Floor cleaning machine, in particular vacuum scrubbing machine

0001The invention relates to a floor cleaning machine, in particular a scrubbing machine with a housing, consisting of a bottom part and a contrast hinged, dome-like shell, with several of the bottom of the base mounted wheels, with one on the lower part by means of a vertically movable Carrier mounted brush unit on a Lower part arranged brush drive motor via a Brush gear is driven, strip-shaped with a Suction nozzle which is connected to a suction pump, with a two chambered tank and having a plurality of Batteries and / or other power units.

0002In such Scrubber (see US Pat. No. 3,277,511) is the lower part is usually made of one of several Steel profiles welded frame construction, the outside wearing a cladding sheet metal or plastic. At the bottom Part of this framework are the brush drive motor, the suction pump, the carrier for the brush unit etc. arranged. These parts are through lateral Fairings largely invisible, but very dirty suspended because the frame construction according to is open at the bottom. The aforementioned parts are for cleaning, Maintenance and repair purposes inaccessible. The Brush gear is located directly above the bristle unit. To protect it against dust and water must it be encapsulated accordingly. The same applies to the Brush driving motor, which in many other constructions is mounted directly on the brush unit. There with the brush unit at least the brush gear, but in many cases also the brush drive motor connected, is, you can not just brush unit against another brush unit, for example with a different working width, or replace with a new one. The for cas Bottom envisaged framework including Cladding is relatively expensive to manufacture and also difficult. In the known machine is further the tank in the lower part disposed. The batteries are on the upper side of the lower part turned off. The cleaning the tank is very difficult and only after removal of batteries possible. In addition, a relatively low-lying tank the disadvantage that the tank contents can not be emptied easily into a spout, which is arranged at a distance from the ground. It is therefore usually an additional drain pump required.

0003In the previously known, with one or more disc brushes working Scrubber is either the brush unit, seen in the direction, in front of the Wheels or behind the wheels. Both systems have certain advantages but also disadvantages. known Allen However Scrubber common that the arrangement of the brush unit relative to the wheels it can not subsequently be changed, ie, Scrubber with front arranged brush unit can not in such a arranged with back Brush unit to be converted in a simple manner.

0004The invention is based on the object of a floor cleaning machine, particular scrubber, to create the type mentioned above, the simple is under construction, in which most of the components optimally housed protected while in case of need are easily accessible and also easy to is clean.

0005This is achieved according to the invention characterized in that the Base as a self-supporting, open at the top and bottom is substantially closed ends, their vertical sidewalls at least a extend third of the total height of the housing and in which at least the brush drive motor, the brush gear, a lifting motor for the carrier material Parts thereof and the batteries are arranged, and that the upper part contains the tank. The bottom of the trough comprises a recess for the passage of the vertically movable carrier.

0006With the new machine of the self-supporting tray comes essential importance. It replaces the previous namely Frame construction and their cladding. The Tub can be manufactured economically, it forms a Supporting structure and a cladding in a. At the same time it also forms an effective protection against pollution of the main machine components, as it not only laterally but also to is essentially closed down. The most important Machine components are optimally protected inside the tub housed. This applies not only for the Brush motor, the brush gear, the lifting motor and essential parts of the carrier, but also for the Batteries and in particular the electronic Control of the machine in advantageously the tray can be mounted. After opening the the upper part containing tank are all, in the Bath components contained to servicing and maintenance freely and easily accessible. You can, if required, slightly from their mountings in the tub are dissolved and removed upwards. At the Bottom of the pan are directly mounted the wheels. Since most of the parts of the brush drive, namely the brush motor, the brush gear and also the lift motor and essential parts of the carrier arranged inside the trough from contamination protected are, the cleaning of the machine is very simple. It namely need practically only the brush unit and the wheels are cleaned. The smooth exterior walls of Tub and the upper part can also be easily and quickly cleaned. As essential in the new machine Parts of the brush drive, in particular the Brush drive motor and the brush gear, in the Tub are housed, the new machine also has the advantage that the motorless brush units in If required, can be easily changed. at Damage such motorless brush unit can easily with a new or refurbished or those with a different working width be replaced. The arrangement of the tank in the upper part has the advantage that the tank relatively is high and therefore easily be content without Drain pump can be emptied into a drain.

0007It is particularly advantageous when the upper part and self-supporting tank is formed. To this end the top part can be suitably made of fiberglass reinforced Plastic. Due to the design of the upper part as self-supporting tank construction simplified and therefore also the production costs lowered and reduces the weight.

0008Another particularly advantageous embodiment is that on the guide handle a control panel with the essential operating and display elements is arranged, and that the guide handle option with the one or the other end side of the Machine, especially the pan, is connectable.

0009This makes it possible, with a relatively minimal assembly work a machine with front lying Brush unit in such a lying with the back convert brush unit. In particular, the machine manufacturer offer both types of machines without is thereby the manufacturing or storage costs increase.

0010Further advantageous embodiments are in the other Subclaims in.

0011The invention is in the following, by way of the Drawing embodiment shown in more detail explained. Show it:<dl tsize="8" compact="compact"><dt>figure 1</dt><dd>a side view of the machine with the back arranged Brush unit,</dd><dt>figure 2</dt><dd>an end view of the machine in the direction II the figure 1,</dd><dt>figure 3</dt><dd>a cross-section according to the line III-III of Figure 1,</dd><dt>figure 4</dt><dd>a horizontal section along the line IV-IV the figure 1,</dd><dt>figure 5</dt><dd>a longitudinal section of the machine according to the line VV of Figure 2, but with disassembled brush unit,</dd><dt>figure 6</dt><dd>a side view of the machine with aufgeklapotem Top,</dd><dt>figure 7</dt><dd>a partial cross section according to the line VII-VII the figure 1,</dd><dt>figure 8</dt><dd>a side view of the machine in a rebuilding phase,</dd><dt>figure 9</dt><dd>a side view of the machine after a successful Tag, arranged with the front brush unit. </dd><dt>figure 10</dt><dd>a plan view of the mounting of the guide handle and the upper part in the locked Guide handle,</dd><dt>figure 11</dt><dd>a partial plan view with dissolved guide handle.</dd></dl>

0012The scrubber shown in the drawing comprises a housing 1 consisting of a bottom part 2 and a contrast hinged shell 3. The Lower part 2 is provided as a self-supporting, open-topped and formed below substantially closed ends and is therefore in the following also referred to as a trough. 2 The tray 2 and the upper part 3 have a substantially rectangular in plan view, as seen from Figure 4 can be seen. The vertical side walls 2a and 2b of the pan should be at least one-third the total height of the housing 1 extending, on the one hand, to in the tub, the essential components of the machine be able to accommodate protected and on the other hand, to to give the tub a corresponding stability, so that the pan at the same time without an additional Frame structure forms a stable base. However, the height of the tray 2 depends essentially on the amount of components accommodated therein, The following are described in more detail.

0013On the underside of the bottom 2c of the tub 2 is the 4 travel drive which drives the main wheels 5 is screwed, and protected by a cover against pollution. Further, at the bottom 2c Casters 6 appropriate.

0014The tub 2 expediently consists of metal, in particular stainless steel. Inside the tub 2 are the Brush drive motor 7, the brush gear 8, a serving as a carrier for the brush unit 9 supporting column 10, a lifting motor 11 for the supporting column, a fresh water pump 12, optionally a recycling pump 13, the batteries 14 and especially the control electronics in a clean and protected environment and maintain accommodated. After opening the upper part 3 are, as shown in Figure 4 and 6 is, for maintenance purposes, all the aforesaid parts and if necessary, for repair or replacement easily accessible. however, the upper part 3, according to FIG 1-5, folded down, then covers the Shell 3 the upwardly open tray 2 completely decreases so that accommodated in the tub 2 Components against contamination and also against splashes are protected. In this context, it is expedient, if the lower edge 3d of the upper part 3 of the upper edge 2d of the tub 2 comprises from outside, as it is shown in FIG. 3

0015The trough 2 can advantageously also with a transverse wall be 16 provided that the battery compartment of the rest of the interior of the tub is separated and also also for reinforcing the tub 2 serves.

0016The upper part 3 is appropriate as a self-supporting Tank 17 is formed. The tank 17 has in this case a Fresh water chamber 17a and a muddy water chamber 17b, either by a rigid partition 18 or (not shown) by a movable Membranes are isolated from each other. expediently, the upper part 3 of glass fiber reinforced plastic, in particular glass fiber reinforced polyester. The upper part 3 has above a large area, in the drawings on the cover, not shown.

0017This provides good accessibility of the tank 17 for filling with water and also for tank cleaning.

0018In a central cavity 19 of the top part 3 expediently the suction pump (suction turbine) 20 housed. The cavity 19 is on all sides of tank sections 17a, 17b surround that totally or partially with water are filled. Through these measures and the fact that the upper part 3 of glass fiber reinforced plastic there, the noise of the suction pump 20 are strongly steamed.

0019The suction pump 20 is connected via a hose 21 with a strip-shaped suction nozzle 22 of known design connected. The suction tube 22 and the cooling of more the suction pump 20 serving ventilation hoses 23 are functional at the bottom of the tank bottom 17c guided along. The ventilation tubes 23 are, however, shown only in FIG. 3

0020From the suction pump 20 performs an exhaust pipe 24 to below. With a closed upper part 3 is aligned this one arranged with the upper end 25a in the tub 2 Exhaust pipe 22, the lower end of the Baden 2c the tub 2 flows into the open. The connection between the exhaust pipes 24, 25 is automatically sealed, when the top 3 is closed.

0021As support for the brush unit 9 is zueckmäßig a vertically displaceable support column 10 is provided. This supporting column 10 comprises, as shown in Figure 7 is a square or optionally also rectangular cross section. Spread through a recess 26 in the bottom 2c of the tub down. However, the greater part of the supporting column 10 is in the interior the tub 2 arranged, as well as their leadership, can be formed by a plurality of guide rollers 27th The guide rollers 27 are of course relevant, Brackets, not shown, with the the ground are connected 2c the tub mounted. In between the recess 26 and the support column 10 can still be arranged seal not shown.

0022With the upper end 10a of the support column 10 is an arm 28 connected, to which the lifting motor 11 attacks. With the Lifting motor 11, the supporting column 10 not only in the vertical Direction V to move up and down, but by the lift motor 11 is also the pressure of the plate brushes 29 or regulated by Padscheiben to the bottom will.

0023With the upper end 10a of the support column 10 is a support plate 30 is connected, on the one hand the belt drive as trained brush gear 8 and on the other hand the brush drive motor 7 carries. The latter and the Brush gear 8 are thus together with the entire Support column 10 can be raised and lowered. In the interior of the supporting column 10 is driven by the brush gear drive shaft 8 31 supported. At the lower end of which is a Half 32 of a dog clutch or the like. Arranged, the other half with a 33 in the brush housing 34 mounted output shaft 35 is plugged together. from the output shaft 35 are in the brush housing 34 accommodated disc brushes 29 via a not illustrated transfer gearbox in a known manner driven.

0024To the brush housing 34 slightly from the support column 10 are able to solve and reassemble as it particularly is shown in Figure 7, on the brush housing 34 on two opposite sides of the supporting column 10, two support straps 36 are fixed, each of which a transverse hole 37 has. At the lower end 10b of the Supporting column are also opposite to said Sides, two transverse bores 38 is provided in the Connection position of the support column 10 and brush box 34 aligned with each other, as shown in FIG. 7 In these cross bores 37, 38 are the connecting pins 39 inserted, the means of the tabs 36 pivotably arranged bolt 40 can be locked.

0025To disassemble a brush unit 9 of the support column 10 this is driven by the lifting motor 11 downward, until the circular brushes 29 are supported on the ground. Latches 40 are unlocked and the Uerbindungsbolzen 39 can then easily from the transverse bores 37, 38 are pulled. The support column 10 then can be moved to a top and piece you can see the entire brush unit sideways or Pull out the front of the tray. 2 It may then pushed other brush unit under the machine will. In the reverse manner, then the supporting column 10 is lowered and again between the tabs 36 of the brought new brush unit. Once the transverse bores 38 the support column 10 with the transverse bores 37 of the Tab 36 are aligned, the connecting pins can 39 inserted in in each case both transverse bores 36, 37 and are secured by the bolt 40th When lowering the support column automatically join the two Halves 32, 33 of the claw coupling again together engaged, whereby the driving connection between Drive shaft 31 and output shaft is made 35th In this way one can easily get a brush unit with a working width of 550 mm for example, against another brush unit with a working width Replacing of example 700 mm and vice versa. In addition, you can, thanks to the simple assembly and disassembly possibility the brush unit to cleaning and decrease maintenance easily and conveniently clean working height on a workbench, or wait repair.

0026If the cross-bores 37, 38, as shown in the Embodiment, the case is, in the machine longitudinal direction be arranged LL, then serves the axis A of Connecting bolt 39 as a pivot shaft for the brush housing 34. Thanks to this oscillating suspension of the brush housing 34, the two circular brushes can 29 better adapt to the bottom geometry.

0027For guidance and operation of the machine is also a Guide handle 41 is provided, the appropriate than a is substantially U-shaped bracket. The away from the machine, closed end 41a This bracket is angled upwards. This upward angle part 41a encloses expedient as is in Figure 2 can be seen, an operation panel 42, that the essential controls and 43 Display elements 44 having. The bracket 41 is placed on Thus, not only ergonomically, but the controls 43 are also easily accessible. without that one would have to let go the arm part 41a thereto. The control panel 42 is appropriate to a cross brace 45 of the bracket 41 is fixed. The arrangement of the Operation panel 42 with all the essential Bedienungsund Display elements 43, 44 on the bracket 41 but is also essential if the scrubber so to be rebuilt, that the brush unit 9 not, as in Figures 1 - 6 is shown, at the rear of the machine but the front is to be arranged as shown in FIG. 9 This is below yet described in detail.

0028The intended as a guide handle U-shaped bracket 41 has two claims to the machine leg 41b. These two legs 41b are provided on the bearing pieces 46 about a horizontal and transverse to the machine longitudinal direction LL extending axis B pivotally mounted and fixable. The bracket 41 and the pivot axis B is at one of the two narrow sides of the machine arranged wherein the bearing pieces 46 by means of screws 47 to a the narrow sides can be fixed 2a of the tub 2, as shown in FIG 10th

0029By pivoting of the bracket 41 around the axis B, the Strap 41 can be adjusted not only in height but it may also face the distance of the bracket portion 41a the narrow side of the machine are changed. To this , The strap 41 can be easily in the ergonomically correct Working position be brought. To determine the Bracket 41 opposite the one bearing piece 46 is at this one half fixed 48a a Hirth coupling. The other half 48b is attached to one leg 41b. The provided with a cam 49 locking lever 50 holds the two halves 48a, 48b of the Hirth coupling normally engaged, whereby the strap 41 in the set height position is kept. to change this height position, the locking lever 50 in Direction C pivoted. The spring force of the strap 41 forcing the two halves 48a, 48b apart, so that then pivot the bracket 41 up or down leaves. The renewed locking takes place in reverse Manner by the locking lever 50 against the Arrow direction C is moved.

0030The two bearing pieces 46 are advantageously at the same time for supporting the swivel axis of the The upper part 3, which coincides in this case with the axis B. For this purpose a bearing bush 51 rotatably mounted on the two bearing pieces 46th The two swing arms 52 are on the one hand with the bearing bush 51 and the other part fixed to the upper part. 3 In this way the upper part 3 can order the Axis B, which are arranged on a narrow side 2a of the tub 2 is to be folded up, as in Figure 6 is shown. The contained in the tub 2 Components are then easily accessible.

0031Thus, the upper part 3, despite its weight easily leaves open, at least between the two parts a relief spring 55 provided in the present The case is constructed as a leg spring. expedient are such relief springs 55 on the two longitudinal sides 2b of the tray 2 or the top part 3 is provided.

0032Reference to Figures 1, 8 and 9 will now be described, how the machine with rear arranged brush unit 9 according to Figure 1 in a machine with the front arranged Brush unit 9 according to Figure 9 in a simple manner can rebuild. For this purpose, first the trailing arm 53, which the suction nozzle 22 bears, released from the bath. 2 There are then also the screws 47 of the bearing pieces 46 away. One can now all, of the upper part 3, Ironing 41, suction tube 21 and suction nozzle 22 existing Unit abnebe of the tub 2 and rotate it 180 °, as shown with dashed lines in Figure 8 is. need Before removing this unit some electrical cables from the control panel through one of the hollow leg 41b of the bracket 41 and through a channel in which a bearing piece 46 in the Inside of the tub are out and plug connections are connected to the control unit 15, dissolved will. The bearing members 46 are then on the opposite Narrow side 2a of the tub set where already corresponding holes for bolts 47 and prepared for the electrical cable are previously for fixing a bumper 59 were used, which is now appropriate to the end wall, to which previously the bearing pieces 46 were mounted. After fastening the bearing pieces to the opposite end wall 2a, it is only necessary the electrical lines again the control unit 15 to connect. Furthermore, it must still the exhaust tube 24 against the upper part 3 in a another position be placed so that it then again with the exhaust pipe 25 in the tub 2 aligned. Optionally, it is also necessary the trailing arm 53 by a somewhat different shaped trailing arm 53 'to replace. After this Modification of the machine is now the brush unit 9 arranged at the front end of the machine, ie before the wheels. 5

0033For the conversion of the machine from behind arranged Brush unit on the front arranged brush unit it is among other things important that the suction pump 20 is arranged in the upper part and that the upper part 3 is turned together with the strap 41st It can then that the suction hose 21 and other tubing connections connected to the suction pump 20 and the tank 17 bleiden. For this purpose, also the suction hose 21 on the guide handle or bail 41 associated narrow side 3a of the upper part 3 in this and introduced along the underside of the tank bottom 17c led to the suction pump 20th

0034For the same reason is also the linear motor 54, with a cable 56 for raising and lowering the Suction nozzle 22 is used, on the underside of the tank bottom 17c arranged as is apparent from FIG. 8 For the Converting the machine from behind on the front arranged Brush unit 9, and vice versa, so it is essential to that the bracket 41, the upper part 3, its pivot bearing and the suction nozzle 22, together with the suction hose 21 and lifting device for the trailing arm 53 to a feasible unit are summarized.

0035There are also floor cleaning machines that have a Power cables are operated by the normal power network. Since such machines require no batteries are, are in place thereof a voltage transformer and other serving for power supply units housed in the tub second