Surface-cleaning head

Abstract

The invention relates to a surface-cleaning head (10) for cleaning a surface, having a hood-shaped housing (12) which is open at the bottom in a horizontal position of use of the surface-cleaning head (10) and which has a working chamber (20) in which at least one spray arm (104, 106) having a spray nozzle (108, 110) is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (112), wherein a cleaning liquid under pressure can be applied to the cleaning nozzle (108, 110) and the latter revolves about the axis of rotation (112) together with the spray arm (104, 106) in order to apply a cleaning liquid jet to a region of a surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing (12) during the use of the surface-cleaning head (10). The aim of the invention is to develop the surface-cleaning head (10) in such a way that the surface-cleaning head achieves an improved cleaning result. This aim is achieved, according to the invention, in that the surface-cleaning head (10) has at least one rotationally fixedly held additional nozzle (138), wherein a cleaning liquid jet can be applied by the at least one first additional nozzle (138) to a region of the surface to be cleaned that is not covered by the housing (12) during the use of the surface-cleaning head (10)

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a surface cleaning head for cleaning a surface, with a hood-shaped housing which is open downwards in a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head and which has a working space in which at least one spray arm with a cleaning nozzle is mounted so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein the cleaning nozzle can be subjected to pressurised cleaning liquid and rotates together with the spray arm about the rotation axis in order to apply a jet of cleaning liquid to an area of a surface to be cleaned which is covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head.

[0002] Such surface cleaning heads are known from documents WO 2008 / 151743 A2 and WO 2009 / 103486 A1. They are particularly suitable for cleaning hard surfaces, for example, floor surfaces, especially stone or wooden terraces, garage entrances, and, for example, garage doors. To clean the hard surfaces, the pressure line of a high-pressure cleaning device can be connected to the surface cleaning head. Pressurized cleaning fluid, in particular water, can be supplied to the surface cleaning head via the pressure line. The surface cleaning head can be moved along a surface to be cleaned, with the hood-shaped housing covering an area of the surface to be cleaned. The housing has a working chamber in which at least one spray arm with a cleaning nozzle is mounted for rotation about a rotation axis. The pressurized cleaning fluid can be supplied to the cleaning nozzle arranged on the at least one spray arm.As the surface cleaning head moves along the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning nozzle can spray a jet of cleaning fluid onto the area currently covered by the housing, removing dirt from the surface to be cleaned. When the jet of cleaning fluid is released, the cleaning nozzle mounted on the spray arm experiences a recoil, which causes the spray arm and cleaning nozzle to rotate around their axis.

[0003] Typically, at least two spray arms are used, each carrying a cleaning nozzle. Pressurized cleaning fluid is supplied to all cleaning nozzles simultaneously. The cleaning nozzles perform a circular motion when the surface cleaning head is in operation. By moving the surface cleaning head along the surface to be cleaned, dirt can be removed from a relatively large area in a short time.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to further develop a surface cleaning head of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it achieves an improved cleaning result.

[0005] This object is achieved by a surface cleaning head having the features of patent claim 1.

[0006] The surface cleaning head according to the invention enables the user, with the aid of the at least one cleaning nozzle which rotates about the rotation axis together with a spray arm, to direct a jet of cleaning fluid onto an area of the surface to be cleaned covered by the housing, so that dirt can be removed from the surface to be cleaned in the covered area. As the surface cleaning head is moved further along the surface to be cleaned, the housing then exposes the area of the surface in which dirt was removed under the action of the jet of cleaning fluid emitted by the at least one cleaning nozzle, and the removed dirt can be rinsed from the surface with the aid of the at least one first additional nozzle which is held fixed against rotation. The at least one first additional nozzle is held fixed against rotation on or in the housing, and pressurized cleaning fluid can be supplied to the at least one first additional nozzle.From the at least one first additional nozzle, a portion of the surface to be cleaned not covered by the housing can be subjected to a jet of cleaning fluid. The surface cleaning head according to the invention can thus achieve improved cleaning results.

[0007] It is advantageous if the at least one first additional nozzle is assigned a housing opening through which the cleaning fluid jet emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle can exit the housing. With such a configuration of the surface cleaning head according to the invention, the at least one first additional nozzle can be arranged within the housing. The cleaning fluid jet emitted by it can exit the housing through the assigned housing opening.

[0008] Preferably, the housing opening associated with the at least one first additional nozzle is arranged on a front side of the housing.

[0009] Alternatively, it can be provided that the at least one first additional nozzle is arranged on an outer side of the housing, in particular on an upper side or on a front side of the housing.

[0010] The housing of the surface cleaning head according to the invention preferably has a lower housing part and an upper housing part, wherein the lower housing part surrounds the working space and the upper housing part is arranged on the lower housing part, and wherein the at least one first additional nozzle is positioned at least partially in the lower housing part and / or in the upper housing part. In such an embodiment of the invention, the lower housing part surrounds the at least one rotatably mounted spray arm on which a cleaning nozzle is arranged, and the lower housing part and / or the upper housing part surround at least a partial region of the at least one first additional nozzle. In particular, the at least one first additional nozzle can be arranged entirely in the lower housing part or in the upper housing part.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the upper housing part has a nozzle receiving space with a housing opening. The at least one first additional nozzle can be positioned in the nozzle receiving space, and the cleaning fluid jet emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle can exit the nozzle receiving space via the housing opening.

[0012] The at least one first additional nozzle is preferably designed as a flat jet nozzle or a rotor nozzle. A fan-shaped cleaning fluid jet can be generated using the flat jet nozzle, and a cleaning fluid jet in the form of a point jet circulating on a conical surface can be generated using the rotor nozzle. Such flat jet nozzles and rotor nozzles are known per se to those skilled in the art and therefore require no further explanation here. The design as a flat jet or rotor nozzle makes it possible to apply a cleaning fluid jet to a relatively large area of the surface to be cleaned in order to rinse away dirt that has been loosened from the surface using the at least one cleaning nozzle.

[0013] The nozzle opening of the at least one first additional nozzle is preferably larger than the nozzle opening of the at least one cleaning nozzle, which is mounted on a rotatably mounted spray arm. The smaller nozzle opening of the cleaning nozzle allows the area of the surface to be cleaned covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head to be exposed to cleaning fluid with a high flow velocity, whereas the cleaning fluid discharged by the at least one first additional nozzle has a lower flow velocity due to the larger nozzle opening of the first additional nozzle.Under the effect of the cleaning fluid delivered at a high flow rate by the at least one cleaning nozzle, dirt adhering to the surface to be cleaned in the area covered by the housing can be effectively loosened, and the loosened dirt can be rinsed off the surface as the surface cleaning head continues to move along the surface to be cleaned outside the housing with the aid of the cleaning fluid delivered at a lower flow rate by the at least one first additional nozzle.

[0014] It is advantageous if the cleaning fluid jet emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle is inclined downwards at an angle of at least 10° to the horizontal, relative to a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head.

[0015] The cleaning fluid jet emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle is preferably directed at an angle to the surface to be cleaned. This facilitates effective rinsing of the surface to be cleaned.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous if the cleaning fluid jet emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle is inclined downwards at an angle of 10° to 80°, in particular at an angle of 30° to 60° to the horizontal, relative to a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head.

[0017] The cleaning fluid jet emitted by the at least one cleaning nozzle is, relative to a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head, advantageously inclined downwards at an angle of at least 60°, preferably at an angle of 60° to 80°, to the horizontal.

[0018] When the surface cleaning head is in a horizontal position of use, the cleaning fluid jet emitted by the at least one rotating cleaning nozzle preferably hits the surface to be cleaned at a steeper angle than the cleaning fluid jet emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the surface cleaning head according to the invention, the working chamber is surrounded by a housing wall on which at least one sliding element is arranged. When the surface cleaning head is moved along the surface to be cleaned, the at least one sliding element can slide along the surface to be cleaned and support the surface cleaning head against the surface to be cleaned. This facilitates handling of the surface cleaning head.

[0020] Preferably, the housing wall surrounding the working space is designed as an outer housing wall.

[0021] Preferably, the housing wall surrounding the working space has a housing edge facing the surface to be cleaned during use of the surface cleaning head, and the at least one sliding element is arranged on the housing edge.

[0022] It is advantageous if several sliding elements are arranged on the housing wall, for example three or four sliding elements.

[0023] It is advantageous if at least one sliding element is detachably mounted on the housing wall. This sliding element is subject to wear as it slides along the surface to be cleaned. If the sliding element is detachably mounted on the housing wall, it can be easily replaced if necessary.

[0024] In particular, it can be provided that the at least one sliding element can be replaced without the use of a special tool.

[0025] It is advantageous if the housing wall surrounding the working area has a housing edge facing the surface to be cleaned during use of the surface cleaning head, on which edge a splash guard, such as a bristle strip, is arranged. This prevents cleaning fluid, which is directed by the at least one cleaning nozzle onto an area of the surface to be cleaned covered by the housing, from inadvertently splashing out of the area covered by the housing.

[0026] Preferably, the splash guard device comprises a plurality of splash guard elements extending along the edge of the housing, wherein at least one sliding element is arranged between each two adjacent splash guard elements.

[0027] According to the invention, the surface cleaning head has at least one second, rotationally fixed auxiliary nozzle, wherein an area of the surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head can be subjected to a jet of cleaning fluid from the at least one second auxiliary nozzle. In the surface cleaning head according to the invention, in addition to at least one first, rotationally fixed auxiliary nozzle, which directs a jet of cleaning fluid onto an area of the surface to be cleaned that is not covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head, at least one second, rotationally fixed auxiliary nozzle is used, which directs a jet of cleaning fluid onto an area that is covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head.With the help of the at least one second additional nozzle, the user can, for example, apply a jet of cleaning fluid to a corner area of the surface to be cleaned, which is covered by the housing during use of the surface cleaning head.

[0028] The at least one second additional nozzle is advantageously designed as a flat jet nozzle or a rotor nozzle. As already mentioned, a flat jet nozzle can be used to generate a fan-shaped jet of cleaning fluid, and a rotor nozzle can be used to generate a jet of cleaning fluid in the form of a point jet circulating on a conical surface.

[0029] It is advantageous if the cleaning fluid jet emitted by the at least one second additional nozzle has a greater angle of inclination to the horizontal, relative to a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head, than the cleaning fluid jet emitted by the at least one first additional nozzle.

[0030] In particular, it can be provided that the cleaning fluid jet emitted by the at least one second additional nozzle is inclined at an angle of at least 70°, preferably at least 80°, to the horizontal, relative to a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head.

[0031] According to the invention, the surface cleaning head has a switching device by means of which the at least one cleaning nozzle and / or the at least one first additional nozzle and / or the at least one second additional nozzle can be selectively supplied with cleaning fluid. For example, it can be provided that the switching device can selectively supply cleaning fluid to either the at least one cleaning nozzle or the at least one first additional nozzle or the at least one second additional nozzle, so that a jet of cleaning fluid can be emitted selectively from the at least one cleaning nozzle or from the at least one first additional nozzle or from the at least one second additional nozzle.

[0032] The switching device preferably has three operating elements that can be actuated by the user, in particular three foot pedals. The user can use the operating elements to control the dispensing of cleaning fluid. Depending on which operating element the user actuates, the dispensing of cleaning fluid can occur via the at least one cleaning nozzle and / or via the at least one first additional nozzle and / or via the at least one second additional nozzle.

[0033] The switching device is preferably configured such that upon actuation of the first operating element, cleaning fluid is supplied only to the at least one cleaning nozzle, and that upon actuation of the second operating element, cleaning fluid is supplied only to the at least one first additional nozzle, and that upon actuation of the third operating element, cleaning fluid is supplied only to the at least one second additional nozzle.

[0034] According to the invention, the switching device comprises a first valve member and a second valve member. The valve members can each have at least two switching positions, which the user can specify by actuating the operating elements to control the dispensing of cleaning fluid.

[0035] Preferably, the valve members each have a valve inlet and a first valve outlet and a second valve outlet.

[0036] According to the invention, the two valve members each have an actuating body that can be moved back and forth in a valve receptacle between a first switching position and a second switching position. In the first switching position, the actuating body can, for example, open a flow path from a valve inlet to a first valve outlet, and in the second switching position, the actuating body can, for example, open a flow path from the valve inlet to a second valve outlet.

[0037] Preferably, the adjusting bodies are each coupled to at least one operating element.

[0038] It is advantageous if the two valve elements have identically designed actuators and identically designed valve receptacles for the actuators. This allows for more cost-effective production of the surface cleaning head and easier assembly.

[0039] According to the invention, the actuators of the valve members are coupled to one another via a coupling device. This allows a change in the switching position of one of the two actuators to also cause a change in the switching position of the other actuator.

[0040] The coupling device preferably has a movably mounted coupling member.

[0041] The coupling member is advantageously designed as a rocker which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis.

[0042] It is advantageous if the swivel axis of the rocker is aligned parallel to the rotation axis of at least one spray arm.

[0043] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating body of the first valve member can be moved into a first switching position by actuating a first operating element, and the actuating body of the second valve member can be moved into a first switching position by actuating a second operating element, wherein a movement of one of the two actuating bodies can be transferred via the coupling device into an opposite movement of the other actuating body, and wherein both actuating bodies can be moved into their second switching position by actuating a third operating element. If the user actuates the first operating element in such an embodiment of the invention, the actuating body of the first valve member can be moved from its second switching position to its first switching position.The movement of the actuating body of the first valve member can be transmitted via the coupling device into an oppositely directed movement of the actuating body of the second valve member, so that the actuating body of the second valve member assumes its second switching position. If the user actuates the second operating element, the actuating body of the second valve member can be moved from its second switching position into its first switching position, and the movement of the actuating body of the second valve member can be transmitted via the coupling device into an oppositely directed movement of the actuating body of the first valve member, so that the actuating body of the first valve member assumes its second switching position. If the user actuates the third operating element, both actuating bodies can be moved into their second switching position.

[0044] As already mentioned, the valve members preferably have a valve inlet and a first and a second valve outlet. It is advantageous if a supply line is connected to the valve inlet of the first valve member, via which supply line the first valve member can be supplied with pressurized cleaning fluid, for example from a high-pressure cleaning device, and if the first valve outlet of the first valve member is connected to the at least one cleaning nozzle, and if the second valve outlet of the first valve member is connected to the valve inlet of the second valve member. If the actuating body of the first valve member assumes its first switching position, it can open a flow path from the valve inlet to the first valve outlet, so that pressurized cleaning fluid can be supplied to the at least one cleaning nozzle.If the actuator of the first valve member assumes its second switching position, it can release the flow path from the valve inlet to the second valve outlet so that pressurized cleaning fluid can be supplied to the valve inlet of the second valve member via the first valve member.

[0045] Preferably, the first valve outlet of the second valve member is connected to the at least one first additional nozzle, and the second valve outlet of the second valve member is connected to the at least one second additional nozzle. If the actuating body of the second valve member assumes its first switching position, it can open the flow path from the valve inlet to the first valve outlet, so that pressurized cleaning fluid can be supplied to the at least one first additional nozzle. If the actuating body of the second valve member assumes its second switching position, it can open a flow path from the valve inlet to the second valve outlet, so that pressurized cleaning fluid can be supplied to the at least one second additional nozzle.

[0046] The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves to explain it in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. They show: Figure 1: a perspective view of a surface cleaning head obliquely from above; Figure 2: a top view of the surface cleaning head from Figure 1 ; Figure 3: a perspective view of the surface cleaning head from Figure 1 diagonally from below; Figure 4: a perspective view of the surface cleaning head from Figure 1 , with a housing top part removed; Figure 5: a partial sectional view of a switching device of the surface cleaning head from Figure 1 ; Figure 6: a bottom view of the switching device from Figure 5 .

[0047] The drawing schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of a surface cleaning head according to the invention, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 10. The surface cleaning head 10 can be moved along a surface, in particular a hard surface, for example a floor surface, for cleaning the surface and can be supplied with pressurized cleaning fluid by a high-pressure cleaning device known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing, which can be applied to the surface to be cleaned via the surface cleaning head 10.

[0048] The surface cleaning head 10 has a hood-shaped housing 12 that, in the illustrated horizontal use position, is open downwards toward the surface to be cleaned. The housing 12 is designed in two parts and has a lower housing part 14 and an upper housing part 16. The lower housing part 14 comprises an outer housing wall 18 that circumferentially surrounds a working chamber 20 and a partition wall 22 that covers the working chamber 20. The upper housing part 16 is arranged on the lower housing part 14.

[0049] The housing outer wall 18 has a housing edge 24 facing the surface to be cleaned during use of the surface cleaning head 10, on which edge a splash guard 26 is mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, the splash guard 26 is formed by three splash guard elements 28, 30, 32, each configured as a bristle strip. A sliding element 34, 36, 38 is releasably held on the housing edge 24 between immediately adjacent splash guard elements. A further sliding element 40 is releasably held on the free edge of an intermediate wall 42, which projects downward from the partition wall 22 into the working space 20. By means of the sliding elements 34, 36, 38, 40, the surface cleaning head 10 can be supported on the surface to be cleaned, wherein the sliding elements 34, 36, 38, 40 slide along the surface to be cleaned when the surface cleaning head 10 is moved along the surface.During use of the surface cleaning head 10, the sliding elements 34, 36, 38, 40 are subject to wear. They can therefore be replaced if necessary without the use of special tools.

[0050] The housing lower part 14 forms a housing tip 44 on a housing front side 43, and the intermediate wall 42 carries a baffle wall 46 on its side facing the housing tip 44.

[0051] The upper housing part 16 forms a cover 48 and covers a switching chamber 50. A first valve member 52 and a second valve member 54 are arranged in the switching chamber 50. This is particularly evident from the Figure 4 and 5 clearly.

[0052] The upper housing part 16 has a first recess 56, a second recess 58 and a third recess 60.

[0053] In the first recess 56, a first operating element in the form of a first foot pedal 62 is arranged, which is pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis 63 and carries on its underside facing the partition wall 22 a first pivot arm 64 projecting into the switching chamber 50.

[0054] In the second recess 58, a second operating element in the form of a second foot pedal 66 is arranged, which is pivotally mounted about a second pivot axis 67 and carries on its underside facing the partition wall 22 a second pivot arm 68 projecting into the switching chamber 50.

[0055] In the third recess 60, a third operating element in the form of a third foot pedal 70 is arranged, which is pivotally mounted about a third pivot axis 71 and carries on its underside facing the partition wall 22 two third pivot arms 72a, 72b which project into the control chamber 50.

[0056] The pivot arms 64, 68 and 72a, 72b arranged on the undersides of the foot pedals 62, 66 and 70 are made in particular from Figure 6 clearly.

[0057] The two valve members 52, 54 form in combination with a coupling device in the form of a rocker 148, which will be explained in more detail below, and in combination with the foot pedals 62, 66 and 70 and the swivel arms 64, 68, 72a and 72b, a switching device 73 which Figure 6 is shown schematically in a bottom view.

[0058] A supply pipe 74 opens into the control chamber 50 and is pivotably mounted in the control chamber 50 about a fourth pivot axis 76. At its free end protruding from the control chamber 50, the supply pipe 74 carries a connecting element 78, by means of which a pressure line of a high-pressure cleaning device, known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing for the sake of clarity, can be connected to the supply pipe 74.

[0059] The supply pipe 74 is in flow connection with a valve inlet 82 of the first valve member 52 via a first connecting line 80. The valve inlet 82 opens into a valve receptacle 84 of the first valve member 52. The valve receptacle 84 is designed in the form of a stepped through-bore and accommodates an actuating body 86, which is movable back and forth in the valve receptacle 84 between a first switching position and a second switching position. Figure 5 The actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52 is shown in its second switching position, in which it is spaced apart from a front end surface 90 of a valve housing 92 of the first valve member 52 by a front end region 88 facing the first pivot arm 64. In this switching position, a rear end region 94 of the actuating body 86 facing away from the first pivot arm 64 bears against a rear end surface 96 of the valve housing 92.

[0060] If the actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52 assumes its first switching position, not shown in the drawing, the front end region 88 of the actuating body 86 rests against the front end surface 90 and the rear end region 94 of the actuating body 86 projects out of the valve receptacle 84 and is spaced from the rear end surface 96 of the valve housing 92.

[0061] The first valve member 52 has a first valve outlet 98 and a second valve outlet 100. In its first switching position, the actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52 opens a flow path from the valve inlet 82 to the first valve outlet 98, and in the second switching position, the actuating body 86 opens a flow path from the valve inlet 82 to the second valve outlet 100.

[0062] The first valve outlet 98 is followed by a second connecting line 102, which passes through the partition wall 22 and projects into the working chamber 20. At its end facing away from the first valve member 52, the second connecting line 102 carries two rigidly connected and diametrically opposed spray arms 104, 106, which each carry a cleaning nozzle 108 or 110 at their free end and are jointly rotatable about a rotation axis 112. This is particularly evident from Figure 3 clearly.

[0063] The cleaning nozzles 108, 110 each generate a downwardly directed jet of cleaning fluid, which, upon exiting the cleaning nozzles 108, 110, exerts a recoil on the spray arms 104, 106, causing the spray arms 104, 106 to rotate about the rotation axis 112. During use of the surface cleaning head 10, in which it is moved along a surface to be cleaned, an area of the surface to be cleaned covered by the housing 12 can be subjected to pressurized cleaning fluid by the cleaning nozzles 108, 110.

[0064] The second valve outlet 100 of the first valve member 52 is in flow connection with a valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 via a third connecting line 114. The valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 opens into a valve receptacle 118 of the second valve member 54, which is configured identically to the valve receptacle 84 of the first valve member 52. In the valve receptacle 118, an actuating body 120 of the second valve member 54 is mounted so as to be displaceable back and forth between a first switching position and a second switching position. The actuating body 120 of the second valve member 54 is configured identically to the actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52. The actuating body 120 has a front end region 122, which faces the second pivot arm 68 of the second foot pedal 66. In Figure 5The actuating body 120 of the second valve member 54 is shown in its first switching position, in which the front end region 122 of the actuating body 120 rests against a front end surface 124 of a valve housing 126 of the second valve member 54. In this first switching position, a rear end region 128 of the actuating body 120, facing away from the second pivot arm 68, protrudes from the valve receptacle 118 and is spaced from a rear end surface 130 of the valve housing 126.

[0065] In the second switching position of the actuating body 120, not shown in the drawing, the front end region 122 is at a distance from the front end surface 124 and the rear end region 128 rests against the rear end surface 130.

[0066] The second valve member 54 has a first valve outlet 132 and a second valve outlet 134. The first valve outlet 132 of the second valve member 54 is followed by a fourth connecting line 136, via which the second valve member 54 is in flow connection with a first, rotationally fixed, auxiliary nozzle 138. The first auxiliary nozzle 138 is arranged in a nozzle receiving chamber 140, which is formed by the upper housing part 16 and has a housing opening 142, through which a jet of cleaning fluid emitted by the first auxiliary nozzle 138 can reach an area that is not covered by the housing 12 during use of the surface cleaning head 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the first auxiliary nozzle 138 is designed as a flat jet nozzle that can emit a fan-shaped jet of cleaning fluid.Alternatively, the first additional nozzle 138 could also be designed as a rotor nozzle capable of delivering a cleaning fluid jet in the form of a point jet circulating on a conical surface. The cleaning fluid jet delivered by the first additional nozzle 138 is inclined downwards at an angle of at least 10° to the horizontal, in particular at an angle of 10° to 80°, for example at an angle of 30° to 60°, relative to a horizontal use position of the surface cleaning head 10.

[0067] The second valve outlet 134 of the second valve member 54 is followed by a fifth connecting line 144, via which the second valve member 54 is in flow connection with a second, rotationally fixed auxiliary nozzle 146. The second auxiliary nozzle 146 projects into the working chamber 20 in the area between the intermediate wall 42 and the housing tip 44. During use of the surface cleaning head 10, an area of a surface to be cleaned covered by the housing 12 can be subjected to a jet of cleaning fluid via the second auxiliary nozzle 146. In the illustrated embodiment, the second auxiliary nozzle 146 is designed as a flat jet nozzle that can emit a fan-shaped jet of cleaning fluid. Alternatively, the second auxiliary nozzle 146 could also be designed as a rotor nozzle that can emit a jet of cleaning fluid in the form of a point jet circulating on a conical surface.The cleaning fluid jet emitted by the second additional nozzle 146 has a greater angle of inclination to the horizontal relative to a horizontal position of use of the surface cleaning head 10 than the cleaning fluid jet emitted by the first additional nozzle 138.

[0068] If the actuator 120 of the second valve member 54 takes its Figure 5 If the actuator 120 assumes the first switching position shown, the actuator body 120 opens a flow path from the valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 to the first valve outlet 132 of the second valve member 54. If the actuator body 120 assumes its second switching position, it opens a flow path from the valve inlet 116 to the second valve outlet 134.

[0069] The actuating bodies 86 and 120 of the two valve members 52, 54 are coupled to one another via a coupling device. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling device is designed in the form of a rocker 148 that can be pivoted about a fifth pivot axis 150. The fifth pivot axis 150 is aligned parallel to the rotational axis 112 of the two spray arms 104, 106. The rocker 148 has a first rocker end 152 and a second rocker end 154. The first rocker end 152 can be placed against the rear end region 94 of the actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52, and the second rocker end 154 can be placed against the rear end region 128 of the actuating body 120 of the second valve member 54.

[0070] The coupling of the actuating bodies 86, 120 of the two valve members 52, 54 via the rocker 148 results in the actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52 being displaced into its second switching position when the actuating body 120 of the second valve member 54 transitions into its first switching position. Similarly, the actuating body 120 of the second valve member 54 is displaced into its second switching position when the actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52 transitions into its first switching position.

[0071] The user of the surface cleaning head 10 has the option of supplying pressurized cleaning fluid either to the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 arranged on the spray arms 104, 106 or to the first additional nozzle 138 or the second additional nozzle 146.

[0072] When the user actuates the first foot pedal 62, the first pivot arm 64 comes into contact with the front end region 88 of the actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52 and moves the actuating body 86 into its first switching position, in which it opens the flow path from the valve inlet 82 to the first valve outlet 98, so that pressurized cleaning fluid can be supplied to the cleaning nozzles 108, 110. The cleaning nozzles 108, 110 can apply pressurized cleaning fluid to an area of a surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing 12 during use of the liquid cleaning head 10 in order to loosen dirt adhering to the surface. At the same time, the flow path from the valve inlet 82 to the second valve outlet 100 is interrupted, so that no cleaning fluid is supplied to either the first auxiliary nozzle 138 or the second auxiliary nozzle 146.

[0073] If the user actuates the second foot pedal 66, the second pivot arm 68 comes into contact with the front end region 122 of the actuating body 120 of the second valve member 54 and moves the actuating body 120 into its first switching position, in which it opens the flow path from the valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 to the first valve outlet 132. At the same time, the actuating body 86 of the first valve member 52 is moved by the pivotable rocker 148 into its second switching position, in which it opens the flow path from the valve inlet 82 to the second valve outlet 100, so that pressurized cleaning fluid can be supplied to the first additional nozzle 138 via the third connecting line 114 and the fourth connecting line 136.The first auxiliary nozzle 138 can apply pressurized cleaning fluid to an area of the surface to be cleaned that is not covered by the housing 12 during use of the liquid cleaning head 10 in order to rinse away dirt removed from the surface. Since the flow path from the valve inlet 82 of the first valve member 52 to the first valve outlet 98 of the first valve member 52 is interrupted at the same time, and the flow path from the valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 to the second valve outlet 134 of the second valve member 54 is also interrupted, cleaning fluid cannot be supplied to either the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 or the second auxiliary nozzle 146.

[0074] If the user actuates the third foot pedal 70, the third pivot arms 72a and 72b come into contact with the rear end regions 94 and 128, respectively, of the actuating bodies 86 and 120, so that both actuating bodies 86, 120 are transferred to their second switching position. This allows pressurized cleaning fluid to be supplied to the second auxiliary nozzle 146, which flows from the supply pipe 74 via the first valve member 52, the third connecting line 114, the second valve member 54, and the fifth connecting line 144 to the second auxiliary nozzle 146. The second auxiliary nozzle 146 can apply a pressurized jet of cleaning fluid to an area of a surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing 12 during use of the liquid cleaning head 10, for example, to loosen dirt from a corner of the surface to be cleaned.Since at the same time the flow path from the valve inlet 82 of the first valve member 52 to the first valve outlet 98 of the first valve member 52 is interrupted and also the flow path from the valve inlet 116 of the second valve member 54 to the first valve outlet 132 of the second valve member 54 is interrupted, cleaning fluid cannot be supplied to either the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 or the first additional nozzle 138.

[0075] The first additional nozzle 138 has a nozzle opening 156 which is larger than the nozzle openings 158 and 160 of the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 and also larger than the nozzle opening 162 of the second additional nozzle 146. This has the consequence that the flow velocity of the cleaning fluid discharged by the first additional nozzle is lower than the flow velocity of the cleaning fluid discharged by the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 and by the second additional nozzle 146.

[0076] To clean a surface, the user can, for example, first press the first foot pedal 62 and move the surface cleaning head 10 along the surface to be cleaned, whereby pressurized cleaning fluid is dispensed via the cleaning nozzles 108, 110 in order to loosen dirt adhering to the surface to be cleaned. If necessary, the user can press the third foot pedal 70 so that pressurized cleaning fluid is dispensed via the second auxiliary nozzle 146, for example for cleaning edges or corners of the surface to be cleaned. The user can then press the second foot pedal 66 so that fluid is supplied to the first auxiliary nozzle 138, which directs a jet of cleaning fluid onto an area of the surface to be cleaned that is not covered by the housing 12, in order to thereby rinse the loosened dirt from the surface.

Claims

1. Surface cleaning head for cleaning a surface, with a hood-shaped housing (12) that is open downward in a horizontal use position of the surface cleaning head (10) and comprises a working space (20) in which at least one spray arm (104, 106) with a cleaning nozzle (108, 110) is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (112), wherein the cleaning nozzle (108, 110) can be acted upon with pressurized cleaning liquid and together with the spray arm (104, 106) circulates about the axis of rotation (112) for acting upon a region of a surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing (12) during the use of the surface cleaning head (10) with a cleaning liquid jet, characterized in that the surface cleaning head (10) comprises at least one first non-rotationally held additional nozzle (138), wherein a region of the surface to be cleaned that is not covered by the housing (12) during the use of the surface cleaning head (10) can be acted upon by the at least one first additional nozzle (138) with a cleaning liquid jet, wherein the dirt released by the cleaning nozzle (108, 110) can be rinsed off the surface by means of the at least one first non-rotationally held additional nozzle (138), and in that the surface cleaning head (10) comprises at least one second non-rotationally held additional nozzle (146), wherein a region of the surface to be cleaned that is covered by the housing (12) during the use of the surface cleaning head (10) can be acted upon with a cleaning liquid jet by the at least one second additional nozzle (146), and in that the surface cleaning head (10) comprises a switching device (73), by means of which the at least one cleaning nozzle (108, 110) and / or the at least one first additional nozzle (138) and / or the at least one second additional nozzle (146) can selectively be acted upon with cleaning liquid, wherein the switching device (73) comprises a first valve member (52) and a second valve member (54), wherein the two valve members (52, 54) each comprise an actuating body (86, 120), which is movably mounted in a valve receptacle (84, 118) and is movable back and forth between a first switch position and a second switch position, wherein the actuating bodies (86, 120) of the valve members (52, 54) are coupled to one another by way of a coupling device.

2. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first additional nozzle (138) is associated with a housing opening (142) by way of which the cleaning liquid jet delivered by the at least one first additional nozzle (138) can exit the housing (12).

3. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (12) comprises a housing bottom part (14) and a housing top part (16), wherein the housing bottom part (14) surrounds the working space (20) and the housing top part (16) is arranged on the housing bottom part (14), and wherein the at least one first additional nozzle (138) is at least partially arranged in the housing bottom part (14) and / or in the housing top part (16).

4. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least one first additional nozzle (138) is configured as a flat jet nozzle or as a rotor nozzle.

5. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the nozzle opening (156) of the at least one first additional nozzle (138) is larger than the nozzle opening (158, 160) of the at least one cleaning nozzle (108, 110).

6. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the cleaning liquid jet delivered by the at least one first additional nozzle (138), in relation to a horizontal use position of the surface cleaning head (10), is inclined at an angle of at least 10° to the horizontal, preferably in that the cleaning liquid jet delivered by the at least one first additional nozzle (138) is inclined at an angle of 10° to 80°, in particular 30° bis 60°, to the horizontal.

7. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the working space (20) is surrounded by a housing wall (18) on which at least one sliding element (34, 36, 38, 40) is arranged, preferably in that the at least one sliding element (34, 36, 38, 40) is releasably held on the housing wall (18).

8. Surface cleaning head in accordance with Claim 7, characterized in that the housing wall (18) comprises a housing edge (24), which during the use of the surface cleaning head (10) points toward the surface to be cleaned and on which a splash protection device (26) is arranged, in particular in that the splash protection device (26) comprises a plurality of splash protection elements (28, 30, 32), between which in each case at least one sliding element (34, 36, 38, 40) is arranged.

9. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least one second additional nozzle (146) is configured as a flat jet nozzle or as a rotor nozzle.

10. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the cleaning liquid jet delivered by the at least one second additional nozzle (146), in relation to a horizontal use position of the surface cleaning head (10), has a greater angle of inclination to the horizontal than the cleaning liquid jet delivered by the at least one first additional nozzle (138).

11. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the switching device (73) comprises three operating elements, in particular three foot pedals (62, 66, 70).

12. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the actuating bodies (86, 120) are each coupled to at least one operating element and / or in that the two valve members (52, 54) comprise identically configured actuating bodies (86, 120) and identically configured valve receptacles (84, 118).

13. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the coupling device comprises a movably mounted coupling member, in particular in that the coupling member is configured as a rocker (148), which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (150), wherein the pivot axis (150) of the rocker (148) is preferably aligned in parallel to the axis of rotation (112) of the at least one spray arm (104, 106).

14. Surface cleaning head in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the actuating body (86) of the first valve member (52) is movable into a first switch position by actuating a first operating element, and in that the actuating body (120) of the second valve member (54) is movable into a first switch position by actuating a second operating element, wherein a movement is transmittable from one of the two actuating bodies (86, 120) via the coupling device into an oppositely directed movement of the other actuating body (120), and wherein both actuating bodies (86, 120) are movable into their second switch position by actuating a third operating element.

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