Liquid dispensing device for a pressure cleaning device

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid dispensing device (10) for a pressure cleaning device, comprising a liquid inlet element (18), a manually actuatable switching device (66; 170), and at least two liquid outlet elements (38, 72, 74). The switching device (66; 170) has multiple closable flow passages (104, 106, 108; 176, 178) and can be released by actuating the switching device (66; 170) of selectively one of the flow passages (104, 106, 108) in order to feed a cleaning fluid to one of the liquid outlet elements (38, 72, 74). In order to develop the liquid dispensing device (19) such that the liquid dispensing device is easier to handle, the invention proposes that the flow passages (104, 106, 108; 176, 178) are distributed about a longitudinal axis (110) of the switching device (66; 170) in a uniform manner, and the switching device (66) has a switching mechanism (111; 180) and a wobbling body (142; 190), said switching mechanism (111; 180) having a switching body (118; 182) and a plurality of closing bodies (112, 114, 116; 186, 188). The closing bodies are held on the switching body (118; 182) in a uniformly distributed manner about the longitudinal axis (110), and each of the flow passages (104, 106, 108; 176, 178) is closed by means of a respective closing body, wherein the wobbling body can be rotated about a rotational axis (146; 194), which is oriented coaxially to the longitudinal axis (110), and has an end-face region (144; 192) which is inclined relative to a plane oriented perpendicularly to the rotational axis (146; 194). The switching mechanism (111; 180) rests against the end-face region (144; 192) during a rotation of the wobbling body (142; 190), and a ball joint (120; 184) is supported on the switching mechanism face facing away from the wobbling body. The switching mechanism (111; 180) is secured against rotating about the rotational axis.

Description

[0001] Liquid dispensing device for a pressure cleaning device

[0002] The invention relates to a liquid dispensing device for a pressure cleaning device for dispensing a cleaning liquid, comprising a liquid inlet member, a manually operable switching device and at least two liquid outlet members, wherein the switching device has a plurality of closable flow passages and by actuating the switching device, one of the flow passages can be selectively opened to supply cleaning liquid to one of the liquid outlet members.

[0003] Such a liquid dispensing device is known from publication DE 90 17 197 U1. This known liquid dispensing device utilizes a first liquid outlet member in the form of a washing brush, which is slidably mounted on a jet pipe having a second liquid outlet member in the form of a jet nozzle. Furthermore, the known liquid dispensing device comprises a liquid inlet member, which can be connected, for example, to a spray gun, which is fluidly connected to a pressure cleaning device, in particular a high-pressure cleaning device, via a pressure line, for example a pressure hose, so that cleaning fluid pressurized by the pressure cleaning device can be supplied to the liquid dispensing device.The known liquid dispensing device further comprises a switching device arranged upstream of the jet nozzle and actuated by the user by moving the washing brush. The switching device has a plurality of flow passages, wherein, depending on the position of the washing brush, at least one flow passage can be opened to supply cleaning liquid either to the jet nozzle or to the washing brush. The user can thus selectively supply the cleaning liquid to the jet nozzle or the washing brush by moving the washing brush. Such liquid dispensing devices have proven themselves in practice. However, it would be desirable if the handling of the liquid dispensing devices could be simplified.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a liquid dispensing device of the generic type in such a way that it is easier to handle.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention in a liquid dispensing device of the type mentioned at the outset in that the flow passages are arranged uniformly distributed around a longitudinal axis of the switching device and the switching device has a switching mechanism and a wobble body, wherein the switching mechanism has a switching body and several closing bodies, wherein the closing bodies are held on the switching body uniformly distributed around the longitudinal axis of the switching device and the flow passages are each closable by means of a closing body, wherein the wobble body is rotatable about an axis of rotation aligned coaxially to the longitudinal axis and has an end face with an end face region which is inclined to a plane aligned perpendicular to the axis of rotation,wherein the switching mechanism rests against the frontal area of ​​the wobble body during rotation of the wobble body and is tiltably mounted on its side facing away from the wobble body via a ball joint aligned with the axis of rotation, and wherein the switching mechanism is secured against rotation about the axis of rotation.

[0006] The liquid dispensing device according to the invention has a switching device with the aid of which one of at least two flow passages can be selectively opened, so that cleaning liquid can be supplied to one of the liquid dispensing elements via the opened flow passage. In addition to the flow passages, the switching device has a switching mechanism and a wobble body. The switching mechanism has a switching body and several closing bodies. The flow passages of the switching device are arranged evenly distributed around a longitudinal axis of the switching device and can each be closed by means of a closing body of the switching mechanism. The closing bodies are held on the switching body evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis of the switching device.The wobble body is rotatable about an axis of rotation aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the switching device and has an end face with an end face region that is inclined to a plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation. When the wobble body rotates, the switching mechanism rests against the inclined end face region of the wobble body. By means of a ball joint aligned with the axis of rotation, the switching mechanism is tiltably mounted on the side facing away from the wobble body. Furthermore, the switching mechanism is secured against rotation about the axis of rotation. This causes the switching mechanism to execute a tilting movement when the wobble body rotates.This in turn causes, depending on the rotational position of the wobble body, one of the closing bodies held on the switching body in a uniformly distributed manner around the longitudinal axis of the switching device and thus also around the rotational axis of the wobble body to be moved into a release position in which it releases the associated flow passage so that cleaning fluid can flow through this flow passage, and at the same time the other flow passages are closed by the associated closing body.

[0007] In the liquid dispensing device according to the invention, each closing body can be moved into a release position by rotating the wobble body into a rotational position assigned to the respective closing body by means of the switching body. This simplifies the handling of the liquid dispensing device because, to dispense a cleaning fluid via a specific fluid outlet element, it is only necessary to rotate the wobble body into a rotational position in which a closing body assigned to the desired fluid outlet element is moved into its release position by means of the switching body. By rotating the wobble body, the user can thus easily select the desired fluid outlet element through which the cleaning fluid is to be dispensed.

[0008] In a particularly simple design of the liquid dispensing device according to the invention, the flow passages are designed identically and the closing bodies are designed identically.

[0009] The closing bodies can each be moved back and forth between a closed position and a release position, whereby in their release position they release the respective flow passage, which they close in the closed position.

[0010] According to the invention, when the wobble body rotates, the switching mechanism rests against the end face region, which is inclined relative to a plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation. It can be provided that the switching body of the switching mechanism rests slidingly against the end face region when the wobble body rotates.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closing bodies of the switching mechanism slide against the end face region of the wobble body when the wobble body rotates.

[0012] It can be provided that the liquid dispensing device has two liquid outlet elements, and that the switching device has two flow passages, and the switching mechanism has two closing bodies, wherein the flow passages are each assigned to one of the liquid dispensing elements. In such an embodiment of the invention, the two flow passages, as well as the two closing bodies, are diametrically opposite one another. If the wobble body is rotated by 180°, this results in one of the two closing bodies assuming its release position, while the other closing body simultaneously closes the associated flow passage.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispensing device has three liquid outlet elements, the switching device has three flow passages, and the switching mechanism has three closing bodies, each of which is associated with one of the liquid dispensing elements. In such an embodiment, the flow passages are arranged at an angular distance of 120° from one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the switching device. Upon rotation of the wobble element by 120°, one of the closing bodies releases its associated flow passage, allowing cleaning fluid to flow via this flow passage to one of the liquid dispensing elements, and the other two flow passages are closed by the associated closing body.

[0013] It is advantageous if the closing bodies are held on the switching body evenly distributed over the circumference of the switching body.

[0014] The switching body can, for example, have several holding forks that are evenly distributed over the circumference of the switching body and each accommodate a closing body.

[0015] It is advantageous if the switching device has a receiving part into which the wobble body is immersed and in which the switching mechanism is arranged, wherein the receiving part has a bottom wall opposite the wobble body, on which the flow passages are arranged evenly distributed around the axis of rotation of the wobble body and on which the switching mechanism is mounted by means of the ball joint, and wherein the receiving part is in flow connection with the liquid inlet part. In such a configuration, a receiving part of the switching device forms a distribution chamber for cleaning liquid. Cleaning liquid can flow into the distribution chamber. The flow passages are arranged on the bottom wall of the receiving part, evenly distributed around the axis of rotation of the wobble body.By rotating the wobble body, the switching mechanism arranged in the receiving part can be tilted so far that in predetermined rotational positions of the wobble body, one of the closing bodies is transferred into its release position, in which this closing body releases the flow passage assigned to it, so that cleaning fluid can flow out of the receiving part.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wobble body has a central opening through which cleaning fluid can be supplied to the receiving part. Cleaning fluid can flow into the receiving part through the central opening of the wobble body.

[0017] The wobble body is advantageously held in a rotationally fixed manner at one end of a pipe section aligned coaxially with the rotation axis, which is rotatably mounted in the fluid supply element and can be rotated about the rotation axis by means of a manually actuated control element. Using the control element, the user can rotate the pipe section, together with the wobble body attached to it, about the rotation axis into a desired rotational position. In this position, a closing element associated with this rotational position opens a flow passage. Cleaning fluid can be supplied to the receiving part via the pipe section and the opening in the wobble body.

[0018] The pipe section is preferably connected to the wobble body as one piece. In such a configuration, the pipe section and the wobble body form a single-piece component.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the liquid dispensing device according to the invention, the operating element comprises a rotating ring mounted for rotation about the rotational axis of the wobble body, which is connected to the pipe section in a rotationally fixed manner. By rotating the rotating ring, the pipe section, together with the wobble body attached to it, can be rotated about the rotational axis. To simplify handling of the rotating ring, it is advantageous if the rotating ring has a radially outwardly directed projection.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid inlet element has an inlet channel, wherein an end section of the agitator facing away from the oscillating body can be plugged into the inlet channel with the interposition of a sealing element, and wherein the pipe section is rotatable relative to the inlet channel about the rotational axis of the oscillating body. For example, a spray gun can be connected to the free end of the inlet channel, which is in fluid communication with a high-pressure cleaning device via a pressure line. The pipe section, which carries the oscillating body at one end, is rotatable relative to the inlet channel about the rotational axis of the oscillating body.

[0021] The pluggable connection between the end section of the pipe section and the inlet channel can be achieved, for example, by inserting a sealing element into the end section of the pipe section into the inlet channel. Alternatively, the inlet channel can also be inserted into the end section of the pipe section. In both cases, the sealing element ensures a fluid-tight connection between the inlet channel and the end section of the pipe section, and at the same time, the pipe section can be rotated relative to the inlet channel around the rotational axis of the wobble body.

[0022] A further simplification of handling is achieved in an advantageous embodiment of the liquid dispensing device according to the invention in that the liquid dispensing device has a handle which surrounds the liquid inlet member.

[0023] The handle is advantageously cylindrical, with the cylinder axis of the handle aligned with the rotational axis of the wobble body, and the tubular piece, together with the wobble body, being mounted in the handle for rotation about the rotational axis. As mentioned above, the liquid dispensing device according to the invention has at least two liquid outlet elements, for example, two or three liquid outlet elements.

[0024] A first liquid outlet member is advantageously designed as a washing brush which can be connected to a first flow passage of the switching device via a first outlet line of the switching device.

[0025] A second liquid outlet element is advantageously designed as a jet nozzle, in particular as a flat jet nozzle, wherein the jet nozzle can be connected to a second flow passage of the switching device via a second outlet line of the switching device.

[0026] A third liquid outlet member is advantageously designed as a foam nozzle which can be connected to a third flow passage of the switching device via a mixing device and a third output line of the switching device, wherein the liquid dispensing device has a chemical container for storing a cleaning chemical which can be mixed by means of the mixing device into the cleaning liquid which is supplied to the foam nozzle.

[0027] The provision of a washing brush, a jet nozzle, and a foam nozzle has the advantage that a user can use one and the same liquid dispensing device to initially subject a surface to be cleaned to a jet of cleaning liquid dispensed by the jet nozzle. The user can then mix a cleaning chemical with the cleaning liquid and feed the mixture of cleaning liquid and cleaning chemical to a foam nozzle, which injects air into the mixture of cleaning liquid and cleaning chemical, forming foam that can be applied to the surface to be cleaned. In a further cleaning step, the cleaning liquid can then be dispensed via the washing brush of the liquid dispensing device, whereby the surface to be cleaned can be mechanically cleaned using the washing brush.In a final cleaning step, the user can then re-exposure the surface with the cleaning fluid jet, which can be delivered from the jet nozzle. To selectively deliver the cleaning fluid via the jet nozzle, the foam nozzle, or the washing brush, the user can activate the switching device by rotating the switching device's wobbler to a desired position. In this position, the switching device opens a flow connection from the fluid inlet device via one of several flow passages of the switching device to the desired fluid discharge device.

[0028] The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention serves to explain it in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. They show:

[0029] Figure 1: a perspective view of a first embodiment of a liquid dispensing device;

[0030] Figure 2: a bottom view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 1;

[0031] Figure 3: a plan view of the liquid dispensing device of Figure 1;

[0032] Figure 4: a perspective view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 1, with an upper housing part hidden;

[0033] Figure 5: a plan view of a housing lower part of the liquid device from Figure 1;

[0034] Figure 6: a sectional view of the liquid dispenser taken along line 6-6 in Figure 3;

[0035] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the liquid dispenser taken along line 7-7 in Figure 3; Figure 8 is a sectional view of the liquid dispenser taken along line 8-8 in Figure 3;

[0036] Figure 9: an enlarged view of detail A from Figure 8;

[0037] Figure 10: a sectional view of a handle of the liquid dispensing device of Figure 1;

[0038] Figure 11: an enlarged view of detail B of Figure 10;

[0039] Figure 12: a perspective view of a receiving part of a switching device of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 1;

[0040] Figure 13: a perspective view of a switching mechanism and a wobble body of the switching device held on a stirring piece;

[0041] Figure 14: a perspective view of the switching mechanism from Figure 13;

[0042] Figure 15: a perspective view of a switching body of the switching mechanism from Figure 14;

[0043] Figure 16: a sectional view of a switching device for a second embodiment of a liquid dispensing device;

[0044] Figure 17: a perspective view of a switching mechanism and a wobble body held on a pipe section of the switching device from Figure 16. In Figures 1 to 15, a first advantageous embodiment of a liquid dispensing device according to the invention is shown schematically and is designated overall by the reference numeral 10. The liquid dispensing device has a cylindrical handle 12, on which a housing 14 is held. The handle 12 has a rear end 16 facing away from the housing 14, from which a liquid inlet member 18 protrudes. The liquid inlet member 18 has an inlet channel 20, which carries a connecting element 22 at its free end, which can be connected, for example, to a spray gun known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing for the sake of clarity.The spray gun can be supplied with cleaning fluid in the usual way via a pressure line, in particular via a pressure hose, which has been pressurized by a high-pressure cleaning device known per se and therefore also not shown in the drawing.

[0045] The housing 14 has an upper housing part 24 and a lower housing part 26. The upper housing part 24 is formed by a hood 28 and a cover 30. The lower housing part 26 forms a bristle carrier 32, from whose underside 34, facing away from the upper housing part 24, a plurality of bristles 36 protrude. In combination with the bristles 36, the lower housing part 26 forms a liquid outlet element in the form of a washing brush 38.

[0046] The upper housing part 24 covers a chemical container 40, which is formed by a container hood 42 and an upper recess 44 of the lower housing part 26, facing away from the bristles 36. The container hood 42 sits on the lower housing part 26 with an annular sealing element 46 in between and forms a filling channel 48, which extends to an upper housing opening 50 of the upper housing part 24 and forms a filling opening 52 at its free end. The filling opening 52 can be closed by means of a closing part 54 designed like a plug, which is held captively on the upper housing part 24. The upper recess 44 of the lower housing part 26 is surrounded by an annular distribution channel 56, which is essentially U-shaped in cross-section and is sealed liquid-tight on the top by means of a cover part 58.The cover part 58 forms a connection nipple 60, which is connected to a first output line 64 of a switching device 66 arranged in the handle 12. This is particularly clear from Figure 6.

[0047] The hood 28 of the upper housing part 24 has an opening 70 on its end face 68 facing away from the handle 12, from which a first liquid outlet element in the form of a flat jet nozzle 72 and a second liquid outlet element in the form of a foam nozzle 74 protrude.

[0048] The flat jet nozzle 72 is in fluid communication with an output line 78 of the switching device via a connecting line 76. This is particularly evident in Figure 7. The flat jet nozzle 72 is held replaceably on the connecting line 76. Such replaceable flat jet nozzles are known per se to those skilled in the art and therefore require no further explanation here.

[0049] The foam nozzle 74 is in flow communication with a third outlet line 84 of the switching device 66 via a mixing device 80. This is particularly evident in Figure 8.

[0050] As is particularly clear from Figure 9, the mixing device 80 has an injector 86 which has a cleaning agent line 92 extending from an injector inlet 88 to an injector outlet 90. The cleaning agent line 92 forms a constriction with a reduced flow cross-section, and in the region of the constriction, a chemical line 94 opens into the cleaning agent line 92. The chemical line 94 has a suction hose 96 which dips into the chemical container 50. This is particularly clear from Figure 6. If pressurized cleaning liquid flows through the cleaning agent line 92, a dynamic negative pressure forms in the region of the constriction according to the known Venturi principle, under the effect of which cleaning chemical stored in the chemical container 40 is sucked in via the connecting hose 96 and mixed with the cleaning liquid.The mixture of cleaning liquid and cleaning chemical is fed to the foam nozzle 74, which mixes air into the mixture of cleaning liquid and cleaning chemical in a known manner so that a cleaning agent foam is formed which can be dispensed via the foam nozzle 74.

[0051] The cleaning fluid can be selectively supplied to the washing brush 38, the flat jet nozzle 72, or the foam nozzle 74. The switching device 66 is used for this purpose. As is particularly clear from Figures 10 to 14, the switching device 66 has a pot-shaped receiving part 98 with a bottom wall 100 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 102 extending from the bottom wall 100 toward the fluid inlet part 18. The bottom wall 100 has a first flow passage 104, a second flow passage 106, and a third flow passage 108, which are arranged at a uniform angular distance from one another with respect to a longitudinal axis 110 of the switching device 66 and are of identical design. The first flow passage 104 is followed in the flow direction of the cleaning fluid by the first outlet line 64, which is connected to the distribution channel 56 via the connection nipple 60.The second flow passage 106 is followed in the flow direction of the cleaning liquid by the second outlet line 78, which is connected to the flat jet nozzle 72 via the connecting line 76, and the third flow passage 108 is followed in the flow direction of the cleaning liquid by the third outlet line 84, which is connected to the foam nozzle 74 via the mixing device 80.

[0052] A switching mechanism 111 is arranged in the receiving part 98, which has three closing bodies 112, 114, 116 evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis 110, and a switching body 118. The closing bodies 112, 114, 116 are each reciprocally movable and each dip into one of the flow passages 104, 106, and 108, respectively. The flow passages 104, 106, 108 can be closed and opened by means of the closing bodies 112, 114, 116.

[0053] The switching mechanism is tiltably mounted on the bottom wall 100 of the receiving part 98 by means of a ball joint 120. The ball joint 120 is formed by a ball socket 122 formed into the bottom wall 100 of the receiving part 98 and aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis 110 of the switching device 66, and a joint head 124 designed complementarily to the ball socket 122 and integrally formed on the switching body 118 on the side facing the bottom wall 100.

[0054] The switching body 118 forms three retaining forks 126, 128, 130, which are evenly distributed around the circumference of the switching body 118 and on each of which a closing body 112, 114, 116 is held. Between the retaining forks 126, 128, 130, the switching body 118 forms a concave guide receptacle 132, 134, 136 along its circumference. Each of the guide receptacles 132, 134, 136 is assigned a pair of guide ribs 138, 140, which are formed on the inside of the peripheral wall 102 and arranged at a uniform angular distance from one another. The guide ribs 138, 140, each of which extends into a guide receptacle 132, 134, 136, form a rotation lock for the switching body 118, so that the latter cannot be rotated about the rotation axis 110, but can only be tilted relative to the longitudinal axis 110.

[0055] A wobble body 142 of the switching device 66 extends into the receiving part 98, is opposite the bottom wall 100, and is rotatable about a rotational axis 146 aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis 110. An end face 143 of the wobble body 142 facing the bottom wall 100 has an end face region 144 that is inclined to a plane aligned perpendicular to the rotational axis 146. This is clear, for example, from Figure 11. During a rotational movement of the wobble body 142, the closing bodies 112, 114, 116 slide against the end face region 144. This results in the switching mechanism 111 tilting relative to the rotational axis 146 when the wobble body 142 is rotated about the rotational axis 146.Such a tilting movement, in turn, results in one of the closing bodies 112, 114, 116 being displaced in the direction away from the respective flow passage 104, 106, 108 upon reaching a predetermined rotational position of the wobble body 142, so that the respective flow passage 104 is opened for the flow of cleaning fluid, whereas the other two closing bodies are pushed toward the respective flow passage and close it. By rotating the wobble body 142 about the rotation axis 146, one of the flow passages 104, 106, 108 can thus be selectively opened and the other flow passages can be closed.

[0056] The wobble body 142 has a central opening 148 through which cleaning fluid can flow into the receiving part 98. Depending on the rotational position of the wobble body 142, the cleaning fluid can flow out of the receiving part 98 via one of the flow passages 104, 106, 108.

[0057] The wobble body 142 is held in a rotationally fixed manner at one end of a pipe section 150 aligned coaxially with the rotation axis 146. In the illustrated embodiment, the wobble body 142 is integrally connected to the pipe section 150. The pipe section 150, with an end section facing away from the wobble body 142, extends into the inlet channel 20 of the liquid inlet element 18 with a sealing ring 152 interposed therebetween, whereby the pipe section 150 can be rotated about the rotation axis 146.

[0058] The tubular section 150 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an operating part in the form of a rotating ring 154, which is rotatable on the handle 12 about the rotation axis 146 and has a radially outward-facing projection 156 on its outer side. By rotating the rotating ring 154, the tubular section 150 can be manually rotated together with the wobble body 142 about the rotation axis 146. Upstream of the wobble body 142, the stirring piece 150 has an annular collar 158 into which three identically designed, radially inward-facing locking recesses are formed, with a first locking recess 160 and a second locking recess 162 being visible in Figure 13. Upon reaching a predetermined rotational position, a locking ball 164, which is spring-elastically preloaded in the direction of the annular collar 158, can engage in one of the locking recesses.This gives the user haptic feedback that the pipe section 150 together with the wobble body 142 has assumed a rotational position in which the switching device 66 releases one of the flow passages 104, 106, 108.

[0059] By actuating the switching device 66 with the aid of the rotary ring 154, the user can dispense a cleaning fluid supplied to the fluid dispensing device 10 selectively via the washing brush 38, the flat jet nozzle 72, or the foam nozzle 74. A cleaning chemical, which can be stored in the chemical container 40 of the fluid dispensing device 10, can be mixed into the cleaning fluid supplied to the foam nozzle 74. Air can be added to the mixture of cleaning fluid and cleaning chemical in a known manner by means of the foam nozzle 74, so that a cleaning foam is formed that can be applied to a surface to be cleaned.

[0060] The liquid dispensing device 10 gives the user the possibility, for example, of rotating the rotating ring 154 about the rotation axis 146 in a first cleaning step to such an extent that the second flow passage 106 is opened by means of the switching device 66, so that cleaning liquid can be supplied to the flat jet nozzle 72 via the second flow passage 106, the second outlet line 78 and the connecting line 76 and can be directed from there onto a surface to be cleaned in order to remove coarse dirt from the surface.The user can then actuate the switching device 66 by rotating the rotating ring 154 by 120° about the rotation axis 146, so that the switching device 66 releases the third flow passage 108 and cleaning liquid can be supplied to the foam nozzle 74 via the third flow passage 108, the third output line 84 and the mixing device 80, wherein a cleaning chemical, which is stored in the chemical container 40 of the liquid dispensing device 10, is mixed into the cleaning liquid by means of the mixing device 80 and can be added to the mixture of cleaning liquid and cleaning chemical by means of the foam nozzle 74, so that a cleaning foam is formed which can be applied to the surface to be cleaned.The foam can then act on the surface to be cleaned, and subsequently the user can actuate the switching device 66 again by rotating the rotating ring 154 a further 120° about the rotation axis 146, so that the switching device 66 releases the first flow passage 104 and cleaning fluid can reach the distribution channel 56 via the first outlet line 64 and the connection nipple 60. The distribution channel 56 has a plurality of through openings 166 above the bristles 36, through which the supplied cleaning fluid can be applied to the surface to be cleaned, so that the surface can be mechanically processed by the bristles 36 and, at the same time, cleaning fluid can be applied to the surface by the washing brush 38.In a final cleaning step, the user can then actuate the switching device 66 again by rotating the rotating ring 154 back about the rotation axis 146 so that cleaning fluid can be dispensed again via the flat jet nozzle 72 to rinse off the foam applied to the surface to be cleaned. The fluid dispensing device 10 thus offers the user a wide range of applications for cleaning surfaces while being easy to handle.

[0061] The liquid dispensing device 10 explained above utilizes three liquid outlet elements, to which cleaning liquid can be selectively supplied by means of the switching device 66. However, the invention is not limited to the use of three liquid outlet elements. For example, it can also be provided that the liquid dispensing device has only two liquid outlet elements, for example, a flat jet nozzle and a foam nozzle, as already explained in detail above. For selectively supplying cleaning liquid to one of the two liquid outlet elements, a switching device 170, shown schematically in Figures 16 and 17, can be used, which is designed similarly to the switching device 66 explained above.However, the switching device 170 has a receiving part 172, on the bottom wall 174 of which only two flow passages 176, 178 are arranged, wherein the two flow passages 176, 178 are diametrically opposite each other.

[0062] In addition to the receiving part 172, the switching device 170 shown in Figures 16 and 17 has a switching mechanism 180 arranged in the receiving part 172. The switching mechanism 180 has a switching body 182 that is tiltably mounted on the bottom wall 174 via a ball joint 184 and on which two closing bodies 186, 188 are held, which are diametrically opposed to each other. The closing bodies 186, 188 are each assigned to one of the flow passages 176, 178 and can open and close the respectively assigned flow passage.

[0063] A wobble body 190, which has an end face 191 facing the bottom wall 174 and is rotatable about a rotation axis 194, is inserted into the receiving part 172. The end face 191 has an end face region 192 that is inclined to a plane oriented perpendicular to the rotation axis 194. The wobble body 190 is integrally connected to a pipe section 196, which is identical in design to the pipe section 150 already explained above. The pipe section 196 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an operating part (not shown in Figures 16 and 17), so that it can be rotated together with the wobble body 190 about the rotation axis 194.During a rotational movement of the wobble body 190, one of the two closing bodies 186, 188 is pushed toward the associated flow passage 176, 178, thereby closing this flow passage 176, 178. At the same time, the diametrically opposite closing body 176, 178 is moved by the switching body 182 in the direction away from the associated flow passage 176, 178, thereby opening this flow passage 176, 178 and allowing cleaning fluid to flow through the flow passage to the associated fluid outlet. The switching device 170 thus easily enables the user to selectively supply cleaning fluid to one of two outlets.

Claims

Claims: Liquid dispensing device for a pressure cleaning device for dispensing a cleaning fluid, comprising a liquid inlet element (18), a manually actuated switching device (66; 170) and at least two liquid outlet elements (38, 72, 74), wherein the switching device (66) has several closable flow passages (104, 106, 108; 176, 178) and, by actuating the switching device (66; 170), selectively one of the flow passages (104, 106, 108; 176, 178) can be opened to supply cleaning fluid to one of the liquid outlet elements (38, 72, 74), characterized in that the flow passages (104, 106, 108; 176, 178) are oriented about a longitudinal axis (110) of the switching device (66; 170) are arranged evenly distributed and the switching device (66) includes a switching mechanism (111; 180) and a wobble body (142; 190), wherein the switching mechanism (111; 180) comprises a switching element (118; 182) and several closing elements (112, 114, 116; 186, 188), wherein the closing elements (112, 114, 116; 186, 188) are held on the switching element (118; 182) evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis (110) of the switching device (66; 170), and the flow passages (104, 106, 108; 176, 178) can each be closed by means of a closing element (112, 114, 116; 186, 188), wherein the wobble body (142; 190) is oriented about a rotation axis (146; 194) is rotatable and has an end face (143; 191) with an end-face region (144; 192) which is inclined to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (146; 194), wherein the switching mechanism (111; 180) bears against the end-face region (144; 192) of the wobble body (142; 190) when the wobble body (142; 190) rotates and is tiltably mounted on its side facing away from the wobble body (142; 190) via a ball joint (120; 184) aligned with the axis of rotation (146; 194), and wherein the switching mechanism (111; 180) is secured against rotation about the axis of rotation (146; 194). Liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing elements (112, 114, 116; 186, 188) slide against the end face region (144; 192) of the wobble body (142; 190) when the wobble body (142; 190) rotates. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the liquid dispensing device (10) has two liquid outlet elements, and that the switching device (170) has two flow passages (176, 178) and the switching mechanism (180) has two closing elements (186, 188), wherein the flow passages (176, 178) are each assigned to one of the liquid dispensing elements.A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the liquid dispensing device (10) has three liquid outlet elements (38, 72, 74), and that the switching device (66) has three flow passages (104, 106, 108) and the switching mechanism (111) has three closing elements (112, 114, 116), wherein the flow passages (104, 106, 108) are each assigned to one of the liquid outlet elements (38, 72, 74). A liquid dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing elements (112, 114, 116; 186, 188) are held on the switching element (118; 182) in a uniformly distributed manner around the circumference of the switching element (118; 182). Liquid dispensing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the switching body (118; 182) has several retaining forks (126, 128, 130) which extend over the circumference of the switching body (118;. 182) are arranged evenly distributed and each accommodates a closing element (112, 114, 116; 186, 188). Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching device (66; 170) has a receiving part (98; 172) into which the wobble body (142; 190) immerses and in which the switching mechanism (111; 180) is arranged, wherein the receiving part (98; 172) has a bottom wall (100; 174) opposite the wobble body (142; 190), on which the flow passages (104, 106, 108; 176, 178) are arranged evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis (110) of the switching device (66; 170) and on which the switching mechanism (111; 180) is mounted by means of the ball joint (12; 184), and wherein the receiving part (98; 172) is in flow communication with the liquid inlet element (18). Liquid dispensing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the wobble body (142; 190) has a central opening (148) through which cleaning fluid can be supplied to the receiving part (98; 172). Liquid dispensing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the wobble body (142; 190) is held rotationally fixed at one end of a stirring element (150; 196) aligned coaxially with the axis of rotation (146; 194), which is rotatably mounted in the liquid supply element (18) and which is rotatable about the axis of rotation (146; 194) by means of a manually operable control element. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the pipe section (150; 196) is integrally connected to the wobble body (142; 190). Liquid dispensing device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the operating element has a rotating ring (154) rotatably mounted on the liquid inlet element (18) about the axis of rotation (146; 194) of the wobble body (142; 190), which is rotationally fixed to the stirring element (150; 196). Liquid dispensing device according to claim 11, characterized in that a radially outwardly directed projection (156) is arranged on the rotating ring (154). Liquid dispensing device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the liquid inlet element (18) has an inlet channel (20), wherein an end section of the pipe section (150; 196) facing away from the wobble body (142; 190) can be pluggably connected to the inlet channel (20) with a sealing element (152) in between, and wherein the pipe section (150; 196) is rotatable relative to the inlet channel (20) about the axis of rotation (146; 194) of the wobble body (142; 190).Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid dispensing device (10) has a handle (12) comprising the liquid inlet element (18). Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first liquid outlet element is configured as a washing brush (38) which can be connected via a first outlet line (64) of the switching device (66) to a first flow passage (104) of the switching device (66). Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second liquid outlet element. a liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a third liquid outlet element is configured as a foam nozzle (74), which can be connected via a second outlet line (78) of the switching device (66) to a second flow passage (106) of the switching device (66). The liquid dispensing device (10) comprises a chemical container (40) for storing a cleaning chemical, which can be mixed with the cleaning liquid supplied to the foam nozzle (74) by means of the mixing device (80).

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