Floor processing device including a guide portion with a joint device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a floor treatment device, preferably a floor cleaning device (10), comprising: a floor unit (12); at least one tool (24) assigned to the floor unit (12) and which, in an active state, comes into contact with a floor surface (58); a guide part (14) for guiding the floor cleaning device (10) by a user; and a joint device (16) with at least two pivot axes (A, B), which joint device (16) is configured for pivoting the guide part (14) relative to the floor unit (12) about a first pivot axis (A) and for pivoting the guide part (14) relative to the floor unit (12) about a second pivot axis (B) different from the first pivot axis (A). In such a floor processing device, it is assumed that the joint device (16) is assigned at least one spring mechanism (70) for generating a spring force between the floor unit (12) and the guide part (14), the spring force of the spring mechanism (70) selectively assisting or counteracting the movement of the guide part (14) relative to the floor unit (12) when the guide part pivots relative to the floor unit (12) about the first pivot axis (A) and / or the second pivot axis (B).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a floor treating device, preferably a floor cleaning device, such as a scrubbing floor cleaning device. A floor treating device of this type according to the invention comprises: -Floor units; - at least one tool which is assigned to the floor unit and which, in the active state, comes into contact with the floor surface; - a guide part for guiding the floor cleaning device by a user; a joint device with at least two pivot axes, which joint device is designed for pivoting the guide part relative to the floor unit about a first pivot axis and for pivoting the guide part relative to the floor unit about a second pivot axis different from the first pivot axis; It has.

[0002] A floor cleaning device is known from WO 2020 / 234904. In this case, a coil spring is arranged between the guide part and the floor unit, surrounding the area of ​​the guide part that connects the guide part to the floor unit. This coil spring is rigidly attached at one end to the floor unit and at the other end to the guide part. This ensures that the guide part is held by the spring force of the coil spring in a so-called neutral position at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the floor unit. When the user pivots the guide part from the neutral position relative to the floor unit, the coil spring generates a counteracting return force towards the neutral position. In this case, the return force increases with increasing pivot angle relative to the neutral position.

[0003] When this floor cleaning device is activated and operated by a user, the user notices that the neutral position of the guide part, which is realized via the coil spring, entails significant ergonomic disadvantages. If the operator's hands grip the guide part in this neutral position, it happens that the operator's feet hit the floor unit. Also, if the operator's feet stand at a distance from the floor unit, the operator must extend his arms relatively far in order to grip the guide part in the neutral position. However, maintaining such an extended arm for any length of time is uncomfortable and ergonomically disadvantageous. Therefore, in order not to have to grip the guide part with the extended arm, the operator will, during activation, pivot the guide part from the neutral position in the direction of the operator's body, i.e. tilt or pull it towards himself. However, in this position, the operator must "work" against the return force generated by the coil spring and must hold the guide part in a corresponding displacement, so that the return force of the coil spring does not move the guide part back to the neutral position. Depending on the strength of the return force produced by the coil spring, this can also be compensated for more or less strongly, at least in a certain angular range, by a torque in the direction of pivoting about the pivot axis, which arises due to the weight of the guide part. However, the further the operator pivots the guide part, the harder he has to work against the return force, so that pivoting with larger pivot angles is only possible with considerable force, or not at all. What must be taken into account here is that in the case of pivoting with a relatively large pivot angle, a relatively large reaction force is applied to the floor part via at least one spring mechanism. In order to ensure sufficiently good functionality, the device must be provided with a floor part having a relatively large weight and / or a relatively large base area, which makes the device heavy and difficult to handle.

[0004] As further prior art, reference is made to the patent EP 3031378. In the floor cleaning device known from this prior art, provisions are made for the device to be able to be moved as required between an operating position and a space-saving transport or storage position. In the operating position, the guide part is freely pivotable relative to the floor unit. The guide part can therefore be easily pivoted towards the user, who can then easily grasp it. The free pivoting also results in a large pivoting angle, which is necessary in particular for assuming a space-saving position. However, the free pivoting of the guide part means that a not inconsiderable part of its weight is a load on the user or on the user's arms during the entire pivoting. This is not ergonomic.

[0005] Thus, in the floor cleaning apparatuses known from the prior art, the operator must accept considerable strain on his arms and body when the guide part is pivoted relative to the floor unit. Furthermore, in the floor cleaning apparatuses known from WO 2020 / 234904, due to the return forces which necessarily increase with increasing pivot angle, it is almost impossible to bring the guide part into a position pivoted completely by 90° or at least almost completely pivoted relative to the floor unit, in which the floor cleaning apparatus has a small height extension. That is to say, it is almost impossible to install or store the floor cleaning apparatus compactly or to use the floor cleaning apparatus for cleaning under a protrusion with a small height.

[0006] Furthermore, the user is not assisted at all in the device according to EP 3031378 A1 or is assisted non-ergonomically and progressively in the device according to WO 2020 / 234904 A1 when laterally pivoting the guide part relative to the floor unit. However, in practice, when operating a floor cleaning device, there are relative positions between the guide part and the floor unit in which it is desirable for ergonomic reasons to be relatively strongly assisted by a spring force, and other relative positions between the guide part and the floor unit in which it is desirable for ergonomic reasons to be spring-assisted less strongly.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a floor cleaning device of the type mentioned at the outset which overcomes at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages described with respect to the prior art.It is also an object of the present invention to provide a floor cleaning device of the type mentioned at the outset which allows a comfortable and ergonomically favorable operating position for the user, and which ergonomically simplifies the overall operation of the device.

[0008] This problem is solved by a floor cleaning device of the type mentioned at the beginning, in which the joint device is assigned at least one spring mechanism for generating a spring force between the floor unit and the guide part, the spring force of which is provided for selectively supporting or counteracting the movement of the guide part relative to the floor unit when the guide part pivots relative to the floor unit about the first and / or second pivot axis.

[0009] In this case, according to a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the first pivot axis extends substantially parallel to the floor surface, for example, the first pivot axis can extend transversely to the feed direction of the device, in particular at an angle of 90° to the feed direction.

[0010] Furthermore, in this connection, according to a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the second pivot axis extends transversely or obliquely to the first pivot axis. Both axes can be arranged at a spatial distance from one another, crossing or obliquely to one another. Both axes can be arranged at an angle of 90° to one another in a virtual vertical projection onto the floor surface.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is assumed that the joint device has a first swivel joint, which defines a first swivel axis. According to such an embodiment of the invention, specifically designed swivel joints are provided, each with an associated swivel axis. In this case, the swivel axis of the swivel joint can be clearly defined, for example, by the central axis of the pivot pin that supports the swivel, or it can be a virtual axis, for example, in the case of a swivel joint that is realized via an elastically deformable mass or a spring and therefore does not have a clearly defined swivel axis. However, in this latter case, it is said to be a virtual swivel axis, the position of which can change during the swivel. In this embodiment, the first swivel axis preferably extends parallel to the floor surface, in particular transverse to the feed direction in which the floor treatment device is moved in the forward direction.

[0012] Alternatively, a spring mechanism is assigned to only one or each of these pivot joints, so that during pivoting about the first and / or second pivot axis, a spring characteristic is defined as desired via at least one spring mechanism. Thus, for example, it is possible to support the pivoting about the first pivot axis in a certain angular range of the pivoting movement via at least one spring mechanism, while in another angular range of the pivoting movement about the first pivot axis, the pivoting is counteracted, and in a further angular range of the pivoting about the first pivot axis, no spring action is developed at all. The same applies to the pivoting about the second pivot axis, which is more or less strongly spring-supported or spring-locked in a certain angular range. Also, the supporting spring force or the spring force acting against the swivel may be constant or may be quite essentially variable, in particular the spring force may be linearly increasing or decreasing, non-linearly increasing or decreasing, additionally the spring force acting against the swivel may first increase and then decrease or vice versa.

[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, the first and / or the second swivel joint has a neutral position, which may be a point at a given swivel angle or a given swivel angle range, in which the spring mechanism is unable to exert any spring force or can hold the guide part in the respective neutral position by a spring force acting towards the floor unit applied to the guide part. In other words, the at least one spring mechanism absorbs the weight applied by the guide part in this neutral position and thus relieves the load on the user.

[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, in this connection, it is provided that in the neutral position of the first pivot joint, the guide part is arranged about the first pivot axis relative to the floor unit such that the guide part longitudinal axis forms an angle in the range of 0°-60°, preferably in the range of 15°-45°, most preferably about 30° with a vertical axis extending perpendicular to the floor surface and perpendicular to the first pivot axis. In such a neutral position of the guide part relative to the floor unit with respect to the first pivot axis, the user can grasp the guide part without any special effort and can hold and guide it in this position without applying any force during use of the floor processing device. The guide part is oriented against the forward-oriented processing direction and the direction of movement on the base, and is thus inclined ergonomically towards the user within a predefined angle range.

[0015] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the floor treatment device according to the invention, it is provided that in the neutral position of the second pivot joint, the guide part is arranged around the second pivot axis relative to the floor unit such that the guide part longitudinal axis forms an angle of approximately 90° with the first pivot axis. This means that the guide part is held in a neutral position with respect to the second pivot axis, whereby the guide part is not obviously pivoted to one side or the other of the floor treatment device. The guide part is held above the base in a substantially centered orientation, so to speak. However, the user can relatively easily pivot the guide part to the side from this neutral position. This allows the floor treatment device to travel in a straight line without any difficulties for the user.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one spring mechanism locks the guide part in a neutral position with respect to the first and / or second pivot axis with a spring force and holds it in a predefined angular position or in a predefined angular range. In other words, the at least one spring mechanism is formed or arranged in such a way that when the user intentionally swivels the guide part from the corresponding neutral position with respect to the first and / or second pivot axis, he has to apply a predefined force in order to be able to carry out the intended swivel movement. On the other hand, the user can assume that when the guide part is swivel-moved towards or to the neutral position with respect to the first and / or second pivot axis, the guide part is slid with the aid of a spring force into the corresponding neutral position and is reliably held in this neutral position when the neutral position is reached. In other words, according to another embodiment of the invention, when the guide part leaves the neutral position about the first and / or second pivot axis and pivots in at least one pivot direction relative to the floor unit, at least one spring mechanism first applies a spring force that rises to a force threshold value over a first angle range about the first and / or second pivot axis, in which case the user feels a clear relief in this case, in which he does not have to hold the weight of the guide part being pivoted or does not have to hold it completely, and when the first angle range is exceeded while overcoming the force threshold value, the spring force remains constant or is reduced for further pivots thereafter. This can be achieved, for example in the case of particularly heavy floor processing devices, that the floor part remains almost unaffected regardless of the magnitude of the pivot and is thus easily maneuverable.

[0017] It should be noted that, for example, only one spring mechanism can be provided for one pivot axis, and that mechanical support can be provided in addition to or as an alternative to another spring mechanism. Such mechanical support can be obtained, for example, by a lever that can be swiveled into a support position and from this support position again into a rest position. By means of such a lever, a sort of switchable mechanical stop can be provided that defines a neutral position for each pivot axis.

[0018] It should further be noted that, in fact, when the guide parts are in a neutral position relative to the floor unit, the user can simply release the guide parts with the aid of at least one spring mechanism or mechanical support, without the guide parts tilting or tipping over at all about the respective pivot axis. The user can therefore take a short break from work, for example, without having to adjust the floor treatment device according to the invention specifically for this purpose. The user can then immediately continue processing. In this case, this may be referred to as a "stop-and-go" operation. This allows one-handed operation without problems, so that the user only has to load, for example, one arm selectively. The user can also continue floor processing, but can completely release both hands from the guide parts by a short distance and briefly relax at this time. By holding the guide parts in a neutral position about the respective pivot axis, the floor treatment device can then travel alone in the feed direction, possibly driven in the feed direction only by the rotation of the tool or by the vibrations that are still present. In this position of the floor treatment device, the user can simply follow from behind and take a short rest. The user can then take hold of the guide part again and operate the floor treatment device further. This contributes greatly to the ergonomics of the floor treatment device according to the invention.

[0019] With regard to the properties of the at least one spring mechanism, it may be provided according to the invention that the spring force of the at least one spring mechanism is substantially constant while the guide part is pivoted relative to the bed unit about the first or second pivot axis. Alternatively, according to the invention, the spring force of the at least one spring mechanism may be substantially variable, preferably non-linearly variable, while the guide part is pivoted relative to the bed unit about the first or second pivot axis. In this connection, according to the invention, the first pivot joint may be assigned at least one spring mechanism with a spring characteristic that corresponds to the spring characteristic of the at least one spring mechanism assigned to the second pivot joint, or the spring characteristics of the spring mechanisms assigned to both pivot joints may differ from one another.

[0020] In a simple and inexpensive embodiment of the invention, it is assumed that the first and second pivot axes are assigned to only one common spring mechanism. However, in this case, unlike the prior art according to document WO 2020 / 234904, it is provided that clearly defined first and second pivot joints are provided, which are spring-loaded via only one spring mechanism. Such a spring mechanism can, for example, comprise a coil spring. However, the spring mechanism can also be, for example, a tension or compression spring that acts similarly or differently with respect to each of the joint axes when pivoting about the joint axis via an assigned mechanism, such as, for example, a lever device, a gear device or a Bowden cable.

[0021] Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that at least one separate spring mechanism is assigned to each of the first and second pivot axes. This makes it possible to obtain a spring characteristic that is particularly suitable for each pivot joint, in accordance with the preferred pivot angle range. In this case, as already mentioned above, the spring mechanisms can have the same or different spring characteristics. This makes it possible to achieve that, depending on the respective pivot joint and in accordance with the preferred pivot angle range, a more or less noticeable assistance is provided during the pivoting of the guide part, which is perceptible by the user. Furthermore, in this connection, it can also be taken into account that the guide part often has at least one liquid tank, for example for fresh water or used water, and thus the assistance can also be varied depending on the filling level of the liquid tank.

[0022] In connection with the different spring mechanisms or spring properties, it may be provided in particular that the spring force of a spring mechanism which can be assigned to a rearward or forward pivoting of the guide part relative to the bed unit is adjusted to generate a greater support or reaction, in particular a spring force, than a spring mechanism which can be assigned to a lateral pivoting of the guide part relative to the bed unit. In particular, it may be provided that a spring mechanism which can be assigned to a pivoting about a first pivoting axis is adjusted to provide a greater support or reaction, in particular a spring force, than a spring mechanism which can be assigned to a pivoting about a second pivoting axis. For example, in this context, the first-mentioned spring mechanism may have a greater spring constant than the second-mentioned spring mechanism.

[0023] Additionally or alternatively, it may be assumed that the spring mechanism generates a greater support or reaction, in particular a greater spring force, during a rearward pivot than during a forward pivot, in particular starting from a neutral and / or central position. The central and / or neutral position may mean that the guide part or the longitudinal axis of the guide part is oriented substantially perpendicular to the floor surface. It may also be assumed, for example, that during a forward pivot, at least beyond a certain pivot angle, in particular beyond the neutral position, the spring mechanism is decoupled so that it does not further substantially support or counteract the movement of the guide part relative to the floor unit. During operation of the floor processing device, the operator often pivots the guide part backward or from the neutral or central position to the rear area. In contrast, pivoting in the forward direction from the neutral or central position is rather rare. It is therefore particularly beneficial for the operating comfort if the spring mechanism generates a greater support or reaction, in particular a spring force, when pivoting backward from the neutral or central position than when pivoting forward from the neutral or central position. According to another configuration, it can be provided that the spring mechanism generates substantially no support or reaction, in particular no spring force, when pivoting forward, in particular from the neutral position. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous if pivoting forward from the neutral or central position would lead to an undesired tipping of the floor unit due to the applied spring force.

[0024] According to a structurally robust and easily manufacturable embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the spring mechanism has at least one molded body with a guide profile and a spring element. In this case, the guide profile, in interaction with the spring action of the spring element, can quantitatively define a non-linearly variable spring force, particularly depending on the actual angular position between the guide part and the floor unit, when the guide part is pivoted relative to the floor unit about the second pivot axis via the second pivot joint. The molded body can be shaped differently and can have a contour surface or a contour track that defines the guide profile. Depending on the shape of this contour surface that defines the guide profile, the spring action characteristic of the spring mechanism can be defined in this case.

[0025] In this case, it may be provided, for example, that at least one shaped body is attached to the guide part and can be swiveled together with the guide part about a first pivot axis and / or a second pivot axis.

[0026] Alternatively to this, according to a further aspect of the invention, the at least one shaped body may be indirectly or directly attached to the bed unit such that it remains unpivoted or immobile relative to the guide part when the guide part pivots relative to the bed unit about the first or second pivot axis.

[0027] According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the at least one shaped body may be indirectly or directly attached to the joint device such that it remains stationary or immobile relative to the guide part when the guide part is pivoted relative to the bed unit about the second pivot axis, but pivots when the guide part is pivoted relative to the bed unit about the first pivot axis by the joint device. In such an embodiment, the shaped body may be attached to a joint body of the joint device, for example, arranged between the first and second pivot joints.

[0028] Depending on the desired spring characteristic, it may be assumed that the at least one profiled body has a concave guide profile or a convex guide profile or a guide profile consisting of a concave section and a convex section, preferably a double-convex guide profile. By appropriately selecting the geometry of the guide profile, the desired spring characteristic and thus a more or less powerful support or locking effect along the pivoting movement of the guide part relative to the floor unit about the corresponding pivot axis can be obtained. Depending on the guide profile, an angle range can thus be provided in which a stronger support is provided, especially in areas where the support by the spring mechanism is relatively small. For example, there exists a preferred pivot position about a second pivot axis, in which the guide part should be held completely or almost completely by the spring force of the spring mechanism - in addition to the neutral position. The user does not have to hold the weight of the guide part, which would have to be held by the user without the spring support, according to the invention, but can pivot the guide part to the side towards the floor unit, supported via the spring mechanism.

[0029] Additionally, in certain areas, a more or less strong spring resistance may be provided, so that the user must exert additional force to perform a given turn.

[0030] For example, in one embodiment, it may be envisaged that the concave guide profile has a substantially central apex region in order to define the neutral position, whereby the guide profile may be formed in the shape of a more or less significantly open parabola.

[0031] Alternatively to this, it can be envisaged that the doubly convex guide profile has two convex guide profile sections which are connected via a substantially central concave connection area for defining the neutral position. The locking can be achieved simply and effectively via the central concave connection area. The convex guide profile section which follows the central concave connection area ensures that the above-mentioned force increase occurs when pivoting from the neutral position up to a force threshold value, after which the further pivoting can be carried out with the aid of a spring force.

[0032] In terms of the structural design and ergonomic and low-wear operation, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the spring mechanism is assigned at least one roller or sliding body which cooperates with the guide profile, the roller or sliding body being preloaded against the guide profile via a spring element and rolling or sliding along the guide profile when the guide part is pivoted about the first and / or second pivot axis relative to the floor unit.

[0033] Further according to the invention it may be envisaged that the spring mechanism comprises a compression spring, a tension spring or a spring damping element.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the invention, at least one spring mechanism can be actuatable or deactuatable. This allows the spring mechanism to be completely locked, for example via a lever mechanism and / or a locking mechanism, so that no spring force is applied when the guide part is pivoted relative to the floor unit. In general, the actuatable or deactuatable feature allows the user to completely "turn off" the spring support in a certain operating state and to turn it on as required in another operating state of the floor treatment device. As a locking mechanism, for example, a rigid type of cage can be considered, which can be folded back, in particular flappable, as required via the spring mechanism and blocks the extension and retraction of the spring mechanism. In connection with the actuatable or deactuatable feature, it can also be assumed that the spring mechanism is pivotally connected to the guide part or the floor unit. That is, a first pivot position in which the spring mechanism is adjusted for the generation of a spring force and a second pivot position in which the spring mechanism is adjusted not to generate a spring force can be assumed. It may be envisaged that in a first pivoting position the spring mechanism engages or can engage with the guide part and / or the floor unit, whereas in a second pivoting position it does not engage or cannot engage with the guide part and / or the floor unit. Instead of or in addition to the pivoting possibility of the spring mechanism, a pivoting lever may be provided, which is arranged on the floor processing device such that in a first pivoting position of the pivoting lever the spring mechanism is adjusted to generate a spring force when the guide part pivots relative to the floor unit, and in a second pivoting position of the pivoting lever the spring mechanism is adjusted to not generate a spring force when the guide part pivots relative to the floor unit. It may also be envisaged that the pivoting possibility of the spring mechanism or of the pivoting lever between the operating position and the non-operating position is provided in a neutral position and / or beyond a predefined pivoting angle in the forward direction starting from the neutral position.

[0035] According to another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one spring mechanism is adjustable, i.e. the spring mechanism can be preloaded by the user more or less strongly depending on its presence, so that the assisting effect of the at least one spring mechanism can be adjusted. This can be advantageous, for example, if the user prefers to always maintain a certain percentage of the weight of the guide part so that he can directly control the floor treatment device. The adjustment can also be made, for example, depending on how full a liquid tank provided in the guide part for fresh water or used water is. The adjustment can be made manually, for example, via an adjustment nut cooperating with a compression coil spring, or electromechanically via an electromechanical or electromagnetic actuating member, and even automatically in some cases.

[0036] According to another embodiment, it may be provided that the joint device is lockable, in particular with respect to pivoting about the first and / or second pivot axis, so that pivoting is at least temporarily prevented. Such lockability may be provided for a predefined pivot angle. Alternatively, it may be provided that the joint device is lockable for any pivot angle or a predefined range of pivot angles about the first and / or second pivot axis.

[0037] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the floor treatment device can be designed for wet cleaning of floor surfaces, as a result of which a particularly good cleaning effect can be achieved.

[0038] According to one embodiment, it may be envisaged that the floor cleaning device is adapted to at least incrementally dispense a liquid, such as fresh water or a cleaning liquid, onto the floor surface, which liquid may preferably be provided by a fresh water container arranged in the guide portion of the floor treatment device.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the bed treatment apparatus may include a waste water container for collecting contaminated water removed or siphoned off the floor surface.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the bed treatment device may have a suction turbine for sucking liquid from the bed surface. The suction turbine may be adjusted to generate a negative pressure in the waste water container. In this case, it may be provided that the liquid can be pumped from the bed surface into the waste water container by the negative pressure, in particular via a suction hose.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the bed treatment device may have a suction strip configured to collect and / or draw and / or contain and / or suck liquid present on the floor surface.

[0042] In particular in the context of a suction turbine it may be envisaged that the suction turbine draws liquid starting from a suction strip and sends it to a waste water container.

[0043] According to another configuration of the invention, the floor treatment device can be configured to provide a feed action, in particular a feed force, in the feed direction in the operating state, which can be provided at least in part by a movement of at least one of the tools relative to the floor surface.

[0044] According to another aspect of the invention, the floor treating device may be battery powered or battery powerable, and thus may include a battery configured to provide electrical energy for operation of the floor treating device.

[0045] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0046] [Figure 1] 1 is a three-dimensional view showing an embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the present invention of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a floor cleaning device with a spring mechanism for assisting or locking the pivoting of the guide part about the second pivot axis in a predefined area. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a floor cleaning device with a spring mechanism for assisting or locking the pivoting of the guide part about the second pivot axis in a predefined area. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a floor cleaning device with a spring mechanism for assisting or locking the pivoting of the guide part about the second pivot axis in a predefined area. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a floor cleaning device with a spring mechanism for assisting or locking the pivoting of the guide part about the second pivot axis in a predefined area. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a floor cleaning device with an alternatively configured spring mechanism for assisting or locking the pivoting of the guide part about the second pivot axis in a predefined area. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a floor cleaning device with an alternatively configured spring mechanism for assisting or locking the pivoting of the guide part about the second pivot axis in a predefined area. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a floor cleaning device with one spring mechanism for assisting or locking the pivoting of the guide part about the first pivot axis in a predefined area. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a floor cleaning device with one spring mechanism for assisting or locking the pivoting of the guide part about the first pivot axis in a predefined area. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a floor cleaning device with one spring mechanism for assisting or locking the pivoting of the guide part about the first pivot axis in a predefined area. [Figure 12a] FIG. 2 is a schematic detail diagram illustrating a floor cleaning device with a spring mechanism according to one embodiment. [Figure 12b] FIG. 2 is a schematic detail diagram illustrating a floor cleaning device with a spring mechanism according to one embodiment. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spring mechanism according to the embodiment of FIGS. 12a and 12b. [Figure 14a] FIG. 14 is a schematic exploded view of the components of a floor cleaning device with a spring mechanism according to FIGS. 12a, 12b and 13. [Figure 14b] FIG. 14 is a schematic exploded view of the components of a floor cleaning device with a spring mechanism according to FIGS. 12a, 12b and 13.

[0047] 1 is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning device 10 according to the present invention. The floor cleaning device comprises a floor unit 12 and a guide part 14, which are pivotally connected to each other via a joint device 16.

[0048] The joint device 16 has a first swivel joint 18, which allows the guide part 14 to be swiveled relative to the bed unit 12 about a first swivel axis A. Furthermore, the joint device 16 has a second swivel joint 20, which allows the guide part 14 to be swiveled relative to the bed unit 12 about a second swivel axis B. The first swivel axis A and the second swivel axis B are spaced apart, perpendicular to each other and are arranged on a connecting element 22 of the joint device 16, which connects the first swivel joint 18 to the second swivel joint 20.

[0049] The floor unit 12 is assigned two brush-like tools 24, 26, which project downwards from the floor unit casing 28 in the direction of the floor surface and are driven by a drive, not shown in more detail, arranged in the floor unit casing 28. The tools 24, 26 are inclined in this case with respect to the floor surface in such a way that, in the operating state of the floor cleaning device 10, the rotation of the tools 24, 26 results in a conveying action in the conveying direction V. Two spaced apart conveying rollers 30, 32 are arranged on the front upper side of the floor unit casing 28. A suction strip 34, which is a component of a suction unit, is also arranged on the floor unit casing 28 and runs in the shape of a circular arc behind the floor unit casing 28 and at least partially surrounds the floor unit casing. A number of support wheels 36 are arranged on the suction strip 34, only one of which is visible in FIG. 1, the second and possibly further support wheels being hidden by the floor unit 12. Furthermore, a container 38 is attached to the floor unit casing 28, which serves as a storage for a battery for the energy supply of the floor cleaning device 10. A hose connection element 40 is further formed on the upper side of the floor unit 12, to which a suction hose 42 of the suction unit is connected.

[0050] The other end of the suction hose 42 is connected to a waste water container 44 which is preferably removably arranged on a shaft 45 of the guide part 14. This means that waste water taken in by the suction strip 34 from the floor surface or a cleaning surface (not shown) can be directed via the suction hose 42 into the waste water container 44. The waste water container 44 is removably connected to the shaft 45.

[0051] A fresh water container 46 is further formed on the shaft 45 on the side of the shaft 45 opposite the waste water container 44. Fresh water can thus be supplied via a fresh water line, not shown in more detail, of the floor unit 12 and dispensed onto the floor surface in the area of ​​the tools 24, 26. The liquid used for cleaning is called fresh water. In this case, the fresh water does not necessarily have to be pure water. It can also be a cleaning agent or water to which a cleaning agent or cleaning substance has been added.

[0052] Below the waste water container 44 and the fresh water container 46, the shaft 45 is formed with a suction turbine 47 of a suction unit which is connected to the waste water container 44 and which generates a negative pressure in the waste water container 44 for sucking in dirty water.

[0053] The guide part 14 or the shaft 45 has a longitudinal axis L which is arranged perpendicular to the second pivot axis B. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the second pivot joint 20 has not been displaced about the second pivot axis B, so that the longitudinal axis L is also oriented perpendicular to the first pivot axis A. In this position, the guide part 14 assumes a neutral position about the second pivot axis B relative to the floor unit 12.

[0054] At the upper end of the shaft 45, hand grips 48, 50 are arranged which are ergonomically rounded and extend along a grip axis G which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. In addition, the grip axis G is arranged parallel to the first pivot axis A. In addition, below the hand grips 48, 50, operating elements 52, 54 are formed on the shaft 45. By means of the operating elements 52, 54, functions of the floor cleaning device 10, such as the feed rate, the tool speed, the nature of the fresh water supply to the floor surface, etc., can be activated or deactivated.

[0055] The arrangement of the spring mechanism with respect to the first and second pivot axes is not yet shown in detail in Figure 1. This will be referred to in more detail in connection with the subsequent figures.

[0056] Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning device 10 according to the invention seen from the right side as seen in the feed direction V. The floor cleaning device 10 is shown only diagrammatically and in a more simplified form than in Figure 1.

[0057] Here again, the shaft 45 of the guide part 14 is shown, on which are attached a fresh water container 46, a waste water container 44 and a suction turbine 47. Furthermore, grips 48, 50 are arranged at the upper end of the shaft 45.

[0058] The guide part 14 is connected to the floor unit 12 by means of a joint device 16. More precisely, the guide part 14 is connected to the second swivel joint 20 of the joint device 16. Furthermore, the floor unit 12 is formed with a support yoke 56 which connects the joint device 16 or the first swivel joint 18 to the floor unit casing 28 of the floor unit 12. However, this type of attachment is only according to this schematic diagram, and as can be seen from FIG. 1, the first swivel joint 18 can also be attached directly to the floor unit without the support yoke 56.

[0059] The floor unit 12 is provided with brush-like tools 24, 26 which come into contact with the floor surface 58 to be cleaned. Furthermore, the container 38 of the floor unit 12 can be seen.

[0060] After the main features of the floor cleaning device 10 have been described above, it will now be explained, with reference to Figures 3 to 11, how the support of the guide portion 14 relative to the floor unit 12 can be achieved via one or more spring mechanisms. These figures are schematic and do not show a number of details shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the invention which is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 6, the guide part 14 can be pivoted relative to the floor unit 12 about the second pivot axis B of the joint device 16, said pivoting being loaded by the spring force of a spring mechanism 70. The spring mechanism 70 comprises a shaped body 72 with a guide profile 74. The shaped body 72 is rigidly connected to the guide part 14 and can be pivoted together with the guide part about the second pivot axis B. Furthermore, the spring mechanism comprises a compression coil spring 76 and a ball-shaped rolling body 78, which rolls along the guide profile 74 of the shaped body 72 when the guide part 14 is pivoted relative to the floor unit 12.

[0062] The compression spring 76 is supported on a support 80 which is formed in an angle element 82 which supports and guides the compression spring 76 along its length during compression or relaxation. The angle element 82 is part of the joint device 16. The angle element is supported on the floor unit 12 so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis A.

[0063] It should be noted here that a spring mechanism can also be assigned to the first pivot axis A. This is not shown in Figures 3 to 6 for the sake of simplicity of illustration. Reference is made to this in Figures 9 to 11 in the description of the exemplary embodiment shown there. It is emphasized that corresponding spring mechanisms can be combined in one common embodiment, so that both the pivoting movement about the first pivot axis A and the pivoting movement about the second pivot axis B can be spring-loaded by one spring mechanism.

[0064] Turning now again to the embodiment according to figures 3 to 6, it can be seen in figures 3 and 5 that the guide profile 74 is formed doubly convex and has one concave intermediate area 88, in other words the shape of a rounded-off arched Roman letter "W" or a Greek letter "ω". The guide profile 74 thus has in this configuration two convex sections 84, 86, which are connected to one another by a harmoniously arched concave section 88. The concave section 88 defines a neutral position for pivoting about the second pivot axis B. The neutral position is shown in figures 3 and 4. The guide profile 74 is formed and arranged in such a way that, in interaction with the spring element 76 and the rolling bodies 78, the guide part 14 is held relative to the floor unit 12 in the neutral position shown in figures 3 and 4, in which the rolling bodies 78 are pressed into the concave section 88 via the compression coil spring 76 so as to be locked. If it is desired to move and pivot the guide portion 14 out of the neutral position shown in FIG. 3, a threshold of force must be overcome that is defined by the biconvex section 84 or 86 following the concave section 88 and its geometry.

[0065] The biconvex sections 84 and 86 are configured such that when the compression coil spring 76 is first moved out of the neutral position of FIG. 3, it is progressively more compressed until the displacement of the guide portion longitudinal axis L reaches approximately + / - 10° from the neutral position. This can be varied depending on the design of the guide profile 74. After this angular position is reached, the compression coil spring 76 is still compressed to a smaller extent during the subsequent further displacement. FIG. 5 shows, for example, that the guide portion longitudinal axis L of the guide portion 14 is displaced by approximately 55° relative to the neutral position of FIG. 3. It can be seen that in this position the compression coil spring 76 is more strongly compressed. This means that in this position the spring mechanism 70 supports the guide portion 14 more strongly and that for a user holding the guide portion 14 as a result of pivoting, there is a corresponding load relief in bearing the weight of the guide portion, corresponding to the compression of the compression coil spring 76. Depending on the configuration of the guide profile 74 with an even greater or reduced extension, the force characteristics of the spring mechanism 70 can be varied. In this case, in the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, extremely strong support is provided by the spring mechanism 70.

[0066] When the user moves the guide part 14 again from the position shown in Fig. 5 back to the neutral position shown in Fig. 3, he is now assisted by the spring mechanism 70. During the pivoting movement, the rolling bodies 78 roll along the guide profile 74 with low friction and low wear.

[0067] Considering the alternative embodiment in figures 7 and 8, it can be seen that in this embodiment a guide profile 174 is provided on the angle element 82. In contrast, a compression coil spring 176, together with a corresponding rolling element 178, is rigidly attached to the guide part 14 and supported thereon. Figure 7 shows the neutral position, while figure 8 shows the position in which the guide part 14 has been pivoted to the left by an angle of about 60° relative to the vertical line Z with respect to the floor unit 12.

[0068] In this embodiment, the spring element 176 is substantially similar to the one described and shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, only inverted, with the rolling elements 178 acting downwards and supported on the guide part 14, so that the spring element 176 can be compressed and relaxed along the guide part longitudinal axis L, but the guide profile 174 of the shaped body 172 is configured completely differently in this embodiment than in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 6. The guide profile 174 is configured as a substantially parabolic concave surface. In the center, an apex 186 is provided, which defines the neutral position shown in FIG. 7. The parabolic guide profile 174 is configured in such a way that the spring element 176 is maximally relaxed in the neutral position shown in FIG. 7, but is still under tension, so that the guide part 14 remains in the neutral position without the action of external forces.

[0069] When pivoting out of this neutral position towards the left or right, the spring element 176 is increasingly compressed while the rolling body 178 rolls along the guide profile 174, so that with increasing displacement the guide part 14 is supported more strongly by the spring element 176. The user pivoting the guide part 14 thus receives greater assistance with increasing displacement, so that the weight of the guide part, which the user has to bear more strongly with increasing pivoting, can be at least partially supported by the spring element 176. Depending on the configuration of the guide profile 174, i.e. depending on the extension of the parabola, a more or less progressive spring force characteristic line is obtained.

[0070] When moving the guide part 14 back again from the position shown in Figure 8 to the neutral position shown in Figure 7, the spring element 176 relaxes. In the neutral position, the rolling body 178 is located approximately at the apex 186 of the parabola.

[0071] 9 to 11 show how a corresponding spring mechanism 190 for assisting the pivoting about the first pivot axis A and applying a spring force can be constructed.

[0072] Also visible in these figures are the basic components, namely the floor unit 12 and the guide part 14, which are only diagrammatically shown. A diagrammatically shown bearing fork 192 is attached to the floor unit 12, which defines a first pivot axis A via a bearing journal. A molding 194 with a guide profile 196 is attached to the floor unit 12, which has two convex sections 198, 200 interrupted by a concave section 202. The individual sections 198, 200, 202 merge into one another in a substantially harmonious manner. The concave section 202 defines a neutral position, which is shown in FIG. 9. In this neutral position, the guide part longitudinal axis L is inclined backwards, opposite the feed direction V, by about 10° with respect to a vertical line Z, which runs perpendicular to the first pivot axis A, which means that the guide part 14 is inclined towards a user standing behind the floor cleaning device 10. Moreover, this neutral position shown in FIG. 9 is obtained by locking the spring mechanism 190, i.e., the rolling elements 204 are pressed into the concave section 202 via the compression coil springs 206.

[0073] When the user moves the guide part 14 from this locking or neutral position shown in FIG. 9 backwards about the first pivot axis A in the direction opposite to the feed direction V, as shown in FIG. 10, or forwards in the feed direction, as shown in FIG. 11, the rolling element 204 rolls along the shaped body 194 while compressing the compression spring 206, which is compressed in this case according to the contour of the convex section. In this case, in the illustrated embodiment, it is provided that the compression of the compression spring 206 is significantly stronger when pivoting backwards as shown in FIG. 10 than when pivoting forwards from the neutral position in FIG. 9 in the direction of the position shown in FIG. 11, and that the compression rate is even greater as the pivoting increases from the neutral position shown in FIG. 9 in the direction of the position shown in FIG. 10. This can be achieved in that the user is less loaded as the pivoting increases backwards and does not have to bear the weight of the guide part 14, or only partially.

[0074] As already mentioned above, the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 6 or 7 and 8 can be combined with the embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 11 for the spring-assisted pivoting of the guide part 14 about the second pivot axis B, so that with one and the same floor cleaning device both the pivoting about the first pivot axis A and the pivoting about the second pivot axis B can be performed with spring assistance by means of the respective one of the spring mechanisms 70 or 170 and 190. The structural integration of the two spring mechanisms in a common joint device 16 is within the capabilities of the person skilled in the art. For example, it can be seen that the device according to Figures 9 to 11 can be attached without difficulty directly to the floor unit 12 in the embodiment according to Figure 1, and the device according to Figures 3 to 6 can be attached without difficulty to the guide part 14.

[0075] 12a and 12b are schematic detailed views of a floor cleaning device 10 according to one embodiment. The floor cleaning device 10 comprises a spring mechanism 70 arranged on the floor unit 12. The floor cleaning device 10 further comprises a swivel lever device 300 arranged in a non-activated position in FIG. 12a and in an activated position in FIG. 12b. The swivel lever device 300 comprises two swivel lever arms 302, 304, but only one swivel lever arm may also be provided. Instead of a substantially rigid swivel lever arm, a damper device with a damper may also be provided, which is configured to damp the swivel angle changes. The swivel lever device 300 is pivotally connected to the guide part 14, pivotably about a third pivot axis C, or to the connecting element 22 of the joint device 16 as described above.

[0076] A guide carriage 306 is arranged on the floor unit 12, which is arranged to be movable along a guide direction FR relative to a guide rail 308. The guide direction FR lies in a common plane together with the second pivot axis B and is oriented perpendicularly to the first pivot axis A. The guide carriage 306 has two raised areas formed toward the top, which form a concave receiving area 310 for contacting the swivel lever device 300. More precisely, the swivel lever device 300 has a free end 312, which is arranged opposite the end of the swivel lever device 300 that is pivotally attached to the connecting element 22 of the joint device 16. Each swivel lever arm 302, 304 is arranged to contact a respective raised area in response to a pivoting of the guide part 14 relative to the floor unit 12 in the working position of the swivel lever device 300.

[0077] As is clear at least from Figs. 13 and 14a, the spring mechanism 70 is formed as a compression spring, which is accommodated in a recess of the trough-shaped guide rail 308. The spring mechanism 70 is adjusted in this case such that a spring force is applied when the spring mechanism 70 is operated in the direction of the guide direction FR. The guide carriage 306 has a first guide protrusion 314 and a second guide protrusion 316, which each form a protuberance for contacting the pivot lever device 300. The guide carriage 306 further has a central area 318, which is arranged on the inside of the guide rail 308 and has a rearwardly open accommodation opening 320 for at least partially accommodating the spring mechanism 70. Two running rollers 322 are arranged on both sides of the central area 318, which are connected to the central area 318 so as to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the guide direction FR. The running rollers 322 are designed to roll in respective guide openings 324, 326 of the guide rail 308, which are formed on the inside of the guide rail 308 and extend parallel to the guide direction FR, so that the guide carriage 306 can move relative to the guide rail 308. The guide rail 308 has an opening 328 at its front side for receiving the spring mechanism 70 and the guide carriage 306. In this respect, the trough shape is interrupted. The guide rail 308 is furthermore designed closed at its rear side and has a support wall 330. In the assembled state, one end of the spring mechanism 70 engages in the support wall 330, the other end of the spring mechanism 70 engages in the receiving opening 320 and thus in the central region 318 of the guide carriage 306, so that the spring mechanism 70 exerts a pressing force at both ends. Furthermore, as is clear from FIG. 14a, an assembly plate 332 is provided for mounting the guide rail 308 to the floor unit 12 by means of screws 334.In order to prevent the spring mechanism 70 from pushing the guide carriage 306 into the outer area of ​​the guide rail 308, a stopper 336 is provided which can be introduced into the guide rail 308 from above after the spring mechanism 70 and the guide carriage 306 are positioned inside the guide rail 308 during assembly, so that the guide carriage 306 cannot pass beyond the stopper 336 in the guide direction FR, the stopper 336 at least partially blocking the opening 328.

[0078] FIG. 14b shows an exploded view of the swivel lever device 300. The swivel lever arms 302, 304 are rigidly connected to one another via a web 338, so that the swivel lever device 300 has a substantially U-shaped configuration. At the free end 312 of each swivel lever arm 302, 304, a running roller 340 is provided for rolling along the guide carriage 306 when the guide part 14 is pivoted relative to the floor unit 12 about the first pivot axis A. A guide receptacle 342 is further provided for mounting the swivel lever device 300 to the connecting element 22. The guide receptacle has an opening for receiving a pivot pin 344 for arranging the swivel lever device 300 in the guide receptacle 342 so as to be pivotable about the third pivot axis C.

[0079] When the swiveling lever device 300 is in the operating position and the guide part 14 is pivoted from the neutral position towards the rear relative to the floor unit 12 about the first pivot axis A, the swiveling lever device 300 engages the guide carriage 306 and presses against it. The guide carriage 306 is further moved relative to the guide rail 308 inside the guide rail 308 along the guide direction FR, in particular towards the rear. In this case, the spring mechanism 70 is compressed and the spring force generated increases with increasing movement or with increasing compression of the spring mechanism 70. The magnitude of the spring force generated depends on the degree of compression of the spring mechanism as well as on the spring constant of the spring mechanism 70, so that in this case the pushing or force, in particular the supporting or counteracting force, acting on the swiveling lever device 300 and thus between the floor unit 12 and the guide part 14 in the direction of the neutral position can also be adapted by a suitable selection of the spring mechanism 70. If the spring mechanism 70 is to be deactivated, the swivel lever device 300 is pivoted about the third pivot axis C into a deactivated position, whereby the spring mechanism abuts against the guide receptacle 342. In this case, it may be envisaged that the swivel lever device 300 can be releasably locked, for example, in the guide receptacle 342. In the deactivated position of the swivel lever device 300, the guide part 14 can be pivoted relative to the floor unit 12 without the assistance or reaction of the spring mechanism 70. The swivel lever device 300 abuts against the guide carriage 306 only when the guide part 14 is pivoted backwards about the first pivot axis A relative to the floor unit 12, in particular from the neutral position, so that the forward movement of the guide part 14 relative to the floor unit 12 about the first pivot axis A is not influenced by the force action of the spring mechanism 70. Of course, the length of the pivot lever device 300 and / or the position of the guide carriage 306 on the floor unit 12 can be variable or altered by the operator, whereby the assisting or counteracting action is directed rearward about the first pivot axis A from a predefined or predefinable pivot angle.

[0080] Instead of the configuration with the swivel lever device 300, the guide carriage 306 and the guide rail 308, it may be envisaged that the spring mechanism 70, like the swivel lever device 300, is arranged in the joint device 16 or in the guide part 14 or in the floor unit 12 and thus can be swiveled about the third pivot axis C or in any other pivotal manner between a corresponding operative position and a corresponding inoperative position.

[0081] Optionally, it may be envisaged that the guide carriage 306 can be locked on the guide rail 308. This can provide a locking mechanism for locking the operation of the spring mechanism 70. The locking can be provided, for example, by operable clamping jaws that act on the guide carriage 306 and / or the guide rail 308 during operation.

[0082] Overall, the invention achieves that the pivoting of the guide part 14 about one or both of the pivot axes A and B can be configured to be spring-assisted, so that the user is more or less assisted depending on the respective pivot angle, i.e. so that the weight of the guide part 14 is supported more or less significantly depending on the respective pivot angle via a corresponding spring mechanism, so that the user himself does not have to support the weight of the guide part at all or only partially. This results in a particularly easy and ergonomically advantageous control of the floor cleaning device according to the invention.

Claims

1. A floor treatment device, preferably a floor cleaning device (10), comprising: - floor unit (12); at least one tool (24) assigned to said floor unit (12) and in active condition in contact with the floor surface (58); - a guide portion (14) for guiding said floor cleaning device (10) by a user; and a joint device (16) with at least two pivot axes (A, B), which joint device (16) is configured for pivoting the guide part (14) relative to the floor unit (12) about a first pivot axis (A) and for pivoting the guide part (14) relative to the floor unit (12) about a second pivot axis (B) different from the first pivot axis (A); It has The floor processing device is provided with at least one spring mechanism (70) for generating a spring force between the floor unit (12) and the guide part (14), the spring force of the spring mechanism (70) selectively supporting or counteracting the movement of the guide part (14) relative to the floor unit (12) when the guide part pivots relative to the floor unit (12) about the first pivot axis (A) and / or the second pivot axis (B).

2. 2. The floor processing apparatus (10) of claim 1, wherein said first pivot axis (A) extends substantially parallel to said floor surface.

3. 3. The floor processing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second pivot axis (B) extends laterally or obliquely relative to the first pivot axis (A).

4. 3. The floor processing apparatus (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the joint device (16) comprises a first pivot joint (18) defining the first pivot axis (A).

5. 3. The floor processing apparatus (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the joint device (16) comprises a second pivot joint (20) defining the second pivot axis (B).

6. 6. The floor processing apparatus (10) of claim 5, wherein the first pivot joint (18) and / or the second pivot joint (20) have a neutral position.

7. 7. The floor processing device (10) according to claim 6, wherein in the neutral position of the first pivot joint (18), the guide portion (14) is arranged relative to the floor unit (12) around the first pivot axis (A) such that the guide portion longitudinal axis (L) forms an angle in the range of 0° to 60°, preferably in the range of 5° to 45°, and most preferably in the range of 15° to 30° with a vertical axis (Z) extending perpendicular to the floor surface and perpendicular to the first pivot axis.

8. 7. The floor processing device (10) of claim 6, wherein in the neutral position of the second pivot joint (20), the guide portion (14) is centered about the second pivot axis (B) relative to the floor unit (12), and the guide portion longitudinal axis (L) is positioned at an angle of approximately 90° with the first pivot axis (A).

9. 7. The floor processing device (10) of claim 6, wherein the at least one spring mechanism (70) locks and holds the guide portion (14) in the neutral position relative to the first pivot axis (A) and / or the second pivot axis (B) by spring force.

10. 10. The floor processing device (10) of claim 9, wherein when the guide portion (14) leaves the neutral position about the first pivot axis (A) and / or the second pivot axis (B) and pivots in at least one pivot direction relative to the floor unit (12), at least one spring mechanism (70) applies a spring force that initially rises over a first angular range about the first pivot axis (A) and / or the second pivot axis (B) and that remains constant or decreases when the first angular range is exceeded.

11. 3. The floor processing device (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring force of the at least one spring mechanism (70) is substantially constant while the guide portion (14) pivots about the first pivot axis (A) or the second pivot axis (B) relative to the floor unit (12).

12. 3. The floor processing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring force of the at least one spring mechanism (70) is substantially variable, preferably non-linearly variable, while the guide portion (14) pivots about the first pivot axis (A) or the second pivot axis (B) relative to the floor unit (12).

13. 3. The floor treatment device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first pivot axis (A) and the second pivot axis (B) are assigned to a single common spring mechanism.

14. 3. The floor processing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one separate spring mechanism (70, 170, 190) is assigned to each of the first pivot axis (A) and the second pivot axis (B).

15. The floor processing apparatus (10) of claim 14, wherein the spring mechanisms (70, 170, 190) have the same or different spring characteristics.

16. 3. The floor processing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring mechanism (70, 170, 190) comprises at least one shaped body (72) with a guide profile (74) and a spring element (76), and the guide profile (74), in interaction with the spring action of the spring element (76), quantitatively defines a non-linearly variable spring force when the guide part (14) pivots relative to the floor unit (12) about the second pivot axis (B) via the second pivot joint (20).

17. 17. The floor processing device (10) of claim 16, wherein the at least one molded body is attached to the guide portion and is rotatable together with the guide portion about the first pivot axis and / or the second pivot axis (B).

18. 18. The floor processing device (10) of claim 17, wherein the at least one molded body is indirectly or directly attached to the floor unit so that the guide portion remains unpivoted relative to the guide portion when the guide portion pivots relative to the floor unit about the first pivot axis or the second pivot axis (B).

19. 18. The floor processing device (10) of claim 17, wherein the at least one shaped body (74) is indirectly or directly attached to the joint device (16) so as to remain unrotated relative to the guide portion (14) when the guide portion (14) rotates relative to the floor unit (12) about the second rotation axis (B), but rotates when the guide portion (14) rotates relative to the floor unit (12) about the first rotation axis (A).

20. 17. The floor treatment device (10) of claim 16, wherein the at least one shaped body (72) has a concave guide profile (74), or a convex guide profile (74), or a guide profile (74) consisting of a concave section and a convex section, preferably a double convex guide profile.

21. 21. The floor processing apparatus (10) of claim 20, wherein the concave guide profile has a substantially central apex region (88, 188) to define the neutral position.

22. 21. The floor processing device (10) of claim 20, wherein the double convex guide profile (74) has two convex guide profile sections (84, 86) connected via a substantially central concave connecting area (88) for defining the neutral position.

23. 17. The floor processing device (10) according to claim 16, wherein the spring mechanism (70) is assigned at least one roller body (78) or slide body that cooperates with the guide profile (74), the roller body (78) or slide body being preloaded against the guide profile (74) via the spring element (76) and rolling or sliding along the guide profile (74) when the guide part (14) pivots about the first pivot axis (A) and / or the second pivot axis (B) relative to the floor unit (12).

24. The floor handling apparatus (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one spring mechanism (70) comprises a compression spring (76), a tension spring, or a spring damping element.

25. The floor processing apparatus (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one spring mechanism (70) is actuatable or deactuatable.

26. 3. The floor processing device (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one spring mechanism is adjustable, preferably with an adjustable preload, so that the assist action of the at least one spring mechanism can be adjusted by a user as needed.

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