Floor cleaning device having a reservoir, and method for operating a floor cleaning device

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor cleaning device, comprising: a floor head (12), wherein the floor head (12) defines a positioning plane (26) for a floor (16) to be cleaned; at least one cleaning roller unit (28), which is arranged on the floor head (12) and can rotate about a rotational axis (94); a drive motor (90) for a rotational movement of the at least one cleaning roller unit (28); at least one cleaning fluid tank (40); and a wetting device (208) for supplying cleaning fluid from the at least one cleaning fluid tank (40) to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28); wherein: the wetting device (208) comprises at least one reservoir (212) which is assigned to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28), rests on the floor head (12; 288) and has a receiving volume (216) for cleaning fluid; the wetting device (208) has at least one inlet (230), via which cleaning fluid can be supplied to the receiving volume (216) of the at least one reservoir (212); and an opening device (222) is arranged on the at least one reservoir (212), via which opening device cleaning fluid from the at least one reservoir (212) is provided to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28); the opening device (222) is arranged above the receiving volume (216) with respect to a vertical direction (52) perpendicular to the positioning plane (26).

Description

[0001] Floor cleaning device with basin and method for operating a floor cleaning device

[0002] The invention relates to a floor cleaning device comprising a floor head, wherein the floor head defines a mounting plane for a floor to be cleaned, at least one cleaning roller unit which is arranged on the floor head and is rotatable about a rotation axis, a drive motor for a rotational movement of the at least one cleaning roller unit, at least one cleaning liquid tank, and a humidification device for supplying cleaning liquid from the at least one cleaning liquid tank to the at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a floor cleaning device, wherein the floor cleaning device comprises a floor head and the floor head defines a setup plane for a floor to be cleaned, comprises at least one cleaning roller unit which is arranged on the floor head and rotates about a rotation axis during a cleaning operation of the floor cleaning device, and comprises a drive motor for the rotational movement of the at least one cleaning roller unit, in which the at least one cleaning roller unit is moistened with cleaning fluid during the cleaning operation of the floor cleaning device.

[0004] DE 10 2020 118 774 A1 discloses a floor cleaning device for a floor cleaning machine with a feed device through which a liquid is dispensed for cleaning a cleaning surface. The feed device comprises at least one distributor pipe extending substantially transversely to a travel direction and having at least one outlet opening for dispensing the liquid. DE 20 2022 101 314 U1 discloses a floor cleaning device with a dirty fluid tank having a tank shell and a tank lid. A channel with an inlet opening and an outlet opening is arranged on the tank lid, the inlet opening serving to couple in dirty fluid, and the outlet opening opening into the tank shell.

[0005] US 10,278,559 Bl discloses a floor cleaning system with a floor cleaning device.

[0006] WO 2016 / 058901 A1 discloses a surface cleaning machine comprising at least one cleaning roller and a moistening device for supplying cleaning fluid to the at least one cleaning roller. A distributor for cleaning fluid is provided, which comprises at least one channel or is formed by at least one channel extending at least approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one cleaning roller and / or extending at least approximately parallel to a rotational axis of the at least one cleaning roller.

[0007] US 2,944,272 discloses a cleaning machine having a chamber for liquid and openings for discharging liquid from the chamber.

[0008] US 2006 / 0228160 A1 discloses a device for distributing liquids on a floor.

[0009] US 2006 / 0179599 A1 discloses a floor cleaning device with a liquid dispensing system including a liquid distributor for distributing a cleaning liquid on a surface to be cleaned.

[0010] DE 10 2015 104 247 A1 discloses a self-propelled floor care device with a hollow body designed so that floor care fluid emerges from the hollow body when it rotates. Floor cleaning devices are described, for example, in EP 3 750 464 A1,

[0011] EP 3 884 834 A1, US 2021 / 018620 A1 or KR 2012 06900U.

[0012] WO 2018 / 162092 A1 discloses a floor cleaning device with which an autonomous cleaning of a floor surface can be carried out.

[0013] 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.

[0014] DE 20 2015 101 302 Ul discloses a cleaning device in the form of a vacuum cleaner.

[0015] Surface cleaning machines are known from WO 2016 / 058901 A1, WO 2016 / 058856 A1, WO 2017 / 063663 A1, WO 2016 / 058879 A1, and WO 2016 / 058956 A1. A surface cleaning machine is also known from WO 2016 / 058907 A1.

[0016] From US 4,875,246 a portable floor cleaning device is known which has a roller driven by an electric motor.

[0017] 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.

[0018] A cleaning machine is known from CN 201 197 698 Y.

[0019] US 6,026,529 discloses a device for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] Another floor cleaning machine is known from WO 2015 / 086083 Al.

[0025] A hard floor cleaning device is known from US 3,789,449.

[0026] From DE 103 57 637 A1 a self-propelled sweeper with a sweeping brush and an associated dirt collection chamber is known.

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

[0028] 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.

[0029] From WO 2005 / 087075 A1 a floor cleaning machine is known with a handle which is pivotably arranged on a base.

[0030] CN 107007215 A discloses a floor cleaning robot.

[0031] DE 20 2018 104 772 Ul discloses a dirty water collection mechanism and dirty water detection mechanism and a cleaning device.

[0032] Cleaning machines are also from AU 2017101723 A4, the

[0033] 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.

[0034] The unpublished DE 10 2022 102 924.7 discloses a floor cleaning device comprising a floor head and at least one cleaning roller, which rotates about a rotation axis during operation of the floor cleaning device, wherein the at least one cleaning roller is held on the floor head at least partially by a holding device, wherein the holding device with the at least one cleaning roller is removable from the floor head. This document is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Further floor cleaning devices are described in the unpublished

[0035] DE 10 2022 102 937.9 and DE 10 2022 102 918.2, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0036] Further floor cleaning devices are disclosed in CN 207850637 U and WO 21248591 A1. The invention is based on the object of providing a floor cleaning device of the type mentioned above, which, despite its simple construction, has an effective cleaning effect on the floor to be cleaned.

[0037] This object is achieved according to the invention in the floor cleaning device mentioned at the outset in that the moistening device has at least one basin which is assigned to the at least one cleaning roller unit, which is located on the floor head and which has a receiving volume for cleaning liquid, that the moistening device has at least one inlet via which cleaning liquid can be supplied to the receiving volume of the at least one basin, and that an opening device is arranged on the at least one basin, via which opening device cleaning liquid is made available from the at least one basin to the at least one cleaning roller unit, wherein the opening device is arranged above the receiving volume with respect to a height direction perpendicular to the installation plane.

[0038] In the floor cleaning device according to the invention, a distributor for the at least one cleaning roller is provided above the at least one basin, which has a buffer volume above the receiving volume. The receiving volume can be filled with cleaning fluid until a fluid level reaches the opening device. Overflowing cleaning fluid then flows from the at least one basin through the entire opening device to the at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0039] The opening device, which is arranged vertically above the receiving volume, allows cleaning fluid to be supplied evenly over a large length of the at least one cleaning roller unit. Even if cleaning fluid is not supplied evenly to the basin itself, the receiving volume ensures that, by temporarily storing cleaning fluid, a uniform flow occurs with regard to the coupling and thus the supply to the at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0040] This, in turn, makes it possible to minimize the design effort required to supply cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank. In principle, a small number of inlets is sufficient, and for example, a single inlet is sufficient to supply the cleaning fluid to at least one cleaning roller unit with even distribution.

[0041] In particular, the solution according to the invention makes it possible to ensure that the cleaning fluid is applied to the at least one cleaning roller unit regardless of the distance between the correspondingly applied area of ​​the at least one cleaning roller unit and the at least one inlet. The receiving volume as a buffer volume in combination with the opening device as an overflow opening device ensures a uniform longitudinal distribution of the fluid application to the at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0042] The defined installation plane of the floor head ensures that the at least one basin, with its buffer and overflow functions, has a defined position relative to the floor to be cleaned. This allows the corresponding function to be achieved when the floor is horizontal relative to gravity. The function according to the invention can also be achieved if the floor to be cleaned is at least slightly inclined relative to the direction of gravity.

[0043] The solution according to the invention also allows for optimized use of the cleaning fluid typically carried along by the floor cleaning device. Cleaning fluid consumption can be minimized in an optimized manner, as a targeted, even supply can be achieved. Furthermore, the optimized use of cleaning fluid also prevents excessive (local) application of cleaning fluid to the floor to be cleaned. This, in turn, minimizes the drying time for the floor.

[0044] In the solution according to the invention, the at least one cleaning roller unit is quickly and evenly moistened, so that short commissioning times for a cleaning operation are possible.

[0045] It is particularly advantageous if at least one of the following is present: the at least one basin extends in a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation; the at least one basin has a uniform width transverse to a longitudinal axis; the opening device has at least one mouth opening which has a mouth normal which is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicular to the axis of rotation and / or a longitudinal axis of the at least one basin; a length parallel to the axis of rotation of the at least one basin or a combination of basins is at least 70 percent and in particular at least 80 percent and in particular at least 90 percent of a length of the at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0046] This makes it possible, in a structurally simple manner, to even out the application of cleaning fluid to the at least one cleaning roller unit parallel to the longitudinal axis and thus parallel to the axis of rotation. Cleaning fluid can be effectively supplied from the at least one basin to the at least one cleaning roller unit. In principle, the opening device can be formed by one or more slots. In a structurally advantageous embodiment, the opening device has a plurality of spaced-apart mouth openings. This makes it possible to supply cleaning fluid from the at least one basin to the at least one cleaning roller unit in a targeted manner, evenly, essentially over the entire length of the at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0047] It is advantageous if at least one of the following is provided: the mouth openings are arranged on a line, wherein the line is in particular parallel to the axis of rotation and / or the installation plane; the mouth openings are arranged at the same height in the height direction to a floor of the at least one basin, wherein the floor is a floor for the receiving volume; at least in one or more partial areas, the mouth openings are evenly spaced from one another; the mouth openings are arranged and / or formed on a wall of the at least one basin;the mouth openings lead directly to the at least one cleaning roller unit, wherein in particular a length between an inlet of a mouth opening and an outlet to the at least one cleaning roller unit is at most or equal to 8 mm and in particular at most or equal to 5 mm and in particular at most or equal to 4 mm and in particular at most or equal to 3 mm and in particular at most or equal to 2 mm; a channel at a mouth opening between an inlet of the mouth opening and an outlet to the at least one cleaning roller unit is oriented transversely to the height direction and in particular at an acute angle to the height direction; a line density of mouth openings is at least 0.4 cm; 1 and in particular at least 0.5 cm .

[0048] By arranging the outlet openings in a line and in particular at the same height distance in the vertical direction to a bottom of at least one basin, a uniform liquid supply is achieved with little structural effort.

[0049] For the same reason, it is advantageous if the muzzle openings are evenly spaced from each other.

[0050] In particular, cleaning fluid can be supplied to the at least one cleaning roller unit directly from the at least one basin through the opening device, and a channel formed at the mouth opening (in particular in the form of a bore or the like) has a relatively short length of at most or equal to 8 mm or less.

[0051] The arrangement of such a channel at an outlet opening parallel or transverse to the height direction and in particular at an acute angle to the height direction results in an optimized cleaning agent supply to the at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0052] If a line density of orifices (as the number of orifices per unit length) is at least 0.4 cm 1 and especially at least 0.5 cm 1This results in an effective, even distribution of cleaning fluid during supply to the at least one cleaning roller unit, with the advantages described above. It is advantageous if an outlet opening has a rounded wall at least toward the receiving volume and, in particular, is designed to be edge-free at least toward the receiving volume and / or an interior of the at least one basin. This minimizes turbulence or the like when the fluid is extracted from the at least one basin.

[0053] It is particularly advantageous if the at least one inlet opens into the at least one basin, or if an inlet side of a channel device is fluidly connected to the at least one inlet, wherein cleaning fluid is coupled into the at least one basin via an outlet side of the channel device. In this way, cleaning fluid can be coupled into the at least one basin in a structurally simple manner in order to first fill the receiving volume and then, when the receiving volume is full, to be able to supply the at least one cleaning roller unit with cleaning fluid via overflow through the opening device. The number of inlets can be kept low. In particular, a single inlet is sufficient. This, in turn, allows the structural effort required to bring cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank into the at least one basin to a minimum.

[0054] In one embodiment, an outlet side of the channel device is arranged on a longitudinal side of the at least one basin, in particular with at least one of the following: the outlet side extends along a longitudinal side of the at least one basin; the outlet side is opposite the opening device.

[0055] An inlet side of the channel system is the side through which cleaning fluid is coupled in. The outlet side is the side through which cleaning fluid is coupled out of the channel system. If the outlet side extends along a long side of the at least one basin, cleaning fluid can be coupled into the basin over a large area of ​​the at least one basin, first filling the receiving volume and then reaching an overflow. Direct application of the opening device via the channel system is not intended.

[0056] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the channel device comprises at least one of the following: at least one collecting channel which is fluidically connected to the at least one inlet; at least one distributor which distributes cleaning liquid to a plurality of channels; at least one feed channel from which cleaning liquid is directly coupled into the at least one basin via the corresponding outlet side.

[0057] Cleaning fluid can be drained from the inlet through at least one collecting channel in order to then make it available to at least one basin (and its receiving volume).

[0058] Using at least one distributor, cleaning fluid can be distributed across multiple channels and then, in particular, across multiple basins.

[0059] Via at least one feed channel, cleaning fluid can then be easily coupled into the at least one basin, even over a large length range. In one embodiment, at least a first basin and a second basin are provided, the second basin being spaced from the first, with at least one of the following: the at least one distributor is arranged between the first basin and the second basin and is designed in particular as a distributor channel; a first feed channel is assigned to the first basin and a second feed channel is assigned to the second basin, the first feed channel and the second feed channel in particular being on a line; the at least one inlet is connected to the at least one collecting channel, the at least one collecting channel leading to the at least one distributor.

[0060] With relatively simple design effort, particularly through a type of labyrinth guide for cleaning fluid, the first and second basins can be simultaneously filled with the same volume, thus creating an overflow. This results in a uniform application of cleaning fluid over a large length of the at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0061] In one embodiment, a plurality of separate basins are provided. This results in a relatively quick and simplified infestation process, allowing the infestation of receiving volumes in separate basins and, via an overflow function, achieving a uniform supply of cleaning fluid to the at least one cleaning roller unit. Furthermore, when the floor head is tilted (if the angle of the rotation axis to the floor is increased), a large quantity of cleaning fluid can be held in the basin combination (plurality of basins). From a structural point of view, it is advantageous if the at least one inlet is arranged on or near an end face of the at least one cleaning roller unit and, in particular, if exactly one inlet is provided (which can also be arranged at a location other than near an end face).This allows the guide path between the cleaning fluid tank and a distributor for cleaning fluid to be kept short and the wiring effort to a minimum.

[0062] In one embodiment, the at least one cleaning roller unit is held on a holding device or cassette that is releasably attached to the floor head, with the at least one basin being arranged on the holding device of the cassette. This allows, for example, all fluid-exposed or dirt-laden parts of the floor cleaning device to be removed from a corresponding body and cleaned. For example, an electronics unit and motor unit can be easily encapsulated from fluid-exposed parts.

[0063] From a design perspective, it is advantageous if a wall is arranged on the holding device of the cassette, which covers the at least one cleaning roller unit towards a body of the floor head, and the at least one basin is arranged on the wall. The body of the floor head is, for example, a moving body. The wall forms a type of protective wall to prevent liquid from contacting, in particular, an interior of the body. If the at least one basin is arranged on the wall, a simple structural design results. The number of required components can be kept low. This results in simplified production.

[0064] It is advantageous if the opening device is arranged above at least one section of the at least one cleaning roller unit in terms of height, and in particular at a height greater than half the diameter of the at least one cleaning roller unit above the installation plane. In particular, this height is greater than 75% of the diameter of the at least one cleaning roller unit. This allows the at least one cleaning roller unit to be moistened, so to speak, from above and thus effectively moistened.

[0065] In one embodiment, a sweeping device for coarse dirt is provided, which is assigned to the at least one cleaning roller unit and is arranged on the floor head. This allows even larger dirt particles to be removed from the floor to be cleaned.

[0066] In one embodiment, at least one dirty fluid tank is provided, via which dirty fluid detached from the at least one cleaning roller unit via at least one stripping element can be collected. In one embodiment, the at least one dirty fluid tank is detachably positioned on the floor head. The at least one dirty fluid tank can hold dirty fluid (cleaning liquid with dirt particles). In principle, a fan-free "throwing" of dirty fluid into the dirty fluid tank can be provided. It is also possible for the stripping element to detach dirty fluid from the at least one cleaning roller unit, followed by suction.

[0067] In one embodiment, the floor cleaning device is designed as a self-propelled and self-cleaning floor cleaning device ("moisture-cleaning robot"), wherein the floor head, in particular, is or comprises a traveling body on which a drive for the floor cleaning device and a navigation device for the floor cleaning device are arranged. This allows autonomous wet floor cleaning of the floor to be cleaned.

[0068] Alternatively, a rod device can be provided, which is hinged to the floor head, whereby the floor cleaning device can be guided over the floor to be cleaned by a standing operator. The standing operator stands on the floor to be cleaned and holds and guides the floor cleaning device via the rod device. The floor head rests above the installation level on the floor to be cleaned.

[0069] In particular, it is provided that the at least one cleaning roller unit is located on the installation plane, and at least one further floor contact element is provided, which is spaced apart from the at least one cleaning roller unit. This results in a defined installation plane, which in turn defines the position of the at least one basin relative to the floor to be cleaned. The at least one floor contact element can, for example, be another cleaning roller unit, a roller or a wheel, or a skid.

[0070] The above-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention in the method mentioned at the outset in that cleaning liquid is conveyed from a cleaning liquid tank into a receiving volume of a basin, wherein the basin is arranged on the base head, and cleaning liquid is applied from the receiving volume of the basin via an opening device from the basin to the at least one cleaning roller unit, wherein cleaning liquid overflowing from the receiving volume flows through the opening device to the at least one cleaning roller unit.

[0071] The method according to the invention has the advantages already explained in connection with the floor cleaning device according to the invention.

[0072] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention have also already been solved in connection with the floor cleaning device according to the invention.

[0073] In particular, the method according to the invention can be used with the floor cleaning device according to the invention, or the floor cleaning device according to the invention can be operated with the method according to the invention. The conveyance of cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank into the receiving volume of the basin can be gravity-driven or, for example, by a pump.

[0074] The following description of preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, serves to explain the invention in more detail.

[0075] They show:

[0076] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a ground device with a ground head;

[0077] Figure 2 is a bottom view of the floor cleaning device according to Figure 1 in the direction A according to Figure 1, wherein a cleaning roller unit is removed and wherein a tank combination with dirt fluid tank and cleaning liquid tank is removed;

[0078] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a removed holding device or cassette with a cleaning roller unit fixed thereto, wherein the holding device or cassette according to Figure 3 is located on the floor cleaning device according to Figure 1;

[0079] Figure 4 shows the holding device or cassette according to Figure 3 with the cleaning roller unit removed, whereby a sweeping device is visible;

[0080] Figure 5 is a partial sectional side view of the floor head according to Figure 1 in the area of ​​the holding device or cassette and cleaning roller unit as well as sweeping device;

[0081] Figure 6 is a bottom view of a partial representation of the holding device or cassette according to Figure 4 in the direction B according to Figure 4; Figure 7 is a rear view of a partial representation of the holding device or cassette according to Figure 4 in the direction C according to Figure 4;

[0082] Figure 8 is a plan view of a partial representation of the holding device or cassette according to Figure 7;

[0083] Figure 9 is a side sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8;

[0084] Figure 10 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Figure 8;

[0085] Figure 11 shows schematically the functioning of a basin with inlet and opening device in perspective view;

[0086] Figure 12 is a schematic sectional view of the basin according to Figure 11;

[0087] Figure 13 is a schematic representation of a known humidification device to explain the solution according to the invention; and

[0088] Figure 14 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the invention, which is designed to be operated by an operator standing on the floor to be cleaned.

[0089] One embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the invention is a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning device (Figures 1, 2). This floor cleaning device 10 comprises a floor head 12, which includes a self-propelled and self-steering chassis 14. During cleaning operation, the floor cleaning device 10 is placed with its chassis 14 on a floor 16 to be cleaned (Figure 5). A drive system (not shown in the drawings) is arranged on the chassis 14. This drive system drives wheels 18. In one embodiment, a first wheel 18a and a second wheel 18b are provided.

[0090] The wheels 18 are driven by the drive to rotate around a wheel axle 19.

[0091] 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.

[0092] In one embodiment, the support roller 20 is a passive steering roller which 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).

[0093] A change in direction of the floor cleaning device 10 on the floor head 12 is effected by corresponding control of the wheels 18a and 18b by a control device which is arranged on the traveling body 14, wherein in particular for a change in direction these can be rotated at different speeds.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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 so that its rotational axis 21 is parallel to the wheel axis 19. It is a forward direction of travel for the floor cleaning device 10.

[0096] 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 unit 28 is located at the support plane 26.

[0097] 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.

[0098] The traveling body 14 has a front end 32 and a rear end 34 relative to the main direction of travel 24. In the region of the rear end 34, a tank combination 36 comprising a dirt fluid tank 38 and a cleaning fluid tank 40 is removably arranged on the traveling body 14.

[0099] Dirt fluid is defined as a fluid that is essentially flowable. It can be composed of dirt particles or a mixture of dirt particles and a liquid (especially water, possibly with a surfactant cleaning agent added).

[0100] 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.

[0101] Between the underside 42 and the upper side 44, the traveling body 14 has a wall 46.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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°.

[0104] 42 cliff sensors 54 are arranged on the underside of the chassis 14 and are connected to the control unit 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" accordingly.

[0105] The floor cleaning device 10 has a particularly rechargeable battery device, which is arranged on the traveling 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.

[0106] Further elements such as a sensor 60 for carpet detection, a WiFi module, etc. can be arranged on the moving body 14.

[0107] Charging contacts 62 are also arranged on the traveling body 14 in order to be able to charge the battery device at a charging station.

[0108] In the illustrated embodiment, charging contacts 62 are arranged on the underside 42. The base head 12 has an outer contour 64 in the shape of a circle in a top view in the vertical direction 52 of the top side 44. A distance in the radial direction perpendicular to the vertical 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).

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] In one embodiment, it is oriented at least approximately parallel to the wheel axis 19.

[0112] Relative to the front end 32, the first tendon 66 lies beyond the center 50. It lies at the rear end 34. Between the first tendon 66 and the front end 32 lies the center 50.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] When the tank combination 36 is mounted on the chassis 14, the second chord 68 is parallel to the first chord 66 and directly adjacent to it. A receiving shaft 70 for the cleaning roller unit 28 is arranged or formed on the chassis 14. The receiving shaft 70 is mounted on the chassis 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. The longitudinal extension direction 72 is furthermore at least approximately parallel to the wheel axis 19.

[0116] In one embodiment, the longitudinal direction 72 is parallel to the first chord 66.

[0117] 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 unit 28 held in the receiving shaft 70 can act on the floor 16 to be cleaned.

[0118] Towards the upper side 44 and thus facing away from the lower side 42, the receiving shaft 70 is closed by a cover wall 74.

[0119] Between the cover wall 74 and the underside 42, the traveling body has a wall 76, which delimits the receiving shaft 70 towards an interior of the traveling body 14. The travel drive, the control device, etc., are arranged in the interior of the traveling body 14.

[0120] 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.

[0121] 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 the rear end 34 on the traveling body 14 and then the first lateral side 82. 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.

[0122] The side wall 86 follows the circular outer contour 64.

[0123] The receiving shaft 70 has an opening 88 opposite the side wall 86 on the second lateral side 84.

[0124] A drive motor 90 for the cleaning roller unit 28 is located on the side wall 86.

[0125] The drive motor 90 is supplied with electrical energy by the battery device in the battery compartment 56.

[0126] 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.

[0127] The drive motor 90 is assigned a drive shaft 92 which is rotatable about a rotation axis 94.

[0128] 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 unit 28. The drive shaft 92 drives a rotational movement of the cleaning roller unit 28 about a rotational axis that coincides with the rotational axis 94.

[0129] In the illustrated embodiment, 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. 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.

[0130] The rotation axis 94 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the main direction of travel 24.

[0131] The rotation axis 94 is parallel to the installation plane 26.

[0132] The rotation axis 94 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the height direction 52 (which is a normal axis to the installation plane 26).

[0133] 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.

[0134] The longitudinal extension direction 72 of the receiving shaft 70 is parallel to the rotation axis 94.

[0135] The floor cleaning device 10 includes a cassette 98 (e.g., Figures 2 to 4). The cassette 98 serves to hold the cleaning roller unit 28 in the receiving shaft 70 during operation of the floor cleaning device 10, and to hold the cleaning roller unit 28 when inserted into the carriage 14 and when removed from the carriage 14.

[0136] A cassette is understood to be an inherently rigid or stable structure, which serves as a receptacle for the cleaning roller unit 28 (but does not have to be closed) and can be handled as an independent unit. The cassette 98 comprises 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 on the carriage 14, the cover 100 is located opposite the side wall 86.

[0137] 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.

[0138] A locking device 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, which is arranged on the moving body 14 and acts on a locking pawl. In one embodiment, a counter-element for the locking pawl is arranged on the cover 100, wherein the counter-element has an opening into which the locking pawl can be inserted. By actuating the unlocking button, the locking pawl, which is in particular spring-supported, can be disengaged from the counter-element, and the corresponding locking of the cover 100 to the moving body 14 is released.

[0139] A second pivot bearing 108 is located on the cover for the rotation of the cleaning roller unit 28 about the rotation axis 94 (see, for example, Figure 4).

[0140] In one embodiment, the second pivot bearing 108 is designed as a ball bearing.

[0141] The cleaning roller unit 28 can be fixed in a rotationally fixed manner to the second pivot bearing 108.

[0142] When the cassette 98 is properly secured to the carriage 14, the cleaning roller unit 28 is rotatably mounted opposite one another on the first pivot bearing 96 and the second pivot bearing 108. The cleaning roller unit 28 is supported accordingly at its opposite end faces. The cleaning roller unit 28 is held on both sides between the first pivot bearing 96 and the second pivot bearing 108. The cleaning roller unit 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 faces. This allows cleaning roller units 28 with a greater length (in a longitudinal direction parallel to the rotation axis 94) to be used, and larger torsional moments can also be absorbed. Wobbling of the cleaning roller 28 is prevented.

[0143] The cassette 98 comprises a support structure 110, which sits on the cover 100 and ensures the corresponding stability or rigidity of the cassette 98.

[0144] The second pivot bearing 108 is positioned on the cover 100 at a distance from this support structure 110.

[0145] In one embodiment, the support structure 110 is or includes a wall 112 which is fixed to the cover 100.

[0146] The wall 112 has a cylindrical shell shape. It extends in a longitudinal direction. When the cassette 98 is held on the carriage 14 with the cleaning roller 28 held thereon, this longitudinal direction of the cassette 98 is parallel to the rotation axis 94. It is also parallel to the longitudinal direction 72 of the receiving shaft 70.

[0147] The wall 112 is designed such that, when the cassette 98 is held on the carriage 14, it covers the wall 76 of the carriage and at least partially the cover wall 74 on the carriage 14. The wall 112 forms a cover and thus a protective wall from the cleaning roller 28 to the carriage 14. This largely prevents contamination of the carriage 14 during operation of the floor cleaning device 10; the wall 112 keeps dirt away from the corresponding walls 74, 76 of the carriage 14.

[0148] For the defined holding and positioning of the cassette 98 in the receiving shaft 70, a guide device is arranged on the receiving shaft 70. The cassette 94 has a matching guide device.

[0149] In this context and for further details regarding the removal and insertion of the cassette 94, please refer to the unpublished

[0150] DE 10 2022 102 937.9, to which reference is made in full.

[0151] The cassette 98 can be inserted or removed from the receiving shaft 70 in an insertion / removal direction 124 (direction and opposite direction).

[0152] This insertion / removal direction 124 is, when appropriately aligned, parallel to the longitudinal direction 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.

[0153] The insertion / removal direction 124 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the main travel direction 24.

[0154] A holding device 126 for the cleaning roller unit 28 is arranged on the cassette 98. The holding device 126 is designed such that it pre-positions the cleaning roller unit 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 unit 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 unit 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 unit 28.

[0155] Furthermore, the holding device 126 ensures that the cleaning roller unit 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.

[0156] 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.

[0157] The second holding element 130 is arranged on the wall 112 at a distance from the first holding element 128 in the longitudinal direction.

[0158] The second holding element 130 comprises, for example, a ring element 132 with an opening 134. An axis of the opening 134 is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cassette 98.

[0159] The cleaning roller 28 comprises a carrier 136 on which a cleaning medium 138 is arranged (see, for example, Figure 3). The carrier 136 is an annular cylinder with openings at least at its front ends. It is also possible to have a continuous opening.

[0160] The cleaning medium 138 is a covering that is fixed to the carrier 136. When configured 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.

[0161] For example, it is also possible for the cleaning medium 138 to include both bristles and textile trimmings. The drive shaft 92 extends into the receiving shaft 70.

[0162] A distribution device 168 for cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 40 is arranged on the cassette 98 and on the wall 112. This will be described in more detail below.

[0163] 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.

[0164] The connection 176 is designed in cooperation with the traveling body 14 and the dirty fluid tank 38 so 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 traveling body 14 (with locking on the cover 100).

[0165] 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.

[0166] The cassette 98 does not contain any electronic components or the like or any components that require a power supply.

[0167] A stripping element 178 is held on the cassette 98. The stripping element 178 is, in particular, removable from the cassette 98.

[0168] In the exemplary embodiment of the floor cleaning device, exactly one cleaning roller unit 28 with a cleaning roller is provided. In particular, exactly one stripping element 178 is assigned to this one cleaning roller unit 28. The stripping element 178 serves to strip (remove) dirty fluid from the cleaning roller unit 28 (from the filling of the cleaning roller unit 28) and to guide dirty fluid via a corresponding guide device to the dirty fluid tank 38.

[0169] One embodiment of a scraper element 178 is formed in one piece. It comprises a body. A channel device is integrated into the body. In one embodiment, the channel device comprises a channel with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. With the scraper element 178 properly positioned on the cassette 98 and the cassette 98 held on the carriage body 14, the inlet opening faces the cleaning roller unit 28, and the outlet opening faces an inlet opening of the dirty fluid tank 38.

[0170] In this context, reference is made to DE 10 2022 102 937.9, to which express reference is made.

[0171] 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 Figure 4).

[0172] The pivot axis 192 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cassette 98 or parallel to the rotation axis 94.

[0173] 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.

[0174] Regarding the arrangement and design of the tank combination 36 and the supply of dirty fluid to the dirty fluid tank 38, reference is made to the above-mentioned unpublished

[0175] DE 10 2022 102 937.9, to which reference is also made in its entirety in this context. A wet mopping process can be performed on the floor 16 to be cleaned by means of the cleaning roller unit 28 and cleaning agent from the cleaning fluid tank 40. The cleaning roller unit 28, by rotating it about the rotation axis 94, exerts a mechanical action on the floor 16 at the contact surface of the cleaning medium (filling) 138. Dirt can be removed and carried away by the cleaning roller unit 28. Dirt fluid is detached from the cleaning roller unit 28 at the stripping element 178 and from there fed to the dirt fluid tank 38.

[0176] Furthermore, a sweeping device 202 is arranged on the floor head 12, which serves to collect coarse dirt (coarse dirt particles).

[0177] The sweeping device 202 comprises (at least) one sweeping element 206, which is designed as a sweeping strip. The sweeping element 206 is arranged on the wall 112 or is formed on the wall 112.

[0178] With regard to an embodiment of a sweeping device 202, reference is made to the applicant's unpublished international patent application PCT / EP2022 / 071846 of August 3, 2022.

[0179] The floor cleaning device 10 includes a humidification device 208. The humidification device 208 serves to supply cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 40 to the cleaning roller unit 28 and to humidify it. The humidification device 208 includes the distribution device 168 with the connection 176.

[0180] The distribution device 168 of the humidification device 208 comprises a basin device 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the basin device 210 has a first basin 212 and a second basin 214 (see, for example, Figure 7). The first basin 212 and the second basin 214 are spaced apart from one another. They are aligned with one another, adjacent to one another, relative to a longitudinal axis of the cassette 98. This longitudinal axis of the cassette 98 is parallel to the rotational axis 94 of the cleaning roller unit 28.

[0181] The basin assembly 210, comprising the first basin 212 and the second basin 214, is fixed to the cassette 98 (the holding device 126). In one embodiment, it is located on the wall 112.

[0182] The first basin 212 and the second basin 214 each have a receiving volume 216 for cleaning fluid. Each basin 212, 214 of the basin device 210 comprises a basin bottom 218 and a basin wall 220.

[0183] In an embodiment in which the basin device 210 is arranged on the wall 112, the basin floor 218 and the basin wall 220 are arranged or formed on the wall 112.

[0184] Relative to the height direction 52, the basin floor 218 is the deepest part of the respective basin 212, 214. Also relative to the height direction 52, the receiving volume 216 is arranged above the basin floor 218.

[0185] When the floor cleaning machine 10 is positioned on a flat and horizontally aligned installation plane 26, the vertical direction 52 is at least approximately parallel to the direction of gravity. The pool floor 218 is then at the lowest gravitational potential relative to the pool device 210.

[0186] The basin device 210 is provided with an opening device 222. During operation of the floor cleaning machine 10, cleaning fluid from the respective basin 212, 214 can flow to the cleaning roller unit 28 via the opening device 222 in order to moisten the latter and, in particular, the cleaning medium (filling) 138. The opening device 222 is arranged above the basin bottom 218 relative to the height direction 52. The receiving volume 216 of the respective basin 212, 214 is then defined in terms of its height by the distance between the basin bottom 218 and the opening device 222.

[0187] An upper side of the receiving volume 216 corresponds (maximally) to an imaginary line perpendicular to the height direction 52, which borders on a lower side 224 of the opening device 222 with respect to the height direction 52.

[0188] When the respective basin 212, 214 is filled with cleaning fluid (see below), a maximum fluid level 226 (see Figure 10) is established at the receiving volume 216, which reaches down to the lower side 224 of the opening device 222. Further filling of the corresponding basin 212, 214 causes an overflow, and cleaning fluid then flows through the opening device 222 onto the cleaning roller unit 28. This is indicated in Figure 10 by the reference numeral 228.

[0189] For introducing cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 40 into the basin device 210 by means of the humidification device 208, (at least) one inlet 230 is provided. In particular, exactly one inlet 230 is assigned to the basin device 210, or at most one inlet 230 is assigned to each basin 212, 214.

[0190] In the embodiment shown with the two basins 212, 214, an inlet 230 is provided, via which both the first basin 212 and the second basin 214 are supplied with cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 40.

[0191] The inlet 230 is or includes the connection 176. In principle, it is possible for cleaning fluid to be directly injected into a corresponding basin, and in particular into the area of ​​a receiving volume 216 of a basin, via the inlet 230. This is indicated schematically in Figure 11.

[0192] The floor cleaning machine 10 is provided with a channel device 232 (see in particular Figures 7, 8), through which cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 40 is distributed to and coupled into the basins 212, 214. The channel device 232 is connected to the connection 176 and thus to the inlet 230.

[0193] Figures 7 to 10 show a partial view with a cover 234 removed for clarity. The cover 234 covers the channel device 232 and the basin device 210 on a side facing away from the cleaning roller unit 28.

[0194] In one embodiment (Figures 7, 8), the channel device 232 comprises a collecting channel 236 (Figures 7, 8). The collecting channel is connected to the inlet 230 and runs with a partial section along the second basin 214. The collecting channel 236 is fluidically separated from the second basin 214 by a corresponding wall. This wall is formed in particular by the basin wall 220. It is fluidically separated from the traveling body 14 by a further wall 238, which in particular runs at least approximately to the corresponding basin wall 220 (when the cassette 98 is seated on the traveling body 14).

[0195] The channel device 232 with the collecting channel 236 is arranged on the wall 112. The wall 238 (and the basin wall 220) are located on the wall 112.

[0196] The collecting channel 238 leads into a distributor 240, which is in particular a distribution channel. The distributor 240 is located in an intermediate region between the first basin 212 and the second basin 214. The distributor 240 is separated from the first basin 212 by a first wall 242. The first wall 242 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the wall 238. The first wall 242 is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cassette 98 or transversely and in particular perpendicular to the rotation axis 94.

[0197] Opposite the first wall is a second wall 244, which adjoins the wall 238 and is aligned parallel to the first wall 242. The corresponding channel of the distributor 240 is located between the first wall 242 and the second wall 244.

[0198] Extending from the distributor 240 is a first feed channel 246. This first feed channel 246 is oriented parallel to the first basin 212 and runs along the first basin 212. The first feed channel 246 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cassette 98 or parallel to the rotation axis 94.

[0199] Cleaning fluid can be coupled into the first basin 212 essentially over the entire length of the first basin 212 via the first feed channel 246 and thus brought into the receiving volume 216.

[0200] Furthermore, a second supply channel 248 extends from the distributor 240 in the opposite direction to the first supply channel 246.

[0201] The second feed channel 248 runs along the second basin 214.

[0202] In particular, the second feed channel 248 and the first feed channel 246 are aligned.

[0203] Via the second supply channel 248, cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 40, which is coupled into the channel device 232 via the humidification device 208 and the inlet 230, can be coupled along the second basin 214 into the second basin 214. Via the single inlet 230, cleaning fluid can be supplied to both the first basin 212 and the second basin 214.

[0204] The inlet 230 (the connection 176) is arranged in the region of a front end 250 of the cassette or also of a corresponding front end of the cleaning roller unit 28 if the latter is held on the cassette 98. This allows the line paths between the cleaning fluid tank 40 and the inlet 230 to be kept short. The provision of a single inlet 230 results in minimal design effort for supplying cleaning fluid to the cleaning roller unit 28 via the moistening device 208.

[0205] The channel device 232 forms a type of labyrinth guide for cleaning fluid from the inlet 230 into the basins 212, 214.

[0206] The first supply channel 246 and the second supply channel 248 are arranged opposite the opening device 222 with respect to the basin device 210.

[0207] It is generally intended that cleaning fluid is coupled into the basin device 210 in such a way that cleaning fluid is provided to the opening device 222 by overflow of the receiving volume 216. Cleaning fluid is first coupled into the basin device 210 via the channel device 232 and then provided to the cleaning roller unit 28 by overflow through the opening device 222.

[0208] Figure 8 shows the flow path of cleaning fluid coupled in via inlet 230. Cleaning fluid flows into channel device 232 via inlet 230. Cleaning fluid flows into distributor 240 via collection channel 236. From there, cleaning fluid is distributed between the first supply channel 246 and the second supply channel 248. From these supply channels 246, 248, cleaning fluid then flows into the respective basins 212, 214. The flow into basins 212, 214 occurs via a longitudinal side of the respective basin 212, 214.

[0209] In principle, it is possible for the opening device to have one or more slots.

[0210] In one embodiment (Figures 6 to 12), the opening device 222 comprises a plurality of discrete and spaced-apart mouth openings 252.

[0211] The orifices 252 are particularly aligned with one another such that they lie on a line. This line is parallel to the rotational axis 94 of the cleaning roller unit 28.

[0212] The mouth openings 252 are at the same height relative to the height direction 52 and thus all have the same height distance (the height direction 52) from the basin floor 218.

[0213] The mouths 252 are formed as continuous openings on the basin wall 220, specifically on a side of the basin wall 220 which faces away from the side on which the respective feed channel 246 or 248 is located.

[0214] In particular, at least with respect to a basin 212 or 214, the mouth openings 252 are evenly spaced from one another.

[0215] Preferably, a line density of orifices 252 is at least 0.4 cm 1and in particular at least 0.5 cm. The line density is the number of apertures 252 per unit length.

[0216] An outlet opening 252 comprises a channel 254 (see Figure 10) between an inlet 256 and an outlet 258. The inlet 256 is located in an interior of the respective basin 212, 214. The outlet 258 is directly opposite the cleaning roller unit 28.

[0217] The channel 254 is formed in particular in the wall 112.

[0218] The mouth openings 252 are in particular aligned such that a longitudinal axis 260 of a corresponding channel 254 (see Figure 10) is oriented transversely to the height direction 52 and in particular is oriented at an acute angle or parallel to the height direction 52.

[0219] In one embodiment, the acute angle of the orientation of the longitudinal axis 260 to the height direction 52 is in the range between 20° and 45° and, for example, approximately 25°.

[0220] It can also be provided (not shown in the drawing) that the longitudinal axis 260 is parallel to the height direction 52.

[0221] The orientation of the channels 254 (the formation of the mouth openings 252) is in particular such that in the event of overflow at the receiving volume 216, cleaning fluid flows from the basin device 210 to the cleaning roller unit 28 under gravity.

[0222] The channels 254 formed by the orifices 252 are designed to be "short" with respect to their longitudinal axis 260, so that, in particular, a direct supply of cleaning fluid from the basin device 210 to the cleaning roller unit 28 is possible. In particular, the length of such a channel 254 along the longitudinal axis 260 is at most or equal to 8 mm and in particular at most or equal to 2 mm.

[0223] The outlet openings 252 have a rounded shape and are, for example, circular or oval in cross-section. At the intersection with the basin wall 220, there is a rounded section 262 of the wall, so that, in particular, an edge-free transition from the corresponding basin 212, 214 into the channel 254 is achieved.

[0224] The lower side 224 of the opening device 222, which was mentioned above and which defines the maximum liquid level 226, is reached via the rounding 262 at the inlet 256 (see Figure 10).

[0225] A longitudinal axis 264 can be assigned to the basin device 210 and the respective basins 212, 214, as mentioned above. The longitudinal axis 264 is the main extension direction of the respective basins 212, 214, in which they have their greatest length. This longitudinal axis 264 is parallel to the rotation axis 94.

[0226] The feed channels 246, 248 are aligned parallel to this longitudinal axis 264.

[0227] The channels 254 with their longitudinal axes 260 are, as mentioned above, aligned transversely and in particular perpendicularly to this longitudinal axis 264.

[0228] A mouth normal of a mouth opening 252 towards the cleaning roller unit 94 is predetermined by the longitudinal axis 260 of the channels 254 and is accordingly also aligned transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 264 or the rotation axis 94.

[0229] Relative to the longitudinal axis 264, the basin device 210 is arranged and configured such that it extends over at least 70 percent, preferably at least 80 percent, and in particular at least 90 percent of the cleaning roller unit 28 in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the rotation axis 94) in order to achieve appropriate humidification over a large area of ​​the cleaning roller unit 28. The basic functionality of the humidification device 208 with the basin device 210 is explained in Figures 11 and 12.

[0230] Cleaning fluid is introduced into the basin device 210 via an indicated inlet 230. The receiving volume 216 fills until a corresponding fluid level reaches the opening device 222. If further cleaning fluid is added, cleaning fluid exits the opening device 222 and is applied to the cleaning roller unit 28.

[0231] A fluid buffer is set by the basin device 210. The receiving volume must first be filled until cleaning fluid can exit the opening device 222.

[0232] When placed on a horizontally aligned, flat floor with a horizontal installation plane 26, this means that when the appropriate liquid level is reached, cleaning liquid flows simultaneously through the entire opening device 222 and thus through all outlet openings 252. As a result, the cleaning roller unit 28 is uniformly supplied with cleaning liquid over essentially its entire length.

[0233] The basin device 210 then ensures that the cleaning fluid supply to the cleaning roller unit 28 is evened out. The receiving volume 216 receives a buffer fluid, which ensures this evening out.

[0234] The inlet 230 (with any channel device 232 connected thereto) ensures that cleaning fluid is introduced into the basin device 210 and in particular into the receiving volume 216. Cleaning fluid is then supplied to the cleaning roller unit 28 via overflow through the opening device 222. This makes it possible to arrange the inlet 230 at any desired location, and in principle, a single inlet 230 is sufficient, while still achieving uniform moistening of the cleaning roller unit 28.

[0235] In contrast, Figure 13 shows a variant not covered by the invention, in which cleaning fluid is supplied to openings 268 via an inlet 266 without a receiving volume 216 being present. More cleaning fluid is provided to openings 268 that are closer to the inlet 266 than to openings that are farther away from the inlet 266. This means an uneven supply of cleaning fluid to the cleaning roller unit, with more cleaning fluid supplied near the inlet 266 than further away from it.

[0236] In the solution according to the invention, the basin device 210 with receiving volume 216 and opening device 222, which is located above the receiving volume 216 relative to the vertical direction 52, achieves a more uniform distribution of the cleaning fluid on the cleaning roller unit 28. To a certain extent, there is a decoupling from the inlet 230, since a buffer volume is provided by the receiving volume 216. The uniform distribution is then achieved by overflow from the receiving volume 216.

[0237] According to the invention, a defined installation plane 26 is provided, which holds the floor head 12 in a defined position relative to the floor 16 to be cleaned. The installation plane 26 is defined by the cleaning roller unit 28 and by the support roller 20 and the wheels 18a, 18b as additional floor contact elements. This ensures a defined position of the basin device 210 relative to the floor 16 to be cleaned, and accordingly, uniform application can be achieved when the floor head 12 rests on the floor 16 to be cleaned with the installation plane 26 in a defined manner.

[0238] In principle, the liquid level 226 depends on the inclination of the installation plane 26 relative to the direction of gravity. Typically, the installation plane 26 is perpendicular to the direction of gravity. Even with floor inclines where the installation plane 26 is at a slight angle to a horizontal plane relative to the direction of gravity, a uniform liquid supply can be achieved (provided that cleaning liquid can still be absorbed in the receiving volume 216).

[0239] The solution according to the invention allows for uniform moistening of the cleaning roller unit 28 along its entire length parallel to the rotation axis 94 with minimal design effort. Furthermore, the fluid supply via the moistening device 208 can also be implemented with minimal design effort. In principle, a single inlet 230 is sufficient for coupling cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 40 into the basin device 230.

[0240] The floor cleaning device 10 works as follows:

[0241] During a cleaning operation, the drive motor 90 drives the rotation of the cleaning roller unit 28 in a rotation direction 270. The cleaning roller unit 28 (the cleaning medium 138) is moistened with cleaning fluid via the moistening device 208, as described above.

[0242] Cleaning fluid is coupled into the basin device 210 via the inlet 230 and the channel device 232. Overflowing cleaning fluid from the receiving volume 216 flows via the opening device 222 to the cleaning roller unit 28 and moistens it.

[0243] At a contact area, the cleaning roller unit acts mechanically on the floor 16 to be cleaned. The cleaning fluid removes the dirt.

[0244] Dirt fluid is removed from the cleaning roller unit 28 via the scraper element 178 and fed to the dirt fluid tank 38. If coarse dirt particles 204 are present on the floor to be cleaned, they can be picked up by the sweeping device 202.

[0245] The floor cleaning device 10 has been described as a self-steering and self-propelled floor cleaning device. The corresponding humidification device 208 can also be used if the floor cleaning device is designed for a standing operator. Such a floor cleaning device 286 is shown schematically in Figure 14. A floor head 288 is provided, to which a support rod device 290 is pivotally connected. Using the support rod device 290, an operator can guide the floor head 288 while standing over the floor 16 to be cleaned, with the main travel direction 24 being provided as the main cleaning direction.

[0246] A cassette 292 may be provided, on which the corresponding moistening device for the cleaning roller unit 28 is located.

[0247] The solution according to the invention for the moistening device 208 can also be used when, for example, dirty fluid is sucked off from the cleaning roller unit 28, such as via a suction fan device which is located on a holding rod device 290.

[0248] A cleaning roller unit 28 can generally comprise a single, uniform cleaning roller or a plurality of sub-rollers. A plurality of cleaning roller units or a plurality of sub-rollers can be provided.

[0249] The humidification device 208 was described above with a basin device 210 positioned on the cassette 98. A basin device 210 with the inventive features can also be used without being arranged on a cassette. For example, it can be arranged directly on the corresponding floor head and not be removable.

[0250] Floor cleaning device

[0251] Ground head

[0252] Floor to be cleaned on the vehicle body

[0253] Wheels a Wheel b Wheel

[0254] wheel axle

[0255] Support roller

[0256] axis of rotation

[0257] axis

[0258] Main direction of travel

[0259] Installation level

[0260] Cleaning roller unit

[0261] Navigation device

[0262] Front end

[0263] Rear end

[0264] Tank combination

[0265] Dirty fluid tank

[0266] Cleaning fluid tank

[0267] bottom

[0268] Top

[0269] wall

[0270] Impact body

[0271] center

[0272] Altitude direction

[0273] Cliff sensor

[0274] Battery compartment

[0275] Lid

[0276] Sensor charging contact

[0277] Outer contour

[0278] First tendon

[0279] Second tendon

[0280] Receiving slot

[0281] Longitudinal direction

[0282] Lid wall

[0283] wall

[0284] First lateral page

[0285] Second lateral side

[0286] side wall

[0287] opening

[0288] drive motor

[0289] drive shaft

[0290] axis of rotation

[0291] First pivot bearing

[0292] cassette

[0293] Lid

[0294] Second pivot bearing

[0295] supporting structure

[0296] wall

[0297] Insertion direction / removal direction

[0298] Holding device

[0299] First holding element

[0300] Second holding element

[0301] Ring element

[0302] opening

[0303] carrier

[0304] Cleaning medium (stock)

[0305] Distribution device

[0306] Connection

[0307] Scraper element

[0308] Swivel axis sweeping device

[0309] Sweeping element

[0310] Humidification device

[0311] Pool equipment

[0312] First pool

[0313] Second pool

[0314] Recording volume

[0315] pelvic floor

[0316] pelvic wall

[0317] Opening device

[0318] Bottom side

[0319] liquid level

[0320] Escaping cleaning fluid inlet

[0321] Channel facility

[0322] Lid

[0323] Collecting channel

[0324] wall

[0325] Distributor

[0326] First wall

[0327] Second wall

[0328] First feed channel

[0329] Second feed channel

[0330] Front end of the channel opening

[0331] Entrance

[0332] Exit

[0333] Longitudinal axis

[0334] Rounding

[0335] Longitudinal axis

[0336] Inflow

[0337] Opening Rotation direction Floor cleaning device Floor head Holding rod device Cassette

Claims

Floor cleaning device, comprising a floor head (12; 288), wherein the floor head (12; 288) defines a setup plane (26) for a floor (16) to be cleaned, at least one cleaning roller unit (28) which is arranged on the floor head (12; 288) and is rotatable about a rotation axis (94), a drive motor (90) for a rotational movement of the at least one cleaning roller unit (28), at least one cleaning liquid tank (40), and a humidifying device (208) for supplying cleaning liquid from the at least one cleaning liquid tank (40) to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28), characterized in that the humidifying device (208) has at least one basin (212; 214) which is assigned to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28) which is arranged on the floor head (12;288) and which has a receiving volume (216) for cleaning liquid, that the moistening device (208) has at least one inlet (230) via which cleaning liquid can be supplied to the receiving volume (216) of the at least one basin (212; 214), and that an opening device (222) is arranged on the at least one basin (212; 214), via which opening device cleaning liquid from the at least one basin (212; 214) is provided to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28), wherein the opening device (222) is arranged above the receiving volume (216) with respect to a height direction (52) perpendicular to the installation plane (26); Floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized by at least one of the following: the at least one basin (212; 214) extends along a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the rotation axis (94); the at least one basin (212; 214) has a uniform width transverse to a longitudinal axis; the opening device (222) has at least one mouth opening (252) that has a mouth normal that is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicular to the rotation axis (94) and / or a longitudinal axis of the at least one basin (212; 214); a length parallel to the rotation axis (94) of the at least one basin (212; 214) or a combination (210) of basins (212; 214) is at least 70 percent and in particular at least 80 percent and in particular at least 90 percent of a length of the at least one cleaning roller unit (28).Floor cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening device (222) has a plurality of spaced-apart mouth openings (252). Floor cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized by at least one of the following: the outlet openings (252) are arranged on a line, wherein the line is in particular parallel to the axis of rotation (94) and / or the installation plane (26); the outlet openings (222) are arranged at the same height in the height direction (52) relative to a base (218) of the at least one basin (212; 214), wherein the base (218) is a base for the receiving volume (216); at least in one or more partial regions, the outlet openings (222) are evenly spaced from one another; the outlet openings (222) are arranged and / or formed on a wall (230) of the at least one basin (212; 214);the outlet openings (222) lead directly to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28), wherein in particular a length between an inlet (256) of an outlet opening (222) and an outlet (258) to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28) is at most or equal to 8 mm and in particular at most or equal to 5 mm and in particular at most or equal to 4 mm and in particular at most or equal to 3 mm and in particular at most or equal to 2 mm; a channel (254) at an outlet opening (222) between an inlet (256) of the outlet opening (222) and an outlet (258) to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28) is oriented parallel or transversely to the height direction (52) and in particular at an acute angle to the height direction (52); a line density of orifices (222) is at least 0.4 cm 1and in particular at least 0.5 cm . Floor cleaning device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that an outlet opening (222) has a rounded wall (262) at least towards the receiving volume (216) and in particular is designed to be edge-free at least towards the receiving volume (216) and / or an interior of the at least one basin (212; 214). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one inlet (230) opens into the at least one basin (212; 214), or that an inlet side of a channel device (232) is fluidly connected to the at least one inlet (230), wherein cleaning fluid is coupled into the at least one basin (212; 214) via an outlet side of the channel device (232).Floor cleaning device according to claim 6, characterized in that the outlet side of the channel device (232) is arranged on a longitudinal side of the at least one basin (212; 214), in particular with at least one of the following: the outlet side extends along a longitudinal side of the at least one basin (212; 214); the outlet side is opposite the opening device (222). Floor cleaning device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the channel device (222) comprises at least one of the following: at least one collecting channel (236) which is fluidically connected to the at least one inlet (230); at least one distributor (240) which distributes cleaning liquid to a plurality of channels (246; 248); at least one feed channel (246; 248) from which cleaning liquid is coupled directly into the at least one basin (212; 214) via the corresponding outlet side.Floor cleaning device according to claim 8, characterized by at least a first basin (212) and a second basin (214), which is spaced from the first basin (212), with at least one of the following: the at least one distributor (240) is arranged between the first basin (212) and the second basin (214) and is designed in particular as a distributor channel; a first feed channel (246) is assigned to the first basin (212) and a second feed channel (248) is assigned to the second basin (214), wherein in particular the first feed channel (246) and the second feed channel (248) lie on a line; the at least one inlet (230) is connected to the at least one. Collecting channel (236), wherein the at least one Collecting channel (236) leading to at least one distributor (240). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of separate basins (212; 214). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one inlet (230) is arranged on or near an end face of the at least one cleaning roller unit (28), and in particular that exactly one inlet (230) is provided. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one cleaning roller unit (28) is held on a holding device or cassette (94) which is detachably seated on the floor head (12; 288), wherein the at least one basin (212; 214) is arranged on the holding device or cassette (94).Floor cleaning device according to claim 12, characterized in that a wall (112) is arranged on the holding device or cassette (94), which wall covers the at least one cleaning roller unit (28) towards a body (14) of the floor head (12; 288), and in that the at least one basin (212; 214) is arranged on the wall (112). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening device (222) is arranged above at least a portion of the at least one cleaning roller unit (28) with respect to the height direction (52) and is arranged in particular at a height greater than half the diameter of the at least one cleaning roller unit (28) above the installation plane (26). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sweeping device (202) for coarse dirt is provided, which is assigned to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28) and which is arranged on the floor head (12; 288). Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one dirty fluid tank (38) is provided, via which dirty fluid detached from the at least one cleaning roller unit (28) via at least one scraping element (178) can be received, and in particular that the at least one dirty fluid tank (38) is detachably seated on the floor head (12; 288).Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a design as a self-propelled and self-cleaning floor cleaning device (10), wherein in particular the floor head (12) is or comprises a traveling body (14) on which a travel drive for the floor cleaning device (10) and a navigation device (30) for the floor cleaning device (10) are arranged. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized by a rod device (290) which is hinged to the floor head (288), wherein the floor cleaning device (286) can be guided by a standing operator over a floor (16) to be cleaned. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cleaning roller unit (28) lies on the installation plane (26) and at least one floor contact element (18; 20) which is spaced apart from the at least one cleaning roller unit (28) is provided. A method for operating a floor cleaning device, wherein the floor cleaning device comprises a floor head (12; 288) and the floor head (12; 288) defines a support plane (26) for a floor (16) to be cleaned, comprises at least one cleaning roller unit (28) which is arranged on the floor head (12; 288) and rotates about a rotation axis (94) during a cleaning operation of the floor cleaning device, and comprises a drive motor (90) for the rotational movement of the at least one cleaning roller unit (28), in which, during the cleaning operation of the floor cleaning device, the at least one cleaning roller unit (28) is moistened with cleaning fluid, and in which cleaning fluid is conveyed from a cleaning fluid tank (40) into a receiving volume (216) of a basin (212; 214), wherein the basin (212; 214) is arranged on the floor head (12; 288), and cleaning fluid from the receiving volume (216) of the basin (212;214) is applied via an opening device (222) from the basin (212; 214) to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28), wherein cleaning liquid overflowing from the receiving volume (216) flows through the opening device (222) to the at least one cleaning roller unit (28); * * *

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