ICE-REMOVAL TOOL FOR AN ICE-REMOVAL MACHINE, AND HAND-HELD ICE-REMOVAL MACHINE

Abstract

An ice-removal tool for an ice-removal machine is provided, which tool, during operation, is driven in rotation about an axis of rotation, including a disc-shaped holder with a first side and a second side, which is opposite the first side, wherein a plurality of ridges is arranged on the first side, wherein a toothed ring with an inner toothing is arranged on the second side.

Claims

1. An ice-removal tool for an ice-removal machine, which tool, during operation, is driven in rotation about an axis of rotation, comprising a disc-shaped holder with a first side and a second side, which is opposite the first side; and a plurality of ridges being arranged on the first side; wherein a toothed ring with an inner toothing is arranged on the second side.

2. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the ridges and the toothed ring are integrally connected to the holder.

3. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein a first ring is arranged on the second side, is spaced from the toothed ring, and surrounds the toothed ring, the first ring being integrally connected to the holder.

4. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 3, wherein the first ring has a smaller height above the holder than the toothed ring.

5. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 3, wherein a second ring is arranged on the second side, is spaced from the first ring, and surrounds the first ring, the second ring being integrally connected to the holder.

6. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 5, wherein the second ring has a lower height than at least one of the first ring and the toothed ring.

7. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 3, wherein the first ring or a second ring surrounding the first ring forms an edge on the holder.

8. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 3, wherein at least one of the following is the case: at least one sliding surface is arranged on the first ring; a region on the holder between the first ring and the toothed ring forms a sliding surface; a second ring surrounding the first ring has at least one sliding surface; a region between the second ring and the first ring forms a sliding surface; at least one of the first ring and the second ring form a fluid seal or part of a fluid seal.

9. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one annular recess is surrounded by the toothed ring, the at least one annular recess being arranged or formed on the holder on the second side.

10. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 9, wherein the at least one recess forms a running surface for a thrust bearing.

11. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the holder is circular and has a central axis, which is coaxial with the axis of rotation.

12. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein a fixing device is arranged on the holder for fixing and releasable fixing to the ice-removal machine.

13. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 12, wherein the fixing device has a connection piece with a through opening.

14. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 13, wherein the connection piece is arranged on the holder on the second side and protrudes therefrom.

15. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 13, wherein at least one annular recess surrounds the connection piece.

16. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 13, wherein in the opening there is arranged at least one contact element for one or more mating elements of the ice-removal machine for the axial fixing of the ice-removal tool.

17. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ridges are produced from a plastics material and the holder is produced from a plastics material and the whole ice-removal tool is produced from a plastics material.

18. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ridges each have a first ridge side, a second ridge side and a third ridge side, the first ridge side being oriented transversely to the first side of the holder and connected thereto, the second ridge side being opposite the first ridge side, oriented transversely to the first side of the holder and connected thereto, and the third ridge side connecting the first ridge side and the second ridge side to each other, with at least one of the following: the third ridge side is at an acute first angle in the range between 10 and 30 to a parallel of the first side of the holder; the first ridge side is at an acute second angle to a normal of the first side of the holder.

19. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 18, wherein the second angle is smaller than the first angle.

20. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 18, wherein the second angle is in the range between 3 and 7.

21. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 18, wherein the first ridge side is oriented at right angles to the first side of the holder.

22. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 18, wherein the first ridge side follows a first path with respect to a certain height above the first side of the holder and the second ridge side follows a second path with respect to this certain height, the first path and the second path being oriented parallel to one another.

23. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 22, wherein at least one of the first path and the second path are curved and have a constant curvature.

24. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 23, wherein a radius of curvature (R) of at least one of the first path and the second path is greater than or equal to a radius (R) of the holder.

25. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 18, wherein an extension of the ridges meets a central axis of the holder.

26. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 18, wherein the ridges start from a connection piece or an opening and are connected to the connection piece or are spaced therefrom.

27. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 18, wherein the ridges are evenly distributed on the holder.

28. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 18, wherein a spacing (A) between adjacent ridges increases towards an edge of the holder.

29. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 18, wherein the number of ridges is between four and eight.

30. The ice-removal tool in accordance with claim 18, wherein a direction of rotation during operation is oriented from the second ridge side to the first ridge side.

31. A hand-held ice-removal machine comprising a drive motor to which an ice-removal tool is torque-transmittingly connected, said ice-removal tool comprising: a disc-shaped holder with a first side and a second side, which is opposite the first side; and a plurality of ridges being arranged on the first side; wherein a toothed ring with an inner toothing is arranged on the second side.

32. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 31, having a gear unit which is torque-transmittingly coupled to the drive motor.

33. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 32, wherein the gear unit is configured as an epicyclic gearing and has at least one rotating gear, which is coupled torque-transmittingly to a toothed ring with inner toothing of the ice-removal tool.

34. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 33, wherein the at least one rotating gear is rotatably mounted by a plain bearing and the plain bearing comprises at least two separate sliding surfaces.

35. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 31, having a housing with an insertion region for a toothed ring of the ice-removal tool.

36. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 35, wherein the housing has at least one annular insertion region for an associated ring of the ice-removal tool, which surrounds the associated toothed ring of the ice-removal tool to form a labyrinth seal.

37. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 35, wherein the housing has a receiving region for the holder of the ice-removal tool.

38. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 37, wherein, with the ice-removal tool positioned, the holder is substantially in the receiving region and only the ridges protrude beyond an envelope plane of a housing.

39. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 31, wherein a housing has at least one holding region for an operator's hand, with opposite housing sides being configured as holding regions.

40. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 39, wherein a push switch device for operating the drive motor is arranged on the housing and is operable by a holding hand.

41. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 40, wherein a return spring device is associated with the push switch device.

42. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 40, wherein the push switch device is positioned between opposite holding regions, whereby when the ice-removal machine is held at the holding regions, the push switch device is operable with a palm of the hand.

43. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 31, having a construction for holding with a single hand.

44. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 31, having a main switch for a rotary drive of the ice-removal tool.

45. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 31, having a battery device.

46. The handheld ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 45, having a USB port for charging the battery device.

47. The hand-held ice-removal machine in accordance with claim 31, having a thrust bearing for rotatably supporting the ice-removal tool and by a radial bearing and the thrust bearing for rotatably supporting the ice-removal tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a hand-held ice-removal machine according to the invention;

[0067] FIG. 2 shows a further side view of the ice-removal machine in direction A according to FIG. 1;

[0068] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view along line 3-3 according to FIG. 2;

[0069] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the ice-removal machine as shown in FIG. 1 in the direction B without ice-removal tool;

[0070] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a first side of an embodiment of an ice-removal tool according to the invention, showing an operative side (this view corresponds to the direction B according to FIG. 1);

[0071] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view along the line 6-6 according to FIG. 5;

[0072] FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of the ice-removal tool according to FIG. 5; and

[0073] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the region C according to FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0074] An embodiment of a hand-held ice-removal machine 10 according to the invention (FIGS. 1 to 4 and 8) is used in particular for mechanical ice scraping of vehicle windows.

[0075] The ice-removal machine 10 comprises a housing 12.

[0076] In an embodiment, the housing 12 has a first part 14, on which a second part 16 sits. Compared to the second part 16, the first part 12 is wider in a width direction 18.

[0077] The housing 12 with the first part 14 and the second part 16 extends in a height direction 20, which is oriented transversely to the width direction 18.

[0078] An electric motor 22 is arranged in the housing 12 and in particular in the second part 16 (or mostly in the second part 16). The electric motor 22 has a shaft 24 with a rotation axis 25, which is parallel to the height direction 20 and perpendicular to the width direction 18.

[0079] In the housing 12 there is arranged (at least) one circuit board 26, which carries a motor circuit 27.

[0080] In an embodiment, the circuit board 26 is positioned at a spacing from the electric motor 22 in the second part 16. It can project into the first part 14. In particular, it is oriented at least approximately parallel to the height direction 20.

[0081] In the housing 12 there is a gap 28 between the electric motor 22 and the circuit board 26. A rechargeable battery device 30 is also arranged in the housing 12.

[0082] On the housing 12 and in particular on the second part 16 there is a port 32 and in particular a USB port. This is electrically effectively connected to the battery device 30. The rechargeable battery device 30 can be charged by means of an electrical energy supply at the port 32. In particular, the battery device 30 can be charged via a USB connection. On the housing 12 and in particular on the second part 16 there is a main switch 34, which is electrically connected to the motor circuit 27. Only if the main switch 34 is set to On, with this On position being a fixed position, can the electric motor 22 be operated with rotation of the shaft 24. Accordingly, the main switch 34 has the On position and an Off position.

[0083] In an embodiment, the main switch 34 is positioned below the port 32 on one housing side 36 with respect to the height direction 20.

[0084] In one embodiment, the housing 12 has a recess 38 on the housing side 36, with the port 32 and the main switch 34 being arranged in the recess.

[0085] A push switch device 40 is mounted movably on the housing 12. The push switch device 40 substantially covers the first part 14 of the housing 12 in the height direction 20 upwardly and to the front. A pin 42 sits on the push switch device 40 and extends into the gap 28.

[0086] A contact element 44 is arranged on the circuit board 26 and interacts with the pin 42. Depending on the position of the pin 42 (determined by the position of the push switch device 40), there either is or is not a release for the drive of the shaft 24 by the electric motor 22.

[0087] The push switch device 40 is arranged movably on the housing 12 such that the push switch device is movable in a direction 46. The direction 46 is at least approximately parallel to the height direction 20.

[0088] By pressing the push switch device 40 in the height direction 20 downwards, the contact element 44 can be acted upon accordingly in such a way that a switching signal for the operation of the electric motor 22 is initiated.

[0089] However, the electric motor 22 with the shaft 24 is only put into operation if the main switch 34 is set to On. If the main switch 34 is set to Off, no position of the push switch device 44 can lead to initiation of the drive of the shaft 24.

[0090] A supporting surface 48 is formed on the housing 12 at a spacing from the gap 28. A return spring device 50 is supported on this supporting surface. The return spring device 50 acts on the push switch device 40. The push switch device 40 is provided with an insertion element 52, on which the return spring device 50 is supported.

[0091] The return spring device 50 ensures that if no pressure is exerted downwards on the push switch device 40 in the height direction 20, the push switch device 40 is returned to its initial position. In the initial position, the pin 42 is positioned in relation to the contact element 44 in such a way that no actuation signals are initiated for operation of the electric motor 22. The hand-held ice-removal machine 10 is configured to be held with one operator hand.

[0092] In particular, the housing 12 itself is configured as a handle for an operator hand. For this purpose, the housing 12 comprises opposite holding regions 54a, 54b in one embodiment. These are positioned below the push switch device 40 with respect to the height direction 20. They are configured in such a way that they can be grasped by an operator's hand, with a palm in particular being placeable on the push switch device 40. This allows the palm of the hand to be used to press the push switch device 40, and if the main switch 34 is set to On, this pressure can be used to start the electric motor 22, which results in rotation of the shaft 24 about the rotation axis 25. In particular, the push switch device 40 is ergonomically designed so that a palm of the hand can be placed on it, while the hand as a whole is placeable over the push switch device 40. In particular, the push switch device 40 has a first region 56 and a second region 58, with the second region 58 being transverse to the first region 56 with a rounded transition. The second region 58 extends towards the second part 16.

[0093] In particular, the palm of the hand can then be placed on the first region 56 and fingers on the second region 58 during operation. For example, the thumb can be used to touch the holding region 54a and the little finger or ring finger can be used to touch the holding region 54b.

[0094] This results in ergonomically favorable handling.

[0095] A gear unit 60 is arranged in the housing 12. The gear unit 60 serves to transmit a torque of the electric motor 22 to an ice-removal tool 62.

[0096] The gear unit 60 is especially configured as an epicyclic gearing, for example in the form of a planetary gearing.

[0097] A first toothed ring 64 (drive pinion) is connected to the shaft 24 for conjoint rotation. The first toothed ring 64 rotates about the rotation axis 25.

[0098] In the embodiment of a planetary gear, the first toothed ring 64 is a sun gear.

[0099] The first toothed ring 64 is positioned in particular in the first part 14 of the housing 12.

[0100] Furthermore, a second toothed ring 66 (output pinion) is positioned in the housing 12 and in particular in the first part 14. The second toothed ring 66 is mounted rotatably about a rotation axis 68, which is offset parallel to the rotation axis 25.

[0101] In an embodiment, the second toothed ring 66 is rotatably mounted in the housing 12 by means of a plain bearing 72.

[0102] In an embodiment, the second toothed ring 66 has a first region 74. The first region 74 is coupled to the first toothed ring 64 torque-transmittingly. The first region 74, accordingly, has a first toothing 76 adapted to the first toothed ring 64. The first region 74 is mounted slidingly by means of a first sliding surface and mating sliding surface combination 75a of the sliding bearing 72. This first sliding surface and mating sliding surface combination is in particular configured in such a way that both radial support and axial support are provided.

[0103] A second region 80 is connected to the first region 74 for conjoint rotation by means of a second toothing 82. The second region 80 is supported by a second sliding surface and mating sliding surface combination 75b. The second sliding surface and mating sliding surface combination 75b is separated (spaced) from the first sliding surface and mating sliding surface combination 75a. The second sliding surface and mating sliding surface combination 75b is in particular configured in such a way that both radial support and axial support are provided.

[0104] By means of the second toothing 82, the second toothed ring 66 can be coupled torque-transmittingly to the ice-removal tool 62, as explained in greater detail below. The second region 80 of the second toothed ring 66 has a smaller diameter than the first region 74.

[0105] The first region 74 is additionally positioned in a storage space 78 of the housing 12 (in the first part 14), with a type of positively-locking positioning being achieved. An additional sliding support in the storage space 78 can be provided.

[0106] The second toothed ring 66 is an outer gear; in the embodiment of a planetary gearing, the second toothed ring 66 corresponds to a planet gear.

[0107] In particular, the ice-removal tool 62 is configured as a ring gear (see below), which is coupled to the outer gear 66.

[0108] In particular, a two-shaft operation with a stationary transmission is provided, in which the first toothed ring 64 (the sun gear) and accordingly the ring gear (the ice-removal tool 62) rotate and a carrier shaft is stationary. This is achieved by a fixed connection to the housing 12.

[0109] In an embodiment, an axis of rotation 84 of the ice-removal tool 62 is coaxial with the axis of rotation 25 of the shaft 24 of the electric motor 22. In principle, however, there may also be a parallel offset.

[0110] In the housing 12, and in particular on the first part 14, there is a rotary bearing 86 for the ice-removal tool 62. The rotary bearing 86 comprises in particular a radial bearing 88 and a thrust bearing 90.

[0111] This is explained in greater detail below.

[0112] The ice-removal tool (FIGS. 5 to 7) is configured as a disc. It comprises a disc-shaped holder 92 with a central axis 94 (FIG. 7). The holder 92 has a first side 96 and a second side 98 opposite the first side. In particular, the spacing between the first side 96 and the second side 98 is constant. Preferably, the first side 96 and the second side 98 are substantially flat.

[0113] An outer contour 99 of the disc-shaped holder 92 is preferably a circle with a center on the central axis 94.

[0114] On the first side 96 a plurality of ridges 100 are formed. One such ridge 100 forms a serration for ice removal; a ridge 100 forms an ice scraper.

[0115] In particular, a plurality of ridges 100 are provided, which are preferably evenly spaced.

[0116] In the embodiment shown, six equally spaced ridges 100 are provided.

[0117] In particular, ridges 100 are provided with a number in the range between four (inclusive) and eight (inclusive).

[0118] The ridges 100 are arranged on the first side 96 and project over this in a direction parallel to the central axis 94.

[0119] The ridges 100 each have a first ridge side 102, a second ridge side 104 and a third ridge side 106 (see also FIG. 6).

[0120] A ridge 100 is connected to the first side via the first ridge side 102. The first ridge side 102 is oriented transversely to the first side 96.

[0121] In particular, the first ridge side 102 is oriented at an acute second angle 108 to a normal 110 of the first side 96 of the holder 92.

[0122] The second ridge side 104 is opposite the first ridge side 102. It is oriented transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the first side 96 (i.e. parallel to the normal 110).

[0123] The third ridge side 106 connects the first ridge side 102 and the second ridge side 104. It is spaced from the first side 96 of the holder 92.

[0124] The third ridge side 106 is oriented at an acute first angle 112 to a parallel of the first side 96, i.e. correspondingly to the first side 96.

[0125] The first angle 112 is in particular in the range between (inclusive) 10 and (inclusive) 30. The second angle 108 is in particular smaller than the first angle. It is preferably finite and is in particular in the range between (inclusive) 3 and (inclusive) 7 and preferably in the range between (inclusive) 4 and (inclusive) 6. In one embodiment it is about 5.

[0126] During operation, a direction of rotation 116 is in the direction from the second ridge side 104 to the first ridge side 102. This means that a certain region on an object is contacted first by the first ridge side 102.

[0127] The third ridge side 106 forms an inclined plane on a ridge 100. The corresponding inclination with the first angle 112 facilitates material removal (ice removal) at the ridges 100.

[0128] The ridges 100 are curved. In particular, the first ridge side 102 and the second ridge side 104 are curved.

[0129] A first path 116 of a ridge 100 on the first ridge side 102 at a certain height and a second path 118 on the second ridge side 104 at the same height are curved. These paths 116, 118 are in particular parallel to each other and follow the longitudinal course of the ridge 100 in question.

[0130] In particular, the curvature of the first path 116 and of the second path 118 is constant, that is to say they are sections of a circular path.

[0131] There is provided a radius of curvature R, which is constant.

[0132] In particular, the radius of curvature R is equal to or greater than a radius R of the ice-removal tool 62, i.e. the disc-shaped holder 92.

[0133] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the ridges 100 pass through the central axis 94 in an (imaginary) extension, that is to say an imaginary extension of a ridge intersects the central axis 94.

[0134] A spacing A between adjacent ridges 100 increases from the central axis 94 in a radial direction outwards.

[0135] In particular, the ridges 100 start from a connection piece 120 or a central opening 122, especially at a spacing. The connection piece 120, if provided, has a smaller height than the ridges 100.

[0136] On the second side 98 of the disc-shaped holder 92 (FIG. 7), there is arranged a toothed ring 124 with a central axis 94. This toothed ring 124 has an inner toothing 126. The toothed ring 124 forms a hollow ring so as to form a ring gear for the epicyclic gearing. The second toothed ring is coupled with its second region 80 (the outer gear) to the inner toothing 126.

[0137] In the embodiment shown, the toothed ring 124 also has an outer toothing 128. The outer toothing 128 has no coupling function and serves fundamentally to reinforce (stiffen) the toothed ring 124.

[0138] On the second side 98 of the disc-shaped holder 92 there sits a first ring 130, which surrounds the toothed ring 124, with the central axis 94 as its axis.

[0139] Furthermore, a second ring 132 sits on the second side 98 at a spacing from the first ring 130 and surrounds the first ring 130.

[0140] The first ring 130 and the second ring 132 protrude beyond the second side 98.

[0141] The second ring 132 forms a raised edge 134 of the ice-removal tool 62.

[0142] In particular, it is provided that the toothed ring 124 is connected integrally to the holder 92. Furthermore, it is expediently provided that the first ring 130 and the second ring 132 are connected integrally to the holder 92.

[0143] It may also be provided that the ridges 100 are connected integrally to the holder.

[0144] In an alternative embodiment, the ridges 100 are elements separate from the holder 92 and are subsequently fixed to the holder 92, for example by means of T-slots.

[0145] In particular, it is provided here that the first ring 130 has a lower height above the second side 98 than the toothed ring 124, and the second ring 132 has a lower height above the second side 98 of the holder 92 than the first ring 130.

[0146] A labyrinth seal is formed by means of the first ring 130 and the second ring 132, as explained in greater detail further below.

[0147] However, it is also possible in principle, alternatively or additionally, that an additional plain bearing of the ice-removal tool 62 on the ice-removal machine 10 is formed by means of the first ring 130 and/or the second ring 132.

[0148] In principle, regions on the second side 98 between the first ring 130 and the toothed ring 124 or between the second ring 132 and the first ring 130 can also be used as sliding surfaces.

[0149] On the second side 98 of the disc-shaped holder 92 there is a connection piece 136, which protrudes from the holder. The connection piece 136 has a central opening 138. This is, in particular, symmetrical with respect to the central axis 94.

[0150] The central opening 138 is connected to the central opening 122.

[0151] The connection piece 136 continues in particular at the connection piece 120, if provided.

[0152] The ice-removal tool 62 can be coupled to the rotary bearing 86 in the housing 12 by means of the connection piece 136.

[0153] In particular, the connection piece 136 is configured in such a way that radial support can be achieved by means of the radial bearing 88.

[0154] The connection piece 136 is surrounded by a plurality of annular recesses 140 (with the central axis 94 as the axis), which are in the form of grooves and are arranged or formed on the second side 98 of the disc-shaped holder 92.

[0155] The recesses 140 form running surfaces 142 as, for example, sliding surfaces or rolling surfaces for mating elements 144 of the thrust bearing 90 when the ice-removal tool 62 is mounted on the ice-removal machine 10.

[0156] The mating elements 144 are in particular needle elements, which then engage in the recesses 140.

[0157] This construction makes it possible to define an axial position of the ice-removal tool 62 in relation to the housing 12.

[0158] At least one contact element 146 is arranged on the connection piece 136, projecting into the central opening 138. In particular, the contact element 146 is a contact ring.

[0159] One or more mating elements 148 are arranged on the housing 12 and can be fitted with positive engagement on the contact element 146.

[0160] The mating elements 148 are configured in the manner of a snap-fit locking means.

[0161] By positioning them appropriately in the central opening 138, they do not touch the contact element 146, and the ice-removal tool 62 can be removed.

[0162] In a basic position, they are in contact with the contact element 146 and an axial fixing is achieved.

[0163] The ice-removal tool 82 can be easily fitted and detached without tools due to the construction with contact element 146 and mating element 148 (or mating elements 148).

[0164] The ridges 100 and in particular only the ridges 100 protrude beyond an envelope plane 150 of the housing 12. This results in a compact construction.

[0165] In particular, the housing 12 has an insertion region 152 for the toothed ring 124 on the first part 14. When the ice-removal tool 62 is fixed, the toothed ring 124 is completely inside the housing 12, i.e. behind the envelope plane 150.

[0166] The housing 12 also has a first annular insertion region 154 for the first ring 130 of the ice-removal tool 62, and a second annular insertion region 156 for the second ring 132. These annular insertion regions 154, 156 are in the form of grooves and are separated from each other.

[0167] When the ice-removal tool 62 is held on the rotary bearing 86 and the second toothed ring 66 engages with the toothed ring 124, more specifically its inner toothing 126, and the corresponding position is secured by the mating element 148, the combination of the rings 130, 132 with their insertion regions 154, 156 forms a labyrinth seal that prevents water from entering a housing interior.

[0168] Furthermore, the housing 12 has a receiving region 158 for the holder 92 on the first part 14. In particular, the receiving region 158 is configured in such a way that when the ice-removal tool 62 is fixed, the first side 96 of the holder 92 is at least approximately in the envelope plane 150.

[0169] In this case only the ridges 108 protrude outwardly.

[0170] This results in a compact construction with respect to a height in the height direction 20. This in turn results in a simple ergonomic operation.

[0171] The ice-removal machine 10 according to the invention functions as follows:

[0172] For the operation of the ice-removal machine 10, the ice-removal tool 62 is rotatably mounted on the rotary bearing 86 and fixed in place.

[0173] The battery device 30 is charged. By actuating the main switch 34, the ice-removal machine 10 is put into operation.

[0174] By pressing the push switch device 40 the shaft 24 rotates.

[0175] The ice-removal tool 62 has a rotation axis 84, which is at least approximately parallel to the height axis 20.

[0176] For correct operation, this rotation axis 84 is oriented transversely to a working surface.

[0177] For example, the working surface is an ice surface on a car window.

[0178] An operator holds the ice-removal machine 10 at the housing 12 and in particular at the holding regions 54a, 54b and can apply pressure to the push switch device 40 by means of the palm of his hand.

[0179] When the main switch 34 is switched on, pressing the push switch device 40 causes the electric motor 22 to operate with rotation of the shaft 24.

[0180] In an embodiment, a typical rotational speed is approximately 11,000 revolutions per minute.

[0181] The gear unit reduces the speed to, for example, 850 revolutions per minute of the ice-removal tool 62 about the rotation axis 84.

[0182] The gear unit 60 is configured in particular as an epicyclic gearing. This results in a compact axial construction (in the direction of height 20) and the ice-removal machine 10 can be configured with a low height. This in turn results in simple and ergonomic handling.

[0183] The (in particular only) outer gear 66 transmits the torque to the toothed ring 124. It thus forms a ring gear with the disc-shaped holder 92.

[0184] The ridges 100 on the ice-removal tool 62 are configured with the acute angles 112, 108 and the curvature and in particular are configured in the manner of a paddle wheel to provide optimized ice removal. It is thus possible to remove ice from a vehicle window in particular within a relatively short time.

[0185] The ridges 100 and preferably also the disc-shaped holder 92 and particularly preferably the entire ice-removal tool 62 is made of a plastics material which on the one hand enables effective ice removal and on the other hand prevents damage, in particular to glass surfaces. An example of such a plastics material is ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers) as an example of a thermoplastic terpolymer.

[0186] It has been shown that with the described construction of the ridges 100 an effective ice removal can be carried out.

[0187] The ice-removal tool 62 can be easily replaced.

[0188] By adapting the construction of the annular insertion regions 154, 156 and the rings 130, 132, a labyrinth seal can be easily formed to prevent fluids from entering the housing 12. In addition, it provides a simple coding so that only correct ice-removal tools 62 can be used with the ice-removal machine 10.

[0189] The ice-removal machine 10 can also be used with other adapted tools, such as those used to clean vehicle windows.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0190] 10 ice-removal machine [0191] 12 housing [0192] 14 first part [0193] 16 second part [0194] 18 width direction [0195] 20 height direction [0196] 22 electric motor [0197] 24 shaft [0198] 25 axis of rotation [0199] 26 circuit board [0200] 27 motor circuit [0201] 28 gap [0202] 30 battery device [0203] 32 port [0204] 34 main switch [0205] 36 housing side [0206] 38 recess [0207] 40 push switch device [0208] 42 pin [0209] 44 contact element [0210] 46 direction [0211] 48 supporting surface [0212] 50 return spring device [0213] 52 insertion element [0214] 54a holding region [0215] 54b holding region [0216] 56 first region [0217] 58 second region [0218] 60 gear unit [0219] 62 ice-removal tool [0220] 64 first toothed wheel [0221] 66 second toothed wheel [0222] 68 axis of rotation [0223] 72 plain bearing [0224] 74 first region [0225] 75a first sliding surface and mating sliding surface combination [0226] 75b second sliding surface and mating sliding surface combination [0227] 76 first toothing [0228] 78 storage space [0229] 80 second region [0230] 82 second toothing [0231] 84 axis of rotation [0232] 86 rotary bearing [0233] 88 radial bearing [0234] 90 thrust bearing [0235] 92 disc-shaped holder [0236] 94 central axis [0237] 96 first side [0238] 98 second side [0239] 99 outer contour [0240] 100 ridge [0241] 102 first ridge side [0242] 104 second ridge side [0243] 106 third ridge side [0244] 108 second angle [0245] 110 normal [0246] 112 first angle [0247] 114 direction of rotation [0248] 116 first path [0249] 118 second path [0250] 120 connection piece [0251] 122 central opening [0252] 124 toothed ring [0253] 126 inner toothing [0254] 128 outer toothing [0255] 130 first ring [0256] 132 second ring [0257] 134 edge [0258] 136 connection piece [0259] 138 central opening [0260] 140 recess [0261] 142 running surface [0262] 144 mating element [0263] 146 contact element [0264] 148 mating element [0265] 150 envelope plane [0266] 152 insertion region [0267] 154 first annular insertion region [0268] 156 second annular insertion region [0269] 158 receiving region