Pressure cleaning machine

Abstract

Described is a pressure washer (1) comprising: a pump (P); an electric motor (M) configured to operate the pump (P); a dispensing gun (30) of liquid exiting said pump (P), fluidly connected to the pump (P) by means of a delivery conduit (25), said dispensing gun (30) being selectively operable to dispense liquid by means of a trigger (35), the trigger (35) being movable between a first position in which the dispensing gun (30) does not dispense liquid and a second position in which the dispensing gun (30) dispenses liquid, the pressure washer (1) is selectively operable by means of a single selector (300) in one of the following configurations: a first configuration in which the electric motor (M) is turned off; a second configuration in which the motor (M) is turned off when the trigger (35) is in its first position and turned on when the trigger (35) is in its second position; and a third configuration in which the motor (M) is turned on regardless of the position of the trigger (35).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a pressure cleaner, or in other words, to a high-pressure cleaning device, which is typically used to clean surfaces by generating a liquid jet under pressure. Background Technology

[0002] High-pressure cleaning equipment is generally known, often referred to as a pressure cleaner, and includes: a high-pressure pump, which is operated by a motor and is designed to receive cleaning fluid, such as water, through an inlet pipe, pressurize it, and then discharge it through its own delivery pipe.

[0003] The pump delivery conduit delivers the pump-dispensed fluid to a dispensing gun equipped with at least one fluid dispensing nozzle.

[0004] As is well known, a dispensing gun is equipped with a trigger, which is usually located at the handle of the dispensing gun itself. This trigger can alternate between a first position and a second position to initiate or interrupt the dispensing of fluid from the dispensing nozzle, respectively.

[0005] Pressure washers typically also include a first switch, which is the power switch of the pressure washer, and its switching allows the pump drive motor to be turned on essentially by connecting the pump drive motor to the power source.

[0006] Once started, the pressure washer is in what is industrially known as the Total Stop System (TSS) mode, in which the pressure washer motor is configured to remain off when the trigger is in its first position and to receive power only when the trigger moves from the first position to the second position and remains on as long as it remains in the second position.

[0007] Therefore, this mode allows the pressure washer to remain on standby between uses, thus saving energy, without the need to turn off the pressure washer by switching the first switch.

[0008] The pressure washer in the prior art also includes a second switch separate from the first switch. The user can use the second switch to switch the pressure washer between the above-mentioned TSS mode and an additional mode commonly referred to as the bypass mode. In the bypass mode, the motor always remains on, regardless of the position of the trigger, that is, even when the trigger is in its first position.

[0009] For professionals who need to perform long-term cleaning over time and require repeated trigger operation, the bypass mode is ideal, allowing the delivery of cleaning fluid to begin without shutting down the motor, thus avoiding the recurrence of power consumption peaks caused by motor operation.

[0010] One drawback of this section is that the selection of various operating modes for these pressure washers is particularly cumbersome and complicated.

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to overcome this shortcoming of the prior art.

[0012] Another objective is to achieve this goal in the context of a simple, reasonable, and cost-effective solution.

[0013] This objective is achieved by the features of the invention indicated in the independent claims. The dependent claims summarize the preferred and / or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention. Utility Model Content

[0014] This utility model specifically enables the use of a pressure cleaner, which includes:

[0015] - A pump, which is connected to an inlet pipe and a outlet pipe. The pump receives liquid to be pressurized from a source (e.g., a tank) through the inlet pipe and delivers the liquid out of the pump through the outlet pipe.

[0016] - An electric motor configured to operate the pump;

[0017] - A dispensing nozzle for dispensing liquid from the pump, which is fluidly connected to the pump via a delivery conduit, is selectively operable by means of a trigger to dispense liquid, the trigger being movable between a first position where the dispensing nozzle does not dispense liquid and a second position where the dispensing nozzle dispenses liquid.

[0018] The pressure washer is selectively operable in one of the following configurations using a single selector:

[0019] - First configuration, in which the electric motor is turned off;

[0020] - A second configuration, wherein the motor is off when the trigger is in its first position and on when the trigger is in its second position; and

[0021] - The third configuration, in which the motor is turned on regardless of the trigger position.

[0022] The result is that pressure washers can overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, providing special functional features and different usage modes suitable for professional and semi-professional users.

[0023] In detail, the implementation of a single selector allows users to easily select the preferred operating configuration of the pressure washer based on how to use the pressure washer, without any specific drawbacks.

[0024] Therefore, operating a pressure washer is particularly convenient and intuitive.

[0025] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the selector may be provided with a circuit adapted to (selectively allow) electrically connecting the motor to a power source, the circuit comprising: a first dual-path switch including a first path and a second path; and a second switch adapted to connect to the power source by means of the first path of the first switch, the second switch being operable between a first (closed) position and a second (open) position, in the first (closed) position being adapted to allow electrical connection between the power source and the motor.

[0026] Another aspect of this invention provides that when the trigger is in the corresponding second position, the second switch can be operated in its first position, and when the trigger is in the corresponding second position, the second switch can be operated in its second position.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a pressure washer may include a bypass valve provided with a piston that is movable between a minimum extended position and a maximum extended position depending on the position of a trigger. The minimum extended position corresponds to a first (closed) position of a second switch, in which the piston operates the second switch in a second (open) position. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after reading the following description, provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the figures shown in the appendix.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a front view of the pressure cleaner according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 This is an example Figure 1 The circuit diagram of the selector for the pressure washer.

[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The details of the diagram in the image illustrate... Figure 2 An alternative embodiment of a portion of the circuitry. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Special Reference Figure 1 Pressure cleaners (i.e., high-pressure cleaning equipment) are generally indicated by the number 1, and they are typically used to clean various types of surfaces by generating a jet of liquid (usually water) under pressure.

[0033] The pressure washer 1 includes a box-shaped housing 10 (or shell) made of, for example, plastic (i.e. polymer) material, at least one handle and / or at least one pair of wheels 15 preferably associated with the box-shaped housing for moving the pressure washer itself.

[0034] The pressure cleaner 1 includes an inlet pipe 20 for the liquid to be pressurized, such as a single inlet pipe 20 for the liquid, which is adapted to be connected to a source of the liquid to be pressurized, such as a tank, preferably a main water supply pipe.

[0035] The inlet pipe 20 is at least partially housed within the housing 10.

[0036] The pressure washer 1 also includes: a liquid delivery conduit 25, preferably a single liquid delivery conduit 25; and a dispensing gun 30, the delivery conduit 25 being fluidly connected to the dispensing gun, for example by means of a flexible hose.

[0037] The delivery pipe 25 can be at least partially housed within the pressure washer housing 10.

[0038] The dispensing gun 30 includes a body equipped with a handle, to which the dispensing spray gun is typically removably associated, and the dispensing spray gun is equipped with a dispensing nozzle 31 at one of its free ends.

[0039] It cannot be ruled out that any other cleaning tool could be associated with the dispensing gun 30 as an alternative to the spray gun, such as a rotating brush.

[0040] The dispensing gun 30 may include a trigger 35, which is preferably located at the handle of the dispensing gun 30, i.e., at a position away from the dispensing spray gun.

[0041] The trigger 35 is movable between a first position (e.g., when it is released by the user) and a second position (e.g., when it is at least partially or fully operated by the user) (i.e., manually operated), in the first position in which the dispensing gun does not dispense (pressurized) liquid, and in the second position in which the dispensing gun dispenses the (pressurized) liquid.

[0042] It should be noted that the second position refers to any position other than the first position.

[0043] In other words, the trigger 35 is configured to operate the nozzle (not shown) of the dispensing gun 30 between an open position and a closed position, in which (pressurized) liquid is allowed to flow from the delivery conduit 25 to the dispensing nozzle 31, and in the closed position, the flow is interrupted.

[0044] The pressure washer 1 also includes a pump P, which is connected at an inlet pipe 20 to receive the liquid to be pressurized, and at an outlet to a delivery pipe 25, which is then used to deliver the (pressurized) liquid out of the pump P.

[0045] Thus, the dispensing gun 30 is fluidly connected to the pump P via the delivery pipe 25.

[0046] The pump P is preferably a fixed volume pump.

[0047] Special Reference Figure 2 The pressure washer 1 includes an electric motor M configured to operate a pump P, wherein the electric motor M is mechanically connected to the pump P in such a way as to pressurize liquid from the inlet pipe 20. Overall, the electric motor M and the pump P form the electric pump of the pressure washer 1.

[0048] For example, the electric motor M can be turned on or off, and when turned on, it operates the pump P at a preset operating speed to pressurize the liquid.

[0049] The electric motor M is adapted to be electrically connected to a power source (not shown), that is, substantially connected to a power line and / or a battery, for example, housed within the housing 10.

[0050] In detail, the electric motor M can operate between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the electric motor M is turned on, that is, the electric motor M (connected to the power supply) is powered by the power supply. In the second state, the electric motor M is turned off, that is, the electric motor M is not powered by the power supply.

[0051] The pressure washer 1 also includes a bypass valve 45, which is positioned upstream of the delivery gun 30 and downstream of the pump P along the delivery pipe 25 of the pressure washer 1 in the direction of flow of the pressurized liquid (i.e., the liquid dispensed by the pump P).

[0052] The bypass valve is also connected to the suction section of pump P (e.g., fluidly connected to inlet pipe 20) via recirculation pipe 46.

[0053] More specifically, the bypass valve 45 alternates between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the recirculation line 46 is blocked, allowing the liquid dispensed (under pressure) by the pump P to flow through the delivery line 25 toward the dispensing gun 35. In the closed position, the bypass valve 45 opens the recirculation line 46 and diverts fluid from the delivery line 25 to the recirculation line 46 (preventing liquid from reaching the dispensing gun).

[0054] If needed, this bypass valve 45 can be associated with a pressure measuring device to measure the pressure in the pressure line 25 and control the operation of the bypass valve 45 between the open and closed positions based on the pressure.

[0055] The pressure measuring device can be electronic or mechanical-hydraulic.

[0056] However, it is not excluded that the pressure measuring device may not exist, and the bypass valve 45 may be a mechanical valve of the moving gate type after the pressure gradient.

[0057] In any case, when the pressure in the delivery pipeline exceeds a predetermined threshold, the bypass valve 45 switches from the first position to the second position.

[0058] The bypass valve 45 is also equipped with a piston 47, which moves between a minimum extension position and a maximum extension position depending on the position of the trigger 35.

[0059] Specifically, piston 47 can move from the minimum extended position to the maximum extended position due to the spring force.

[0060] More specifically, when the trigger 35 moves from the second position to the first position and thus the pressure in the delivery pipe 25 and the bypass valve 45 increases, the piston 47 is configured to move from the minimum extension position (counteracting and overcoming the spring force) to the maximum extension position due to the increase in pressure.

[0061] Conversely, when the trigger 35 moves from the first position to the second position and thus the pressure in the delivery port 25 and the bypass valve 45 decreases, the spring force causes the piston 47 to move from its maximum extension position to its minimum extension position.

[0062] The pressure washer 1 then includes a power supply circuit 200 for an electric motor M, which is itself known and... Figure 2 The diagram illustrates that, through this circuit, current can be supplied to the motor M, causing the motor M to start (i.e., turn on).

[0063] The pressure washer 1 according to this utility model also includes a (single) selector 300, by means of which the user can select various configurations of the pressure washer 1, as discussed further below.

[0064] like Figure 1 For example, the selector 300 preferably includes a selection body, such as a knob 301, which is associated with the housing 10 of the pressure washer 1 and can be manually operated by the user.

[0065] The selector 300 is preferably a three-position selector, meaning that the selection body can be manually alternated between a first position, a second position, and a third position (i.e., one position is available), each position corresponding to a different configuration of the pressure washer 1.

[0066] Selector 300 is equipped with circuitry 305 adapted to (selectively) electrically connect motor M to the power source, for example, to a mains line and / or a battery.

[0067] Specifically, circuit 305 is adapted to selectively connect the power supply to the power supply circuit 200 of motor M (so as to selectively turn motor M on or off).

[0068] The circuit 305 includes a first bipolar dual-channel switch S1, wherein, by way of a non-limiting example, in Figure 2 and Figure 3 Two different versions are shown in the example.

[0069] It should be noted that although they are slightly different in construction, the operation of these two alternative versions of switch S1 is the same.

[0070] In detail, the first switch S1 includes a first path A and a second path B, each of which allows different electrical paths to be used to supply power to the motor M from the power supply current.

[0071] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment of the first switch S1, the second path B includes a pair of electrical branches B1 and B2 arranged in parallel, both configured to switch independently between an open position where current is not allowed to pass and a closed position where such current is allowed to pass.

[0072] exist Figure 3 In an alternative embodiment of the first switch S1 shown, the second path B includes a single electrical branch B1 that can be switched between the open and closed positions.

[0073] In the two embodiments described above, the first path A of the first switch S1 includes a pair of electrical branches A1 and A2, which are arranged in parallel and can be switched independently between the open and closed positions.

[0074] Circuit 305 also includes a second switch S2, which is adapted to connect to a power source via a first path A (electrical branches A1, A2) of the first switch S1, and to connect the first path to the power supply circuit 200 of the motor M.

[0075] The second switch S2 can be in the form of a shunt and, in any case, can operate between the first and second positions.

[0076] Specifically, the second switch S2 can be normally closed, meaning it remains (e.g. by means of a spring) in a first position, i.e., normally closed (NC) position, until it is operated (i.e. pushed, forced to move) to a second position, i.e. open (or normally open NO) position, and automatically returns (e.g. by means of a spring) to the first position (i.e., normally closed position) when the operation ends.

[0077] In the first position (or normally closed position), the second switch S2 is adapted to allow electrical connection between the power supply and the power supply circuit 200 of the motor M.

[0078] In the second position (or the open position), the second switch S2 can be connected to the common ground node of the circuit at a predetermined voltage (zero), and thus can prevent the electrical connection between the power supply and the power circuit 200 (i.e., it prevents the power supply from supplying current to the motor M to power it).

[0079] The second switch S2 is specifically operated by piston 47 from the first position to the second position.

[0080] Specifically, when piston 47 is in its minimum extended position, it does not interact with the second switch S2 which is held in the corresponding first position (i.e., in its normally closed position), while when piston 47 is in its maximum extended position, it acts on the second switch S2 by moving the second switch S2 from the first position (normally closed) to the second position (open) and holding it in the second position as long as it is held in the maximum extended position.

[0081] Based on the above, the pressure washer 1 can be operated in one of three different configurations by means of the selector (selection body) 300 and the circuit 305.

[0082] exist Figure 2 In the first (so-called off) configuration of the pressure washer 1, which is schematically illustrated and corresponds to the first position of the selector 300, the first switch S1 of the circuit 305 is turned off (i.e., it forms an open circuit), so no power supply current is supplied to the motor M (power supply circuit 200).

[0083] In other words, in the first position of selector 300, circuit 305 is electrically disconnected from the power supply.

[0084] Therefore, in this first configuration, the electric motor M is always off, and the pressure washer 1 is also always off.

[0085] In other words, in the aforementioned first configuration (off), regardless of whether trigger 35 is in its first position or its second position, motor M remains off and pump P is not operated.

[0086] In the second configuration (so-called on) of the pressure washer 1 (which corresponds to the second position of the selector 300), there is an operating mode of the pressure washer that is technically referred to as Total Stop.

[0087] In the second configuration, when the trigger 35 is in its first position, the motor M is off, and when the trigger is in its second position, the motor is on.

[0088] In other words, current is supplied to the power circuit 200 of the motor M, that is, the motor M is essentially turned on and the pump P is operated only when the trigger 35 is in its second position, that is, when it is operated.

[0089] When the trigger is in its first position, no current is supplied to the power circuit 200 of the motor M, so the motor is off.

[0090] More specifically, in the second configuration of the pressure washer 1, the first switch S1 of the selector 300 is configured to switch the branch A1 of the first path A and the branch B1 of the second path B from the open position to the closed position.

[0091] Therefore, when the trigger moves from its second position to its first position and thus the piston 47 moves from its minimum extended position to its maximum extended position, the piston 47 acts on the second switch S2 by operating the second switch S2 from the first position (normally closed) to the second position (open), and thus interrupts the electrical connection (i.e., current flow) between the power supply and the power circuit 200 of the motor M.

[0092] Conversely, when trigger 35 moves from its first position to its second position, and thus piston 47 returns to its minimum extended position, second switch S2 returns from its second (open) position (automatically) to its first (closed) position, thereby connecting the power supply to the power circuit 200 of motor M.

[0093] In the third configuration (referred to as BP) of the pressure washer 1 (which corresponds to the third position of selector 300), there is an operating mode of the pressure washer 1 referred to in technical terms as bypass.

[0094] According to this operating mode, the motor is (i.e., kept on) regardless of the position of trigger 35.

[0095] In detail, when trigger 35 is in its first position and trigger 35 is in its second position, current is supplied to the power supply circuit 200 of motor M.

[0096] In other words, the motor M is always on, that is, when the trigger 35 is manually operated by the user in its second position, and when the trigger 35 is released and returns to its first position.

[0097] More specifically, in this configuration, the first switch S1 is configured to connect all electrical branches A1, A2, B1 (and in...) Figure 2 In the embodiment of the first switch S1, B2) is switched from the open position to the closed position.

[0098] Therefore, when the trigger 35 is in its first position and in its second position, that is, when the second switch S2 is in its first position (normally closed) and in its second position (normally open), the power supply circuit 200 of the motor M remains electrically connected to the power supply.

[0099] Additionally, when the trigger 35 is moved from its second position to its first position, the bypass valve 45 (preferably) is configured to move from its open position to its closed position, that is, to substantially allow it to be in direct fluid communication with the pump P (the suction section) at its outlet via the recirculation pipe 46.

[0100] The operation of the pressure cleaner 1 according to this utility model is as follows.

[0101] In the static state (i.e., not in operation), the selector 300 of the pressure washer 1 is in its first position, so the first switch S1 is open, and the pressure washer 1 is turned off, and the dispensing gun 30 does not dispense liquid.

[0102] In this configuration, the motor M and pump P are not in operation.

[0103] When the operator wants to operate the pressure washer 1, he / she operates the selector body of the selector 300 (e.g., knob 301) from the first position to the second or third position.

[0104] Specifically, when selector 300 is manually operated in its second position, branches A1 and B1 of the first path A and the second path B of the first switch S1 are closed, respectively. However, when trigger 35 is in its first position, piston 47 remains in its maximum extended position, thereby keeping the second switch S2 of circuit 305 in its second position (normally open).

[0105] Therefore, as long as the trigger 35 is in the first position, there is no electrical connection between the power supply and the power circuit 200 of the motor M (i.e., no current flows from the power supply to the power circuit of the motor 200 to power it), so the motor M and the pump P remain inactive.

[0106] When the user manually operates trigger 35 from the first position to the second position, piston 47 moves against the spring, thereby switching the second switch S2 from the second position (open) to the first position (closed, NC).

[0107] Therefore, the power supply is electrically connected to the power circuit 200 of the motor M, and thus, the motor M and the pump P start.

[0108] On the other hand, when the selector 300 (the selection body, i.e., the knob 301) is manually operated to its third position, all electrical branches A1, A2, B1 (and B2, only in the first embodiment) of the first switch S1, the first A and the second B, are closed.

[0109] Therefore, in this configuration, when the trigger is in its first position and when the trigger is moved, for example, manually to its second position, the power supply circuit 200 of the motor M is always electrically connected to the power supply, so the motor M and the pump P are always working.

[0110] Additionally, preferably, when the trigger 35 is operated in its second position, the bypass valve 45 switches from its closed position to its open position, thus allowing the dispensing of cleaning fluid.

[0111] This invention is thus conceived to be easily modified and varied, all of which fall within the scope of the invention's concept. Furthermore, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the possible shapes and dimensions, can be determined according to requirements without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pressure cleaner (1), comprising: - Pump (P); - An electric motor (M) configured to operate the pump (P); A dispensing gun (30) for dispensing liquid exiting the pump (P), which is fluidly connected to the pump (P) via a delivery pipe (25), is selectively operable by means of a trigger (35) to dispense the liquid, the trigger (35) being movable between a first position in which the dispensing gun (30) does not dispense liquid and a second position in which the dispensing gun (30) dispenses liquid. The pressure washer (1) is selectively operable by means of a single selector (300) in one of the following configurations: - First configuration, wherein the electric motor (M) is turned off; - A second configuration in which the motor (M) is off when the trigger (35) is in its first position and on when the trigger (35) is in its second position; and - Third configuration, wherein the motor (M) is turned on regardless of the position of the trigger (35).

2. The pressure cleaner (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The selector (300) is provided with a circuit (305) adapted to electrically connect the motor (M) to a power source. The circuit (305) includes: a first switch (S1) including a first path (A) and a second path (B); and a second switch (S2) adapted to connect to the power source by means of the first path (A) of the first switch (S1). The second switch (S2) is operable between a first position and a second position, in which it is adapted to allow electrical connection between the power source and the motor (M).

3. The pressure cleaner (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second switch (S2) is operated in its first position when the trigger (35) is in the corresponding second position, and is operated in its second position when the trigger (35) is in the corresponding first position.

4. The pressure cleaner (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, Includes a bypass valve (45) with a piston (47) movable between its minimum extended position and its maximum extended position depending on the position of the trigger (35), the minimum extended position corresponding to the first position of the second switch (S2), the piston (47) operating the second switch in its second position in the maximum extended position.

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