Manually guided floor cleaning machine

Abstract

A floor cleaning machine (1) having a base (5) and an operating vertical rod (7) is shown and described, wherein the base (5) has a cleaning element assembly (27) with at least one driven cleaning element (33), the cleaning element (33, 61) being designed to engage with a floor (3) to be cleaned by means of at least one engaging element (35) arranged thereon, the operating vertical rod (7) extending along a longitudinal axis (11) between a proximal end (13) and an operating end (15) and being pivotally mounted on the base (5) via a joint (9) so that the operating vertical rod (7) can be pivoted in any direction relative to the base (5), the joint (9) having a first joint element (39) and a second joint element (47) whose cover is in the form of a spherical shell, the first joint element (39) being received in the second joint element (47) and being pivotable relative to the second joint element (47) about a rotation point (51) fixed in position relative to the second joint element (47).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a manually guided floor cleaning machine, in particular a scrubber-suction machine, comprising a base and an operating vertical rod, wherein the base has a cleaning element assembly with at least one driven cleaning element, and wherein the operating vertical rod extends along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and an operating end and is pivotably mounted on the base via a joint, so that the operating vertical rod can be pivoted relative to the base in any direction. Background Art

[0002] Such floor cleaning machines are known from the prior art. Therefore, for example, EP 2 962 614 B1 describes a floor cleaning machine having a base on which a cleaning element assembly is provided, the cleaning element assembly having two rotationally driven cleaning elements. An operating vertical rod is pivotably mounted on the base, wherein the operating vertical rod can be pivoted relative to the base around two pivot axes separated from each other and extending perpendicularly to each other. Here, the joint assembly is designed to: the base can be rotated around a vertical axis extending perpendicularly to the floor to be cleaned by pivoting the operating vertical rod around its longitudinal axis. Therefore, it is possible to apply a torque around the vertical axis to the base to control the base, i.e., change its orientation on the floor to be cleaned, by means of the operating vertical rod.

[0003] However, floor-cleaning machines known from the prior art have proven to be disadvantageous for this purpose, since the connection arrangement is complex in design and takes up a relatively large amount of space. Summary of the invention

[0004] Starting from the prior art, the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a floor-cleaning machine of the type mentioned in the introduction, which has an operating lever and a base, wherein the joint arranged between the operating lever and the base is of simple and compact construction.

[0005] According to the present invention, this purpose 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, and at least one coupling element is provided on the at least one cleaning element, wherein the cleaning element is designed to engage with the floor to be cleaned with at least one coupling element arranged thereon. The operating vertical rod extends between the proximal end and the manipulation end along the longitudinal axis and is pivotally mounted on the base through a joint so that the operating vertical rod can pivot relative to the base in any direction. The joint has a first joint element and a second joint element whose enclosure is spherical, wherein the first joint element is received in the second joint element and supported in the second joint element in the following manner, namely the first joint element can pivot relative to the second joint element around a rotation point fixed relative to the second joint element, the rotation point coincides with the center point of the enclosure; and the center point of the enclosure cannot be displaced relative to the second joint element.

[0006] In addition, according to the present invention, at least two grooves extending in an arcuate shape are provided on one of the first joint element and the second joint element, and the at least two grooves are open toward the enclosure and extend along the enclosure, and at least a first engaging member and a second engaging member are provided on the other of the first joint element and the second joint element, wherein the first engaging member extends into a first groove of the grooves, and the second engaging member extends into a second groove of the grooves. Finally, the first joint element is mounted on one of the base and the proximal end of the operating vertical rod, and the second joint element is mounted on the other of the base and the proximal end of the operating vertical rod.

[0007] Accordingly, the floor cleaning machine according to the present invention has a base and an operating vertical rod. A cleaning element assembly with at least one driven cleaning element is provided on the base, wherein the at least one cleaning element has at least one engaging element, and the free end of the at least one engaging element can engage with the ground to be cleaned. The cleaning element can be, for example, a brush, so that the engaging element is a bristle, and the free ends of these bristles engage with the ground to be cleaned. However, it is also conceivable that the cleaning element is a so-called pad, wherein the engaging element is composed of a planar material arranged on the pad, and the surface of the planar material is in contact with the ground to be cleaned. However, the present invention is not limited to these two examples, but any other type of cleaning element can also be used. Here, the cleaning element can be driven by rotation, but can also be driven linearly, or the cleaning element can implement orbital motion. Similarly, the present invention is not limited to these possible drive schemes, but the cleaning element can also be driven in any other way.

[0008] An operating lever extending along the longitudinal axis away from the base has a proximal end and an operating end, wherein the proximal end is arranged adjacent to the base, while the operating end is arranged at the end of the operating lever away from the base and preferably has means such as a handle or the like, so that it can be guided by the user.

[0009] According to the present invention, a joint is also provided between the proximal end of the operating vertical rod and the base, and the joint is first designed to enable the operating vertical rod to pivot relative to the base in any direction. In addition, according to the present invention, the joint has a first joint element, whose cover is spherical shell-shaped. Since the cover of the first joint element is spherical shell-shaped, the situation that the first joint element itself can be spherical is included. However, it can also be realized that the first joint element has a plurality of planar elements, and the outer edges of these planar elements are designed to be arched. Therefore, it is not mandatory to form the first joint element spherically, but it is sufficient for the first joint element to be designed to have a spherical cover.

[0010] In addition, according to the present invention, a second joint element is provided, which receives and supports the first joint element in such a manner that the first joint element can pivot relative to the second joint element around a rotation point fixed relative to the second joint element. In addition, the rotation point coincides with the center point of the spherical shell-shaped enclosure of the first joint element. Accordingly, the guiding manner of the first joint element in the second joint element is that the part of the second joint element abuts against the first joint element in a suitable manner, so that the first joint element can pivot relative to the second joint element, wherein the rotation point through which the corresponding pivot axis extends coincides with the center point of the enclosure. Here, the first joint element is fixed in the second joint element so that the center point of the enclosure cannot be displaced relative to the second joint element. Therefore, only pivoting motion can be realized, and the displacement motion of the first joint element relative to the second joint element is prevented.

[0011] In addition, propose that on one of the first joint element and the second joint element, at least two grooves of arcuate extension are provided, and these grooves are open towards the enclosure and extend along the enclosure.When groove is set on the first joint element with the enclosure extending in a spherical shell shape, these grooves extend inwardly from the enclosure and extend along the arcuate line along the enclosure.Alternatively, when groove is arranged on the second joint element, groove is formed on the inner surface of the second joint element and is open towards the first joint element.Here, groove extends along the arcuate line and around the enclosure of the first joint element equally.In addition, on the other of the first joint element and the second joint element, at least the first engaging member and the second engaging member are provided, wherein the first engaging member extends into the first groove in these grooves, and the second engaging member extends into the second groove in these grooves.Therefore propose according to the present invention, either on the inner surface of the second joint element, or on the outer surface of the first joint element, the engaging member engaging with the groove is arranged.

[0012] The engagement between the engagement piece and the groove allows the torque to be transmitted to the base during the pivoting movement of the operating lever about its longitudinal axis. This is independent of how the operating lever is pivoted relative to the base. This is possible because, finally, according to the invention, the first joint element or the second joint element is fastened to the base, while the second joint element or the first joint element is mounted on the proximal end of the operating lever.

[0013] In the floor cleaning machine according to the invention, the joint is compactly constructed from the first joint element and the second joint element, since the first joint element is received in the second joint element; and it is also possible to transmit torque from the first joint element to the second joint element in order to transmit it from the operated vertical rod to the base.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the groove is arranged on one of the first joint element and the second joint element oppositely with respect to the center point of the enclosure. Accordingly, the first groove and the second groove extend on a plane extending through the center point of the enclosure. In this way, a larger torque can also be reliably transmitted from the operating vertical rod to the base.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferred that the first engagement member and the second engagement member are arranged in a middle plane extending through the center point of the enclosure and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the operating shaft and are arranged diametrically opposite to each other. In this arrangement, the engagement between the engagement member and the groove occurs at the maximum spacing from the longitudinal axis of the operating shaft, from which the torque should be transmitted to the first joint. This larger spacing minimizes the load on the engagement member and the groove.

[0016] In order to be able to pivot the operating lever over the greatest possible range relative to the base, it is preferred that the groove extends over more than 150° around the enclosure.

[0017] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the second connector element has a circular receiving opening, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the closure, thereby ensuring that the first connector element cannot slip out of the second connector element, but is guided therein in the manner already described.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the first engagement member and / or the second engagement member are designed as balls, which are fixedly and rotatably held on the other of the first and second joint elements and can roll in one of the grooves. In this way, the friction between the first joint element and the second joint element is minimized when the operating lever is pivoted relative to the base and when the operating lever is pivoted about its longitudinal axis.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the arcuately extending groove is arranged on the first joint element, and the second joint element has the first engaging member and the second engaging member on its inner wall. In addition, it is preferred that the first joint element with a spherical shell-shaped enclosure is installed on the base, and the second joint element is fastened on the proximal end of the operating vertical rod.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferred that the first joint element is mounted on the base and the second joint element is mounted on the proximal end of the operating stem.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the joint has a locking assembly which is designed to enable it to be brought into a release position and a locking position, wherein in the release position the second joint element can pivot about the first joint element, and in the locking position the second joint element cannot pivot about the first joint element. By means of the locking, it is also possible to lock the operating lever relative to the base in a predetermined position. This simplifies the parking of the floor cleaning machine in particular, wherein the operating lever then remains in the predetermined position.

[0022] To this end, in a preferred manner, one of the first joint element and the second joint element has a receiving recess, the opening of which extends toward the closure, wherein a locking element is provided on the other of the first joint element and the second joint element, and the locking element can be displaced relative to the other of the first joint element and the second joint element in a direction extending perpendicular to the closure, so that the locking element: does not extend beyond the closure toward one of the first joint element and the second joint element in the release position, and extends beyond the closure into the receiving recess toward one of the first joint element and the second joint element in the locking position. The pivot position is determined by the orientation of the receiving recess in one of the first joint element and the second joint element, and the operating vertical rod can be locked relative to the base in this pivot position.

[0023] It is particularly preferred that the displaceable locking element is arranged on the second joint element and can be displaced relative to the second joint element along the longitudinal axis along which the operating rod extends. The receiving recess is then arranged on the first joint element whose enclosure is spherical. The operating mechanism for the locking assembly can then be designed relatively simply. It is then only necessary to guide the operating rod or the Bowden cable along the longitudinal axis of the operating rod towards its operating end.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment, at least one engaging member of the at least one cleaning element has a free end, wherein the at least one free end defines a cleaning plane, i.e., the at least one engaging member engages with the ground on the cleaning plane, wherein the operating vertical rod can be pivoted to a vertical position relative to the base, in which the longitudinal axis of the operating vertical rod extends upward away from the cleaning plane, preferably perpendicular to the cleaning plane. In a further preferred manner, in the locked position, the operating vertical rod is in a vertical position. In this design, the operating vertical rod can be locked relative to the base by means of a locking assembly so that the operating vertical rod extends in a substantially vertical direction. This is particularly advantageous when the floor cleaning machine according to the present invention needs to be transported or parked when it is not in operation.

[0025] Finally, in another preferred embodiment, the floor cleaning machine can be designed to move along the main working direction on the floor to be cleaned during cleaning operation, wherein a pre-tensioning element is provided, which is designed to apply a force toward the vertical position to the operating vertical rod in a position pivoted from the vertical position in the opposite direction to the main working direction. Therefore, when the operating vertical rod is pivoted from the vertical position to the direction opposite to the main working direction, the pre-tensioning element realizes that the operating vertical rod is applied with a force in the direction of squeezing it back to the vertical position. Thus, the force that the user must use to keep the operating vertical rod in an inclined position during normal operation of the operating vertical rod is reduced. Because in the absence of the pre-tensioning element, the user must bear all the torques caused by the weight of the operating vertical rod to prevent the operating vertical rod from continuing to pivot downward toward the floor to be cleaned. The pre-tensioning element can be designed as a pressure spring, which is compressed when the operating vertical rod is pivoted in the opposite direction to the main working direction. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the pre-tensioning element is designed as an elastic traction element, which is tensioned when the operating vertical rod is pivoted out of the vertical position in the opposite direction to the main working direction.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment, the preload element is designed as a spring element fastened to the operating vertical rod with a first end, the second end of which is connected to a belt element, wherein the belt element is guided from the operating vertical rod to the base and fastened to the base on the side of the joint pointing in the main working direction. When the operating vertical rod is pivoted backwards in this embodiment in the opposite direction to the main working direction, the distance between the hinge point of the belt element on the base and the mounting point of the belt element on the spring element increases. This in turn causes the spring element to lengthen, which in turn generates a force that presses the operating vertical rod back into the vertical position. In this way, the torque that must be applied by the user to prevent the operating vertical rod from pivoting completely downwards towards the ground is reduced.

[0027] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the belt element is fastened to the base in a manner spaced apart from the joint and is displaceably guided on the base in a manner spaced apart from the fastening point by means of a guide. This makes it possible for the user to grip the section of the belt element between the fastening point and the guide and thereby form a handle section which makes it possible to easily lift the base.

[0028] It is pointed out here that the concept of the following belt element is an independent inventive concept, that is, one end of the belt element is arranged on the base, the end is guided to the operating vertical rod around the joint between the base and the operating vertical rod on the side pointing to the main working direction and the end is fastened to the free end of the spring element; the other end of the belt element is hinged to the operating vertical rod. The belt element can generally be applied to floor cleaning machines with a base and an operating vertical rod, wherein the operating vertical rod is mounted on the base via a joint. This concept is not limited to the use with the above-mentioned joint structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings which show only preferred exemplary embodiments, wherein

[0030] Figure 1 shows a first perspective side view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the invention,

[0031] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A second perspective side view of an embodiment of the present invention,

[0032] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 A partial side view of a joint of an embodiment,

[0033] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 A first cross-sectional view of a joint of an embodiment,

[0034] Figure 5 Show Figure 2 A second cross-sectional view of a joint of an embodiment of the present invention,

[0035] Figure 6 Show Figure 1 side views of the joints of the embodiments in different pivot positions,

[0036] Figure 7 Show Figure 1 side views of the joint of an embodiment of the invention in different pivot positions in a first design,

[0037] Figure 8 Show Figure 1 side views of the joint of an embodiment of the invention in different pivot positions in a second design, and

[0038] Fig. 9 Show Figure 1 A side view and a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a third design scheme. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 shows an 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, with 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 pivotably mounted on the base 5 via a joint 9.

[0040] The described embodiment of the floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention comprises the already mentioned base 5, on which the operating vertical rod 7 is mounted via a joint 9, which will be described more precisely below. Here, the operating vertical rod 7 extends from the joint 9 (via which the operating vertical rod is pivotably connected to the base 5) along the longitudinal axis 11 from the proximal end 13 to the operating end 15, wherein the proximal end 13 of the operating vertical rod 7 is arranged adjacent to the joint 9 and connected thereto. The joint 9 is designed here so that when the operating vertical rod 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 17 relative to the ground 3, wherein the vertical axis 17 extends perpendicularly to the ground 3. Therefore, the joint 9, due to its structure, makes it possible for a user who grasps the operating vertical rod 7 at its operating end 15 to turn the base 5. The exact design of the joint will also be described below.

[0041] A cleaning liquid container 19 and a dirty water tank 21 are detachably mounted on the operating vertical rod 7, and are connected to the base 5 and a suction foot 23 pivotably held on the base 5 via pipelines 25, 27. The suction foot 23 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.

[0042] Finally, a cleaning element assembly 29 is provided on the bottom side of the base 5 facing the floor surface 3 to be cleaned (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), the cleaning element assembly is designed to engage with the floor 3 to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning element assembly 29 is driven by a drive motor (not shown) arranged in a housing 31 on the base 5. The drive motor 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 using compressed air. This can be the case when the floor cleaning machine is used as an additional device on a self-driving machine.

[0043] A suction turbine (not shown) is also arranged in the housing 31 of the base 5, and the suction side of the suction turbine is connected to the upper end of the dirty water tank 21. The dirty water tank 21 is in turn connected to the suction foot 23 via a pipeline 25. The suction turbine constitutes a suction device, by means of which a suction air flow is generated from the suction foot 23 to the dirty water tank 21, so that the cleaning liquid can be sucked away from the floor 3 to be cleaned. In addition, an additional pipeline 27 is provided on the base 5, through which the cleaning liquid can be applied from the cleaning liquid container 19 through the base 5 to the area of ​​the cleaning element assembly 29 and applied there to the floor 3 to be cleaned.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment shown here, the cleaning element assembly 29 has two driven cleaning elements 33, which are mounted in a manner not shown so that the outer cleaning element surrounds the inner cleaning element and the cleaning elements 33 are driven in such a way that they perform an orbital movement shifted by 180° relative to each other. This drive achieves that the cleaning elements do not jointly generate a propulsion force acting on the base 5 relative to the floor 3 to be cleaned during their movement. The cleaning elements 33 are designed as brush elements in this embodiment, so that the engagement elements in the form of bristles 35 extend away from the base body, wherein the free ends of the bristles 35 engage with the floor 3 to be cleaned and the free ends thus define a cleaning plane 37, which coincides with the plane of the floor 3. As a result, the vertical axis 17 also extends perpendicular to the cleaning plane 37.

[0045] In the embodiment described here, the engagement elements are designed as bristles 35 and the cleaning elements are provided as brushes. However, it is also conceivable to use other types of cleaning elements. Thus, for example, pads can be used, which are driven and whose surfaces extending relative to the floor surface 3 to be cleaned or extending in the cleaning plane 37 form the engagement elements. In particular, the invention is not limited to the use of brushes.

[0046] The structure of the joint 9, by which the base 5 and the operating lever 7 are pivotably connected to one another, is now described below, wherein the structure of the joint 9 proposed here is on the one hand very compact and on the other hand enables the already described torque transmission from the operating lever 7 to the base 5, so that the latter can be pivoted about the vertical axis 17. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As can be seen in the figure, a first joint element 39 is fastened to the upper end of the housing 31 pointing to the operating vertical rod 7, wherein the first joint element 39 is designed so that the enclosure surrounding the first joint element 39 is formed in a spherical shell shape. This means that the first joint element 39 itself can be spherical. However, it also includes the following situation, that is, the first joint element 39 is composed of a plurality of disks arranged in parallel to each other, and the outer edges of these disks extend in an arc shape with different diameters, so that the enclosure is generally spherical shell-shaped.

[0047] In the embodiment depicted here, the first joint element 39 has a shoulder 41 extending parallel to the vertical axis 17 and received by a holder 43 fastened to the housing 31 .

[0048] Especially from Figure 3 It can be further seen that the first connector element 39 has grooves 45 extending in an arcuate manner, which are open toward the enclosure and are arranged diametrically opposite to each other relative to the center point of the first connector element 39 and its enclosure in the embodiment described here and extend along the enclosure. In addition, each groove 45 extends over 150°, in the present case even over 180°, with respect to the center point of the enclosure of the first connector element 39.

[0049] In addition, the joint 9 has a second joint element 47, which is installed at the proximal end 13 of the operating vertical rod and defines a cavity 49 for receiving the first joint element 39. Here, the cavity 49 is designed to support the first joint element 39 in such a way that the first joint element can pivot around a rotation point 51 fixed relative to the second joint element 47, wherein the rotation point 51 coincides with the center point of the enclosure of the first joint element 39. In addition, the support of the first joint element 39 in the second joint element 47 makes the first joint element 39 and especially its center point unable to be displaced relative to the second joint element 47. Therefore, the first joint element 39 is received in the second joint element 47 in a non-displaceable manner. For this reason, it is not mandatory to form a spherical shell shape on the inwardly directed surface of the defined cavity 49 of the second joint element 47. Instead, it is sufficient to provide a large enough support element 53 inside the second joint element 47, which ensures the pivoting motion around the rotation point 51 on the one hand and ensures that the first joint element 39 is received in a non-displaceable manner on the other hand. For this purpose, it is further provided that the second connecting element 47 has a circular receiving opening 55, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the cap of the first connecting element 39. As a result, any movement of the first connecting element 39 out of the cavity 49 is already prevented.

[0050] Furthermore, engagement elements in the form of rotatably held balls 57 are provided on the second joint element 47 on the surface pointing inwardly toward the cavity 49, which extend inwardly into the recess 45 of the first joint element 39. The balls 57 are thus fixedly held in the second joint element 47 and can roll in the recess 45. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the balls 57 are arranged in a mid-plane that passes through the center point or rotation point 51 of the enclosure and extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7. Furthermore, these balls are also mounted diametrically opposite to the rotation point 51 or the center point of the enclosure, as are the recesses 47.

[0051] However, other different arrangements of the ball 57 in the second joint element 47 are also conceivable. Furthermore, it is also possible that the engagement element or the ball 57 is held on the first joint element 39 and the recess 45 is provided on a plane of the second joint element 47 that points inwards.

[0052] The engagement of the engagement element in the form of the ball 57 with the groove 45 ensures that, even when the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7 has been pivoted relative to the vertical axis 17, a torque can be transmitted from the operating lever 7 to the base 5 during a pivoting movement of the operating lever 7 about the longitudinal axis 11, wherein the transmitted torque causes a pivoting movement of the base 5 about the vertical axis 17. Since the ball 57 is rotatably held in the second joint element 47 and can roll in the groove 45, the friction generated during such a pivoting movement of the operating lever 7 about its longitudinal axis 11 is relatively low. As a result, a user who grips the operating end 15 can easily control the base 5.

[0053] As the last Figure 4 and Figure 5 It can be seen that the joint 9 has a locking assembly, by means of which the operating lever 7 can be locked in a defined position relative to the base 5 when the locking assembly is in the locked position. In the preferred embodiment described here, the position in which the operating lever 7 can be locked is selected such that the operating lever 7 is then extended with its longitudinal axis 11 in such a way that the longitudinal axis 11 extends parallel to an axis perpendicular to the cleaning plane 37 or the floor 3. Thus, in the locked position of the operating lever 7, its longitudinal axis 11 also extends parallel to the vertical axis 17 and is thus in a vertical position. When the locking assembly is in the released position, the operating lever 7 can be pivoted unhindered relative to the base 5.

[0054] In the embodiment described here, the locking assembly has a locking element 59 which is held on the second joint element 47 in such a way that it can be moved along the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7 and thus perpendicularly to the closure of the first joint element 39 in the release position (see Figure 4 ) and locked position (see Figure 5 ), wherein this displacement can be achieved by an operating element arranged on the operating region 15 (not shown) of the operating vertical rod 7. For this purpose, the operating element can be connected to the locking element 59 by an operating rod or a Bowden cable (not shown).

[0055] When the vertical rod 7 is operated as Figure 4 and Figure 5In the vertical position shown (in which the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7 extends parallel to the vertical axis 17 or to an axis extending perpendicular to the cleaning plane 37), the locking element 59 is opposite to the receiving recess 61 of the first joint element 39 (the locking element 59 is in the release position). However, when the locking element 59 is transferred to the locking position, it can extend inwardly into the receiving recess 61, which can only be achieved when the operating lever 7 is in the vertical position described. If the locking element 59 extends inwardly into the receiving recess 61, the operating lever 7 is prevented from pivoting from the vertical position.

[0056] from Figure 6 It turns out that when the locking assembly is in the released position, ie the locking element 59 does not extend into the receiving recess 61 , the actuating lever 7 can be pivoted arbitrarily relative to the base 5 .

[0057] The following will refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 Two further alternatives are described to supplement the above-described embodiments.

[0058] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , the main working direction of the floor cleaning machine 1 is indicated by an arrow 63. The main working direction 63 is the direction in which the floor cleaning machine 1 moves on the floor 3 to be cleaned during normal operation, so that the direction 63 represents the linear direction during operation. Figure 7 It can be seen that on the side of the joint 9 or the first joint element 39 opposite or facing away from the main working direction 63, a compression spring 65 is arranged on the housing 31 of the base 5, wherein when the operating lever 7 is pivoted relative to the base 5 in the opposite direction to the main working direction 63, the compression spring 65 comes into contact with the second joint element 47. The compression spring 65 thus acts as a preload element, which in the illustrated position pivoted from the vertical position in the opposite direction to the main working direction 63 exerts a force on the operating lever 7 in the direction of the vertical position. In this way, it is achieved that when the operating lever 7 is pivoted as shown Figure 7 When pivoted backwards towards the user as shown in b), the user no longer has to support the entire weight of the operating lever 7 but is supported by the compression spring 65 .

[0059] exist Figure 8 , an alternative embodiment of a preload element is shown which reduces the force that a user has to apply in order to hold the operating lever 7 in a position pivoted downward from a vertical position counter to the main working direction 63. In this case, an elastic pulling element 67 is provided which, when the operating lever 7 is pivoted out of a vertical position counter to the main working direction 63, acts as a tensioning element. Figure 8Also in this embodiment, a force is then applied to the operating lever 7, which is pulled toward the vertical position by means of this force, which in turn reduces the force that the user must apply in order to keep the operating lever 7 in the inclined position against the force of gravity.

[0060] Fig. 9 In side view ( Fig. 9 a)) and stereogram ( Fig. 9 b)) in FIG. 1 shows another preferred embodiment of the assembly having a prestressing element.

[0061] In this embodiment, the preload element is designed as a spring element 71 (e.g. a helical spring) which is fastened with a first end 69 to the operating lever 7 and whose second end 73 is connected to a band element 75. The band element 75 is guided from the operating lever 7 to the base 5 along the side of the joint 9 pointing in the main working direction 63. Here, the band element 75 is guided through a guide element 77 adjacent to the joint 9, wherein the guiding method is such that the band element 75 can be guided through the guide element 77 and can thus be displaced relative to the guide element 77. Furthermore, the band element 75 is fastened with a fastening end 79 to the base 5 and in this case to the housing 31 of the base. However, the band element 75 is not fastened to the base 5 or its housing 31 between the fastening end 79 and the guide element 77. Therefore, the band element 75 can be grasped in this section between the fastening end 79 and the guide element 77 and pulled away from the housing 31, wherein the spring element 71 is then stretched. In this way, a grip ring is then formed by means of which the user can in particular easily lift the base part 5 .

[0062] When the operating lever 7 is pivoted backwards in this design, counter to the main working direction 63, the distance between the hinge point of the belt element 75 on the base 5, i.e. the fastening end 79 on the housing 31, and the mounting point of the belt element 75 on the spring element 71 increases. This in turn causes the spring element 71 to lengthen, which in turn generates a force that presses the operating lever 7 back into the vertical position. In this way, the torque that must be applied by the user to prevent the operating lever 7 from pivoting completely downwards towards the ground 3 is reduced.

[0063] It is also pointed out here again that the concept of a belt element is an independent inventive concept, that is, one end 79 of the belt element is arranged on the base 5, the end is guided to the operating lever 7 around the joint 9 between the base 5 and the operating lever 7 on the side pointing to the main working direction 63 and the end is fastened to the free end 73 of the spring element 71; the other end 69 of the belt element is hinged to the operating lever 7. The belt element can generally be applied to floor cleaning machines with a base and an operating lever, wherein the operating lever is mounted on the base via a joint. Therefore, this concept is not limited to the use with the above-mentioned joint structure.

[0064] It can be gathered from the above that the floor-cleaning machine 1 according to the invention with the joint 9 is configured such that the joint 9 is compact and at the same time is able to transmit a torque about the longitudinal axis 11 of the operating lever 7 to the base 5 .

[0065] Reference numerals list:

[0066] 1 Floor cleaning machine

[0067] 3 Ground

[0068] 5 Base

[0069] 7 Operating lever

[0070] 9 Connectors

[0071] 11 Longitudinal axis

[0072] 13 Proximal

[0073] 15 Control end

[0074] 17 Vertical axis

[0075] 19 Cleaning fluid container

[0076] 21 Wastewater tank

[0077] 23. Suction the feet

[0078] 25, 27 pipeline

[0079] 29 Cleaning element assembly

[0080] 31 Shell

[0081] 33 Cleaning elements

[0082] 35 Bristles

[0083] 37 Cleaning surface

[0084] 39 First connector element

[0085] 41 shoulder

[0086] 43 Fixing parts

[0087] 45 Grooves

[0088] 47 Second connector element

[0089] 49 Cavity

[0090] 51 Turning Point

[0091] 53 Support element

[0092] 55 Acceptance Opening

[0093] 57 goals

[0094] 59 Locking element

[0095] 61 Receiving recess

[0096] 63 Main working direction

[0097] 65 Compression spring

[0098] 67 Traction element

[0099] 69 First end

[0100] 71 Spring element

[0101] 73 Second end

[0102] 75 with components

[0103] 77 Guide element

[0104] 79 Fastening end

Claims

1. A floor cleaning machine (1), comprising: base (5) and Operating lever (7), The base (5) has a cleaning element assembly (29) with at least one driven cleaning element (33), and at least one engaging element (35) is provided on the at least one cleaning element. The cleaning element (33) is designed to engage with the floor surface (3) to be cleaned by means of at least one engaging element (35) arranged thereon. The operating vertical rod (7) extends along the longitudinal axis (11) between the proximal end (13) and the operating end (15) and is pivotally mounted on the base (5) via a joint (9), so that the operating vertical rod (7) can be pivoted relative to the base (5) in any direction. in, The joint (9) comprises: The enclosure is a first joint element (39) in the shape of a spherical shell and The second connector element (47), The first joint element (39) is received in the second joint element (47) and supported in the second joint element in the following manner: That is, the first joint element (39) is capable of pivoting relative to the second joint element (47) about a rotation point (51) fixed relative to the second joint element (47), the rotation point coinciding with the center point of the enclosure; and The center point of the enclosure cannot be displaced relative to the second joint element (47), Features At least two arcuately extending grooves (45) are provided on one of the first joint element and the second joint element (39, 47), the at least two grooves being open toward the enclosure and extending along the enclosure, and at least a first engaging member and a second engaging member are provided on the other of the first joint element and the second joint element (39, 47), wherein the first engaging member extends into a first groove in the grooves (45), and the second engaging member extends into a second groove in the grooves (45), The first joint element (39) is mounted on one of the base (5) and the proximal end (13) of the operating vertical rod (7), and the second joint element (47) is mounted on the other of the base (5) and the proximal end (13) of the operating vertical rod (7).

2. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein: The groove (45) is arranged diametrically oppositely on one of the first joint element and the second joint element (39, 47) with respect to a center point of the enclosure.

3. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first engaging member and the second engaging member are arranged on a middle plane passing through the center point of the enclosure and extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (11) of the operating vertical rod (7) and are arranged diametrically opposite to each other.

4. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The groove (45) extends over more than 150° around the enclosure.

5. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second connector element (47) has a circular receiving opening (55), the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the closure.

6. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first engagement member and / or the second engagement member is designed as a ball (57) which is fixedly and rotatably held on the other of the first joint element and the second joint element (39, 47) and can roll in one of the grooves (45).

7. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The two grooves (45) extending in an arcuate shape are provided on the first joint element (39), and the first engaging member and the second engaging member are provided on the second joint element (47).

8. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first joint element (39) is mounted on the base (5), and the second joint element (47) is mounted on the proximal end (13) of the operating vertical rod (7).

9. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The joint (9) has a locking assembly designed to enable it to enter a release position and a locking position, wherein, in the release position, the second joint element (47) is capable of pivoting around the first joint element (39), and Wherein, in the locked position, the second joint element (47) cannot perform a pivotal movement around the first joint element (39).

10. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 9, wherein: One of the first connector element and the second connector element (39, 47) has a receiving recess (61), the opening of which extends toward the enclosure, A locking element (59) is provided on the other of the first connector element and the second connector element (39, 47), and the locking element can be displaced relative to the other of the first connector element and the second connector element (39, 47) in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the cover, so that the locking element: in the release position does not extend beyond the cover toward one of the first connector element and the second connector element (39, 47), and in the locked position extends beyond the cover toward one of the first connector element and the second connector element (39, 47) into the receiving recess.

11. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 10, wherein: The receiving recess (61) is arranged on the first connecting element (39), and the locking element (59) is arranged on the second connecting element (47).

12. The floor cleaning machine according to one of claims 1, 2, 10 and 11, wherein: The at least one engagement element (35) has a free end, wherein the at least one free end defines a cleaning plane on which the at least one engagement element (35) engages with the floor surface (3), and The operating vertical rod (7) is pivotable relative to the base (5) to a vertical position, in which the longitudinal axis (11) of the operating vertical rod (7) is away from the cleaning plane (37).

13. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 10, wherein: In the locked position, the operating vertical rod (7) is in a vertical position.

14. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 13, wherein: The floor cleaning machine (1) is designed to move along a main working direction (63) on the floor (3) to be cleaned during a cleaning operation, and A preload element (65, 67) is provided, which is designed to apply a force toward the vertical position to the operating lever (7) when the operating lever (7) is pivoted from the vertical position in the opposite direction to the main working direction (63).

15. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 14, wherein: The prestressing element is designed as a spring element (71) which is fastened to the operating lever (7) with a first end (69), and a second end (73) of the spring element is connected to a belt element (75). Therein, the belt element (75) is guided from the operating lever (7) to the base (5) on the side of the joint (9) pointing in the main working direction (63) and is fastened to the base (5).

16. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 12, wherein: In the vertical position, the longitudinal axis (11) of the operating lever (7) extends upwards perpendicularly to the cleaning plane.

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