locking element (99) is moved from the engagement position to the release position by moving the operating element (105).

6. Floor-cleaning machine according to claim 5, wherein the at least one locking element (99) is movable relative to the operating lever (7) transversely to the longitudinal axis (11) of the operating lever between the engaged position and the released position.

7. A floor cleaning machine according to claim 6, wherein the second support element (91) is mounted on the operating vertical rod (7) so as to be displaceable between a first position and a second position in the direction of the longitudinal axis (11) and is engaged with the at least one locking element (99), so that when the second support element (91) moves from the first position to the second position, the locking element (99) moves from the engaged position to the released position.

8. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 7, wherein the operating element (105) is connected to the second supporting element (91), so that the second supporting element (91) can be moved from the first position to the second position by moving the operating element (105).

9. The floor-cleaning machine according to claim 7, wherein the second support element (91) is further away from the operating end (13) of the operating lever (7) in the first position than in the second position.

10. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 9, wherein the second support element (91) is preloaded along the longitudinal axis (11) in a direction away from the manipulating end (13) towards the first position, and A first preloading device is provided, which preloads the first end and the second end of the corrugated tube away from each other.

11. The floor cleaning machine according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 4, wherein the protrusion (89) is received in the receiving recess (93) so as to prevent the second support element (91) from moving away from the first support element (87), in particular in the direction of the longitudinal axis (11) of the operating vertical rod (7).

12. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 3, wherein a locking element (99) is provided on the operating vertical rod (7), and the locking element can be moved along the longitudinal axis (11) of the operating vertical rod (7) between an engaged position and a released position. wherein the receiving section is arranged in the projection (89) as a recess (111) pointing away from the base, the recess being designed to receive the locking element (99) when the locking element is in the engaged position, The locking element (99) locks the operating lever (7) relative to the base (5) in the engagement position and prevents the operating lever from moving relative to the base (5).

13. The floor-cleaning machine according to claim 5, wherein the operating element (105) is coupled to the locking element (99), so that an operation of the operating element (105) moves the locking element (99) along the longitudinal axis (11) toward the operating end (13).

14. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 12, wherein a second preloading device is provided, which applies a force to the operating vertical rod (7), and the force pushes the operating vertical rod (7) to a position where the longitudinal axis (11) extends perpendicular to the cleaning plane.

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