FLOOR-CLEANING MACHINE

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410), preferably a floor scrubbing device, particularly preferably a scrub vacuum floor cleaning device, comprising: a floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412); a tool (24, 26; 124, 126) which is assigned to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and which, in an operating state, contacts a floor surface (158); a guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) for guiding the floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410); a joint assembly (16; 116) having a first pivot joint (18, 118) for pivoting the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) relative to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) about a first pivot axis (A); and a spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) for generating a spring force between the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414),
wherein the first pivot joint (18, 118) has a neutral position, characterized in that the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) is operatively connected to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) in such a way that, when pivoting from the neutral position in a first pivot direction (S1) to a deflected position, a righting torque acting on the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) and resulting from the spring force about the first pivot axis (A) in the direction of the neutral position increases in a first angular range and decreases in a subsequent second angular range.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410), preferably a floor scrubbing device, particularly preferably a scrub vacuum floor cleaning device, comprising: a floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412); a tool (24, 26; 124, 126) which is assigned to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and which, in an operating state, contacts a floor surface (158); a guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) for guiding the floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410); a joint assembly (16; 116) having a first pivot joint (18, 118) for pivoting the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) relative to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) about a first pivot axis (A); and a spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) for generating a spring force between the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414), wherein the first pivot joint (18, 118) has a neutral position, characterized in that the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) is operatively connected to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) in such a way that, when pivoting from the neutral position in a first pivot direction (S1) to a deflected position, a righting torque acting on the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) and resulting from the spring force about the first pivot axis (A) in the direction of the neutral position increases in a first angular range and decreases in a subsequent second angular range.

2. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of claim 1, characterized in that the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) has a first mounting point (164; 264; 364; 464) coupled to the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) at least in the first and second angular ranges and spaced from the first pivot axis (A) on one side of the first pivot joint (18, 118).

3. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of claim 2, characterized in that a distance to the first pivot axis (A) of a force vector (F) acting on the first mounting point (164; 264; 364; 464) due to the spring force decreases in the first angular range and/or in the second angular range at least at phases when pivoting in the first pivot direction (S1).

4. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of claim 3, characterized in that the distance is at a maximum in the neutral position.

5. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first mounting point (164; 264; 364; 464) in the first angular range and/or second angular range at phases performs a movement along a segment of a circle about the first pivot axis (A).

6. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spring length of the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) increases at least at phases in the first angular range and in the second angular range when pivoting in the first pivot direction (S1).

7. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) is a tension spring.

8. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a spring length of the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) decreases at least at phases in the first angular range and in the second angular range when pivoting in the first pivot direction (S1).

9. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of claim 8, characterized in that the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) is a compression spring.

10. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) comprises a spring-damper member.

11. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) is further operatively connected to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) in such a way that the righting torque at a pivot angle relative to the neutral position in the first angular range and/or in the second angular range compensates for a torque acting on the first pivot joint (18, 118) about the first pivot axis (A), in particular a torque resulting from the weight of the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414).

12. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) is further operatively connected to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) in such a way that the spring force and/or the righting torque in the neutral position amount to zero.

13. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when pivoting in the first pivot direction (S1), the second angular range is followed by a third angular range in which the righting torque has a negative sign.

14. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of claim 13, characterized in that in the third angular range, the value of the righting torque increases when pivoting in the first pivot direction (S1).

15. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) is further operatively connected to the floor unit (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) in such a way that at the transition from the second angular range to the third angular range, a force vector (F) acting on the mounting point (164; 264; 364; 464) due to the spring force runs through the first pivot axis (A).

16. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that at the end of the third angular range facing away from the neutral position, the pivot angle relative to the neutral position is at least 70 degrees, preferably at least 80 degrees, particularly preferably at least 90 degrees.

17. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the end of the second angular range facing away from the neutral position, the pivot angle relative to the neutral position is at least 70 degrees, preferably at least 80 degrees, particularly preferably at least 90 degrees.

18. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring member (160; 260; 360; 460) does not exert any spring force on the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) in a fourth angular range when pivoting from the neutral position in a second pivot direction (S2) opposite to the first pivot direction (S1).

19. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of claim 18, characterized in that the first mounting point (164; 264; 364; 464) is configured on a sled (470) that can be moved in a sled guide (468) relative to the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414) when pivoting from the neutral position in the second pivot direction (S2).

20. The floor cleaning device (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) of claim 19, characterized in that the sled guide (468) specifies an arc-shaped movement of the sled (470) relative to the guide member (14; 114; 214; 314; 414), the center of the circular arc shape being arranged on the first pivot axis (A).

Description

[0074] In the following, embodiments of the invention are described by way of example with reference to the figures. In the drawings:

[0075] FIG. 1 is a spatial representation of a first embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the invention;

[0076] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the invention;

[0077] FIG. 3a-d are schematic representations of a detail of the floor cleaning device for different pivot angles;

[0078] FIG. 4a-d are schematic representations of a detail of the floor cleaning device for different pivot angles with an alternative orientation of the force vector;

[0079] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the invention;

[0080] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the invention;

[0081] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the invention for a first pivot angle; and

[0082] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the fifth embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the invention for a second pivot angle.

[0083] FIG. 1 is a spatial representation of a first embodiment of the floor cleaning device 10 according to the invention. It comprises a floor unit 12 and a guide member 14 which are connected to one another in an articulate manner via a joint assembly 16.

[0084] A joint assembly 16 comprises a first pivot joint 18 enabling the guide member 14 to pivot relative to the floor unit 12 about a first pivot axis A. The joint assembly 16 further comprises a second pivot joint 20 enabling the guide member 14 to pivot relative to the floor unit 12 about a second pivot axis B. The first pivot axis A and the second pivot axis B are arranged at a distance from and orthogonally to one another on a connecting member 22 connecting the first pivot joint 18 to the second pivot joint 20.

[0085] Two brush-type tools 24, 26 are assigned to the floor unit. They protrude from a floor unit housing 28 in the direction of a floor and are also driven by a drive device arranged in the floor unit housing 28 and not shown in further detail. The tools 24, 26 are inclined relative to a floor surface in such a way that, in an operating state of the floor cleaning device 10, the rotation of the tools 24, 26 produces an advance effect in a direction of advance V. Two spaced transport rollers 30, 32 are arranged on a front, upper side of the floor unit housing 28. Furthermore, a vacuum bar 34 is arranged on the floor unit housing 28 as a component of a vacuum unit extending in an arc behind the floor unit housing 28 and at least partially enclosing it. Support wheels 36 are arranged on the vacuum bar 34, of which only one is visible in the present case and the second is covered by the floor unit 12. Furthermore, a receptacle 38 serving as a receptacle for a battery supplying power to the floor cleaning device 10 is attached to the floor unit 28. A hose connection member 40 to which a vacuum hose 42 of the vacuum unit is coupled is further configured on the upper side of the floor unit 12.

[0086] At its other end, the vacuum hose 42 is coupled to a waste water container 44 arranged on a shaft 45 of the guide member 14. Dirty water picked up by the vacuum bar 34 from the floor surface or a cleaning surface not shown can thus be conveyed into the waste water container 44 via the vacuum hose 42. The waste water container 44 is detachably coupled to the shaft 45.

[0087] A fresh water container 46 is further configured on the shaft 45 on a side of the shaft 45 opposite the waste water container 44. Fresh water can thus be supplied to the floor unit 12 and the floor in the area of the tools 24, 26 via a fresh water line not shown in detail. Fresh water is a liquid intended for cleaning. It need not necessarily be pure water. It may also be a cleaning agent or water with an added cleaning agent or an added cleaning substance.

[0088] A vacuum turbine 47 of the vacuum unit, which is coupled to the waste water container 44 and generates a negative pressure in the waste water container 44 to suck in the dirty water, is configured on the shaft 45 below the waste water container 44 and the fresh water container 46.

[0089] The guide member 14 or the shaft 45 has a longitudinal axis L that is perpendicular to the second pivot axis B. In the present case, the second pivot joint 20 is not deflected so that the longitudinal axis L is perpendicular to the first pivot axis A as well.

[0090] Handles 48, 50 that are round in shape and extend along a handle axis W that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L are arranged at a top end of the shaft 45. In the present case, the handle axis W is parallel to the first pivot axis A as well. Actuating members 52, 54 are also configured on the shaft 45 below the handles 48, 50. Functions of the floor cleaning device 10 can be activated or deactivated using the actuating members 52, 54.

[0091] The spring member according to the invention is not yet visible in detail because it is covered by the joint assembly 16. It will be discussed in more detail in connection with the following figures.

[0092] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the floor cleaning device 110 according to the invention when looking right in the direction of advance V. Compared to FIG. 1, the floor cleaning device 110 is simplified and shown only schematically.

[0093] The Figure also shows the shaft 145 of the guide member 114, to which the fresh water container 146, the waste water container 144 and the vacuum turbine 147 are attached. In addition, the handles 148, 150 are arranged at the top end of the shaft 145.

[0094] The guide member 114 is coupled to the floor unit 112 through the joint assembly 116. More precisely, the guide member 114 is coupled to the second pivot joint 120 of the joint assembly 116. Further, a support bracket 156 coupling the joint assembly 116 or the first pivot joint 118 to the floor unit housing 128 of the floor unit 112 is configured on the floor unit 112. This type of attachment, however, is due to the schematic representation and could also be solved by directly attaching the first pivot joint 118 to the floor unit without a support bracket 118 as known from FIG. 1.

[0095] The brush-type tools 124, 126 contacting a floor surface 158 to be cleaned are arranged on the floor unit 112. Furthermore, the receptacle 138 of the floor unit 112 is recognizable.

[0096] In addition, a spring member 160 according to the invention is shown, one end of which is coupled to a connecting member extension 162 of the shaft 145 via a first mounting point 164 and the other end of which is coupled to the support bracket 156 of the floor unit 112 via a second mounting point 166. The connecting member extension 162 forms an extension of the shaft 145 beyond the pivot joint 118 or the first pivot axis A and creates a distance between the first mounting point 164 and the first pivot axis A. The second mounting point 166 is arranged on the support bracket 156 at approximately the same height as the first pivot axis A. In the present case, the spring member 160 is configured as a tension spring that does not generate any force between the floor unit 112 and the guide member 114 when the guide member 114 is in the neutral position. In other words, the spring member 160 would not be deflected in the neutral position. In the present case, however, the guide member 114 is pivoted about the first pivot axis A relative to the floor unit 112 from the neutral position at a pivot angle of approximately 30 degrees in a first pivot direction S1. As a result, the spring member 160, in the present case a coil spring, is elongated and generates a spring force acting on the first mounting point 164 and pulling in the direction of the second mounting point 166 due to the free course of the spring member 160 between the two mounting points 164, 166. This spring force may be represented as a force vector oriented in the direction of the spring member 160 or from the first mounting point 164 to the second mounting point 166. This force vector is spaced from the first pivot axis A, thus generating a torque, i.e. a righting torque, that acts on the guide member 114 about the first pivot axis in the direction of the neutral position of the guide member 114.

[0097] When the guide member 114 is pivoted about the first pivot axis A relative to the floor unit 112, the first mounting point 164 moves about the first pivot axis A on a circular arc. In interaction with the orientation of the spring member 160, this has the effect of the spring member 160 being elongated when the guide member 114 is pivoted about the first pivot axis A relative to the floor unit 112 in the first pivot direction S1. The first mounting point 164 moves away from the second mounting point 166. Hence, the spring force initially increases significantly. However, the further pivoting progresses, the less strong is the increase in the elongation of the spring member 112. Then, there is also a correspondingly less strong increase in spring force. At the same time, the force vector resulting from the spring force approaches the first pivot axis A the further pivoting progresses. The further pivoting progresses, the closer the force vector comes to the first pivot axis A. This is also due to the circular arc shape. When pivoting by about 90 degrees relative to the neutral position, the force vector even runs through the first pivot axis A such that the spring force is unable to generate a righting torque. This interaction of the varying spring force resulting from the arrangement of the spring member 160, the resulting course of the first mounting point 164 about the first pivot axis A, and the resulting varying distance of the generated force vector relative to the first pivot axis A causes the righting torque to increase in a first angular range and to decrease in an adjacent second angular range when the guide member 114 is pivoted about the first pivot axis A relative to the floor unit 112 from the neutral position in the first pivot direction S1. The second angular range is followed by a third angular range where the righting torque M is negative and its value increases.

[0098] To illustrate the operating principle on which the invention is based, reference is made to FIGS. 3a to 3d and 4a to 4d, which explain the operating principle by way of example.

[0099] FIGS. 3a to 3d each show the connecting member extension 162, as is known from the second embodiment, wherein the connecting member extension 162 is shown schematically and for different pivot angles. Further, for convenience, it is assumed that the force vector F, herein referred to as spring force, has a constant alignment and orientation relative to the first pivot axis A of the first pivot joint 118. However, this need not be the case, as becomes clear from the other figures. For example, the force vector F generated by the schematically indicated spring member 160 in FIG. 3a is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L and points to the left. FIG. 3a describes the case in which the guide member 114 is in the neutral position relative to the floor unit 112. As explained above, the spring member does not generate any spring force in the neutral position, so that the force vector F has a value of zero. FIG. 3a further shows the righting torque M generated by the spring member in the direction of the neutral position. However, since the spring member 160 does not generate any spring force in the neutral position, as explained above, the righting torque M also amounts to zero.

[0100] FIG. 3b illustrates the case in which the guide member 114 is pivoted about the first pivot axis A relative to the floor unit 112 in the first pivot direction S1 from the neutral position. As a result, the illustrated connecting member extension 162 is pivoted accordingly. This results in a pivot angle , which is about 45 degrees in the present case. It can be seen that the first mounting point 164 is pivoted to the right compared to the neutral position shown in FIG. 3a. This change in position results in an elongation of the spring member, which in turn leads to an increased spring force. This spring force generates a righting torque M about the first pivot axis A, which acts in the direction of the neutral position.

[0101] FIG. 3c shows a pivot angle of 90 degrees. It can be seen that the first mounting point 164 is pivoted further to the right compared to the neutral position shown in FIG. 3a and also compared to the pivot angle shown in FIG. 3b. More precisely, the first mounting point 164 is now pivoted by the amount of the distance between the first mounting point 164 and the first pivot axis A compared to the neutral position shown in FIG. 3a. This change in position again results in an elongation of the spring member 160. However, the spring force F or the resulting force vector F now runs through the first pivot axis A, so that the righting torque M amounts to zero.

[0102] FIG. 3d shows a pivot angle of more than 90 degrees, namely about 110 degrees compared to the neutral position. Compared to the neutral position, the spring member 160 is pivoted further to the right, resulting in an elongation of the spring member 160. This also generates a spring force. However, the force vector F resulting from the spring force now extends around the first pivot axis A on another side, thus generating a righting torque M, which is negative. This is shown herein by an arrow for the righting torque M, which has a reversed orientation compared to FIGS. 3a to 3c. Finally, a righting torque M is generated which is no longer directed in the direction of the neutral position opposite the first pivot direction S1, but acts in the direction of the first pivot direction S1. For the guide member 114 this means that the spring member pushes the guide member 114 away from the neutral position.

[0103] This interaction of the varying spring force resulting from the arrangement of the spring member 160, the resulting course of the first mounting point 164 about the first pivot axis A, and the resulting varying distance of the generated force vector F relative to the first pivot axis A causes the righting torque M to increase in a first angular range and to decrease in an adjacent second angular range when the guide member 114 is pivoted about the first pivot axis A relative to the floor unit 112 from the neutral position in the first pivot direction S1. The second angular range is followed by a third angular range where the righting torque M is negative and its value increases with increasing pivoting in the first pivot direction. For example, the first angular range extends from 0 to approximately 70 degrees of the pivot angle for a spring member 160 with a spring constant. The second angular range then extends, for example, from approximately 70 to 90 degrees of the pivot angle . In the present case, the righting torque M is zero at the start of the first angular range since there is no spring force and zero as well at the end of the second angular range since there is no lever arm. In the present case, the first and the second angular ranges total in a pivot angle of approximately 90 degrees. The third angular range starts at a pivot angle of 90 degrees.

[0104] FIGS. 4a to 4d each schematically show the connecting member extension 162 for different pivot angles, as was shown in connection with FIGS. 3a to 3d, with the force vector F having a different orientation compared to FIGS. 3a to 3d. Further, for convenience, it is assumed that the orientation of the force vector F remains the same when pivoting about the first pivot axis A. However, this need not be the case, as becomes clear from the other figures. More precisely, the force vector F starts at the first mounting point 164 also in this case but is inclined at an angle of approximately 60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis, thus pointing upwards to the left. As explained in connection with FIG. 3a, the spring member 160 does not generate any spring force in the neutral position. Therefore, the value of the force vector F in FIG. 4a and the righting torque M are zero.

[0105] FIG. 4b shows the connecting member extension 162 for a pivot angle of about 45 degrees. The first mounting point 164 is pivoted to the right relative to the neutral position shown in FIG. 4a, so that the spring member 160 has undergone a change in length and generates a spring force, which is represented by the force vector F acting on the first mounting point 164. In other words, the first mounting point 164 is now farther away from the second mounting point 166. The force vector F is spaced from the first pivot axis A such that it generates the righting torque M about the first pivot axis A, which in the present case has a clockwise orientation and thus acts in a direction opposite to the first pivot direction S1. Thus, the spring member 160 pushes the guide member 114 towards the neutral position.

[0106] FIG. 4c shows the connecting member extension 162 for a pivot angle of about 60 degrees. This means that the first mounting point 164 is farther away from the second mounting point 166 compared to FIG. 4b so that the spring member 160 generates an increased spring force in turn. However, the force vector F now runs through the first pivot axis A, meaning that the righting torque M amounts to zero.

[0107] FIG. 4d shows the connecting member extension 162 for a pivot angle of about 90 degrees. This means that the first mounting point 164 is again closer to the second mounting point 166 compared to FIG. 4c so that the spring member 160 generates a reduced spring force in comparison. However, the force vector F now extends at a distance from the first pivot axis A, generating a righting torque M. The force vector extends on another side of the pivot axis A, meaning that the righting torque is negative. In FIG. 4d, this is shown by a reversed orientation of the righting torque M, which now no longer acts clockwise but counterclockwise. This means that the righting torque acts in the direction of the first pivot direction S1. Thus, the guide member 114 is pushed away from the neutral position due to the spring force of the spring member 160.

[0108] In comparison to FIGS. 3a to 3d, it can be seen that, due to the changed orientation of the spring member 160, an angular range of the pivot angle of 90 degrees is already sufficient to generate both a first angular range of the pivot angle in which the righting torque M increases and a second angular range of the pivot angle in which the righting torque M decreases, as well as a third angular range of the pivot angle in which the righting torque M is negative and increases in value when pivoting in the first pivot direction S1.

[0109] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the floor cleaning device 210 according to the invention. The floor cleaning device 210 is based on the floor cleaning device 110 known from FIG. 2, meaning that corresponding components are not discussed again, but reference is made to the explanations in connection with FIG. 2. However, the first mounting point 264 is not arranged on the connecting member extension 262 but on the connecting member 222 itself. Thus, the first mounting point 264 is located on another side of the first pivot axis A. The second mounting point 266 is still arranged on the support bracket 256, however on another side of the first pivot axis A compared to FIG. 2. The spring member 260 continues to be configured as a tension spring which does not exert any spring force in the neutral position.

[0110] It can thus be seen that the effect according to the invention can also be achieved with the alternative arrangement of the spring member 260 and the mounting points 266, 264. Furthermore, the connecting member extension 262 could be omitted.

[0111] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the floor cleaning device 310 according to the invention. The floor cleaning device 310 is based on the floor cleaning device 110 known from FIG. 2, meaning that corresponding components are not discussed again, but reference is made to the explanations in connection with FIG. 2. The spring member 360, however, is configured as a compression spring. The first mounting point 364 is arranged on the connecting member extension 362 as well. The second mounting point 366 is arranged on the support bracket 356 of the floor unit 312, as known from FIG. 5. The spring member 360 is attached to the first and second mounting points 364, 366. The spring member 360 is configured such that it does not generate any spring force in the neutral position. When the guide member 314 is pivoted about the first pivot axis A from the neutral position in the first pivot direction S1, an increasing righting torque is generated in a first angular range of the pivot angle, which pushes the guide member 314 towards the neutral position, and a decreasing righting torque is generated in a second angular range of the pivot angle, which pushes the guide member 314 towards the neutral position. In the first and second angular ranges, the righting torque thus acts in the direction opposite to the first pivot direction S1. In a third angular range of the pivot angle, in the present case from a pivot angle of approximately 90 degrees, however, the righting torque acts in the direction of the first pivot direction.

[0112] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of the floor cleaning device 410 according to the invention for a first pivot angle of zero. Accordingly, the guide member 414 is in the neutral position. The fifth embodiment is based on the second embodiment of FIG. 2, so reference is made to the explanations in connection with FIG. 2. In addition to the second embodiment, the present floor cleaning device 410 is configured with an alternative connecting member extension 462 which has the shape of a circular segment. An arcuate sled guide 468 is configured in the connecting member extension 462, wherein the arcuate shape extends approximately evenly spaced from the first pivot axis A. A sled 470 on which the first mounting point 464 is arranged is arranged in the sled guide 468. The sled guide 468 forms a sled stop 472 against which the sled 470 abuts when the guide member 414 is in the neutral position as shown.

[0113] As in the second embodiment, the spring member 460 is a tension spring that does not generate any spring force in the neutral position. The sled 470 is movably mounted in the sled guide 468. Pivoting the guide member 414 about the first pivot axis A in the direction of the first pivot direction S1 leads to the spring forces and righting torques for the various pivot angles in the angular ranges as explained above. However, if the guide member 414 is pivoted about the first pivot axis A from the neutral position in a direction opposite to the first pivot direction S1 in a second pivot direction S2, no spring force and thus no righting torque is generated at least within a fourth angular range of the pivot angle , as will be explained below in connection with FIG. 8.

[0114] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the fifth embodiment of the floor cleaning device 410 according to the invention for a changed pivot angle. This means that the floor cleaning device 410 corresponds to the floor cleaning device shown in FIG. 7, but the guide member 414 is pivoted about the first pivot axis A from the neutral position against the first pivot direction S1 in the second pivot direction S2 at a pivot angle of approximately 30 degrees. It can be seen that the sled 470 is displaced within the sled guide 468, no longer abutting against the sled stop 472 but being spaced from it. This is due to the spring member 460 remaining in its undeflected state, which it also assumes when the guide member 414 is in the neutral position, by displacing the sled 470 along the sled guide 468. As a result, the first mounting point 464 is displaced together with the sled 470 relative to the connecting member extension 462 but remains in its position relative to the floor unit 412 and the second mounting point 466.

[0115] Overall, the guide member 414 can thus be pivoted about the first pivot axis A from the neutral position in the direction of the second pivot direction S2 in a fourth angular range and back into the neutral position without the spring member 460 exerting a spring force on the guide member 414. The fourth angular range is approximately 90 degrees. However, the sled guide 468 or the connecting member extension 462 may also have a different configuration, meaning that a larger or smaller fourth angular range may be provided. At the same time, the spring member 460 generates a spring force when the guide member 414 is pivoted about the first pivot axis A from the neutral position in the first pivot direction S1 relative to the floor unit 412. The fifth embodiment thus combines the advantages of free pivoting in the fourth angular range and the advantages of pivoting in the first, second and third angular ranges with the influence of the spring force and as explained above.