Method for adjusting a position of suction lips of a floor cleaning machine and floor cleaning machine

Abstract

A method for adjusting a position of suction lips of a floor cleaning machine relative to a floor to be cleaned is proposed, wherein a first suction lip and at least one second suction lip located at a distance therefrom, which are arranged on a suction beam, contact the floor, a fan device generates a suction flow which subjects a space between the first suction lip and the second suction lip to a negative pressure, a negative pressure is detected, and the suction flow is adjusted such that the negative pressure lies at a set value or in a set value range, so that an angle of incidence of the first suction lip and the second suction lip on the floor lies at a set value or in a set value range.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a position of suction lips of a floor cleaning machine relative to a floor to be cleaned, wherein an angle of incidence of the suction lips to the floor is variable, comprising: contacting the floor by a first suction lip and at least one second suction lip located at a distance therefrom, which are arranged on a suction beam, said suction beam being floatingly mounted in a chassis of the floor cleaning machine; generating a suction flow by a fan device, said suction flow subjecting a space between the first suction lip and the second suction lip to a negative pressure; detecting a negative pressure; and adjusting the suction flow such that the negative pressure lies at a set value or in a set value range, so that the angle of incidence of the first suction lip and the second suction lip on the floor lies at a set value or in a set value range; wherein the set value or set value range for the angle of incidence of the first suction lip and the second suction lip on the floor lies in the range between 35 and 70.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the negative pressure is measured by one or more pressure sensors.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the negative pressure is detected at the suction beam.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the suction flow is adjusted by adjusting the power of the fan device.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the suction flow is adjusted automatically.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the negative pressure adjustment is regulated with the regulation aim that the negative pressure detected lies at a set value or in a set value range.

7. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the regulation aim is a certain relative position of the first suction lip and the at least one second suction lip in relation to the floor.

8. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the suction beam is pressed against the floor.

9. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the first suction lip and the second suction lip comprises one or more cut-outs through which it is possible for ambient air to flow into the space between the first suction lip and the second suction lip.

10. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the set value or set value range for at least one of the negative pressure and the angle of incidence is stored in a table or as function.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a suction beam with suction lips and coupling to a fan device;

(3) FIG. 3(a) shows a first example of a relative position of suction lips (angle of incidence) in relation to a floor to be cleaned in schematic representation;

(4) FIG. 3(b) shows a second example of an angle of incidence;

(5) FIG. 3(c) shows a third example of an angle of incidence;

(6) FIG. 4 shows a front view of an embodiment of a suction beam with suction lips in the direction A in accordance with FIG. 3(a); and

(7) FIG. 5 shows a schematic flow chart for controlling the relative position of suction lips in relation to the floor to be cleaned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) An embodiment of a floor cleaning machine is a self-propelled floor cleaning machine which is shown schematically in FIG. 1 and designated therein by 10. The floor cleaning machine 10 comprises a chassis 12. A front wheel 14 and a rear wheel assembly 16 are mounted on the chassis 12. The floor cleaning machine can travel on a floor 18 to be cleaned by means of the front wheel 14 and the rear wheel assembly 16.

(9) In one embodiment, the front wheel 14 is connected to a steering device designated in its entirety by 20. An angular position of the front wheel 14 in relation to a center plane of the floor cleaning machine 10 can be set by the steering device 20. During straight-ahead travel (indicated by reference numeral 22 in FIG. 1) the front wheel 14 is aligned parallel to this center plane and a corresponding steering angle is a zero angle.

(10) Straight-ahead travel 22 includes forward travel 23 (cf. also FIG. 3) and reverse travel.

(11) The steering device 20 defines a steering axis 24. The steering axis 24 preferably lies in the center plane. The steering axis 24 is oriented transversely and, for example, perpendicularly to a wheel axis 26 of the front wheel 14. The front wheel 14 is rotatable about the wheel axis 26. The wheel axis 26 extends transversely to the center plane. During straight-ahead travel 22 in the straight-ahead direction, the wheel axis 26 is oriented perpendicularly to the center plane.

(12) Arranged on the chassis 12 is a seat 28 for a driver. A driver seated on the seat 28 can operate a steering wheel 30 of the steering device 20.

(13) In one embodiment, the floor cleaning machine 10 comprises an accelerator pedal 32 and a brake pedal as actuating elements. By actuation (in particular, actuation by foot) of this accelerator pedal 32, an operator specifies the speed of the floor cleaning machine 10. A drive for the front wheel 14 and/or the rear wheel assembly 16 is provided for this.

(14) The rear wheel assembly 16 comprises (at least) one left rear wheel and (at least) one right rear wheel. Here the designation left and right relates to the direction of forward travel in straight-ahead travel 22.

(15) The left rear wheel and the right rear wheel 34 are rotatable about a common wheel axis 36. The wheel axis 36 is fixed in relation to the center plane and perpendicular thereto; in particular, the rear wheel assembly 16 is unsteered.

(16) In the embodiment shown, the floor cleaning machine 10 is three-wheeled.

(17) The floor cleaning machine 10 is constructed as a scrubber-suction machine. It comprises a floor cleaning appliance 38 which, in the embodiment shown, is a scrubber floor cleaning appliance. The scrubber floor cleaning appliance has scrubbing elements 40 arranged on an underside 42 of the chassis 12. A scrubbing element 40 is arranged between the rear wheel assembly 16 and the front wheel 14, for example, rotatably so as to face the floor 18 on which the floor cleaning machine 10 stands.

(18) The floor cleaning appliance 38 further comprises an application device 44 for cleaning liquid, with which cleaning liquid can be applied to an application area on the floor 18 to be cleaned. The cleaning liquid is, for example, a mixture of water and a chemical cleaning additive. The application device 44 comprises a plurality of nozzles through which the cleaning liquid can be applied to the application area. The nozzles may be arranged in one or more rows.

(19) The nozzles are so arranged and constructed that the scrubbing element or scrubbing elements 40, which are cleaning tools, are directly sprayed or cleaning liquid gets from there onto the floor 18 and/or that the floor 18 is sprayed.

(20) The application area for cleaning liquid lies between the front wheel 14 and the rear wheel assembly 16.

(21) A tank for cleaning liquid is arranged on the chassis 12. The tank may include an area for, for example, water and an area for chemical additives. The nozzles are supplied with cleaning liquid by way of the tank or by way of a mixing area.

(22) The floor cleaning machine 10 comprises a suction device 46 by means of which liquid can be sucked up from the floor 18. The suction device 46 comprises a suction beam 48 on which (at least) a first suction lip 50 and a second suction lip 52 (FIGS. 2, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 4) are arranged.

(23) In the embodiment shown, the suction beam 48 is arranged, in relation to a forward direction of travel, behind the rear wheel assembly 16. The second suction lip 52 lies closer to the rear wheel assembly 16 than the first suction lip 50. Liquid is sucked in by way of the suction beam 48 and collected in a dirty water tank 53 (FIG. 2).

(24) In an alternative embodiment, a suction beam corresponding to the suction beam 48 is arranged in front of the rear wheel assembly 16. The suction beam may also be arranged directly on the floor cleaning appliance 38. The suction beam may also be directly integrated in the floor cleaning appliance.

(25) It is, for example, also possible for a suction beam to be arranged in front of the floor cleaning appliance 38 (between the floor cleaning appliance 38 and the front wheel 14) or behind the floor cleaning appliance 38 (between the rear wheel assembly 16 and the floor cleaning appliance 38).

(26) A fan device 54 (FIG. 2) is arranged on the chassis 12. The fan device 54 is driven by a motor 56 which, in particular, is an electric motor. The fan device 54 is fluidically connected to the suction beam 48 by a pipe device 58.

(27) When the floor cleaning machine 10 is in cleaning operation, the first suction lip 50 and the second suction lip 52 contact the floor 18. A space 60 is formed between the first suction lip 50 and the second suction lip 52. The space 60 is closed at the sides, for example, by a corresponding formation of the first suction lip 50 and/or the second suction lip 52, in which the suction lips 50, 52 contact each other.

(28) In an alternative embodiment, the space 60 is not completely closed, but partially closed.

(29) The suction beam 48 has one or more vacuuming openings 62. The vacuuming opening 62 or the vacuuming openings 62 has or have a mouth 64 opening into the space 60. The vacuuming opening 62 or the vacuuming openings 62 is or are also connected to the pipe device 58.

(30) The fan device 54 generates a suction flow (indicated by reference numeral 66 in FIG. 2). This suction flow 66 causes the space 60 to be subjected to negative pressure in order to suck in, in particular, excess liquid.

(31) The first suction lip 50 and/or the second suction lip 52 are each provided with cut-outs 72 through which ambient air (indicated by the arrow with reference numeral 74 in FIG. 2) can flow into the space 60. In particular, only the second suction lip 52 is provided with cut-outs 72.

(32) In one embodiment, cut-outs 72, starting from a bottom edge 76, are arranged on the first suction lip 50 and the second suction lip 52.

(33) The suction beam 48 is floatingly arranged on the chassis 12. In particular, it is held by a spring device 78 on the chassis 12. The spring device 78, comprising, in particular, one or more springs, serves, for example, for stabilization when cornering and for provision of a restoring force away from the floor 18.

(34) For example, the suction beam 48 is pressed by its own weight in the direction of the floor 18. The first suction lip 50 and the second suction lip 52 are pressed onto the floor 18 and contact it. During operation, the negative pressure that is created acts additionally and the differential pressure subjects the suction beam 48 to load corresponding to the adjustment of the suction lips 50 and 52 to the floor 18.

(35) In an alternative embodiment, the spring device 78 comprises pressure springs which press the suction beam against the floor to be cleaned.

(36) The floor cleaning machine 10 comprises a control device 80. The control device 80 is coupled with signaling effect to the fan device 54 with the motor 56.

(37) The control device 80 controls (in an open loop or closed loop) the power of the fan device 54 and, consequently, the suction flow 66.

(38) The floor cleaning machine 10 comprises a negative pressure detection device 82. The negative pressure detection device 82 detects at an appropriate place a negative pressure in the course of a suction flow.

(39) In one embodiment, the negative pressure detection device 82 comprises a pressure sensor 84 (or a plurality of pressure sensors 84). This pressure sensor 84 is arranged on the suction beam 48. For example, it is arranged in the vacuuming opening 62.

(40) The negative pressure detection device 82 (and, in particular, the pressure sensor 84) is coupled with signaling effect to the control device 80. It passes its detection signals on to the control device 80.

(41) During suction operation of the floor cleaning machine 10, the spring device 78 first presses with a predetermined force the suction beam 48 in the direction of the floor 18 and, therefore, presses the first suction lip 50 and the second suction lip 52 against the floor 18. The fan device 54 generates the suction flow 66. The negative pressure prevailing at the suction beam 48 determines the relative position of the first suction lip 50 and the second suction lip 52 in relation to the floor 18.

(42) The prevailing negative pressure is, in turn, determined by the power specification of the fan device 54 and by the flow-in relations of ambient air 74 into the space 60. These flow-in relations are, in principle, dependent upon the type of floor 18. They may differ, depending on whether the floor 18 is smooth or rough.

(43) An optimized vacuuming result is achieved when an angle of incidence 86 (FIG. 3(b)) for the first suction lip 50 and the second suction lip 52 lies at a certain set value or in a certain set value range. The angle of incidence 86 is that angle which lies between the corresponding suction lip 50 or 52 and the floor 18 at the point at which the suction lip contacts the floor 18.

(44) It has proven advantageous for the angle of incidence 86 to be approximately 45 and, for example, to lie in a range between 35 and 55.

(45) An angle of incidence 86 of approximately 90 is shown in FIG. 3(a). An angle of incidence of approximately 0 is shown in FIG. 3(c).

(46) The angle of incidence 86 is specified by the power of the fan device 54. However, with the same power specification, the angle of incidence 86 with the same suction beam 48 may differ with different floors 18. The relative position of the first suction lip 50 and the second suction lip 52, shown in FIG. 3(b), with an angle of incidence 86 in the aforementioned set value range is optimal for the vacuuming result.

(47) The negative pressure detected by the negative pressure detection device 82 is a measure for the relative position of the first suction lip 50 and the second suction lip 52 in relation to the floor 18, i. e., for the angle of incidence 86.

(48) In the solution in accordance with the invention, the negative pressure, in particular, in the vacuuming opening 62 is adjusted to a set value by way of corresponding power setting of the fan device 54, in order to obtain an optimized angle of incidence 86 as independently as possible of the structure of the floor 18.

(49) The control device 80 receives by way of the negative pressure detection device 82 corresponding detection results and, in particular, measurement results of the pressure sensor or pressure sensors 84 for the prevailing negative pressure. If there is a deviation from a set value or a set value range for the negative pressure, the power of the fan device 54 is varied accordingly by activating the motor 56, in order to bring the negative pressure to a set value and thereby set the optimized angle of incidence 86.

(50) The adjustment occurs, in particular, automatically so that without any intervention by a driver, as it were, the floor cleaning machine 10 recognizes a variation in the structure of the floor and independently carries out an adjustment in the power setting of the fan device 54, in order to also obtain an optimized vacuuming result in the event of a variation in the structure of the floor.

(51) In particular, a regulation method (control method) is carried out, with a regulation aim of setting a negative pressure set value, in particular, in the vacuuming opening 62 and, therefore, setting a set value for the angle of incidence 86. The variable factor (control parameter) is the power of the fan device 54, the variation being carried out by the control device 80 activating the motor 56 accordingly.

(52) In one embodiment, the regulation is carried out (cf. FIG. 5) by a testing 88 of the negative pressure (detected by way of the negative pressure detection device 82). If the testing 88 shows that the negative pressure detected lies below the set value (indicated by reference numeral 90 in FIG. 5), the power of the fan device 54 is then increased. This is indicated by reference numeral 92 in FIG. 5.

(53) If a further testing shows that the set value is reached (indicated by reference numeral 94 in FIG. 5), an optimized vacuuming result is achieved, which is indicated by reference numeral 96 in FIG. 5. An optimized vacuuming result means that the angle of incidence 86 lies at its set value or in its set value range.

(54) If the testing 88 shows that the negative pressure in the vacuuming opening 62 lies above the set value (indicated by reference numeral 98 in FIG. 5), the power of the fan device 54 is then reduced. This is indicated by reference numeral 100 in FIG. 5.

(55) If a further testing shows that the set value is reached (method step 94), the optimized vacuuming result 96 is then achieved.

(56) Should the set value not be reached after steps 92 or 100, as is indicated by reference numeral 102 in FIG. 5, this means that a problem has arisen which cannot be solved by the corresponding regulation method. Such a problem is, for example, excessive wear of a suction lip 50 or 52, clogging of the vacuuming opening 62 and/or of the pipe device 58, etc. This requires user intervention. A corresponding warning is then issued to the operator. This is indicated by reference numeral 104 in FIG. 5.

(57) After corresponding user intervention (indicated by reference numeral 106 in FIG. 5), the set value should then be reached and step 94 achieved. User intervention is, in particular, checking the floor cleaning machine 10 or cleaning the floor cleaning machine 10 or replacing a suction lip.

(58) During driving operation of the floor cleaning machine 10, in particular, the testing 88 is done permanently and, for example, at specified time intervals. The floor cleaning machine 10 can thus independently and automatically make an adjustment to varying floor structure conditions, in order to also obtain an optimized vacuuming result under different floor structure conditions. In particular, controlling is carried out such that at least approximately the first suction lip 50 and the second suction lip 52 lie at the optimized angle of incidence 86 or in an optimized angle of incidence range (set value or set value range) relative to the floor 18 independently of the floor structure conditions.

(59) Generally, lower power is required for the fan device 54 with smoother floors in comparison with rough floors.

(60) In the solution in accordance with the invention, the power of the fan device 54 is automatically adjusted during drive-suction operation of the floor cleaning machine 10, in order to obtain an optimized vacuuming result.

(61) The power of the fan device 54 is controlled in accordance with the negative pressure data provided by the negative pressure detection device 82. The negative pressure prevailing at the suction beam 48 is a measure for the angle of incidence 86 of the suction lips 50 and 52.

(62) In principle, the set value of the negative pressure or the corresponding set value range depends on the construction of the suction beam 48 in combination with the construction of the spring device 78. For example, the corresponding set value or set value range is stored in the control device in dependence upon the construction of the suction beam 48 and the spring device 78 in a table or as function.

(63) It is, in principle, possible for the negative pressure to also be detected at points other than at the suction beam 48 by the negative pressure detection device 82. Additional warning and evaluating possibilities exist as a result of detection of the negative pressure data by the negative pressure detection device 82. For example, a warning can be issued to an operator if the negative pressure required for cleaning purposes cannot be generated.

(64) Furthermore, a warning or information about wear of the suction lips 50, 52 can be displayed. For example, a corresponding calculation rule is stored for this purpose in the control device 80.

(65) Information or a warning that, for example, a tank lid does not close properly can also be issued.

(66) Further ways of using the negative pressure data obtained are also possible.

(67) The method in accordance with the invention can also be used on other types of floor cleaning machines. For example, it can be used on a robot vacuum cleaner or on floor cleaning machines with articulated steering. It is used, in particular, on self-propelled floor cleaning machines.

(68) TABLE-US-00001 List of Reference Numerals 10 floor cleaning machine 12 chassis 14 front wheel 16 rear wheel assembly 18 floor 20 steering device 22 straight-ahead travel 23 forward travel 24 steering axis 26 wheel axis 28 seat 30 steering wheel 32 accelerator pedal 34 right rear wheel 36 wheel axis 38 floor cleaning appliance 40 scrubbing element 42 underside 44 application device 46 suction device 48 suction beam 50 first suction lip 52 second suction lip 53 dirty water tank 54 fan device 56 motor 58 pipe device 60 space 62 vacuuming opening 64 mouth 66 suction flow 72 cut-out 74 ambient air 76 bottom edge 78 spring device 80 control device 82 negative pressure detection device 84 pressure sensor 86 angle of incidence 88 testing 90 below set value 92 increase power 94 set value reached 96 optimized vacuuming result 98 above set value 100 reduce power 102 set value not reached 104 warning 106 user intervention