Dehumidifying device for dehumidifying a wiping cloth of a cleaning appliance

The dehumidifying device addresses the issue of contamination by using a sleeve guide and inclined sleeves with guide pins to prevent dirty water entry, ensuring effective and reliable operation.

EP4702911A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-03-04CARL FREUDENBERG KG
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2025194579
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-08-27
Filing Date
2025-08-07
Publication Date
2026-03-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing dehumidifying devices for mop covers in cleaning systems suffer from contamination by dirty water, which enters the outer wall and guide elements, leading to flooding and contamination of the dehumidification device.

Method used

A dehumidifying device with a sleeve guide that holds and guides the scraper, allowing it to move linearly between narrowing and widening positions, with the scraper positioned below the sleeve opening to prevent liquid entry, and incorporating inclined sleeves and guide pins to support the wiper and cover element, along with a drip edge to direct liquid away from the sleeve guide.

Benefits of technology

Prevents contamination of the sleeve guide and underlying components by ensuring that dirty water does not enter the sleeve, reducing the risk of tilting and effectively managing liquid during the wringing process.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A dehumidifying device (10) for dehumidifying a mop cover on a carrier plate of a cleaning device is described, comprising a frame (20) with a wringing slot (30) into which the carrier plate with the mop cover can be inserted, and at least one scraper (40) arranged laterally to the wringing slot (30) with a scraper (41) for removing liquid from the mop cover, wherein a sleeve guide is provided for holding and guiding the scraper (40) on the frame (20), by means of which the scraper (41) can be linearly displaced back and forth between a wringing position narrowing the wringing slot (30) and a position widening the wringing slot (30), and wherein the sleeve guide comprises at least one sleeve (50a, 50b) with an opening and at least one guide pin (60a) that can be inserted through the opening and is slidably mounted in the sleeve (50a, 50b). 60b).According to the invention, the wiper (41) is arranged relative to the opening of the sleeve (50a, 50b) in such a way that no liquid can enter the opening when liquid is wiped from the wiper cover.
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Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a dehumidifying device for dehumidifying a mop cover on a carrier plate of a cleaning device, comprising a frame with a wringing slot into which the carrier plate with the mop cover can be inserted, and at least one scraper device arranged laterally to the wringing slot with a scraper for removing liquid from the mop cover, wherein a sleeve guide is provided between the scraper device and the frame, by means of which the scraper can be linearly displaced back and forth between a wringing position narrowing the wringing slot and a position widening the wringing slot, and wherein the sleeve guide comprises at least one sleeve with an opening and at least one guide pin that can be inserted through the opening and is slidably mounted in the sleeve. State of the art

[0002] From EP 3 446 613 B1, a cleaning system is known which comprises a cleaning device and a bucket with a cleaning and dehumidifying unit for the cleaning device. The cleaning device is a flat wiper with a carrier plate, a wiper cover mounted on it, and a handle connected to the carrier plate via a gimbal-like joint. The cleaning and dehumidifying units are designed as separate components. The dehumidifying unit is mounted on the bucket and has a wringing slot in which a scraper is slidably mounted. The scraper is guided in laterally arranged, inclined guide grooves. The inclination is designed such that when the scraper is moved downwards, it narrows the wringing slot, and when it is moved upwards, it widens the wringing slot.

[0003] To wring out the mop, the backing plate of the flat mop, with the mop head attached, is rotated into a vertical position parallel to the handle and inserted into the wringing slot with the narrow side first. The wiper blade, which is mounted on a linear sliding mechanism, is then pressed downwards by the mop head into the horizontal wringing position, narrowing the wringing slot. The mop head is guided along the wiper blade in the slot and dehumidified by wiping off the liquid. When the mop head is pulled out of the slot, the frictional force of the mop head pulls the wiper blade upwards, moving it into a position above the wringing point that widens the wringing slot. This makes it easier to remove the flat mop and prevents the bucket from being pulled upwards and lifting off.The next time the flat wiper is inserted, the scraper is pushed downwards again towards the wringing position, or it moves back into the wringing position on its own due to gravity.

[0004] A disadvantage of the known dehumidifying device is that when the liquid is wiped from the wiper cover, especially in the case of dirty water, the entire assembly consisting of the wiper and its holder within the frame becomes flooded with liquid. In particular, dirty water can also escape through the lateral guide grooves and contaminate the outer lateral wall of the dehumidifying device in the area where the wiper is guided, including its grooves and edges.

[0005] In a commercially available cleaning system similar to the one described above, a sleeve guide is provided between the scraper and the frame. This guide allows the scraper to be moved linearly back and forth at an angle between the wringing position that narrows the wringing gap and the position that widens it. The sleeve guide has an opening and a guide pin that slides through the opening and to which the scraper is attached. However, with this cleaning system as well, dirty water can also enter the sleeve.

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of further developing a dehumidification device of the type mentioned above in such a way that contamination of the dehumidification device in the area of ​​the outer wall and the guide elements with dirty water is reliably avoided. Description of the invention

[0007] This problem is solved by a dehumidification device having all the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] A dehumidifying device according to the invention for dehumidifying a mop cover on a carrier plate of a cleaning device comprises a frame with a wringing slot into which the carrier plate with the mop cover can be inserted, and at least one scraper arranged laterally to the wringing slot with a scraper for removing liquid from the mop cover. A sleeve guide is provided for holding and guiding the scraper on the frame, by means of which the scraper can be linearly displaced back and forth between a wringing position that narrows the wringing slot and a position that widens the wringing slot. The sleeve guide comprises at least one sleeve with an opening and at least one guide pin slidably mounted in the sleeve.According to the invention, the wiper is arranged in the wringing position relative to the opening of the sleeve in such a way that no liquid can enter the opening of the sleeve when wiping liquid from the wiper cover.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the scraper is arranged in the wringing position below the opening of the at least one sleeve with respect to the vertical.

[0010] It has surprisingly been shown that this simple measure alone can prevent contamination of the sleeve guide and the underlying components with dirty water.

[0011] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the sleeve guide comprises two sleeves arranged side by side and associated guide pins for supporting and guiding the wiper device. This measure significantly reduces the risk of the wiper device tilting when inserting and removing the carrier plate with the wiper cover.

[0012] Sleeves and pins are inclined relative to the vertical in a manner known per se such that, during a linear movement of the wiper, the narrowing or widening of the wringing gap described above is achieved.

[0013] Preferably, the sleeves are arranged on the frame, and the guide pins on the scraper device. This has the advantage that the scraper device can be easily inserted into the sleeves from above using the guide pins.

[0014] The geometry of the sleeves and guide pins is freely selectable. The cross-sections of the sleeve openings and the guide pins only need to be matched so that the guide pins can slide in the sleeves without tilting.

[0015] The wiping device comprises at least one wiper. The wiper preferably has the shape of a rectangular plate with a wiping edge on the side facing the wringing gap. Preferably, the wiping device further comprises a cover element connected to the wiper, which covers the area above the openings of the sleeves. It has proven advantageous if the guide pins engage the cover element and the wiper is fixed to the side of the cover element facing the wringing gap and extends from there into the wringing gap. In this preferred embodiment, the guide pins move both the wiper and the cover element. The cover element is preferably dimensioned such that it covers the entire area of ​​the sleeve guide upwards, so that, for example, liquid dripping from the wiper cover cannot drip into the sleeve guide.

[0016] In this preferred embodiment, the cover element simultaneously acts as a stop to prevent the wiper from moving downwards into the wringing gap. The downward movement is limited by the cover element resting on the upper ends of the sleeves. The geometry and dimensions are selected such that the wiper is in the wringing position when the cover element rests on the upper ends of the sleeves. The wiper and the cover element can, for example, be arranged side by side in the same plane. However, this does not reliably prevent the wiper from wiping under the cover element and dirty water from entering the sleeves when liquid is being wiped from the mop head in the wringing position.

[0017] Preferably, the wiper is therefore positioned offset downwards relative to the cover element, so that when the cover element is placed on top and the wiper reaches its wringing position, it is located below the openings of the sleeves. This reliably prevents dirty water from entering the sleeves when wiping the liquid from the mop head.

[0018] Preferably, the wiper, the cover element and the guide pins are made of a single material and are formed in one piece.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover element and the scraper have a downwardly extending drip edge on the outer circumferential edge.

[0020] The drip edge prevents dirty water from creeping around the edge of the cover element and the scraper, thus preventing it from dripping into the sleeve guide area and, in particular, into the sleeve openings, and contaminating them. The dirty water drips vertically downwards from the drip edges, for example, into a designated compartment of a bucket. Drip edges themselves are known. A suitable geometry and dimensions can easily be found without requiring any inventive work by a person skilled in the art. Brief description of the drawing

[0021] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0022] They show Fig. 1: A cleaning system comprising a cleaning container with a cleaning area and a dehumidifying area and a flat wiper with a wiper cover during dehumidification of the wiper cover according to the prior art; Fig. 2: In a perspective view obliquely from above, a dehumidifying device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with a partially raised wiper mechanism; Fig. 3: In the same view as Fig. 1 the dehumidification device with retracted scraper; Fig. 4: in perspective view obliquely from below the scraper according to the preferred embodiment of the Fign. 1 and 2 . Implementation of the invention

[0023] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows, without limitation of generality, an exemplary cleaning system 1 according to the prior art, in which a dehumidification device according to the invention can be used. The illustrated cleaning system 1 has a cleaning container 2. In The cleaning container 2 includes, by way of example, a cleaning area 3 (not described in detail here) and a dehumidifying device 4. In The dehumidifying device 4 incorporates a flat mop 5 with a carrier plate 6 and a mop cover 7 for wiping away liquid. The handle 8 of the flat mop and the universal joint 9 are also visible.

[0024] The dehumidification device 4 can be a dehumidification device according to the invention. This can be easily placed on the cleaning container 2 and secured there, for example, by means of locking devices.

[0025] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a dehumidification device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The illustrated dehumidification device 10 has a frame 20 with a wringing gap 30, in which, as shown in Figure 10, a dehumidification device 10 is placed. Fig. 1 As shown, a carrier plate (not shown here) with a wiper cover can be inserted from above. In In the wringing gap 30, without limitation of generality, a wiping device 40 is arranged laterally to the wringing gap 30. This device comprises a wiper 41 for removing liquid from the wiper cover and a cover element 70. The wiper 41 is arranged laterally to the cover element 70 and, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is offset downwards relative to it. The wiper 41 projects laterally into the wringing gap 30. Two guide pins 60a, 60b are arranged on the underside of the cover element 70. These guide pins support the cover element 70 with the wiper 41 and move it up and down together. The guide pins 60a, 60b are slidably mounted in associated sleeves 50a, 50b. It can be seen that the sleeves are arranged at an inclination to the vertical, in such a way that the wringing gap narrows during the downward movement through the scraper 41 and widens during the upward movement.

[0026] According to a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover element 70 and the wiper 41 in the illustrated embodiment have a drip edge 80 extending downwards around their outer circumferential edge. This prevents dirty water impacting the cover element 70 or the wiper 41 from creeping around the outer circumferential edge and thus entering the openings of the sleeves 50a, 50b and contaminating them.

[0027] Fig. 3 The dehumidification device is shown Fig. 2 with retracted scraper device 40. Identical parts are identified by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2 It is indicated that the cover element 70 covers the area of ​​the sleeve guide upwards.

[0028] Fig. 4Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a wiping device 40 according to the invention. The wiping device 40 has a wiper 41, which is designed as a rectangular plate with a wiping edge 42, and a cover element 70. The guide pins 60a, 60b are arranged on the underside of the cover element 70. Optional guide elements 90 with an upward movement limiter, which engage the frame (not shown here), are also visible. The drip edge 80 arranged on the outer circumference of the wiping device 40 is also visible.

Claims

1. Dehumidifying device (10) for dehumidifying a mop cover on a carrier plate of a cleaning device, comprising a frame (20) with a wringing slot (30) into which the carrier plate with the mop cover can be inserted, and at least one scraper device (40) arranged laterally to the wringing slot (30) with a scraper (41) for removing liquid from the mop cover, wherein a sleeve guide is provided for holding and guiding the scraper device (40) on the frame (20), by means of which the scraper (41) can be linearly displaced back and forth between a wringing position narrowing the wringing slot (30) and a position widening the wringing slot (30), and wherein the sleeve guide comprises at least one sleeve (50a, 50b) with an opening and at least one guide pin (60a) that can be inserted through the opening and is slidably mounted in the sleeve (50a, 50b). 60b) includes, characterized by the fact thatthe wiper (41) is arranged relative to the opening of the sleeve (50a, 50b) in such a way that no liquid enters the opening when liquid is wiped from the wiper cover.

2. Dehumidification device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact the scraper (41) is arranged in the wringing position relative to the vertical below the opening of the at least one sleeve-shaped element (50a, 50b).

3. Dehumidification device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the sleeve guide comprises two sleeves (50a, 50b) and associated guide pins (60a, 60b).

4. Dehumidification device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the sleeve-shaped elements (50a, 50b) are assigned to the frame (20) and the pins (60a, 60b) to the stripping device (30).

5. Dehumidification device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the scraping device (40) includes a cover element (70).

6. Dehumidification device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the scraper (41) and the cover element (70) have a drip edge (8) extending downwards around their outer circumferential edge.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Cleaning device of extrusion flat mop

    CN110522378A

  • Collodion mop cleaning barrel

    CN211299844U

  • Mop bucket for cleaning and wringing flat mop

    EP3446613B1