HIGH-PRESSURE CLEANING SYSTEM AND DISCHARGE UNIT FOR SUCH A HIGH-PRESSURE CLEANING SYSTEM

Abstract

A high-pressure cleaning system with a high-pressure cleaning appliance including a pump, a motor, a pump inlet and a pump outlet, and a control device, and with at least one discharge unit adapted to be brought into fluid connection with the pump outlet for discharging pressurized cleaning liquid is disclosed. In order to further develop the high-pressure cleaning system in such a way that as good a cleaning result as possible is more easily achievable, the high-pressure cleaning system includes a detection unit by which the type of discharge unit presently in fluid connection with the pump outlet is detectable and which is connected in a signal-transmitting manner to the control device, at least one conveying parameter of the high-pressure cleaning appliance being automatically adaptable by the control device to the detected type of discharge unit. A discharge unit for such a high-pressure cleaning system is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A high-pressure cleaning system with a high-pressure cleaning appliance which comprises a pump and a motor driving the pump as well as a pump inlet for supplying cleaning liquid to be pressurized and a pump outlet for delivering pressurized cleaning liquid and a control device for controlling the high-pressure cleaning appliance, and with at least one discharge unit adapted to be brought into fluid connection with the pump outlet for discharging the pressurized cleaning liquid, wherein the high-pressure cleaning system comprises a detection unit by means of which the type of discharge unit presently in fluid connection with the pump outlet is detectable and which is connected in a signal-transmitting manner to the control device, at least one conveying parameter of the high-pressure cleaning appliance being automatically adaptable by the control device to the detected type of discharge unit.

2. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one adaptable conveying parameter includes at least one of the pressure of the cleaning liquid, the volume flow of the cleaning liquid and a dosage of a cleaning chemical addable to the cleaning liquid.

3. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the high-pressure cleaning system comprises a display device on which the at least one adapted conveying parameter is displayable to a user.

4. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one adaptable conveying parameter is changeable by the user.

5. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 4, wherein the high-pressure cleaning system comprises an input device for inputting at least one conveying parameter.

6. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a memory in which conveying parameters respectively adapted to one type of discharge unit are stored, and in dependence upon the type of discharge unit presently detected by the detection unit at least one conveying parameter adapted to this type is readable from the memory.

7. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one discharge unit is configured as high-pressure flat jet nozzle, high-pressure rotor nozzle, high-pressure spot jet nozzle, low-pressure cleaning agent nozzle, foam nozzle, washing brush or surface cleaner, the surface cleaner having a hood and a nozzle assembly which is movably arranged in the hood and is drivable by pressurized cleaning liquid.

8. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one discharge unit comprises an identification element which characterizes the type of discharge unit and is detectable in a contact-dependent or contact-free manner by the detection unit.

9. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the identification element is electrically, magnetically, electromagnetically, inductively, capacitively, optically or mechanically detectable by the detection unit.

10. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the identification element comprises a memory which is readable by the detection unit.

11. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 10, wherein at least one conveying parameter adapted to the type of the at least one discharge unit is stored in the memory.

12. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the identification element is configured as transponder.

13. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the high-pressure cleaning system comprises a spray gun with a manually actuatable valve which is arranged in a through-channel extending from a gun inlet to a gun outlet, the gun inlet being adapted to be brought via a pressure line into fluid connection with the pump outlet, and the at least one discharge unit being connectable to the gun outlet, and the detection unit being arranged on the spray gun.

14. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 13, wherein an electric device which is connected in a signal-transmitting manner to the detection unit is arranged on the spray gun.

15. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the electric device comprises an input device for inputting at least one conveying parameter.

16. The high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the electric device comprises a display device for displaying at least one conveying parameter.

17. A discharge unit for a high-pressure cleaning system in accordance with claim 1, the discharge unit being adapted to be brought into fluid connection with the pump outlet of the high-pressure cleaning appliance for discharging pressurized cleaning liquid, and the discharge unit comprising an identification element characterizing the type of discharge unit.

18. The discharge unit in accordance with claim 17, wherein the identification element is electrically, magnetically, electromagnetically, inductively, capacitively, optically or mechanically detectable.

19. The discharge unit in accordance with claim 17, wherein the identification element comprises a memory.

20. The discharge unit in accordance with claim 17, wherein the identification element is configured as transponder.

21. The discharge unit in accordance with claim 17, the discharge unit being configured as high-pressure flat jet nozzle, high-pressure rotor nozzle, high-pressure spot jet nozzle, low-pressure cleaning agent nozzle, foam nozzle, washing brush or as surface cleaner, the surface cleaner having a hood and a nozzle assembly which is movably arranged in the hood and is drivable by pressurized cleaning liquid.

22. The discharge unit in accordance with claim 17, the discharge unit comprising a mechanical connection member which is mechanically connectable, in particular, connectable by plugging-in, to a spray gun, the identification element being integrated in the connection member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a high-pressure cleaning system with a high-pressure cleaning appliance which is connected by a pressure line to a spray gun to which various discharge devices can be connected;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of a further discharge unit which can be alternatively connected to the spray gun from FIG. 1;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the discharge unit from FIG. 2 from below; and

[0045] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the high-pressure cleaning system from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] An advantageous embodiment of a high-pressure cleaning system is shown schematically and denoted in its entirety by reference numeral 10 in the drawings. The high-pressure cleaning system 10 comprises a high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 and a spray gun 14 and several discharge units 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 which can be selectively connected to the spray gun 14.

[0047] The high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 comprises a housing 28 in which a motor-pump unit 30 with a drive motor 32 and with a pump 34 is arranged. Cleaning liquid to be pressurized, preferably water, can be supplied to the pump 34 via a pump inlet 36, and cleaning liquid which has been pressurized by the pump 34 can be delivered via a pump outlet 38.

[0048] A container 42 in which a cleaning chemical is stored is releasably held on a rear side 40 of the housing 28. The cleaning chemical can be added in a dosed manner to the pressurized cleaning liquid by means of an adding device 44 shown schematically in FIG. 4.

[0049] The high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 is controlled by means of a control device 46 which is likewise arranged in the housing 28.

[0050] The spray gun 14 comprises a through-channel 48 which extends from a gun inlet 50 to a gun outlet 52 and in which a valve 54 is arranged. For actuating the valve 54, the spray gun 14 has a trigger 56 which is pivotably arranged on a handle 58 of the spray gun 14 and can be manually actuated by the user in order to open and close the valve 54.

[0051] The gun inlet 50 is in flow connection with the pump outlet 38 via a pressure line, in the illustrated embodiment via a pressure hose 60, so that cleaning liquid which has been pressurized by the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 can be supplied to the spray gun 14.

[0052] One of the discharge units 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 in accordance with the user's choice can be connected to the gun outlet 52 of the spray gun 14. Which discharge unit is used depends on which kind of surface is to be cleaned by means of the high-pressure cleaning system 10. The discharge units 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 can be brought into fluid connection with the pump outlet 38 via the spray gun 14, so that pressurized liquid can be directed at a surface to be cleaned via the discharge unit respectively connected to the spray gun 14. The output of cleaning liquid can be controlled by the user by means of the valve 54.

[0053] To establish a mechanical connection and a fluid connection with the spray gun 14, the discharge units 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 each comprise a connection member 62 with a connection plug 64 and with two bayonet wings 66, 68. The connection member 62 interacts in a positively locking manner with a connection member 70 of complementary configuration of the spray gun 14. For this purpose, the connection member 70 comprises a connection receptacle 72 into which the connection plug 64 can be inserted. In addition, the connection member 70 comprises bayonet recesses which interact with the bayonet wings 66, 68 in a closed position. Such bayonet recesses are known per se to one skilled in the art and are, therefore, not shown in the drawings in order to achieve a better overview.

[0054] The discharge unit 16 comprises a high-pressure flat jet nozzle 74 which is known per se to one skilled in the art and is, therefore, shown only schematically in the drawings. A fan-shaped high-pressure jet can be discharged by means of the high-pressure flat jet nozzle 74.

[0055] The discharge unit 18 comprises a high-pressure rotor nozzle 76 with which a spot jet circulating on a conical shell can be generated. Such high-pressure rotor nozzles 76 are known per se to one skilled in the art and, in the present case, do, therefore, not require any further explanation either.

[0056] The discharge unit 20 comprises a first washing brush 78, and the discharge unit 22 comprises a second washing brush 80. The two washing brushes 78 and 80 differ from each other with respect to their shape and function.

[0057] The discharge unit 24 comprises a foam nozzle 82 and a discharge container 84 in which a foam-forming chemical can be stored. The foam-forming chemical can be added to the cleaning liquid provided by the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 via the spray gun 14, so that a cleaning agent foam can be discharged.

[0058] The discharge unit 26 is shown schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3. This discharge unit 26 also comprises a connection member 62, as was already explained hereinabove, and can be connected to the spray gun 14 and, consequently, brought into fluid connection with the pump outlet 38. The discharge unit 26 is configured in the form of a surface cleaner 86 comprising a hood 88. A nozzle assembly 90 with a first outlet nozzle 92 and a second outlet nozzle 94 is held in the hood 88 so as to be rotatable about a common axis of rotation 96. Under the action of the cleaning liquid, the nozzle assembly 90 is set in rotation about the axis of rotation 96 and the supplied cleaning liquid can be applied via the outlet nozzles 92 and 94 to a surface to be cleaned, preferably a floor surface.

[0059] Depending on the kind and structure of the surface to be cleaned and also on the type of cleaning desired, for example, rough cleaning, abrasive cleaning, foam cleaning, brush cleaning, the user can selectively connect one of the discharge units 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 to the spray gun 14 and apply cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned. If necessary, a cleaning chemical from the container 42 or a foam-forming chemical from the discharge container 84 can be added to the cleaning liquid.

[0060] As good a cleaning result as possible should, of course, be achieved for each of the discharge units 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and damage to the surface to be cleaned should naturally be avoided.

[0061] To achieve as good a cleaning result as possible with the discharge units 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, it is necessary to adapt at least one conveying parameter of the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 to the discharge unit respectively in use. This adaptation takes place automatically in the high-pressure cleaning system 10. For this purpose, each discharge unit 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 has an identification element 100 which characterizes the type of the respective discharge unit 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and in the illustrated embodiment is configured as transponder 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the transponder 102 is integrated in the connection member 62, more particularly, in the connection plug 64, which can be inserted into the connection receptacle 72 of the spray gun 14.

[0062] The spray gun 14 comprises a detection unit 104 which is associated with the identification element 100 and by means of which the type of discharge unit 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 that is respectively connected can be detected. In the illustrated embodiment, the detection unit 104 is configured as reader 106 with which a memory 103, shown schematically in FIG. 4, of the transponder 102 can be read in a contact-free manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the reader 106 is arranged in a wall of the connection receptacle 72 so that the transponder 102 of the discharge unit 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 respectively connected to the spray gun 14 can be positioned at as short a distance as possible from the reader 106.

[0063] The reader 106 is in electrical connection via an electric connection line 108 with an electric device 110 of the spray gun 14. A signal characterizing the respectively detected type of discharge unit 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 can be transmitted to the electric device 110 via the electric connection line 108. The electric device 110 comprises a power supply unit in the form of a battery 112 and a combined input-output device in the form of a touch screen 114 by means of which at least one conveying parameter of the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 can be displayed to the user, and the user can manually change at least one conveying parameter of the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12.

[0064] The electric device 110 comprises a first radio member 116 and the control device 46 comprises a second radio member 118 so that signals can be wirelessly transmitted between the electric device 110 and the control device 46 via the radio members 116, 118. This makes it possible to transmit a control signal characterizing the type of discharge unit 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 presently connected to the spray gun 14 from the electric device 110 to the control device 46, and a conveying parameter can be transmitted to the electric device 110 from the control device 46, which can then be displayed on the touch screen 114.

[0065] If the conveying parameter is changed by the user on the touch screen 114, the changed conveying parameter can also be transmitted from the electric device 110 to the control device 46.

[0066] The control device 46 automatically adapts at least one conveying parameter of the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 to the discharge unit 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 respectively in use. In particular, the pressure of the cleaning liquid prevailing at the pump outlet 38, the volume flow of the cleaning liquid flowing through the pump outlet 38 and the dosage of the cleaning chemical addable by means of the adding device 44 to the cleaning liquid are used as conveying parameters. In order to achieve as good a cleaning result as possible, these conveying parameters can be automatically adapted to the discharge unit 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 respectively in use. In the illustrated embodiment, the respective optimal conveying parameters for the respective discharge unit are stored for this purpose in the memory 103 of the transponders 102 of the discharge units 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and when the respective discharge unit is connected to the spray gun 14, the conveying parameter stored in the memory can be read by means of the reader 106. A corresponding signal can then be transmitted from the reader 106 via the connection line 108 to the electric device 110 and from it via the radio connection to the control device 46. The control device 46 then controls the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 in such a way that the respectively read conveying parameter is provided. For this purpose, the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 comprises a pressure sensor 120 by means of which the pressure of the cleaning liquid prevailing at the pump outlet 38 can be detected, and the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 comprises a volume flow sensor 122 by means of which the volume flow of the cleaning liquid flowing through the pump outlet 38 can be detected. In addition, the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 comprises a concentration sensor 124 by means of which the concentration of the cleaning chemical which may have been added to the cleaning liquid by means of the adding device 44 can be detected. The pressure sensor 120 as well as the volume flow sensor 122 and the concentration sensor 124 are in electrical connection with the control device 46, and the control device controls the pump 34 and the adding device 44 in a such a way that the conveying parameters provided by the detection unit 104, which, in order to achieve as good a cleaning result as possible, are adapted to the discharge unit 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 respectively in use, are provided by the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12.

[0067] Operation of the high-pressure cleaning system 10 is, therefore, very easy for the user. Depending on the cleaning task to be solved, different discharge units 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 can be used, and the conveying parameters of the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 are automatically adapted to the discharge unit respectively in use without the user having to perform complicated settings on the high-pressure cleaning appliance 12 or on the spray gun 14 for this. In spite of the automatic adaptation of the conveying parameters to the discharge unit respectively in use, it is, if required, possible for the user to change the conveying parameters on the touch screen 114 of the spray gun 14.