Floor cleaning device with a dirty fluid tank

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor cleaning device comprising a floor head (12), at least one cleaning roller (28) which is arranged on the floor head (12) and rotates about an axis of rotation (94), driven by a drive motor (90), during operation of the floor cleaning device, at least one wiper element (178) for wiping dirty fluid off the at least one cleaning roller (28), and a dirty fluid tank (38) with a tank casing (286) and a tank cover (288), wherein the tank cover (288) sits on the tank casing (286) such that it can be opened, and wherein the dirty fluid tank (38) is removeably arranged on the floor head (12), characterised in that a channel (322) with an inlet opening (340) and an outlet opening (342) is arranged on the tank cover (288), wherein the inlet opening (340) functions to couple in dirty fluid and wherein the outlet opening (342) feeds into the tank casing (286).

Description

[0001] Floor cleaning device with dirt fluid tank

[0002] The invention relates to a floor cleaning device, comprising a floor head, at least one cleaning roller which is arranged on the floor head and rotates about a rotation axis driven by a drive motor during operation of the floor cleaning device, at least one scraping element for scraping dirt fluid from the at least one cleaning roller, and a dirt fluid tank with a tank shell and a tank lid, wherein the tank lid is openably seated on the tank shell, and wherein the dirt fluid tank is removably arranged on the floor head.

[0003] US 2008 / 0289142 Al discloses a cleaning device with a motor-driven endless absorber belt.

[0004] WO 2019 / 029821 A1 discloses a surface cleaning machine with a cover device for a dirty fluid tank device.

[0005] WO 2021 / 043429 A1 discloses a floor cleaning machine with hair pickup and a method for operating a floor cleaning machine.

[0006] WO 2020 / 207557 A1 discloses a surface cleaning machine with a tank device for dirty fluid, wherein a probe device is provided for determining a filling level of the tank device for dirty fluid.

[0007] EP 1 850 725 Bl discloses an autonomous surface cleaning robot for wet and dry cleaning.

[0008] WO 2022 / 022640 A1 discloses a cleaning device with a floor tool body and with a mopping module and a vacuum cleaner module, which can be interchangeably fixed to the floor tool body. Floor cleaning devices are described, for example, in EP 3 750 464 A1,

[0009] EP 3 884 834 A1, US 2021 / 018620 A1 or KR 2012 06900U.

[0010] WO 2018 / 162092 A1 discloses a floor cleaning device with which an autonomous cleaning of a floor surface can be carried out.

[0011] Floor cleaning devices are also disclosed, for example, in EP 2 574 264 B1, US 8,855,941 B1, DE 102 42 257 B4 and US 10,149,589 B2.

[0012] DE 20 2015 101 302 Ul discloses a cleaning device in the form of a vacuum cleaner.

[0013] From WO 2016 / 058901 Al, WO 2016 / 058856 Al, WO 2017 / 063663 Al,

[0014] Surface cleaning machines are known from WO 2016 / 058879 A1 and WO 2016 / 058956 A1. A surface cleaning machine is also known from WO 2016 / 058907 A1.

[0015] From US 4,875,246 a portable floor cleaning device is known which has a roller driven by an electric motor.

[0016] From DE 20 2009 013 434 Ul a device for wet cleaning floors with a brush which can be rotated about a rotation axis is known.

[0017] A cleaning machine is known from CN 201 197 698 Y.

[0018] US 6,026,529 discloses a device for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces.

[0019] WO 2010 / 041185 A1 discloses a surface cleaning machine with rotating brushes. US Pat. No. 7,665,174 B2 discloses a cleaning head for a floor cleaning machine.

[0020] From US 4,173,054 a floor cleaner is known which comprises a handle, a main body, a roller mechanism with a roller with a cleaning belt, a scraper and a dirt fluid receptacle.

[0021] WO 2013 / 106762 A2 discloses a surface cleaning machine with a cleaning roller and a drive unit for driving the cleaning roller. A dirt tray is provided into which the cleaning roller sweeps dirt during rotation. The dirt tray can be opened.

[0022] From US 7,921,497 B2 a floor scrubber is known which is manually operated and comprises a drive roller which is coupled to a scrubbing roller.

[0023] Another floor cleaning machine is known from WO 2015 / 086083 Al.

[0024] A hard floor cleaning device is known from US 3,789,449.

[0025] From DE 103 57 637 A1 a self-propelled sweeper with a sweeping brush and an associated dirt collection chamber is known.

[0026] A household floor cleaning device with a wiping roller is known from DE 10 2007 054 500 Al.

[0027] US 2006 / 0272120 A1 discloses a floor cleaning device comprising a housing, a hose assembly, and a cleaning head. DE 10 2017 120 723 A1 discloses a cleaning machine station for a cleaning machine, wherein the cleaning machine station has a receiving chamber for a cleaning head of the cleaning machine.

[0028] From WO 2005 / 087075 A1 a floor cleaning machine is known with a handle which is pivotably arranged on a base.

[0029] CN 107007215 A discloses a floor cleaning robot.

[0030] DE 20 2018 104 772 Ul discloses a dirty water collection mechanism and dirty water detection mechanism and a cleaning device.

[0031] Cleaning machines are also from AU 2017101723 A4, the

[0032] CN 206687671 U, DE 20 2016 105 300 Ul, US 9,622,637 Bl, CN 205359367 U, US 2017 / 0119225 Al, CN 205181250 U, CN 205181251 U, CN 205181256 U, DE 20 2016 105 299 U, WO 2017 / 059602 Al, WO 2017 / 059600 Al, WO 2017 / 059601 Al, WO 2017 / 059603 Al or DE 20 2016 105 301 Ul.

[0033] The invention is based on the object of providing a floor cleaning device of the type mentioned above, in which the dirt fluid tank is provided with an effective splash protection or leak protection.

[0034] This object is achieved according to the invention in the floor cleaning device mentioned at the outset in that a channel with an inlet opening and an outlet opening is arranged on the tank lid, wherein the inlet opening serves to couple in dirt fluid and wherein the outlet opening opens into the tank shell.

[0035] During operation of the floor cleaning device, the tank lid, in particular, is positioned above the tank shell relative to the direction of gravity (toward the floor to be cleaned). By arranging the channel for introducing dirt fluid from the at least one cleaning roller into the dirt fluid tank on the tank lid at the point with the highest gravity, leakage of dirt fluid onto the dirt fluid tank is effectively prevented when the floor head changes position, for example, during tank removal or transport, even with a high intake volume.

[0036] Furthermore, the channel's location on the tank lid makes it easy to empty or clean the dirty fluid tank. It provides a large access area to the tank tray.

[0037] The arrangement of the channel on the tank cap results in a large storage volume for the tank tray.

[0038] It is particularly advantageous if the channel is sealed fluid-tight outside the inlet and outlet ports. This ensures that contaminated fluid is coupled into the contaminated fluid tank in a defined manner. This fluid can only enter the tank shell through the inlet port. Furthermore, with the tank lid closed, contaminated fluid can only leave the contaminated fluid tank through the channel's outlet port and the channel's inlet port. This minimizes the fluid interfaces for contaminated fluid to leak from the contaminated fluid tank.

[0039] It is advantageous if the channel is arranged in a central region of the tank cap relative to a width direction of the tank cap, in particular with at least one of the following:

[0040] - the width direction extends between opposite lateral sides of the tank lid; if the dirty fluid tank is arranged on the floor head, the width direction is at least approximately parallel to the axis of rotation; - if the dirty fluid tank is arranged on the floor head, the width direction is transverse and in particular perpendicular to a main direction of travel of the floor head on a floor to be cleaned.

[0041] In this way, effective splash protection or leakage protection can be achieved even with regard to an inclination of at least one dirty fluid tank while at the same time maintaining a relatively high storage volume for dirty fluid.

[0042] It is particularly advantageous if the inlet and outlet openings are offset from each other in a width direction. This means that, relative to each tilt axis of the dirty fluid tank, the inlet opening and the outlet opening are at different heights relative to the direction of gravity. This provides effective leak protection.

[0043] In an advantageous embodiment, the channel is positioned at an acute angle to a width direction of the tank cap, with the inlet opening being closer to a first lateral side of the tank cap than to an opposite second lateral side, and the outlet opening being closer to the second lateral side than to the first lateral side. This results in effective leakage protection. Relative to all tilt axes of the dirty fluid tank, the inlet opening and outlet opening are at different gravitational heights.

[0044] It is advantageous if a first mouth normal of the inlet mouth and a second mouth normal of the outlet mouth are transverse and in particular perpendicular to one another, in particular with at least one of the following: the first mouth normal is oriented parallel or at an acute angle of less than 45° to a bottom of the tank shell; the second mouth normal is oriented transverse and in particular perpendicular to a bottom of the tank shell;

[0045] - the first mouth normal and / or the second mouth normal are oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the axis of rotation;

[0046] - the first muzzle normal is oriented parallel or at an acute angle of less than 45° to a main direction of travel of the bottom head;

[0047] - the channel has a longitudinal axis between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and the first opening normal lies at an obtuse angle to the longitudinal axis;

[0048] - the channel has a longitudinal axis between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and the second opening normal is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

[0049] - the second outlet normal is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to a mounting plane of the floor cleaning device.

[0050] This provides effective leak protection. Dirt fluid can be optimally coupled into the dirt fluid tank.

[0051] In an advantageous embodiment, the channel has a channel base which is inclined at an acute angle from the inlet opening to the outlet opening relative to a mounting plane of the floor head. This results in gravity-driven support of the flow of dirty fluid from the inlet opening to the outlet opening during operation of the floor cleaning device when dirty fluid detached from the at least one cleaning roller is coupled via the channel into the dirty fluid tank. In an advantageous embodiment, a wall is arranged on a channel base in the region of the inlet opening, and a channel basin is formed on the channel in the region of the inlet opening. This makes it possible to achieve effective coupling, for example, to a scraper element which scrapes dirty fluid from the at least one cleaning roller. The wall and the formation of the channel basin prevent, in particular, backflow of dirty fluid.The tank shell is provided with a sort of "intermediate" storage space for contaminated fluid at the channel. Furthermore, the formation of the channel basin effectively prevents contamination at the bottom head.

[0052] It is advantageous to have a circumferential seal on the edge of the tank lid and / or the tank shell to create a fluid-tight seal between the tank shell and the tank lid. This ensures that, when the tank lid is placed on the tank shell, the only fluid-active connection between the space outside the dirty fluid tank and the interior of the tank shell is the channel. The appropriate arrangement and design of the channel, in turn, results in optimized splash and leak protection.

[0053] In a structurally advantageous embodiment, at least two spaced posts are arranged on the tank shell, and in particular on a base of the tank shell, by means of which the dirty fluid tank can be fixed relative to the base head, and in particular suspended. This allows the dirty fluid tank to be easily and removably fixed relative to the base head. It can be fixed directly to the base head, in particular suspended, or, for example, to another tank such as a cleaning fluid tank. This then also makes it possible to remove and insert a tank combination consisting of a cleaning fluid tank and a dirty fluid tank as a whole (with both tanks) from the base head, whereby the dirty fluid tank can then be removed individually from the cleaning fluid tank or from the base head. It is advantageous if at least one of the following is provided:

[0054] - the tank lid has a continuous recess associated with each post for the passage through the respective post;

[0055] - a circumferential seal is located on the tank shell and / or the respective post to ensure a fluid-tight seal between the tank lid and the respective submerged post;

[0056] - a fastening element is provided on each post, in particular on the front side, for holding the dirty fluid tank relative to the floor head and in particular for holding it in a suspended position;

[0057] - a fastening element of the post is designed as a sliding guide and a sliding introduction into a corresponding counter-element is provided, wherein in particular a sliding direction is transverse to a rotation axis of the at least one cleaning roller;

[0058] - the dirt fluid tank is suspended directly from the floor head or suspended from a cleaning fluid tank, wherein the cleaning fluid tank is fixed to the floor head and in particular is removably fixable.

[0059] The recesses in the tank lid allow the dirty fluid tank to be secured relative to the base head with its tank shell. This ensures stable mounting on the base head.

[0060] The circumferential seal provides the channel as the only fluid inlet and outlet on the dirty fluid tank. A fastening element on a respective post, and in particular a fastening element on the front, allows for easy attachment and detachment with respect to the base head. The sliding guide design allows for easy attachment and detachment with respect to the base head.

[0061] A hanging fixation results in particular in an easy fixability and easy release of the fixation with regard to the floor head.

[0062] In one embodiment, a locking device is arranged on the dirty fluid tank, and in particular on the tank lid, for locking the fixation of the dirty fluid tank directly to the base head or to a cleaning fluid tank. This results in a structurally simple design. By arranging the locking device on a tank lid, a large storage volume for dirty fluid can be provided on the tank shell.

[0063] It is advantageous if at least one of the following is provided:

[0064] - the locking device comprises an unlocking button and at least one pawl, wherein the unlocking button acts on the at least one pawl;

[0065] - the release button and / or the at least one locking pawl are arranged above and in particular directly above the channel with respect to a vertical axis;

[0066] - the tank cap and / or a cleaning fluid tank to which the dirt fluid tank is held has a recess for access to the release button by an operator.

[0067] The corresponding locking device can be designed in a simple manner, both in terms of design and manufacturing technology. The recess allows easy access, with the release button, in particular, not protruding beyond the outer contour of the base head.

[0068] In one embodiment, at least one opening is arranged on the tank cap, which is closed by an openable tab. This allows, for example, the dirty fluid tank to be emptied without having to remove the tank cap as a whole from the tank shell.

[0069] In an advantageous embodiment, a fluid level sensor device is arranged on the dirty fluid tank. This can then report to a control device of the floor cleaning device that a certain fill level has been reached, which requires the dirty fluid tank to be emptied. This can then give an operator a corresponding warning. This increases operating comfort, particularly during cleaning operation of the floor cleaning device. Before dirty fluid flows back due to the dirty fluid tank being overfilled, the operator is informed accordingly that the dirty fluid tank needs to be emptied. It is also possible that, if the fluid level sensor device sends a corresponding message, a control device of the floor cleaning device switches the floor cleaning device off itself in order to prevent dirty fluid orto prevent "dirty fluid contamination" on the floor cleaning device or the floor to be cleaned.

[0070] It is advantageous if at least one of the following is provided: the liquid level sensor device is arranged and / or configured such that reaching a specific liquid level in the dirty fluid tank can be detected, wherein in particular the specific level is related to an underside of the channel in the tank lid; the liquid level sensor device is designed and / or arranged such that the presence or absence of the dirty fluid tank at the bottom head can be detected.

[0071] This results in a simple design, and a timely signal is provided when a maximum fluid level in the dirty fluid tank is reached. If the specified level is referenced to the underside of the tank cap channel, this provides optimized protection against spillage or leakage of dirty fluid from the dirty fluid tank when the tank is full.

[0072] For example, an electrode of a liquid level sensor is used as an electrical contact to detect the presence / absence of the dirty fluid tank relative to the floor head. In one embodiment, a detection device for the floor head comprises a first counter-contact element, which is spaced apart from a second counter-contact element. The corresponding contact element, which is electrically connected to an electrode and in particular formed by such an electrode, is then formed on the dirty fluid tank, for example, with dimensions such that it electrically connects the counter-contact elements to one another when the dirty fluid tank is fixed relative to the floor head. The absence / presence of the dirty fluid tank can then be easily detected.

[0073] In one embodiment, the tank lid or tank shell has a raised edge on an outer side, in particular with at least one of the following: a release button is arranged behind the raised edge and does not protrude to an outer side; the raised edge serves as a stop element when inserting the dirt fluid tank onto the floor head and / or onto a cleaning fluid tank.

[0074] The raised edge results in a seamless outer contour, whereby the raised edge itself can then be used as a stop element, in particular to define an insertion position of the dirt fluid tank on the floor head.

[0075] Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one of the following is provided:

[0076] - there is exactly one channel with the inlet and outlet openings on the tank cap;

[0077] - the channel on the tank cap has a length of at least 1 cm between the inlet opening and the outlet opening;

[0078] - an acute angle at which the channel is arranged to a width direction lies in the range between 15° and 75° and in particular in the range greater than or equal to 30° and in particular in the range less than or equal to 60°;

[0079] - the tank cap is removable and is located on the tank tray.

[0080] By providing a single channel with the inlet and outlet ports, the fluid interface between the dirty fluid tank and the environment is minimized, providing effective leak protection.

[0081] If the channel on the tank cap has the specified minimum length, effective leak protection results in optimized coupling of contaminated fluid into the contaminated fluid tank. The selected acute angle, which is approximately 45°, results in effective leak protection with optimized coupling.

[0082] In principle, it is sufficient for the tank cap to be accessible from the tank shell if it is pivotably mounted on the tank shell, for example. In one embodiment, the tank cap is removable. This allows, for example, the dirty fluid tank to be easily cleaned.

[0083] In one embodiment, a channel device with an inlet opening and an outlet opening is arranged on the at least one stripping element, wherein the inlet opening faces the at least one cleaning roller and the outlet opening is coupled to the inlet opening of the channel in the tank cap. This results in a relatively short transport path for dirty fluid from the at least one cleaning roller into the channel on the dirty fluid tank.

[0084] It is advantageous if the outlet opening of the channel device is positioned above a channel basin of the tank cap channel relative to a vertical axis. A channel basin is formed on the channel, which has a receiving space defined by a channel basin wall.

[0085] This effectively prevents backflow of contaminated fluid from the sewer. This results in an optimized coupling of the sewer system's outlet opening to the sewer's inlet opening.

[0086] For the reasons mentioned, it is then furthermore advantageous if the outlet opening of the channel device of the at least one stripping element is assigned a drip edge, which is positioned in particular above a channel basin of the channel of the tank cap.

[0087] This minimizes the "scattering" of dirt fluid on the floor cleaning device. This, in turn, minimizes its contamination by dirt fluid. A floor cleaning device according to the invention can be designed as a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device, in particular with a traveling body that forms the floor head. This makes it possible to provide a cleaning robot, and in particular a mopping robot, that can be realized with compact dimensions. This, in turn, results in effective access to corner areas of a room to be cleaned and, for example, also good accessibility for driving under it.

[0088] In particular, a drive for the floor cleaning device and a navigation device for the floor cleaning device are arranged on the traveling body in order to realize a compact structure.

[0089] In an alternative embodiment, a rod device is arranged on the floor head, which serves to guide the floor cleaning device by an operator. The floor cleaning device can then be operated by a standing operator. The standing operator, who stands on the floor to be cleaned, in particular behind the floor head, can then guide the floor cleaning device over the floor to be cleaned using the rod device.

[0090] It is advantageous if a cleaning fluid tank and a supply device for moistening a floor to be cleaned and / or for moistening the at least one cleaning roller with cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank are provided. This allows for wet cleaning of a floor to be cleaned.

[0091] In one embodiment, the cleaning fluid tank and the dirty fluid tank form a tank combination, in particular with at least one of the following: the tank combination can be fixed as a whole to the base head and removed from the base head; with the tank combination fixed to the base head, the dirty fluid tank can be removed or inserted individually from the base head with the cleaning fluid tank fixed thereto.

[0092] This results in a compact design that is easy to use.

[0093] The following description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawings, serves to further explain the invention. They show:

[0094] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning device with a floor head and a tank device arranged thereon;

[0095] Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the floor cleaning device according to

[0096] Figure 1 in the direction A according to Figure 1;

[0097] Figure 3 shows another view of the floor cleaning device according to

[0098] Figure 1 with removed cassette or holding device for a cleaning roller;

[0099] Figure 4 shows the floor cleaning device according to Figure 1 with the dirt fluid tank removed;

[0100] Figure 5 shows the floor cleaning device according to claim 1 with a removed tank combination of cleaning liquid tank and dirt fluid tank;

[0101] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the floor cleaning device according to

[0102] Figure 5 with the tank combination removed in direction B according to Figure 5; Figure 7 the same view as Figure 6 with the cleaning roller removed;

[0103] Figure 8 shows the floor cleaning device according to claim 1 with the holding device or cassette removed, with the dirt fluid tank removed and with the cleaning fluid tank removed;

[0104] Figure 9 is a bottom view of the floor cleaning device according to

[0105] Figure 8 in direction C according to Figure 8 (with the holding device or cassette and tanks removed);

[0106] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a holding device / cassette when removed from the floor cleaning device, the holding device / cassette holding a cleaning roller;

[0107] Figure 11 the same view as Figure 10 with removed

[0108] cleaning roller;

[0109] Figure 12 is a bottom view of the holding device / cassette according to

[0110] Figure 11 in the direction E according to Figure 11;

[0111] Figure 13 shows a further embodiment of a holding device or cassette in a similar view to Figure 11 without a stripping element;

[0112] Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 11 of another embodiment of a holding device / cassette with the stripping element removed; Figure 15 is an embodiment of a stripping element arranged on the holding device / cassette according to Figure 10;

[0113] Figure 16 shows a further view of the holding device / cassette according to Figure 10 with the stripping element removed;

[0114] Figure 17 is a sectional view of the holding device / cassette (with fixed cleaning roller) in plane D according to Figure 10;

[0115] Figure 18 is a sectional view of the floor cleaning device in the region of a rear end with the cleaning roller;

[0116] Figure 19 shows the holding device / cassette according to Figure 10 with a different pivoting position of a stripping element;

[0117] Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 19 in an intermediate state during removal of the cleaning roller from the holding device / cassette;

[0118] Figure 21 is a partial view of the area X according to Figure 18;

[0119] Figure 22 is a plan view of the holding device / cassette according to Figure 10 with the cleaning roller held thereon in the direction Y according to Figure 10;

[0120] Figure 23 shows a further view of the stripping element according to Figure

[0121] 15 in the direction F according to Figure 15;

[0122] Figure 24 is a side view of the stripping element according to Figure

[0123] 15; Figure 25 is a view of the stripping element according to Figure 15 in the direction E according to Figure 15;

[0124] Figure 26 is a view of the stripping element according to Figure 15 in the direction H according to Figure 15;

[0125] Figure 27 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a dirty fluid tank with a tank shell and a tank lid;

[0126] Figure 28 is a similar view to Figure 27, with the tank cap lifted off the tank shell;

[0127] Figure 29 the tank cap according to Figure 7,'

[0128] Figure 30 shows the tank cap according to Figure 29 in a view in the direction K according to Figure 29;

[0129] Figure 31 is a side sectional view of the dirty fluid tank according to Figure 7,'

[0130] Figure 32 is a sectional view in a vertical axis of the dirty fluid tank according to Figure 7,'

[0131] Figures 33 to 35 show different views of the dirty fluid tank according to Figure 27, with a liquid level being shown schematically;

[0132] Figures 36(a), (b) show the dirty fluid tank according to Figure 27 at different inclinations, with a liquid level shown schematically; Figures 37(a), (b) show the dirty fluid tank according to Figure 27 at different inclinations, with a liquid level shown schematically;

[0133] Figure 38 schematically shows the water distribution in the dirty fluid

[0134] Tank according to Figure 27, when the floor cleaning device or the dirt fluid tank is upside down; and

[0135] Figure 39 shows a further embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the invention.

[0136] One embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the invention is a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device (Figures 1 to 9). This floor cleaning device 10 comprises a floor head 12, which includes a self-propelled and self-steering carriage 14. During cleaning operation, the floor cleaning device 10 is placed with its carriage 14 on a floor 16 to be cleaned (see, for example, Figure 18).

[0137] A drive system (not shown in the drawings) is arranged on the traveling body 14. This system drives wheels 18. In one embodiment, a first wheel 18a and a second wheel 18b are provided.

[0138] The wheels 18 are driven by the drive to rotate around a wheel axle 19.

[0139] Furthermore, a support roller 20 is arranged on the traveling body 14, which has a rotation axis 21. The support roller 20 is pivotable about a (steering) axis 22, which is perpendicular to the rotation axis 21.

[0140] In one embodiment, the support roller 20 is a passive steering roller that is not driven (and in particular, is not driven in a rotation about the rotation axis 21 and in a pivoting movement about the axis 22). A change in direction of the floor cleaning device 10 at the floor head 12 is achieved by appropriately controlling the wheels 18a and 18b via a control device arranged on the chassis 14, wherein, in particular, these wheels are rotatable at different speeds for a change in direction.

[0141] In principle, it can also be provided that the support roller 20 is an active steering roller for directional control of the ground device 10.

[0142] The floor cleaning device 10 has a main direction of travel 24. This main direction of travel 24 is the direction of travel of the floor cleaning device 10 when the support roller 20 is aligned such that its axis of rotation 21 is parallel to the wheel axis 19.

[0143] The floor head 12 has a support plane 26 above the carriage 14 (see Figure 18). The support plane 26 is defined by the wheels 18 and the support roller 20. A cleaning roller 28 is located on the support plane 26.

[0144] A navigation device 30 is arranged on the traveling body 14. The navigation device 30 is a sensor device and comprises at least one sensor element. The navigation device is signal-effectively connected to the control device for controlling the traveling operation of the floor cleaning device 10. The navigation device comprises, for example, one or more optical sensors, one or more radar sensors, one or more IR sensors, and / or one or more ultrasonic sensors.

[0145] The traveling body 14 has a front end 32 and a rear end 34 relative to the main direction of travel 24. In the area of ​​the rear end 34, a tank combination 36 comprising a dirt fluid tank 38 and a cleaning fluid tank 40 is removably mounted on the traveling body 14. This will be explained in more detail below. Dirt fluid is understood to be a fluid that is generally flowable. It can be composed of dirt particles or it can be a mixture of dirt particles and a liquid (in particular water, possibly with a surfactant cleaning agent additive).

[0146] The traveling body 14 has a bottom side 42 and an upper side 44 opposite the bottom side. The wheels 18 and the support roller 20 are arranged on the bottom side 42. The navigation device 30 is arranged, at least in part, on the upper side 44.

[0147] Between the underside 42 and the upper side 44, the traveling body 14 has a wall 46.

[0148] A bumper 48 is arranged on the wall 46 in the area of ​​the front end 32, which can be used to tactilely detect collisions of the floor cleaning device 10 with obstacles. The bumper 48 is or includes one or more tactile sensor elements that are connected to the control device for signal transmission.

[0149] A center 50 is assigned to the bottom head 12 (Figure 1). The center 50 is a geometric center of gravity of the bottom head 12 (with tanks 38, 40). This center 50 can be assigned a height direction (axial direction) 52 perpendicular to the installation plane 26 and, accordingly, a circumferential direction. The impact body 48 extends along the wall 46 in the circumferential direction, in particular over an angular range of at least 120° and preferably of at least 150°.

[0150] Cliff sensors 54 are arranged on the underside 42 of the vehicle body and are connected to the control device for signaling purposes. These cliff sensors 54 serve to prevent the floor cleaning device 10 from falling, for example, when reaching a staircase, by detecting "cliffs." The floor cleaning device 10 has a battery device, in particular a rechargeable one, which is arranged on the vehicle body 14. For example, a corresponding battery compartment 56 (see Figure 2) is provided, which is accessible from the underside 42 and is closed by a cover 58.

[0151] Further elements such as a sensor 60 for carpet detection, a WiFi module, etc. can be arranged on the chassis.

[0152] Charging contacts 62 are also arranged on the chassis to enable the battery device to be charged at a charging station.

[0153] In the embodiment shown, charging contacts 62 are arranged on the underside 42.

[0154] The base head 12 has an outer contour 64 in the shape of a circle in a top view in the height direction 52 of the upper side 44. A distance in the radial direction perpendicular to the height direction 52 from the center 50 to an upper edge of the wall 46 is at least approximately equal (corresponding to the radius of the circle).

[0155] It is also fundamentally possible for the outer contour 64 to have an approximately circular shape, in which case a distance to the outer contour from the center 50 deviates by a maximum of 15% from a corresponding mean value.

[0156] The traveling body 14 (the bottom head 12 without the tank combination 36) has as its outer contour the shape of a circular segment with a first chord 66. The first chord 66 is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the main direction of travel 24.

[0157] In one embodiment, it is oriented at least approximately parallel to the wheel axis 19. Relative to the front end 32, the first chord 66 lies beyond the center 50. It lies at the rear end 34. The center 50 lies between the first chord 66 and the front end 32.

[0158] In the plan view of the upper side 44 in the height direction 52, the tank combination 36 also has as its outer contour the shape of a second circular segment with a second chord 68.

[0159] The first circular section of the outer contour 64 of the traveling body 14 and the second circular section of the outer contour of the tank combination 36 complement each other to form the circular outer contour of the bottom head 12.

[0160] When the tank combination 36 is mounted on the vehicle body 14, the second chord 68 is parallel to the first chord 66 and immediately adjacent thereto.

[0161] A receiving shaft 70 for the cleaning roller 28 is arranged or formed on the traveling body 14. The receiving shaft 70 is located on the traveling body 14 in the region of the rear end 34. The receiving shaft 70 has a longitudinal extension direction 72 that is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the main direction of travel 24 (see Figure 9). The longitudinal extension direction 72 is also at least approximately parallel to the wheel axis 19.

[0162] In one embodiment, the longitudinal direction 72 is parallel to the first chord 66.

[0163] The receiving shaft is open to the underside 42 of the traveling body 14, which is a floor side (facing the installation plane 26), so that a cleaning roller 28 held in the receiving shaft 70 can act on the floor 16 to be cleaned.

[0164] Toward the top side 44 and thus away from the bottom side 42, the receiving shaft 70 is closed by a cover wall 74 (see Figure 9). Between the cover wall 74 and the bottom side 42, the traveling body has a wall 76, which delimits the receiving shaft 70 toward an interior of the traveling body 14. The travel drive, the control device, etc., are arranged in the interior of the traveling body 14.

[0165] In the area of ​​the rear end 34, a wall 78 is located on the cover wall 74, which is spaced apart from the wall 76. The wall 78, spaced apart from the wall 76, is also a boundary wall for the receiving shaft 70. The wall 78 is spaced apart from the underside 42, i.e., does not extend to the underside (bottom side) 42. The receiving shaft 70 is thus open to the rear end 34 via an opening 80.

[0166] The traveling body 14 has a first lateral side 82 and an opposite lateral side 84. The lateral sides 82, 84 are relative to the main direction of travel 24.

[0167] In the plan view in the height direction 52 from above onto the base body 12, the front end 32 is followed in a clockwise direction by the second lateral side 84, then on the traveling body 14 by the rear end 34 and then by the first lateral side 82.

[0168] On the first lateral side 82, a side wall 86 is located on the traveling body 14. This side wall 86 delimits the receiving shaft 70 towards the first lateral side 82. The side wall 86 has an extension transverse to the first chord 66.

[0169] The side wall 86 follows the circular outer contour 64.

[0170] The receiving shaft 70 has an opening 88 opposite the side wall 86 on the second lateral side 84. A drive motor 90 for the cleaning roller 28 is located on the side wall 86.

[0171] The drive motor 90 is supplied with electrical energy by the battery device in the battery compartment 56.

[0172] In principle, it is also possible for the drive motor 90 to be located, for example, behind the wall 76. A torque transmission device is then arranged on the side wall 86.

[0173] The drive motor 90 is assigned a drive shaft 92 which is rotatable about a rotation axis 94.

[0174] The drive shaft 92 extends into the receiving shaft 70. During operation of the floor cleaning device 10, it is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the cleaning roller 28. The drive shaft 92 drives a rotational movement of the cleaning roller 28 about a rotational axis that coincides with the rotational axis 94.

[0175] In the embodiment shown, the drive shaft 92 is directly connected to the drive motor 90, i.e. it is an output shaft of the drive motor 90 or coaxially connected to such an output shaft.

[0176] The drive shaft 92 is rotatably mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, it is mounted directly on the drive motor 90. It forms a first pivot bearing 96 for the rotating support of the cleaning roller 28 during rotation about the rotation axis 94.

[0177] The rotation axis 94 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the main direction of travel 24.

[0178] The rotation axis 94 is parallel to the installation plane 26. The rotation axis is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the height direction 52 (which is a normal axis to the installation plane 26).

[0179] Furthermore, in particular, the rotation axis 94 is parallel to the wheel axis 90. Furthermore, it is in particular parallel to the first chord 66.

[0180] The longitudinal extension direction 72 of the receiving shaft 70 is parallel to the rotation axis 94.

[0181] The floor cleaning device 10 includes a cassette 98 (for example, Figures 3, 8, 10 to 14, 16, 17). The cassette 98 serves to hold the cleaning roller 28 in the receiving shaft 70 during operation of the floor cleaning device 10, and to hold the cleaning roller 28 when inserted into the carriage 14 and when removed from the carriage 14.

[0182] A cassette is understood to be an inherently rigid or stable structure, which is, in a sense, a receiving container for the cleaning roller 28 (but does not have to be closed), and can be handled as an independent unit.

[0183] The cassette 98 includes a cover 100. The cover 100 serves to close the opening 88 of the receiving shaft 70 when the cassette 98 is inserted. When the cassette 98 is inserted into the carriage 14, the cover 100 is located opposite the side wall 86.

[0184] The cover 100 is adapted in its geometric shape to the outer contour 64 of the traveling body 14 and in particular is curved accordingly in order to follow the circular contour.

[0185] A locking device 102 is provided to fix the cover 100 to the moving body 14 and thus to lock the cassette 98 to the moving body 14. This locking device comprises, for example, an unlocking button 104, which is arranged on the moving body 14 and acts on a locking pawl. In one embodiment, a counter-element 106 for the locking pawl is arranged on the cover 100, wherein the counter-element 106 has an opening into which the locking pawl can be inserted. By actuating the unlocking button 104, the locking pawl, which is in particular spring-supported, can be displaced from the counter-element 106, and the corresponding locking of the cover 100 to the moving body 14 is released.

[0186] A second pivot bearing 108 for the rotation of the cleaning roller 28 about the rotation axis 94 is located on the cover (see, for example, Figures 11 and 17).

[0187] In one embodiment, the second pivot bearing 108 is designed as a ball bearing.

[0188] The cleaning roller 28 can be fixed in a rotationally fixed manner to the second pivot bearing 108.

[0189] When the cassette 98 is properly secured to the carriage 14, the cleaning roller 28 is rotatably mounted opposite one another on the first pivot bearing 96 and the second pivot bearing 108. The cleaning roller 28 is supported accordingly on its opposite end faces. The cleaning roller 28 is held on both sides between the first pivot bearing 96 and the second pivot bearing 108. The cleaning roller 28 is held in the receiving shaft 70 in a suspended manner, so to speak, between the first pivot bearing 96 and the second pivot bearing 108 and is supported at its respective end regions. This allows cleaning rollers 28 with a greater length (in a longitudinal direction parallel to the rotation axis 94) to be used, and larger torsional moments to be absorbed. Wobbling of the cleaning roller 28 is prevented. The cassette 98 comprises a support structure 110, which is seated on the cover 100 and ensures the appropriate stability andStiffness of the cassette 98 ensures.

[0190] The second pivot bearing 108 is positioned on the cover 100 at a distance from this support structure 110.

[0191] In one embodiment, the support structure 110 is or includes a wall 112 which is fixed to the cover 100.

[0192] The wall 112 has a cylindrical shell shape. It extends in a longitudinal direction 114. When the cassette 98 is held on the carriage 14 with the cleaning roller 28 held thereon, the longitudinal direction 114 of the cassette 98 is parallel to the rotation axis 94. It is also parallel to the longitudinal direction of the receiving shaft 70.

[0193] The wall 112 is designed such that, when the cassette 98 is held on the moving body 14, it covers the wall 76 of the moving body and at least partially the cover wall 74 on the moving body 14 (see Figures 7 and 9). The wall 112 forms a cover and thus a protective wall from the cleaning roller 28 to the moving body 14. This largely prevents contamination of the moving body 14 during operation of the floor cleaning device 10; the wall 112 keeps dirt away from the corresponding walls 74, 76 of the moving body 14.

[0194] For the defined holding and positioning of the cassette 98 in the receiving shaft 70, a guide device 116 is arranged on the receiving shaft 70 (see Figure 9). The cassette 94 has a corresponding counter-guide device 118 (see Figure 16). In one embodiment, the guide device 116 on the receiving shaft comprises a plurality of grooves 120, which extend in the longitudinal direction 72 and extend essentially over the entire length of the receiving shaft 70. They are formed on the wall 76.

[0195] In particular, the grooves are spaced apart from each other in the height direction 52.

[0196] The counter-guide device 118 on the cassette 98 comprises strips 122 adapted to a respective groove 120, which extend in the longitudinal direction 114. The strips 122 are arranged on the wall 112 and are arranged on a side facing away from a receiving space for the cleaning roller 28.

[0197] In particular, a sliding guide is provided.

[0198] The cassette 98 can be inserted or removed from the receiving shaft 70 in an insertion / removal direction 124 (direction and opposite direction).

[0199] This insertion / removal direction 124 is, when appropriately aligned, parallel to the longitudinal direction 114 of the cassette 98 and the longitudinal direction 72 of the receiving shaft 70. In particular, this insertion / removal direction 124 is parallel to the rotation axis 94.

[0200] The insertion / removal direction 124 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the main travel direction 24.

[0201] A holding device 126 for the cleaning roller 28 is arranged on the cassette 98. The holding device 126 is designed such that it pre-positions the cleaning roller 28 upon insertion of the cassette 98 onto the carriage 14 and then ensures automatic coupling of the drive shaft 92 to the cleaning roller 28 when the cassette 98 is inserted in the corresponding insertion direction 124 and the cover 100 is locked to the carriage 14. It also ensures that the cleaning roller 28 is automatically removed upon removal of the cassette, i.e., the operator intervention is the removal of the cassette 98 and, in particular, the operator does not have to touch the cleaning roller 28.

[0202] Furthermore, the holding device 126 ensures that the cleaning roller 28 is positioned accordingly on the cassette 98 during cleaning operation and in particular is held on the first pivot bearing 96 (the drive shaft 92) and the second pivot bearing 108.

[0203] The holding device 126 has a first holding element 128 and a second holding element 130. The first holding element 128 is formed by the second pivot bearing 108.

[0204] The second holding element 130 is arranged on the wall 112 at a distance from the first holding element 128 in the longitudinal direction 114.

[0205] The second holding element 130 has a ring element 132 with an opening 134. An axis of the opening 134 is aligned parallel to the longitudinal extension direction 114 of the cassette 98.

[0206] The cleaning roller 28 comprises a carrier 136 on which a cleaning medium 138 is arranged (see, for example, Figure 17). The carrier 136 is an annular cylinder with openings 140 at least at its front ends. It is also possible to have a continuous opening.

[0207] The cleaning medium 138 is a covering that is fixed to the carrier 136. When designed as a wet-wiping device, the cleaning medium 138 is, in particular, a textile covering, such as a microfiber covering, that is attached to the carrier 136. It is also possible for the cleaning medium 138 to be formed by bristles, particularly when the floor cleaning device 10 is designed as a sweeping device.

[0208] For example, it is also possible that the cleaning medium 138 comprises both bristles and textile trim areas.

[0209] The first holding element 128 (the first pivot bearing 96) has a first immersion element 142. The cleaning roller 28 is held on the first pivot bearing 96 (the first holding element 128) via the first immersion element 142, rotatably and non-rotatably about the rotation axis 94. The first immersion element 142 immerses into the carrier 136 at the corresponding opening 140.

[0210] A rotationally fixed coupling is provided by appropriate design of the first immersion element 142 and the carrier 136 at the corresponding opening 140.

[0211] A support element 144 is provided which serves to hold the cleaning roller 28 on the second holding element 130 (see, for example, Figure 17).

[0212] The support element 144 has a first part 146 and a second part 148.

[0213] The second part 148 of the support element 144 is provided for connection to the cleaning roller 28 and, in turn, to the carrier 136. When connected, the second part 148 of the support element 144 is inserted into the corresponding opening 140 (which is opposite the opening 140 that is closest to the cover 100 when the cleaning roller 28 is fixed). A rotationally fixed connection of the second part 148 is provided by corresponding insertion into the opening 140 of the carrier 136. It is fundamentally possible for the support element 144, with its second part 148, to be firmly (non-detachably) connected to the cleaning roller 28.

[0214] In an advantageous embodiment, the support element 144 with its second part 148 is detachable from the cleaning roller 28. This allows the cleaning roller 28 to be manufactured more simply and cost-effectively. Furthermore, the cleaning roller 28 is easier to clean, since it essentially consists only of the carrier 136 and the cleaning medium 138. It can then be cleaned, for example, in a washing machine.

[0215] A second immersion element 150 is arranged on the first part 146. The second immersion element 150 serves to immerse into the opening 134 of the second holding element 130. When the support element 144 is fixed to the cleaning roller 28 by the second part 148, the cleaning roller 28 can be held on one side via the first holding element by immersing the first immersion element 142 into the associated opening 140. On the other side, the cleaning roller 28 can be held on the second holding element 130 by immersing the second immersion element 150 of the support element 144 (with the support element 144 held on the cleaning roller 28) into the opening 134 (see, for example, Figure 10).

[0216] The first part 146 is displaceably mounted on the support element 144 with respect to the second part 148 and in particular is displaceably mounted directly on the second part 148.

[0217] In one embodiment, the second part 148 is cup-shaped with an interior space 152. The first part 146 is positioned in the interior space 152 and is displaceably mounted. A displacement direction 154 (see Figure 17) is parallel to the longitudinal direction 114 of the cassette 98 or the rotation axis 94. The first part 146 is supported on the second part 148 via a spring device 156. The spring device 156 comprises at least one spring. A spring force of the spring device 156 acts in such a way that it tends to push the first part 146 away from the second part 148, specifically, when the cleaning roller 28 is seated on the holding device 126, towards the second holding element 130.

[0218] If the first part 146 is to be pressed towards the other end of the cleaning roller 28 with the support element 144 sitting on the cleaning roller 28, the spring force of the spring device 156 must be overcome.

[0219] To hold the cleaning roller 28 to the holding device 126 of the cassette 98, the cleaning roller 28 is placed on the first immersion element 142 at the corresponding opening 140. The cassette 98 is thereby removed from the carriage 14.

[0220] The support element 144 is then inserted into the carrier 136 in the corresponding opening 140 or has already been inserted previously.

[0221] The second immersion element 150 on the first part 146 then projects beyond an end face of the cleaning roller 28.

[0222] The cleaning roller 28 is then moved from the position shown in Figure 20 toward the second holding element 130. An operator pushes the first part 126 in the displacement direction 154 toward the cover 100. When the support element 144 has reached the ring element 132, the operator can then release the first part 146, and with the appropriate alignment, the second immersion element 150 then immerses into the opening 134. The spring force of the spring device 156 pushes the first part 146 with the second immersion element 150 away from the cover 100 and ensures that the second immersion element 150 immerses in the opening 134. The cleaning roller 28 is then held on the cassette 98 at two stops (on the first holding element 128 and the second holding element 130).

[0223] The cassette 98 can then be pushed into the receiving slot 70.

[0224] The drive shaft 92 projects into the receiving shaft 70.

[0225] When the cassette 98, with the cleaning roller 28 held on the holding device 126, is moved into the receiving shaft 70 toward the drive shaft 92, then, when the cassette 98 is positioned accordingly, the drive shaft 92 comes into contact with the support element 144. The first part 146 has a receptacle 158 for the drive shaft 92. The drive shaft 92 is rotatably connected to the receptacle 158. When the cassette 98 is moved into the receiving shaft 70 up to a stop until the cover 100 is locked to the carriage 14 at the locking device 102, the drive shaft 92 is rotatably coupled to the cleaning roller 28 via the support element 144.

[0226] The support element 144 with the first part 146 is configured in coordination with the drive shaft 92 such that, during this final positioning, the drive shaft acts on the first part 146 and displaces it in the displacement direction 154 toward the cover 100. This causes the second immersion element 150 to emerge from the opening 134. When the cassette 98 is displaced into the receiving shaft 70 and then comes into contact with the support element 144, the drive shaft 92 ensures that the first part 146 is displaced away in the displacement direction 154, i.e., in a direction opposite to the direction in which the cassette 98 is inserted into the receiving shaft 70.

[0227] This removes the second immersion element 150 from the second holding element 130, and contact is no longer maintained. During operation of the floor cleaning device 10, the cleaning roller 28 is then supported at two locations, namely on the drive shaft 92 (the first pivot bearing 96) and on the first holding element 128 (the second pivot bearing 108).

[0228] The second holding element 130 no longer has any effect here.

[0229] The second holding element 130 is an intermediate element when inserting and removing the cassette 98 onto or from the carriage 14.

[0230] When removing the cassette 98 from the carriage 14, the locking device 102 is first released, and then the cassette 98 is removed from the receiving shaft 70 in the corresponding removal direction 124. As a result, the drive shaft 92 is, in a sense, immersed by "removing" the cleaning roller 28 from the support element 144. The spring device 156 then ensures that the second immersion element 150 immerses again into the second holding element 130. When removing the cassette 98, the cleaning roller 28 is held on the holding device 126 by the first holding element 128 and the second holding element 130.

[0231] When the cassette 98 is inserted, the cleaning roller 28 is held on the holding device 126. The guide device 116 and the counter-guide device 118 automatically align it with the drive shaft 92, creating a corresponding coupling. Corresponding positive locking elements are provided to maintain the rotationally fixed connection. An operator can achieve the corresponding alignment by rotating the cleaning roller 28 on the holding device 126 through a small angle to effect this rotationally fixed coupling. The drive shaft automatically releases the coupling of the support element 144 to the second holding element 130 when the cleaning roller 28 reaches an operating position on the traveling body 14. When the cassette 98 is removed, this coupling of the support element 144 to the second holding element 130 is established automatically.When removing the cassette 98, an operator does not have to touch the (dirty) cleaning roller 28, but can simply remove the cassette 98 as a container or box for the cleaning roller 28.

[0232] During operation of the floor cleaning machine 10, the drive shaft 92 is torque-effectively coupled to the support element 144 to enable the cleaning roller 28 to rotate about the rotation axis 94. The cleaning roller 28 is decoupled from the second support element 130. During operation, the cleaning roller 28 is rotatably coupled to the first support element 128.

[0233] A cooperating form-locking device 160 (see, for example, Figures 9 to 11) is arranged on the cassette 98 and the carriage 14. This provides additional coupling between the cassette 98 and the carriage 14 when the cassette 98 is held on the carriage 14, particularly with respect to torsional stresses.

[0234] In one embodiment, the form-locking device 160 comprises a receiving element 162 of an immersion opening 164. In one embodiment, the receiving element 162 is arranged on the second holding element 130 and, in particular, on the ring element 132. The immersion opening 164 has an opening direction that is parallel to the longitudinal extension direction 114.

[0235] An immersion element 166 adapted to the immersion opening 164 is located on the side wall 96 (see Figure 9). The immersion element 166 is designed as an immersion pin. When the cassette 98 is fixed to the carriage 14 (with the lid 100 locked), the immersion element 166 is immersed into the immersion opening 164. A positive connection is established in all transverse directions to the longitudinal extension direction 114. This allows torsional loads to be diverted to the carriage 14. A distribution device 168 for cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 40 is arranged on the cassette 98 and on the wall 112 (see Figure 16). The distribution device 168 comprises one or more distribution channels 170 with a channel wall 172. The channel wall 172 projects beyond the wall 112 on an outer side of the wall 112, wherein the outer side of the wall 112 faces away from the cleaning roller 28.

[0236] The distribution channel 170 comprises openings 174 in the wall 112, which extend from the rear side of the wall 112 (facing away from the cleaning roller 28) to a front side of the wall 112 (facing the cleaning roller 28). Cleaning fluid can be applied to the cleaning roller 28 via these openings 174.

[0237] The openings 174 are arranged above the cleaning roller 28 with respect to the height direction 152, so that the cleaning medium 138 (the lining of the cleaning roller 28) can be moistened accordingly with cleaning fluid (see Figure 18).

[0238] In particular, the cleaning roller 28 can be supplied with cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 40 by gravity via the distribution device 168 and the openings 174.

[0239] A connection 176 is arranged on the cassette 98, which is in fluid communication with the distribution device 168. The connection 176 is a connection of the cassette 98 for a fluid connection with the cleaning fluid tank 40.

[0240] Connection 176 is in cooperation with the carriage 14 and the

[0241] Dirt fluid tank 38 is designed such that a fluid-effective connection between the cleaning fluid tank and the distribution device 168 is automatically established when the cassette 98 is properly fixed to the carriage 14 (with locking on the cover 100).

[0242] In particular, a valve device is assigned to the cleaning liquid tank 40 (which is preferably positioned outside the cassette 98), which releases a discharge of cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 40 only during the cleaning operation of the floor cleaning device 10.

[0243] The cassette 98 does not contain any electronic components or the like or any components that require a power supply.

[0244] A stripping element 178 is held on the cassette 98. The stripping element 178 is, in particular, removable from the cassette 98. Figures 23 to 26 show an embodiment of a removed stripping element 178.

[0245] In the exemplary embodiment of the floor cleaning device, exactly one cleaning roller 28 is provided. In particular, exactly one stripping element 178 is assigned to this one cleaning roller 28.

[0246] The stripping element 178 serves to strip dirty fluid from the cleaning roller 28 (from the lining of the cleaning roller 28) and to guide dirty fluid via a corresponding guide device 180 to the dirty fluid tank 38.

[0247] One embodiment of a scraper element 178 is formed in one piece. It comprises a body 182. A channel device 184 is integrated into the body. In one embodiment, the channel device 184 comprises a channel 186 with an inlet opening 188 and an outlet opening 190. With the scraper element 178 properly positioned on the cassette 98 and the cassette 98 held on the carriage 14, the inlet opening 188 faces the cleaning roller 28, and the outlet opening 190 faces an inlet opening of the dirty fluid tank 38, as described in more detail below.

[0248] The stripping element 178 is movably mounted on the cassette 98. In one embodiment, the stripping element 178 is mounted on the cassette 98 about a pivot axis 192 (see, for example, Figures 11, 16, or 19).

[0249] The pivot axis 192 is parallel to the longitudinal direction 114 of the cassette 98 or parallel to the rotation axis 94.

[0250] When the cassette 98 is held on the traveling body 14, the pivot axis 192 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the main direction of travel 24.

[0251] In one embodiment, a first shaft stub 194 and a second shaft stub 196 are arranged on the cassette 98 and on the wall 112 on an outer side facing away from the cleaning roller 28, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction 114.

[0252] On the body 182 of the stripping element 178, a first hook element 198a and a second hook element 198b are seated, associated with the first shaft stub 194 (see, for example, Figure 10).

[0253] A pivot bearing is realized via the first hook element 198a and the first shaft stub 194 and the second hook element 198b and the second shaft stub 196, which enables the stripping element 178 to pivot as a whole about the pivot axis 192. The hook elements 198a, 198b are open, so that by pulling on the stripping element 178 in a direction transverse to the pivot axis 192, the stripping element 178 can also be removed from the cassette 98.

[0254] In an alternative embodiment, the shaft stubs are mounted on the stripping element 178, and the associated hook elements are mounted on the cassette 98. A stripping bar 200 is mounted on the stripping element 178. The stripping bar 200 serves to strip off the dirty fluid, and in particular, textile trim, of the cleaning roller 28. This stripped-off dirty fluid can then be discharged via the channel device 184 through the inlet opening 188 into the channel 186 and via the outlet opening 190 to the dirty fluid tank 38.

[0255] It is intended that the scraper bar 200 rests against the cleaning medium 138 (the facing) and, in particular, protrudes into the corresponding textile material. This achieves an improved scraping effect. Due to the movable arrangement of the scraper element 178, the scraper bar 200 can be pressed into the facing accordingly. This allows for an effective cleaning effect, especially when the cleaning roller 28 is worn. Furthermore, tolerances, for example, during manufacturing, can be compensated.

[0256] The body 182 of the scraper element 178 has a bottom side 202 facing the cleaning roller 28. The scraper bar 200 extends beyond this bottom side 202.

[0257] The stripping element 178 has an upper side 204 facing away from the cleaning roller 28. A support region 206 (see Figure 24) for a spring device 208 is formed on the upper side 204. The spring device 208 (see, for example, Figure 9) is fixedly arranged on the carriage 14 and acts on the stripping element 178 when the cassette 98 with the stripping element 178 is fixed to the carriage 14. In one embodiment, the spring device 208 comprises a plurality of springs, each of which has a support element 210 seated on it (Figure 9).

[0258] In one embodiment, the spring device 208 or the springs are arranged with the respective support element 210 on an end region of the wall 78 (Figure 9). The support element 210 is a contact element for the support region 206 of the stripping element 178.

[0259] When the stripping element 178 is seated on the carriage 14, the respective support element 210 is pressed against the support area 206 by the spring device 208. As a result, the stripping element 178, due to its pivotability about the pivot axis 192, is pressed against the cleaning roller 28, and in particular, the stripping bar 200 is pressed into the (particularly textile) trim of the cleaning roller 28 (see, for example, Figure 20).

[0260] The spring device 208 is firmly connected to the traveling body 14 and is loosely supported on the support area 206 of the stripping element 178.

[0261] In one embodiment, the support elements 210 have an inclined surface 212 (Figure 9) which faces the opening 88 of the receiving shaft 70.

[0262] The inclined surface 212 of the respective support element 210 serves as an insertion aid when inserting the cassette 98 into the receiving shaft 70 in order to establish contact of the respective support element 210 with the support area 206 on the stripping element 178.

[0263] The support area 206 on the upper side 204 of the stripping element 178 is spaced from the pivot axis 192 (see also Figure 15).

[0264] The channel 106 with the inlet opening 188 and the outlet opening 190 is funnel-shaped, at least with respect to a width direction 214. The width direction 214 (see Figure 16) is (with the stripping element 178 held on the cassette 98) parallel to the longitudinal extension direction 114 of the cassette 98 or parallel to the rotation axis 94 of the cleaning roller 28. The inlet opening 188 has a maximum first width 216 in the width direction 214 (see, for example, Figure 23).

[0265] The outlet opening 190 has a maximum second width 218 in the width direction 214 (see Figure 25). The first width 216 is larger, and in particular much larger, than the second width 218. The first width 218 is in particular at least three times larger than the second width 218.

[0266] In one embodiment, the stripping element 178 is at least approximately mirror-symmetrical to a center plane 220 (mirror plane) (see, for example, Figure 25). The channel 186, the inlet opening 188, and the outlet opening 190 are mirror-symmetrical to this center plane 220. At least in the width direction, the channel 186 tapers uniformly (mirror-symmetrical to the center plane 220) from the inlet opening 188 to the outlet opening 190.

[0267] The exit opening 190 has a triangular shape 222 (see, for example, Figure 25). A triangular vertex 224 of this triangular shape 222 lies on the center plane 222 and points (with the stripping element 178 held on the cassette 98 and the cassette 98 held on the traveling body 14) toward the installation plane 26.

[0268] A drip edge 226 is assigned to the outlet opening 190. This drip edge 226 is achieved in particular by a corresponding edge formation at the triangular tip 224.

[0269] The scraper bar 200 forms a boundary of the inlet opening 188 toward the installation plane 26 (see Figure 21). In one embodiment, the scraper bar 200 forms a boundary wall of the inlet opening 188 downwards (toward the installation plane 26). In one embodiment, the scraper bar 200 is, to a first approximation, V-shaped.

[0270] It comprises a first region 228 and a second region 230 (Figure 23). The first region 228 and the second region 230 are at an obtuse angle 232 to each other. The first region 228 and the second region 230 are each at an acute angle to the width direction 214.

[0271] In particular, the first region 228 and the second region 230 each have a straight extension.

[0272] In one embodiment, the first region 228 and the second region 230 intersect at a fork point 231. In a purely V-shaped configuration, the fork point 231 lies at the first region 228 and the second region 230 and thus on the wiper strip 200.

[0273] In an alternative embodiment, which is described below, the fork point 231 is a purely geometric point or an imaginary point which does not lie on the wiper bar 200.

[0274] Due to the symmetrical design of the stripping element 178, the first region 228 and the second region 230 are located at the same acute angle 234 to the width direction 214. However, the corresponding angles are opposite in sign.

[0275] In one embodiment, the wiper strip 200 has a third region 236 (Figure 23), which lies between the first region 228 and the second region 230 and is connected to each of them. A continuous wiper strip 200 without gaps is formed.

[0276] The third region 236 is particularly straight. In one embodiment, it is oriented parallel to the width direction 214. It has a shorter length than the first region 228 or the second region 230.

[0277] In this way, the corresponding funnel-shaped channel design 186 can be realized.

[0278] The third region 236 is spaced from the fork point 231. The wiper bar 200 therefore does not have a "strict" V-shape, but rather there is a cross connection between the arms of the "V" (the first region 228 and the second region 230) via the third region 236, which is spaced from the fork point 231.

[0279] When the stripping element 178 is fixed to the traveling body 14 (via the cassette 98), the third region 236 is closer to the installation plane 26 than the first region 228 and the second region 230.

[0280] A baffle surface 238 is arranged on the stripping element 178 within the channel 186. This baffle surface is formed or positioned on a channel ceiling 240, which is opposite a channel floor 242.

[0281] The baffle surface 238 forms a deflection surface for "flying" dirt particles in order to redirect them towards the outlet opening 190.

[0282] In one embodiment, the channel floor 242 is inclined at an acute angle 244 relative to the mounting plane 26 (when the scraper element 178 is properly positioned relative to the traveling body 14 via the cassette 98). See, for example, Figure 22 or 21. This assists the gravity-driven outflow of dirty fluid through the channel 186 to the dirty fluid tank 38.

[0283] In one embodiment, a hair comb device 246 is arranged on the stripping element 178 and protrudes beyond the underside 204. The hair comb device 246 comprises a plurality of pins that serve to pick up hair and, in particular, to remove it from the bristles of the cleaning roller 28.

[0284] In one embodiment, the hair comb device 246 comprises at least one row of pins 248 (in the embodiment shown, two rows of pins are provided), the arrangement of the row following the course of the stripping bar 200.

[0285] The hair comb device 246 is arranged downwards from the wiping bar 200; it is closer to the installation plane 26 than the wiping bar 200.

[0286] In particular, the hair comb device 246 is arranged downstream of the squeegee bar 200 with respect to a direction of rotation 250 of the cleaning roller 28 during operation of the floor cleaning device 10 (see Figure 18).

[0287] The wiper bar 200 is movably arranged on the cassette 94 by being pivotable about the pivot axis 192 in order to enable, when acted upon by the spring device 208, a defined immersion of the wiper bar 200 into a filling of the cleaning roller 28 even in the event of wear, manufacturing play, etc.

[0288] Due to the pivotability of the stripping element 178, it can also be pivoted away from the cleaning roller 28 when the cassette 98 is removed from the carriage 14 (see Figure 19) in order to enable easier insertion or removal of the cleaning roller 28 on the holding device 126.

[0289] As mentioned above, it may also be provided that the

[0290] The stripping element 178 is removable as a whole from the cassette 98. A sweeping device 252 for coarse dirt is arranged on the cassette 98 (see, for example, Figures 11 to 14). This sweeping device 252 is arranged on the support structure 110 and, in particular, on the wall 112.

[0291] In one embodiment, the sweeping device 252 is formed integrally on the wall 112.

[0292] The sweeping device 252 serves to provide coarse dirt to the cleaning roller 28 or to load it with coarse dirt particles.

[0293] The sweeping device 252 has a sweeping edge 254, which is a lower edge of the wall 112. This sweeping edge 254 is spaced from the installation plane 26 (Figure 18). It faces the cleaning roller 28 and is at a short distance from it or rests against it (Figure 18).

[0294] The sweeping device 252 comprises spaced teeth 256, which are shovel-like and extend with a lower portion beyond the sweeping edge 254. A corresponding underside 258 of these teeth is located closer to the installation plane 26 than the sweeping edge 254.

[0295] Due to the distance of the sweeping edge 254 from the installation plane 26 (and thus also from the floor 16 to be cleaned), coarse dirt particles can pass under the sweeping edge 254 to the cleaning roller 28 (see Figure 18).

[0296] The teeth 256, with their reduced distance from the installation plane 26 compared to the sweeping edge 254, ensure that such larger dirt particles can be picked up by the floor cleaning device 10 during its operation. Dirt particles are thrown against the teeth 256 by the cleaning roller 28 during its rotation. They can be trapped, so to speak, between the cleaning roller 28 and the corresponding teeth 256 and thus, due to the rotation of the cleaning roller 28, are carried along and transported to the inlet opening 188.

[0297] The teeth 256 are plow-like, each with a guide surface 260.

[0298] This guide surface 260 is designed to deflect dirt particles upwards. They are shaped to prevent them from being pushed along.

[0299] It is intended that a distance 262 between adjacent teeth 256 is greater than a distance 264 between the sweeping edge 254 and the installation plane 26.

[0300] In one embodiment, the tooth 266 which is closest to the first holding element 128 is designed as a "half tooth" due to the corresponding edge-side position (see Figure 11).

[0301] In principle, the sweeping device 252 can be formed from a soft or hard plastic component. In one embodiment, the sweeping device 252 is removably held on the cassette 98. In principle, the teeth 256 can also be individually removable.

[0302] For example, it is possible that the teeth 256 are made of a different material than the material of the sweeping edge 254.

[0303] It is also possible, for example, for the teeth 256 and / or the sweeping edge 254 to be spring-mounted. The teeth 256 can be spring-mounted individually or as a toothed strip.

[0304] In one embodiment, the sweeping device 252 has one or more spacers located on the installation plane 26. Further embodiments of sweeping devices 252' and 252" are shown in Figures 14 and 15. In the embodiment according to Figure 13, for example, no second tooth is assigned adjacent to the first holding element 128.

[0305] In the embodiment according to Figure 14 and also Figure 13, other tooth shapes are shown.

[0306] A half tooth corresponding to the tooth 266 can also be assigned adjacent to the second holding element 130 (as an end region) (see Figure 12).

[0307] In particular, the direction of rotation 250 of the cleaning roller 28 on the floor 16 to be cleaned is toward the sweeping device 252 (see Figure 18). If the floor cleaning device 10 is a self-steering and self-propelled floor cleaning device, then it generally has the main direction of travel 24, although other directions of travel and, for example, directions opposite to the main direction of travel 24 are also possible. If the floor cleaning device 10 travels in the main direction of travel 24, then the direction of rotation 250 on the floor is parallel to the main direction of travel. However, for other directions of travel, and in particular opposite to the main direction of travel 24, the rotation is opposite to the direction of travel.

[0308] Due to the described design of the sweeping device 252, coarse dirt can be effectively picked up even in such directions of travel, wherein in particular on the floor 16 the direction of rotation 250 is opposite to the direction of travel, and this in only one pass.

[0309] The cleaning roller 28 is positioned, so to speak, between the squeegee 200 and the sweeping device 252 (see Figure 18). During operation of the floor cleaning device 10, a specific area or sector 268 is moistened with cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 40 and via the distribution device 168 with the openings 174. This area or sector 268 rotates further due to the direction of rotation 250 to the inlet opening 188 of the squeegee 200. There, dirt fluid is scraped off the area or sector 268 via the squeegee 200 and is then transported away via the channel 186. This specific area 280 then rotates further toward the floor 16 to be cleaned, acting on the floor and removing dirt. It then rotates further in the direction of rotation 250 toward the sweeping device 252. Coarse dirt is "clamped" on the teeth 256 and carried along by the cleaning roller 28.

[0310] The specific area or sector 268 then returns to the humidification area.

[0311] The area or sector 268, which then rotates toward the squeegee 200, rotates, so to speak, from above toward the squeegee 200. During operation of the floor cleaning device 10, the squeegee element with the squeegee 200 and the inlet opening 188 is positioned above a central axis 270 (see Figure 18) of the cleaning roller 28 relative to the vertical axis 152. The conveyance of dirty fluid from the cleaning roller 28 (detached by the squeegee 200 from the corresponding filling) occurs according to the throw-over principle due to the arrangement of the squeegee 200 and the inlet opening 188 relative to the vertical direction 52 above the central axis 270.

[0312] In the tank combination 36, the cleaning fluid tank 40 is positioned above the dirty fluid tank 38, i.e. the dirty fluid tank 38 is closer to the installation plane 26 than the cleaning fluid tank 40.

[0313] A receptacle 272 is formed on the carriage 14 above the wall 78 (see, for example, Figure 5). The cleaning fluid tank 40 has a tab 274 designed to be inserted into the receptacle 272.

[0314] In principle, the tab 274 can be arranged on a corresponding container, or the tab 274 is designed in such a way that it can also hold cleaning fluid.

[0315] A sliding guide 276 is arranged on the receptacle 272 and thus on the traveling body 14, and corresponding counter-elements 278 are arranged on the tab 274.

[0316] A locking device 278 is provided, by means of which the tab 274 in the receptacle 272 can be locked to the traveling body 14.

[0317] The cleaning fluid tank 40 has a top surface 280. When the cleaning fluid tank 40 is inserted into the base head 12, this top surface 280 is aligned flush with a top surface of the base head 12.

[0318] Accordingly, the tab 274 is recessed in the direction of the mounting plane 26 toward the top surface 280 to achieve this flush alignment.

[0319] In one embodiment, an opening 282 is arranged on the tab 274, to which a closure element 284 is assigned. The opening 282 can be closed via the closure element 284. The cleaning fluid tank 40 can be filled with cleaning fluid (pure water or pure water with surfactant additive) via the opening 282.

[0320] The cleaning fluid tank 40 has a connection adapted to the connection 176 on the cassette 98. As mentioned above, the cleaning fluid tank 40 is in particular assigned a valve to provide cleaning fluid only during operation of the distribution device 168.

[0321] The dirty fluid tank 38 (Figures 27 to 38) comprises a tank shell 286 and a tank lid 288. The tank lid 288 sits on the tank shell 286 when the dirty fluid tank 38 is closed. The tank lid 288 is removable from the tank shell 286.

[0322] The tank shell 286 has a tank bottom 290 and a circumferential wall 292 projecting from the tank bottom 290. A receiving space 294 for dirty fluid is formed between the wall 292 and the tank bottom 290.

[0323] The wall 292 has a first region 296, which is straight and lies parallel to the second chord 68 or on which the second chord 68 lies. It has a second region 298, which provides the circumferential closure of the receiving space 294. This second region 298 is circular in order to achieve the circular outer contour 64.

[0324] A receptacle 300 for a roller 302 (Figure 2) is formed on the tank bottom 290.

[0325] The roller 302 is located on the installation plane 26. The roller 302 is aligned with the support roller 20, particularly with respect to the main direction of travel 24. The roller 302 is also a support roller, but is not pivotable. It is rotatable about an axis parallel to the wheel axle 19.

[0326] A first post 304 and a second post 306 are arranged at a distance from each other on the tank bottom. These posts 304 and 306 project upward from the tank bottom 290.

[0327] In the tank lid 288, through-holes 308a, 308b are formed which are respectively associated with the posts 304, 306, whereby a penetration of the corresponding post 304 or 306 is possible when the tank lid

[0328] 288 is placed on the tank shell 286 (see, for example, Figure 27).

[0329] A sealing device 310 is provided, which is arranged circumferentially on the respective post 304, 306 and / or the recess 308a, 308b and ensures a fluid seal between the respective post 304, 306 and the recess 308a, 308b when the tank cap 288 is placed on the tank shell 286.

[0330] A fastening element 312 is arranged on each of the first post 304 and the second post 306, which, when the tank cap 288 is fixed to the tank shell, extends through the corresponding recess 308a, 308b.

[0331] The fastening elements 312 serve to fix the dirty fluid tank 38 to the cleaning fluid tank 40, which has corresponding counter elements for the fastening elements 312.

[0332] In particular, a hanging fixation of the dirt fluid tank 38 on the cleaning fluid tank 40 is provided.

[0333] A sliding guide is implemented via the fastening elements 312. The dirty fluid tank 38 can be inserted into or removed from the cleaning fluid tank 40 in a sliding direction 314 (Figure 4). The sliding direction 314 is oriented parallel to the main direction of travel 24 and is particularly transverse (and preferably perpendicular) to the rotation axis 94.

[0334] The sliding direction 314 is further oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the insertion / removal direction 124 for the cassette 98.

[0335] Furthermore, a locking device 316 is provided, by means of which the dirty fluid tank 38 can be locked to the cleaning fluid tank 40 when fixed via the fastening elements 312 and can be locked in particular with respect to the sliding direction 314.

[0336] The locking device 316 comprises (at least) one pawl 318, which is coupled to an unlocking button 320.

[0337] The release button 320 is arranged, in particular, centrally on the tank lid 288. Furthermore, it is arranged, in particular, above a channel 322, via which dirty fluid from the at least one cleaning roller 28 can be coupled into the receiving space 294 of the dirty fluid tank 38 via the channel 386 of the stripping element 178.

[0338] Relative to the height direction 52 (when the dirty fluid tank 38 is located on the base head 12), the removal button 320 and the locking pawl 318 are arranged above and in particular directly above the channel 322.

[0339] The tank shell 286 has a raised edge 324 which follows the course of the second region 298 of the wall 292 and is formed in particular by the wall 292.

[0340] The raised edge 324 is designed such that it projects beyond an uppermost point of the tank cap 288 when the latter is located on the tank shell 286 and in particular projects beyond the release button 320.

[0341] The raised edge 324 forms a stop element when inserting the dirt fluid tank 38 into the cleaning fluid tank 40 in the sliding direction 314 (see, for example, Figure 4).

[0342] For this purpose, a corresponding counter-element 326 is arranged on the cleaning fluid tank 40, which is in particular set back on an outer side. When the tank combination 36 is fixed to the floor head 12, with the dirty fluid tank 38 being fixed to the cleaning fluid tank 40, a continuous and in particular edge-free transition results on the corresponding wall both between the cleaning fluid tank 40 and the dirty fluid tank 38, as well as between the tank combination 36 and the floor head 12.

[0343] In the embodiment shown, a recess 328 is arranged or formed on the cleaning fluid tank 40, which is assigned to the release button 320 and is positioned so that an operator can access the release button 320 through the recess 328 (see Figure 1).

[0344] When the tank combination 36 is fixed to the base head 12, the tank combination 36 can be removed as a whole, i.e. as a combination of the dirt fluid tank 38 and the cleaning fluid tank 40, by appropriately accessing the locking device 278 (see Figure 5).

[0345] However, in principle, the dirt fluid tank 38 can also be removed individually from the floor head 12 and the cleaning fluid tank 40 by accessing the release button 320 accordingly, with the cleaning fluid tank 40 remaining on the floor head 12 (see Figure 4).

[0346] The removal or insertion of the cassette 98 on the base head 12 is independent of the "status" of the tank combination 36 or the individual tanks 38 and 40 with respect to the base head 12. The cassette 98 can be removed or inserted when the tank combination 36 is fixed to the base head 12 or detached from it. The cassette 98 can be inserted or removed from the base head 12 whether the dirty fluid tank 38 is held relative to the base head 12 or not.

[0347] A circumferential sealing device 330 is provided between the tank cap 288 and the tank shell 286. This sealing device 330 is arranged on the tank shell 286 and / or the tank cap 288. In the embodiment shown in Figure 28, it is arranged on the tank cap 288.

[0348] On the tank shell 286, a system 332 for the tank cap 288 is positioned, which provides support downwards, i.e. towards the tank bottom 290.

[0349] In the embodiment shown, the tank cap 288 is detachable as a whole from the tank shell 286 and can be removed therefrom.

[0350] An opening 334 with a closure 336 is arranged on the tank cap 288. The opening 334 can be closed using the closure 336.

[0351] The dirty fluid tank 38 can be emptied of dirty fluid via the opening 334 when the closure 336 is open.

[0352] For example, for a more thorough cleaning of the dirty fluid tank 38, the tank cap 288 is removed from the tank shell 286.

[0353] The opening 334 is positioned between, for example, the recess 308b and an outer side 338 of the tank cap 288 and in particular spaced from the channel 322 and spaced from the locking pawl 318 or the release button 320.

[0354] The channel 322 on the tank lid 288 has an inlet opening 340 and an outlet opening 342. The channel 322 is closed except for the inlet opening 340 and the outlet opening 342. The inlet opening 340 serves for coupling to the scraper element 178 with its outlet opening 190. The outlet opening 342 of the channel 322 serves for coupling dirty fluid into the tank shell 286 and thereby into the receiving space 294 of the tank shell 286. The channel 322 has a channel wall 344 with a channel bottom 346 and an opposite channel cover 348.

[0355] The channel 322 is positioned at a central region 350 of the tank lid 288 relative to opposite lateral sides 352a, 352b. The tank lid 288 has a width direction 354 between these opposite lateral sides 352a, 352b. When the dirty fluid tank 38 is fixed to the base head 12, this width direction 354 is parallel to the rotation axis 94. It is also transverse and in particular perpendicular to the main direction of travel 24. It is also parallel to the first chord 66 and the second chord 68.

[0356] Relative to the width direction 354, the inlet opening 340 and the outlet opening 342 are arranged offset from one another, i.e. they are spaced apart in the width direction 354.

[0357] The channel 322 has a longitudinal extension direction 356 relative to a central axis (Figure 30). Relative to this longitudinal extension direction 356, the channel 322 is at an acute angle 358 to the width direction 354 (see Figure 30). Relative to the width direction 340, the inlet opening 340 is closer to the lateral side 352b than the outlet opening 342. The outlet opening 342 is closer to the lateral side 352a than the inlet opening 340.

[0358] The acute angle 358 lies in the range between 15° and 75°. In particular, the acute angle 358 is greater than or equal to 30°. Furthermore, it is particularly provided that the acute angle 358 is less than or equal to 60°. In a specific embodiment, the acute angle 358 is approximately 45°.

[0359] The inlet opening 340 has a first orifice normal 360. The outlet opening 342 has a second orifice normal 362. When dirty fluid flows into the channel 322 at the inlet opening 340, a main flow direction 364 is at least approximately parallel to the first orifice normal 360.

[0360] When dirty fluid flows out of the channel 322 from the outlet opening 342 into the receiving space 294, the corresponding main flow direction 366 (Figure 30) is at least approximately parallel to the second opening normal 362.

[0361] The first orifice normal 360 and the second orifice normal 362 are geometric dimensions of the inlet orifice 340 and the outlet orifice 342, respectively.

[0362] The first orifice normal 360 and the second orifice normal 362 are oriented transversely and, for example, perpendicularly to each other. The outlet orifice 342 faces the tank bottom 290 and, accordingly, is oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the tank bottom 290 with its second orifice normal 362.

[0363] The first outlet normal 360 is oriented at least approximately parallel to the tank bottom 290. It can also be oriented at a small acute angle, in particular less than 45°, to the tank bottom 290.

[0364] The first orifice normal 360 and the second orifice normal 362 are each oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the rotation axis 94 when the dirty fluid tank 38 is held on the base head 12. They are then correspondingly also oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the first chord 66 and the second side 68, respectively.

[0365] In particular, the first orifice normal 360 lies at an obtuse angle 368 (see Figure 30) to the longitudinal extension direction 356 of the channel 322. The obtuse angle is, for example, on the order of 135°. The second orifice normal 362 lies transversely and approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension direction 356 of the channel 320.

[0366] In one embodiment, the channel floor 346 is inclined at an acute angle 370 to the installation plane 26. The acute angle 370 is smaller and is, for example, on the order of 10° or 20°. In particular, an angle of the second outlet normal 362 to the longitudinal extension direction 356 differs from the 90° angle by the amount of the acute angle 370.

[0367] Due to the inclination of the channel floor 346 at the acute angle 370 relative to the installation plane 26 towards the outlet opening 342, the transport of dirty fluid from the inlet opening 340 to the outlet opening 352 is gravitationally assisted.

[0368] The channel 322 is arranged such that the dirty fluid is directed laterally in the width direction 354 due to the acute angle 358. Due to the acute angle 370, the dirty fluid is also directed downward in the channel 322.

[0369] In the region of the inlet opening 340, the channel has a wall 372 at its channel bottom 346, which is located upstream of the inlet opening 340. This forms a channel basin 374 in the region of the inlet opening 340.

[0370] In the area of ​​the channel basin 374, the scraper element 178 is connected with its outlet opening 190 to the dirty fluid tank 38 and, in turn, to the tank lid 288. The drip edge 226 is located above the channel basin 374. The wall 372 prevents dirty fluid from flowing toward the cleaning roller 28 (see Figure 21). A liquid level sensor device 376 is arranged on the dirty fluid tank 38. This comprises one or more, and in particular two, liquid level sensors 378. These are arranged in particular on the tank lid 288 (see Figure 30).

[0371] They are arranged and configured to detect the reaching of a specific liquid level. This specific liquid level is, in particular, aligned with a bottom side of the channel 322 and a corresponding outer side of the channel bottom 346 (see Figure 30).

[0372] The liquid level sensors 378 are arranged in particular in the region of the lateral side 352a when the closure 336 is arranged near the lateral side 352b.

[0373] In one embodiment, the liquid level sensor device 376 also forms a presence sensor, by means of which the control device of the floor cleaning device 10 can detect whether the dirty fluid tank 38 is inserted into the floor head 12 or not.

[0374] For this purpose, for example, a first contact 379a is assigned to a liquid level sensor, which is positioned in particular on the upper side of the tank cap 288 (Figure 29). This first contact 379a is in particular in direct electrically effective contact with a corresponding electrode of the associated liquid level sensor 378 and also forms a connection for the liquid level measurement.

[0375] A second contact 379b is also provided on the top side of the tank cap 288. This contact is electrically connected to the first contact 379a. In particular, an electrical contact strip is arranged on the tank cap 288 with the first contact 379a and 379b. Electrically isolated mating contacts are assigned to the first contact 379a and the second contact 379b on the base head 12. These are arranged, for example, on the cleaning fluid tank 40 and are then electrically connected to the control device, or can be arranged bypassing the cleaning fluid tank 40 so that an electrical connection to the control device is established.

[0376] If the dirty fluid tank 38 is not fixed relative to the base head 12, the corresponding mating contacts are not electrically connected. If the dirty fluid tank 40 is located on the base head 12, a current, or in particular a short-circuit current, can flow through the contacts 379a, 379b. This current is detectable, and thus the presence of the dirty fluid tank 38 on the base head 12 can be detected using the liquid level sensor device 376.

[0377] As can be seen from Figure 32, the inlet opening 340 has a boundary line 380 transverse to the width direction 354. A nearest corresponding boundary line 382 of the outlet opening 342, this boundary line 382 also being perpendicular to the width direction 354, is spaced from the boundary line 380. In the width direction 354, the inlet opening 340 and the outlet opening 342 are arranged offset from one another.

[0378] Figures 33 to 35 show different views of the dirty fluid tank 38 with liquid filling 384. The dirty fluid can be filled to below the channel bottom 346 or to the underside of the liquid level sensors 378. The channel 322, with its inclined arrangement, achieves a sufficiently high storage volume for the receiving space 294 in all positions of the tank. This is explained below with reference to Figures 36 to 38.

[0379] Figure 32 shows a coordinate system with X and Y axes and a Z axis perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Figure 36(a) shows a state in which the dirty fluid tank 38 is not aligned parallel to the Y direction with respect to the width direction 154. The fluid 384 is concentrated on one side. This also results in a high storage volume, since the oblique arrangement of the channel relative to the longitudinal extension direction 356 prevents leakage, in particular because the outlet opening 342 is not reached.

[0380] In an opposite position according to Figure 36(b), leakage is also effectively prevented because the outlet opening 342 is offset in the width direction 354 from the inlet opening 340.

[0381] In Figures 37(a) and (b), a liquid volume 384 is indicated when the X-axis is inclined relative to the installation plane 26 as shown in Figure 32. Good leakage protection is also achieved here for the reasons mentioned.

[0382] Figure 38 shows a maximum fluid level 384 on the underside of the tank cap 288. This level then reaches the channel bottom 346, and the fluid level sensors 378 respond accordingly, generating a warning message.

[0383] In the possible positions of the liquid tank 38, despite a sufficiently high holding volume, the leakage of dirty fluid from the channel 322 "backwards" is effectively prevented due to the corresponding position of the channel 322.

[0384] The floor cleaning device 10 was described as a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device 10.

[0385] Aspects of the invention, particularly regarding the cassette 98, the design of the dirty fluid tank 38 with the channel 322 on the tank lid 288, and the design of the scraping element 178, can also be used alone or in combination in a hand-held floor cleaning device 386 (Figure 39). This comprises a floor head 388, to which a rod device 390 is hinged. The rod device 390 serves to guide the floor head 388 over a floor to be cleaned, with an operator standing on the floor and guiding it via the rod device 390 while standing.

[0386] The base head 388 is provided with a cassette corresponding to the cassette 98.

[0387] Alternatively or additionally, it is provided with a dirty fluid tank corresponding to the dirty fluid tank 38 with the channel 322.

[0388] A scraper element corresponding to the scraper element 178 may be provided.

[0389] In principle, a travel drive of the floor head 288 can be provided, or a drive movement of the floor head 388 takes place via the cleaning roller 28 during its rotation about the rotation axis 94.

[0390] In connection with the figures, embodiments have been described in which a single cassette 98 is provided which holds a single cleaning roller 28.

[0391] It is also possible for a cassette corresponding to cassette 98 to hold several cleaning rollers and, for example, two cleaning rollers.

[0392] It is also possible for a plurality of cassettes corresponding to the cassette 98 to be provided on a corresponding floor head of the floor cleaning device, with a corresponding cassette 98 then holding one or more cleaning rollers. With a plurality of cassettes, the cassettes can be directly adjacent, or the cassettes can be spaced apart, with a dirt fluid tank being located in particular between spaced cassettes. Furthermore, the floor cleaning device was described in connection with the drawings with a cleaning roller which has a wet wiping function. It is also fundamentally possible for a cassette to be equipped with, for example, a cleaning roller which only has a sweeping function and in particular has a bristle attachment. The floor cleaning device can then in principle be designed as a pure sweeping device, and a cleaning fluid tank is not necessary.It is also possible for the floor cleaning device to have its own cleaning roller with sweeping function and a cleaning roller with wet wiping function.

[0393] List of reference symbols

[0394] Floor cleaning device

[0395] Ground head

[0396] Floor to be cleaned on the vehicle body

[0397] Wheels a Wheel b Wheel

[0398] wheel axle

[0399] Support roller

[0400] axis of rotation

[0401] axis

[0402] Main direction of travel

[0403] Installation level

[0404] cleaning roller

[0405] Navigation device

[0406] Front end

[0407] Rear end

[0408] Tank combination

[0409] Dirty fluid tank

[0410] Cleaning fluid tank

[0411] bottom

[0412] Top

[0413] wall

[0414] Impact body

[0415] center

[0416] Altitude direction

[0417] Cliff sensor

[0418] Battery compartment

[0419] Lid

[0420] Sensor Charging contact Outer contour First chord Second chord Receiving shaft Longitudinal direction Cover wall Wall Wall Opening First lateral side Second lateral side Side wall Opening

[0421] Drive motor Drive shaft Rotation axis First pivot bearing Cassette cover

[0422] Locking device Release button Counter element Second pivot bearing Supporting structure Wall Longitudinal direction Guide device Counter guide device Grooves Bar

[0423] Insertion direction / removal direction Holding device First holding element

[0424] Second holding element

[0425] Ring element

[0426] opening

[0427] carrier

[0428] Cleaning medium (stock)

[0429] opening

[0430] First immersion element

[0431] Support element

[0432] First part

[0433] Second part

[0434] Second immersion element

[0435] Interior

[0436] Direction of displacement

[0437] Spring device

[0438] Recording

[0439] Form-locking device

[0440] Receiving element

[0441] Immersion opening

[0442] Immersion element

[0443] Distribution device

[0444] distribution channel

[0445] Canal wall

[0446] opening

[0447] Connection

[0448] Scraper element

[0449] Guidance system

[0450] Body

[0451] Channel facility

[0452] channel

[0453] Entrance mouth

[0454] Exit mouth

[0455] Pivot axis First shaft stub Second shaft stuba First hook elementb Second hook element Scraper bar Bottom side Top side Support area Spring device Support element Inclined surface Width direction First width Second width Center plane Triangular shape Triangular apex Drip edge First area Second area Fork point Obtuse angle Acute angle Third area Impact surface Channel ceiling Channel floor Acute angle

[0456] Hair comb device pin

[0457] Rotation direction sweeping device ' sweeping device sweeping device sweeping edge teeth

[0458] bottom

[0459] Guide surface

[0460] Distance

[0461] Distance

[0462] Tooth

[0463] Area

[0464] central axis

[0465] Recording

[0466] tab

[0467] Sliding guide

[0468] Locking device top

[0469] Opening locking element tank shell

[0470] Tank cap Tank bottom Wall Receiving space First area Second area

[0471] Recording

[0472] role

[0473] First post Second post a Recess b Recess Seal

[0474] Fastening element Sliding device Locking device

[0475] pawl

[0476] Release button

[0477] channel

[0478] Raised edge

[0479] Counter element

[0480] recess

[0481] Sealing device

[0482] Attachment

[0483] opening

[0484] closure

[0485] outside

[0486] Inlet mouth

[0487] Outlet port

[0488] Canal wall

[0489] Canal floor

[0490] sewer ceiling

[0491] Middle area a Lateral side b Lateral side

[0492] Latitude direction

[0493] Longitudinal direction

[0494] Acute angle

[0495] First muzzle standard

[0496] Second muzzle standard

[0497] Main flow direction

[0498] Main flow direction

[0499] obtuse angle

[0500] Acute angle

[0501] wall

[0502] Canal basin

[0503] Liquid level sensor device

[0504] Liquid level sensor a First electrical contact b Second electrical contact Boundary line Boundary line Fluid Floor cleaning device Floor head Rod device

Claims

Claims: Floor cleaning device comprising a floor head (12; 388), at least one cleaning roller (28) arranged on the floor head (12; 388) and which, during operation of the floor cleaning device, rotates about a rotation axis (94) driven by a drive motor (90), at least one scraper element (178) for scraping dirt fluid from the at least one cleaning roller (28), and a dirt fluid tank (38) with a tank bowl (286) and a tank lid (288), wherein the tank lid (288) is openably attached to the tank bowl (286), and wherein the dirt fluid tank (38) is detachably arranged on the floor head (12; 388), characterized in that a channel (322) with an inlet opening (340) and an outlet opening (342) is arranged on the tank lid (288), wherein the inlet opening (340) is for The coupling of dirty fluid is used and the outlet opening (342) leads into the tank shell (286).A floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel (322) is fluid-tight outside the inlet opening (340) and the outlet opening (342). A floor cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the channel (322) is arranged on a central region (350) of the tank lid (288) with respect to a lateral direction (354) of the tank lid (288), in particular with at least one of the following: - the lateral direction (354) extends between opposite lateral sides (352a, 352b) of the tank lid (288); when the dirt fluid tank (38) is arranged at the bottom head (12; 388), the lateral direction (354) is at least approximately parallel to the axis of rotation (94); - In the case of a dirt fluid tank (38) arranged on the floor head (12; 388), the lateral direction (354) is transverse and, in particular, perpendicular to a main travel direction (24) of the floor head (12; 388) on a floor (16) to be cleaned. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet opening (340) and the outlet opening (342) are arranged offset from each other with respect to a lateral direction (354). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel (322) is at an acute angle (358) to a lateral direction (354) of the tank lid (288), wherein in the lateral direction (354) the inlet opening (340) is closer to a first lateral side (352a) of the tank lid (288) than to an opposite second lateral side (352b), and wherein the outlet opening (342) is closer to the second lateral side (352b) than to the first lateral side (352a).Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first outlet normal (360) of the inlet opening (340) and a second outlet normal (362) of the outlet opening (342) are transverse and in particular perpendicular to each other, in particular with at least one of the following:. - the first muzzle normal (360) is oriented parallel or at an acute angle of less than 45° to a base (290) of the tank shell (286); - the second mouth normal (362) is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to a base (290) of the tank shell (286); - the first mouth normal (360) and / or the second mouth normal (362) are oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (94); - the first mouth normal (360) is oriented parallel or at an acute angle of less than 45° to a main direction of travel (24) of the bottom head (12); - the channel (322) has a longitudinal axis (356) between the inlet mouth (340) and the outlet mouth (342), and the first mouth normal (360) lies at an obtuse angle (368) to the longitudinal axis (356); - the channel (322) has a longitudinal axis (356) between the inlet mouth (340) and the outlet mouth (342), and the second mouth normal (362) lies transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (356); - The second outlet normal (362) is oriented transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to an installation plane (26) of the floor cleaning device. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel (322) has a channel bottom (346) which is inclined at an acute angle (370) from the inlet opening (340) to the outlet opening (342) with respect to an installation plane (26) of the floor head (12). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a wall (372) is arranged on a channel bottom (346) in the region of the inlet opening (340) and a channel basin (374) is formed on the channel (322) in the region of the inlet opening (340). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a circumferential seal (330) is arranged on the edge of the tank lid (288) and / or on the tank bowl (286) for a fluid-tight seal between the tank bowl (286) and the tank lid (288). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two spaced-apart posts (304, 306) are arranged on the tank bowl (286) and in particular on a base (290) of the tank bowl (286), by means of which the dirt fluid tank (38) can be fixed with respect to the base (12) and in particular can be suspended. Floor cleaning device according to claim 10, characterized by at least one of the following: - the tank cap (288) has a continuous recess (308a; 308b) assigned to a post (304; 306) for passing through the respective post (304; 306); - a circumferential seal (310) is located on the tank shell (286) and / or the respective post (304; 306) for a fluid-tight seal between the tank lid (288) and the respective submerged post (304; 306); - on each post (304; 306) a fastening element (312) is provided, in particular on the front side, for holding the dirt fluid tank (38) in relation to the base head (12) and in particular for hanging it; - a fastening element (312) of the post is designed as a sliding guide and a sliding insertion into a corresponding counter element is provided, wherein in particular a sliding direction (314) is transverse to a rotation axis (94) of the at least one cleaning roller (28); - The dirt fluid tank (38) is suspended directly from the floor head (12; 388) or suspended from a cleaning fluid tank (40), wherein the cleaning fluid tank (40) is fixed to the floor head (12) and, in particular, can be fixed detachably. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking device (316) for locking the fixation of the dirt fluid tank (38) directly to the floor head (12) or to a cleaning fluid tank (40) is arranged on the dirt fluid tank (38) and, in particular, on the tank lid (288). Floor cleaning device according to claim 12, characterized by at least one of the following: - the locking device (316) comprises a release button (320) and at least one locking pawl (318), wherein the release button (320) acts on the at least one locking pawl (318); - the release button (320) and / or the at least one locking pawl (318) are arranged above and, in particular, directly above the channel (322) with respect to a vertical axis; - the tank cap (288) and / or a cleaning fluid tank (40) to which the dirt fluid tank (38) is held has a recess (328) for access to the release button (320) by an operator. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one opening (334) is arranged on the tank lid (288), which is closed by an openable flap (336). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a liquid level sensor device (376) is arranged on the dirt fluid tank (38). Floor cleaning device according to claim 15, characterized in that the liquid level sensor device (376) has one or more liquid level sensors (378) which are fixed to the tank lid (288).Floor cleaning device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized by at least one of the following: the liquid level sensor device (376) is arranged and / or designed such that reaching a certain liquid level in the dirt fluid tank (38) is detectable, wherein in particular the certain level is referred to an underside of the channel (322) in the tank lid (288); the liquid level sensor device (376) is arranged and / or designed such that the presence / absence of the dirt fluid tank (38) at the floor head (12) is detectable via it. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank lid (288) or the tank tray (286) has a raised rim (324) on an outer side, in particular with at least one of the following: - a release button (320) is located behind the raised edge (324) and does not protrude to an outside; - The raised rim (324) serves as a stop element when inserting the dirt fluid tank (38) onto the base (12) and / or onto a cleaning fluid tank (40). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one of the following: - on the tank cap (288) exactly one channel (322) with the inlet opening (340) and the outlet opening (342) is arranged; - the channel (322) on the tank lid (288) has a length of at least 1 cm between the inlet opening (340) and the outlet opening (342); - an acute angle (358) in which the channel (322) is arranged to a lateral direction (354) lies in the range between 15° and 75° and in particular in the range greater than or equal to 30° and in particular in the range less than or equal to 60°; - the tank cap (288) is removable and attached to the tank bowl (286). A floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a channel assembly (184) with an inlet opening (188) and an outlet opening (190) is arranged on the at least one scraper element (178), wherein the inlet opening (188) is assigned to the at least one cleaning roller (28) and the outlet opening (190) is coupled to the inlet opening (340) of the channel (322) in the tank lid (288). A floor cleaning device according to claim 20, characterized in that the outlet opening (190) of the channel assembly (184) is positioned above a channel basin (374) of the channel (322) of the tank lid (288) with respect to a vertical axis. Floor cleaning device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that a drip edge (226) is assigned to the outlet opening (190) of the channel device (184) of the at least one scraper element (178), which is positioned in particular above a channel basin (374) of the channel (322) of the tank lid (288).Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a design as a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device (10), in particular with a drive body (14) which forms the floor head (12). Floor cleaning device according to claim 23, characterized in that a drive unit for the floor cleaning device (10) and a navigation device (30) for the floor cleaning device (10) are arranged on the drive body (14). Floor cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that a rod device (390) is arranged on the floor head (388), which serves to guide the floor cleaning device (10) by an operator, and that the floor cleaning device can be operated by a standing operator. Floor cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cleaning fluid tank (40) and a spray device for moistening a floor (16) to be cleaned and / or for moistening the at least one cleaning roller (28) with cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank (40). Floor cleaning device according to claim 26, characterized in that the cleaning fluid tank (40) and the dirt fluid tank (38) form a tank combination (36), in particular with at least one of the following: - the tank combination (36) can be fixed as a whole to the base head (12) and removed from the base head (12); - in the case of a tank combination (36) fixed to the bottom head (12), the dirt fluid tank (38) can be removed or inserted separately from the bottom head (12) with the cleaning fluid tank (40) fixed to it.

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