Cleaning device

Abstract

A scrubber-drier (1), comprising: - a frame (11) including cleaning tools (111) tiltable about a tool tilt axis, an inclination angle of the tools with respect to the surface variable; - a top part (12) including a handle (121), the top part pivotable with respect to a neutral position thereof; - a bearing member (17), integrated with the frame, for connecting the top part to the frame and for providing the pivotability of said top part; - a coupling element (18), for coupling the inclination angle of the tools to an orientation of the top part, wherein the bearing member comprises a first hinge member (171) to which the top part is mounted, the first hinge member allowing the top part to be hinged about a first top part hinge axis, the first hinge member mounted on a second hinge member (172) that may be hinged about a second top part hinge axis which is perpendicular to the first top part hinge axis, so that both top part hinge axes are essentially arranged in the same plane.

Description

[0001] TITLE: Cleaning device

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning surfaces, in particular a scrubber-drier.

[0004] Such a device is for example disclosed in WO2022 / 039591A1 in the name of Wensch Holding B.V. WO2022 / 039591A1 discloses a user-guided cleaning device for cleaning a surface, having a frame which includes at least two tools and at least one drive, the at least two tools being rotatable on the surface to be cleaned by said at least one drive. The cleaning device is self-propelled as each of the tools is inclined over at least one respective angle with respect to the surface when the device is placed on said surface. Due to the tools being mounted at an inclination angle and due to the tools rotating in mutually different directions, a propulsive force is exerted on the frame, and the cleaning device propels itself without a force by a user being required. According to WO2022 / 039591A1 the inclination angle of the tools is variable, to vary the propulsive force exerted on the frame.

[0005] WO2022 / 039591A1 discloses several schematic embodiments of a cleaning device which includes tools of which the inclination angle can be varied to vary the propulsive force on the frame. In each of the embodiments, the user may manipulate the top part in at least two directions compared to the frame - both forwards / backwards as well as sidewards (left / right). In the embodiments of Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 a first rotation axis 122, allowing the top part to be moved forwards and backwards, is arranged below a second rotation axis 123, the second rotation axis allowing the top part to be moved sidewards. A bracket connects the top part to the frame, said bracket defining the lower of the two hinge axes. In the embodiments of Figures 8 and 9 at least one of the movement directions defined for the top part is provided by the use of an elastomeric material.

[0006] The applicant has realised that the above-described solutions are suboptimal in terms of handling, manoeuvrability and / or safety and can be improved.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Accordingly, a first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a cleaning device for cleaning surfaces, comprising: a frame including cleaning tools, the cleaning tools optionally being tiltable about a tool tilt axis via a tool angle control member, so that an inclination angle of the tools with respect to the surface to be cleaned is optionally variable; a top part including a handle for manually holding the cleaning device, the top part pivotable with respect to a neutral position thereof; a clean water tank for storing clean water, the clean water tank mounted to the top part; a dirty water tank for storing dirty water, the dirty water tank mounted to the top part; a spray element for spraying water and / or a cleaning agent onto the surface to be cleaned, the spray element arranged in fluid communication with the clean water tank; a suction element for sucking up dirty water with which the surface has been cleaned, the suction element mounted behind the tools and arranged in fluid communication with the dirty water tank; a bearing member, integrated with the frame, for connecting the top part to the frame and for providing the pivotability of said top part; optionally, a coupling element, for coupling the inclination angle of the tools to an orientation of the top part, wherein the bearing member comprises a first hinge member to which the top part is mounted, the first hinge member allowing the top part to be hinged about a first top part hinge axis, the first hinge member mounted on a second hinge member that may be hinged about a second top part hinge axis which is perpendicular to the first top part hinge axis, so that both top part hinge axes are essentially arranged in the same plane.

[0008] Accordingly, a second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a cleaning device for cleaning surfaces, comprising: a frame including cleaning tools, the cleaning tools optionally being tiltable about a tool tilt axis via a tool angle control member, so that an inclination angle of the tools with respect to the surface to be cleaned is optionally variable; a top part including a handle for manually holding the cleaning device, the top part pivotable with respect to a neutral position thereof; a clean water tank for storing clean water, the clean water tank mounted to the top part; a dirty water tank for storing dirty water, the dirty water tank mounted to the top part; a spray element for spraying water and / or a cleaning agent onto the surface to be cleaned, the spray element arranged in fluid communication with the clean water tank; a suction element for sucking up dirty water with which the surface has been cleaned, the suction element mounted behind the tools and arranged in fluid communication with the dirty water tank; a bearing member, integrated with the frame, for connecting the top part to the frame and for providing the pivotability of said top part; optionally, an inclination sensor for monitoring an orientation of the top part; and optionally, a controller in communication with the inclination sensor and the tool angle control member, the controller controlling an inclination angle of the tools depending on the orientation of the top part, wherein the bearing member comprises a first hinge member to which the top part is mounted, the first hinge member allowing the top part to be hinged about a first top part hinge axis, the first hinge member mounted on a second hinge member that may be hinged about a second top part hinge axis which is perpendicular to the first top part hinge axis, so that both top part hinge axes are essentially arranged in the same plane.

[0009] Compared to the prior art solution wherein the two rotation axes are defined through a bracket which connects the top part to the frame, the solution of constructing a bearing member having a first hinge member mounted on a second hinge member, and integrating said bearing member with the frame, reduces the need for a part which bridges the top part and the frame, as the top part can now be directly mounted on the frame. As such, the device as presented herein has fewer components, so that less components may fail, the device needs less maintenance and it may be assembled more quickly. On top of that, compared to the prior art solution there is no longer a risk that a user harms oneself to the rigid and protruding bracket part.

[0010] Compared to the prior art solution in which at least one of the rotation axes is defined by a member of an elastomeric material, the advantage of the solution using a bearing member having a first hinge member mounted on a second hinge member is that the movement characteristics of different machines are substantially the same over time as in contrast to an elastomeric member, that becomes less rigid I more flexible over time, the bearing member may experience far less degradation. Thus it is facilitated that operators switches machines very easily, making it possible to share a pool of cleaning devices among different operators from a central location, without assigning individual machines to individual operators.

[0011] In accordance with both aspects of the present disclosure, the cleaning tools are optionally tiltable about a tool tilt axis so that an inclination angle of the tools with respect to the surface to be cleaned is variable. In particular, the inclination angle of the tools may be changed by an operator while the operator is using the cleaning device. It has been described in an earlier patent application of the present applicant, which is published as WO2022 / 039591A, why it is beneficial to construct the cleaning tools at a variable angle. For aspects related to the tools being tiltable, and the advantageous effects thereof, said publication is incorporated by reference in the present patent application.

[0012] It is however noted that the advantages described in the above in relation to the novel bearing member equally hold when the cleaning tools of the cleaning device are non-tiltable, i.e. arranged in a fixed orientation with respect to the frame. In such embodiments, the tool rotation axis is preferably aligned with a direction normal to the surface to be cleaned.

[0013] In accordance with both aspects of the present disclosure, a top part including a handle is pivotable with respect to a neutral position thereof. For example, in a neutral position with the tools on the surface to be cleaned the top part may be arranged in line with the normal to said surface. The top part may then be pivotable in a circular motion around said neutral position, said circular motion achievable by the described bearing member which allows the top part to be hinged about two perpendicular axes.

[0014] In accordance with both aspects of the present disclosure, a clean water tank is mounted to the top part. As such, the water that will be used to clean the surface may advantageously be carried along with the cleaning device and does not need to be transported separately. Although the wording “clean water tank” is used herein, one skilled in the art will understand that users may fill the tank with a cleaning solution comprising water and a cleaning agent. Alternatively, the tank may contain only water with the cleaning agent being added to the water outside of the tank, e.g. as the water is transported towards the spray element.

[0015] In accordance with both aspects of the present disclosure, a dirty water tank is mounted to the top part. As such, the water that was used to clean the surface may advantageously be carried along with the cleaning device and the cleaned surface is left behind relatively dry. Although the wording “dirty water tank” is used herein, one skilled in the art will understand that in practice the tank will contain a mixture of water, cleaning agent, and any dirt removed from the cleaned surface - including oil, sand, dust, and other dirt.

[0016] In accordance with both aspects of the present disclosure, a spray element is arranged in fluid communication with the clean water tank. For example, the spray element may be mounted near a front part of the frame, facing the surface to be cleaned, in front of the tools so that the tools can scrub the surface with the water applied to a certain part of the surface before the tools reach it. Alternatively and / or additionally, the spray element may be incorporated in the tools, so that the tools inject water on the surface and clean it.

[0017] In accordance with both aspects of the present disclosure, a suction element is arranged behind the tools. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, it is desirable that the cleaned surface is dry after it has been cleaned - to prevent people slipping or falling due to the surface being wet. As such, the cleaning device includes a suction element that sucks up the water that was sprayed on the surface by the spray element. The suction element sucks up a mixture of water, cleaning detergent and any dirt that has come off the surface due to the treatment of the cleaning tools As such, typically the dirty water tank will be larger than the clean water tank. Alternatively, the dirty water tank may be about as large as the clean water tank. In accordance with both aspects of the present disclosure, a bearing member connects the top part to the frame. The bearing member, that will be described in more detail in the below, provides the pivotability of the top part with respect to its neutral position via two hinge members that have hinge axes which are perpendicular with respect to each other. Importantly, the bearing member is integrated with the frame, so that any “brackets” for connecting the frame to the top part, which are often seen in the prior art, may be omitted.

[0018] In accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, a coupling element mechanically couples the orientation of the top part to the inclination angle of the tools. Of course, when the inclination angle of the tools is non-variable, there is no need for such a coupling element.

[0019] In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, the cleaning device comprises an inclination sensor for monitoring an orientation of the top part and a controller for controlling an inclination angle of the tools depending on the orientation of the top part. Of course, when the inclination angle of the tools is non-variable, there is no need for such an inclination sensor and controller.

[0020] Hence, the inclination angle of the tools may be dependent on the orientation of the top part according to both aspects of the present disclosure. Control of the tool inclination angle may be implemented mechanically or via a sensor and a processor. Both solutions may have particular advantages, such as the relation between top part orientation and tool inclination angle being fixed versus settable or such as the solution being at risk of being harmed by water contact or not. However, both solutions are deemed to be suitable alternatives to each other and can each be implemented relatively easily. As described in the above, the orientation of the tools being variable is deemed non-essential.

[0021] In accordance with both aspects of the present disclosure, the bearing member comprises a first hinge member and a second hinge member. The top part is mounted to the first hinge member, which first hinge member itself is mounted on the second hinge member. This allows the top part to not only be hinged about a hinge axis defined by the first hinge member, to which it is directly mounted, but this additionally allows the top part to be hinged about the hinge axis defined by the second hinge member, to which the top part is indirectly mounted, as the top part and the first hinge member will hinge about the second hinge axis together when such a movement about the second hinge axis is initiated. The respective hinge axes of the respective hinge members are arranged perpendicular to one another, offering maxima manoeuvrability to the top part compared to the frame.

[0022] In accordance with both aspects of the present disclosure, due to the first hinge member being mounted on the second hinge member, the hinge axes of both members are essentially arranged in the same plane. It is noted that a relatively small vertical distance may be present between the first and the second hinge axis, especially when the first hinge member is mounted to the second hinge member eccentrically of the second hinge axis.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure the first hinge member is mounted to the second hinge member below a centre line of said second hinge member. In other words, as stated in the above, the first hinge member may be mounted to the second hinge member eccentrically. It should go without saying that as an alternative to mounting the first hinge member below a centre line of the second hinge member, the first hinge member may be mounted at the centre line of the second hinge member, so that the hinge axes of both hinge members, cross each other and span a plane. It should go without saying that further alternatively the first hinge member may be mounted above said centre line. In practical embodiments, as the first hinge member is mounted on the second hinge member, a diameter of the second hinge member will typically be larger than a diameter of the first hinge member.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure an axle is mounted to the second hinge member, the axle extending in a direction parallel to the second hinge axis, the axle moveable along with the hinge member at a distance from the second hinge axis, a movement of the axle being directly transferred to the tool angle control member for tilting the tools. The axle, due to the fact that it is mounted at a distance from the hinge axis, does not rotate about its own axis but rather moves in a (semi) O-shaped trajectory, in particular a U-shaped trajectory, when the hinge member hinges about the second hinge axis. In this trajectory, the axle moves upwards and downwards, which upwards and downwards movement may be transferred to the tool angle control member for altering an inclination of the tools by directly connecting the tool angle control member and a coupling element that is manipulated by the upwards / downwards movement of the axle. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure a forwards and / or backwards movement of the top part with respect to a working direction of the cleaning device invokes the tools to be tilted, wherein optionally a sidewards movement of the top part with respect to the working direction of the cleaning device does not affect the tool inclination angle. Whereas it may be beneficial when the inclination angle of the tools, and thus the forwards speed of the cleaning device, changes with the forward / backward orientation of the top part, see WO2022 / 039591A1 which for that aspect is herewith incorporated by reference, such a change in speed may be unwanted when the top part is moved sidewards I when the frame with tools is pushed sidewards. In this way, the speed of the cleaning device remains substantially the same when the device is moved purely sidewards.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure the inclination angles of the tools are synchronised when the top part is pivoted about its neutral position. In such an embodiment the cleaning device will always propel itself forwards, so that any desired sidewards movement must be introduced by a user of the cleaning device e.g. by manipulating the handle and pushing I pulling the frame sidewards. Such a solution may advantageously make control of the cleaning device most intuitive for users.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure the first hinge axis is aligned with a working direction of the cleaning device. Alternatively the second hinge axis may be aligned with a working direction of the cleaning device. Alternatively both hinge axes may be aligned transverse to a working direction of the cleaning device.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure the tools are rotatable about a tool rotation axis that is arranged substantially normal to the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning device preferably having two cleaning tools that are counterrotatable with respect to each other. In practical embodiments, when the inclination angle of the tools is varied, also the rotation axis of the tools varies, whereas the normal to the surface to be cleaned will remain in the same orientation when the surface is flat. When the tools counter-rotate and are inclined with respect to the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning device will propel itself without the user needing to push the cleaning device. This effect has already been explained in WO2022 / 039591A1 , which publication is incorporated by reference for that purpose.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure the cleaning device is a scrubber-drier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0029] These and other elements of the present disclosure will now be elucidated further with reference to the attached Figures. In these Figures, same and like elements are denominated with the same reference numerals, wherein:

[0030] Figure 1 schematically shows an isometric view of a non-limiting embodiment of a cleaning device according to the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2 schematically shows a front view of the cleaning device of Figure 1 ;

[0032] Figure 3 schematically shows a more detailed view of the lower side of the cleaning device of Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 4 schematically shows a frame of the cleaning device of Figure 1 in isolation of the top part;

[0034] Figure 5 schematically shows the lower side of the top part of the cleaning device of Figure 1 , in isolation of the frame; and

[0035] Figure 6 schematically shows a portion of the frame of Figure 4.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0037] Starting off with Figures 1 and 2, which will be described in conjunction, shown is a cleaning device 1 for cleaning surfaces S, in particular floors, of all kinds of make and construction; including but not limited to concrete, tiles, PVC, marble, etc. The cleaning device 1 is shown in isometric view in Figure 1 whereas it is shown in front view in Figure 2. The cleaning device 1 shown here is known as a scrubber-drier, and will be referred to as such in the remainder of this description.

[0038] Working from top to bottom, the scrubber-drier 1 comprises a handle 121 with which a user can hold and steer the scrubber-drier 1 . The handle 121 is an element of the top part 12, by manipulation of which the top part 12 can be pivoted sidewards as shown by arrows SW and / or forwards and backwards as shown by arrows F and B by means of a bearing member 17 that will be described in more detail below. The top part 12 may not only be moved backwards B, forwards F or sidewards SW, but also combinations of backwards B and sidewards SW or forwards F and sidewards SW movements are possible, so that the top part 12 may essentially be moved inside a cone defined around its neutral position N. When not manipulated, as shown here, the top part 12 is in said neutral position N in which it is arranged substantially along a line normal to the surface S to be cleaned.

[0039] Attached to the top part 12 are a clean water tank 13 and a dirty water tank 14, respectively for storing clean water with which the surface S may be cleaned and for storing dirty water with which the surface S has been cleaned.

[0040] Via the bearing member 17 of frame 11 , that will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 6, the top part 12 is connected to a frame 11 , the frame 11 itself being shown in more detail in Figure 3 (in full) and Figure 4 (selected portions only).

[0041] The frame 11 includes a spray element 15 in fluid communication with the clean water tank 13. The spray element 15 takes water from the clean water tank 13 and sprays it on the surface S to be cleaned, so that tools 111 may scrub the surface S. As the scrubber-drier 1 moves in the working direction generally indicated by arrow W, after water is sprayed on the surface S the surface S will be scrubbed by tools 111. After the surface S has been scrubbed a suction element 16, arranged behind the tools 111 and in fluid communication with the dirty water tank 14, sucks up the (now) dirty water, containing a mixture of the clean water and any dirt scrubbed off of the surface S. Hence the name “scrubber-drier”.

[0042] Other visible elements associated with the frame 11 , but not necessarily present on all scrubber-driers 1 that benefit from the technical principle as described herein, are releasable weights 19 for pressing the tools 111 on the surface S, a battery pack 20 for providing electrical energy to the scrubber-drier 1 and tool drives 21 for driving the tools 111.

[0043] Shown especially in Figure 2 is how the tools 111 are slightly inclined with respect to the surface S to be cleaned, at inclination angle a. As is deemed known to one skilled in the art, when the tools 111 are inclined and counter-rotate about rotation axis R, they propel the scrubber-drier 1 forwards without the user needing to push the scrubber-drier 1. As will be described in the below with reference to Figure 6 in particular, the inclination angle a of the tools 111 is variable by manipulation of the top part 12, so that also the speed with which the scrubber-drier 1 propels itself is variable. During one cleaning cycle, in which a particular is surface is cleaned, an operator may actively vary the inclination angle of the tools and thereby the speed with which the cleaning device is propelled - e.g. to allow spot cleaning.

[0044] T urning now to Figure 4, in which the frame 11 is shown in isolation of the top part 12, the bearing member 17 and coupling element 18 are better visible. Bearing member 17, in particular, is integrated with the frame 11 and connects the top part 12 to the frame 11. It is the bearing member 17 which provides the pivotability of the top part 12 with respect to the frame 11. The bearing member 17, as shown, defines two hinge axes HA1 , HA2 about which the top part 12 may be hinged when it is mounted to the bearing member 17. The first hinge axis HA1 , which generally corresponds in orientation to the working direction W of the scrubber-drier, is defined by a first hinge member 171 , to which the top part 12 can be mounted as follows from Figure 5. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, when the top part 12 is mounted to the bearing member 17, pivoting the top part 12 in a sidewards direction may be achieved by moving the handle to the side, upon which first hinge member 171 rotates about its hinge axis HA1.

[0045] The first hinge member 171 is itself mounted on a second hinge axis 172, for which a second hinge axis HA2 is defined. The second hinge axis HA2 is arranged perpendicular to the first hinge axis HA1 and, due to the fact that the first hinge member 171 is mounted on the second hinge member 172, the hinge axes HA1 , HA2 are essentially arranged in the same (horizontal) plane. In the embodiment shown here, the first hinge member 171 is even mounted somewhat below a centre line of the second hinge member 172, so that the hinge axes HA1 , HA2 do not cross but so that the first hinge axis HA1 is arranged somewhat below the second hinge axis HA2.

[0046] Due to the specific construction of the bearing member 17 with a first hinge member 171 mounted on a second hinge member 172, when the handle is now moved backwards or forwards, both top part 12 and first hinge member 171 will hinge about the second hinge axis HA2 and the top part 12 can be moved backwards and forwards.

[0047] Turning now to Figure 6, first of all the sidewards SW and forwards F I backwards B movement of the top part 12 by rotation about the hinges axes HA1 , HA2 that is described above is indicated by arrows SW, B and F.

[0048] Further shown in Figure 6 are a tool rotation axis 112 (but not the tools itself, as they would obstruct the view of some of the components here shown), one for each tool, and tool control members 113, also one for each tool. Further visible in Figure 6 are an axle 173 and a coupling element 18. Axle 173 is mounted to the second hinge member 172, and extends in a direction parallel to the second hinge axis HA2 below said axis HA2, so that the head of axle 173 moves in a circular motion when the top part is moved backwards B or forwards F about second hinge axis HA2. Note however that the axle 173 is mounted inside coupling element 18 and is limited in its movement to a generally U-shaped movement trajectory. Movement of the top part in a forwards / backwards direction F / B is now mechanically coupled to a change in the inclination angle of the tools due to said axle 173 and its placement in coupling element 18. Specifically, forwards / backwards movement of the top part rotates the second hinge element 172 and axle 173, about hinge axis HA2 which makes the axle 173 go up in the U-shaped trajectory. The upwards movement of the axle 173 pulls up coupling element 18 as well as tool angle control member 113 which is rigidly connected to the coupling element 18. One can appreciate that if tool angle control member 113 is moved up, the inclination angle of the tools may be changed.

[0049] It is noted that the mechanical coupling of the top part orientation to a change in the inclination angle of the tools is in the shown embodiment only effective in the forwards F I backwards B movement direction, so that moving the top part sidewards will have no principle effect on the inclination angle of the tools. Obviously such a sidewards movement will not change the position of axle 173, and no other coupling between the top part and the tool angle control member 113 is here implemented

[0050] It is noted that the U-shaped trajectory in which the axle 173 moves inside coupling element 18 may of course be altered and be made more shallow or more steep, or even be given a different shape (e.g. an S-shape) so that the precise coupling between the movement of the top part has a different effect on the change in inclination angle of the tools than described I shown here.

[0051] It is noted that the axle 173 in the shown embodiment extends continuously and in one part from the left-hand side of the bearing member 17 to the right-hand side of the bearing member 17, so that any change in the inclination angle of the tools is synchronised.

[0052] In Figures 1 - 6 a coupling member 18 mechanically couples the orientation of the top part 12 to the inclination angle a of the tools 111. In a non-shown alternative embodiment the mechanical coupling member 18 may be replaced by an inclination sensor and a controller that are arranged in communication with each other. In such an alternative embodiment the inclination sensor monitors an orientation of the top part and the controller controls an inclination angle of the tools depending on the orientation of the top part as obtained from the inclination sensor.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cleaning device (1) for cleaning surfaces (S), comprising: a frame (11) including cleaning tools (111), the cleaning tools (111) tiltable about a tool tilt axis (112) via a tool angle control member (113), so that an inclination angle (a) of the tools (111) with respect to the surface (S) to be cleaned is variable; a top part (12) including a handle (121) for manually holding the cleaning device (1), the top part (12) pivotable with respect to a neutral position (N) thereof; a clean water tank (13) for storing clean water, the clean water tank (13) mounted to the top part (12); a dirty water tank (14) for storing dirty water, the dirty water tank (14) mounted to the top part (12); a spray element (15) for spraying water and / or a cleaning agent onto the surface (S) to be cleaned, the spray element (15) arranged in fluid communication with the clean water tank (13); a suction element (16) for sucking up dirty water with which the surface has been cleaned, the suction element (16) mounted behind the tools (111) and arranged in fluid communication with the dirty water tank (14); a bearing member (17), integrated with the frame (11), for connecting the top part (12) to the frame (11) and for providing the pivotability of said top part (12); a coupling element (18), for coupling the inclination angle (a) of the tools (111) to an orientation of the top part (12), wherein the bearing member (17) comprises a first hinge member (171) to which the top part (12) is mounted, the first hinge member (171) allowing the top part (12) to be hinged about a first top part hinge axis (HA1), the first hinge member (171) mounted on a second hinge member (172) that may be hinged about a second top part hinge axis (HA2) which is perpendicular to the first top part hinge axis (HA1), so that both top part hinge axes (HA1 , HA2) are essentially arranged in the same plane.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the first hinge member (171) is mounted to the second hinge member (172) below a centre line (HA2) of said second hinge member (172).

3. The cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an axle (173) is mounted to the second hinge member (172), the axle (173) extending in a direction parallel to the second top part hinge axis (HA2), the axle (173) moveable along with the second hinge member (172) at a distance from the second top part hinge axis (HA2), wherein a movement of the axle (173) is directly transferred to the tool angle control member (113) for tilting the tools (111).

4. The cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a forwards (F) and / or backwards (B) movement of the top part (12) with respect to a working direction (W) of the cleaning device (1) invokes the tools (111) to be tilted, wherein optionally a sidewards movement (SW) of the top part (12) with respect to the working direction (W) of the cleaning device (1) does not affect the tool inclination angle (a).

5. The cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inclination angles (a) of the tools (111) are synchronised when the top part (12) is pivoted about its neutral position (N).

6. The cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first top part hinge axis (HA1) is aligned with a working direction (W) of the cleaning device (1).

7. The cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tools (111) are rotatable about a tool rotation axis (R) that is arranged substantially normal to the surface (S) to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning device (1) preferably has two cleaning tools (111) that are counter-rotatable with respect to each other.

8. The cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (1) is a scrubber-drier.

9. A cleaning device (1) for cleaning surfaces (S), comprising: a frame (11) including cleaning tools (111), the cleaning tools (111) tiltable about a tool tilt axis (112) via a tool angle control member (113), so that an inclination angle (a) of the tools (111) with respect to the surface (S) to be cleaned is variable; a top part (12) including a handle (121) for manually holding the cleaning device (1), the top part (12) pivotable with respect to a neutral position (N) thereof; a clean water tank (13) for storing clean water, the clean water tank (13) mounted to the top part (12); a dirty water tank (14) for storing dirty water, the dirty water tank (14) mounted to the top part (12); a spray element (15) for spraying water and / or a cleaning agent onto the surface (S) to be cleaned, the spray element (15) arranged in fluid communication with the clean water tank (13); a suction element (16) for sucking up dirty water with which the surface has been cleaned, the suction element (16) mounted behind the tools (111) and arranged in fluid communication with the dirty water tank (14); a bearing member (17), integrated with the frame (11), for connecting the top part (12) to the frame (11) and for providing the pivotability of said top part (12); an inclination sensor, for monitoring an orientation of the top part (12); and a controller, in communication with the inclination sensor and the tool angle control member, the controller controlling an inclination angle of the tools depending on the orientation of the top part, wherein the bearing member (17) comprises a first hinge member (171) to which the top part (12) is mounted, the first hinge member (171) allowing the top part (12) to be hinged about a first top part hinge axis (HA1), the first hinge member (171) mounted on a second hinge member (172) that may be hinged about a second top part hinge axis (HA2) which is perpendicular to the first top part hinge axis (HA1), so that both top part hinge axes (HA1 , HA2) are essentially arranged in the same plane.

Images