HAND-HELD FLOOR CLEANING MACHINE

Abstract

A floor cleaning machine with a base, a control handle and a joint that permits that permits the handle to be pivoted in arbitrary directions relative to the base. The joint has first and second joint elements that are each attached to a corresponding of the base and the control handle. The first joint element has an envelope in the shape of a ball socket and is received into the second joint element. The first joint element is pivotable relative to the second joint element about a stationary fulcrum. The center of the envelope is non-displaceable relative to the second joint element. Grooves, which run in an arcuate manner, are provided on one of the first and the second joint elements, while corresponding engagement parts are provided on the other one of the first and the second joint elements and extend into corresponding ones of the grooves.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning machine (1) having a base (5), and a control handle (7), wherein the base (5) has a cleaning element assembly (27) having at least one driven cleaning element (33) on which at least one engagement element (35) is provided, wherein the cleaning element (33, 61), by way of the at least one engagement element (35) provided thereon, is configured to engage with a floor area (3) to be cleaned, wherein the control handle (7) extends along a longitudinal axis (11) between a proximal end (13) and an activation end (15), and by way of a joint (9) is attached to the base (5) so as to be pivotable in such a manner that the control handle (7) can be pivoted in arbitrary directions in relation to the base (5), wherein the joint (9) has a first joint element (39) having an envelope that is in a shape of a ball socket, and a second joint element (47), wherein the first joint element (39) is received in the second joint element (47) and supported in the second joint element (47) in such a manner that the first joint element (39) in relation to the second joint element (47) is pivotable about a fulcrum (51) which is stationary in terms of the second joint element (47) and coincides with the center of the envelope, and that the center of the envelope is non-displaceable relative to the second joint element (47), wherein provided on one of the first and the second joint elements (39, 47) are at least two grooves (45) that run in an arcuate manner, are open toward the envelope and extend along the envelope, and provided on the other one of the first and the second joint elements (39, 47) are at least one first engagement part (57) and one second engagement part (57), wherein the first engagement part (57) extends into the first one of the grooves (45), and the second engagement part (57) extends into the second one of the grooves (45), wherein the first joint element (39) is attached to one of the base (5) and the proximal end (13) of the control handle (7), and the second joint element (47) is attached to the other one of the base (5) and the proximal end (13) of the control handle (7).

2. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the grooves (45) in terms of the center of the envelope are disposed so as to be diametrically opposite on one of the first and the second joint elements (39, 47).

3. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the first and the second engagement part (57) are disposed so as to be diametrically opposite in a central plane that runs through the center of the envelope and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (11) of the control handle (7).

4. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the grooves (45) extend about the envelope by more than 150°.

5. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the second articulated joint (47) has a circular receptacle opening (55) having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the envelope.

6. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first engagement part and the second engagement part is configured as a ball (57) which is mounted so as to be stationary and rotatable on the other one of the first and the second joint elements (47), and able to roll in one of the grooves (45).

7. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the two grooves (45) that run in an arcuate manner are provided on the first joint element (39), and the first engagement part and the second engagement part (57) are provided on the second joint element (47).

8. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the first joint element (39) is attached to the base (5), and the second joint element (47) is attached to the proximal end (13) of the control handle (7).

9. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the joint (9) has a locking assembly that is movable between a releasing position and a locking position, wherein the second joint element (47) is pivotable about the first joint element (39) when the lock assembly is in the releasing position, and wherein the second joint element (47) is not pivotable about the first joint element (39) when the lock assembly is in the locking position.

10. The floor cleaning machine of claim 9, wherein one of the first and the second joint elements (39, 47) has a receptacle clearance (61) of which the opening extends toward the envelope, wherein on the other one of the first and the second joint elements (39, 47) is provided a latch element (59) which, in a direction that runs perpendicularly to the envelope, is displaceable in relation to the other one of the first and the second joint elements (39, 47) such that said latch element does not extend beyond the envelope toward the one of the first and the second joint elements (39, 47) when the locking assembly is in the releasing position, and said latch element extends beyond the envelope toward the one of the first and the second joint elements (39, 47), and into the receptacle clearance when the locking assembly is in the locking position.

11. The floor cleaning machine of claim 10, wherein the receptacle clearance (61) is provided on the first joint element (39), and the latch element (49) is provided on the second joint element (47).

12. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one engagement element (35) has a free end, wherein the at least one free end defines a cleaning plane in which the at least one engagement element (35) engages with the floor area (3), and wherein the control handle (7) is pivotable relative to the base (5) to a vertical position in which the longitudinal axis (11) of the control handle (7) extends upward away from the cleaning plane (37).

13. The floor cleaning machine of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal axis (11) of the control handle (7) is perpendicular to the cleaning plane.

14. The floor cleaning machine as claimed of claim 12, wherein the control handle (7) is in the vertical position when the locking assembly is in the locking position.

15. The floor cleaning machine of claim 12, wherein the floor cleaning machine (1) is configured to be moved across the floor area (3) to be cleaned when operated in a cleaning operation, and wherein a pre-loading element (65, 67) is provided which, in the position in which the control handle (7) is pivoted from the vertical position counter to the main operating direction (63), is designed to impinge said control handle (7) with a force toward the vertical position.

16. The floor cleaning machine of claim 15, wherein the pre-loading element is configured as a spring element (71) that by way of a first end (69) is fastened to the control handle (7), the second end (73) of said spring element (71) being connected to a strap element (75), wherein the strap element (75) on a side of the joint (9) that points in the main operating direction (63) is guided from the control handle (7) to the base (5), and is fastened to the base (5).

Description

DRAWINGS

[0032] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a first perspective lateral view of an exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a second perspective lateral view of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 3 is a partial lateral view of the joint of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 4 is a first sectional view of the joint of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a second sectional view of the joint of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 2;

[0038] FIGS. 6A and 6B are lateral views of the joint of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1 in different pivoted positions;

[0039] FIGS. 7A and 7B are lateral views of the joint of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1 in a first design embodiment in different pivoted positions;

[0040] FIGS. 8A and 8B are lateral views of the joint of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1 in a second design embodiment in different pivoted positions; and

[0041] FIGS. 9A and 9B are a lateral view and a perspective view, respectively, of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1 in a third design embodiment.

[0042] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 according to the present invention, said floor cleaning machine 1 here forming a hand-held scrubbing-drying machine and being provided with a cleaning element assembly by way of which cleaning liquid can be applied to the floor area 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and having cleaning elements for engaging with the floor area 3 to be cleaned. The scrubbing-drying machine is furthermore provided with a suction foot by way of which scrubbed residue, including the cleaning liquid, can be suctioned off again. The exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 described here has a control handle 7, which is yet to be described in detail hereunder and is attached to a base 5 of the floor cleaning machine 1, wherein the control handle 7 by way of a joint 9 is pivotably attached to the base 5.

[0044] The exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention described here, as has already been mentioned, comprises the base 5 to which the control handle 7 is attached by way of a joint 9, the latter being described in yet more detail hereunder. The control handle 7 extends here from the joint 9, by way of which said control handle 7 is pivotably connected to the base 5, along a longitudinal axis 11 from a proximal end 13 to an activation and 15, wherein the proximal end 13 of the control handle 7 is provided so as to be adjacent to the joint 9 and is connected to the latter. The joint 9 here is designed in such a manner that, when the control handle 7 is pivoted or rotated about the longitudinal axis 11, a torque is exerted on the base 5 such that the latter is pivoted about a vertical axis 17 in relation to the floor area 3, wherein the vertical axis 17 runs perpendicularly to the floor area 3. The joint 9, by virtue of the construction thereof, thus makes it possible for a user who grips the control handle 7 on the activation and 15 of the latter to be able to steer the base 5. The exact design embodiment of the joint will be described hereunder.

[0045] A cleaning liquid container 19 and a wastewater tank 21 are releasably attached to the control handle 7, said cleaning liquid container 19 and said wastewater tank 21 by way of lines 25, 27 being connected to the base 5 as well as to a suction foot 23, the latter being pivotably mounted on the base 5. The suction foot 23 here can be pivoted between the position shown in the figures, in which said suction foot 23 lies opposite the floor area 3 to be cleaned, and a folded-up position in which said suction foot 23 is spaced apart from the floor area 3.

[0046] Finally provided on the lower side of the base 5 that points toward the floor area 3 to be cleaned is a cleaning element assembly 29 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) which is designed to engage with the floor area 3 to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning element assembly 29 is driven by a drive motor (not illustrated) disposed in a housing 31 on the base 5. The drive motor can be, for example, an electric motor which is supplied by a battery unit which is not illustrated and is attached to the base 5 or to the control handle 7. However, the present invention is not limited to electric motors and it is in principle also possible for the drive motor to be driven by compressed air. This may be the case when the floor cleaning machine is used as an auxiliary apparatus on a self-driving machine.

[0047] Furthermore disposed in the housing 31 of the base 5 is a suction turbine (not illustrated), the suction side of which is connected to the upper end of the wastewater tank 21. The wastewater tank 21 in turn is connected to the suction foot 23 by way of the line 25. The suction turbine forms a suction installation with the aid of which a suction airflow from the suction foot 23 into the wastewater tank 21 is generated, such that cleaning liquid can be suctioned off from the floor area 3 to be cleaned. Furthermore provided on the base 5 are additional lines 27 by way of which the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid container 19 by way of the base 5 can be conveyed into the region of the cleaning element assembly 29 and in the process be applied to the floor area 3 to be cleaned.

[0048] The cleaning element assembly 29 in the preferred exemplary embodiment shown here has two driven cleaning elements 33 which in a manner not illustrated are attached such that an external cleaning element surrounds an internal cleaning element and the cleaning elements 33 are driven in such a manner that said cleaning elements perform orbital movements which are mutually out of phase by 180°. It is achieved by this type of drive that the cleaning elements when they are moved, do not conjointly generate any propulsion acting on the base 5 relative to the floor area 3 to be cleaned. The cleaning elements 33 in the present exemplary embodiment are designed as brush elements so that engagement elements in the form of bristles 35 extend in each case away from a main body, wherein the free ends of the bristles 35 engage with the floor area 3 to be cleaned, and the free ends thus define a cleaning plane 37 which coincides with the plane of the floor area 3. In this way, the vertical axis 17 also extends perpendicularly to the cleaning plane 37.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment described here, the engagement elements are configured as bristles 35, and the cleaning elements are provided as brushes. However, it is also conceivable for other types of cleaning elements to be used. For example, pads which are driven can be used, the faces of the pads that extend toward the floor area 3 to be cleaned, or extend in the cleaning plane 37, respectively, forming the engagement elements. The present invention is in particular not limited to the use of brushes.

[0050] The construction of the joint 9, by way of which the base 5 and the control handle 7 are pivotably coupled to one another, will now be described hereunder, wherein the construction of the joint 9 provided here is very compact, on the one hand, and makes possible the transmission of a torque from the control handle 7 to the base 5 already described, on the other hand, such that the latter can pivot about the vertical axis 17. It can be derived from FIGS. 3 and 4 here that a first joint element 39 is fastened to the upper end of the housing 31 that points toward the control handle 7, wherein this first joint element 39 is configured in such a manner that an envelope enclosing the first joint element 39 is configured in the shape of a ball socket. This means that the first joint element 39 per se can be in the shape of a ball. However, this also includes the circumstance that the first joint element 39 is formed from a multiplicity of disks that are disposed so as to be mutually parallel, the outer edges thereof running in an arcuate manner by way of dissimilar diameters such that the envelope overall is in the shape of a ball socket, for example.

[0051] The first joint element 39 in the exemplary embodiment described here has an appendage 41 which extends in parallel along the vertical axis 17 and is received by a holder 43 fastened to the housing 31.

[0052] It can furthermore be derived in particular from FIG. 3 that the first joint element 39 has grooves 45 that run in an arcuate manner, are open toward the envelope and, in the exemplary embodiment described here, relative to the center of the first joint element 39 and the envelope thereof are disposed so as to be diametrically opposite and run along the envelope. Furthermore, each of the grooves 45 in terms of the center of the envelope of the first joint element 39 runs across more than 150°, in the present case even across 180°.

[0053] The joint 9 furthermore has a second joint element 47 which is attached to the proximal end 13 of the control handle and delimits a cavity 49 in which the first joint element 39 is received. The cavity 49 here is configured in such a manner that the first joint element 39 is supported in said cavity 49 in such a manner that said first joint element 39 can be pivoted about a fulcrum 51 which is stationary in terms of the second joint element 47, wherein the fulcrum 51 coincides with the center of the envelope of the first joint element 39. Moreover, the support of the first joint element 39 within the second joint element 47 is of such a type that the first joint element 39, and in particular the center thereof, cannot be displaced in relation to the second joint element 47. The first joint element 39 is thus received so as to be non-displaceable in the second joint element 47. To this end, it is not mandatory that the surface of the second joint element 47, which points inward and delimits the cavity 49, is configured in the shape of a ball socket. Rather, it is sufficient for adequately large support elements 53 to be provided in the interior of the second joint element 47, said support elements 53 guaranteeing the pivoting movement about the fulcrum 51, on the one hand, and ensuring that the first joint element 39 is received in a non-displaceable manner, on the other hand. To this end, it is also provided that the second joint element 47 has a circular receptacle opening 55, the diameter of the latter being smaller than the diameter of the envelope of the first joint element 39. It is already prevented as a result that the first joint element 39 can move out of the cavity 49.

[0054] Furthermore provided on the second joint element 47, on the surface that points inward toward the cavity 49, are engagement parts in the form of rotatably mounted balls 57 which extend into the grooves 45 in the first joint element 39. The balls 57 are thus mounted so as to be stationary in the second joint element 47, and are able to roll in the grooves 45. Moreover, the balls 57 in this exemplary embodiment are disposed in a central plane which runs through the center of the envelope, or the fulcrum 51, respectively, and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 11 of the control handle 7. Moreover, said balls 57, like the grooves 45, are attached so as to be diametrically opposite relative to the fulcrum 51, or the center of the envelope, respectively.

[0055] However, deviating from the above other arrangements of the balls 57 in the second joint element 47 are also conceivable. Moreover, it is also possible for the engagement parts, or the balls 57, respectively, to be mounted on the first joint element 39, while the grooves 45 are provided in the face of the second joint element 47 that points inward.

[0056] As a result of the engagement between the engagement parts in the form of the balls 57 and the grooves 45 it is ensured that a torque is transmitted from the control handle 7 to the base 5, even when the longitudinal axis 11 of the control handle 7 is pivoted in relation to the vertical axis 17 during a pivoting movement of the control handle 7 about the longitudinal axis 11, wherein the transmitted torque causes a pivoting movement of the base 5 about the vertical axis 17. As a result of the balls 57 being rotatably mounted in the second joint element 47 and being able to roll in the grooves 45, the friction arising in such a pivoting movement of the control handle 7 about the longitudinal axis 11 of the latter is comparatively minor. In this way, the base 5 can be easily controlled by a user engaging on the activation end 15.

[0057] As can be finally derived from FIGS. 4 and 5, the joint 9 has a locking assembly by way of which the control handle 7 can be locked in a defined position relative to the base 5 when the locking assembly is in the locking position. In the preferred exemplary embodiment described here, the position in which the control handle 7 can be locked is chosen in such a manner that the control handle 7 in this instance, by way of the longitudinal axis 11 thereof, extends in such a manner that the longitudinal axis 11 runs parallel to an axis that is perpendicular to the cleaning plane 37, or the floor area 3, respectively. In the locked position of the control handle 7, the longitudinal axis 11 of the latter thus also extends parallel to the vertical axis 17 and is thus in a vertical position. When the locking assembly is in the releasing position, the control handle 7 can be pivoted relative to the base 5 without impediment.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment described here, the locking assembly has a latch element 59 which is mounted on the second joint element 47 in such a manner that said latch element 59, between a releasing position (see FIG. 4) and a locking position (see FIG. 5), is displaceable along the longitudinal axis 11 of the control handle 7, and thus perpendicularly to the envelope of the first joint element 39, wherein this displacement can be caused by an activation element which is provided on the activation panel 15 of the control handle 7 (not illustrated). To this end, the activation element can be coupled to the latch element 59 by way of an activation rod or a Bowden cable (not illustrated).

[0059] When the control handle 7 is in the vertical position, as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in which the longitudinal axis 11 of the control handle 7 extends parallel to the vertical axis 17, or to an axis extending perpendicularly to the cleaning plane 37, respectively, the latch element 59 lies opposite a receptacle clearance 61 in the first joint element 39 when the latch element 59 is in the releasing position. However, when the latch element 59 is transferred to a locking position, said latch element 59 can extend into the receptacle clearance 61, which is possible only when the control handle 7 is in the vertical position already described. If the latch element 59 extends into the receptacle clearance 61, the control handle 7 is prevented from performing a pivoting movement from the vertical position.

[0060] It is derived from FIGS. 6A and 6B that, when the locking assembly is in the releasing position, that is to say the latch element 59 does not extend into the receptacle clearance 61, the control handle 7 can be pivoted in an arbitrary manner in relation to the base 5.

[0061] Two further alternatives for enhancing the previously described exemplary embodiment will be explained hereunder with reference to FIGS. 7A through 8B.

[0062] A main operating direction of the floor cleaning machine 1 is identified by the arrow 63 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The main operating direction 63 is the direction along which the floor cleaning machine 1 is moved across the floor area 3 to be cleaned in normal operation, so that this direction 63 indicates the straight-ahead direction during operation. It can now be seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B that a compression spring 65 is disposed on the housing 31 of the base 5 on that side of the joint 9, or of the first joint element 39, respectively, that is counter to the main operating direction 63, or faces away from the latter, wherein the compression spring 65 comes to bear on the second joint element 47 when the control handle 7 is pivoted counter to the main operating direction 63 in relation to the base 5. As a result, the compression spring 65 acts as a pre-loading element which in the position illustrated, in which the control handle 7 is pivoted from the vertical position counter to the main operating direction 63, impinges said control handle 7 with a force toward the vertical position. It is achieved in this way that when the control handle 7 is pivoted rearward toward the user, as is shown in FIG. 7B, said user no longer has to sustain the entire weight of the control handle 7 but instead is supported by the compression spring 65.

[0063] An alternative embodiment for a pre-loading element which reduces the force that a user has to apply in order to hold the control handle 7 in a position in which the latter is pivoted from the vertical position rearward, counter to the main operating direction 63, is illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Provided here is an elastic traction element 67 which is elongated when the control handle 7 is pivoted from the vertical position counter to the main operating direction 63, as is shown in FIG. 8B. In this embodiment too, a force is then exerted on the control handle 7 by way of which the latter is drawn toward the vertical position, this in turn reducing the force that has to be applied by a user in order to hold the control handle 7 in the inclined position counter to the effect of gravity.

[0064] FIGS. 9A and 9B show a further preferred design embodiment of an assembly having a pre-loading element in a lateral view, which is shown in FIG. 9A, and in a perspective illustration that is shown in FIG. 9B.

[0065] In this design embodiment, the pre-loading element is configured as a spring element 71, such as a coil spring, which by way of a first end 69 is fastened to the control handle 7, the second end 73 of said spring element 71 being connected to a strap element 75. The strap element 75 along the side of the joint 9 that points in the main operating direction 63 is guided from the control handle 7 to the base 5. The strap element 75 by a guide element 77 here is guided so as to be adjacent to the joint 9, wherein the guide therein is of such a type that the strap element 75 can slide through the guide element 77, thus being displaceable in relation to the guide element 77. Furthermore, the strap element 75 by way of the fastening end 79 is fastened to the base 5 and in this case to the housing 31 of the latter. However, the strap element 75, between the fastening end 79 and the guide element 77, is not fastened to the base 5 or the housing 31 of the latter. It is, therefore, possible to grip the strap element 75 in this portion between the fastening end 79 and the guide element 77, and to pull said strap element 75 away from the housing 31, the spring element 71 being elongated in the process. In this way is a gripping loop is formed by way of which a user can easily lift the base 5 in particular.

[0066] When the control handle 7 in this design embodiment is pivoted rearward, counter to the main operating direction 63, the spacing between the point of articulation of the strap element 75 on the base 5, thus the fastening end 79 on the housing 31, and the point where the strap element 75 is attached to the spring element 71, is increased. This in turn leads to the spring element 71 being extended, which conversely generates a force that presses the control handle 7 back to the vertical position. A torque, which has to be applied by a user in order to prevent the control handle 7 from pivoting completely downward toward the floor area 3, is reduced in this way.

[0067] It is pointed out here once again that the concept of a strap element of which one end 79 is fixed to the base 5 and which, on a side that points in the main operating direction 63, is guided about the joint 9 between the base 5 and the control handle 7 to the control handle 7 and is fastened to the free (second) end 73 of a spring element 71, the further end 69 of the latter being articulated on the control handle 7, represents an independent inventive concept. The latter can generally be used in floor cleaning machines having a base and a control handle, wherein the control handle is attached to the base by way of a joint. This concept is therefore not limited to the use with the articulated construction described above.

[0068] As is derived from the above, the floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention having the joint 9 is constructed in such a manner that the joint 9 is compact and at the same time makes it possible for a torque about the longitudinal axis 11 of the control handle 7 to be transmitted to the base 5.

[0069] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference signs: 1 Floor cleaning machine 3 Floor area 5 Base 7 Control handle 9 Joint 11 Longitudinal axis 13 Proximal end 15 Activation end 17 Vertical axis 19 Cleaning liquid container 21 Wastewater tank 23 Suction foot 25, 27 Line 29 Cleaning element assembly 31 Housing 33 Cleaning element 35 Bristles 37 Cleaning plane 39 First joint element 41 Appendage 43 Holder 45 Groove 47 Second joint element 49 Cavity 51 Fulcrum 53 Support element 55 Receptacle opening 57 Ball 59 Latch element 61 Receptacle clearance 63 Main operating direction 65 Compression spring 67 Traction element 69 First end 71 Spring element 73 Second end 75 Strap element 77 Guide element 79 Fastening end