Cleaning device with ozone generator

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device (100) for wet or damp cleaning of a surface (1000) to be cleaned, comprising a supply unit (5) for applying a water-containing cleaning fluid (6) to the surface (1000) and an ozone generator (4), in particular a controllable ozone generator, for introducing at least one oxidizing agent into the cleaning fluid (6). According to the invention, a unit (10) for limiting the oxidizing agent content in the cleaning fluid (6) and / or on the surface (1000) and / or in the ambient air (2000) is provided in the cleaning device (100) in order to thereby protect the operator of the cleaning device.

Description

[0001] Cleaning device with ozone generator

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a cleaning device for damp or wet cleaning of a surface to be cleaned, comprising a supply unit for applying a water-containing cleaning fluid to the surface and an ozone generator for introducing at least one oxidizing agent into the cleaning fluid.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Various hand-operated cleaning devices for wet cleaning are known for cleaning surfaces, such as mops, steam cleaners, window cleaners, etc. These cleaning devices often have a cleaning pad that can be moved across the surface to be cleaned. It is also known to equip these devices with tanks for storing cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid can be water or water mixed with cleaning agents. German patent DE 10 2020 100 914 A1 discloses the use of an ozone generator in a cleaning device. The ozone generator releases ozone into the cleaning fluid, which allows for additional disinfection and thus contributes to improved cleaning. However, ozone is a toxic oxidizing agent that can cause irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes in humans, as well as promote respiratory diseases.

[0006] A disadvantage of these cleaning devices is that the operator could come into skin contact with the ozone or inhale ozone escaping into the ambient air.

[0007] Task

[0008] The object of the present invention is to create a cleaning device for the damp or wet cleaning of a surface to be cleaned with cleaning fluid containing an oxidizing agent, in which health impairments of the operator caused by the oxidizing agent are reliably avoided.

[0009] Technical solution

[0010] This task is solved by a cleaning device as described and claimed below.

[0011] According to the invention, it was found to be advantageous to provide a device for limiting the content of the oxidizing agent in the cleaning fluid and / or on the surface and / or in the ambient air, thus protecting the operator of the cleaning device.

[0012] The cleaning device according to the invention is used for damp or wet cleaning of a surface to be cleaned, with a supply unit for the direct or indirect application of a water-based cleaning fluid to the surface. The cleaning fluid can, in particular, be tap water. The cleaning device has an ozone generator, which is particularly controllable, for introducing at least one oxidizing agent into the cleaning fluid. The oxidizing agent can essentially be ozone O3, which, as so-called "active oxygen," has a disinfecting effect.

[0013] Advantageously, the cleaning device is equipped with a mechanism for limiting the concentration of the oxidizing agent in the cleaning fluid and / or on the surface and / or in the ambient air. Limiting the concentration of the oxidizing agent in the cleaning fluid ensures maximum saturation of the cleaning fluid with oxidizing agent. This limitation mechanism protects the operator from health risks associated with the oxidizing agent.

[0014] Various devices for limiting the concentration of the oxidizing agent are conceivable, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0015] In one variant, the cleaning device incorporates a measuring device for determining the oxidizing agent content in the cleaning fluid as a limiting mechanism. This measuring device can be an ozone meter with an ozone sensor. The ozone sensor can be integrated into or connected to a fluid line between the ozone generator and the dispensing unit. It appears particularly advantageous to regulate the ozone generator based on the measurement result. Alternatively, or additionally, a pump could be integrated into the control loop to influence the dispensed quantity of cleaning fluid.

[0016] In a second variant, the supply unit, as a means of restriction, has at least one extraction system for extracting ambient air and is specifically equipped with a filter for removing oxidizing agents from the ambient air. This prevents the operator from inhaling air enriched with oxidizing agents.

[0017] In a third variant, the supply unit, as a device for restriction, has a nozzle arrangement with at least one nozzle opening for spraying cleaning fluid.

[0018] Suitable nozzles include, for example, flat jet nozzles with a convex or uniform spray pattern. The nozzle arrangement ensures that the cleaning fluid containing the oxidizing agent is precisely delivered where needed, allowing the oxidizing agent to take effect. The cleaning fluid can be sprayed directly onto the surface to be cleaned and / or onto a cleaning element, such as a wiping pad, that can be brought into contact with the surface.

[0019] In the case of direct spraying onto the surface to be cleaned, the nozzle arrangement can be positioned such that at least one nozzle opening is a maximum of 20 cm away from the surface to be cleaned when the cleaning device is in its working position.

[0020] In a fourth variant, the dispensing unit has a chamber that is open towards the surface to be cleaned, but otherwise essentially closed, as a means of restriction. This prevents the cleaning fluid from mixing with the ambient air in the area of ​​the dispensing unit.

[0021] In a fifth variant, the cleaning device's dispensing unit has a wiping pad. This pad is advantageously provided with an adsorbent for adsorbing the oxidizing agent. The adsorbent can be incorporated into a circumferential edge or into bristles or fringes on the edge of the wiping pad.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the adsorbent can be incorporated into the wiper pad over a wide area, i.e., the adsorbent is distributed over the wiping surface of the wiper pad.

[0023] The adsorbent may consist of activated carbon and / or zeolites and / or aluminum oxides.

[0024] Alternative adsorption materials for the ozonolysis process include rubber materials. The ozonolysis process describes the reaction of ozone with vulcanized rubber, resulting in electrophilic addition to the rubber's double bonds. This leads to the formation of an unstable primary ozonide, which further decomposes into carbonyl compounds and carbonyl oxide. These decomposition products can then react to form secondary ozonides, which are harmless to health. Potentially advantageous rubber materials include EPDM rubber (a terpolymer elastomer and therefore a synthetic rubber) or latex. From an ecological perspective, it is preferable to source the rubber materials from waste products of other manufacturing processes. For sufficient ozonolysis, the rubber materials must have a large surface area available for the desired reaction.If the rubber material is incorporated into the edge of the wiper pad or the wiper pad itself, it can be in the form of granules. Alternatively, the rubber material could have a three-dimensional structure with an optimized surface area, for example, by incorporating grooves, bumps, waves, or similar features.

[0025] In a further development of the cleaning device, the dispensing unit comprises at least one wiping pad and a nozzle assembly with at least one nozzle opening for spraying cleaning fluid. The wiping pad has at least one recess, cutout, or hole as an area without a wiping surface. The at least one nozzle of the nozzle assembly is adjusted so that cleaning fluid can be sprayed through the recess. This allows the cleaning fluid to be sprayed directly onto the surface to be cleaned and then distributed with the wiping pad. Furthermore, it appears advantageous to provide an adsorbent in the edge area of ​​the wiping pad—as described above—which can neutralize excess oxidizing agent.

[0026] In a further development of the cleaning device, it features a sensor for detecting the distance to the surface being cleaned. The sensor is connected to a control unit via data transmission, which controls the ozone generator based on the sensor's measurement.

[0027] If the measured distance exceeds a predefined limit, the ozone generator is switched off. This prevents the oxidizing agent from being released primarily into the ambient air instead of acting on the surface being cleaned, as intended.

[0028] The described invention and the described advantageous developments and variants of the invention also represent advantageous developments of the invention when combined with each other - insofar as this is technically sensible.

[0029] Regarding further advantages and structurally and functionally advantageous embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the dependent claims and the description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Exemplary embodiment

[0030] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures.

[0031] Corresponding elements and components are marked with the same reference symbols in the figures. For the sake of clarity, the figures are not drawn to scale.

[0032] They show in schematic representation

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a cleaning device.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a cleaning device.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a cleaning device.

[0036] Fig. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a cleaning device.

[0037] Fig. 5 ac different designs of wiping pads

[0038] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a cleaning device 100 for

[0039] Wet cleaning. This is used to clean a surface 1000 located below the cleaning device 100. The surface 1000 is exposed to water-based cleaning fluid 6, which can be spread and removed using a wiping pad 7.

[0040] The cleaning device 100 has a dispensing unit 5 for applying the cleaning fluid 6 to the surface 1000. The dispensing unit 5 can, for example, generate a spray jet of cleaning fluid 6. The dispensing unit 5 is connected by means of a line 2 to a tank 1 in which the water-based cleaning fluid 6 is stored. A pump 3 and a controllable ozone generator 4 for introducing at least one oxidizing agent into the cleaning fluid 6 are arranged between the tank 1 and the dispensing unit 5.

[0041] To prevent excessive ozone release during cleaning, the cleaning device 100 is equipped with a device 10 for limiting the concentration of the oxidizing agent in the cleaning fluid 6 and / or on the surface 1000 and / or in the ambient air 2000. Various configurations of the device 10 for limiting the concentration of the oxidizing agent are conceivable.

[0042] In the first embodiment of the cleaning device 100 according to Figure 1, the device 10 for limiting the concentration of the oxidizing agent is designed as a measuring device 11 for determining the concentration of oxidizing agent in the cleaning fluid 6. The measuring device 11 is integrated into or connected to the line 2. The measuring device 11 can be connected to a control unit 8 via data transmission (not shown here; see Figure 4 for an exemplary embodiment). The ozone generator 4 and / or the pump 3 can also be connected to the control unit 8 via data transmission, allowing their operation to be controlled based on the measurement result of the measuring device 11. If the concentration of oxidizing agent in the cleaning fluid rises above a limit value, the ozone generator 4 can be adjusted accordingly so that the concentration of oxidizing agent decreases again.

[0043] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a cleaning device 100 for damp or wet cleaning. The design is similar to that of the cleaning device 100 according to Figure 1.

[0044] However, the device 10 for limiting the oxidizing agent concentration has a different configuration: in the area of ​​the supply unit 5, an extraction arrangement 12 for extracting ambient air 2000 mL is provided. As indicated by the arrows, the ambient air 2000 mL can be drawn in. The extraction arrangement 12 can have a filter (not explicitly shown) for removing oxidizing agent from the extracted ambient air 2000 mL, so that after the air has been cleaned by the filter, it can be released again. In this way, the concentration of oxidizing agent in the ambient air 2000 mL can be limited. The cleaned air could, for example, be directed onto already cleaned surfaces and accelerate the drying of these surfaces.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a cleaning device 100 for

[0046] Damp or wet cleaning. However, the device 10 for limiting the oxidizing agent content has a different design: it is designed as

[0047] Nozzle arrangement 13 for spraying cleaning fluid, designed with at least one nozzle with a nozzle opening. This is part of the supply unit 5. For example, a flat jet nozzle with a convex or uniform distribution can be used.

[0048] The nozzle arrangement 13 is positioned such that at least one nozzle opening is at a distance a of no more than 20 cm from the surface to be cleaned. Additionally, the supply unit 5 may optionally have a chamber 14, open towards the surface to be cleaned but otherwise essentially closed, as a further means of limiting 10. This chamber 14 is indicated by dashed lines. Such a chamber 14 prevents cleaning fluid 6 from escaping upwards or laterally. This limits the concentration of oxidizing agent in the ambient air 2000.

[0049] Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a cleaning device 100 for

[0050] Wet or damp cleaning. However, the device 10 for limiting the concentration of the oxidizing agent has a different design: a sensor 17 is provided in the area of ​​the supply unit 5 to determine the distance a between the supply unit 5 and the surface 1000 to be cleaned. The sensor 17 is connected to a control unit 8 via data transmission. The ozone generator 4 and the pump 3 are also connected to the control unit 8 via data transmission, and their operation may be controlled depending on the measurement result of the sensor 17. This ensures that cleaning fluid 6 containing the oxidizing agent is only supplied by the supply unit 5 when a maximum distance a is not exceeded. If the distance a is too great, there is a risk that the cleaning agent 6 will not substantially wet the surface 1000 to be cleaned, but will instead be released into the environment.

[0051] Figures 5a to 5c show different variants of wiper pads 7, each of which has a device 10 for limiting the content of the oxidizing agent.

[0052] In the wiping pad 7 of Fig. 5a, an adsorbent is incorporated into the edge 15 of the wiping pad 7.

[0053] In the wiping pad 7 of Fig. 5b, an adsorbent 16 is incorporated into the wiping pad 7 over a wide area.

[0054] The wiping pad 7 in Fig. 5c has a central recess 7.1. The cleaning fluid 6 can be directed from the supply unit 5, for example by a spray jet, into the area of ​​the recess 7.1.

[0055] The facilities described above, number 10, for restricting the

[0056] The concentrations of the oxidizing agent can also be combined.

[0057] Reference symbol list

[0058] 1 tank containing water-based cleaning fluid

[0059] 2 lines

[0060] 3 Pump

[0061] 4 Ozone generator

[0062] 5 Deployment unit

[0063] 6 Cleaning fluid (e.g., spray jet)

[0064] 7 wiper pads

[0065] 7.1 Recess

[0066] 8 Control unit

[0067] 9

[0068] 10. Device for restriction

[0069] 11 Measuring device

[0070] 12 Extraction arrangement

[0071] 13 Nozzle arrangement

[0072] 14th Chamber

[0073] 15 adsorbents in the margin

[0074] 16 adsorbents incorporated over the entire surface

[0075] 17 Sensor

[0076] 100 cleaning device

[0077] 1000 surfaces to be cleaned

[0078] 2000 ambient air at a distance

Claims

Claims 1. Cleaning device (100) for wet cleaning of a surface (1000) to be cleaned, comprising a supply unit (5) for applying a water-containing cleaning fluid (6) to the surface (1000) and a particularly controllable ozone generator (4) for introducing at least one oxidizing agent into the cleaning fluid (6), characterized in that the cleaning device (100) includes a device (10) for limiting the content of the oxidizing agent in the cleaning fluid (6) and / or on the surface (1000) and / or in the ambient air (2000).

2. Cleaning device according to claim 1 characterized in that the cleaning device (100) has a measuring device (11) as a device (10) for limiting the oxidizing agent content in the cleaning fluid (6).

3. Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the provision unit (5) as a device (10) for limiting has at least one extraction arrangement (12) for extracting ambient air (2000), in particular with a filter for removing oxidizing agent from the ambient air (2000).

4. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the provision unit (5) serves as a device (10) for limiting a Nozzle arrangement (13) comprising at least one nozzle with a nozzle opening for spraying cleaning fluid (6).

5. Cleaning device according to claim 4 characterized in that the nozzle arrangement (13) is positioned such that the at least one nozzle opening is spaced a maximum of 20 cm away from the surface (1000) to be cleaned.

6. Cleaning device according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that the provision unit (5) as a device for limiting (10) has a chamber (14) open towards the surface to be cleaned (1000), otherwise substantially closed.

7. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the provision unit (5) has a wiping pad (7) which is provided with an adsorbent (15, 16) for adsorption of the oxidizing agent.

8. Cleaning device according to claim 7 characterized in that the adsorbent (15) is incorporated in a circumferential rim or in bristles or fringes on the edge of the wiping pad (7).

9. Cleaning device according to claim 7 or 8 characterized in that the adsorbent (16) is incorporated into the wiper pad (7) over a surface area.

10. Cleaning device according to one of claims 7 to 9 characterized in that the adsorbent (15, 16) comprises activated carbon and / or zeolites and / or aluminium oxides.

11. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the supply unit (5) has at least one wiping pad (7) and a nozzle arrangement (13) with at least one nozzle with a nozzle opening for spraying cleaning fluid (6), wherein the wiping pad (7) has at least one recess (7.1) as an area without a wiping surface and wherein the at least one nozzle of the nozzle arrangement (13) is adjusted so that cleaning fluid (6) can be sprayed through the recess (7.1).

12. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the cleaning device (100) has a sensor (17) for detecting the distance (a) to a surface (1000) to be cleaned, which is connected to a control unit (8) for data transmission purposes, for controlling the ozone generator (4) depending on the measurement result of the sensor (17).

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