Wet-cleaning appliance having a rotatable cleaning roller

Abstract

A wet-cleaning appliance, in particular a wet mop, has a cleaning roller, which can be rotated about a roller axis, and having a wetting device for applying a liquid to the cleaning roller. In order to provide for regeneration of the cleaning roller with the best possible result, it is proposed that the wet-cleaning appliance should have a wiper device, in particular a wiper lip, which can be displaced onto the cleaning roller and is intended for assisting in removing liquid and/or dirt from the cleaning roller and/or for assisting in applying liquid to the cleaning roller.

Claims

1. A wet-cleaning appliance, comprising: a cleaning roller that can be rotated about a roller axis, a wetting device for applying a liquid to the cleaning roller, and a wiper device in the form of a wiper lip that is configured to be displaced onto the cleaning roller in order to assist in removing liquid and/or dirt from the cleaning roller and/or to assist in applying liquid to the cleaning roller, wherein the wetting device and the wiper device are parts of a common functional unit, which can be displaced as a whole relative to the cleaning roller from a first operating position into a second operating position and vice versa.

2. The wet-cleaning appliance according to claim 1, wherein the the functional unit is mounted on a housing of the wet-cleaning appliance so as to be pivotable about a pivoting axis arranged parallel to the cleaning roller, wherein the functional unit is particularly subjected to a spring force acting in the direction of the cleaning roller.

3. The wet-cleaning appliance according to claim 1, wherein a displacement drive is assigned to the functional unit and is designed for displacing the functional unit relative to the cleaning roller.

4. The wet-cleaning appliance according to claim 1, wherein the wet-cleaning appliance comprises a displaceable cover element for completing a roller cover, the cover element enclosing the cleaning roller, the wetting device and the wiper device in a shape-corresponding manner in a circumferential direction of the cleaning roller, wherein the cover element is designed for selectively uncovering and/or closing an opening region of the roller cover.

5. The wet-cleaning appliance according to claim 4, wherein the cover element is functionally connected to a displacement drive of the functional unit in such a way that the wiper device and/or the functional unit can be displaced toward the cleaning roller during a displacement of the cover element in the direction of a position in which the cover element closes the roller cover.

6. The wet-cleaning appliance according to claim 1, wherein the wiper device empties into a disposal channel for discharging the liquid into a liquid container.

7. The wet-cleaning appliance according to claim 1, wherein the common functional unit comprises a distribution device with a plurality of outlet openings and/or a liquid supply line for supplying the wetting device with liquid.

8. The wet-cleaning appliance according to claim 7, wherein the distribution device comprises an air conduction device, which is oriented in the direction of the cleaning roller, in order to conduct air in the direction of a disposal channel and to thereby discharge the liquid into a collection container.

9. A method for operating a wet-cleaning appliance in the form of wet mop having a rotatable cleaning roller that can be rotated about a roller axis, a wetting device for applying a liquid to the cleaning roller, and a wiper device in the form of a wiper lip that is configured to be displaced onto the cleaning roller in order to assist in removing liquid and/or dirt from the cleaning roller and/or to assist in applying liquid to the cleaning roller, wherein the wetting device and the wiper device are parts of a common functional unit, which can be displaced as a whole relative to the cleaning roller from a first operating position into a second operating position and vice versa, the method comprising the following steps: placing the wiper device, which can be displaced relative to the cleaning roller, onto the cleaning roller in order to regenerate the cleaning roller, accelerating the cleaning roller in comparison with a normal rotational speed during a mopping mode of the wet-cleaning appliance, collecting liquid and/or dirt, which is spun off the cleaning roller and/or removed by the wiper device, and transporting the liquid and/or dirt into a collection container.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of applying liquid to the rotatable cleaning roller by means of the wetting device, and displacing the wiper device toward the cleaning roller in order to wet the cleaning roller, wherein the wiper device is spaced apart from the cleaning roller such that the wiper device only contacts a partial end region of fibers of a cleaning layer of the cleaning roller, and wherein the wiper device conducts liquid between the fibers during the rotation of the cleaning roller.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an inventive wet-cleaning appliance,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a portion of the wet-cleaning appliance with an inventive functional unit in the form of an exposed perspective view,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the portion of the wet-cleaning appliance according to FIG. 2,

(5) FIG. 4 shows the functional unit in the form of an enlarged view,

(6) FIG. 5 shows the portion of the wet-cleaning appliance according to FIG. 3, wherein the functional unit is displaced against the cleaning roller,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a cleaning roller with a textile cleaning layer during its contact with a wiper device of the functional unit,

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view into a roller cover with a functional unit,

(9) FIG. 8 shows a bearing of the functional unit,

(10) FIG. 9 shows an actuating device for the functional unit,

(11) FIG. 10 shows a top view of the functional unit,

(12) FIG. 11 shows a top view of the functional unit with exposed liquid supply line, and

(13) FIG. 12 shows a top view of the functional unit with exposed distribution device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(14) FIG. 1 shows a wet-cleaning appliance 1, which is realized in the form of a hand-operated wet-cleaning appliance 1 with a base unit 20 and an attachment 21. The attachment 21 is removably held on the base unit 20. The base unit 20 comprises a shaft 22 that is realized, for example, in a telescoping manner such that a user of the wet-cleaning appliance 1 can adapt the length of the shaft 22 to his body size. Furthermore, a handle 23 is arranged on the shaft 22 and enables the user to operate the wet-cleaning appliance 1 during a normal mopping mode, i.e. to push the wet-cleaning appliance over a surface to be cleaned. During the mopping mode, the user usually moves the wet-cleaning appliance 1 over the surface to be cleaned in opposite moving directions r. In this case, the user pushes the wet-cleaning appliance 1 away from himself and pulls the wet-cleaning appliance toward himself in an alternating manner.

(15) The attachment 21 comprises a housing, 8, in which a cleaning roller 2 is held. The housing 8 comprises a filler neck 19, through which liquid can be filled into a (not-shown) liquid reservoir. The water stored in the liquid reservoir serves for wetting the exterior of the cleaning roller 2.

(16) The cleaning roller 2 is mounted within the housing 8 so as to be rotatable about a roller axis 3. During the mopping mode, the cleaning roller 2 rotates about the roller axis 3 such that the circumferential surface of the cleaning roller 2 continuously carries out a rolling motion on the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning roller 2 is usually wrapped with a cleaning layer, if applicable with interposition of a sponge body that stores additional liquid. In this example, the cleaning layer is a textile cleaning cloth, between the fibers of which liquid can also be absorbed.

(17) During the mopping mode, dirt is continuously deposited on the cleaning roller 2, i.e. on the cleaning layer. Consequently, a regeneration of the cleaning roller 2 may be required after a certain operating period, wherein dirt and liquid containing dirt are removed from the cleaning roller 2 during a corresponding regeneration mode.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a portion of the housing 8 of the attachment 21, in which the cleaning roller 2 is held so as to be rotatable about the roller axis 3. In order to enhance the intelligibility, the portion of the housing 8 is illustrated in an exposed manner such that the internal characteristics are visible. A roller cover 12 is arranged on the housing 8 and semicircularly encloses the cleaning roller 2 over at least an angular range of about 180 degrees. The roller cover 12 can be removed from the housing 8 of the wet-cleaning appliance 1 such that optimal accessibility is provided, e.g. for servicing. Referred to the opposite circumferential side of the cleaning roller 2viewed from the bottom in FIG. 2the roller cover 12 has an opening region 13, through which the cleaning roller 2 can come in contact with the surface to be cleaned during a normal mopping mode. During a regeneration mode, the cleaning roller 2 is displaced into the housing 8 and the roller cover 12 and the opening region 13 are closed with a cover element 11 such that the cleaning roller 2 is completely encapsulated in the circumferential direction.

(19) A functional unit 6 comprising a wetting device 4 and a wiper device 5 is arranged in the region enclosed by the roller cover 12. The functional unit 6 is mounted in the housing 8 so as to be pivotable about a pivoting axis 7 such that this functional unit can be pivoted relative to the surface of the cleaning roller 2, i.e. either toward the cleaning roller 2 or away from the cleaning roller 2. Furthermore, a displacement drive 10, in this case a gearwheel that forms part of a gearing, is assigned to the functional unit 6 and makes it possible to move the entire functional unit 6 away from the cleaning roller 2, particularly for a mopping mode of the wet-cleaning appliance 1, in which a sufficient clearance between the cleaning roller 2 and the functional unit 6 is required for ensuring the completely unobstructed rotatability of the cleaning roller 2. A cover drive 24, which interacts with the displacement drive 10, serves for displacing the cover element 11.

(20) The wetting device 4 serves for wetting the cleaning roller 2. The wetting device 4 specifically comprises a liquid supply line 17, a distribution device 15 and a plurality of outlet openings 16 (see FIG. 7). The liquid supply line 17 serves for supplying liquid from a liquid reservoir of the wet-cleaning appliance 1 to the distribution device 15. The distribution device 15as well as the entire functional unit 6 and therefore also the wetting device 4extends over the entire longitudinal extent of the cleaning roller 2. The distribution device 15 essentially forms a liquid channel that extends along the longitudinal extent of the cleaning roller 2 and the channel wall of which comprises a plurality of outlet openings 16 for applying liquid to the cleaning roller 2. The liquid is advantageously pumped from the liquid reservoir into the liquid supply line 17 such that the liquid in the distribution device 15 is under pressure and can be sprayed on the surface of the cleaning roller 2 through the outlet openings 16. A fine spray mist, which is homogenous over the longitudinal extent of the cleaning roller 2 and leads to uniform wetting of the cleaning roller 2, can thereby be formed in dependence on the distance between adjacent outlet openings 16. The outlet openings 16 are arranged in a portion of the distribution device 15 that is located directly adjacent to the cleaning roller 2, namely on the upper right side of the functional unit 6 above the wiper device 5 in FIG. 2.

(21) In the position of the wiper device 5, in which it is placed onto the cleaning roller 2, the wiper device can mechanically wipe liquid and dirt off the surface of the cleaning roller 2 during a regeneration mode of the wet-cleaning appliance 1. The wiper device 5 likewise extends over the entire length of the cleaning roller 2 such that it can wipe liquid and dirt off the cleaning roller 2 over its entire surface. Due to the rotation of the cleaning roller 2, the circumferential surface of the cleaning roller 2 is completely cleaned. The liquid wiped off the cleaning roller 2 is discharged into a disposal channel 14, which in the drawing is arranged underneath the wiper device 5 and empties, for example, into a (not-shown) collection container. An air conduction device 18 arranged on the functional unit 6, in this case on the distribution device 15, assists in respectively transporting the liquid through or into the disposal channel 14, wherein said air conduction device comprises a plurality of air conduction ribs that are oriented in the circumferential direction of the cleaning roller 2. The air accelerated due to the rotation of the cleaning roller 2 is conducted in the direction of the disposal channel 14 by means of the air conduction device 18.

(22) The functional unit 6 is mounted in the housing 8 by means of a bearing 26 on the one hand and by means of an actuating device 9 on the other hand. The bearing 26 additionally connects the liquid supply line 17 to a liquid supply of the wet-cleaning appliance 1. The actuating device 7 serves for pressing the functional unit 6 against the cleaning roller 2. The actuating device 9 comprises a spring 25 for pressing the functional unit 6, particularly the wiper device 5, onto the surface of the cleaning roller 2 as described below with reference to FIG. 9.

(23) FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the portion of the attachment 21 illustrated in FIG. 2. This figure shows the roller cover 12, which is arranged on the housing 8 and in which the functional unit 6 is removably accommodated. The opening region 13 of the roller cover 12, which is oriented in the direction of a surface to be cleaned, is opened in this case, i.e. uncovered by the displaceable cover element 11. The cover element 11 can be respectively pivoted into the opening region 13 and out of the opening region 13 of the roller cover 12 by means of a cover drive 24. This cover drive 24 is coupled to the displacement drive 10 for the functional unit 6 such that a displacement of the functional unit 6 onto the cleaning roller 2 takes place simultaneously with the displacement of the cover element 11 into the opening region 13. The functional unit 6 is pivotably held on the roller cover 12 by means of the pivoting axis 7.

(24) FIG. 4 shows an enlarged illustration of the functional unit 6 with the wetting device 4, the wiper device 5 and the disposal channel 14 for discharging the liquid collected by the wiper device 5.

(25) FIG. 5 shows the portion of the attachment 21 according to FIG. 3, wherein the functional unit 6 is pivoted against the cleaning roller 2 and the opening region 13 is closed by the cover element 11. This corresponds to the position of the functional unit 6 during a regeneration mode of the cleaning roller 2. In this case, the cleaning roller 2 is completely encapsulated in the circumferential direction by the roller cover 12 and the cover element 11.

(26) FIG. 6 shows an enlarged portion of FIG. 5. The functional unit 6 contacts the cleaning layer of the cleaning roller 2 with the wiper device 5. In this example, the cleaning layer is a textile layer with fibers that essentially protrude radially. In this case, the fibers are not drawn true-to-scale relative to the size of the cleaning roller 2in order to enhance the intelligibility. For example, the fibers have a length of 1 mm to 10 mm. The fibers are bent and pressed against the cleaning roller 2 in the circumferential regions of the cleaning roller 2, which are currently in contact with the wiper device 5. In the figure, the cleaning roller 2 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. After passing the wiper device 5, the fibers are once again set upright because the wiper device 5 longer contacts this circumferential region. During the return motion from the pressed-down position into the upright position, liquid and/or dirt is spun off the fibers and directly transported to the disposal channel 14.

(27) FIG. 7 shows the roller cover 12 illustrated in FIG. 2 with the functional unit 6 in the form of a view from the rear bottom side, i.e. as seen from a point on the surface of the cleaning roller 2. Among other things, this figure shows the bearing 26 and the actuating device 9, by means of which the functional unit 6 is held in the roller cover 12 so as to be pivotable about a pivoting axis 7. The bearing 26 is connected to the liquid supply line 17 that empties into the distribution device 15 of the wetting device 4. Liquid can therefore be transported from a liquid reservoir into the liquid supply line 17 through the bearing 26 and ultimately into the distribution device 15. The liquid can subsequently escape in the direction of the cleaning roller 2 through the outlet openings 16 of the distribution device 15.

(28) The wiper device 5 is arranged underneath the outlet openings 16 (referred to the illustration according to FIG. 7). During a regeneration mode of the wet-cleaning appliance 1, the wiper device 5 presses against the surface of the cleaning roller 2 and in the process respectively wipes liquid and dirt off the cleaning roller 2. The liquid and the dirt respectively can flow directly into the disposal channel 14 located adjacent to the wiper device 5 and are ultimately discharged, for example, into a collection container of the wet-cleaning appliance 1.

(29) The functional unit 6 can be removed from the roller cover 12 for servicing or cleaning purposes. After the functional unit 6 has been cleaned, for example, it can be reinstalled into the roller cover 2 by inserting the pivoting axis 7 of the functional unit 6 into the bearing 26, which is realized in the form of a rotary leadthrough. The functional unit 6 is subsequently pivoted, for example, about the bearing 26 such that the counter bearing in the form of the actuating device 9 can likewise be installed into the roller cover 12. The actuating device 9 is subsequently locked. The roller cover 12 can then be connected to the housing 8 of the attachment 21, wherein the functional unit 6 is advantageously displaced into a position corresponding to a mopping mode of the wet-cleaning appliance 1. The functional unit 6 is correspondingly dismounted from the roller cover 12 in reverse order. The roller cover 12 is initially separated from the housing 8 of the attachment 21. The actuating device 7 is subsequently unlocked and the functional unit 6 is pivoted outward. The pivoting axis 7 of the functional unit 6 can then be pulled out of the bearing 26.

(30) FIG. 8 shows the bearing 26 for receiving the pivoting axis 7 of the functional unit 6. The bearing 26 makes available a rotary leadthrough for the liquid supply line 17 and is sealed by means of sealing elements 27, in this example a rotary shaft seal and an O-ring. In this way, a liquid line of the wet-cleaning appliance 1 can be connected in a fluid-tight manner to the liquid supply line 17, which is pivoted together with the functional unit 6.

(31) FIG. 9 shows the actuating device 9, which is arranged on the end of the pivoting axis 7 that lies opposite of the bearing 26. The actuating device 9 comprises a spring 25 that exerts a restoring force upon the illustrated end region of the functional unit 6. The restoring force of the spring 25 acts in the direction of the cleaning roller 2 such that the spring 25 attempts to pivot the functional unit 6 in the direction of the cleaning roller 2.

(32) FIGS. 10-12 show the functional unit 6 in the form of top views, wherein FIGS. 11 and 12 are respectively exposed in different planes or regions.

(33) FIG. 10 particularly shows the distribution device 15, which on the illustrated upper side comprises the air conduction device 18 with a plurality of air conduction ribs. The disposal channel 14, through which liquid and dirt wiped off the cleaning roller 2 can be transported to a collection container, is located underneath the distribution device 15. The air, which is accelerated due to the rotation of the cleaning roller and conducted in the direction of the disposal channel 14 by means of the air conduction device 18, assists in this transport. This figure furthermore shows the actuating device 9, as well as a portion of the liquid supply line 17.

(34) FIG. 11 shows the extent of the liquid supply line 17 to the distribution device 15 of the wetting device 4 within the functional unit 6.

(35) FIG. 12 shows an exposed view in the region of the distribution device 15, wherein the ventilation device is partially sectioned. This figure shows the outlet openings 16 of the distribution device 15, through which liquid can be sprayed on the cleaning roller 2 from the wetting device 4.

(36) According to the invention, the functional unit 6 can be used for wetting the cleaning roller 2 prior to a mopping mode of the wet-cleaning appliance, as well as for regenerating the cleaning roller 2.

(37) During a mopping mode of the wet-cleaning appliance 1, the functional unit 6 usually is completely spaced apart from the cleaning roller by means of the displacement drive 10 such that there is no contact between the wiper device 5 of the functional unit 6 and the surface of the cleaning roller 2. The previously wetted cleaning roller 2 therefore can move freely over a surface to be cleaned. During the mopping mode, dirt removed from the surface to be cleaned is deposited on the surface of the cleaning roller 2, particularly on a cleaning layer of the cleaning roller 2, such that a regeneration of the cleaning roller 2 is suggested after a certain operating period in order to achieve the best possible mopping result.

(38) The opening region 13 of the roller cover 12 is closed by means of the cover element 11 for the regeneration mode such that the cleaning roller 2 is completely encapsulated in the circumferential direction. The displacement of the cover element 11 is realized by means of the cover drive 24. Since the cover drive 24 is functionally connected to the displacement drive 10 of the functional unit 6, the displacement of the cover element 11 simultaneously causes a pivoting motion of the functional unit 6 toward the cleaning roller 2 until the wiper device 5 presses against the cleaning roller 2, wherein the spring of the actuating device 9 additionally ensures the required contact pressure and creates a tolerance compensation for the rotating cleaning roller 2. The cleaning roller 2 is significantly accelerated, i.e. rotated with a rotational speed that is higher than the rotational speed during the mopping mode of the wet-cleaning appliance 1. During the rotation of the cleaning roller 2, liquid and/or dirt are wiped off the cleaning roller 2 and/or spun off the cleaning roller 2. The liquid and/or the dirt are transported to the disposal channel 14, which is arranged directly adjacent to the wiper device 5, and flow from the functional unit 6 in the direction of a collection container under the influence of gravity. The air accelerated due to the rotation of the cleaning roller is additionally conducted in the direction of the disposal channel 14 by means of the air conduction ribs of the air conduction device 18 and thereby assists in respectively transporting away the liquid and the dirt.

(39) In order to once again supply and distribute water on the surface of the cleaning roller 2, the functional unit 6 is displaced toward the cleaning roller 2 to such a degree that the wiper device 5 just barely contacts the fibers of the cleaning layer of the cleaning roller 2, for example with an overlapping region of no more than 1 mm. The cleaning roller 2 is rotated with a rotational speed that is reduced in comparison with the rotational speed during a mopping mode. Liquid that may, if applicable, contain a cleaning additive is then sprayed on the cleaning roller 2, wherein the liquid is under pressure within the wetting device 4 and sprayed out of the outlet openings 16. The wetting device sprays the liquid on the surface of the cleaning roller 2, for example, from a distance of 5 mm to 10 mm. The liquid wets the surface of the cleaning roller 2 and the wiper device 5 presses the liquid between the adjacent fibers of the cleaning layer of the cleaning roller 2. As the rotation of the cleaning roller 2 continues, the liquid is applied bit by bit within one or more complete revolutions of the cleaning roller 2 about the roller axis 3 and distributed until the cleaning roller 2 is completely wetted. Subsequently, the functional unit 6 is moved away from the cleaning roller 2, the roller cover 12 is opened and the cleaning roller 2, which is thusly prepared for a mopping mode, is once again lowered, for example, on the surface to be cleaned. During the subsequent mopping mode, the cleaning roller 2 once again picks up dirt from the surface to be cleaned.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(40) 1 Wet-cleaning appliance 2 Cleaning roller 3 Roller axis 4 Wetting device 5 Wiper device 6 Functional unit 7 Pivoting axis 8 Housing 9 Actuating device 10 Displacement drive 11 Cover element 12 Roller cover 13 Opening region 14 Disposal channel 15 Distribution device 16 Outlet opening 17 Liquid supply line 18 Air conduction device 19 Filler neck 20 Base unit 21 Attachment 22 Shaft 23 Handle 24 Cover drive 25 Spring 26 Bearing 27 Sealing element r Moving direction