Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
  • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
  • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
  • A47L11/4044—Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
  • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
  • A47L11/4052—Movement of the tools or the like perpendicular to the cleaning surface
  • A47L11/4055—Movement of the tools or the like perpendicular to the cleaning surface for lifting the tools to a non-working position

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a floor cleaning machine comprising a frame, a chassis arranged on the frame for moving the floor cleaning machine over a floor surface to be cleaned, and a suction foot designed to be guided over the floor surface to be cleaned and to pick up cleaning fluid from the floor surface to be cleaned, wherein the floor cleaning machine is designed to be moved in a forward direction over the floor surface to be cleaned during cleaning operation, wherein the suction foot is arranged in a forward direction at a rear end of the floor cleaning machine.
• Floor cleaning machines with a suction foot which can be moved across a floor surface to be cleaned, are known from the prior art. These machines include a cleaning unit with one or more driven brush elements designed to engage the floor surface and loosen dirt. Furthermore, an application device is provided to deliver cleaning fluid to the area of the brush elements, thus improving the loosening of dirt.
• the dirt loosened from the floor surface, as well as the cleaning fluid can be sucked up by a suction foot attached to the floor cleaning machine by means of a vacuum and conveyed into a dirty water container. To maximize the amount of dirty water that the suction foot can collect, it is wider than the floor cleaning machine itself.
• the suction foot of conventional floor cleaning machines can be raised from the floor surface via a swivel mechanism. This allows the suction foot to be pivoted between a suction position, where it is in contact with the floor surface and can pick up cleaning fluid, and a raised position, where it is detached from the floor surface. Swiveling the suction foot is particularly necessary when transporting the floor cleaning machine. Raising the suction foot is also necessary when it is not in use to prevent unnecessary wear, for example, on the sealing lips of the suction foot that are in contact with the floor surface.
• the suction foot is pre-tensioned in both the suction position and the raised position by a pre-tensioning element.
• the pre-tensioning element is intended to ensure that the suction foot remains in the respective position without swiveling back on its own, thus eliminating the need for additional locking elements to hold the suction foot in place.
• a disadvantage of these swivel mechanisms is that either only one pre-tensioning element is used for the raised position, meaning the suction foot is pressed onto the floor surface to be cleaned solely by gravity, or two pre-tensioning elements are required to apply the desired contact pressure to the floor surface.
• the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a floor cleaning machine of the type mentioned at the outset in which the suction foot can be pivoted in a particularly simple and reliable manner, wherein the suction foot is held in the raised position and in the suction position with a predetermined preload.
• a floor cleaning machine with the features of claim 1.
• the floor cleaning machine has a frame and a chassis arranged on the frame for moving the floor cleaning machine over a floor surface to be cleaned.
• the floor cleaning machine has a cleaning element arrangement with at least one, preferably driven, cleaning element configured to engage with the floor surface to be cleaned, and means for applying cleaning fluid to the floor surface to be cleaned.
• the floor cleaning machine has The floor cleaning machine is equipped with a suction foot designed to be moved across the floor surface to be cleaned and to collect cleaning fluid from it.
• the machine is designed to be moved forward across the floor surface during cleaning operation, with the suction foot positioned at a rear end of the machine.
• the suction foot is attached to a support arm that is pivotably connected to the frame about a first pivot axis.
• the support arm can be pivoted between a suction position, in which the suction foot is in contact with the floor surface to collect cleaning fluid, and a raised position, in which the suction foot is detached from the floor surface.
• a preloading element is arranged between the frame and the support arm. In the suction position, this element is designed to exert a first preload force on the support arm, pushing the suction foot towards the floor surface to be cleaned. In the raised position, it exerts a second preload force on the support arm, pushing the suction foot away from the floor surface to be cleaned. The first preload force is less than the second preload force.
• the floor cleaning machine comprises a cleaning element arrangement with at least one, preferably driven, cleaning element.
• the cleaning element is designed to engage with the floor surface to be cleaned.
• the cleaning element can be a rotating, driven brush, in which case the engagement elements are bristles whose free ends engage with the floor surface to be cleaned.
• the cleaning element is a so-called pad, in which the engagement element is formed by a flat material provided on the pad, the surface of which comes into contact with the floor surface to be cleaned.
• the present invention is not limited to these two examples, however, and any other form of cleaning element can also be used.
• the suction foot has a base from which a front and a rear sealing lip extend downwards, running essentially parallel to each other and, during suction operation when the suction foot is moved over the floor surface to be cleaned, essentially perpendicular to it, so that a suction chamber is formed between the sealing lips and below the base.
• the base has a connection through which the suction chamber, containing the vacuum-charged dirty water tank, is connected. It can be connected to a floor cleaning machine so that dirty water on the floor surface to be cleaned can be vacuumed up.
• the suction foot is attached to a support arm that is pivotably connected to the frame about a first pivot axis.
• the term "frame" refers to the stationary part of the floor cleaning machine that is connected to the chassis.
• the frame can be made of steel, aluminum, or a composite material. Additional components, in particular a housing, covers, cross and longitudinal struts, and electronic components, can be attached to the frame.
• the support arm can be integral with the suction foot or a separate component connected to the suction foot via fasteners.
• the support arm is made of the same material as the frame of the floor cleaning machine.
• the first pivot axis is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the floor cleaning machine. Because the suction foot is pivotally connected to the frame, it can adapt to the floor surface, particularly when the floor cleaning machine is moved over an inclined or curved floor. The first pivot axis being parallel to the floor surface ensures particularly good contact between the suction foot and the floor, resulting in improved cleaning performance and reliable removal of dirty water from the floor.
• the support arm can be swivelled between a suction position, in which the suction foot is in contact with the floor surface to be cleaned, allowing it to pick up cleaning fluid, and a raised position, in which the suction foot is detached from the floor surface.
• a suction position in which the suction foot is in contact with the floor surface to be cleaned, allowing it to pick up cleaning fluid
• a raised position in which the suction foot is detached from the floor surface.
• the suction foot In the suction position, the suction foot is moved across the floor surface to extract the dirty fluid, resulting in a more even cleaning.
• the raised position the suction foot is positioned so that no dirty fluid is drawn from the floor surface.
• the raised position makes transporting the floor cleaning machine particularly easy and minimizes the risk of damage to the suction foot as well as increased wear and tear.
• a preloading element is arranged between the frame and the holding arm, which is designed to exert an initial preload force on the holding arm in the extraction position.
• the pre-tensioning element applies a first pre-tensioning force to the suction foot, pushing it towards the floor surface to be cleaned.
• a second pre-tensioning force is applied to the holding arm, pushing the suction foot away from the floor surface.
• This allows the suction foot to be held in the respective position without the need for separate locking mechanisms, enabling particularly easy pivoting of the suction foot between the raised and suction positions.
• the suction foot can be held under pre-tension.
• a defined pre-tensioning force allows the suction foot to be pressed onto the floor surface with a desired force, resulting in a reliable and even cleaning outcome. Because the pre-tensioning element can apply a first and second pre-tensioning force to the holding arm, the suction foot can be held in both positions by a single pre-tensioning element. This simplifies the design and reduces the number of components in the floor cleaning machine.
• the first pre-tensioning force is lower in magnitude than the second. This ensures that, with the same pre-tensioning element, the suction foot is pressed against the floor surface to be cleaned with less force in the suction position than in the raised position, where it is pressed away from the floor surface with greater force.
• the higher second pre-tensioning force reliably holds the suction foot in the raised position, reducing the risk of it swinging into the suction position on its own.
• the lower first pre-tensioning force allows the suction foot to be pressed against the floor surface with the desired force, resulting in a reliable and even cleaning performance.
• a floor cleaning machine in which the suction foot can be pivoted in a particularly simple and reliable manner, with the suction foot being held in the raised position and in the suction position with a predetermined preload.
• the preload element is designed as a compression spring element that extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, with the first end being supported on the retaining arm and the second end being supported on the frame.
• the longitudinal axis runs in the suction position and in the raised position.
• the spring element is positioned at an angle to the base surface, so that the preload force is divided into two components.
• a first component acts parallel to the base surface, and a second component acts perpendicular to the base surface.
• the second component represents the preload force that the spring element exerts on the retaining arm.
• the compression spring element defines the first and second preload forces acting between the retaining arm and the frame. This allows a sufficiently large preload force to be generated in the relatively small installation space between the retaining arm and the frame, resulting in a particularly compact design.
• the first end is pivotably mounted on the support arm about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis.
• a pivot arm is provided which is pivotably mounted on the frame about a third pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis.
• the second end is pivotally mounted on the pivot arm about a fourth pivot axis spaced apart from the third pivot axis, the fourth pivot axis being parallel to the first pivot axis.
• the pivot arm allows the preloading element to pivot about a dead center, enabling the preloading element to exert the first preload force on the first end, acting in the direction of the floor surface to be cleaned, and the second preload force, acting in the opposite direction to the floor surface to be cleaned.
• the dead center is defined as the point in the pivot range of the support arm at which the first and second preload forces cancel each other out.
• the first and second preload forces are zero at the dead center.
• the dead center is defined as the point at which the longitudinal axis of the spring element is parallel to a plane passing through the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. This increases the flexibility and adaptability of the preload element in application by allowing different preload forces to be applied to the suction cup.
• the fourth pivot axis in the raised position, is arranged below a first plane extending through the first and second pivot axes.
• the fourth pivot axis In the suction position, the fourth pivot axis, viewed perpendicular to the floor surface to be cleaned, is arranged above the first plane extending through the first and second pivot axes.
• the first plane extends through the first and second pivot axes, with the fourth pivot axis, viewed perpendicular to the first plane, extending through the first and second pivot axes, in the raised position.
• the fourth pivot axis is located below the first level when cleaning the floor surface. In the suction position, however, it is located above the first level.
• the first level allows the dead center to be defined such that the longitudinal axis at the dead center extends parallel to the first level, or, in other words, the longitudinal axis of the pretensioning element and the first level coincide at the dead center.
• the angle between the first plane and a second plane extending through the second and fourth pivot axes is greater in the raised position than in the lowered position.
• the second plane runs at an angle to the floor surface in both the lowered and raised positions.
• the pretensioning force is divided into two components: one parallel to the floor surface and one perpendicular to it.
• the component of the pretensioning force acting perpendicular to the floor surface, the first and second pretensioning forces can be determined by trigonometry using the angle between the first and second planes. Due to the smaller angle in the lowered position, a smaller force component perpendicular to the floor surface is achieved.
• the angle between the first and second planes in the suction position can become negative with reference to the first plane after the dead center point has been overcome, since the two planes move in opposite directions and are therefore oriented in opposite directions after the dead center point. This allows for a reversal of the perpendicular component of the preload force, enabling effective adjustment of the force direction and magnitude according to the requirements of the respective position of the suction foot.
• a first stop element is arranged on the frame, which is designed to come into contact with the swivel arm in the suction position and prevent the fourth pivot axis of the swivel arm from pivoting away from the floor surface to be cleaned.
• the first stop element limits the swivel range of the swivel arm so that it does not pivot further upwards away from the floor surface to be cleaned. This ensures that the The first preload force with which the suction foot is pressed onto the floor surface to be cleaned remains limited, since the first stop element prevents the angle between the aforementioned first plane and the aforementioned second plane from increasing arbitrarily, which would lead to an increase in the first preload force.
• a second stop element is arranged on the frame. This stop element is designed to make contact with the support arm in the raised position and prevent the support arm from pivoting beyond the raised position and away from the floor surface to be cleaned.
• the second stop element allows the pivoting range to the raised position to be limited to a predetermined area, preventing the suction foot from pivoting beyond this predefined range. This ensures that the suction foot is held in the raised position with a predetermined second preload force, and the second stop element prevents this force from increasing due to further pivoting. Furthermore, this reduces the risk of damage to the suction foot or the floor cleaning machine caused by excessive pivoting of the suction foot.
• the support arm is pivotably connected to the frame at a first end section and has an actuating element at an end section opposite the first end section.
• the actuating element can be designed such that a user can actuate it with a foot.
• the actuating element can have a pedal for this purpose.
• the actuating element can be made of a material that has a higher coefficient of friction than the material of the support arm, thus providing the actuating element with greater grip or adhesion.
• a first support bolt extending along the second pivot axis is provided on the support arm, wherein the pivot arm has a second support bolt extending along the fourth pivot axis, and wherein the compression spring element is supported at its first end on the first support bolt and at its second end on the second support bolt.
• a support bolt can be a component that serves to hold or guide the compression spring element in a defined position, while allowing rotational movement or positioning about the second and fourth pivot axes.
• the support bolts enable precise and stable fastening and guidance of the compression spring element, thereby ensuring correct alignment and function. The spring can be reached.
• the support bolts help to distribute mechanical loads evenly across the support arm and frame, increasing durability and reliability.
• the swivel arm has a first leg and a second leg, with the second support bolt extending between the first and second legs.
• This arrangement allows the support bolt to serve as a pivot point around which the two legs can perform an opposing rotational movement.
• the two legs enable one of them to be used as abutments against the first stop element, which defines and controls the movement limits of the swivel arm.
• the compression spring element comprises a compression spring and a first stop piece arranged at the first end of the compression spring element, and a second stop piece arranged at the second end of the compression element.
• the compression spring extends between and is supported by the first and second stop pieces, with the first stop piece bearing against the first support bolt and the second stop piece bearing against the second support bolt.
• a stop piece can be understood as a mechanical component that serves to limit the movement of the compression spring.
• the stop pieces can act as restraint points that prevent the compression spring from moving away from the support bolts.
• the stop pieces at both ends of the compression spring ensure optimal support of the compression spring. The stop pieces ensure that the forces acting during the compression and expansion of the compression spring are effectively absorbed and transmitted. This results in a longer service life for the compression spring and increased safety and efficiency of the holding arm.
• the first stop piece has first arms extending along the longitudinal axis towards the second stop piece, and the second stop piece has second arms extending along the longitudinal axis towards the first stop piece, wherein the first and second arms are spaced apart about the longitudinal axis, such that a first arm is arranged between two second arms.
• the stop pieces, or arms serve as guides for the compression spring element, interlocking with each other.
• the arms run within the cross-section of the compression spring, i.e., inside the spring itself. This arrangement provides effective guidance for the compression spring element, ensuring that it can pivot around the second and fourth axes without disengaging from the support bolts.
• first arm is positioned between the second arms, they interlock along their length, creating a guide that can compensate for differences in the compression spring's length, even when the two stop pieces move apart. This prevents the compression spring element from slipping or twisting during operation and contributes to the stability and accuracy of the movements.
• Figure 1 and 2 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention.
• the floor cleaning machine 1 has a frame 3 and a chassis 5 arranged on the frame 3 for moving the floor cleaning machine 1 over a floor surface 7 to be cleaned.
• the term frame 3 refers to the stationary part of the floor cleaning machine 1 that is connected to the Chassis 5 is connected.
• the frame 3 can, for example, be made of a steel or aluminum construction or of a composite material.
• the floor cleaning machine 1 has a cleaning element arrangement 9 with a cleaning element 11, wherein the cleaning element 11 is designed to engage with the floor surface 7 to be cleaned.
• the cleaning element 11 can be a brush, in which case the engagement elements are bristles whose free ends engage with the floor surface 7 to be cleaned.
• the cleaning element 11 is a so-called pad, in which the engagement element is formed by a flat material provided on the pad, the surface of which comes into contact with the floor surface 7 to be cleaned.
• the floor cleaning machine 1 has a housing 13 for enclosing the floor cleaning machine 1.
• the housing 13 can accommodate, among other things, a fresh water tank for receiving fresh water and a dirty water tank for receiving dirty water.
• the floor cleaning machine 1 has a guide handle assembly 15, which allows the user to guide the floor cleaning machine 1 and which, viewed in the forward direction, is located at the rear of the floor cleaning machine 1.
• the guide handle assembly 15 serves as a support by which the user can hold, control, and steer the floor cleaning machine 1.
• the placement of the guide handle assembly 15 at the rear contributes to more precise steering with less effort.
• the guide handle assembly 15 can be ergonomically shaped, resulting in improved comfort and reduced physical strain during operation, which is particularly advantageous during prolonged use of the floor cleaning machine 1.
• the chassis 5 has a first chassis axle 17 and a second chassis axle 19, wherein a first roller unit 21 in the form of two rollers spaced apart along the first chassis axle 17 is arranged on the first chassis axle 17 and a second roller unit 23 in the form of a swivel roller is arranged on the second chassis axle 19.
• the rollers of the first roller unit 21 and the second roller unit 23 are configured to roll over the floor surface 7 to be cleaned.
• the floor cleaning machine 1 has a suction foot 25.
• the suction foot 25 has first and second wheels 27, 27', with the first wheels 27 being arranged at the front end of the suction foot 25 as viewed in the forward direction of travel of the floor cleaning machine 1, while the second wheels 27' are mounted at its rear end.
• the wheels 27, 27' are designed to roll over the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, and their contact points with the floor surface 7 define a wheel plane 29.
• the wheel plane 29 runs parallel to the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, so that a predefined and uniform distance between the suction foot 25 and the floor surface 7 to be cleaned and a uniform cleaning result can be achieved.
• the floor cleaning machine 1 is designed to be moved forward in a cleaning direction over the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, with the suction foot 25 being arranged at a rear end of the floor cleaning machine 1 when viewed in the forward direction.
• the suction foot 25 is designed to be guided over the floor surface 7 to be cleaned and to collect dirty liquid from the floor surface 7.
• the suction foot 25 has a base 31, from which, as in the Figures 3 and 4 As shown, a front sealing lip 33 and a rear sealing lip 35 extend downwards, essentially parallel to each other and, in suction operation when the suction foot 25 is moved over the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, essentially perpendicular to them, so that a suction chamber 37 is formed between the sealing lips 33, 35 and below the base 31.
• the base 31 has a connection through which the suction chamber 37 can be connected to the vacuumed dirty water tank of the floor cleaning machine 1, so that dirty water located on the floor surface 7 to be cleaned can be suctioned out.
• the suction foot 25 is attached to a support arm 39, which is pivotably connected to the frame 3 about a first pivot axis 41.
• the support arm 39 can be integral with the suction foot 25 or, as in the present embodiment, designed as a separate component that is connected to the suction foot 25 via fasteners.
• the support arm 39 is made of the same material as the frame 3 of the floor cleaning machine 1.
• the first pivot axis 41 is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the floor cleaning machine 1. Because the suction foot 25 is pivotably connected to the frame 3, This ensures that the suction foot 25 can adapt to the floor surface 7, especially when the floor cleaning machine 1 is guided over an inclined or curved floor surface 7.
• the first pivot axis 41 which is parallel to the floor surface 7, allows for particularly good contact between the suction foot 25 and the floor surface 7, resulting in improved cleaning performance and reliable suction of dirty water from the floor surface 7.
• the support arm 39 can be pivoted between a suction position, in which the suction foot 25 is in contact with the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, so that it can pick up dirty liquid from the floor surface 7, and a raised position, in which the suction foot 25 is spaced away from the floor surface 7 to be cleaned.
• the suction foot 25 In the suction position, the suction foot 25 is, as in Figure 1
• the wheel 27, 27' is shown moving across the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, with the wheels 27, 27' rolling across the floor surface 7 so that dirty liquid can be suctioned from the floor surface 7, resulting in a uniform cleaning result.
• the raised position of the suction foot 25 is shown below. Figure 2 explained in more detail.
• Figure 2 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention in the raised position.
• the suction foot 25 is spaced from the floor surface 7 in such a way that the wheels 27, 27' are spaced from the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, so that no dirty liquid is sucked up from the floor surface 7.
• the raised position allows the floor cleaning machine 1 to be transported while minimizing the risk of damage to the suction foot 25 and increased wear of the suction foot 25.
• the construction of the support arm 39 is described below with reference to the Figure 3 described.
• Figure 3 shows a schematic partial view of the suction foot 25 in the suction position of the floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention.
• a preload element 43 is arranged between the frame 3 and the support arm 39, and is configured to exert a preload force on the support arm 39.
• the preload element 43 is designed as a compression spring element that extends along a longitudinal axis 49 between a first end 45 and a second end 47, with the first end 45 bearing against the support arm 39 and the second end 47 bearing against the frame 3.
• the longitudinal axis 49 runs at an angle to the base surface 7, so that the preload force is divided into two components.
• a first force component acts parallel to the base surface 7.
• a second force component acts perpendicular to the base surface 7, representing the preload force exerted by the preload element on the retaining arm 39.
• the preload force acting between the retaining arm 39 and the frame 3 can be defined by the compression spring element. This allows a sufficiently large preload force to be generated in the relatively small installation space between the retaining arm 39 and the frame 3, resulting in a particularly compact design.
• the retaining arm 39 is connected to the frame 3 at a first end section and has an actuating element 51 at a second end section opposite the first end section.
• the actuating element 51 can be designed such that a user can actuate it with a foot.
• the actuating element 51 can have a pedal for this purpose.
• the actuating element 51 can be made of a material that has a higher coefficient of friction than the material of the retaining arm 39, thus giving the actuating element 51 greater grip or adhesion.
• the holding arm 39 is pivoted about the first pivot axis 41 such that the wheel plane 29 and the base surface 7 correspond to each other, or the wheel plane 29 is in contact with the base surface 7 and the wheels 27, 27' roll over the base surface 7.
• a first stop element 53 is arranged on the frame 3, the function of which will be explained below.
• Figure 4 shows a schematic partial view of the suction foot 25 of the floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention.
• Figure 2 in the raised position.
• the retaining arm 39 is pivoted about the first pivot axis 41 such that the wheel plane 29 is spaced away from the floor surface 7, so that no dirty liquid can be suctioned from the floor surface 7.
• a second stop element 55 is arranged on the frame 3. This stop element is designed to contact the holding arm 39 in the raised position and prevent the holding arm 39 from pivoting beyond the raised position and away from the floor surface 7 to be cleaned.
• the second stop element 55 allows the pivot range to be limited to a predetermined area, preventing the suction foot 25 from pivoting beyond the raised position. This ensures that the suction foot 25 is held in the raised position with a predetermined preload force.
• the stop element 55 prevents the preload force from increasing further through swiveling. It also reduces the risk of damage to the suction foot 25 or the floor cleaning machine 1 caused by excessive swiveling of the suction foot 25.
• Figures 5a and 5b schematic partial views of the holding arm 39 of the exemplary embodiment of the floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention are shown in the Figures 1 to 4 , wherein the retaining arm 39 in Figure 5a in the extraction position and in Figure 5b shown in the raised position.
• the first end 45 is pivotably mounted on the support arm 39 about a second pivot axis 57, which runs parallel to the first pivot axis 41.
• a pivot arm 59 is provided, which is pivotably mounted on the frame 3 about a third pivot axis 61, which runs parallel to the first pivot axis 41.
• the second end 47 is pivotally mounted on the pivot arm 59 about a fourth pivot axis 63, spaced apart from the third pivot axis 61.
• the fourth pivot axis 63 runs parallel to the first pivot axis 41.
• the pivot arm 59 allows the pretensioning element 43 to pivot about a dead center, so that the pretensioning element 43 assumes a position as shown in Figure 6 shown, first preload force on the first end 45, which is in the direction of the floor surface to be cleaned 7, and one, as in Figure 7 As shown, a second preload force can be exerted, acting in the opposite direction to the floor surface 7 to be cleaned.
• the dead center is defined as the point in the pivot range of the retaining arm 39 where the first and second preload forces cancel each other out.
• the first and second preload forces are equal to zero at the dead center.
• the dead center is defined as the point where the longitudinal axis 49 of the compression spring element is parallel to a plane passing through the first pivot axis 41 and the second pivot axis 57.
• a first support bolt 65 extending along the second pivot axis 55 is provided on the retaining arm 39, wherein the pivot arm 59 has a second support bolt 67 extending along the fourth pivot axis 63, and wherein the preloading element 43 is supported at its first end 45 on the first support bolt 65 and at its second end 47 on the second support bolt 67.
• a support bolt 65, 67 can be a component that serves to support the preloading element.
• the support bolts 65 and 67 are designed to hold or guide the preload element 43 in a fixed position while allowing rotation or positioning about the second and fourth pivot axes 57 and 63. Firstly, they enable precise and stable fastening and guidance of the preload element 43, ensuring correct alignment and function of the spring. Secondly, they help to distribute mechanical loads evenly across the retaining arm 39 and the frame 3, thus increasing durability and reliability.
• the swivel arm 59 has a first leg 69 and a second leg 71, with the second support bolt 67 extending between the first and second legs 69, 71.
• This arrangement allows the second support bolt 67 to serve as a pivot point around which the two legs 69, 71 can perform an opposing rotational movement.
• the two legs 69, 71 enable one of them to come into contact with the first stop element 53, which defines the movement limits of the swivel arm.
• the arrangement of the swivel arm 59 and the preload element 43 is described below. Figure 6 and 7 explained in more detail.
• FIG 6 and 7 schematic partial views of the holding arm 39 of the exemplary embodiment of the floor cleaning machine 1 are shown from the Figures 1 to 4 , 5a and 5b
• the pre-tensioning element 43 is set up in the extraction position, as in Figure 6 shown to exert a first preload force 73 on the holding arm 39, which pushes the suction foot 25 towards the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, and in the raised position, as in Figure 7 As shown, a second preload force 75 is applied to the holding arm 39, which pushes the suction foot 25 away from the floor surface 7 to be cleaned.
• the preload element 43 allows the suction foot 25 to be held in the respective position without the need for separate locking elements, thus enabling particularly easy pivoting of the suction foot 25 between the raised position and the suction position.
• the suction foot 25 can be held under the preload force 73, 75.
• a defined preload force allows the suction foot 25 to be pressed against the floor surface 7 to be cleaned with a desired force, resulting in a reliable and uniform cleaning outcome.
• the preload element 43 can exert a first preload force 73 and a second preload force 75 on the holding arm 39, the suction foot 25 can be held in both positions by a single preload element 43. This allows for a simpler design and a reduction in the number of components of the floor cleaning machine 1.
• the first preload force 73 is lower in magnitude than the second preload force 75. This ensures that the suction foot 25, with the same preload element 43, is pressed against the floor surface 7 to be cleaned with a lower preload force in the suction position than in the raised position, where the suction foot 25 is pressed away from the floor surface 7 with a greater preload force.
• the higher second preload force 75 ensures that the suction foot 25 can be reliably held in the raised position, reducing the risk of it pivoting into the suction position on its own.
• the lower first preload force 73 allows the suction foot 25 to be pressed against the floor surface 7 with the desired force, resulting in a reliable and uniform cleaning outcome and ensuring that the suction foot 25 remains in contact with the floor surface 7.
• the preload element 43 has a first stop piece 77 arranged at the first end 45 and a second stop piece 79 arranged at the second end 47, wherein the preload element 43 extends between the first stop piece 77 and the second stop piece 79 and is supported by them, and wherein the first stop piece 77 rests against the first support bolt 65 and the second stop piece 79 rests against the second support bolt 67.
• the preload element 43 extends between the first and the second stop pieces 77, 79 and is supported by them.
• a stop piece can be understood as a mechanical component that serves to limit the movement of the preload element 43.
• the stop pieces 77, 79 can act as restraint points that prevent the preload element 43 from being released from the support bolts 65, 67.
• the stop pieces 77, 79 at both ends 45, 47 of the preload element 43 provide optimal support for the preload element 43.
• the stop pieces 77, 79 ensure that the forces acting during the compression and expansion of the preload element 43 are effectively absorbed and transmitted. This results in a longer service life for the preload element 43 and increased safety and efficiency of the retaining arm 39.
• the first stop piece 77 has first arms 81 extending along the longitudinal axis 49 towards the second stop piece 79, and the second stop piece 79 has second arms 83 extending along the longitudinal axis 49 towards the first stop piece 77, wherein the first and second arms 81, 83 are spaced apart about the longitudinal axis 49, such that a first arm 81 is arranged between two second arms 83.
• the stop pieces 77, 79 and the arms 81, 83 therefore serve as guides for the pretensioning element 43, which interlock.
• the arms 81, 83 extend within the cross-section of the preload element 43, i.e., inside the compression spring. This arrangement provides effective guidance for the preload element 43, ensuring that it can pivot about the second and fourth pivot axes 57, 63 without disengaging from the support bolts 65, 67. Because the first arm 81 is positioned between the second arms 83, and vice versa, the arms 81, 83 interlock along their extension direction, thus providing guidance that can compensate for differences in the compression spring's length, even when the two stop pieces 81, 83 move apart. This prevents the preload element 43 from slipping or twisting during actuation and contributes to the stability and accuracy of the movements.
• the fourth pivot axis 63 In the raised position, the fourth pivot axis 63, viewed perpendicular to the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, is arranged below a first plane 85 extending through the first and second pivot axes 41, 57 (see Fig. 7 ), and in the suction position the fourth pivot axis 63 is arranged perpendicular to the floor surface 7 to be cleaned above the first level 85 (see Fig. 6 ), which extends through the first and second pivot axes 41, 57.
• the first plane 85 extends through the first and second pivot axes 41, 57, with the fourth pivot axis 63, viewed perpendicular to the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, being located below the first plane 85 in the raised position.
• the fourth pivot axis 63 is located above the first plane 85.
• the dead center can be defined by the first plane 85 such that the longitudinal axis 49 extends parallel to the first plane 85 at the dead center.
• the angle is greater in the raised position than in the suction position.
• the second level 87 runs at an angle to the floor surface 7 in both the suction and raised positions.
• the prestressing force is divided into two components: one parallel to the base surface 7 and one perpendicular to it.
• the component of the prestressing force acting perpendicular to the base surface 7, the first and second prestressing forces 73, 75 can be determined by trigonometry using the angle between the first and second planes 85, 87.
• the smaller angle in the extraction position results in a smaller force component perpendicular to the base surface 7. This leads to a lower overall force acting perpendicular to the base surface 7. If the angle is determined with reference to the first plane 85, it can become negative in the extraction position after the dead center point has been overcome, since the two planes 85, 87 move in opposite directions and are therefore oriented in opposite directions after the dead center point. This allows for a reversal of the vertical component of the preload force, so that an effective adjustment of the force direction and magnitude can be achieved according to the requirements of the respective position of the suction foot 25.
• the first stop element 53 is arranged on the frame 3, which is designed to come into contact with the swivel arm 59 in the extraction position and to prevent the fourth swivel axis 63 on the swivel arm 59 from pivoting away from the floor surface 7 to be cleaned (see Figure 6 This ensures that the initial preload force with which the suction foot 25 is pressed onto the floor surface 7 to be cleaned remains limited. This is because the first stop element 53 prevents the angle between the aforementioned first plane 85 and the aforementioned second plane 87 from increasing arbitrarily, which would otherwise lead to an increase in the initial preload force.
• a floor cleaning machine 1 in which the suction foot 25 can be pivoted in a particularly simple and reliable manner, with the suction foot 25 being held in the raised position and in the suction position with a predetermined preload.

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• 2024
  • 2024-05-14 DE DE102024113491.7A patent/DE102024113491A1/de active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-04-29 EP EP25173206.1A patent/EP4649877A3/fr active Pending

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