Improvements relating to floor vacuum cleaners

Abstract

A mop arrangement for a wet floor vacuum cleaner includes a mop roller and a cleaning roller, where the cleaning roller is configured to be aligned adjacent to the mop roller to extrude cleaning liquid from the mop roller in use. The apparatus also includes a drive arrangement configured to rotate the mop roller and the cleaning roller. The cleaning roller extends in an axial direction between a first end and a second end and includes at least one mangle bar extending along the cleaning roller in a helical path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wet floor cleaner involving one or more rotating mop rollers. In particular, the present invention relates to an exemplary arrangement for improving the cleaning function of a mop roller as it rotates during use. Background Art

[0002] Wet floor vacuum cleaners with motor-driven rotating mop rollers are becoming increasingly popular. Such vacuum cleaners outperform conventional mops because the motor-driven mop roller passes over the stained area of ​​the floor many more times in any given time period than is possible using a conventional mop.

[0003] Wet floor vacuum cleaners are preferably as light and compact as possible to facilitate maneuverability and allow for neat storage. However, the need for compactness may be affected by the required packaging of the onboard motor, cooling system, power transmission and power supply system. In addition, the use of electric motors in wet environments also brings additional challenges due to the need to prevent water from entering the electrical system. Cleaning and maintenance of such machines may also be a challenge because they often have a large number of parts that need to be cleaned regularly. For example, the main mop roller must be removed from time to time to clean the textured cleaning surface. In addition, such machines may also have a mop cleaning arrangement that is located near the mop roller for throwing off debris from its surface, and may also have a mangle strip for squeezing the cleaning liquid from the rotating mop roller into the water tank or sump below. This mop cleaning arrangement also needs to be disassembled and cleaned separately, and usually needs to be cleaned quite frequently. Simplifying the maintenance process of such machines will benefit the user experience.

[0004] The embodiments of the present invention are designed in this context. Summary of the invention

[0005] An example of the present invention provides a mop arrangement for a wet floor cleaner, comprising a mop roller and a cleaning roller, wherein the cleaning roller is configured to be aligned adjacent to the mop roller to squeeze cleaning liquid from the mop roller when in use. The arrangement also includes a drive arrangement configured to rotate the mop roller and the cleaning roller. The cleaning roller extends in an axial direction between a first end and a second end and defines at least one wringer bar extending in a spiral path along the cleaning roller.

[0006] Advantageously, the spiral wringer bar provides a more efficient way to squeeze out moisture from the adjacent mop roller during use. One aspect is that in previous arrangements the wringer was provided as a separate component from the cleaning roller; by providing the wringer bar on the cleaning roller itself, a smaller and lighter product can be provided, with fewer components for the user to clean. Furthermore, the spiral shape of the wringer bar ensures continuous contact between the wringer bar and the mop roller, which results in a smoother torque load on the associated drive motor and lower average current consumption.

[0007] The wringer bar can be constructed in a variety of ways. In one example, the wringer bar is continuous so that it is defined by a uniform strip of material having an uninterrupted radial outer edge. The radial outer edge can be arranged to contact the mop roller to squeeze the cleaning liquid from the mop roller when in use. In another example, the wringer bar can be discontinuous to define a plurality of wringer teeth. In a discontinuous wringer bar, the radial outer edge may be broken (or discontinuous), but the radial inner edge may be continuous, for example to improve fixation to the cleaning roller. The benefit of the wringer teeth is that they can provide a combing effect to the mop roller, thereby enhancing the removal of debris, especially hair.

[0008] In one example, the wringer bar can be a single spiral that rotates in one direction around the cleaning roller. However, in another example, the wringer bar is configured to include a first spiral portion and a second spiral portion that rotate in opposite directions around the cleaning roller, for example, arranged side by side in a herringbone pattern. For example, the first spiral portion can be twisted in a first direction around the cleaning roller (for example, clockwise), and the second spiral portion can be twisted in the opposite direction around the cleaning roller (for example, counterclockwise). This configuration is particularly beneficial for removing moisture because the herringbone or V-shaped pattern of the opposite spiral wringer bar portions has the effect of squeezing moisture from the mop roller and causing it to converge to the point where the two wringer portions meet or intersect. The first spiral portion and the second spiral portion can meet at the apex of the wringer bar, which can be located at an axial center position along the mop roller. Conveniently, this shape will push the moisture in the mop roller to the center position so that it can fall from the mop roller into the sump or water tank below. This effect is particularly evident in the configuration where the apex of the wringer bar points in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cleaning roller.

[0009] As a means of enhancing the squeezing action of the mop cleaner, the wringer bar may be supplemented by a second wringer bar arranged in a multi-start relationship with the first wringer bar.

[0010] To further enhance the effect of the cleaning roller, the cleaning roller may also be provided with a bristle strip. The bristle strip may extend in an axial direction complementary to the wringing bar and may be parallel. The bristle strip tends to be more effective in throwing off dust and debris from the mop roller and removing hair than the squeezing action of the wringing bar. Two or more bristle strips may be provided. In one arrangement, the cleaning roller may have a pair of wringing bars and a pair of bristle strips, which alternate with each other at ninety degree intervals around the cleaning roller.

[0011] The drive arrangement may be configured to drive the mop roller and the cleaning roller in different rotational directions. However, in a particularly useful example, the cleaning roller and the mop roller are driven in the same rotational direction.

[0012] The mangle bar may be made of any suitable material but is preferably a resilient material such as rubber or a similar polymeric material.

[0013] In another aspect, the invention relates to a wet floor cleaner having a cleaner head as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to enable a more comprehensive understanding of the present invention, some specific embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wet floor cleaner having a cleaner head with a mop arrangement according to an example of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A more detailed perspective view of the vacuum cleaner head in FIG. 1 , having two mop assemblies;

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of a mop assembly of a vacuum cleaner head in , showing a mop roller and a cleaning roller, wherein the mop roller of the vacuum cleaner head is shown in phantom;

[0018] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Separated from the mop roller Figure 3 Cleaning roller view in;

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the cleaning roller;

[0020] Figure 7 and Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A view of another example of a cleaning roller for a cleaner head is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] refer to Figure 1, the wet floor cleaner 2 comprises a main body 4 having a wet floor cleaner head 6 attached to a lower end thereof. Figure 1 A wet floor cleaner head 6 is shown in schematic form in FIG. 2 , but will be described in more detail in subsequent figures. Figure 1 The floor is not shown, but its presence is implied.

[0022] The wet floor cleaner 2 in the illustrated example is a battery powered "stick" wet floor cleaner, but it should be noted that this is merely exemplary and other styles of floor cleaners are also suitable for the present invention, such as canister and upright cleaners. As shown, the wet floor cleaner 2 has an elongated handle 7 extending upwardly from the body 4 so that it can be operated from a standing position.

[0023] The body 4 houses the separation system of the floor cleaner 2. Since the wet floor cleaner head 6 is suitable for cleaning dirt and moisture from the floor surface, the separation system may include appropriate functions to separate and store dirty water and contaminants picked up from the floor. However, the examples of the present invention relate to aspects of the wet floor cleaner head, so a complete discussion of the separation system will not be provided here.

[0024] Figure 2 The cleaner head 6 is shown in more detail and comprises two mop arrangements or assemblies 8 located within a cleaner head housing 10. The cleaner head housing 10 is provided with a boss or coupling 12 for connection to the body 4 of the floor cleaner 2, or if the floor cleaner is configured in the same manner as the floor cleaner 2, the body 4 of the floor cleaner 2 is provided with a boss or coupling 12. Figure 1 The examples shown are different and connect to other equivalent interfaces. The coupling 12 can provide a way to transfer dirty water from the cleaner head 6 to the main body 4 of the floor cleaner 2, although the precise details are beyond the scope of this discussion.

[0025] Although Figure 2 The example of the cleaner head 6 shown includes two mop assemblies 8 , but it will be appreciated that the cleaner head 6 may include only one mop assembly 8 , or may include more than two mop assemblies 8 .

[0026] Reference now Figure 3 , each mop arrangement comprises a mop roller 20, a mop cleaner or cleaning roller 22 and a drive arrangement 24. As shown, the mop roller 20 is shown in phantom and is mounted for rotation on the drive arrangement 24. The mop roller 20 defines a generally cylindrical outer surface and extends along an axis of rotation A between respective first and second ends 20a, 20b.

[0027] The cleaning roller 22 is arranged beside the mop roller 20. The cleaning roller 22 is in the form of a rotating roller or brush bar and is arranged along a rotation axis B to extend from a respective first end 22a to a second end 22b. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotation axis B is parallel to the rotation axis A. This is because both components circumscribe generally cylindrical outer envelopes. In other embodiments, the axes A and B may be inclined relative to each other, but in this case it is envisaged that the outer envelopes of the mop roller 20 and the cleaning roller 22 are configured to remain in contact with each other during rotation.

[0028] In use, the mop cleaner 22 rotates to remove dirt and debris from the mop roller 20, which dirt and debris adhere to the mop roller 20 during use, and squeeze out moisture that has been absorbed into the absorbent surface of the mop roller 20. The drive arrangement 24 is configured to rotate the mop roller 20 and the cleaning roller 22, as will be described in more detail below. However, in alternative embodiments, separate drive arrangements may be provided for the mop roller and the cleaning roller.

[0029] The drive arrangement 24 of the cleaner head 6 generally includes an electric motor 26, an internal gearbox 28 and a roller drive connection 30. The electric motor 26 and the gearbox 28 are arranged in a generally cylindrical drive housing 32. The gearbox is used to reduce the rotational speed of the electric motor 26 to the appropriate rotational speed of the mop roller 20. The gearbox 28 includes an output 34, which is coupled to the roller drive connection 30. For compactness, the gearbox 28 can be a multi-stage planetary gearbox, although this is merely an example. The precise configuration of the motor 26, the gearbox 28 and the roller drive connection 30 is not important to the present invention, so a detailed discussion will not be provided.

[0030] The gearbox 28 is also coupled to a drive train 36 external to the mop roller 20. The drive train 36 couples the drive from the gearbox 28 to the cleaning roller 22 and includes an input gear 40, an intermediate gear or idler gear 42, and an output gear 44. A drive adapter 46 couples the output gear 44 to the cleaning roller 22. With this arrangement, it will be appreciated that, as Figure 3 As shown, the cleaning roller 22 is driven by the drivetrain 36 in the same direction of rotation as the mop roller 20. In alternative arrangements, the idler gear 42 may be omitted, or an additional idler gear may be used between the idler gear 42 and the output gear 44 so that the direction of rotation of the cleaning roller 22 is opposite to the direction of rotation of the mop roller 20 in use.

[0031] Figure 4 and Figure 5The cleaning roller 22 is shown in greater detail, isolated from the mop roller 20. It should be understood that the cleaning roller 22 has the function of rotating relative to the mop roller 20 to clean dirt and debris from the mop roller 20, as well as squeeze out moisture from the surface of the mop roller 20. To this end, the cleaning roller 22 defines a wringer bar 50. The wringer bar 50 extends along a spiral path along the length of the cleaning roller 22. In this example, the wringer bar 50 is continuous and made of a hard but flexible material, such as a polymer material such as rubber, although other materials are also suitable. In this way, when the wringer bar 50 contacts the outer surface of the mop roller 20, it can be slightly deformed to perform a squeeze-like action, thereby squeezing moisture out of the mop roller 20, which is then collected in a sump or tank (not shown) below.

[0032] In the illustrated example, the squeeze bar 50 projects radially outward from the generally cylindrical body 49 of the cleaning roller 22 and terminates in a radially outer squeeze edge 50a. Here, the thickness of the squeeze bar 50 is uniform from its base (where it is fixed or attached to the body 49) to its outer edge 50a.

[0033] Each end of the body 49 has a bearing block 51 by which the cleaning roller 22 is mounted to the mop assembly 8 .

[0034] In some examples, the mangling bar 50 may define a single spiral portion that wraps around the cleaning roller 22 in one spiral direction from the first end 22a to the second end 22b of the cleaning roller 22. However, in the illustrated example, the mangling bar 50 includes a first spiral portion 52 and a second spiral portion 54 that wrap around the cleaning roller 22 in opposite spiral directions and are arranged side by side in a herringbone pattern. The arrangement is such that the first spiral portion 52 and the second spiral portion 54 meet each other at a mangling bar apex 56. In this example, the mangling bar apex 56 is located at the midpoint of the mangling bar 50, between the first end 22a and the second end 22b, although in principle the mangling bar apex 56 may be selected to be located anywhere along the mangling bar 50. In other contemplated examples, the mangling bar 50 may be configured to define more than one apex.

[0035] Figure 6 The effect of the spiral arrangement is illustrated. As the cleaning roller 22 rotates, the distal end of the wringer bar 50 acts as the leading edge and will contact the mop roller 20 first. Figure 65. In the orientation of the mop roller 22, the cleaning roller 22 rotates, causing the wringer bar 50 to move down the page. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the wringer bar apex 56 is oriented to point in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cleaning roller 22. As a result, the water held on the surface of the mop roller 20 is pushed axially inwardly toward the center of the wringer bar 50, as indicated by the curved arrow 58. Although some of the water will escape and fall directly off the mop roller 20, a significant portion of the water in the mop roller 20, along with debris captured on the mop roller 20, will be pushed toward the wringer bar apex 56, which will concentrate the water and act to squeeze the water out of the mop roller 20, as shown by the water droplet located in the center. The benefit of this is that most of the water absorbed by the surface of the mop roller 20 will be separated from the mop roller 20 at the center, which means that it can be more efficiently collected in a water tank or sump.

[0036] The tightness of the spiral can be selected to meet the requirements of the application. Figure 5 As shown, each of the first spiral portion 52 and the second spiral portion 54 extends half a turn around the cleaning roller 22. As shown, this results in a relatively shallow spiral angle (i.e., the angle of the wringer bar compared to the axis of the cleaning roller) of between 10 and 15 degrees compared to the axial length of the cleaning roller 22. An advantage of the spiral arrangement of the wringer bar 50 is that there is always a portion of the wringer bar in contact with and acting on the mop roller 20. Since the contact between the wringer bar 50 and the mop roller 20 applies a torque load to the motor, the constant contact between these components will equalize the torque load and avoid torque peaks that may occur with a linearly arranged wringer bar.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, a second wringer bar 60 is provided which is oriented diametrically opposite to the previously mentioned wringer bar 50, which may now be considered the "first wringer bar" 50, so that they are in a multi-ended relationship. This improves the water removal effect of the mop roller 20 while minimizing the increase in motor torque load. It should be noted that the second wringer bar 60 is constructed and oriented the same as the first wringer bar 50, although angularly separated from the first wringer bar 50.

[0038] In addition to the function of squeezing water out of the mop roller, the cleaning roller 22 is also configured to shake off dirt and debris on the surface of the mop roller 20 and to remove hair from the mop roller 20. To this end, the cleaning roller 22 also includes a bristle strip 62 extending in the axial direction along the mop cleaner 22. Here, the bristle strip 62 is shown as supplementing the path of the drying rod 50, that is, extending parallel to the drying rod 50, so the bristle strip 62 can also be regarded as following a spiral path. In the illustrated embodiment, two bristle strips 62 are provided, each of which is located between the first drying rod and the second drying rod 50, 60. Therefore, the drying rods 50, 60 and the bristle strips 62 alternate with each other at intervals of ninety degrees around the cleaning roller 22.

[0039] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Another example of a cleaning roller 22 is shown. As in the previous figures, the cleaning roller 22 is defined by a central body 49 extending axially between first and second bearing blocks 51. A first wringer bar 70 extends radially from the body 49 and defines a helical path along the cleaning roller 22 and includes a first helical portion 70a and a second helical portion 70b. However, it will be noted that the wringer bar 70 in this example extends in a tighter helix than in the previous examples. As shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown, the first helical portion 70a rotates three and a half turns around the body 49, which in this example results in a helix angle of approximately 45 degrees. The second helical portion 70b is identical to the first helical portion 70a (but is a mirror image as it rotates in the opposite direction around the cleaning roller 22) and meets the first helical portion 70a at the wringer bar apex 71 as in the previous example.

[0040] Furthermore, it should be understood that the mangle bar 70 is not continuous as in the previous examples. Thus, the mangle bar 70 has a radially outer edge 72 that includes a plurality of discontinuous portions in the form of grooves 74. This is similar to Figure 4 The grooves 74 are small cuts or notches extending radially inward from the radial outer edge about 25% of the radial depth of the mop rod 70. The effect of this structure is that the outer edge 72 acts on the surface of the mop roller 20 like a comb and more effectively removes debris, especially hair, from the mop roller 20. The relative spacing of the grooves 74 and the depth of the grooves can be selected based on the desired effect. For example, the grooves 74 can be 2 mm deep and 1 mm wide and spaced about 10 mm apart from each other, but this is merely exemplary. A denser arrangement of the grooves 74 may be beneficial. In a preferred embodiment, the grooves 74 have a depth of about 1 mm to 5 mm and / or a width of about 0.5 mm to 4 mm.

[0041] like Figure 8 As shown in the illustration of FIG. 1 , two vertical lines 75 indicate that the grooves 74 of one of the wringer bars are aligned with the grooves 74 of the other of the wringer bars. However, it is contemplated that it may be advantageous to configure the position of the grooves 74 of one wringer bar to be offset relative to the grooves 74 of the other wringer bar; for example, there may be a 50% offset. The relatively offset groove positions will complement each other because the final teeth of each wringer will have complementary positioning, which will provide more complete coverage on the mop roller 20 and improve the efficiency of removing water from the mop roller.

[0042] Although the teeth are defined by slots 74 cut into the otherwise continuous radially outer edge of the mangling bar, in other examples it is envisaged that the teeth may be formed by protrusions extending from the radially outer edge of the mangling bar.

Claims

1. A mop arrangement for a wet floor vacuum cleaner, comprising: a mop roller and a cleaning roller, wherein the cleaning roller is configured to be aligned adjacent to the mop roller to squeeze cleaning fluid from the mop roller when in use; a drive arrangement configured to rotate the mop roller and the cleaning roller; Wherein the cleaning roller extends in an axial direction between a first end and a second end, and wherein the cleaning roller includes at least one nip bar extending along a helical path along the cleaning roller.

2. The mop arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one wringer bar is continuous.

3. The mop arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one wringer bar is discontinuous so as to define a plurality of wringer teeth.

4. A mop arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one wringer bar comprises a first helical portion and a second helical portion arranged side by side in a herringbone pattern.

5. The mop arrangement of claim 4, wherein the first spiral portion and the second spiral portion meet at a wringer bar apex.

6. A mop arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the wringer bar apex is oriented to point in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cleaning roller.

7. A mop arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the wringer bar apex is located midway between the first and second ends of the cleaning roller.

8. A mop arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one wringer bar comprises a first wringer bar and a second wringer bar arranged in a multi-headed relationship.

9. A mop arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning roller further comprises a bristle strip extending in the axial direction.

10. A mop arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the bristle strip extends parallel to the wringer bar.

11. A mop arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive arrangement is configured to drive the mop roller and the cleaning roller in the same rotational direction.

12. A mop arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the drive arrangement is configured to drive the mop roller and the cleaning roller in opposite rotational directions.

13. A mop arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive arrangement comprises a motor and a drive train to couple the drive of the motor to the mop roller and the cleaning roller.

14. A mop arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the motor is housed within the mop roller.

15. A mop arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the wringer bar is a polymeric material.

16. A floor cleaner comprising a mop arrangement according to any preceding claim.

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