Scrubbing equipment for a floor cleaner

Abstract

A cleaning device for a floor cleaning machine comprises: a cleaning plate for cleaning the floor surface; a mechanism designed to move the cleaning plate relative to the floor cleaning machine transversely to its direction of travel, while simultaneously moving the cleaning plate vertically so that it is lifted off the floor surface in a first lateral position and placed on the floor surface in a second lateral position; and a drive for moving the cleaning plate relative to the floor cleaning machine.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiping device for a floor cleaner. In particular, the invention relates to a wiping device that can be deactivated when necessary.

[0002] A floor cleaner is designed to move autonomously across a floor surface, cleaning it as it goes. Cleaning can be done dry, using a vacuum system to remove dust and dirt particles. Alternatively, it can be wet-cleaned, for which a cleaning pad is attached to the floor cleaner. This pad is moved across the floor surface as the cleaner moves. The pad can be moistened with cleaning fluid from a dispenser.

[0003] In a typical household, not every floor surface is suitable for wet cleaning. For example, a parquet floor can be advantageously cleaned dry first and then wet, while a carpet should only be cleaned dry. Some floor cleaners have a removable attachment for wet cleaning. There have also been suggestions to attach a damp cleaning pad to a floor cleaner in a vertically movable position, allowing the cleaner to automatically control whether it's wet or dry cleaning.

[0004] For example, DE 2020 20 106 171 U1 proposes a mechanism for the vertical movement of a cleaning fleece on a floor cleaner.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2020 103 880 A1 discloses a cleaning robot with a drive unit for a cleaning element that performs a sweeping and mopping motion. WO 2006 / 046 049 A1, WO 2021 / 228 208 A1 and US 2020 / 0 383 547 A1 disclose cleaning robots with a laterally movable mopping plate. US 2022 / 0 104 677 A1 further discloses a movable and removable mopping unit.

[0006] Due to the space required for the cleaning pad's operating mechanism, this space typically does not extend to the side of the floor cleaner. Consequently, the floor cleaner cannot wet-clean a section of floor surface where there is an obstacle such as a wall or piece of furniture.

[0007] CN 113 287 975 A shows a wiping device for a floor cleaner, wherein the wiping device comprises a wiping plate and a drive for the wiping plate.

[0008] CN 113 133 722 A shows a wiping device for a floor cleaner, wherein a wiping plate of the wiping device is movable parallel to the direction of travel, i.e. against the direction of travel.

[0009] CN 215 424 439 U shows a wiping device for a floor cleaner, which includes the following: a mopping plate for cleaning a floor surface and a linkage designed to move the mopping plate relative to the floor cleaner at different times either laterally perpendicular to the direction of travel or vertically.

[0010] The mop plate can be lifted from the floor surface in a first lateral position and placed back on the floor surface in a second lateral position. Furthermore, a drive mechanism is provided for moving the mop plate relative to the floor cleaner.

[0011] One of the problems underlying the present invention is to provide an improved technique for the optional wet cleaning of a floor surface. The invention solves this problem by means of the subject matter of the independent claims. Dependent claims describe preferred embodiments.

[0012] Thus, a mopping device for a floor cleaner is provided, the mopping device comprising the following: a mop plate for cleaning a floor surface; a linkage designed to move the mop plate laterally relative to the floor cleaner in a transverse direction to its direction of travel, the mop plate being moved vertically at the same time so that it is lifted from the floor surface in a first lateral position and placed on the floor surface in a second lateral position, and wherein by moving the mop plate laterally the mop plate can be lowered onto the floor surface and simultaneously brought close to a lateral boundary of the floor cleaner; and a drive for moving the mop plate relative to the floor cleaner.

[0013] A wiping device for a floor cleaner comprises a wiping plate for cleaning a floor surface; a linkage designed to move the wiping plate laterally relative to the floor cleaner transversely to its direction of travel, while simultaneously moving the wiping plate vertically so that it is lifted from the floor surface in a first lateral position and placed on the floor surface in a second lateral position; and a drive for moving the wiping plate relative to the floor cleaner.

[0014] The mop head can be designed for damp cleaning of the floor surface. For this purpose, a cleaning pad can be attached to the mop head, which can be moistened with cleaning fluid from a dispenser. Here, a cleaning pad is understood to be an element designed to be moved across the floor surface to collect dirt. The cleaning pad is usually damp or can be moistened with fluid from a floor cleaner dispenser. Preferably, the cleaning pad is designed so that it can be easily attached to or removed from the mop head. For this purpose, a mounting frame, a mounting plate, or a hook-and-loop fastener can be provided on the cleaning pad. A corresponding mounting device can be provided on the mop head. The cleaning pad can be designed for single or multiple uses.The cleaning pad can also be called a cleaning cloth or cleaning cloth. Additionally, the floor cleaner may have a dry cleaning attachment, which may include a sweeping attachment or a vacuum attachment with a suction nozzle near the floor.

[0015] According to the invention, the mop plate can perform a first movement transverse to the direction of travel and a second movement in a vertical direction, the two movements being coupled to each other in a predetermined manner. In the first position, the mop plate can be located essentially in the center of the floor cleaner and perform no cleaning function on the floor surface. By moving the mop plate laterally, i.e., to the right or left, the mop plate can be lowered onto the floor surface and simultaneously brought close to a lateral boundary of the floor cleaner. Preferably, in the second position, the laterally deflected mop plate reaches a lateral outline of the floor cleaner or even extends beyond it. In this way, the floor surface can be cleaned very close to a lateral obstacle of the floor cleaner, which may, for example, be a wall or a piece of furniture.

[0016] Alternatively, the mopping plate can be positioned in a left or right second position, allowing for improved cleaning of the floor area around obstacles to the left or right. This simplifies the cleaning path of the floor cleaner. Complete cleaning of a larger floor area may require a shorter travel distance and / or less cleaning time.

[0017] The mop head can be displaced along a vertically curved path relative to the floor cleaner. This path can achieve a predetermined coupling between the vertical and horizontal movements of the mop head. The curve can be selected to establish a predetermined relationship. The linkage is preferably designed to maintain a constant orientation of the mop head along a predetermined lateral displacement path. This ensures that the mop head makes consistent contact with the floor surface, or does not make contact at all. The total displacement path can extend beyond the predetermined path between the first and second positions to a third position, as described in more detail below.

[0018] Preferably, a first and a second pivot point are provided, acting on laterally offset attachment points of the mop plate. The attachment points of the pivot points on the floor cleaner can also be laterally offset from each other. The two pivot points allow for improved control of the mop plate's alignment with respect to the floor cleaner, in addition to its relative position.

[0019] The linkage can comprise at least one groove and at least one T-nut that is slidable along the groove. The T-nut can include a wheel or roller that can roll in the groove. The groove can be located on the floor cleaner and the T-nut on the mop head, or vice versa. The T-nut can be designed as a sliding element or guided with low friction in the groove by means of a wheel. The groove can be slightly curved along a predetermined curve to establish a desired relationship between the lateral and vertical movement of the mop head. Preferably, the groove lies in a plane that runs transversely to the direction of travel of the floor cleaner and extends vertically.

[0020] More than one T-nut can be guided in a single groove. The T-nuts can be offset along the groove in the lateral direction of the floor cleaner. This allows for a compact and cost-effective linkage. The mop head can be aligned parallel to the floor surface in both the first and second positions and can be temporarily tilted around a longitudinal axis of the floor cleaner when moving between these positions.

[0021] In a further embodiment, an additional groove with a further T-nut is provided between the mop head and the floor cleaner, wherein the additional groove is offset from the aforementioned groove in the direction of travel. This allows the mop head to be more securely fixed around a transverse axis of the floor cleaner. Forces acting in the longitudinal direction, for example when the lowered mop head is guided across the floor surface, can be transmitted more effectively to the floor cleaner.

[0022] In one version, the linkage includes a linear guide, for example in the form of a belt drive or a spindle drive. A vertical pin can be provided on the wiper plate to engage with a moving part of the linear guide. This ensures particularly smooth horizontal movement. The wiper plate can be easily detached from the linear guide.

[0023] The drive can comprise a gear mounted opposite the floor cleaner and a rack mounted on the mop head. The gear can be driven by a drive motor, preferably mounted on the floor cleaner, which may include an electric motor with an optional gearbox. The rack can be bent vertically to allow movement of the mop head. In one embodiment, a vertically or longitudinally acting force can be transmitted between the rack and the gear, enabling the drive to assist in fixing the mop head relative to the floor cleaner. In another embodiment, the linkage is designed such that vertical or longitudinal forces are transmitted essentially via elements other than the rack and gear, thus potentially extending the service life of the drive.

[0024] The groove and the rack are preferably bent along corresponding curves. In one embodiment, the groove and the rack can also be structurally connected to each other, for example in an integrated component.

[0025] The linkage is preferably designed to move the mop plate laterally from the first position, through the second position, into a third position. In the third position, the mop plate is preferably lifted from the floor surface. It can also project beyond a lateral boundary of the floor cleaner in the area or at the location of the mopping device. The lateral boundary in the area of ​​the mopping device does not necessarily have to correspond to the lateral outline, which also includes an element of the floor cleaner located further laterally. In the third position, a section of the mop plate preferably projects laterally beyond the floor cleaner. This allows the mop plate or a cleaning element attached to the mop plate to be easily removed or attached without lifting or turning the floor cleaner over. This allows for quick, easy, and hygienic replacement of the cleaning element.The cleaning element cannot accidentally soil the floor surface. An operator does not need to touch the cleaning element on a dirty or wet area.

[0026] The mop head or a cleaning element connected to it, such as a mop pad, may be removable from the pivot point in the third position. Removal may be prevented in any position other than the third, for example, by a mechanical lock. The lock can be released for removal, for example, by manually pressing a button or latch. The button or latch may be inaccessible if the base plate is in any position other than the third.

[0027] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a locking mechanism is provided which is automatically released in the third position. The locking mechanism can, for example, comprise a vertical pin that engages in corresponding recesses in the cleaning element and the wiper plate, thus preventing release. The pin can be attached to a further cam block that engages in a further groove, the groove preferably being located on the floor cleaner. The further groove can be shaped such that, in the third position, the cam block pulls the pin out of one of the recesses to allow removal of the cleaning element. In one embodiment, the cleaning element is integrated with the wiper plate. The cleaning element can include a cleaning pad or be designed to accommodate one. Removal of the wiper pad from the wiper plate preferably occurs laterally.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a floor cleaner comprises a wiping device as described herein.

[0029] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a wiping device on a floor cleaner comprises steps of detecting an obstacle that laterally limits a floor area to be cleaned; of determining the position or direction of the obstacle with respect to a planned path; of laterally moving the mopping device and / or a mopping plate of the mopping device from a first lateral position in which it is lifted from the floor surface to a second lateral position in which it rests on the floor surface; and of moving the floor cleaner over the floor surface in such a way that the mopping device and / or the mopping plate of the mopping device is laterally facing the obstacle.

[0030] The method can be carried out using a floor cleaner with a wiping device described herein. The floor cleaner can include a processing unit for controlling the method. This processing unit can include a programmable microcomputer or microcontroller, and the method can be in the form of a computer program product with program code. The computer program product can also be stored on a computer-readable data carrier. Features or advantages of the method can be transferred to the wiping device or the floor cleaner, or vice versa.

[0031] The floor cleaner can also be used to clean a floor surface with the mopping attachment if there are no obstacles nearby. To do this, the mopping plate can be moved to a right or left position and lowered onto the floor surface. The floor surface can then be cleaned in a meandering pattern, taking into account the lateral direction in which the mopping plate is moved.

[0032] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a floor cleaner with a mopping device; Figure 2 shows a mopping device for a floor cleaner; Figure 3 shows a mopping device for a floor cleaner in a further embodiment; Figure 4 shows a mopping device in various positions in cross-sections; Figure 5 shows a mopping device in various positions in longitudinal sections; Figure 6 shows a mopping device in a further embodiment; and Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling a mopping device This represents the sub-figures. Sub-figures designated by numbers and lowercase letters are assigned to the respective numerically indicated figure. For example, it includes Figure 1 sub-figures 1a and 1b.

[0033] Figure 1 shows a floor cleaner 100 with a mopping device 105. Figure 1a shows the floor cleaner 100 and Figure 1bThe mopping device 105. The floor cleaner 100 is preferably designed to automatically clean a floor surface 110. For this purpose, it includes drive wheels 115, which can be driven by means of associated drives, and optional support wheels 120. When traveling straight ahead, the floor cleaner 100 moves along a direction of travel 125 parallel to its own longitudinal axis.

[0034] At the front of the vehicle, in the direction of travel 125, is a first cleaning device 130 for dry cleaning, and at the rear of the vehicle, in the direction of travel 125, is a second cleaning device 135 for wet cleaning. The first cleaning device 130 can, for example, include a brush roller and / or a suction device. The cleaning devices 130 and 135 can also be positioned differently on the floor cleaner 100 than shown.

[0035] The second cleaning device 135 is preferably designed as a wiping device 105 and may include a tank 145 for holding a cleaning fluid. A wiping pad 155 may be attached to a wiping plate 150 on the underside of the wiping device 105. The wiping pad 155 may comprise a cloth or a cushion that can be attached directly to the wiping plate 150 or by means of a frame. The wiping device 105 is designed to be removable from the floor cleaner 100. For this purpose, the floor cleaner 100 and the wiping device 105 each include a positive and a negative prism guide 140, respectively, which can be inserted into one another.

[0036] It is proposed to design the wiping device 105 such that the wiper plate 150 can be moved laterally, i.e., in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of travel 125, while simultaneously moving vertically. The movement should occur such that the wiper plate 150 is lifted from the floor surface 110 in a first position as shown, and is lowered onto the floor surface 110 in a second position when moved laterally to the left or right.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a wiping device 105 for a floor cleaner 100 in a first embodiment. Figure 2a shows an upper section 205 and Figure 2b a lower section 210 of the wiping device 105.

[0038] The wiper plate 150 is attached to the floor cleaner 100 by means of a linkage 215. In this example, the linkage 215 is attached at the top to the tank 145, which can be connected to the floor cleaner 100 via the prism guides 140. Below, the linkage 215 is shown directly connected to the wiper plate 150.

[0039] The linkage 215 comprises three cam guides, each with a groove 220 and a T-nut 225 that is slidable in the groove 220. The cam guides are arranged offset along the direction of travel 125 and are essentially identical in construction. In another embodiment, only one cam guide may be provided. The T-nuts 225 can each be guided in the groove 220 by means of a sliding fit or, as shown, by means of a wheel 230. The groove 220 is preferably open in the horizontal direction so that it can transmit forces in both vertical directions to the T-nut 225. In the case of multiple grooves 220, the openings of two of the grooves 220 are preferably located in opposite horizontal directions so that the lower section 210 can be securely held against the upper section 205 by means of the cam guides.

[0040] The linkage 215 further comprises a drive 235, which can be configured in various ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive 235 comprises a rack 240 and a gear 245, which can be driven by an electric motor 250 and an optional gearbox 255. In the illustrated embodiment, the rack 240 adjoins, for example, an optional web 260 extending vertically in the longitudinal direction. An element of the lower section 210 can bear against the web 260 in the vertical direction, in the direction of travel 125 or against the direction of travel 125, thus providing further improved guidance to the upper section 205. The gear 245 can also bear axially against the web 260. The web 260 can be configured as the rear face of the third groove 220.

[0041] The grooves 220, the rack 240, and the web 260 preferably run parallel to each other in pairs and are further preferably congruently shaped. In particular, the three elements 220, 240, and 260 can each follow a curved path extending transversely to the direction of travel 125 and in a vertical direction. The path is designed such that the wiper plate 150 can be moved laterally along the path relative to the upper section 205 of the wiping device 105, with the distance between the wiper plate 150 and the floor surface 110 changing depending on the lateral position. In a further embodiment, the paths are selected such that the alignment of the wiper plate 150 relative to the floor surface 110 or the floor cleaner 100 occurs in a predetermined manner via the lateral movement.

[0042] Preferably, a first position is provided in which the mop plate 150 can be located substantially centrally to the floor cleaner 100, and a second position is offset laterally relative to the first position. More preferably, two second positions are provided, located on opposite sides with respect to the first position. In the first position, the mop plate 150 is lifted from the floor surface 110, and in the second position, it is lowered onto the floor surface 110.

[0043] Additionally, a third position can be provided, which lies beyond a second position from the first position. In the third position, the wiping plate 150 is again lifted from the floor surface 110; furthermore, the wiping plate 150 preferably projects beyond a lateral boundary of the floor cleaner 100 in the area of ​​the wiping device 105. The third position can be used to remove or attach the wiping plate 150 or a wiping pad 155 connected to it while the floor cleaner 100 is on the floor surface 110. A further third position can be provided, located on the opposite side with respect to the direction of travel 125, so that the second positions lie between the third positions.

[0044] Figure 3 shows a wiping device 105 for a floor cleaner 100 in a further embodiment. Figure 3a shows an upper section 205 and Figure 3ba lower section 210 of the wiping device 105.

[0045] Unlike the one in Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the drive 235 here comprises, for example, a linear guide 305, which may include a belt drive or a spindle drive, with a slide 310 that can be moved laterally along a straight line, and a pin 315 that can engage vertically in the slide 310. The connection between the pin 315 and the slide 310 may allow a certain amount of vertical play.

[0046] Furthermore, the cleaning pad 155 can be removed from the cleaning plate 150 by pulling it out or pushing it in laterally. A connection similar to the prism guides 140 can be formed between the cleaning plate 150 and the cleaning pad 155. A manual or automatic locking mechanism 320 can be provided to secure the cleaning pad 155 to the cleaning plate 150. The manual locking mechanism 320 can comprise a lever or button, preferably accessible on the upper side of a section of the cleaning plate 150 that projects beyond the lateral boundary of the floor cleaner 100 when the cleaning plate 150 is in the third position.

[0047] The illustrated automatic locking mechanism 320 comprises a pin 270 that extends through recesses in the mop plate 150 and the cleaning pad 155, thus preventing lateral relative movement by means of a positive locking mechanism. The pin 270 is connected to a further cam guide, which includes a groove 275 and a cam block 280 guided in the groove 275. The groove 275 extends laterally along the floor cleaner 100 and is curved vertically such that it pulls the pin 270 out of the cleaning pad 155 when the mop plate 150 is in the third position. In all other positions, the pin 270 can be retracted.

[0048] The function of the depicted locking mechanism in conjunction with the movement of the mop plate 150 relative to the floor cleaner 100 will now be described with reference to the Figure 4 and 5 described. Figure 4shows cross-sections through a wiping device 105 on a floor cleaner 100 and Figure 5 This shows corresponding longitudinal sections. Section planes of subfigures 5 are shown in corresponding subfigures 4 (BB).

[0049] In Figure 4a and 5a The mop plate 150 is in the third position. The pin 270 is raised, allowing the mop pad 155 to be pulled laterally out of its guide on the mop plate 150. Simultaneously, the mop plate 150 is raised, preferably so that the mop pad 155 is lifted as far as possible from the floor surface 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the mop plate 150 is held parallel to the floor surface 110; in another embodiment, the edge of the mop plate 150 that lies in the direction in which the mop plate 150 is laterally displaced relative to the first position can be raised higher than the other edge.

[0050] In Figure 4b , 5bWith respect to the direction of travel 125, the wiper plate 150 is in the second left position. The pin 270 is lowered and locks the wiper pad 155 to the wiper plate 150. The wiper plate 150 is lowered so that the wiper pad 155 is in contact with the floor surface 110 and preferably lies flat on the floor surface 110 with its underside.

[0051] In Figure 4c , 5cThe mop plate 150 is in the first position, essentially centered on a longitudinal axis of the floor cleaner 100. The pin 270 is lowered and the mop plate 150 is raised so that the mop pad 155 has no contact with the floor surface 115. The mop pad 155 is preferably held horizontally above the floor surface 115. In one embodiment, the mop plate 150 is raised just far enough that the mop pad 155 has reliably lost contact with the floor surface 115. Generally, the mop plate 150 can be raised so far that a predetermined distance is established between the mop pad 155 and the floor surface 115, for example, approximately 5 mm or approximately 10 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the underside of the mop pad is essentially flush with the underside of the floor cleaner 100. In the second position, the mop plate 150 can be raised less than in the third position (see Figure 1). Fig. 4a , 5a ).

[0052] In Figures 4d , 5d The wiper plate 150 is in the right second position, which is opposite the left second position with respect to the first position. Here too, the pin 270 is lowered and prevents the wiper pad 155 from detaching from the wiper plate 150. In the vertical direction, the wiper plate 150 can be positioned as in the left second position (see figure). Fig. 4b , 5b In the horizontal direction, the wiper plate 150 is deflected to the right compared to the first position.

[0053] Figure 6Figure 1 shows a wiping device in a further embodiment. Here, the wiping plate 150 with the wiping fleece 155 is laterally displaceable in a straight line. An anchor 605 is attached to the wiping plate 150, which engages positively in a groove in a slide 610 that is attached to the upper section 205. The anchor 605 is shaped in a "T" shape so that it allows a predetermined vertical movement of the wiping plate 150 (see Figure 1). Fig. 6a and 6b ), but prevents the wiper plate 150 from being removed laterally. Only when the anchor 605 is raised far enough relative to the carriage 610 does it allow lateral movement relative to the carriage 610 (cf. Fig. 6c and 6d ), so that the wiper plate 150 can be removed.

[0054] Figure 7Figure 700 shows a flowchart of a procedure for controlling a mopping device 105 on a floor cleaner 100. The floor cleaner 100 is intended to wet-clean a predetermined floor area 110 and, if necessary, also dry-clean it. In step 705, an obstacle in the area of ​​the floor cleaner 100 can be determined, for example, a wall or a piece of furniture. A planned path for the floor cleaner 100 runs along the obstacle.

[0055] In step 710, the position or direction of the obstacle relative to the planned path can be determined. In step 715, the wiper plate 150 can be moved laterally towards the obstacle into a second position, while simultaneously lowering the wiper plate 150.

[0056] In step 720, the floor cleaner 100 can be controlled to travel along the path across the floor area 110, ensuring that the lateral distance between the cleaning plate 150 or the cleaning pad 155 and the obstacle is as small as possible. The floor cleaner 100 can then travel along the obstacle to clean the area of ​​the floor surface 110 adjacent to the obstacle.

[0057] Further paths can guide the floor cleaner 100 across the floor surface 110 at a distance from the obstacle. Where the floor surface is to be wet-cleaned, the mop plate 150 can alternatively be positioned to the left or right, while simultaneously being lowered. When planning the path, it can be taken into account which of the two possible second positions the mop plate 150 is in. The path is preferably determined such that the area of ​​the floor surface to be wet-cleaned can be completely covered with the floor fleece 155. The strips described by the floor fleece 155 on the floor surface 110 can overlap each other. Reference sign

[0058] 100 Floor cleaner 105 Mop device 110 Floor surface 115 Drive wheel 120 Support wheel 125 Direction of travel 130 First cleaning device 135 Second cleaning device, mop device 140 Prism guide 145 Tank 150 Mop plate 155 Mop fleece 205 upper section 210 lower section 215 linkage 220 groove 225 T-nut 230 wheel 235 drive 240 rack 245 gear 250 electric motor 255 gearbox 260 web 270 Pin 275 Slot 280 Nut 305 Linear guide 310 Carriage 315 Pin 320 Locking mechanism 605 Armature 610 Carriage 700 Procedure 705 Detect obstacle 710 Determine position / direction 715 Lower wiper plate laterally 720 Drive over and clean the floor surface at the obstacle First lateral position II Second lateral position II-Left second position II-Right second position III Third lateral position

Claims

1. Wiping apparatus (105) for a floor cleaner (100), wherein the wiping apparatus (105) comprises the following: - a wiping plate (150) for cleaning a floor area (110); - a linkage (215), which is configured to displace the wiping plate (150) in relation to the floor cleaner (100) laterally transversely in relation to the travel direction (125) thereof, - wherein the wiping plate (150) is simultaneously moved vertically, so that it is raised from the floor area (110) in a first lateral position and is laid onto the floor area (110) in a second lateral position, and - wherein, by displacing the wiping plate (150) in the lateral direction, the wiping plate (150) - can be lowered onto the floor area (110) and - at the same time can approach a lateral limit of the floor cleaner (100); and - a drive for moving the wiping plate (150) in relation to the floor cleaner (100).

2. Wiping apparatus (105) according to claim 1, wherein the wiping plate (150) can be displaced along a vertically arched curve in relation to the floor cleaner (100); wherein the linkage (215) is configured to keep an orientation of the wiping plate (150) on a predetermined lateral displacement path constant.

3. Wiping apparatus (105) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a first and a second linkage (215) are provided, which act on laterally offset engagement points of the wiping plate (150).

4. Wiping apparatus (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the linkage (215) comprises - at least one slot (220) and at least one slot nut (225) that can be displaced along the slot (220) and / or - a linear guide.

5. Wiping apparatus (105) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the wiping apparatus (105) comprises precisely one wiping plate (150), - wherein the wiping plate (150) is located in the first position (I) centrally on the wiping apparatus (105) and / or a floor cleaner provided therewith, without performing a cleaning function on the floor area (110), and - wherein the wiping plate (150) alternatively can be moved - into a laterally deflected left-hand second position (II-L) for processing the floor area (110) at an obstacle lying to the left or - into a laterally deflected right-hand second position (II-R) for processing the floor area (110) at an obstacle lying to the right.

6. Wiping apparatus (105) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the drive comprises a gear wheel (245) attached in relation to the floor cleaner (100) and a gear rack (240) attached to the wiping plate (150).

7. Wiping apparatus (105) according to claim 6, wherein the slot (220) and the gear rack (240) are bent along corresponding curves.

8. Wiping apparatus (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the linkage (215) is configured to move the wiping plate (150) from the first position, beyond the second position, into a third position (III); wherein the wiping plate (150) in the third position is raised from the floor area (110) and protrudes beyond a lateral limit of the floor cleaner (100) at the point of the wiping apparatus (105).

9. Wiping apparatus (105) according to claim 8, wherein the wiping plate (150) or a cleaning element (155) connected thereto can only be removed from the linkage (215) in the third position.

10. Floor cleaner (100), comprising a wiping apparatus (105) according to one of the preceding claims.

11. Method (700) for controlling a wiping apparatus (105) according to one of claims 1 to 9 on a floor cleaner (100), wherein the method (700) comprises the following steps: - capturing (705) an obstacle, which laterally delimits a floor area (110) to be cleaned; - determining (710) the location or direction of the obstacle with regard to a planned path; - laterally displacing (715) the wiping apparatus (105) and / or a wiping plate (150) of the wiping apparatus (105) from a first lateral position, in which it is raised from the floor area (110), into a second lateral position, in which it lies on the floor area (110); and - moving (720) the floor cleaner (100) over the floor area (110) in such a manner that the wiping apparatus (105) and / or the wiping plate (150) of the wiping apparatus (105) faces the obstacle laterally.

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