Floor Cleaning Equipment
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024503687
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-07-22
- Filing Date
- 2022-07-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing floor cleaning devices suffer from ergonomic issues due to the spring mechanism generating a force that increases as the guiding part is pivoted away from the neutral position, making it difficult to achieve comfortable and compact operation.
A floor cleaning device with a spring mechanism that adjusts its force vector and upright moment to compensate for the weight of the guiding part, allowing easy pivoting without excessive user effort, and enabling compact storage by varying the spring force and moment across different angular ranges.
The device provides a comfortable and ergonomic operation by reducing user strain and allowing easy pivoting and compact storage, enhancing user convenience and flexibility.
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a floor cleaning device, preferably a scrubber-type floor cleaning device, particularly preferably a scrubber-type suction-type floor cleaning device, - a floor unit; - a tool that is assigned to the floor unit and that, in operational state, comes into contact with the floor surface; - a guide portion for guiding the floor cleaning device; - a joint assembly comprising a first pivot joint for pivoting the guide part relative to the floor unit about a first pivot axis; - a spring mechanism for generating a spring force between the floor unit and the guide portion; Equipped with The first pivot joint has a neutral position, This relates to a floor cleaning device.
[0002] A floor cleaning device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from WO 2020 / 234904. In this floor cleaning device, a coil spring is arranged between the induction part and the floor unit, which coil spring surrounds the area of the induction part that connects the induction part and the floor unit. The coil spring is fixedly attached at one end to the floor unit and at the other end to the induction part. The induction part is thereby held under a spring force at an angle of about 90° relative to the floor unit, which is a so-called neutral position. When the user pivots the induction part from the neutral position relative to the floor unit, the coil spring generates a return force that acts in the opposite direction towards the neutral position. This return force increases with increasing pivot angle relative to the neutral position.
[0003] When this floor cleaning device is operated and operated by a user, the user realizes that the neutral position of the guide part is associated with ergonomic disadvantages. If the user's hands grab the guide part, the user's feet will collide with the floor unit. And if the user's feet are positioned away from the floor unit, the user has to stretch his arms to keep the guide part in the neutral position. However, keeping his arms stretched in this way is uncomfortable and ergonomically unfavorable. Therefore, in order to avoid having to grab the guide part with his arms stretched, the user pivots the guide part from the neutral position towards his body during operation. However, in this position, the user has to work against the return force generated by the coil spring in order to prevent the guide part from retaking the neutral position due to the return force of the coil spring. It is also possible to compensate for the return force by a torque generated based on the weight of the guide part and about the pivot axis in the pivot direction. However, the further the user pivots the guide portion, the more force the user must work against the return force, making it nearly impossible or impossible to pivot to large pivot angles.
[0004] As another prior art, reference is made to EP 3031378, in which a floor cleaning device is known, in which provisions are made so that the floor cleaning device can be moved as required between an operating position and a space-saving transport or storage position. In this known floor cleaning device, the guide part is freely pivotable relative to the floor unit in the operating position. This allows the guide part to be easily pivoted towards the user, so that the user can easily grab the guide part. The free pivoting also allows large pivoting angles, which are necessary in particular for space-saving positions. However, the free pivoting of the guide part means that a significant part of its weight is loaded on the user or on the user's arms during the entire pivoting.
[0005] Therefore, in the floor cleaning apparatuses known from the prior art, the user must endure considerable strain on his arms and body when pivoting the guide part relative to the floor unit. Furthermore, in the floor cleaning apparatuses known from WO 2020 / 234904, due to the necessarily increasing return force with increasing pivot angle, it is almost impossible to bring the guide part into a position where it is completely or at least almost completely pivoted relative to the floor unit, in which the floor cleaning apparatus has a small height size. In other words, it is almost impossible to store or store the floor cleaning apparatus compactly.
[0006] The object of the present invention is to improve the floor cleaning device of the type mentioned at the beginning in order to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages.Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to improve the floor cleaning device of the type mentioned at the beginning in order to enable a comfortable operating position for the user.
[0007] This problem is solved by a floor cleaning device of the type described at the beginning, in which a spring mechanism is specified that is operatively connected to the floor unit and the guiding part in such a way that, when pivoting from the neutral position in a first pivot direction to the displacement position, the erecting moment acting on the guiding part and arising due to the spring force about the first pivot axis in the direction of the neutral position increases in a first angle range and decreases in a second angle range subsequent to this first angle range.
[0008] The weight of the guide part, which is a load on the user outside the neutral position, is reduced by the standing moment. In the second angle range, the standing moment is reduced, so that the user can easily swivel in the first pivot direction in the second angle range without exerting excessive force. This can be caused, for example, by the weight of the guide part, so that the user does not have to exert an action in the first pivot direction in the second angle range. A compact position of the floor cleaning device, in which the guide part is, for example, fully swiveled relative to the neutral position, can be reached without the user exerting a large force. In the first angle range, the increasing standing moment in the first pivot direction can fully or at least partially compensate for a torque that also increases about the first pivot axis, which occurs, for example, due to the weight of the guide part. This allows a highly mobile induction of the guide part and thus the entire floor cleaning device, precisely in the first angle range. Overall, the present invention allows the user to comfortably guide the guide portion, which results in a comfortable and ergonomic operation of the floor cleaning device as a whole. In other words, it allows for a mobile operation of the floor cleaning device.
[0009] According to one refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the spring mechanism has a first attachment point on one side of the pivot joint, which is connected to the guiding part in at least a first and a second angular range and is spaced apart from the first pivot axis. In this way, the force generated by the spring is introduced into the guiding part at a predetermined point. It should be noted here that the attachment point may be part of a coupling device that connects the spring mechanism to the guiding part. Instead, the attachment point may have the same meaning as the coupling device.
[0010] According to one further embodiment of the invention, the distance of the force vector acting on the first attachment point due to the spring force can be reduced at least stepwise in the first and / or second angular ranges during pivoting in the first pivoting direction, thereby shortening the lever arm of the spring force relative to the pivoting axis, thereby reducing the coefficients which together determine the erecting moment.
[0011] According to one refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the spacing is maximum in the neutral position, so that the coefficients which jointly determine the standing moment are maximum in the neutral position.
[0012] According to one further aspect of the invention, the first attachment point may be specified to at least incrementally perform movement along a circle segment about the first pivot axis through a first angular range and / or a second angular range.
[0013] According to one refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the spring length of the spring mechanism increases at least stepwise in a first angular range and in a second angular range when pivoting in a first pivoting direction.
[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the spring mechanism may be specified to be a tension spring.
[0015] According to an alternative configuration of the invention, it may be specified that the spring length of the spring mechanism decreases at least stepwise in a first angular range and in a second angular range when pivoting in a first pivoting direction.
[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, the spring mechanism may be specified to be a compression spring.
[0017] According to one refinement, the spring mechanism can be specified with a spring stiffness, in particular a spring constant, that can be adapted by the user, so that the spring force and thus the generated standing moment can be adapted to the weight of the guide part or to the preferences of the user.
[0018] According to one further embodiment of the invention, it may be specified that the spring mechanism comprises a spring-damper element. The combination of spring and damper allows the spring mechanism to generate a spring action and also a damping action. This results in less shock in the pivoting movement about the first pivot axis. Furthermore, the pivoting movement of the guide part can be damped more quickly.
[0019] According to one refinement of the invention, the spring mechanism may be specified in particular to have an adjustable spring constant.
[0020] Alternatively, it may be specified that the spring mechanism has an increasing or decreasing spring characteristic line, or a combination of increasing and decreasing spring characteristic lines. In such an arrangement, it may be specified that the spring characteristic line is firstly configured to increase and then decrease. Furthermore, it may be specified that the spring characteristic line is configured to increase in a first angle range and decrease in a second angle range when pivoting about the first pivot axis in a first pivot direction.
[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, it may further be specified that the spring mechanism is operatively connected to the floor unit and the guide part in such a way that the erection moment compensates for the torque acting on the first pivot joint about the first pivot axis, in particular the torque resulting from the weight of the guide part, at at least one pivot angle relative to the neutral position in the first and / or second angle range. In this way, a comfortable operating position can be created for the user, which does not or hardly load the user's body. Overall, an advantageously mobile operation of the guide part is obtained, which can indeed, on the one hand, at very small pivot angles, place very little strain on the user, but, on the other hand, the user can pivot the guide part about the first pivot axis at large pivot angles without requiring a large force. At very large pivot angles, in particular at pivot angles in the first pivot direction in the compensated angle range, the weight of the guide part can support a further pivot in the first pivot direction or even without the force action of the user.
[0022] In this case, according to one aspect of the invention, it may be specified that the compensation occurs at a pivot angle relative to the neutral position in the range of 70° to 20°, preferably 50° to 20°, particularly preferably 45° to 20°.
[0023] According to one alternative embodiment of the invention, compensation may be specified to occur at pivot angles relative to the neutral position of 45°, 30°, 25° or 20°.
[0024] According to one refinement of the invention, it may further be specified that the spring mechanism is operatively connected to the floor unit and the guide part in such a way that the spring force has a sinusoidal progression in the first and / or second angle range. In this way, the spring force of the spring can also have a non-linearly increasing progression, despite the spring constant, so that the spring force first increases strongly in the first angle range and the increase in the spring force becomes smaller as the pivoting in the first pivoting direction proceeds. Firstly, due to the sinusoidal shape, an approximately linear progression can even be obtained, at least for small pivoting angles.
[0025] According to one refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the standing moment has, in the first and / or second angle range, a progression which corresponds to a combination of sine and cosine wave characteristics, in particular to a product of a sine wave and a cosine wave.
[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, it may be specified that the first pivot axis extends substantially parallel to the floor surface to be cleaned. In this case, it may be further specified that in the operating state, the longitudinal axis of the guide part is arranged substantially perpendicular to the floor surface to be cleaned in the neutral position. In this way, a neutral position that is comfortable for the user can be obtained, from which the pivoting can be performed.
[0027] Alternatively, it may be specified that in the operating state, the longitudinal axis of the guide part is arranged in the neutral position at an angle to the floor surface to be cleaned about the first pivot axis, preferably in the range of 1° to 45°, particularly preferably 10° to 30°.
[0028] According to one refinement of the invention, it may further be specified that the floor unit is assigned a propulsion direction parallel to the floor surface to be cleaned, and in the neutral position, the longitudinal axis of the guide part is arranged substantially perpendicular to the propulsion direction, so that during normal use of the floor cleaning device, a pivoting takes place towards and away from the user about the first pivoting axis.
[0029] According to one alternative embodiment of the invention, it may further be specified that the spring mechanism is operatively connected to the floor unit and the guide part such that the value of the spring force is zero in the neutral position. In this way, the standing moment is also zero in the neutral position, so that the guide part is not influenced by the spring mechanism in the neutral position. If the first angle range follows the neutral position, then the first angle range starts with the values of the spring force and the standing moment each being zero.
[0030] Alternatively, the spring force value in the neutral position may be different from 0. In such a case, the spring force value may be specified to be at least above a pre-set limit value. Furthermore, it may be specified that the spring mechanism is preloaded in the neutral position.
[0031] According to one refinement of the invention, it can be specified that the second pivot range is followed by a third angle range in which the erection moment has a negative sign when pivoting in the first pivot direction. In this way, the erection moment no longer acts in the direction of the neutral position of the guide part or in the direction opposite to the first pivot direction, but in the direction away from the neutral position or in the direction of the first pivot direction due to the negative sign. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, a stop position is provided for the floor cleaning device in which the guide part is not located in the neutral position, but in a position pivoted about the first pivot axis relative to the floor unit. In this way, the guide part is pushed by a spring mechanism into this stop position in the third angle range. On the one hand, this makes it easier for the user to bring the floor cleaning device into the stop position. At the same time, the floor cleaning device remains reliably in the stop position due to the erection moment acting in the opposite direction. In this way, for example, a reliable transport of the floor cleaning device in the stop position is possible. On the other hand, the user can simultaneously operate the floor cleaning device in the first and second angle ranges comfortably, without the guide part placing a heavy load on the user's hands during such operation, and the guide part is supported by the acting erection moment. At the same time, free pivoting of the guide part about the first pivot axis is possible, which makes operation extremely easy. This allows for extremely mobile operation of the floor cleaning device as a whole.
[0032] According to one further aspect of the invention, it may be specified that the value of the erecting moment increases when pivoting in the first pivot direction in a third angle range. If a stop position is provided, the guide part is pushed more strongly towards the stop position as the pivoting in the third angle range in the first pivot direction increases. The stop position can be reliably maintained.
[0033] According to one embodiment, it may be specified that the spring characteristic curve of the spring mechanism is configured so as to increase in a third angle range when pivoting about the first pivot axis in the first pivot direction.
[0034] According to one refinement of the invention, it may further be specified that the spring mechanism is operatively connected to the floor unit and the guide part in such a way that, at the transition from the second angle range to the third angle range, the force vector acting on the first mounting point due to the spring force runs through the first pivot axis. In this way, it is possible to achieve that the value of the erecting moment is zero at the transition from the second angle range to the third angle range. This forms a kind of apex at which the direction reversal of the erecting moment occurs.
[0035] In connection with such a configuration, it may further be specified that the spring mechanism is operatively connected to the floor unit and the guide part in such a way that the value of the spring force is different from 0 at the transition from the second angle range to the third angle range, i.e. in such a configuration, a spring force acts, but this spring force does not generate a standing moment about the first pivot axis.
[0036] According to one refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the pivoting in the first pivoting direction cannot exceed the second or third angle range. In this way, it is possible to limit the pivoting possibility around the first pivoting axis in the first pivoting direction. This can be achieved, for example, by the guide part coming into contact with the floor unit. In this way, for example, a defined stop position for the floor cleaning device can be provided.
[0037] For the sake of clarity, the pivot angle generally refers to the angle with respect to a neutral position when the guide portion pivots relative to the floor unit about the first pivot axis.
[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, it may be specified that the spring force in the third angle range has a sinusoidal curve.
[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the pivot angle relative to the neutral position during the transition from the first angle range to the second angle range may be specified to be between 80° and 10°, preferably between 70° and 30°. This allows for comfortable operation of the floor cleaning device with little or no load on the user. At the same time, pivoting over a pivot angle of more than 45° is easily possible.
[0040] According to one configuration of the invention, it may be specified that the pivot angle relative to the neutral position at the transition from the first angle range to the second angle range is substantially 70°.
[0041] According to one further aspect of the invention, it may be specified that the pivot angle relative to the neutral position at the opposite end of the second angle range is at least 70°, preferably at least 80°, particularly preferably at least 90°.
[0042] According to one further aspect of the invention, it may be specified that the pivot angle relative to the neutral position at the opposite end of the third angle range is at least 70°, preferably at least 80°, particularly preferably at least 90°.
[0043] According to one aspect of the present invention, the spring mechanism may be specified not to apply a spring force to the guiding portion in a fourth angle range when pivoting from the neutral position in a second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, so that the guiding portion can be freely pivoted in the fourth range.
[0044] In one refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the first attachment point is at least gradually decoupled from the guide part in a fourth angle range for pivoting from the neutral position in a second pivot direction opposite to the first pivot direction, such that in the fourth angle range the spring mechanism does not exert a spring force on the guide part, so that in the fourth angle range pivoting can be easily performed without the influence of the spring mechanism.
[0045] According to one embodiment, a fourth angle range may be specified following the first angle range, and a neutral position of the guiding portion may be specified connecting the first angle range to the fourth angle range.
[0046] In one refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the first attachment point is formed on the carriage, which can run in the carriage guide relative to the guiding part when pivoting from the neutral position in the second pivoting direction, whereby a guiding movement of the attachment point, which is decoupled from the guiding part in a fourth angular range, is possible.
[0047] According to another aspect of the invention, the carriage guide may be specified to pre-set an arcuate movement of the carriage relative to the guide portion, the center point of the arcuate shape being located on the first pivot axis. In this way, it can be achieved that the spring mechanism does not experience a change in spring force in the fourth angle range. Overall, it is possible to facilitate the pivoting of the guide portion about the first pivot axis in the fourth angle range.
[0048] According to one refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the carriage abuts against the carriage stopper in a first angle range and / or a second angle range and / or a third angle range when pivoting from the neutral position in the first pivot direction. In this way, a spring force can be generated between the floor unit and the guide part when the carriage abuts against the carriage stopper starting from the neutral position.
[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the spring mechanism may be specified to have a second attachment point located on the floor unit.
[0050] According to an advantageous refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the joint assembly has a second pivot joint that allows the swivel movement of the guide part relative to the floor unit about a second pivot axis. In this way, the swivel possibility of the guide part relative to the floor unit can be increased as a whole. This makes the floor cleaning device flexible and easy to operate.
[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, it may be specified that the second pivot axis is disposed substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis.
[0052] According to a further aspect of the invention, the second pivot axis can be arranged substantially parallel to the direction of propulsion in the neutral position, which results in good operating comfort or good handling of the floor cleaning device as a whole.
[0053] According to one refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the tool can be moved relative to the floor surface by a drive device. In this way, at least a part of the cleaning performance of the floor cleaning device can be provided by the drive device. This allows the throughput per unit area available to the user to be increased. Furthermore, the operating comfort can be increased.
[0054] According to one further configuration of the invention, it may be specified that the floor cleaning device is configured to generate a propulsive effect on the floor surface in the propulsion direction, which can increase the operating comfort for the user.
[0055] In this case, in one refinement, it may be specified that the tool generates the propulsion action at least partially in the operating state. In this way, the number of components required for the floor cleaning device can be reduced. A separate propulsion unit for generating the propulsion action can be eliminated. This can save costs.
[0056] According to one embodiment, it may be specified that the spring mechanism is connected to the floor unit and / or the guide portion by a Bowden wire, a linkage, a lever and / or a gearing.
[0057] According to one advantageous refinement, it may be specified that the spring mechanism is arranged substantially within or adjacent to the floor unit or within or adjacent to the guide part and is connected to the floor unit or the guide part, in particular to the first mounting point or the second mounting point, by a Bowden wire, a link mechanism, a lever and / or a transmission device.
[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, it may be specified that the second pivot axis lies in a pivot axis plane that extends perpendicular to the floor surface and has a direction vector that defines the propulsion direction.
[0059] According to one refinement of the invention, it can be specified that the guide part can be temporarily fixed or supported with respect to the pivoting about the first pivot axis relative to the floor unit, in particular in the first pivoting direction, which can increase the operating comfort.
[0060] According to one aspect of the invention, it may be specified that the joint assembly has a coupling element coupling the first pivot joint to the second pivot joint, the coupling element being rotatable about a first pivot axis relative to the floor unit, and the guiding portion being rotatable about a second pivot axis relative to the coupling element.
[0061] According to one configuration of the invention, it may be specified that the guide portion has a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to the second pivot axis and perpendicular to the first pivot axis in a neutral position.
[0062] According to one refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the tool of the floor unit comprises at least one rotatingly driven brush, rotatingly driven plate, rotatingly driven disk, rotatingly driven polygonal cleaning element or the like, having a rotation axis oriented substantially parallel to the floor surface in the operational state.
[0063] According to one refinement of the invention, it may be specified that the tool has a first tool element with a first rotation axis which, in the operating state, is oriented parallel to the perpendicular to the floor surface or slightly inclined, preferably at an angle of 0.5° to 2.5°, particularly preferably at an angle of 1.5°, and that the tool further has a second tool element with a second rotation axis which, in the operating state, is likewise oriented parallel to the perpendicular to the floor surface or slightly inclined, preferably at an angle of 0.5° to 2.5°, particularly preferably at an angle of 1.5°, and that the first tool and the second tool are configured to rotate in opposite directions, and that the first and second rotation axes are inclined in opposite directions of rotation.
[0064] According to one aspect of the present invention, the floor cleaning apparatus may further include a particle containment unit, such as a suction unit, configured to suck up particles and / or liquid from the floor surface, thereby improving cleaning performance.
[0065] In such a configuration, the suction unit may be specified to comprise at least one suction turbine arranged in the bed unit or in the induction section and configured to generate a negative pressure.
[0066] According to one refinement, the floor cleaning device comprises a collection tank or drainage container configured to collect the sucked up particles and / or liquid, the collection tank being in particular removably arranged in the induction part or in the floor unit.
[0067] According to one alternative configuration of the invention, the floor cleaning device comprises a cleaning agent tank or fresh water container, which is preferably arranged to provide a cleaning agent to at least one tool via a supply device, and the cleaning agent tank may be arranged in the floor unit or in the induction part. In this way, cleaning performance can be improved. The cleaning agent can be water or water containing a cleaning additive.
[0068] The terms tank and vessel may be used synonymously within the scope of this application.
[0069] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0070] [Figure 1] 1 is a three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the present invention. [Figure 3a] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of details of a floor cleaning device for different pivot angles. [Figure 3b] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of details of a floor cleaning device for different pivot angles. [Figure 3c] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of details of a floor cleaning device for different pivot angles. [Figure 3d] 1A-1D are schematic diagrams of details of a floor cleaning device for different pivot angles. [Figure 4a] 11A-11C are schematic diagrams of details of a floor cleaning device for different pivot angles including alternative orientations of force vectors. [Figure 4b] 11A-11C are schematic diagrams of details of a floor cleaning device for different pivot angles including alternative orientations of force vectors. [Figure 4c] 11A-11C are schematic diagrams of details of a floor cleaning device for different pivot angles including alternative orientations of force vectors. [Figure 4d]11A-11C are schematic diagrams of details of a floor cleaning device for different pivot angles including alternative orientations of force vectors. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the present invention when having a first turning angle. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the present invention having a second turning angle.
[0071] 1, a perspective view of a first embodiment of a floor cleaning device 10 according to the present invention is shown. The floor cleaning device 10 comprises a floor unit 12 and a guide portion 14 pivotally coupled to each other by a joint assembly 16.
[0072] The joint assembly 16 comprises a first pivot joint 18, which allows the guide part 14 to pivot relative to the floor unit 12 about a first pivot axis A. Furthermore, the joint assembly 16 comprises a second pivot joint 20, which allows the guide part 14 to pivot relative to the floor unit 12 about a second pivot axis B. The first pivot axis A and the second pivot axis B are spaced apart from each other and are arranged perpendicular to each other on a connecting element 22, which connects the first pivot joint 18 to the second pivot joint 20.
[0073] The floor unit 12 is assigned two brush-like tools 24, 26. Both tools 24, 26 protrude beyond the floor unit housing 28 in the direction of the floor and are driven by a drive (not shown in more detail) arranged in the floor unit housing 28. The tools 24, 26 are inclined with respect to the floor surface in such a way that a propelling action in the propelling direction V occurs due to the rotation of the tools 24, 26 in the operating state of the floor cleaning device 10. Two spaced apart transport rollers 30, 32 are arranged on the front upper surface of the floor unit housing 28. A suction rail 34 is also arranged on the floor unit housing 28 as a component of the suction unit, which suction rail 34 extends in the shape of a circular arc behind the floor unit housing 28 and at least partially surrounds the floor unit housing 28. Support wheels 36 are arranged on the suction rail 34, only one of which is visible in the present embodiment, the second support wheel being hidden by the floor unit 12. Furthermore, a container 38 is attached to the floor unit housing 28, which serves as a container for a battery for supplying energy to the floor cleaning device 10. A hose connection element 40 is also formed on the upper side of the floor unit 12, to which a suction hose 42 of the suction unit is connected.
[0074] The suction hose 42 is connected at its other end to a drainage container 44, which is arranged on a shaft 45 of the guide part 14. In this way, the wastewater collected by the suction rail 34 from the floor surface or the surface to be cleaned (not shown) can be transported via the suction hose 42 to the drainage container 44. The drainage container 44 is removably connected to the shaft 45.
[0075] A fresh water container 46 is further formed on the shaft 45 on the side of the shaft 45 located opposite the drain container 44. In this way, fresh water can be supplied to the floor unit 12 and to the floor in the area of the tools 24, 26 via a fresh water line (not shown). By fresh water is meant a liquid provided for cleaning. This liquid does not necessarily have to be pure water. This liquid can also be a cleaning agent or water to which a cleaning agent or cleaning substance has been added.
[0076] The shaft 45 is formed below the drainage container 44 and the fresh water container 46 with a suction turbine 47 of the suction unit connected to the drainage container 44, which generates a negative pressure for sucking in the wastewater in the drainage container 44.
[0077] The guide part 14 or shaft 45 has a longitudinal axis L, which is arranged perpendicular to the second pivot axis B. In this embodiment, the second pivot joint 20 is not displaced, so that the longitudinal axis L is also oriented perpendicular to the first pivot axis A.
[0078] At the upper end of the shaft 45, grips 48, 50 are arranged, which are circular in cross section and extend along a grip axis G oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. In the present embodiment, the grip axis G is further arranged parallel to the first pivot axis A. Similarly, the shaft 45 is formed with operating elements 52, 54 below the grips 48, 50. These operating elements 52, 54 can be used to activate or deactivate the functions of the floor cleaning device 10.
[0079] The spring mechanism according to the present invention cannot yet be seen in detail in Figure 1 because it is covered by the joint assembly 16. Therefore, the spring mechanism will be described in more detail in conjunction with the following figures.
[0080] In figure 2 a second embodiment of a floor cleaning device 110 according to the invention is shown diagrammatically, the view being from the right in the direction of propulsion V. In contrast to figure 1, the floor cleaning device 110 is shown simplified and only diagrammatically.
[0081] In this embodiment too, one can see the shaft 145 of the induction part 114, on which the fresh water container 146, the waste water container 144 and the suction turbine 147 are attached. Furthermore, grips 148, 150 are arranged at the upper end of the shaft 145.
[0082] The guide portion 114 is connected to the floor unit 112 by means of a joint assembly 116. More precisely, the guide portion 114 is connected to the second pivot joint 120 of the joint assembly 116. Furthermore, the floor unit 112 is formed with a support bracket 156, which connects the joint assembly 116 or the first pivot joint 118 to the floor unit housing 128 of the floor unit 112. However, this type of attachment is only a schematic illustration, and as can be seen in FIG. 1, the solution may also be found by attaching the first pivot joint 118 directly to the floor unit without the support bracket 118.
[0083] The floor unit 112 has brush-like tools 124, 126 arranged thereon, which are in contact with the floor surface 158 to be cleaned. Additionally, the container 138 of the floor unit 112 can be seen.
[0084] Further, a spring mechanism 160 according to the invention is shown, which is connected at one end to a coupling element extension 162 of the shaft 145 via a first attachment point 164 and at the other end to a support bracket 156 of the floor unit 112 via a second attachment point 166. The coupling element extension 162 forms an extension of the shaft 145 beyond the pivot joint 118 or the first pivot axis A, and distances the first attachment point 164 from the first pivot axis A. The second attachment point 166 is arranged on the support bracket 156 approximately at the same height as the first pivot axis A. The spring mechanism 160 is formed in this embodiment as a tension spring, which does not generate a force between the floor unit 112 and the guide part 114 in the neutral position of the guide part 114. In other words, the spring mechanism 160 is not displaced in the neutral position. However, in this embodiment, the guiding part 114 is pivoted from the neutral position about the first pivot axis A by a pivot angle of about 30° relative to the floor unit 112 in the first pivot direction S1. As a result, the spring mechanism 160, which in this embodiment is in the form of a coil spring, is stretched and generates a spring force which acts on the first attachment point 164 and which here pulls in the direction of the second attachment point 166 due to the free transition of the spring mechanism 160 between the two attachment points 164, 166. This spring force can be said to be a force vector which is directed towards the spring mechanism 160 or from the first attachment point 164 to the second attachment point 166. This force vector is spaced apart from the first pivot axis A and thereby generates a torque, a so-called standing moment, which acts on the guiding part 114 about the first pivot axis in the direction of the neutral position of the guiding part 114.
[0085] The first attachment point 164 moves along an arc about the first pivot axis A when the guide part 114 pivots about the first pivot axis A relative to the floor unit 112. In cooperation with the orientation of the spring mechanism 160, the spring mechanism 160 is thereby stretched when the guide part 114 is pivoted in a first pivot direction S1 about the first pivot axis A relative to the floor unit 112. The first attachment point 164 moves away from the second attachment point 166. This means that the spring force initially increases strongly. However, the further the pivoting, the smaller the increase in the stretch of the spring mechanism 112 becomes. This results in a correspondingly small increase in the spring force. At the same time, the force vector generated by the spring force approaches the first pivot axis A the further the pivoting proceeds. The further the pivoting proceeds, the closer the force vector approaches the first pivot axis A. This is also due to the arc shape. When pivoting about 90° relative to the neutral position, the force vector runs through the first pivot axis A, so that the spring force cannot generate a standing moment. Due to this cooperation of the varying spring force resulting from the arrangement of the spring mechanism 160, the resulting shift of the first mounting point 164 about the first pivot axis A, and the resulting varying distance of the generated force vector relative to the first pivot axis A, the standing moment increases in a first angle range and decreases in a second angle range that follows when the guide part 114 pivots in the first pivot direction S1 about the first pivot axis A from the neutral position relative to the bed unit 112. In a third angle range that follows the second angle range, the standing moment M is negative and increases in value.
[0086] In order to clarify the working principle underlying the present invention, reference is made to FIGS. 3a-3d and 4a-4d, which illustrate the working principle by way of example.
[0087] All figures 3a to 3d respectively show the coupling element extension 162, also known from the second embodiment, which is shown diagrammatically and for different pivot angles. Furthermore, for simplicity, it is assumed that the force vector F, which is shown as a spring force in this example, has a constant orientation and direction relative to the first pivot axis A of the first pivot joint 118. However, this is not necessary, as is clear from the other figures. For example, the force vector F generated by the diagrammatically shown spring mechanism 160 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L in figure 3a and points to the left. Figure 3a shows the case where the guide part 114 is in a neutral position relative to the floor unit 112. As mentioned above, the spring mechanism does not generate a spring force in the neutral position, so the force vector F has a value of 0. Furthermore, figure 3 shows the erection moment M generated by the spring mechanism in the direction of the neutral position. However, since the spring mechanism 160 generates no spring force in the neutral position as described above, the value of the standing moment M is also zero.
[0088] In Fig. 3b, the guide part 114 is shown pivoted from the neutral position in a first pivot direction A1 about the first pivot axis A relative to the floor unit 112. This causes the illustrated coupling element extension 162 to be pivoted accordingly. This results in a pivot angle α, which in the present embodiment is approximately 45°. It can be seen that the first attachment point 164 is pivoted towards the right relative to the neutral position shown in Fig. 3a. Due to this change in position, the spring mechanism is stretched, which increases the spring force. This spring force generates a standing moment M about the first pivot axis A, which acts in the direction of the neutral position.
[0089] In Fig. 3c, a pivot angle α of 90° is shown. It can be seen that the first attachment point 164 has been pivoted further to the right, both with respect to the neutral position shown in Fig. 3a and with respect to the pivot angle shown in Fig. 3b. More precisely, the first attachment point 164 has now been pivoted with respect to the neutral position shown in Fig. 3a by the value of the distance between the first attachment point 164 and the first pivot axis A. Due to this change in position, the spring mechanism 160 is then stretched. However, since the spring force F or the generated force vector F now runs through the first pivot axis A, the value of the erection moment M is zero.
[0090] FIG. 3d shows a pivot angle α of more than 90°, i.e. a pivot angle α of approximately 110° relative to the neutral position. The spring mechanism 160 is pivoted further to the right relative to the neutral position, so that the spring mechanism 160 is stretched. This likewise generates a spring force. However, the force vector F caused by the spring force now runs on the other side about the first pivot axis A, thereby generating a standing moment M that is negative. This is indicated in the present example by the arrow for the standing moment M, which has an opposite orientation compared to FIGS. 3a-3c. That is to say, finally, a standing moment M is generated that is no longer directed against the first pivot direction S1 towards the neutral position, but acts in the direction of the first pivot direction S1. This means that with respect to the guiding part 114, the spring mechanism pushes the guiding part 114 away from the neutral position.
[0091] Due to the cooperation of the varying spring force generated based on the arrangement of the spring mechanism 160, the transition of the first mounting point 164 generated around the first pivot axis A, and the varying distance generated between the generated force vector and the first pivot axis A, the standing moment M increases in a first angle range and decreases in a subsequent second angle range when the guiding part 114 pivots in the first pivot direction S1 around the first pivot axis A from the neutral position relative to the floor unit 112. The second angle range is followed by a third angle range, in which the standing moment M is negative, and the value of the standing moment M increases with increasing pivot in the first pivot direction. For example, the first angle range is a pivot angle α of 0 to about 70° for the spring mechanism 160 with a spring constant. Then, the second angle range is a pivot angle α of, for example, about 70 to 90°. In this embodiment, the standing moment M is zero due to the absence of spring force at the beginning of the first angle range, and is also zero at the end of the second angle range due to the absence of a lever arm. The sum of the first and second angle ranges produces a pivot angle α of approximately 90° in this embodiment. The third angle range begins with a pivot angle α of 90°.
[0092] 4a-4d respectively show the coupling element extension 162 for different pivot angles as shown in relation to Figs. 3a-3d, with the force vector F having a varying orientation different from Figs. 3a-3d. For further simplicity, it is assumed that the orientation of the force vector F remains the same when pivoting about the first pivot axis A. However, this is not necessary as will become clear from the other figures. More precisely, the force vector F is indeed set at the first attachment point 164, but it is however inclined at an angle of about 60° with respect to the longitudinal axis and points to the upper left. As also mentioned in relation to Fig. 3a, the spring mechanism 160 does not generate a spring force in the neutral position. Therefore, the value of the force vector F shown in Fig. 4a is zero, and so is the erection moment M.
[0093] In Fig. 4b, the coupling element extension 162 is shown for a pivot angle α of about 45°. Since the first attachment point 164 has been pivoted towards the right with respect to the neutral position shown in Fig. 4a, the spring mechanism 160 has been length-changed and generates a spring force, which is represented by a force vector F acting on the first attachment point 164. In other words, the first attachment point 164 is now further away from the second attachment point 166. Since the force vector F is now moved away from the first pivot axis A, the force vector F generates a standing moment M about the first pivot axis A, which is oriented in the clockwise direction in this embodiment and therefore acts in the opposite direction to the first pivot direction S1. This causes the guide part 114 to be pushed by the spring mechanism 160 towards the neutral position.
[0094] Figure 4c shows the coupling element extension 162 for a pivot angle α of about 60°. This indeed moves the first attachment point 164 further away from the second attachment point 166 compared to Figure 4b, so that the spring mechanism 160 generates an increased spring force. However, the force vector F now runs through the first pivot axis A, so that the value of the erection moment M is zero.
[0095] In FIG. 4d, the coupling element extension 162 is shown for a pivot angle α of approximately 90°. As a result, the first attachment point 164 is indeed located even closer to the second attachment point 166 compared to FIG. 4c, so that the spring mechanism 160 generates a relatively reduced spring force. However, the force vector F now extends at a distance from the first pivot axis A, so that the force vector F generates a standing moment M. The standing moment is now negative, since the force vector now extends on the other side of the pivot axis A. In FIG. 4d, this is shown by the opposite orientation of the standing moment M, which now acts no longer in a clockwise direction but in a counterclockwise direction. As a result, the standing moment acts in the direction of the first pivot direction S1. As a result, the guide part 114 is pushed away from the neutral position due to the spring force of the spring mechanism 160.
[0096] As can be seen from a comparison with Figures 3a to 3d, an angle range of a pivot angle α of 90° is already sufficient to generate, based on the changing orientation of the spring mechanism 160, a first angle range of the pivot angle α in which the standing moment M increases, a second angle range of the pivot angle α in which the standing moment M decreases, and a third angle range of the pivot angle α in which the standing moment M is negative and in which the standing moment M increases in value when pivoting in the first pivot direction S1.
[0097] 5 shows a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a floor cleaning device 210 according to the invention. The floor cleaning device 210 is based on the floor cleaning device 110 known from FIG. 2, so that the corresponding components are not mentioned again and reference is made to the description given in connection with FIG. 2. However, the first attachment point 264 is not arranged in this embodiment on the connecting element extension 262 but on the connecting element 222 itself. As a result, the first attachment point 264 is now located on the other side of the first pivot axis A. Furthermore, the second attachment point 266 is arranged on the support bracket 256, but, in contrast to FIG. 2, is also arranged on the other side of the first pivot axis A. The spring mechanism 260 is also formed in this embodiment as a tension spring which exerts no spring force in the neutral position.
[0098] Thus, it can be appreciated that the functionality of the present invention may be achieved with alternative configurations of spring mechanism 260 and attachment points 266, 264. Additionally, coupling element extension 262 may also be eliminated.
[0099] In Fig. 6, a fourth embodiment of a floor cleaning device 310 according to the invention is shown diagrammatically. This floor cleaning device 310 is based on the floor cleaning device 110 known from Fig. 2, so that the corresponding components are not mentioned again and reference is made to the description given in connection with Fig. 2. However, the spring mechanism 360 is formed as a compression spring in this embodiment. The first attachment point 364 is likewise arranged on the connecting element extension 362. The second attachment point 366 is arranged on the support bracket 356 of the floor unit 312, as can be seen from Fig. 5. The spring mechanism 360 is attached to the first attachment point 364 and to the second attachment point 366. The spring mechanism 360 is formed in such a way that in the neutral position, the spring mechanism 360 does not generate a spring force. As a result, when the guiding portion 314 rotates in the first rotation direction S1 around the first rotation axis A starting from the neutral position, the erecting moment pushing the guiding portion 314 toward the neutral position increases in the first angle range of the rotation angle, and decreases in the second angle range of the rotation angle. Therefore, in the first angle range and the second angle range, the erecting moment acts in the opposite direction to the first rotation direction S1. On the other hand, in the third angle range of the rotation angle, which is equal to or greater than a rotation angle of about 90° in this embodiment, the erecting moment acts in the first rotation direction.
[0100] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of the floor cleaning device 410 according to the invention when the first pivot angle α is zero. The guiding part 414 is therefore in a neutral position. The fifth embodiment is based on the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, so reference is made to the description given in connection with FIG. 2. In addition to the second embodiment, the floor cleaning device 410 of this embodiment is formed with an alternative coupling element extension 462, which has the shape of a circle segment. The coupling element extension 462 is formed with an arc-shaped carriage guide 468, which extends at an approximately uniform distance from the first pivot axis A. A carriage 470 is arranged in the carriage guide 468, on which the first attachment point 464 is arranged. The carriage guide 468 forms a carriage stop 472 against which the carriage 470 rests in the illustrated neutral position of the guiding part 414.
[0101] As in the second embodiment, the spring mechanism 460 is a tension spring which does not generate a spring force in the neutral position. The carriage 470 is supported for running in a carriage guide 468. The pivoting of the guiding part 414 in the direction of the first pivoting direction S1 about the first pivoting axis A generates a spring force and a standing moment for different pivoting angles in the angular range, as described above. However, if the guiding part 414 is pivoted from the neutral position about the first pivoting axis A in a second pivoting direction S2, opposite to the first pivoting direction S1, no spring force and thus no standing moment is generated, at least within a fourth pivoting range of the pivoting angle α. This is explained below in relation to FIG. 8.
[0102] 8 shows a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of a floor cleaning device 410 according to the invention when the pivot angle is changed. The floor cleaning device 410 thus corresponds to the floor cleaning device shown in FIG. 7, but the guiding part 414 has been pivoted from the neutral position in a second pivot direction S2 opposite to the first pivot direction S1 by a pivot angle α of approximately 30° about the first pivot axis A. As can be seen here, the carriage 470 has been moved in the carriage guide 468 and is no longer abutting against the carriage stop 472 but is located at a distance from it. This is due to the spring mechanism 460, which by moving the carriage 470 along the carriage guide 468 maintains the undisplaced state that the guiding part 414 also has in the neutral position. This also causes the first mounting point 464 along with the carriage 470 to move relative to the coupling element extension 462, but does not change its position relative to the floor unit 412 and the second mounting point 466.
[0103] Overall, this allows the guiding portion 414 to pivot from the neutral position about the first pivot axis A in the second pivot direction S2 in the fourth angular range and back to the neutral position without the spring mechanism 460 applying a spring force to the guiding portion 414. The fourth angular range is about 90° in this embodiment. However, the carriage guide 468 or the coupling element extension 462 may have other configurations, so that a larger or smaller fourth angular range can be provided. At the same time, the spring mechanism 460 generates a spring force when the guiding portion 414 is pivoted from the neutral position in the first pivot direction S1 about the first pivot axis A relative to the floor unit 412. The fifth embodiment thereby combines the advantage of free pivoting in the fourth angle range with the advantage of pivoting in the first, second and third angle ranges as described above, influenced by spring forces.
Claims
Claim 1 A floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410), preferably a scrubber-type floor cleaning device, particularly preferably a scrubber-type suction floor cleaning device, comprising a floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412), tools (24, 26; 124, 126) assigned to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and contacting the floor surface (158) in the operating state, a guiding part (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) for guiding the floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410), a joint assembly (16; 116) having a first swivel joint (18, 118) for swiveling the guiding part (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) relative to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) about a first swivel axis (A), and a spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) for generating a spring force between the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guiding part (14; 114; 214; 314; 414), characterized in that the first swivel joint (18, 118) has a neutral position, in the floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410), the spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) is operatively coupled to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guiding part (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) such that, when swiveling from the neutral position to a displaced position in a first swivel direction (S1), a standing moment about the first swivel axis (A) acting on the guiding part (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) and arising based on the spring force increases in a first angular range and decreases in a second angular range following the first angular range. Claim 2 The spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) has a first attachment point (164; 264; 364; 464) on one side of the first swivel joint (18, 118), and the first attachment point (164; 264; 364; 464) is connected to the guiding part (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) at least in the first angle range and the second angle range, and is spaced apart from the first swivel axis (A). The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to claim 1, characterized in that.
3. The distance of the force vector (F) acting on the first attachment point (164; 264; 364; 464) based on the spring force from the first swivel axis (A) decreases at least stepwise in the first angle range and / or the second angle range during swiveling in the first swivel direction (S1). The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to claim 2, characterized in that.
4. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to claim 3, characterized in that the distance is maximum in the neutral position.
5. The first attachment point (164; 264; 364; 464) performs a movement stepwise along a circular segment centered on the first swivel axis (A) in the first angle range and / or the second angle range. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that.
6. The spring length of the spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) increases at least stepwise in the first angle range and the second angle range during swiveling in the first swivel direction (S1). The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.
7. The spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) is a tension spring. The floor cleaning device (1, 10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to any one of claims 4, characterized in that.
8. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring length of the spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) decreases at least stepwise in the first angle range and the second angle range during turning in the first turning direction (S1).
9. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to claim 8, characterized in that the spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) is a compression spring.
10. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) comprises a spring damper element.
11. The spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) is further operatively coupled to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guide part (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) such that the erection moment compensates for a torque acting about the first pivot axis (A) on the first pivot joint (18, 118) at the pivot angle with respect to the neutral position in the first angle range and / or the second angle range, in particular a torque resulting from the weight of the guide part (14; 114; 214; 314; 414), the floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
12. The spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) is further operatively coupled to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guide part (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) such that the value of the spring force and / or the erection moment is zero at the neutral position, the floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
13. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a third angle range in which the erection moment has a negative sign follows in the second angle range during turning in the first turning direction (S1).
14. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to claim 13, characterized in that the value of the standing moment increases during turning in the first turning direction (S1) within the third angular range.
15. The spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) is further operatively coupled to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guide portion (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) such that a force vector (F) acting on the attachment point (164; 264; 364; 464) based on the spring force extends through the first turning axis (A) when transitioning from the second angular range to the third angular range. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to claim 13.
16. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to claim 13, characterized in that the turning angle with respect to the neutral position at the end of the third angular range on the side opposite to the neutral position is at least 70°, preferably at least 80°, particularly preferably at least 90°.
17. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the turning angle with respect to the neutral position at the end of the second angular range on the side opposite to the neutral position is at least 70°, preferably at least 80°, particularly preferably at least 90°.
18. The spring mechanism (160; 260; 360; 460) does not apply a spring force to the guide portion (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) in a fourth angular range when turning from the neutral position in a second turning direction (S2) opposite to the first turning direction (S1). The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
19. The first attachment point (164; 264; 364; 464) is formed on a carriage (470), and the carriage (470) is movable relative to the guide portion (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) within a carriage guide (468) when turning from the neutral position in the second turning direction (S2). The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to claim 18.
20. The carriage guide (468) is configured to preset an arcuate motion of the carriage (470) relative to the guiding portion (14; 114; 214; 314; 414), and a center point of the arcuate shape is arranged on the first turning axis (A). The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) according to claim 19, characterized in that.