Surface cleaning machine with thermal fluid generating device and method for operating surface cleaning machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a surface cleaning machine, comprising a cleaning head (12), at least one cleaning roller unit (16) which is rotatably arranged on the cleaning head (12), a drive (22) for driving a rotational movement of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16), and a thermal fluid generating device (26) which generates a thermal fluid during operation of the surface cleaning machine, the hot fluid is hot water and / or vapour at a temperature of at least 80 DEG C, and comprising at least one loading chamber (34) which is associated with the at least one cleaning roller unit (16) and which is fluidically connected to a hot fluid generating device (26), an interior (36) of the at least one loading chamber (34) being filled with hot water mist and / or vapour during operation of the surface cleaning machine, the at least one loading chamber (34, 110) has at least one opening (40), and wherein the at least one cleaning roller unit (16) sinks into an interior (36) of the at least one loading chamber (34) at the at least one opening (40) and is loaded with hot water mist and / or vapour during operation of the surface cleaning machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a surface cleaning machine, which includes a cleaning head, at least one cleaning roller unit arranged rotatably on the cleaning head, and a driver for driving the at least one cleaning roller unit to rotate.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method of operating a surface cleaning machine, in which, during a cleaning operation, the cleaning roller unit rotates and acts on the surface to be cleaned. Background Art

[0003] CN 218458058 U discloses a cleaning robot.

[0004] CN 216933041 U discloses a cleaning machine.

[0005] CN 202313129 U discloses a steam floor cleaning machine.

[0006] CN 202313125 U discloses a steam cleaning and dust removal machine.

[0007] US 2014 / 0208536 A1 discloses a steam vacuum cleaner that integrates a steam function and a dust suction function in one machine.

[0008] EP3 834 693 A1 discloses a surface cleaning device having a steam supply system for a steam mopping function after dry cleaning of the floor.

[0009] According to the prior art, a device named "Tineco FLOOR ONE S5 STEAM" is known, which has a steam cleaning function.

[0010] Floor cleaning devices are described, for example, in EP 3 750 464 A1, EP 3 884 834 A1, US 2021 / 018620 A1 or KR 2012 06900U.

[0011] WO 2018 / 162092 A1 discloses a floor cleaning device by which autonomous cleaning of the floor can be performed.

[0012] Floor cleaning devices are also disclosed, for example, in EP 2 574 264 B1, US8,855,941B1, DE 102 42 257 B4 and US 10,149,589 B2.

[0013] DE 20 2015 101 302 U1 discloses a cleaning device in the form of a vacuum cleaner.

[0014] According to WO 2016 / 058901 A1, WO 2016 / 058856 A1, WO 2017 / 063663 A1, WO 2016 / 058879 A1, WO 2016 / 058956 A1, some surface cleaning machines are known. According to WO 2016 / 058907 A1, a surface cleaning machine is also known.

[0015] No. 4,875,246 discloses a portable floor cleaning device having a roller driven by an electric motor.

[0016] From DE 20 2009 013 434 U1 a device for wet cleaning of floors is known using a brush which is rotatable about an axis of rotation.

[0017] From CN 201 197 698 Y a cleaning machine is known.

[0018] From US Pat. No. 6,026,529 a device for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces is known.

[0019] A surface cleaning machine having a rotating brush is known from WO 2010 / 041185 A1.

[0020] From US Pat. No. 7,665,174 B2 a cleaning head for a floor cleaning machine is known.

[0021] From US Pat. No. 4,173,054 a floor cleaner is known which comprises a handle, a body, a roller mechanism with a roller comprising a cleaning belt, a scraper and a dirty fluid containment device.

[0022] According to WO 2013 / 106762 A2, a surface cleaning machine is known, which has a cleaning roller and a drive unit for driving the cleaning roller. A dirt pan is provided, into which the cleaning roller sweeps dirt when rotating. The dirt pan can be open.

[0023] From US Pat. No. 7,921,497 B2 a floor scrubbing device is known which is operated manually and comprises a drive roller coupled to a scrubbing roller.

[0024] A further floor cleaning machine is known from WO 2015 / 086083 A1.

[0025] A hard floor cleaning device is known from US Pat. No. 3,789,449.

[0026] From DE 103 57 637 A1 a self-propelled sweeping device is known which has a sweeping brush and an associated dirt collection space.

[0027] A household floor cleaning device with a mopping roller is known from DE 10 2007 054 500 A1.

[0028] A floor cleaning device is known from US 2006 / 0272120 A1, which has a housing, a hose system and a cleaning head.

[0029] A cleaning machine station for a cleaning machine is known from DE 10 2017 120 723 A1, wherein the cleaning machine station has a receiving chamber for the cleaning head of the cleaning machine.

[0030] A floor cleaning machine with a handle is known from WO 2005 / 087075 A1, the handle being pivotally arranged on a base.

[0031] CN 107007215 A discloses a floor cleaning robot.

[0032] DE 20 2018 104 772 U1 discloses a sewage collection mechanism, a sewage detection mechanism and a cleaning device.

[0033] Cleaning machines are also known from AU 2017101723 A4, CN 206687671 U, DE 20 2016 105 300 U1, US9,622,637B1, CN 205359367 U, US 2017 / 0119225 A1, CN 205181250 U, CN 205181251 U, CN 205181256 U, DE 20 2016 105 299 U, WO 2017 / 059602 A1, WO 2017 / 059600 A1, WO2017 / 059601 A1, WO 2017 / 059603 A1 or DE 20 2016 105 301 U1. Summary of the Invention

[0034] The object of the present invention is to provide a surface cleaning machine of the aforementioned type, by means of which hygiene-related surface cleaning can be carried out.

[0035] This task is solved in the aforementioned surface cleaning machine according to the present invention in the following way, namely, a hot fluid generating device is provided, which generates hot fluid during the operation of the surface cleaning machine, wherein the hot fluid is hot water and / or steam with a temperature of at least 80 °C, and at least one loading chamber is provided, which is assigned to at least one cleaning roller unit and is fluidly connected to the hot fluid generating device, wherein, during the operation of the surface cleaning machine, the interior space of at least one loading chamber is filled with hot water mist and / or steam, wherein at least one loading chamber has at least one opening, and wherein at least one cleaning roller unit sinks into the interior space of at least one loading chamber at at least one opening and is loaded with hot water mist and / or steam during the operation of the surface cleaning machine.

[0036] In the solution of the present invention, at least one cleaning roller unit passes through the loading chamber and is loaded with hot water mist and / or steam there.

[0037] During the operation of the surface cleaning machine, at least one cleaning roller unit passes through the hot fluid atmosphere. Based on rotation and sinking into at least one loading chamber, a certain defined area of at least one cleaning roller unit is loaded with hot fluid for a relatively long time.

[0038] Thermal fluid disinfection of at least one cleaning roller unit is carried out on the loading chamber. It has been shown that bacteria of the order of 99.99% can be removed thereby.

[0039] In the floor cleaning machine of the present invention, in-situ thermal fluid disinfection of at least one cleaning roller unit is carried out during the operation of the surface cleaning machine.

[0040] Advantageously in terms of structure, at least one loading chamber is arranged on the cleaning head. In this way, it is possible to expose at least one cleaning roller unit to the hot fluid atmosphere in the loading chamber in a structurally simple manner.

[0041] Advantageously, at least one of the following: - At least one cleaning roller unit has at least one acting area for the surface to be cleaned, which has a circumferential surface of a substantially cylindrical shape as an envelope surface, wherein in particular, the circumferential surface of the cylinder is coaxial with the rotational axis of at least one cleaning roller unit; - At least one sinking area of at least one cleaning roller unit sinking into at least one loading chamber has a cross-section with a shape of at least approximately a circular segment or a circular arc; - The rotational axis of at least one cleaning roller unit is parallel to the placement plane of the cleaning head on the surface to be cleaned; - At least one opening has an extension direction parallel to the rotational axis of at least one cleaning roller unit; - The sinking direction of at least one cleaning roller unit sinking into the interior space of at least one loading chamber is perpendicular to the rotational axis of at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0042] A structure with a simple construction is thus obtained. A relatively large area of the cleaning roller unit is simultaneously exposed to the hot fluid atmosphere in the loading chamber. Thus, effective thermal fluid disinfection of at least one cleaning roller unit is obtained.

[0043] Advantageously, during the operation of the surface cleaning machine, at least one of the following is specified: - Continuously loading at least one cleaning roller unit with hot water mist and / or steam; - The rotational speed of at least one cleaning roller unit is in the range between 450 revolutions per minute and 500 revolutions per minute; - Loading at least one cleaning roller unit with hot water mist and / or steam in the range between 10% and 55% of the roller circumference, especially in the range between 10% and 25% of the roller circumference; - Loading at least one cleaning roller unit with hot water mist and / or steam in a certain defined roller area in the range between 0.012 seconds and 0.06 seconds in terms of time; - The temperature of the hot water mist and / or steam when in contact with at least one cleaning roller unit is in the range between 75 °C and 90 °C; - The temperature at the cleaning roller unit when in contact with the surface to be cleaned is in the range between 55 °C and 75 °C.

[0044] If one or more corresponding conditions are met, effective thermal fluid disinfection of at least one cleaning roller unit can be obtained.

[0045] Particularly advantageously, at least one cleaning roller unit sinks into at least one loading chamber by means of a sub-action area of the action area, wherein, during the operation of the surface cleaning machine, the sub-action area is variable based on the rotation of at least one cleaning roller unit. Thus, a relatively large area of at least one cleaning roller unit can be loaded with hot fluid to obtain effective thermal fluid disinfection. In addition, a relatively long-term exposure of a certain defined area of at least one cleaning roller unit to hot fluid is implemented in at least one loading chamber to obtain an effective disinfection effect.

[0046] Furthermore, advantageously, during the operation of the surface cleaning machine, at least one cleaning roller unit sinks into at least one loading chamber by means of a first sub-action area and acts on the surface to be cleaned by means of a second sub-action area, the second sub-action area being circumferentially spaced apart from the first sub-action area. Thus, during the cleaning operation of the surface cleaning machine, thermal fluid disinfection of at least one cleaning roller unit can be obtained simultaneously.

[0047] Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide for the removal of the dirty fluid from at least one cleaning roller unit at a third sub-acting area which is spaced apart from the first sub-acting area in the circumferential direction and from the second sub-acting area in the circumferential direction. Thereby, during "normal" cleaning operation (wherein the second sub-acting area acts on the surface to be cleaned and the removal, discharge and feeding of the dirty fluid are carried out at the third sub-acting area), the thermal fluid disinfection of at least one cleaning roller unit can be carried out simultaneously at the first sub-acting area. Based on the rotation of at least one cleaning roller unit, during a 360° rotation, a complete exposure of at least one cleaning roller unit (with respect to the circumferential direction) in the thermal fluid atmosphere in the loading chamber is achieved.

[0048] Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one of the following is present: - The first sub-acting area is located between the second sub-area and the third sub-area with respect to the rotation direction of at least one cleaning roller unit; - The rotation direction of at least one cleaning roller unit is such that when at least one cleaning roller unit rotates, the first sub-acting area is converted into the third sub-acting area, or the first sub-acting area is converted into the second sub-acting area.

[0049] Thereby, in the case of an effective cleaning effect, effective thermal fluid disinfection is achieved during the operation of the surface cleaning machine. If the first sub-acting area is converted into the third sub-acting area, the removal of the dirty fluid from at least one cleaning roller unit is carried out immediately after exposure to the thermal fluid atmosphere. If the first sub-acting area is converted into the second sub-acting area, the loading of the surface to be cleaned using at least one cleaning roller unit is carried out immediately after thermal fluid disinfection.

[0050] Advantageously, with respect to the longitudinal direction parallel to the rotation axis of at least one cleaning roller unit, at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, in particular 100% of the acting area of at least one cleaning roller unit is immersed in at least one loading chamber. Thereby, a correspondingly effective thermal fluid disinfection is carried out on at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0051] Advantageously, it is provided that at least one of the following is present: - At least one loading chamber forms the housing for the sub-areas of at least one cleaning roller unit; - At least one cleaning roller unit forms a movable covering for at least one loading chamber at at least one opening; - When at least one cleaning roller unit has rotated 360°, with respect to the circumferential direction of at least one cleaning roller unit, the acting area of at least one cleaning roller unit completely passes through the loading chamber.

[0052] By designing at least one loading chamber as a housing, in particular by using at least one cleaning roller unit as a movable covering part, during the operation (cleaning operation) of at least one cleaning roller unit, most of its area can be effectively exposed to a hot fluid atmosphere for a long time. Thus, effective hot fluid disinfection can be carried out without "interfering" with the cleaning operation.

[0053] It is particularly advantageous to provide a sealing device that is responsible for fluid-tight sealing between at least one cleaning roller unit and at least one loading chamber. In this way, effective hot fluid disinfection of at least one cleaning roller unit can be achieved in an effective manner.

[0054] In principle, during operation, it is stipulated to replenish hot fluid to at least one loading chamber so that there are no relevant losses regarding fluid and temperature there in particular.

[0055] It is advantageous to stipulate at least one of the following: - The sealing device includes a wall of at least one loading chamber that abuts or extends into the covering layer of at least one cleaning roller unit; - The sealing device is arranged in a surrounding manner or formed at at least one opening.

[0056] The sealing device can thus be designed in a structurally simple manner. The cleaning operation is not hindered.

[0057] In a structurally simple embodiment, the wall of at least one loading chamber has a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side opposite to the first longitudinal side, a first transverse side, and a second transverse side opposite to the first transverse side at the opening, wherein the first transverse side and the second transverse side are respectively connected to the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side, and have at least one of the following: - The first longitudinal side and / or the second longitudinal side is oriented parallel to the rotation axis of at least one cleaning roller unit; - The first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side are parallel to each other; - The first transverse side and / or the second transverse side is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the rotation axis of at least one cleaning roller unit; - The first transverse side and the second transverse side are oriented parallel to each other; - The first longitudinal side and / or the second longitudinal side has a straight run at the end side; - The first transverse side and / or the second transverse side has a curved run at the end side, in particular a convex curved run and in particular a circular run.

[0058] In this way, it is possible to simply implement the sinking of at least one cleaning roller unit into at least one loading chamber at the opening. In addition, the sealing device can be formed by the wall of at least one loading chamber in a simple manner.

[0059] By means of corresponding geometric designs of the longitudinal side and the transverse side (the transverse side in particular having a convex bending course), the longitudinal side and the transverse side can themselves follow the course of at least one cleaning roller unit. Thereby, an effective seal between at least one cleaning roller unit and the loading chamber can be obtained.

[0060] In an advantageous embodiment, nozzle means for a thermal fluid are assigned to at least one loading chamber, which are arranged in particular on at least one loading chamber. The nozzle means are responsible, for example, for forming a hot water mist when hot water is used as the thermal fluid (before the phase change to steam). By means of the nozzle means, a uniform distribution of the thermal fluid in the loading chamber can be achieved, so that at least one cleaning roller unit can be uniformly loaded over its entire upper surface area (which dips into the loading chamber).

[0061] Advantageously, wetting means are provided for wetting at least one cleaning roller unit with a cleaning liquid. By wetting at least one cleaning roller unit, the dirt on the surface to be cleaned can be loosened during the cleaning operation and perhaps removed.

[0062] In particular, the wetting means surround the at least one loading chamber. At least one cleaning roller unit generally absorbs moisture by being exposed to a thermal fluid atmosphere.

[0063] Advantageously, the wetting means include at least one of the following: - An additional device attached to the at least one loading chamber, which loads a cleaning liquid onto at least one cleaning roller unit and / or the surface to be cleaned; - Tank means for the cleaning liquid; - Receiving means for a cleaning agent; - Nozzle means oriented towards at least one cleaning roller unit and / or the surface to be cleaned, which are in fluid operative connection with the tank means for the cleaning liquid.

[0064] By means of the additional device, direct additional wetting of at least one cleaning roller unit or direct additional wetting of the surface to be cleaned can be directly achieved. Thereby, in particular, the dirt removal ability can be improved.

[0065] By providing receiving means for a cleaning agent (such as a surface-active cleaning agent), the cleaning process can be improved. For example, it is possible to also use the tank means for water (which are provided for the thermal fluid generating device) for additional wetting. (Generally, it is advantageous that there is no cleaning agent such as a surface-active cleaning agent during the generation of the thermal fluid. On the one hand, this can avoid the formation of aerosols, and on the other hand, it is generally advantageous for the thermal fluid generator to use pure water without additives.)

[0066] By means of the nozzle means, an effective application of the cleaning liquid can be obtained on the surface to be cleaned and / or at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0067] For a cleaning operation (while effectively thermally fluid disinfecting at least one cleaning roller unit), it is advantageous that, when at least one cleaning roller unit is rotating, a certain defined area of at least one cleaning roller unit (i) is first loaded with cleaning liquid, then passes through at least one loading chamber, and then acts on the surface to be cleaned, or (ii) is loaded with cleaning liquid, then acts on the surface to be cleaned, and then passes through at least one loading chamber.

[0068] Particularly advantageously, at least one wiper is provided which removes the dirty fluid from at least one cleaning roller unit. Thereby, an effective removal of the dirty fluid can be obtained.

[0069] Particularly advantageously, at least one of the following is provided: - At least one cleaning roller unit has a textile covering, and at least one wiper abuts against or extends into the covering; - At least one wiper is arranged or formed on at least one loading chamber; - At least one wiper is designed as a wiper bar.

[0070] Thereby, an effective removal of dirt from at least one cleaning roller unit is obtained.

[0071] A construction with a simple structure is achieved in that at least one wiper is arranged on or formed in at least one loading chamber.

[0072] Advantageously, at least one wiper is arranged with respect to the rotation direction of at least one cleaning roller unit such that (i) during the operation of the surface cleaning machine, a certain defined area of at least one cleaning roller unit first acts on the surface to be cleaned, then passes through at least one loading chamber, and then rotates past at least one wiper, or (ii) a certain defined area of at least one cleaning roller unit first passes through the loading chamber, then acts on the surface to be cleaned, and then is guided past at least one wiper. Thus, an effective thermal fluid disinfection of at least one cleaning roller unit is obtained while achieving an effective cleaning action.

[0073] Advantageously, at least one tank device for the dirty fluid is provided.

[0074] Then, at least one of the following can be specified: - At least one tank device for the dirty fluid is arranged on the cleaning head; - At least one tank device for the dirty fluid is arranged on the cleaning head in a removable manner; - The dirty fluid is led from at least one cleaning roller unit to at least one tank device for the dirty fluid without a blower and without a pump.

[0075] The corresponding surface cleaning machine can be of simple construction, energy-efficient in operation and have a small number of components. The dirty fluid removed from at least one cleaning roller unit is directly fed into the tank device for the dirty fluid.

[0076] In an alternative embodiment (which can also be combined), a suction blower device with a suction blower and / or a pump device with a pump is provided, and the blower device and / or the pump device convey the dirty fluid from at least one cleaning roller unit to the tank device for the dirty fluid. This can be advantageous for certain applications. For example, there is no need to arrange the tank device for the dirty fluid on the cleaning head.

[0077] In one embodiment, the surface cleaning machine is designed as a machine that can be guided by a standing operator, and a grip device is provided, which is arranged on the cleaning head and is articulated on the cleaning head in particular. The surface cleaning machine is a mop machine. In particular, such a surface cleaning machine is designed for cleaning floors, especially hard floors.

[0078] Advantageously, at least one of the following is provided: - The hot fluid generating device is arranged on the grip device; - The tank device for the hot fluid generating device is arranged on the grip device; - The tank device for the cleaning liquid is arranged on the grip device; - The suction blower device for the dirty fluid and / or the pump device for the dirty fluid is arranged on the grip device.

[0079] Thereby, the cleaning head can be designed in a particularly compact manner, so that, for example, good bottom passage under furniture and the like can be achieved.

[0080] Alternatively, the surface cleaning machine can be designed as a self-propelled and self-steering machine ("cleaning robot").

[0081] In particular, it is provided that the hot fluid generating device and the drive are arranged on the cleaning head. Thereby, a correspondingly compact structure of the surface cleaning machine as a whole is obtained.

[0082] In one embodiment, the hot fluid generating device has a hot fluid generator and a pump. The hot fluid generator is, for example, a boiler (with a corresponding heating device) or an instantaneous water heater. The pump is responsible for transporting the hot fluid, in particular for transporting the hot fluid from the hot fluid generating device to the loading chamber. A pump or another pump can also be provided for transporting pure water to the hot fluid generator. In principle, one or more valves can also be provided to correspondingly control the release of the hot fluid transport to the loading chamber in a controllable manner.

[0083] Advantageously, a tank device for water (pure water) is assigned to the hot fluid generating device so that hot fluid can be generated accordingly.

[0084] Here, a separate tank device for the cleaning liquid is assigned to the wetting device for loading the cleaning liquid onto at least one cleaning roller unit and / or the surface to be cleaned, or a common tank device for water is assigned to the hot fluid generating device and the wetting device. In the latter case, the number of elements of the surface cleaning machine can be kept small. In the former case, the tank device for the cleaning liquid can also be filled with a cleaning liquid containing a cleaning agent (such as a surface-active cleaning agent) as an additive.

[0085] In principle, it is feasible that at least one cleaning roller unit is one-piece or multi-piece, especially two-piece. For example, if it is designed as two-piece, a central drive for at least one cleaning roller unit can be used.

[0086] It is also feasible to arrange exactly one cleaning roller unit or multiple cleaning roller units, especially exactly two cleaning roller units, on the cleaning head. For example, if exactly two cleaning roller units (which can themselves be one-piece or multi-piece) are arranged, they rotate in opposite directions to each other during operation.

[0087] In one embodiment, at least one loading chamber is arranged on the cleaning head between the first cleaning roller unit and the second cleaning roller unit. A space-saving structure is thereby obtained. Here, one loading chamber can be provided for each cleaning roller unit, or a common loading chamber can be provided for the first cleaning roller unit and the second cleaning roller unit.

[0088] In a compactly designed cleaning head, the cleaning head has a front end with respect to the advancing direction of the surface cleaning machine, and at least one loading chamber is arranged on the front end. Thereby, the tank device for the dirty fluid can be arranged on the cleaning head in a space-saving manner in particular.

[0089] In particular, at least one cleaning roller unit is arranged on the cleaning head between at least one loading chamber and the tank device for the dirty fluid. A compact structure is thereby obtained.

[0090] According to the invention, there is provided a method for operating a surface cleaning machine, in particular the surface cleaning machine according to the invention, wherein, during the cleaning operation, the cleaning roller unit rotates and acts on the surface to be cleaned, and wherein the cleaning roller unit passes through a loading chamber loaded with hot water mist and / or steam.

[0091] Thereby, thermal fluid disinfection of the cleaning roller unit can be obtained simultaneously with the cleaning operation.

[0092] The advantages of the method according to the invention have been explained in connection with the surface cleaning machine according to the invention.

[0093] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention have been explained in connection with the surface cleaning machine according to the invention.

[0094] In particular, the method of the present invention can be implemented on the surface cleaning machine of the present invention, or the surface cleaning machine according to the present invention can be operated using the method of the present invention.

[0095] Particularly advantageously, during the operation of the surface cleaning machine, at least one of the following is specified: - Continuously loading hot water mist and / or steam to at least one cleaning roller unit; - The rotational speed of at least one cleaning roller unit is in the range between 450 revolutions per minute and 500 revolutions per minute; - Loading hot water mist and / or steam to at least one cleaning roller unit in the range between 10% and 55% of the roller circumference, particularly in the range between 10% and 25% of the roller circumference; - Loading hot water mist and / or steam to at least one cleaning roller unit in a certain defined roller area in the range between 0.012 seconds and 0.06 seconds in terms of time; - The temperature of the hot water mist and / or steam when in contact with at least one cleaning roller unit is in the range between 75 °C and 90 °C; - The temperature at the cleaning roller unit when in contact with the surface to be cleaned is in the range between 55 °C and 75 °C.

[0096] Effective thermal fluid disinfection of the cleaning roller unit can thereby be obtained.

[0097] Particularly advantageously, one of the above conditions is met, preferably multiple, particularly all conditions.

[0098] Particularly advantageously, when the second sub-action area of the cleaning roller unit acts on the surface to be cleaned, the first sub-action area of the cleaning roller unit is positioned in the loading chamber, wherein the second sub-action area is circumferentially spaced apart from the first sub-action area (with respect to the rotational axis of the cleaning roller unit). Thereby, thermal fluid disinfection of the cleaning roller unit can be achieved simultaneously during the cleaning operation.

[0099] It is also advantageous that at the third sub-action area of the cleaning roller unit, the dirty fluid is removed from the cleaning roller unit, wherein the third sub-action area is circumferentially spaced apart from the first sub-action area and circumferentially spaced apart from the second sub-action area. Thereby, an effective cleaning operation can be achieved. The cleaning roller unit acts on the surface to be cleaned using the second sub-action area, while the removal of the dirty fluid is implemented at the third sub-action area.

[0100] It can be stipulated that the cleaning roller unit rotates in a rotational direction such that a certain defined area of the cleaning roller unit first passes through the loading chamber, then acts on the surface to be cleaned, and then the dirty fluid is removed at this defined area. Alternatively, the cleaning roller unit rotates in a rotational direction such that a certain defined area of the cleaning roller unit first acts on the surface to be cleaned, then passes through the loading chamber, and then the dirty fluid is removed at this defined area. In both cases, the thermal fluid disinfection of the cleaning roller unit can be carried out synchronously with the cleaning operation.

[0101] Advantageously, the cleaning roller unit is wetted, wherein the wetting is carried out by means of hot water fluid and / or steam in the loading chamber and, in particular, additionally by means of the cleaning fluid from the tank device for the cleaning fluid. Thereby, effective dirt removal can be achieved during the cleaning operation.

[0102] Particularly advantageously, the loading chamber is replenished with thermal fluid. During the loading of the cleaning roller unit from the loading chamber, a loss of thermal fluid occurs as the respective loading area rotates out of the loading chamber. These losses are compensated by replenishing the thermal fluid into the loading chamber. The replenishment is carried out in particular such that a time-constant thermal fluid atmosphere is formed in the loading chamber in terms of flow equilibrium. Thereby, effective thermal fluid disinfection of the cleaning roller unit can be achieved. Here, in principle, the replenishment can be carried out continuously or in time intervals, for example, in a pulsed manner. Description of the Drawings

[0103] The following description of the preferred embodiment is used in conjunction with the drawings for further elucidation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0104] Figure 1 A schematic block diagram showing the structure of an embodiment of a surface cleaning machine according to the present invention;

[0105] Figure 2 A schematic block diagram showing another embodiment of a surface cleaning machine according to the present invention;

[0106] Figure 3 A partial view showing an embodiment of a surface cleaning machine according to the present invention, which has a cleaning roller unit and a loading chamber;

[0107] Figure 4 Shows a top view of an embodiment with a one-piece cleaning roller unit along the direction A according to Figure 3 ;

[0108] Figure 5 Shows a view similar to Figure 4 in an embodiment of a two-piece cleaning roller unit;

[0109] Figure 6Schematic partial view showing another embodiment of a surface cleaning machine according to the invention, having a first cleaning roller unit, a loading chamber, and a second cleaning roller unit;

[0110] Figure 7 Shows a top view of the installation along direction B according to Figure 6 wherein both the first cleaning roller unit and the second cleaning roller unit are one-piece;

[0111] Figure 8 Shows a view similar to Figure 7 of a variant, wherein both the first cleaning roller unit and the second cleaning roller unit are two-piece;

[0112] Figure 9 Schematically shows an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine for operation by a standing user, which is an embodiment of a surface cleaning machine;

[0113] Figure 10 Shows a schematic view of another embodiment of a floor cleaning machine, in particular a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning machine; and

[0114] Figure 11 Shows another embodiment of a floor cleaning machine. Detailed Description

[0115] The surface cleaning machine according to the invention is particularly used for cleaning hard or smooth surfaces. The surface cleaning machine according to the invention is, for example, designed as or used as a floor cleaning machine for cleaning (hard) floors.

[0116] Figure 1 The first embodiment of the surface cleaning machine according to the invention, schematically shown in block diagram in Figure 3 and 6 and identified by 10, includes a cleaning head 12. In the cleaning operation, the surface cleaning machine 10 acts on the surface 14 to be cleaned via the cleaning head 12 (

[0117] 9 to 11). Figure 10 ).

[0118] At least one cleaning roller unit 16 is disposed on the cleaning head 12. The cleaning roller unit 16 is supported on the cleaning head 12 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 18.

[0119] In one embodiment, it is provided that the placement plane 20 of the cleaning head 12 (see, for example, Figure 9)(parallel to the axis of rotation 18 on the surface 14 to be cleaned. (In the case of a flat surface 14 to be cleaned, the geometric placement plane 20 and the surface 14 to be cleaned coincide.) The placement plane 20 is defined by means of the cleaning roller unit 16.)

[0120] In one embodiment, the cleaning head 12 is supported in the cleaning operation only by the sole cleaning roller unit 16, which alone defines the placement plane 20.

[0121] In another embodiment, in the cleaning operation, the cleaning head 12 is supported on the surface 14 to be cleaned by the cleaning roller unit 16 and one or more support elements. Such support elements can themselves be cleaning roller units or, for example, support wheels, sliding members, etc. In this case, the placement plane 20 is defined by the cleaning roller unit 16 and one or more additional support elements.

[0122] The cleaning roller unit 16 can be designed as one-piece (see Figure 4 and Figure 7 ) or multi-piece (see Figure 5 and Figure 8 ), and then especially two-piece. In the case of a multi-piece design of the cleaning roller unit 16, all roller parts rotate synchronously about the axis of rotation 18, especially for a one-piece or multi-piece cleaning roller unit 16, a drive is provided which drives the cleaning roller unit 16 as a whole in a rotational movement about the axis of rotation 18.

[0123] In one embodiment, the cleaning roller unit 16 includes, for example, a support of a cylinder, on which a covering, for example a textile covering, is arranged. During the cleaning process, the covering acts on the surface 14 to be cleaned.

[0124] A drive 22 is assigned to the cleaning roller unit 16. The drive 22 is or especially includes a motor drive, preferably an electric motor. A transmission is especially arranged between the respective motor (electric motor) and the cleaning roller unit 16. It is used for rotational speed transmission and torque transmission at a corresponding distance.

[0125] In one embodiment, the drive 22 is arranged on the cleaning head 12, especially inside the cleaning head 12. It can be arranged, for example, next to, behind or above the cleaning roller unit 16 on the cleaning head 12. In one embodiment, the drive 22 is designed as an internal drive on which the cleaning roller unit 16 is placed.

[0126] In another embodiment, the motor drive of the drive 22 is placed, for example, on a grip device which is articulated to the cleaning head 12 (see, for example, WO 2016 / 058879 A1).

[0127] A tank device 24 for dirty fluid is associated with the cleaning roller unit 16. The tank device 24 holds the dirty fluid removed from the cleaning roller unit 16. The dirty fluid is in particular a mixture of liquid (mainly water) and dirt particles.

[0128] In one embodiment, a tank device 24 for dirty fluid is releasably arranged on the cleaning head 12. In particular, dirty fluid removed from the cleaning roller unit 16 is fed into the tank device 24 without a blower or without a pump.

[0129] Usually, it is provided that there is only a tank device 24 for dirty fluid. In principle, it is also possible to convey the dirty fluid from one or more tanks placed on the cleaning head 12 to another tank of the tank device 24, for example by means of a pump or a suction blower.

[0130] The surface cleaning machine 10 includes a thermal fluid generating device 26. In one embodiment, the thermal fluid generating device 26 may be disposed on the cleaning head 12. It may also be disposed outside the cleaning head 12, such as on a handle device.

[0131] The thermal fluid generating device 26 generates thermal fluid from water. Here, thermal fluid is understood to be hot water (without phase change) and steam (with phase change). Here, the thermal fluid generating device 26 is designed to have a temperature of at least 80° C. when generating hot water.

[0132] The generated hot fluid is provided to the cleaning head 12 by the hot fluid generating device 26 .

[0133] The surface cleaning machine 10 comprises a tank device 28 for water. The tank device 28 is fluidically connected to the thermal fluid generating device 26. Water is provided from the tank device 28 to the thermal fluid generating device 26 to generate thermal fluid.

[0134] The tank device 28 is arranged on the cleaning head 12 or on the handle device. In principle, it is also possible, for example, that the tank device 28 is an external tank device, which is guided, for example, movably over the surface 14 to be cleaned, or which is carried, for example, by the user.

[0135] The hot fluid generating device 26 comprises a hot fluid generator, which is in particular a boiler or an instantaneous heater, which heats the water provided from the tank device 28 to generate steam or hot water before liquid-gas phase transition, in particular with a temperature of at least 80°C. Figure 1 In the drawings, the thermal fluid generator is indicated by reference numeral 30 .

[0136] In one embodiment, the thermal fluid generating device 26 further includes a pump 32 responsible for delivering fluid to the thermal fluid generating device 26 .

[0137] The heat fluid generating device 26 further comprises one or more valves, which are especially controlled. Through them, the heat fluid can be discharged from the heat fluid generating device 26 in a targeted manner.

[0138] The loading chamber 34 is arranged on the cleaning head 12. Herein, it belongs to the cleaning roller unit 16. The loading chamber 34 has an internal space 36 and is fluid-connected to the heat fluid generating device 26. The heat fluid manufactured and provided by the heat fluid generating device 26 can be introduced into the internal space 36 of the loading chamber 34.

[0139] In one embodiment, the nozzle device 38 is placed on the loading chamber 34, which is used for the distribution of the heat fluid in the internal space 36.

[0140] When hot water is used as the heat fluid, the nozzle device 38 is especially designed such that it is also responsible for atomization, so that during the operation of the surface cleaning machine 10, there is a heat fluid mist in the internal space 36.

[0141] When steam is used as the heat fluid, the nozzle device 38 is responsible for the corresponding steam filling during the operation of the surface cleaning machine 10, especially the uniform steam filling of the internal space 36.

[0142] The loading chamber 34 has (at least one) opening 40 (also see Figure 3 ), which faces the assigned cleaning roller unit 16.

[0143] A sub-region 42 of the cleaning roller unit 16 sinks into the internal space 36 of the loading chamber 34 through the opening 40. The sub-region 42 sinking into the internal space 36 is exposed to a heat fluid atmosphere (hot water mist or steam atmosphere) during the operation of the surface cleaning machine. Accordingly, the heat fluid loading of the sub-region 42 is implemented in the internal space 36, especially the heat fluid loading of the coating on the sub-region 42 of the cleaning roller unit 16.

[0144] The cleaning roller unit 16 sinks into the loading chamber 34 by using its sub-region 42 through the opening 40. The cleaning roller unit 16 is perpendicular to the rotation axis 18 along its sinking direction 44 (see Figure 3 ).

[0145] At least one cleaning roller unit 16 has an acting area 46 for the surface 14 to be cleaned. The acting area 46 is a part of the cleaning roller unit 16, and the cleaning roller unit 16 acts on the surface 14 to be cleaned by using this part.

[0146] In one embodiment, the acting area 46 is formed by a coating, especially a textile coating.

[0147] The action area 46 has a circumferential surface of a substantially cylindrical shape as an envelope surface. When the cleaning roller unit 16 is placed on the surface 14 to be cleaned and the weight of the surface cleaning machine 10 acts, the cleaning roller unit 16 usually deforms accordingly, especially the action area 46 deforms. In this case, the envelope surface is not precisely the circumferential surface of a cylinder, but rather the circumferential surface of a flattened cylinder.

[0148] The opening 40 is matched to the cylindrical shape of the action area 46. The loading chamber 34 forms the housing of the sub-region 42 of the cleaning roller unit 16. The cleaning roller unit 16 itself forms a covering part at the opening 40, wherein, based on the rotation of the cleaning roller unit 16 about the rotation axis 18, this covering part is movable.

[0149] In one embodiment, the loading chamber 34 has a wall 48, which is correspondingly matched to the cylindrical shape of the cleaning roller unit 16.

[0150] On the opening 40, the wall 48 has a first longitudinal side 50 and a second longitudinal side 52 opposite to the first longitudinal side ( Figure 3 、 Figure 4 ). The first longitudinal side 50 and the second longitudinal side 52 are spaced apart from each other perpendicular to the rotation axis 18 and perpendicular to the placement plane 20.

[0151] In one embodiment, the first longitudinal side 50 and the second longitudinal side 52 are designed to be matched to the cylindrical envelope surface of the cleaning roller unit 16, especially straight.

[0152] The wall 48 also has a first transverse side 54 and a second transverse side 56 opposite to the first transverse side. The first transverse side 54 and the second transverse side 56 are spaced apart from each other parallel to the rotation axis 18. The first transverse side 54 and the second transverse side 56 respectively connect the first longitudinal side 50 and the second longitudinal side 52 to each other.

[0153] The first transverse side 54 and the second transverse side 56 of the wall 48 are matched to the (approximate) circumferential surface of the cylinder of the cleaning roller unit 16 in its action area 46 on the opening 40. They correspondingly have a convexly curved shape, especially circular.

[0154] A sealing device 58 is provided between the loading chamber 34 and the cleaning roller unit 16. The sealing device 58 is responsible for a fluid-tight closure. As described above for the data interface, the cleaning roller unit 16 can form a covering part of the internal space 36. It is used to obtain sufficient loading of the action area 46 of the cleaning roller unit 16 in the internal space 36 of the loading chamber 34 during the operation of the surface cleaning machine 10.

[0155] In one embodiment, the sealing device 58 is formed by the wall 48, especially by the end-side region of the wall 48 that belongs to the cleaning roller unit 16.

[0156] Accordingly, the wall 48 abuts against or projects into the area of action 46 of the cleaning roller unit 16 at the first longitudinal side 50, the second longitudinal side 52, the first transverse side 54 and the second transverse side 56 in order to obtain a fluid-tight closure as described above.

[0157] The sub-region 42 (by means of which the cleaning roller unit 16 sinks into the loading chamber 34 at the opening 40) has a length 60 along the axis of rotation 18 (see Figure 4 ), which in particular has at least 70% of the area of action 46 of the cleaning roller unit 16. In the embodiment shown, with respect to the direction parallel to the axis of rotation 18, the cleaning roller unit 16 sinks completely into the interior space 36 with the corresponding area of action 46 with respect to the length 60.

[0158] During operation of the surface cleaning machine 10, the loading chamber 34 is loaded with a hot fluid, in particular hot water mist and / or steam. This in turn loads the corresponding area of action 46 of the cleaning roller unit 16. It is thereby disinfected and at the same time wetted. The cleaning roller unit 16 and in particular the corresponding area of action 46, for example the covering of a textile, absorbs moisture, which can be used to improve cleaning. In one embodiment, it is provided that a corresponding wetting device 62 for the cleaning roller unit 16 is formed by means of the loading chamber 34 and the hot fluid generating device 26.

[0159] In one embodiment, the wetting device 62 includes an additional device 64 through which a cleaning liquid is conveyed to the cleaning roller unit 16 and / or the surface 14 to be cleaned.

[0160] For this purpose, a nozzle device 66 is provided, which is arranged and designed such that the cleaning liquid can be used through it to load the cleaning roller unit 16 outside the loading chamber 34 and / or directly load the surface 14 to be cleaned.

[0161] The cleaning liquid applied to the cleaning roller unit 16 and / or the surface 14 to be cleaned by means of the additional device 64 can here be pure water or water with a cleaning agent added as an additive (in particular a surface-active cleaning agent).

[0162] In one embodiment, a tank device 68 for the cleaning liquid is provided. The tank device 68 is arranged, for example, on the cleaning head 12 or the handle device. The tank device 68 can accommodate the cleaning liquid, which includes a cleaning agent (for example a surface-active cleaning agent). The cleaning liquid is conveyed to the nozzle device 66 by means of a corresponding line device 70.

[0163] Here, the conveyance is controlled in particular, for example, by a valve device. Here, the valve device is actuated, for example, such that when the surface cleaning machine is switched on to the cleaning operation, it releases the liquid flow to the nozzle device 66.

[0164] In principle, it is also feasible to use the water-containing tank device 28 for the additional device 64. The tank device 28 supplies water to the heat fluid generating device 26. Therefore, there should be no cleaning agent, especially surfactant cleaning agent, in the tank device, because this may especially cause (lead to?) unwanted aerosols in the generation of heat fluid.

[0165] In this case, a containing device 72 can be provided, which contains the cleaning agent and is arranged (with respect to the flow path) between the nozzle device 66 and the tank device 28.

[0166] The surface cleaning machine 10 includes a controller 74. It especially controls the drive 22 and the heat fluid generating device 26.

[0167] An energy supply device 76 is provided, which supplies electrical energy to the corresponding components of the surface cleaning machine 10. The energy supply can be implemented, for example, by mains current or battery current.

[0168] To remove the dirty fluid from the cleaning roller unit 16, at least one wiper 78 is provided (see Figure 3 ). It acts on the action area 46 and fits or extends into it (especially fits or extends into the textile covering), and scrapes the dirty fluid (liquid and dirt particles) from the cleaning roller unit 16. As described above, the dirty fluid is input into the tank device 24 from there without a blower and a pump. The wiper 78 is especially arranged above the placement plane 20 with respect to it. In the normal operation of the surface cleaning machine 10 (in which the cleaning head 12 is placed on the surface 14 to be cleaned by means of the placement plane 20), the wiper 78 (by contact or sinking, as described above) is located above the placement plane 20 with respect to the direction of gravity, and is also located above the cleaning roller unit 16.

[0169] Here it can be stipulated that when the nozzle device 66 of the additional device 64 loads the cleaning liquid onto the cleaning roller unit 16, it is arranged between the wiper 78 and the loading chamber 34, or on the side of the wiper 78 facing away from the loading chamber 34. These two possibilities are shown in Figure 3 as follows.

[0170] In the first possible case, additional wetting is carried out just before scraping the dirty fluid. In the second possible case, additional wetting is carried out after scraping the dirty fluid from the cleaning roller unit 16.

[0171] In the surface cleaning machine 10, the action area 46 has a first sub-area in the "instantaneous state", that is, the first sub-action area 80, which sinks into the loading chamber 34. This action area 46 has a second sub-action area 82, and the cleaning roller unit 16 acts on the surface 14 to be cleaned and is placed on the surface 14 to be cleaned by means of it.

[0172] Furthermore, the acting area 46 also has a third sub-acting area 84, on which the dirty fluid is removed by the wiper 78.

[0173] By the rotation of the cleaning roller unit 16 about the rotation axis 18, these sub-acting areas 80, 82, 84 are variable and transform into each other.

[0174] The second sub-acting area 82 is spaced apart from the first sub-acting area 80 in the circumferential direction (with respect to the rotation axis 18). The third sub-acting area 84 is spaced apart from the second sub-acting area 82 in the circumferential direction. The third sub-acting area 84 is also spaced apart from the first sub-acting area 80 in the circumferential direction. These sub-acting areas are arranged successively in the circumferential direction.

[0175] When the cleaning roller unit 16 has rotated 360°, the acting area 46 (with respect to the circumferential direction) completely passes through the loading chamber 34.

[0176] In the illustrated embodiment, the acting area 46 also completely passes through the loading chamber 34 with respect to its length 60.

[0177] In this embodiment, the entire upper surface of the acting area 46 is loaded with the hot fluid at the loading chamber 34.

[0178] In principle, it is feasible that the cleaning roller unit 16 rotates about the rotation axis 18 in the rotation direction 86, where first it changes from the first sub-acting area 80 to the second sub-acting area 82, and then to the third sub-acting area 84. This means that a defined area on the acting area 46 of the cleaning roller unit 16 first undergoes the loading of the hot fluid at the loading chamber 34, then acts on the surface 14 to be cleaned, and then the dirty fluid is removed from this area by the wiper 78.

[0179] Here, the supply of additional cleaning liquid can be carried out with respect to this rotation direction 86 before the dirty fluid is scraped off by the wiper 78, or then before re-entering the loading chamber 34.

[0180] In principle, the reverse rotation direction 86 is also feasible, as will be further elaborated below.

[0181] In Figure 3 and Figure 4 the cleaning roller unit 16 is shown as one-piece.

[0182] It is also feasible that the cleaning roller unit 16 is multi-piece (see Figure 5 ). In this case, the cleaning roller unit 16 has a plurality and in particular two components 88a, 88b each including their respective acting areas. The components 88a and 88b are spaced apart from each other. Intermediate driving can be achieved through the corresponding intermediate area 90.

[0183] The working principle of the surface cleaning machine 10 according to the present invention is as follows:

[0184] During the operation of the surface cleaning machine 10, hot fluid is generated on the hot fluid generating device 26. For this purpose, water from the tank device 28 is used. The hot fluid is introduced into the loading chamber 34. A hot water mist or vapor atmosphere is formed in the loading chamber 34.

[0185] Here, the loading chamber 34 is continuously replenished with hot fluid by the hot fluid generating device 26. This replenishment can be carried out continuously or, for example, in a pulsed manner. In particular, this replenishment is carried out in a controlled manner by the control device 74.

[0186] The cleaning roller unit 16 rotates about the rotation axis 18 during the cleaning operation of the surface cleaning machine 10. When it is placed on the surface 14 to be cleaned, it acts on the surface 14 to be cleaned using the second sub-acting area 82.

[0187] By loading hot water mist or vapor in the loading chamber 34, a part (the first sub-acting area 80) of the cleaning roller unit 16 is disinfected. The hot fluid or vapor is responsible for effectively killing bacteria.

[0188] The defined line area of the acting area 46 is subjected to hot fluid loading during the time of rotating through the internal space 36 about the rotation axis 18, thus effective disinfection is carried out.

[0189] The surface cleaning machine 10 operates such that the rotational speed of the cleaning roller unit 16 is preferably in the range between 450 revolutions per minute and 500 revolutions per minute.

[0190] The loading chamber 34 has such dimensions that the area of the cleaning roller unit 16 that is within the range of 10% to 55%, especially within the range of 10% to 25%, of the roller circumference of the cleaning roller unit 16 is simultaneously loaded with hot fluid or vapor. The remaining part of the cleaning roller unit 16 is located outside the loading chamber 34.

[0191] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the cleaning roller unit 16 is loaded with hot water mist or vapor in the range between 0.012 seconds and 0.06 seconds in terms of time.

[0192] Furthermore, in particular, it is provided that the temperature of the hot fluid or vapor (hot water mist or vapor) when contacting the cleaning roller unit 16 is in the range between 75 °C and 90 °C.

[0193] Furthermore, in particular, it is provided that the temperature at the cleaning roller unit 16 when contacting the surface 14 to be cleaned is in the range between 55 °C and 75 °C.

[0194] In accordance with the corresponding rotational direction 86 Figures 3 to 5In an embodiment, a defined area of the action area 46 is guided as a second sub-action area 82 (based on the rotation of the cleaning roller unit 16) onto the surface 14 to be cleaned after passing through the loading chamber 34. It removes dirt there and carries away the dirty fluid. Then, by further rotation, the dirty fluid is removed at the wiper 78 and fed into the tank device 24.

[0195] In principle, when rotating past the loading chamber 34, the cleaning roller unit 16 is wetted on the first sub-action area 80.

[0196] In one embodiment, an additional device 64 for wetting is provided, which additionally wets the cleaning roller unit 16 to improve the dirt removal ability on the surface 14 to be cleaned.

[0197] Through the hot fluid generating device 26 and the loading chamber 34, when passing through the corresponding sub-areas 42 of the cleaning roller unit 16, the cleaning roller unit 16 is disinfected with hot fluid.

[0198] The sealing device 58 is correspondingly responsible for minimizing the "short-circuit flow" of the hot fluid.

[0199] In one embodiment, the surface cleaning machine 10 has a forward direction 92 ( Figure 3 ). In one embodiment, with respect to the forward direction 92, the loading chamber 34 is arranged in front of the cleaning roller unit 16. The cleaning roller unit 16 is arranged between the loading chamber 34 and the tank device 24 for the dirty fluid.

[0200] For example, it is also feasible that, with respect to the forward direction 92, the loading chamber 34 (and the tank device 24) is arranged behind the cleaning roller unit 16.

[0201] In principle, it can also be stipulated that hot fluid or vapor is additionally directly applied to the surface 16 to be cleaned through a corresponding nozzle device.

[0202] In another embodiment of the surface cleaning machine according to the invention, as schematically shown in a block diagram in Figure 2 , a suction blower device 96 is provided. It includes a suction blower with a suction blower motor. A tank device 98 for the dirty fluid is assigned to it. In addition, a separator is assigned to the suction blower device 96, which can be integrated into the tank device 98. This separator is used to separate air and dirty fluid.

[0203] The suction blower device 96 and the tank device 98 are particularly arranged on the holding device.

[0204] A nozzle device 100 is provided, which is a suction nozzle device. It is assigned to the cleaning roller unit 16. A suction flow is generated by a suction blower device 96, which acts on the cleaning roller unit 16 through the nozzle device 100. At least one wiper 102 is provided, which scrapes dirty fluid from the cleaning roller unit 16. The nozzle device 100 is aligned with the wiper 102, and the scraped dirty fluid is sucked away by the suction blower device 96 and introduced into the tank device 98 (along with air separation).

[0205] In other respects, the function of the surface cleaning machine 94 is the same as that of the surface cleaning machine 10, and the same reference numerals are used for the same components.

[0206] In one embodiment ( Figures 6 to 8 ), a corresponding cleaning head 104 is provided, on which a first cleaning roller unit 106 and a second cleaning roller unit 108 are located. They are rotationally driven about their respective axes of rotation, in particular in opposite directions.

[0207] Loading chambers 110 are respectively assigned to the first cleaning roller unit 106 and the second cleaning roller unit 108, wherein a common loading chamber 110 is assigned to the cleaning roller units 106 and 108.

[0208] The loading chamber 110 is in fluid operative connection with the hot fluid generating device 26, on which the hot fluid loading of the first cleaning roller unit 106 and the second cleaning roller unit 108 is respectively carried out.

[0209] In one embodiment, the loading chamber 110 is positioned on the cleaning head 104 between the first cleaning roller unit 106 and the second cleaning roller unit 108.

[0210] Separate wipers 112 or 114 are assigned to the respective cleaning roller units 106, 108 for removing dirty fluid.

[0211] A nozzle device 116 is provided, which corresponds to the nozzle device 100 as described above, and here, dirty fluid is sucked away not only from the first cleaning roller unit 106 but also from the second cleaning roller unit 108.

[0212] In Figure 6 the illustrated embodiment, the respective rotational directions 118 of the first cleaning roller unit 106 and the second cleaning roller unit 108 are as follows, i.e., a defined area of each of the cleaning roller units 106, 108 is first loaded with hot fluid in the loading chamber 110, then acts on the surface 14 to be cleaned based on rotation about the axis of rotation in the rotational direction 118, and then rotates towards the respective wiper 112 or 114 in order to be able to remove dirty fluid.

[0213] In other respects, the function of the respective surface cleaning machine having the cleaning roller units 106, 108 is as described above.

[0214] Here, the cleaning roller units 106, 108 can each be designed as one-piece ( Figure 7 ), or multi-piece ( Figure 8 ), in particular two-piece.

[0215] A specific embodiment of the surface cleaning machine according to the invention is the floor cleaning machine 120 ( Figure 9 ). The corresponding cleaning head 12 has a base body 122. In accordance with the arrangement as described in connection with Figure 3 and Figure 4 above, the cleaning roller unit 16 and the loading chamber 34 are placed on the base body 122. The tank device 24 is removably placed on the cleaning head 12, here on the base body 122.

[0216] The drive 22 is arranged on the cleaning head 12, here on the base body 122.

[0217] The cleaning head 12 is supported on the surface to be cleaned at a distance from the cleaning roller unit 16 by one or more support rollers 124.

[0218] The handle device 126 is arranged on the cleaning head 12 (and the base body 122). The handle device 126 is arranged and designed such that an operator standing on the floor 14 to be cleaned can stand and guide the floor cleaning machine 120 along the floor 14 to be cleaned through the handle 128 of the handle device 126.

[0219] The housing 130 is arranged on the handle device 126. The housing 130 houses the heat fluid generating device 26. The tank device 28 and possibly the tank device 68 are removably arranged on the housing 130.

[0220] The handle device 126 is pivotally hinged to the base body 122 via a hinge 132. The pivot axis 134 is parallel to the rotation axis 18 of the cleaning roller unit 16.

[0221] With the floor cleaning machine 120, a standing operator can clean the floor as the surface 14 to be cleaned.

[0222] As described above in connection with the surface cleaning machine 10, during the operation of the floor cleaning machine 120, the cleaning roller unit 16 is disinfected by a heat fluid (which is provided by the heat fluid generating device 26 and acts on the cleaning roller unit 16 at the loading chamber 34).

[0223] In another embodiment of the floor cleaning machine, which is schematically shown in Figure 10Shown in and identified by 136, a cleaning head 12 is provided, which has a base body 138. All functional elements are arranged on the base body 138, that is, the hot fluid generating device 26, the tank device 28 (and possibly the tank device 68), the tank device 24 for the dirty fluid, the cleaning roller unit 16, the loading chamber 34, and the drive 22.

[0224] The floor cleaning machine 136 is in particular designed as a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning machine (cleaning robot).

[0225] As described above, during operation, hot fluid disinfection of the cleaning roller unit 16 is implemented.

[0226] Another embodiment of the floor cleaning machine according to the invention, which is Figure 11 shown schematically in and identified by 140, corresponds to an implementation of the surface cleaning machine 94 according to Figure 2 ...

[0227] A cleaning head 104 with a base body 142 is provided. The first cleaning roller unit 106 and the second cleaning roller unit 108 are respectively placed on the base body 142, with one or more loading chambers 110 therebetween.

[0228] The grip device 144 for the standing operator is pivotally hinged to the base body 142.

[0229] A housing 146 is placed on the grip device 144, which houses the suction blower device 96 and the hot fluid generating device 26.

[0230] The tank device 98 for the dirty fluid (possibly with a separator) is removably placed on the housing 146.

[0231] The tank device 28 for water and possibly the tank device 68 for the cleaning liquid are removably placed on the housing 146.

[0232] In other respects, the functions of the floor cleaning machine 120 are as described above.

[0233] In the solution of the present invention, the loading of the hot fluid of the cleaning roller unit (for example, the cleaning roller unit 16) is implemented in the corresponding loading chamber (for example, the loading chamber 34). Thus, the corresponding areas of the cleaning roller unit 16 are loaded with hot fluid for a relatively long duration. The loading chamber is filled with hot fluid (hot water mist or vapor). This can kill most of the bacteria on the cleaning roller unit 16. For example, at least 99.99% of the bacteria can be killed.

[0234] The corresponding loading chamber (for example, the loading chamber 34) is a fixed component of the corresponding cleaning head 12. For example, it can also be stipulated that a wiper 78 is placed on the loading chamber 34.

[0235] List of reference numerals

[0236] 10 Surface cleaning machine

[0237] 12 Cleaning head

[0238] 14 Surface

[0239] 16 Cleaning roller unit

[0240] 18 Axis of rotation

[0241] 20 Placement plane

[0242] 22 Drive

[0243] 24 Tank device for dirty fluid

[0244] 26 Hot fluid generating device

[0245] 28 Tank device for water

[0246] 30 Hot fluid generator

[0247] 32 Pump

[0248] 34 Loading chamber

[0249] 36 Internal space

[0250] 38 Nozzle device

[0251] 40 Opening

[0252] 42 Sub-region

[0253] 44 Sinking direction

[0254] 46 Action area

[0255] 48 Wall

[0256] 50 First longitudinal side

[0257] 52 Second longitudinal side

[0258] 54 First transverse side

[0259] 56 Second transverse side

[0260] 58 Sealing device

[0261] 60 Length

[0262] 62 Wetting device

[0263] 64 Additional device

[0264] 66 Nozzle device

[0265] 68 Tank device for cleaning liquid

[0266] 70 Line device

[0267] 72 Containment device for cleaning agent

[0268] 74 Control device

[0269] 76 Energy supply device

[0270] 78 Scraper

[0271] 80 First sub - action area

[0272] 82 Second sub - action area

[0273] 84 Third sub - action area

[0274] 86 Rotation direction

[0275] 88a, 88b Components

[0276] 90 Intermediate area

[0277] 92 Forward direction

[0278] 94 Surface cleaning machine (second embodiment)

[0279] 96 Suction - blowing device

[0280] 98 Tank device for dirty fluid

[0281] 100 Nozzle device

[0282] 102 Scraper

[0283] 104 Cleaning head

[0284] 106 First cleaning roller unit

[0285] 108 Second cleaning roller unit

[0286] 110 Loading chamber

[0287] 112 Scraper

[0288] 114 Scraper

[0289] 116 Nozzle device

[0290] 118 Rotation direction

[0291] 120 Floor cleaning machine

[0292] 122 Substrate

[0293] 124 Support roller

[0294] 126 Grip device

[0295] 128 Handle

[0296] 130 Housing

[0297] 132 Hinge part

[0298] 134 Pivot axis

[0299] 136 Floor cleaning machine

[0300] 138 Base body

[0301] 140 Floor cleaning machine

[0302] 142 Base body

[0303] 144 Grip device

[0304] 146 Housing

Claims

1. A surface cleaning machine, comprising: Cleaning head (12; 104); at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108), the at least one cleaning roller unit being rotatably arranged on the cleaning head (12; 104); a drive (22) for driving the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) to rotate; a thermal fluid generating device (26) for generating a thermal fluid during operation of the surface cleaning machine, wherein the thermal fluid is hot water and / or steam with a temperature of at least 80° C.; and at least one loading chamber (34; 110), the at least one loading chamber being assigned to the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108 ) and is fluidically connected to the hot fluid generating device (26), wherein, during operation of the surface cleaning machine, the interior space (36) of the at least one loading chamber (34; 110) is filled with hot water mist and / or steam, wherein the at least one loading chamber (34; 110) has at least one opening (40), and wherein the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is immersed in the interior space (36) of the at least one loading chamber (34; 110) at the at least one opening (40) and is loaded with hot water mist and / or steam during operation of the surface cleaning machine.

2. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one loading chamber (34; 110) is disposed on the cleaning head (12; 104).

3. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that At least one of the following: - the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) has at least one effective area (46) for the surface (14) to be cleaned, the effective area having a substantially cylindrical circumference as an envelope surface, wherein in particular the cylindrical circumference is coaxial with the axis of rotation (18) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108); - at least one depression region of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) which is sunken into the at least one loading chamber (34; 110) has a cross section which is at least approximately in the shape of a circle segment or a circular segment; - the rotation axis (18) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is parallel to the placement plane (20) of the cleaning head (12; 104) on the surface (14) to be cleaned; - the at least one opening (40) has an extension direction parallel to the rotation axis (18) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108); The sinking direction (44) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) into the interior space (36) of the at least one loading chamber (34; 110) is perpendicular to the rotation axis (18) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108).

4. A surface cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that During operation of the surface cleaning machine, at least one of the following is provided: - continuously loading the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) with hot water mist and / or steam; - the rotation speed of the at least one cleaning roller unit is in the range between 450 revolutions per minute and 500 revolutions per minute; - the at least one cleaning roller unit is loaded with hot water mist and / or steam in a range between 10% and 55% of the roller circumference, in particular in a range between 10% and 25% of the roller circumference; - applying hot water mist and / or steam to the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) in a certain roller region within a time range between 0.012 seconds and 0.06 seconds; - the temperature of the hot water mist and / or steam when in contact with the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is in the range between 75°C and 90°C; - The temperature at the cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) when in contact with the surface to be cleaned (14) is in the range between 55°C and 75°C.

5. A surface cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is sunk into the at least one loading chamber (34; 110) with a sub-area of ​​action (80) of the area of ​​action (46), wherein the sub-area of ​​action (80) is variable during operation of the surface cleaning machine based on a rotation of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108).

6. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 5, characterized in that During operation of the surface cleaning machine, the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is sunk into the at least one loading chamber (34; 110) with a first sub-action area (80) and acts on the surface (14) to be cleaned with a second sub-action area (82), which is spaced apart from the first sub-action area (80) in the circumferential direction.

7. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 6, characterized in that Provision is made to remove dirty fluid from the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) at a third sub-region of action (84) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) which is spaced apart from the first sub-region of action (80) in the circumferential direction and spaced apart from the second sub-region of action (82) in the circumferential direction.

8. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 7, characterized in that At least one of the following: - the first sub-region of action (80) is located between the second sub-region (82) and the third sub-region (84) with respect to the rotation direction (86) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108); - The rotation direction (86) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is such that when the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) rotates, the first sub-action area (80) is converted into the third sub-action area (84), or the first sub-action area (80) is converted into the second sub-action area (82).

9. A surface cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that With respect to a longitudinal direction parallel to the axis of rotation (18) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108), at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, in particular 100% of an effective area (46) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is immersed in the at least one loading chamber (34; 110).

10. A surface cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that At least one of the following: - the at least one loading chamber (34; 110) forms a housing for a sub-region (42) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108); - the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) forms a movable cover for the at least one loading chamber (34; 110) on the at least one opening (40); - When the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is rotated 360°, the effective area (46) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) completely passes through the loading chamber (34; 110) with respect to the circumferential direction of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108).

11. A surface cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that A sealing device (58) is provided which ensures a fluid-acting seal between the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) and the at least one loading chamber (34; 110).

12. The surface cleaning machine according to claim 11, characterized in that At least one of the following: - the sealing device (58) comprises a wall (48) of the at least one loading chamber (34; 110), which wall bears against a coating of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) or projects into a coating of the at least one cleaning roller unit; The sealing device (58) is arranged circumferentially or formed at the at least one opening (40).

13. A surface cleaning machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that The wall (48) of the at least one loading chamber (34; 110) has, at the opening (40), a first longitudinal side (50), a second longitudinal side (52) opposite the first longitudinal side (50), a first transverse side (54), and a second transverse side (56) opposite the first transverse side (54), wherein the first transverse side (54) and the second transverse side (56) are connected to the first longitudinal side (50) and the second longitudinal side (52), respectively, and have at least one of the following: - the first longitudinal side (50) and / or the second longitudinal side (52) are oriented parallel to the rotation axis (18) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108); - the first longitudinal side (50) and the second longitudinal side (52) are parallel to each other; - the first lateral side (54) and / or the second lateral side (56) are oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (18) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108); - the first transverse side (54) and the second transverse side (56) are oriented parallel to each other; - the first longitudinal side (50) and / or the second longitudinal side (52) have a straight course at the end side; The first transverse side (54) and / or the second transverse side (56) have a curved course at the end face, in particular a convexly curved course and in particular a rounded course.

14. A surface cleaning machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that A nozzle device (38) for a hot fluid is associated with the at least one loading chamber (34; 110), the nozzle device being arranged in particular on the at least one loading chamber (34; 110).

15. A surface cleaning machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that A wetting device (62) is provided for wetting the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) with a cleaning liquid.

16. The surface cleaning machine of claim 15, wherein: The wetting device (62) surrounds the at least one loading chamber (34; 110).

17. A surface cleaning machine according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that The wetting device (62) includes at least one of the following: - an additional device (64) attached to the at least one loading chamber (34; 110), which loads the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) and / or the surface to be cleaned (14) with cleaning liquid; - a tank device (68) for cleaning fluid; - a container (72) for a cleaning agent; - a nozzle device (66) oriented toward the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) and / or the surface (14) to be cleaned and in fluidic connection with a tank device (68) for cleaning fluid.

18. A surface cleaning machine according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterised in that During operation of the surface cleaning machine, when the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) rotates, a certain area of ​​the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is (i) first loaded with cleaning liquid, then passes through the at least one loading chamber (34; 110), and then acts on the surface (14) to be cleaned, or (ii) is loaded with cleaning liquid, then acts on the surface (14) to be cleaned, and then passes through the at least one loading chamber (34; 110).

19. A surface cleaning machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that There is at least one scraper (78; 102) which removes dirty fluid from the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108).

20. The surface cleaning machine of claim 19, wherein At least one of the following: - the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) has a textile coating, the at least one scraper (78; 102) being in contact with the coating or extending into the coating; - the at least one scraper (78; 102) is arranged or formed on the at least one loading chamber (34; 110); - The at least one scraper (78; 102) is designed as a scraper strip.

21. A surface cleaning machine according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that The at least one scraper (78; 102) is arranged with respect to the rotation direction (86) of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) so that (i) during operation of the surface cleaning machine, a certain area of ​​the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) first acts on the surface (14) to be cleaned, then passes through the at least one loading chamber (34; 110), and then rotates past the at least one scraper (78; 102), or (ii) a certain area of ​​the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) first passes through the loading chamber (34; 110), then acts on the surface (14) to be cleaned, and then is guided past the at least one scraper (78; 102).

22. A surface cleaning machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that There is at least one tank device (24; 98) for dirty fluid.

23. The surface cleaning machine of claim 22, wherein At least one of the following: - the at least one tank device (24) for dirty fluid is arranged on the cleaning head (12); - the at least one tank device (24) for dirty fluid is arranged on the cleaning head (12) in a removable manner; - Directing dirty fluid from the at least one cleaning roller unit (16) to the at least one tank device (24) for dirty fluid without a blower and without a pump.

24. A surface cleaning machine according to claim 22 or 23, characterised in that A suction blower device (96) with a suction blower and / or a pump device with a pump are provided, which convey dirty fluid from the at least one cleaning roller unit (106, 108) to the tank device (98) for dirty fluid.

25. A surface cleaning machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that A machine (120; 140) is designed to be guided by a standing operator, the machine having a handle device (126; 144) which is arranged on the cleaning head (12) and is in particular articulated on the cleaning head (12).

26. The surface cleaning machine of claim 25, wherein At least one of the following: - the thermal fluid generating device (26) is arranged on the gripping device (126; 144); - a tank device (68) for the thermal fluid generating device (26) is arranged on the handle device (126; 144); - a tank device (68) for cleaning liquid is arranged on the handle device (126; 144); A suction blower device (96) for dirty fluids and / or a pump device for dirty fluids is arranged on the handle device (126; 144).

27. A surface cleaning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterised in that Machines designed to be self-propelled and self-steering (136).

28. A surface cleaning machine as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that The hot fluid generating device (26) and the drive (22) are arranged on the cleaning head (12).

29. A surface cleaning machine according to any preceding claim, characterised in that The thermal fluid generating device (26) comprises a thermal fluid generator (30) and a pump (32).

30. A surface cleaning machine as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that A tank device (28) for water is associated with the thermal fluid generating device (26).

31. The surface cleaning machine of claim 30, wherein: A wetting device (62) for applying cleaning fluid to the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) and / or the surface (14) to be cleaned is assigned its own tank device (68) for cleaning fluid, or a common tank device for water is assigned to the thermal fluid generating device (26) and the wetting device (62).

32. A surface cleaning machine as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that The at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is one-piece or multi-piece, in particular two-piece.

33. A surface cleaning machine as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that Exactly one cleaning roller unit (16) or a plurality of cleaning roller units (106, 108), in particular exactly two cleaning roller units (106, 108), are arranged on the cleaning head (104).

34. A surface cleaning machine according to claim 33, characterised in that The at least one loading chamber (110) is arranged on the cleaning head (104) between a first cleaning roller unit (106) and a second cleaning roller unit (108).

35. A surface cleaning machine as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that The cleaning head (12) has a front end with respect to the advancing direction (92) of the surface cleaning machine, and the at least one loading chamber (34) is arranged on the front end.

36. A surface cleaning machine as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that The at least one cleaning roller unit (16) is arranged on the cleaning head (12) between the at least one loading chamber (34) and a tank device (24) for dirty fluid.

37. Method for operating a surface cleaning machine, in particular according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: In cleaning operation, the cleaning roller unit (16) acts in rotation on the surface (14) to be cleaned, and the cleaning roller unit (16) passes through a loading chamber (34) loaded with hot water mist and / or steam.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that During operation of the surface cleaning machine, at least one of the following is provided: - continuously loading at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) with hot water mist and / or steam; - the rotation speed of the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is in the range between 450 revolutions per minute and 500 revolutions per minute; - the at least one cleaning roller unit is loaded with hot water mist and / or steam in a range between 10% and 55% of the roller circumference, in particular in a range between 10% and 25% of the roller circumference; - applying hot water mist and / or steam to the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) in a certain roller region within a time range between 0.012 seconds and 0.06 seconds; - the temperature of the hot water mist and / or steam when in contact with the at least one cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) is in the range between 75°C and 90°C; - The temperature at the cleaning roller unit (16; 106, 108) when in contact with the surface to be cleaned (14) is in the range between 55°C and 75°C.

39. The method according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that When the second sub-action area (82) of the cleaning roller unit (16) acts on the surface (14) to be cleaned, the first sub-action area (80) of the cleaning roller unit (16) is positioned in the loading chamber (34), wherein the second sub-action area (82) is spaced apart from the first sub-action area (80) in the circumferential direction.

40. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 39, characterized in that At a third sub-action area (84) of the cleaning roller unit (16), dirty fluid is removed from the cleaning roller unit, wherein the third sub-action area (84) is spaced apart from the first sub-action area (80) in the circumferential direction and is spaced apart from the second sub-action area (82) in the circumferential direction.

41. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 40, characterized in that The cleaning roller unit (16) rotates in such a rotation direction (86) that a certain area of ​​the cleaning roller unit first passes through the loading chamber (34) and then acts on the surface (14) to be cleaned, whereupon dirty fluid removal is performed.

42. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 41, characterized in that The cleaning roller unit (16) rotates in such a rotation direction that a certain area of ​​the cleaning roller unit first acts on the surface to be cleaned and then passes through the loading chamber (34), and then dirty fluid removal is performed at the certain area.

43. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 42, characterized in that The cleaning roller unit (16) is wetted, wherein the wetting is carried out by hot water fluid and / or steam in the loading chamber and in particular additionally with cleaning fluid from a tank device (68) for cleaning fluid.

44. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 43, characterized in that The loading chamber (34) is replenished with hot fluid.

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