Floor cleaning machine with footplate and method for removing a dirty fluid tank device from a cleaning head

0001The invention relates to a floor cleaning machine comprising a cleaning head, support rod means connected to the cleaning head, at least one cleaning roller unit arranged on the cleaning head, and dirt fluid tank means removably seated on a base of the cleaning head.

0002Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for removing a dirty fluid tank device for a cleaning head in a floor cleaning machine.

0003The<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="WO2021013343A1"><text>WO 2021/013343 A1</text></patcit> discloses a floor cleaning machine with a floor head, wherein when the floor cleaning machine is in a parked position, the floor head is supported on a base by a base device in such a way that a cleaning roller is at a distance from the base, with a tank device having at least one continuous recess through which, at least in the parked position, Base of the base device is submerged.

0004The<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US20100251505A1"><text>U.S. 2010/0251505 A1</text></patcit> and the<patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US20170127901A1"><text>U.S. 2017/0127901 A1</text></patcit> disclose further floor cleaning machines.

0005The<patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="DE202015101302U1"><text>DE 20 2015 101 302 U1</text></patcit> discloses a cleaning device in the form of a vacuum cleaner.

0006From the<patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="WO2016058901A1"><text>WO 2016/058901 A1</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="WO2016058856A1"><text>WO 2016/058856 A1</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="WO2017063663A1"><text>WO 2017/063663 A1</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0008" dnum="WO2016058879A1"><text>WO 2016/058879 A1</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0009" dnum="WO2016058956A1"><text>WO 2016/058956 A1</text></patcit> surface cleaning machines are known. From the<patcit id="pcit0010" dnum="WO2016058907A1"><text>WO 2016/058907 A1</text></patcit> a surface cleaning machine is also known.

0007From the<patcit id="pcit0011" dnum="US4875246A"><text>U.S. 4,875,246</text></patcit> a portable floor cleaning device is known which has a roller driven by an electric motor.

0008From the<patcit id="pcit0012" dnum="DE202009013434U1"><text>DE 20 2009 013 434 U1</text></patcit> a device for wet floor cleaning with a brush which can be rotated about an axis of rotation is known.

0009From the<patcit id="pcit0013" dnum="CN201197698Y"><text>CN 201 197 698 Y</text></patcit> a cleaning machine is known.

0010From the<patcit id="pcit0014" dnum="US6026529A"><text>U.S. 6,026,529</text></patcit> a device for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces is known.

0011From the<patcit id="pcit0015" dnum="WO2010041185A1"><text>WO 2010/041185 A1</text></patcit> a surface cleaning machine with rotating brushes is known.

0012From the<patcit id="pcit0016" dnum="US7665174B2"><text>U.S. 7,665,174 B2</text></patcit> a cleaning head for a floor cleaning machine is known.

0013From the<patcit id="pcit0017" dnum="US4173054A"><text>U.S. 4,173,054</text></patcit> a floor cleaner is known which comprises a handle, a main body, a roller mechanism having a roller with a cleaning belt, a scraper and a dirty fluid receiver.

0014From the<patcit id="pcit0018" dnum="WO2013106762A2"><text>WO 2013/106762 A2</text></patcit> a surface cleaning machine with a cleaning roller and a drive unit for driving the cleaning roller is known. A dirt tray is provided into which the cleaning roller sweeps dirt as it rotates. The dirt tray can be opened.

0015From the<patcit id="pcit0019" dnum="US7921497B2"><text>U.S. 7,921,497 B2</text></patcit> a floor scrubber is known which is manually operated and includes a drive roller coupled to a scrub roller.

0016From the<patcit id="pcit0020" dnum="WO2015086083A1"><text>WO 2015/086083 A1</text></patcit> Another floor cleaning machine is known.

0017From the<patcit id="pcit0021" dnum="US3789449A"><text>U.S. 3,789,449</text></patcit> a hard floor cleaning device is known.

0018From the<patcit id="pcit0022" dnum="DE10357637A1"><text>DE 103 57 637 A1</text></patcit> a self-propelled sweeper with a sweeping brush and an associated dirt collection space is known.

0019From the<patcit id="pcit0023" dnum="DE102007054500A1"><text>DE 10 2007 054 500 A1</text></patcit> a household floor cleaning device with a mop roller is known.

0020From the<patcit id="pcit0024" dnum="US20060272120A1"><text>U.S. 2006/0272120 A1</text></patcit> a floor cleaning device with a housing, a hose arrangement and a cleaning head is known.

0021From the<patcit id="pcit0025" dnum="DE102017120723A1"><text>DE 10 2017 120 723 A1</text></patcit> a cleaning machine station for a cleaning machine is known, the cleaning machine station having a receiving chamber for a cleaning head of the cleaning machine.

0022From the<patcit id="pcit0026" dnum="WO2005087075A1"><text>WO 2005/087075 A1</text></patcit> a floor cleaning machine is known with a handle which is pivotally mounted on a base.

0023The<patcit id="pcit0027" dnum="CN107007215A"><text>CN 107007215A</text></patcit> discloses a floor cleaning robot.

0024The<patcit id="pcit0028" dnum="DE202018104772U1"><text>DE 20 2018 104 772 U1</text></patcit> discloses a dirty water collecting mechanism and dirty water detection mechanism and a cleaning device.

0025Cleaning machines are also out of the<patcit id="pcit0029" dnum="AU2017101723A4"><text>AU2017101723A4</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0030" dnum="CN206687671U"><text>CN 206687671 U</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0031" dnum="DE202016105300U1"><text>DE 20 2016 105 300 U1</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0032" dnum="US9622637B1"><text>US 9,622,637 B1</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0033" dnum="CN205359367U"><text>CN 205359367 U</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0034" dnum="US20170119225A1"><text>U.S. 2017/0119225 A1</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0035" dnum="CN205181250U"><text>CN 205181250 U</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0036" dnum="CN205181251U"><text>CN 205181251 U</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0037" dnum="CN205181256U"><text>CN 205181256 U</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0038" dnum="DE202016105299U"><text>DE 20 2016 105 299 U</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0039" dnum="WO2017059602A1"><text>WO 2017/059602 A1</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0040" dnum="WO2017059600A1"><text>WO 2017/059600 A1</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0041" dnum="WO2017059601A1"><text>WO 2017/059601 A1</text></patcit>, the<patcit id="pcit0042" dnum="WO2017059603A1"><text>WO 2017/059603 A1</text></patcit> or the<patcit id="pcit0043" dnum="DE202016105301U1"><text>DE 20 2016 105 301 U1</text></patcit> known.

0026The object of the invention is to provide a floor cleaning machine of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the dirty fluid tank device can be easily removed from the cleaning head by an operator.

0027In the case of the floor cleaning machine mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved according to the invention in that a foot strap is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device, which protrudes beyond the base when the dirty fluid tank device is fixed to the base.

0028An operator can act on the dirty fluid tank device through the foot strap without having to touch it.

0029An operator then does not have to bend down or kneel to remove the dirty fluid tank device from the cleaning head. Furthermore, he does not have to directly touch the dirty fluid tank device, which may be dirty.

0030Furthermore, when the dirty fluid tank device is removed from the cleaning head, the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to a floor by the action of force on the foot strap. As a result, the movement of the dirty fluid tank device is minimized during a removal process. This, in turn, minimizes the swaying of dirty fluid within the dirty fluid tank assembly.

0031The fact that the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to a floor by applying a force to the foot strap results in a simple removal process.

0032In particular, a solution can be achieved in a simple manner by lifting the cleaning head in relation to the fixed dirty fluid tank device.

0033Furthermore, the stepping strap reduces the risk of a parked floor cleaning machine falling over with the dirty fluid tank device fixed thereto.

0034It is favorable if the cleaning head has a front end and a rear end facing away from the front end, with the at least one cleaning roller unit being seated in the area of ​​the front end and, with the dirty fluid tank device fixed to the base, the foot strap being positioned in the area of ​​the rear end, and in particular the kick tab protrudes backwards beyond the rear end of the base. As a result, an operator can act directly on the foot strap from an operator's side of the floor cleaning machine.

0035Furthermore, it is favorable if the foot strap is aligned with at least one of the following in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning head when the dirty fluid tank device is held on the base:<ul id="ul0001" list-style="dash"><li>a pivot joint by which the support rod means is pivoted to the cleaning head;</li><li>at least one support element, via which the cleaning head is supported at a distance from the at least one cleaning roller unit on a floor to be cleaned;</li><li>a central part of a roller seat of the cleaning roller unit.</li></ul>

0036This results in a symmetrical arrangement and tilting moments can be minimized.

0037It is also favorable if at least one of the following is provided:<ul id="ul0002" list-style="dash"><li>the kick tab is centrally located between a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the dirty fluid tank assembly;</li><li>the step strap has lateral raised edge walls;</li><li>the kick tab is arranged on a floor or a wall of the dirty fluid tank device.</li></ul>

0038Tilting moments and the like can thus be minimized. The laterally raised edge walls largely prevent the operator's foot from slipping off. Furthermore, sharp edges and the like can be avoided. The arrangement on a floor or a wall of the dirty fluid tank device results in a simple structural design.

0039It is favorable if a cleaning head is assigned a set-up area for a floor to be cleaned, with at least one of the following:<ul id="ul0003" list-style="dash"><li>the installation surface is a flat surface;</li><li>an axis of rotation of the at least one rotary drum unit is parallel to the footprint;</li><li>a pivot axis of a pivot joint, by means of which the support rod device is pivoted to the cleaning head, is parallel to the installation surface;</li><li>the kick tab is oriented at least approximately parallel to the footprint when the dirty fluid tank assembly is held on the base;</li><li>the kick tab is located at a height distance from the footprint when the dirty fluid tank assembly is supported on the base;</li><li>the installation area is defined by the at least one cleaning roller unit and at least one support element, which is spaced apart from the at least one cleaning roller unit.</li></ul>

0040Due to the at least approximately parallel orientation of the step strap to the installation surface, it is easy for an operator to operate and the step strap can be easily accessed. By arranging the foot strap at a height distance from the installation surface, it does not touch the floor to be cleaned. If at least one support element is provided, the cleaning head is positioned stably on the surface to be cleaned. In particular, the support element is arranged on a base of the cleaning head and not on the dirty fluid tank device. As a result, a floating mounting of the dirty fluid tank device on the cleaning head can be achieved in a simple manner.

0041In an advantageous embodiment, the dirty fluid tank device is suspended from the base. This makes it easy to achieve a floating mount. The dirty fluid tank device can be removed from the cleaning head in a simple manner by applying force to the foot strap. The cleaning head and the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed in place in a simple manner, in particular by placing the cleaning head on the dirty fluid tank device from above.

0042In one embodiment, at least one holder and in particular a holding dome or holding mushroom is seated on the base and in particular at least two spaced holders are provided and the dirty fluid tank device has an associated receptacle for the at least one holder, with the dirty fluid tank device being held on the base the at least one holder in the associated recording is submerged. In this way, hanging mounting of the dirty fluid tank device on the base can be implemented in a simple manner. The dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to and detached from the cleaning head in a simple manner. A solution can be achieved by removing the holder from the receptacle, or fixing can be achieved by immersing the holder in the receptacle.

0043It is particularly advantageous if a holder-receptacle combination is designed as a snap-in connection device. As a result, a fixing position can be locked in a simple manner.

0044In one embodiment, the at least one holder has a first element and the associated receptacle has a second element, which are adapted to one another such that when the first element rests against the second element in a locked position, the dirty fluid tank device falls off the base downwards is blocked away and when applying a certain amount of force, the blocking can be lifted. A corresponding training can be implemented in a structurally simple manner. The dirty fluid tank device can be detached from the cleaning head in a simple manner, or it can be fixed in place in a simple manner.

0045It is particularly advantageous if the first element and the second element are adapted to one another in such a way that a direction of force when a force is applied to cancel the blocking is in a direction transverse to an underside of the base away from the base, with the underside of the base faces the dirty fluid tank device when the dirty fluid tank device is held on the base. As a result, a solution can be achieved in a simple manner by the application of force to the step strap, in particular via an operator's foot. For example, the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to a floor by applying force to the foot strap and a solution can be achieved by lifting the cleaning head.

0046It is correspondingly favorable if (i) the second element is designed as a spreading element, which can be spread open with a corresponding application of force, and the first element is a blocking element and is surrounded by the second element, or (ii) the first element is designed as a spreading element is, which can be spread open with a corresponding effort, and the first element surrounds the second element, wherein the second element is a blocking element. The expansion element comprises at least one mobile tab and advantageously a plurality of tabs. A movement is achieved by applying the appropriate force. In this way, a blocked position can be achieved or canceled in a simple manner.

0047In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the following is provided:<ul id="ul0004" list-style="dash"><li>the locking element has a first inclined plane for the spreading element for leading out the spreading element while releasing the blocking;</li><li>the locking element has a second inclined plane for the spreading element for inserting the locking element in a locking direction;</li><li>the second inclined plane and the first inclined plane are designed in such a way that the force required to bring out the expansion element is greater than to insert it.</li></ul>

0048In this way, the dirty fluid tank device can be detached and fixed on the cleaning head in a simple manner.

0049In an advantageous embodiment, the receptacle for the associated holder has an extension on a top side of the dirty fluid tank device and is in particular funnel-shaped, with the top side of the dirty fluid tank device facing the base when the dirty fluid tank device is held on the base. This makes it easier to insert the holder into the receptacle. Centering can also be achieved. In this way, the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to the cleaning head in a particularly simple manner.

0050It is particularly advantageous if the foot strap is arranged and designed in such a way that, when the cleaning head is properly positioned on a floor to be cleaned, an operator detaches the dirty fluid tank device from the base by applying force to the foot strap and lifting the cleaning head away from the floor to be cleaned. It can thus be detached from the base without touching the dirty fluid tank device.

0051It is particularly advantageous if the holding rod device is arranged and designed in such a way that the cleaning head can be lifted off by means of the holding rod device. In particular, an operator then does not have to bend down or kneel in order to enable a solution.

0052Furthermore, it is advantageous if the cleaning head can be placed onto the dirty fluid tank device from above and the dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to the base when the dirty fluid tank device is properly set up on a floor to be cleaned. An operator can, for example, fix the dirty fluid tank device to the floor by means of the foot strap. The dirty fluid tank device can be fixed to the base by simply putting it on from above.

0053This solution makes it possible to implement a floor cleaning machine in which the holding rod device is supported by its weight on the at least one cleaning roller unit. As a result, a large, in particular maximum, contact pressure is achieved due to the dead weight of the holding rod device for the cleaning head on a floor to be cleaned.

0054The correspondingly high contact pressure results in improved cleaning results. The detachment of dirt from the floor to be cleaned is improved.

0055Furthermore, the appropriate design of the swivel joint makes it easy to realize that in every position of the swivel joint the cleaning head, on which in particular a dirty fluid tank device is detachably arranged, is in the same position relative to the floor to be cleaned. This also improves the cleaning result.

0056It is particularly advantageous if the swivel joint is designed as an orbital joint with an orbital path guidance of the holding rod device on the cleaning head. This makes it easy to achieve coaxiality between the pivot axis of the pivot joint and the axis of rotation. In particular, it can be achieved that when the holding rod device is pivoted towards the cleaning head, when the cleaning head with the at least one cleaning roller unit is properly placed on the floor to be cleaned, the cleaning roller unit rotates on the floor due to the pivoting.

0057In a structurally favorable embodiment, the swivel joint has a path guide device which is seated on the cleaning head in a rotationally fixed manner and which has a circular path section with a center which lies on the swivel axis, and the swivel joint has a counter device which is seated in a rotationally fixed manner on the holding rod device and which supported on the web guiding device. An orbital joint can thus be formed in a simple manner, with the pivot axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the at least one cleaning roller unit. Furthermore, there is a large support area for the opposing device on the web guiding device. This allows a mechanically stable swivel joint to be implemented which has a correspondingly long service life.

0058It is favorable if the at least one cleaning roller unit is arranged in the area of ​​a front end of the cleaning head, with the following:<ul id="ul0005" list-style="dash"><li>the circular path section is arranged with a partial area behind the at least one cleaning roller in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning head;</li><li>the circular path section is arranged with a partial area above the at least one cleaning roller unit in relation to a vertical axis of the cleaning head.</li></ul>

0059As a result of this arrangement, the circular path section encompasses the at least one cleaning roller unit to a certain extent from two sides. As a result, a swivel joint and in particular an orbital joint can be implemented in a simple manner, the swivel axis of which coincides with the axis of rotation of the at least one cleaning roller unit.

0060It is favorable if the counter-device is supported on the web-guiding device via at least three support points. This results in a mechanically stable swivel joint construction.

0061Advantageously, the pivot joint is centrally located between a first lateral side and a spaced second lateral side of the cleaning head. This results in a symmetrical design and tilting moments and the like are avoided.

0062It is particularly advantageous if the at least one cleaning roller unit also moves when the holding rod device is pivoted about the pivot axis. It then rolls on a floor to be cleaned when the cleaning head is properly supported on the floor to be cleaned via the at least one cleaning roller unit. This movement is superimposed on the rotational movement of the at least one cleaning roller unit about the axis of rotation.

0063In one exemplary embodiment, a drive motor is provided for the cleaning roller unit, which is connected to the holding rod device in a rotationally fixed manner in relation to the pivotability of the holding rod device about the pivot axis. This results in a structurally simple embodiment. When the holding rod device is pivoted, the drive motor is also pivoted. In this way, a drive train with the drive motor and the cleaning roller unit (on a roller mount) can be implemented in which no sliding clutch or the like has to be provided.

0064For the same reason, it is favorable if a transmission device is provided for transmitting torque from a drive motor to the at least one cleaning roller unit, in which the transmission device is connected to the retaining rod device in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the pivotability of the retaining rod device about the pivot axis. As a result, the entire drive train consisting of the drive motor and the transmission device can be pivoted relative to the cleaning head by pivoting the holding rod device on the cleaning head, and no additional coupling is necessary.

0065For the reasons mentioned, it is also advantageous if a roller mount is provided on which the at least one cleaning roller unit is seated, the roller mount being non-rotatably connected to the support rod device in relation to the pivotability of the support rod device. The entire drive train, consisting of the drive device, gear device, and drive motor, is connected in a torque-proof manner to the holding rod device and can be pivoted with it. This results in a direct effect of the weight of the holding rod device including the drive motor and gear device on the cleaning roller unit to provide a high and in particular maximum contact pressure of the cleaning roller unit on a floor to be cleaned.

0066In one embodiment, the at least one cleaning roller unit sits on a roller mount on a shaft with a first shaft part, a middle part and a second shaft part, the middle part lying between the first shaft part and the second shaft part and a first roller part of the at least one cleaning roller unit on the first shaft part and a second roller part of the at least one cleaning roller unit is arranged on the second shaft part, and there is a center drive acting on the center portion, and the center portion is aligned with the pivot joint with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning head. This central drive allows the first roller part and the second roller part to be guided to the lateral side ends of the cleaning head. It can thereby achieve a near-edge cleaning. By arranging the swivel joint in alignment with the central part, tilting moments and the like can be avoided.

0067In one embodiment, it is provided that the support bar device has a first part and a second part, the first part being articulated to the cleaning head and the second part being rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the first part, the axis of rotation being transverse and preferably is oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis of the pivot joint. This results in easier operating options. The additional rotatability makes it easier for an operator, for example, to carry out a cleaning process in corners or the like. He can position the cleaning head in different ways relative to himself due to the rotatability around the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is, for example, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first part or, for example, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second part.

0068It is particularly advantageous if a locking device is provided, by means of which rotation about the axis of rotation can be locked, in particular with at least one of the following:<ul id="ul0006" list-style="dash"><li>the locking device acts in a lockable parking position of the holding rod device with respect to the cleaning head and is in particular in a locking position;</li><li>outside of the fixed parking position, the rotatability is released by the locking device;</li><li>the locking device automatically goes into a locking position when the parking position is reached;</li><li>the locking device automatically moves out of its locking position when the parking position is lifted.</li></ul>

0069In this way, it can be achieved, in particular in an automatic manner, that the ability to rotate is blocked in the parking position. This results in a "stable" parking position. It is then also favorable if the locking position is reached automatically when entering the parking position, and the locking position is reached automatically when leaving the parking position. The parking position that can be determined is a rest position for the floor cleaning machine, in particular when it is not in operation. Outside of this resting position, it can be rotated in order to achieve extensive cleaning options.

0070In one embodiment, the locking device comprises a spring-loaded movable slide, which is movably mounted on the first part and, in a locking position, causes a form fit with the second part, in particular with at least one of the following:<ul id="ul0007" list-style="dash"><li>the slider has a nose which is supported on the cleaning head in the locking position and holds the slider in the locking position or brings it into the locking position;</li><li>the slide has an overload protection;</li><li>the slider has at least a first part and a second part, the second part acting on the second part of the support rod device and the second part being spring-loaded and movably arranged on the first part.</li></ul>

0071The locking device can be implemented in a simple manner by the movable slide. The spring support makes it easy to automatically reach the locking position for a parking position. In particular, the spring support is such that, outside of the parking position, the slide is held in such a position that there is no form fit with the second part. When the parking position is reached, the slide is moved against the force of the spring device in such a way, in particular by appropriately supporting the slide on the cleaning head, that the form fit is achieved.

0072In a structurally favorable embodiment, the slide has a lug, the lug then enabling the cleaning head to act, in particular the parking position, in order to push the slide into the form-fitting locking position with the second part of the holding rod device or to hold it there.

0073It is particularly advantageous if overload protection is provided for the locking device. This reduces or prevents the risk of damage to the floor cleaning machine in the event of a high force load, particularly in the parking position. A fallback option is provided to reduce the risk of damage.

0074In particular, the slide is designed in several parts, so that in the parking position, if it is not possible to move the slide as a whole, the parts of the slide can move relative to one another in order to provide overload protection and reduce the risk of damage. By spring-supporting the second part on the first part, the slide is movable as a whole with the first part and with the second part outside of the overload situation in order to reach the locking position or to be able to release the locking position. Within the locking position, in the event of a high force load, the slide itself can be deflected by the multi-part design.

0075In one embodiment, the support rod device has a first area with a first longitudinal axis and a second area with a second longitudinal axis, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis being oriented at an obtuse angle to one another, the obtuse angle in particular being in the range between 120° and 170°. This results in an optimized linkability of the holding rod device to the cleaning head, particularly in the case of an orbital joint. A high swivel angle range results.

0076In particular, at least one of the following is provided:<ul id="ul0008" list-style="dash"><li>the second portion is seated against the first portion;</li><li>the first portion is or includes a distal portion of the support rod means;</li><li>the support rod means is pivoted to the cleaning head via the first portion;</li><li>a counter device of the swivel joint is arranged on the first area;</li><li>a drive motor for the at least one cleaning roller unit is arranged on the first area;</li><li>the first section has a housing;</li><li>a battery holder is arranged on the first area;</li><li>A particularly removable tank device for cleaning liquid is arranged in the first area.</li></ul>

0077The features mentioned result in a correspondingly simple structural design.

0078For the same reasons, it is beneficial if at least one of the following is provided:<ul id="ul0009" list-style="dash"><li>the second portion is or includes a proximal portion of the support rod means;</li><li>a handle is arranged on the second portion;</li><li>A particularly removable tank device for cleaning liquid is arranged on the second area;</li><li>a battery holder is arranged on the second area;</li><li>a control panel is located on the second portion or on a handle located on the second portion;</li><li>the second region has a straight extension in the second longitudinal axis.</li></ul>

0079This also results in easy operability of the floor cleaning machine.

0080It is particularly advantageous if the support rod device has a free pivoting angle range to the cleaning head via the swivel joint, with a pivoting angle between a longitudinal axis of the support rod device and a surface on which the cleaning head is placed on a floor to be cleaned, the pivoting angle being in the range between a lower limit and an upper limit limit, in particular with at least one of the following:<ul id="ul0010" list-style="dash"><li>the lower limit is 0° or greater than 0°;</li><li>the lower limit is less than 50° and in particular less than 40° and in particular less than 30° and preferably less than 20°;</li><li>the upper limit is in the range between 80° and 120° and in particular around 90°;</li><li>at the upper limit, the support bar means has a lockable parking position with respect to the cleaning head.</li></ul>

0081A correspondingly high pivoting angle results. A small lower limit means that it is easy to drive underneath, for example under furniture. A lockable parking position allows the holding rod device to be in a stable position relative to the cleaning head and the floor cleaning machine to be in a stable position overall for parking or, for example, for a cleaning process of the at least one cleaning roller unit.

0082It is favorable if a locking device is provided, which locks the retaining rod device at the upper limit with the cleaning head in such a way that the retaining rod device cannot be pivoted relative to the cleaning head. This allows the holding rod device to be locked with the cleaning head. A storage positioning for the floor cleaning machine results. In this way, an automated cleaning process of the at least one cleaning roller unit or of other parts of the floor cleaning machine can also be carried out in a simple manner at a corresponding floor station. A "fall" of the support rod device is prevented.

0083It is favorable if a further pivoting of the retaining bar device, when it is at the upper limit and locked to the cleaning head, and when the cleaning head is properly positioned on a floor to be cleaned, when the pivoting angle is increased without further operator intervention, leads to a pivoting of the cleaning head leads to the floor to be cleaned. In this way, a dirty fluid tank device can be detached from the cleaning head in a simple manner, particularly if it is provided with a foot strap. For a corresponding process of removing the dirty fluid tank device, an operator then in particular does not have to touch the dirty fluid tank device. Furthermore, he can easily stabilize them on the floor to be cleaned (by exerting appropriate force, in particular with one foot on a foot strap). This in turn minimizes movement of the dirty fluid tank assembly upon detachment of the dirty fluid tank assembly from the cleaning head and minimizes liquid surging in the dirty fluid tank assembly.

0084In one embodiment, the locking device comprises at least one spring-loaded pin and an associated immersion opening for the pin, wherein (i) the at least one pin is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the holding rod device and the associated immersion opening is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the cleaning head, or (ii) the at least one pin is non-rotatably mounted on the cleaning head and the associated immersion opening is non-rotatably mounted on the support rod assembly. A locking device can be implemented in a structurally simple manner by means of a pin immersion opening. The locking can be produced and canceled by an operator in a simple manner. In particular, the locking can be produced automatically by reaching a certain pivoting position (in particular the upper limit). Furthermore, the locking position (locked position) can be canceled in a simple manner by exerting force on the holding rod device.

0085It is favorable if at least one of the following is provided:<ul id="ul0011" list-style="dash"><li>the immersion opening is associated with a first inclined plane outside the immersion opening, which leads the associated pin into the immersion opening when the pivoting angle increases, the first inclined plane causing a displacement of the pin against a force of the spring loading;</li><li>the at least one pin has a first contact surface adapted to the first inclined plane;</li><li>the immersion opening is delimited by a wall which has a second inclined plane and via which the associated pin is moved out of the immersion opening when the pivoting angle is reduced, the second inclined plane causing the pin to be displaced counter to a force exerted by the spring loading;</li><li>the at least one pin has a second contact surface adapted to the second inclined plane.</li></ul>

0086In particular, the pin is displaceably arranged and spring-loaded. By guiding the first inclined plane, a positioning of the pin can be achieved against the action of the spring force, which enables immersion into the immersion opening. The pin is pressed into the immersion opening by the spring loading as soon as this is reached. This locking process can be carried out solely by means of a pivoting movement on the holding rod device and can therefore be carried out automatically. A corresponding blocking position can be reached directly with the pin immersed in the immersion opening by pivoting, in particular to an upper limit of the pivot angle range.

0087Due to the first contact surface, which is adapted to the first inclined plane, the corresponding blocking position can be reached easily and automatically.

0088By means of the second inclined plane, a corresponding expenditure of force can be set, which is necessary in order to guide the pin out of the immersion opening again. In particular, the exertion of force can be achieved by exerting a torque on the holding rod device. This makes it possible to achieve an automated cancellation of the blocking position. An operator then only needs to pivot the support rod assembly toward the cleaning head without performing any further intervention to release the lock.

0089The first inclined plane and the second inclined plane also make it easy to set how much effort is required to reach the locked position (pin inserted into the insertion opening) or to release the locked position (the pin emerging from the insertion opening). In particular, such a dimensioning is provided that the force required to release the locked position is greater than to reach the locked position.

0090It is favorable if a removable dirty fluid tank device is arranged on the cleaning head with at least one of the following:<ul id="ul0012" list-style="dash"><li>a step tab is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device;</li><li>at least one stripping element is arranged on the cleaning head, which stripping element acts on the at least one cleaning roller unit and is used for stripping dirty fluid from the at least one cleaning roller unit;</li><li>the at least one stripping element dips into an active material of the at least one cleaning roller unit;</li><li>Dirty fluid is conveyed directly from the at least one cleaning roller unit into the dirty fluid tank device without the operation of a suction device.</li></ul>

0091The arrangement of the kick tab on the dirty fluid tank device allows the dirty fluid tank device to be detached from the cleaning head in a simple manner. Furthermore, the risk of the floor cleaning machine falling over when parked is reduced.

0092The at least one stripping element allows dirty fluid to be detached in a simple manner and, in particular, to be coupled into the dirty fluid tank device without suction.

0093It is also favorable if at least one of the following is provided:<ul id="ul0013" list-style="dash"><li>the support bar device is designed for a standing operator who stands on the floor to be cleaned, the cleaning head being placed on a set-up surface on the floor to be cleaned and the floor cleaning machine can be guided over the support bar device over the floor to be cleaned;</li><li>the at least one cleaning roller unit is motor-driven by a drive motor;</li><li>the cleaning head has a housing in which the at least one cleaning roller unit is at least partially arranged;</li><li>the at least one cleaning roller unit lies with outer ends on a lateral first side and a lateral second side of the cleaning head.</li></ul>

0094This results in easy operability with optimal cleaning results, especially on hard floors. A standing operator can carry out the cleaning process. Floor surfaces can be cleaned close to the edge.

0095It is particularly advantageous if the cleaning head has at least one support element, via which the cleaning head is supported at a distance from the at least one cleaning roller unit on a floor to be cleaned, with the at least one support element being firmly connected to the cleaning head in particular in such a way that when a Dirty fluid tank device from the cleaning head, the at least one support element remains on the cleaning head. As a result, the weight of the cleaning head can be supported on the floor to be cleaned via the at least one cleaning roller unit and the at least one support element, independently of the dirty fluid tank device. This makes it possible to always keep the dirty fluid tank device parallel to the floor and in the same relation to the at least one cleaning roller unit. As a result, for example, a sweeping element, which is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device, can be positioned in the same position relative to the floor to be cleaned for an optimized cleaning result. Furthermore, the dirty fluid tank device can be held hanging in relation to the cleaning head in a simple manner. This in turn makes it easy to remove or fix with the cleaning head. Furthermore, a movable or realize floating storage of the dirty fluid tank device on the cleaning head.

0096In particular, the at least one support element is aligned with the pivot bearing in relation to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning head. This minimizes tilting moments and the like.

0097It is also favorable if at least one of the following is provided:<ul id="ul0014" list-style="dash"><li>(i) at least one stripping element for the at least one cleaning roller unit is arranged on the cleaning head;</li><li>(ii) at least one comb element is arranged on the cleaning head, which comb element acts on the at least one cleaning roller unit;</li><li>the cleaning head (iii) is assigned at least one sweeping element, which feeds sweepings to the at least one cleaning roller unit, the at least one sweeping element being arranged in particular on a dirt fluid tank device,</li></ul>wherein any one of the elements (i), (ii), (iii) or any combination of these elements has the same position to the at least one cleaning roller unit regardless of a pivotal position of the support bar means to the cleaning head.

0098This can be achieved in particular by spring loading of the at least one stripping element and the at least one comb element. With regard to the sweeping element, this can be achieved in a simple manner if this is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device and the dirty fluid tank device is movably and in particular floatingly seated on the cleaning head.

0099The result is an optimized cleaning result. Even if a diameter of the at least one cleaning roller unit varies, for example due to wear or manufacturing tolerances, this does not impair the cleaning result.

0100It is advantageous if the cleaning head has a mounting surface for a floor to be cleaned, which is in particular a flat surface, and the cleaning head is assigned a horizontal plane parallel to the mounting surface, and when the floor cleaning machine is operating properly, the horizontal plane of the cleaning head is always in the same position relative to the installation surface is independent of a pivoting position of the support rod device relative to the cleaning head.

0101This always results in the same good cleaning result, regardless of the pivoting position of the holding rod device.

0102It is also favorable if at least one of the following operating modes is provided:<ul id="ul0015" list-style="dash"><li>a dry sweeping operation without applying cleaning liquid to the floor to be cleaned or to the at least one cleaning roller unit;</li><li>a wet wiping operation with application of cleaning fluid to the floor to be cleaned and/or to the at least one cleaning roller unit;</li><li>a sweeping operation and a wet wiping operation, with coarse dirt being fed to the at least one cleaning roller unit in particular via a sweeping element and being conveyed via the at least one cleaning roller unit into a dirty fluid tank device and dirt fluid being scraped off the at least one cleaning roller unit via at least one scraping element and being conveyed from there into the dirty fluid tank device.</li></ul>

0103In this way, optimized cleaning results can be achieved. In particular, the possibilities of dry sweeping operation, wet wiping operation and the combination of sweeping operation and wet wiping operation can be implemented on one device and adjusted accordingly by an operator. If necessary, an adaptation to the respective operating mode can be carried out by exchanging the at least one cleaning roller unit.

0104According to the invention, a method of the type mentioned is also provided, in which the cleaning head is properly placed on a floor, the operator places his foot on the foot strap and exerts a lifting force on the cleaning head via the holding rod device.

0105As a result, the dirty fluid tank device can be removed from the cleaning head in a simple manner. An operator does not have to touch the dirty fluid tank device for this purpose. He doesn't have to bend down or kneel. Furthermore, he can fix the dirty fluid tank device to the floor via the foot strap, so that the movement of the dirty fluid tank device is minimized and thereby also a fluctuation of liquid within the dirty fluid tank device is largely avoided.

0106The method according to the invention is carried out in the floor cleaning machine according to the invention.

0107Further advantageous configurations of the method according to the invention have already been explained in connection with the floor cleaning machine according to the invention.

0108In particular, the lifting force causes a pivotal lifting of the cleaning head from the floor. This results in easy operability. In principle, however, it is also possible for the lifting force to cause the cleaning head to be pulled upwards.

0109It is particularly advantageous if the cleaning head is lifted retaining rod device is or is brought into a locking position by pivoting the retaining rod device relative to the cleaning head, in which position the pivotability of the retaining rod device relative to the cleaning head is locked, with the retaining rod device being at an angle in the locking position in the range between 70° and 110° and in particular at about 90° to the ground. In the locking position, in particular, a parking position of the holding rod device relative to the cleaning head is reached. In the locked position, acting on the support rod means directly acts on the cleaning head due to locking. When torque is applied to the support rod assembly, it also acts on the cleaning head. As a result, it can be raised in a simple manner and, in particular, a pivoting movement can be achieved.

0110The following description of preferred embodiments serves to explain the invention in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>figure 1</dt><dd>a side view of an embodiment of a surface cleaning machine (floor cleaning machine), which stands on a floor to be cleaned;</dd><dt>figure 2</dt><dd>a perspective view of the floor cleaning machine according to FIG<figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref>;</dd><dt>figure 3</dt><dd>a schematic partial representation of a cleaning head of the floor cleaning machine according to FIG<figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref> in sectional view;</dd><dt>figure 4</dt><dd>a perspective partial representation of an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the invention in the area of ​​a cleaning head;</dd><dt>figure 5</dt><dd>the cleaning head according to<figref idref="f0004">figure 4</figref> in another perspective view;</dd><dt>figure 6</dt><dd>the cleaning head according to<figref idref="f0004">figure 4</figref> with removed dirty fluid tank device;</dd><dt>figure 7</dt><dd>a sectional view of the cleaning head according to FIG<figref idref="f0004">figure 4</figref>;</dd><dt>figure 8</dt><dd>a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG<figref idref="f0007">figure 7</figref>;</dd><dt>figure 9</dt><dd>the same view as<figref idref="f0005">figure 5</figref>Figure 11 showing latching locations for a dirty fluid tank assembly with the cleaning head and for a support rod assembly with the cleaning head;</dd><dt>figure 10</dt><dd>a side sectional view of the cleaning head according to FIG<figref idref="f0009">figure 9</figref> in the area of ​​a locking point for the holding rod device with the cleaning head outside of a locking position;</dd><dt>figure 11</dt><dd>a sectional view according to FIG<figref idref="f0009">figure 9</figref> an interlocking point of the dirty fluid tank device with the cleaning head, wherein the dirty fluid tank device is fixed to the cleaning head;</dd><dt>figure 12</dt><dd>the same view as<figref idref="f0010">figure 10</figref>wherein the support bar means is interlocked with the cleaning head;</dd><dt>figure 13</dt><dd>the same view as<figref idref="f0010">figure 11</figref> when removing the dirty fluid tank device (release of the locking position);</dd><dt>figure 14</dt><dd>a variant of an embodiment of a pen with a conical tip;</dd><dt>figure 15</dt><dd>a view of the cleaning head outside of a locking position for rotatability of the support rod means to the cleaning head with the cover removed;</dd><dt>figure 16</dt><dd>an enlarged view of a locking device according to FIG<figref idref="f0013">figure 15</figref>;</dd><dt>figure 17</dt><dd>the same view as<figref idref="f0013">figure 15</figref> in a locked position of the rotatability of the support rod means to the cleaning head;</dd><dt>figure 18</dt><dd>an enlarged view of the locking device in the position shown in FIG<figref idref="f0015">figure 17</figref>;</dd><dt>figure 19</dt><dd>an embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the invention with different positions of the holding rod device to the cleaning head, wherein is shown:</dd><dt>in figure 19(a)</dt><dd>a specific pivoting position (working position) of the holding rod device relative to the cleaning head;</dd><dt>in figure 19(b)</dt><dd>a parking position of the support rod means to the cleaning head;</dd><dt>in figure 19(c)</dt><dd>indicated movement to release a dirty fluid tank assembly from the cleaning head;</dd><dt>in figure 19(d)</dt><dd>raising the cleaning head from the dirty fluid tank assembly for removal therefrom;</dd><dt>in figure 19(e)</dt><dd>schematically a placement of the cleaning head on the dirty fluid tank device to fix it;</dd><dt>figure 20</dt><dd>a sectional view of the cleaning head in the area of ​​a cleaning roller unit;</dd><dt>figure 21</dt><dd>a sectional view of the cleaning roller unit in the area A according to<figref idref="f0022 f0023">figure 25</figref>;</dd><dt>figure 22</dt><dd>a similar sectional view as<figref idref="f0019">figure 21</figref> in area B according to<figref idref="f0022 f0023">figure 25</figref>;</dd><dt>figure 23</dt><dd>a sectional view of the floor cleaning machine according to FIG<figref idref="f0004">figure 4</figref> in partial representation, wherein the pivoting position of the support rod device is lower than in FIG<figref idref="f0004">figure 4</figref>;</dd><dt>figure 24</dt><dd>a bottom view of the cleaning head in the floor cleaning machine according to FIG<figref idref="f0004">figure 4</figref>;</dd><dt>Figure 25(a)</dt><dd>schematically shows the course of an exemplary embodiment of a curved scraping element on a cleaning roller unit with a first and second roller part;</dd><dt>Figure 25(b)</dt><dd>schematically shows the course of an embodiment of a curved stripping element on a roller part;</dd><dt>figure 26</dt><dd>schematically shows the course of a further exemplary embodiment of a curved stripping element on a cleaning roller unit with a first and second roller part or on one roller part;</dd><dt>figure 27</dt><dd>schematically shows the course of a further exemplary embodiment of a curved stripping element on a cleaning roller unit with a first and second roller part or on one roller part;</dd><dt>figure 28</dt><dd>a perspective view of an embodiment of a combination of stripping element and hair comb according to<figref idref="f0018">figure 20</figref>;</dd><dt>figure 29</dt><dd>the combination of<figref idref="f0025">figure 28</figref> in the direction X according to<figref idref="f0025">figure 28</figref>; and</dd><dt>figure 30</dt><dd>a bottom view of the combination according to FIG<figref idref="f0025">figure 28</figref> in the direction Y according to<figref idref="f0025">figure 28</figref>.</dd></dl>

0111An embodiment of a surface cleaning machine according to the invention is a floor cleaning machine 10. The basic structure of the floor cleaning machine 10 and its basic mode of operation is based on the<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003">Figures 1 to 3</figref> explained.

0112Hard floors in particular can be cleaned with the floor cleaning machine 10 .

0113The floor cleaning machine 10 includes a cleaning head 12. In the exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine, the cleaning head 12 is a floor head.

0114For proper cleaning operation, the cleaning head 12 is placed with a set-up surface 14 on a floor 16 to be cleaned.

0115The installation surface 14 is in particular a flat surface.

0116(At least) one cleaning roller unit 18 is arranged on the cleaning head 12 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, exactly one cleaning roller unit 18 is provided.

0117The cleaning roller unit 18 can comprise a one-piece cleaning roller or a multi-piece cleaning roller, as will be explained in more detail below.

0118The cleaning head 12 has a front end 20 and a rear end 22 remote from the front end. A longitudinal axis 24 of the cleaning head 12 extends between the front end 20 and the rear end 22.

0119The cleaning head 12 has a first lateral side 26 and an opposite second lateral side 28. A distance direction between the first lateral side 26 and the second lateral side 28 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24.

0120The cleaning roller unit 18 is arranged in the area of ​​the front end 20 of the cleaning head 12 . When the floor cleaning machine 10 is operating properly, an operator stands behind the rear end 22 of the cleaning head 12 on the floor 16 to be cleaned.

0121The installation surface 14 is via the cleaning roller unit 18 and at least one installation element (in the<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003">Figures 1 to 3</figref> not shown). The cleaning head 12 and thus also the floor cleaning machine 10 are supported via the cleaning roller unit 18 and the at least one positioning element on the floor 16 to be cleaned.

0122The cleaning head 12 has a base 30 . This base 30 is a main body of the cleaning head 12.

0123A detachable dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is seated on the cleaning head 12. The dirty fluid tank assembly 32 holds dirty fluid. Dirty fluid is understood here as a flowable fluid which can be wet or dry. The dirty fluid can include, for example, cleaning liquid with dirt particles or only dust particles.

0124In principle, the dirty fluid tank device 32 can comprise a number of separate individual parts which can be fixed individually to the base 30 and can be removed from it.

0125In a preferred embodiment, the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 comprises a unit having one or more separate compartments for dirty fluid.

0126On the dirty fluid tank device 32 sits a foot strap 34 which protrudes to the rear. This serves to make it easier to remove the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the cleaning head 12, as will be explained in more detail below.

0127A holding rod device 36 is pivoted to the cleaning head 12 via a swivel joint. The holding rod device 36 is designed in such a way that a standing operator can hold the floor cleaning machine 10 and guide it over the floor 16 to be cleaned.

0128A handle 38 is disposed proximally on the support rod assembly 36 . In the embodiment shown, the handle 38 is designed as a closed loop handle. Other configurations such as a non-closed loop handle and the like are also possible.

0129Provision is made in particular for operating elements such as an on/off switch and other operating elements, for example for control, to be arranged on the handle 38 or on the holding rod device 36 in the vicinity of the handle 38 .

0130Distal, the support rod assembly 36 is pivoted to the base 30 via the pivot joint.

0131A pivot axis 40 (<figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref>) of the swivel joint of the articulation of the holding rod device 36 to the cleaning head 12 is parallel to the installation surface 14. The swivel axis 40 lies transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 24.

0132The holding rod device 36 has a (second) longitudinal axis 42 along which the holding rod device 36 extends up to the handle 38 . The pivot axis 40 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to this second longitudinal axis 42 of the support rod device 36.

0133Provision can be made for the holding rod device 36 to be able to pivot further in relation to the mobility with respect to the cleaning head 12 , with the corresponding axis of rotation 41 being oriented transversely to the pivot axis 40 . This rotatability is in<figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref> indicated by the arrow with the reference number 44. The corresponding axis of rotation 41 of this rotatability 44 is, for example, parallel or coaxial to a first longitudinal axis 80 of the support rod device 36 (see below). In particular, it is provided that this rotatability 44 is formed by a corresponding design of the holding rod device 36 with a first part 278 and a second part 280 that can be rotated relative to the first part 278 . This is explained below in particular with reference to<figref idref="f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016">Figures 15 to 18</figref> explained in more detail.

0134The floor cleaning machine 10 includes a drive motor (in Figs<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003">Figures 1 to 3</figref> not shown), by which the cleaning roller unit 18 is driven in rotation about an axis of rotation 46 . The cleaning roller unit 18 has a single axis of rotation 46, even if this includes a multi-part cleaning roller. The axis of rotation 46 is parallel to the installation surface 14. It is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24. It is parallel to the pivot axis 40.

0135In an exemplary embodiment, which is explained in more detail below, the pivot axis 40 of the pivotability of the holding rod device 36 on the cleaning head 12 and the axis of rotation 46 are coaxial with one another.

0136The drive motor is located on the cleaning head 12, or located on the support rod assembly 36, or located at a transition area between the support rod assembly 36 and the cleaning head 12. It acts on the cleaning roller unit 18 and provides a corresponding torque for rotating the cleaning roller unit.

0137The floor cleaning machine 10 may be mains powered or battery powered.

0138In one embodiment, a battery holder 48 is provided which houses one or more batteries, and particularly rechargeable batteries. The batteries can be fixed to the floor cleaning machine 10 or be removable from it.

0139In the embodiment shown according to the<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003">Figures 1 to 3</figref> the battery holder 48 is arranged on the support bar device 36 . In principle, however, an arrangement on the cleaning head 12 is also possible.

0140The floor cleaning machine 10 is designed in particular for the wet cleaning of hard floors. A tank device 50 for cleaning liquid is provided. The cleaning liquid is, in particular, fresh water, optionally with the addition of a cleaning agent. The cleaning roller unit 18 can be moistened directly and/or the floor 16 to be cleaned can be moistened via cleaning liquid from the tank device 50 . As a result, dirt can be removed in an improved manner, and the corresponding dirty fluid is picked up by the cleaning roller unit 18 and delivered to the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

0141In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tank device 50 is arranged on the support rod device 36 . A corresponding supply device for cleaning liquid is provided, which leads from the tank device 50 to the cleaning head 12 in order to be able to correspondingly moisten the cleaning roller unit 18 and/or the floor 16 to be cleaned with cleaning liquid.

0142In<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> the basic functional structure of the cleaning head 12 is shown and the basic mode of operation is explained with reference to FIG<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> explained. During a cleaning operation, the cleaning head 12 is placed with its installation surface 14 on the floor 16 to be cleaned (in<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> the at least one further positioning element is not shown). The cleaning roller unit 18 acts on the floor to be cleaned and rotates in a direction of rotation 52.

0143The dirty fluid tank device 32 is seated on the base 30 of the cleaning head 12.

0144A mouth device 54 which has a mouth opening 56 is arranged on the cleaning head 12 . This orifice 56 is in fluid communication with the dirty fluid tank device 32 or is itself an orifice on the dirty fluid tank device 32 . When the cleaning roller unit 18 rotates, it is rotated past the orifice 56 .

0145The dirty fluid tank device 32 has a floor 58 . When the floor cleaning machine 10 is operating properly, this floor 58 faces the floor 16 to be cleaned. On the bottom 58 facing the cleaning roller unit 18 there is a wall 60 which leads up to the mouth opening 56 . The wall 60 is adapted to the cylindrical shape of the corresponding cleaning roller of the cleaning roller unit 18 .

0146The cleaning head 12 has a sweeping element 62 which is used to feed coarse dirt to the cleaning roller unit 18 . This coarse dirt is in<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> indicated by double arrows 64. The coarse dirt 64 which is made available to the cleaning roller unit 18 via the sweeping element 62 can be taken along by the cleaning roller unit 18 and thrown into the dirt fluid tank device 32 via the outlet opening 56 .

0147The sweeping element 62 is arranged on the base 30 or, as in FIG<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> shown, arranged on the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

0148During operation of the floor cleaning machine 10, the cleaning roller unit 18 is moistened with cleaning liquid via a supply device 66 for cleaning liquid. This humidification is in<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> indicated by the wavy arrows with reference numeral 68.

0149In this case, the moistening takes place downstream of the orifice opening 56 in relation to the direction of rotation 52 . A region of the cleaning roller unit 18 which is seated on the floor 16 to be cleaned then, during rotation in the direction of rotation 52 , first passes the orifice 56 and then the corresponding region with the moistening 68 .

0150(At least) one stripping element 70 is provided, which is arranged on the base 30 and is positioned between the orifice opening 56 and the area of ​​humidification 68 .

0151In particular, the stripping element 70 is movably positioned on the base 30 . In the embodiment shown, the stripping element 70 is seated on a holder 72 which is articulated pivotably on the base 30 . This holder 72 is spring-loaded (in<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> Not shown). The spring loading presses the stripping element 70 against the cleaning roller unit 18.

0152With regard to its cleaning rollers, the cleaning roller unit 18 has an attachment which is arranged on a corresponding attachment holder. The trimming is a textile material, for example. In principle, however, it can also be a bristle trimming.

0153The stripping element 70 is arranged in such a way that it touches the trimming and preferably dips into the trimming. The spring loading of the movable holder 72 accordingly ensures that it is pressed or pressed in.

0154The wiping element 70 forms an opening wall of the opening device 54 for the opening 56. In particular, the wiping element 70 separates the area of ​​moistening 68 from the opening 56.

0155The stripping element 70 acts on the cleaning roller unit 18 and on the bristles in such a way that dirty fluid is detached from the corresponding cleaning roller (and in particular moist dirty fluid is detached) and conveyed via the orifice opening 56 into the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

0156this is in<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> indicated by the arrows with the reference number 74.

0157This dirty fluid 74 detached by the stripping element 70 can also contain coarse dirt particles which were not conveyed directly into the dirty fluid tank device 32 via the outlet opening 56 .

0158The floor cleaning machine 10 with the training according<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> has a sweeping function, through which coarse dirt (and also dry coarse dirt) can be swept from the floor 16 to be cleaned. It has a wiping function, by means of which the floor 16 to be cleaned can be moistened via the moistening device 68 and wet dirty fluid can be picked up and detached via the stripping element 70 and conveyed into the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

0159It also exhibits a combined operation in which at the same time (as in<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> indicated) coarse dirt can be picked up from the floor 16 to be cleaned and a damp wiping process is carried out via the cleaning roller unit 18 .

0160The cleaning roller unit 18 is positioned on the cleaning head 12 in particular so that it can be replaced. As a result, for example, the cleaning roller unit 18 or a cleaning roller can be cleaned easily. As a result, an adaptation to the special cleaning process is also possible. If, for example, a cleaning roller of the cleaning roller unit 18 has a textile trimming such as a microfiber trimming, wet cleaning and sweeping cleaning can be carried out at the same time. However, it is also possible, for example, for a cleaning roller with bristles to be used as the cleaning roller in order to carry out a pure sweeping process. (In particular, when sweeping, it is necessary to moisten the cleaning roller unit 18 or of the floor to be cleaned 16 switched off.)

0161It is provided, in particular, that the dirty fluid tank device 32, in particular with the sweeping element 62 fixed thereto, is arranged floating relative to the base 30 in order, for example, to be able to position the sweeping element 62 in the same position as the cleaning roller unit 18, regardless of the trim length of the cleaning roller unit 18.

0162The basic operation of the floor cleaning machine 10, as based on the<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> was explained is also possible for a cleaning head 12 without a holding rod device 36 and in particular for a self-propelled and self-steering cleaning machine ("cleaning robot"). In the case of such a self-propelled and self-steering floor cleaning machine, in particular the battery holder 48 and the tank device for cleaning liquid 50 are then arranged in the cleaning head 12 itself.

0163In the floor cleaning machine 10, dirty fluid is conveyed via the cleaning roller unit 18 into the dirty fluid tank device 32 without a suction unit. The dirty fluid tank device 32 can be removed from the cleaning head 12 for emptying.

0164In principle, it is also possible for the dirty fluid that is in the dirty fluid tank device 32 to be sucked out. For this purpose, for example, a corresponding suction unit device and an associated additional dirty fluid tank are arranged on the holding rod device 36 .

0165Further aspects of the floor cleaning machine 10 or advantageous configurations are described below with reference to FIG<figref idref="f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019">Figures 4 to 21</figref> described.

0166In one embodiment, support rod assembly 36 includes a first portion 76 and a second portion 78 . The first area 76 is arranged at an angle to the second area 78 . The first portion 76 is a distal portion, and the second portion 78 is seated with the handle 38 and thus also the proximal portion.

0167In particular, a control panel with a plurality of control elements is arranged on the handle 38 or on the second area 78 .

0168At the in the<figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref> and<figref idref="f0002">2</figref> In the embodiment shown, the tank device 50 for cleaning liquid is arranged on the second area 78 .

0169In particular, the control panel includes a switch that can be used to switch whether the cleaning roller unit 18 and/or the floor 16 to be cleaned is moistened with cleaning liquid from the tank device 50 for cleaning liquid 50 . Depending on the operator's choice, this makes it possible to carry out a dry sweeping operation or a wet mopping operation.

0170The first region 76 extends in a first longitudinal axis 80 (also compare<figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref>), and the second portion 78 along the second longitudinal axis 42. The first portion 76 and the second portion 78 are at an obtuse angle 82 (<figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref>) to each other, which is in the range between 120° and 170°.

0171In a specific embodiment, this obtuse angle 82 is approximately 145°.

0172The first area 76 and the second area 78 are continuously connected to each other.

0173The support rod device 36 is articulated to the cleaning head 12 and thereby to the base 30 by means of a pivot joint 84 via the first region 76 . As mentioned above, the pivot axis 40 of the pivot joint 84 coincides with the axis of rotation 46 of rotation of the cleaning roller assembly 18 .

0174The swivel joint 84 is designed as an orbital joint. It comprises a web guiding device 86 which is seated on the cleaning head 12 and on the base 30 in a rotationally fixed manner. This path guiding device 86 comprises a circular path section 88. A center of the circular path section 88 lies on the pivot axis 40/rotational axis 46.

0175A counter-device 90 , which is supported on the web-guiding device 86 , is connected to the first region 76 in a rotationally fixed manner.

0176The counter-device 90 is slidably guided on the circular path section 88 of the path-guiding device 86; there is an orbital guidance of the counter-device 90 on the circular path section 88 of the path-guiding device 86 .

0177At least three support points are provided for guiding the opposing device 90 on the web guiding device 86 .

0178The circular path section 88 is arranged with a partial area behind the cleaning roller unit 18 in relation to the longitudinal axis 24 of the cleaning head 12 . Relative to a vertical axis 92, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24 and perpendicular to the installation surface 14, the circular path section 88 is arranged with a partial area above the cleaning roller unit 18.

0179The circular path section 88 is designed, for example, at least approximately as a quadrant section, which to a certain extent encompasses the cleaning roller unit 18 .

0180The pivot joint is positioned midway between the first lateral side 26 and the second lateral side 28 on the base 30 . In particular, it is arranged symmetrically on the cleaning head 12 . It lies on a median plane 94 (cf<figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref>), which is located centrally between the first lateral side 26 and the second lateral side 28 and is oriented perpendicularly to the axis of rotation 46 or pivot axis 40 .

0181The center plane 94 is also oriented perpendicular to the installation area 14 .

0182A drive motor 98, which is in particular an electric motor, is provided for driving the cleaning roller unit 18 in the rotational movement of the axis of rotation 46 with the direction of rotation 52. This is non-rotatably connected to the support rod device 36 so that it is also pivoted about the pivot axis 40 during a pivoting movement of the support rod device 36 .

0183In principle, it is possible that the drive motor 98 is still positioned in the cleaning head 12 with the pivotability mentioned.

0184In one embodiment (compare the<figref idref="f0004 f0005 f0006">Figures 4 to 6</figref>) the drive motor 98 is positioned on the support rod assembly 36 and is particularly positioned on the first portion 76 .

0185In particular, the first portion 76 of the support rod assembly 36 includes a housing 100 that houses the drive motor 98 .

0186In a variant of an exemplary embodiment, a battery holder 48 ′ is arranged on the first area 76 or on a transition between the first area 76 and the second area 78 . (In the case of the<figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref> and<figref idref="f0002">2</figref> shown embodiment, the battery holder 48 is arranged on the second area 78.)

0187At the cleaning head 12 and at the same time at the base 30 there is a free space 102 (cf<figref idref="f0005">figure 5</figref>) formed midway between first lateral side 26 and second lateral side 28 and lying at midplane 94 . This free space 102 forms a pivoting space in which the holding rod device 36 can be moved, with the first area 76 then being able to be moved in this free space 102 in particular.

0188The clearance 102 is open to the rear end 22 .

0189The housing 100 with the drive motor 98 can be moved in the free space 102 .

0190The free space 102 results in a large pivoting angle range for the pivotability of the support rod device 36 about the pivot axis 40 relative to the base 30.

0191The floor cleaning machine 10 has a transmission device 104 (<figref idref="f0007">figure 7</figref>), which serves to transmit a torque from the drive motor 98, which is positioned at a distance from the cleaning roller unit 18, to the cleaning roller unit 18. In one embodiment, the transmission device 104 also includes a reduction gear, which is used to reduce the speed, so that a speed of the cleaning roller unit 18 when rotating about the axis of rotation 46 is lower than a drive speed of the drive motor 98.

0192The transmission device 104 includes, for example, a belt transmission and the speed reduction gear.

0193The cleaning roller unit 18 is or includes a roller mount 106. The roller mount 106 in turn includes a shaft 108 which is connected to the transmission device 104 in a torque-effective manner. The shaft 108 rotates about the axis of rotation 46 when driven accordingly by the drive motor 98.

0194In one embodiment, the shaft 108 (cf<figref idref="f0006">figure 6</figref>) a first shaft part 110, a second shaft part 112 and a middle part 114 which is connected to the first shaft part 110 and the second shaft part 112. The shaft 108 with the first shaft part 110, the second shaft part 112 and the middle part 114 forms a unitary shaft with a single axis of rotation, namely the axis of rotation 46.

0195The middle part 114 lies centrally between the first lateral side 26 and the second lateral side 28 and lies at the middle plane 94.

0196The first shaft portion 110 receives a first roller portion 116 and the second shaft portion 112 receives a second roller portion 118 of the cleaning roller unit 18. The first barrel portion 116 and the second barrel portion 118 are separate units, but rotate about the same axis of rotation 46 when seated on the shaft 108 .

0197The first roller portion 116, which is seated on the first shaft portion 110, extends to the first lateral side 26, or almost to it. The second roller portion 118, which is seated on the second shaft portion 112, extends to the second lateral side 28, or almost to it. As a result, there is no or only a minimal roller-free distance between the cleaning roller unit 18 and the corresponding lateral sides 26, 28. This makes cleaning close to the edge possible.

0198The central portion 114 of the shaft 108 is roller-free. The transmission device 104 is coupled to it in a torque-effective manner. There is a center drive of the cleaning roller unit 18 .

0199The first roller part 116 and the second roller part 118 are each pushed onto the associated shaft part 110 or 112 from the outside and latched accordingly with the associated shaft part 110 or 112 in order to obtain a non-rotatable connection.

0200In relation to the longitudinal axis 24, the central part 114 of the shaft 108 and thus the roller mount 106 and the swivel joint 84 are aligned. They are located on the center plane 94 and are in particular designed to be mirror-symmetrical to the center plane 94 .

0201As mentioned above, the cleaning head 12 has (at least) one support element 120 . In particular, exactly one support element 120 is provided (<figref idref="f0007">figure 7</figref>, <figref idref="f0017">Figure 19(d)</figref>, <figref idref="f0020">figure 23</figref>, <figref idref="f0021">24</figref>). The support element 120 sits at a distance from the cleaning roller unit 18 and defines the installation surface 14 with it. The support element 120 sits on the base 30. Even if the dirty fluid tank device 32 is removed, the cleaning head 12 with the cleaning roller unit 18 and the support element 120 can be placed on a floor 16 to be set up. The support member 120 includes a post 122 on which a roller or slider 124 is seated. The roller or the slider 124 is used for support on the floor 16 to be cleaned. The roller or the slider 124, for example a skid being provided, is guided over the floor 16 to be cleaned when the floor cleaning machine 10 is guided.

0202The base 30 has an underside 126 facing the dirty fluid tank device 32 . The post 122 projects transversely and in particular perpendicularly from this underside 126 in the direction of the installation surface 14 .

0203Provision is made in particular for the support element 120 to be aligned with the central part 114 of the shaft 108 in relation to the longitudinal axis 24 .

0204In particular, the support element 120 lies on the center plane 94.

0205If a plurality of support elements are provided, then these are in particular arranged in a row which lies on the center plane 94 .

0206In one embodiment, there is no roller portion on the center portion 114 of the shaft 108 and a center strip on the center portion 114 on the floor 16 to be cleaned is left unimpeded during cleaning. (Cleaning takes place here by being driven over in an offset manner.) Due to the aligned arrangement of the supporting element 120 for this purpose, the supporting element 120 is displaced on an area of ​​the floor 16 which is not subjected to pressure.

0207The shape and dimensions of the dirty fluid tank device 32 are adapted to the base 30 . The dirty fluid tank device 32 has a bottom 127 and a top 128 . When the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed to the base 30 , the top 128 of the dirty fluid tank device 32 faces the bottom 126 of the base 30 . The bottom 127 of the dirty fluid tank device 32 lies on the bottom 58 and faces away from the top 128 .

0208Between the bottom 127 and the top 128 is the wall 60 and another wall 130, which closes the dirty fluid tank device 32 with an interior space for receiving dirty fluid.

0209The wall 60 of the dirty fluid tank device 32, on which the orifice 56 is seated, has a cutout 132 (cf<figref idref="f0006">figure 6</figref>) which is fitted to the center portion 114 of the shaft 108. When the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is seated on the base 30, the central portion 114 at least partially seats within the cutout 132 of the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 with free rotation.

0210The mouth opening 56 of the mouth device 54 comprises, in particular, a first opening part 134 and a second opening part 136.

0211The first opening part 134 is associated with the first roller part 116 and the second opening part 136 is associated with the second roller part 118 .

0212It can be provided that the dirty fluid tank device 32 has a first chamber 138 and a second chamber 140 . On the first chamber 138 the first opening part 134 is formed and on the second chamber 140 the second opening part 136 is formed. Dirty fluid is coupled directly into the first chamber 138 via the first opening portion 134 and dirty fluid is coupled directly into the second chamber 140 via the second opening portion 136 .

0213The two chambers 138 and 140 can be separated from one another in a fluid-tight manner or can be fluidly connected to one another, so that dirty fluid can be evenly distributed in the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

0214The dirty fluid tank device 32 has a cover 142 which at least partially forms the upper side 128 . This cover 142 is at a distance from the base 58.

0215The cover 142 can be removed when the dirty fluid tank device 32 has been removed from the cleaning head 12 in order to be able to empty the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

0216The kick tab 34 is arranged on the wall 130 of the dirty fluid tank device 32 . It is arranged in such a way that, when the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed to the base 30 , it is at a distance from the installation surface 14 .

0217When the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed to the cleaning head 12 , the kick tab 34 is arranged in alignment with the free space 102 . It is a continuation of the space 102 from the rear end 22 away. It is arranged in such a way that it does not impede the corresponding pivoting space of the holding rod device 36 in the free space 102 .

0218The step strap 34 is located on the center plane 94 and is in particular arranged and formed mirror-symmetrically to this.

0219In one embodiment, the kick strap 34 includes a panel 144 having raised edge walls 146 (see FIG<figref idref="f0005">figure 5</figref>). The edge walls 146 are rounded in this case.

0220The kick strap 34 has a width (in a direction parallel to the pivot axis 40 or rotation axis 46) which is at least as wide as typical dimensions of a foot with shoes.

0221An operator may place his foot on the step tab 34 and then, by applying appropriate force, lift the cleaning head 12 to detach the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 from the base 30 . This is described in more detail below.

0222The raised, rounded edge walls 146 of the step strap 134 prevent an operator's foot from slipping off to the side. Sharp edges on the plate 144 are avoided.

0223In one embodiment, spaced webs or grooves are arranged on the plate 144, which are intended to prevent an operator's foot from slipping off.

0224The step strap 34 is arranged in alignment as a continuation of the free space 102 . It is aligned in relation to the longitudinal axis 24 of the cleaning head 12 with the swivel joint 84 and also aligned with the central part 114 of the shaft 108 .

0225The dirty fluid tank device 32 has a removal direction 148 (<figref idref="f0006">figure 6</figref>) away from base 30. The removal direction 148 leads away from the underside 126 of the base 30 in the direction of the installation surface 14.

0226The dirty fluid tank device 32 can be removed from the cleaning head 12 in such a way that, for example, by lifting the cleaning head 12 and pressing the dirty fluid tank device 32 (for example on the foot strap 34) in the direction of the removal direction 148, or by pulling the dirty fluid tank device 32 away from the base 30 in the removal direction 148 can be loosened and removed.

0227Alternatively, it is possible in an advantageous manner that, when the cleaning head 12 is set up on the floor 16 to be cleaned and the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed, an operator can fix the dirty fluid tank device 32 on the floor 16 to be cleaned by placing his foot on the foot strap 34 and exerting a corresponding force, and by lifting it upward of the cleaning head 12, the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is detached from the base 30 while remaining on the ground. This procedure, as will be described in more detail below, has the advantage that the dirty fluid tank device 32 remains at least approximately stationary and thus fluctuations in dirty fluid and in particular liquid in the dirty fluid tank device 32 are largely avoided.

0228A space 150 is formed in the cleaning head 12, delimited by the underside 126 of the base 30, in which the dirty fluid tank device 32 is positioned when it is fixed to the base 30. The support element 120 is also located in this space.

0229A continuous recess 152 (<figref idref="f0007">figures 7</figref>, <figref idref="f0017">19(d)</figref>, <figref idref="f0021">24</figref>) educated. This continuous recess 152 is open at the top 128 and at the bottom 127 . The continuous recess 152 is closed at the side, so that it is closed in a fluid-tight manner.

0230When the dirty fluid tank device 32 is seated on the base 30, the support element 120 is immersed through the continuous recess 152, so that the cleaning head 12 can be supported via the support element 120 on the floor 16 to be cleaned.

0231The continuous recess 152 is dimensioned in such a way that the support element 120 can penetrate through and correspondingly also emerge when the dirty fluid tank device 32 is removed from the base 30 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the continuous recess 152 is closed on all sides.

0232In principle, it is also possible for the continuous recess 152 to be open toward the rear end 22 .

0233In a preferred embodiment, the continuous recess 152 has the shape of a (hollow) cylinder.

0234When the dirty fluid tank device 32 is seated on the base 30, the continuous recess 152 is arranged in line with the central part 114 of the shaft 108, the pivot joint 84 and the foot strap 34, corresponding to the aligned alignment of the support element 120 with respect to the longitudinal axis 24.

0235The dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is suspended from the base 30 . A plurality of holders 154 (cf<figref idref="f0010">figures 11</figref> and<figref idref="f0011">13</figref>) provided, which sit on the base 30 and protrude from the underside 126 away in the direction of the installation surface 14.

0236In one embodiment, a first bracket and a second spaced bracket are provided. These are designed as described below and, in particular, are designed in the same way. The first holder and the second holder are preferably arranged mirror-symmetrically to the center plane 94 and the free space 102 lies between them.

0237In<figref idref="f0009">figure 9</figref> a first location 156 is indicated at which the first holder sits, and a second location 158 is indicated at which the second holder sits. As mentioned, these are the attachment points for the dirty fluid tank device 32 on the base 30.

0238The holders 154 are designed as holding domes or holding mushrooms.

0239They work together with a respective receptacle 160 of the dirty fluid tank device 32.

0240When the dirty fluid tank device 32 is held on the base 30, the holder 154 dips into the associated receptacle 160 (<figref idref="f0010">figure 11</figref>).

0241The holder 154 and the associated receptacle 160 form a holder-receptacle combination 162, which is designed as a snap-in connection device. In<figref idref="f0010">figure 11</figref> a corresponding holding position or locking position is shown.

0242The holder 154 includes a first element 164 which corresponds to a second element 166 of the receptacle 160 on the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

0243The first element 164 has a receiving area 168 for the second element 166. This receiving area 168 is, for example, cylindrical.

0244The receiving area 168 of the first element 164 is delimited by a bead 170 . The bead 170 has a diameter (in a direction transverse to the elevation axis 92) which is larger than the corresponding diameter of the receiving area 168.

0245In one embodiment, the ridge 170 is disposed on the first member 164 as an annular region. It has a first surface area 172 which faces the receiving area 168 . A second surface area 174 , which faces away from the receiving area 168 , adjoins the first surface area 172 .

0246The bead 170 is tapered at the first surface area 172 away from the receiving area 168 . It is also conically formed on the second surface area 174 with an inclination toward the receiving area 168 .

0247An inclined plane is formed by the first surface region 172 which, as will be explained in more detail below, requires an application of force in order to detach the second element 166 from the first element 164 . An inclined plane is also formed by the second surface area 174 , which requires an expenditure of force in order to connect the second element 166 to the first element 164 .

0248As a result, some effort is required (by an operator) to detach the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 from the base 30 . Furthermore, a certain effort is required by an operator in order to insert the dirty fluid tank device 32 on the base 30 . This expenditure of force is determined by the cone angle of the first surface area 172 and by the cone angle of the second surface area 174 .

0249In one embodiment, the cone angle of the first surface portion 172 is greater than the cone angle of the second surface portion 174 (cf<figref idref="f0010">figure 11</figref>). The first cone angle for the first surface area 172 is denoted by the reference number 176 there. The second cone angle for the second surface area 174 is denoted by 178 . The second cone angle 178 is smaller than the first cone angle 176. This means that the force required to loosen and remove the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the base 30 is greater than to insert (for fixing) the dirty fluid tank device 32 to the base 30.

0250The second element 166 on the receptacle 160 of the dirty fluid tank device 32 is designed as a spreading element which has at least two and preferably at least three tabs which can be moved transversely to the vertical axis 92 (increasing the distance).

0251The second element 166 as a spreading element is pushed onto the holder 154 .

0252When the receptacle 160 is positioned on the associated holder 154, then, with the appropriate exertion of force, the second element 166 of the second surface area 174 is spread apart, increasing the distance between the tabs, until the receptacle area 168 is reached. The tabs of the spreading element 166 are arranged in particular in a resilient manner and snap back. The bead 170 serves as a barrier which prevents the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 from falling off the base 30 .

0253A latching connection is established via the holder-receiving combination 162 .

0254To release the snap-in connection, an operator exerts force on the dirty fluid tank device 32 and moves the second element (the spreader element) over the bead 170 and thereby over the first surface area 172. A corresponding amount of force is required to spread the second element 166 (the spreader element) open. necessary to expand the cross section accordingly so that the bead 170 can be traversed by the second element 166.

0255A corresponding intermediate state after being run over is in<figref idref="f0011">figure 13</figref> shown. There the locking connection is canceled. The spreading element 166 (the second element 166) has passed the bead 170 and is outside the receiving area 168.

0256In the position of the dirty fluid tank device 32 relative to the base 30, which in<figref idref="f0011">figure 13</figref> As shown, the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 falls off the base 30 as it is lifted parallel to the height direction 92 .

0257In the locked position according to<figref idref="f0010">figure 11</figref> however, the latching connection is made and the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed to the base 30 .

0258The receptacles 160 on the dirty fluid tank device 32 are open at the top 128 in order to allow the corresponding holder 154 to be immersed. The receptacle has an extension 180 in the shape of a hollow truncated cone towards the upper side 128 . This extension 180 forms an insertion aid and centering aid for the holder 154, which is in the form of a pin, in the associated receptacle 160.

0259When the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is held on the base 30 via the holder-receiver combination 162 (at locations 156, 158), then the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 is movably mounted (in a direction/opposite direction parallel to the elevation axis 92) and is thereby supported in a floating manner . The weight of the floor cleaning machine 10 is supported on the floor 16 to be cleaned via the cleaning roller unit 18 and the support element 120 . The dirty fluid tank device 32 has no support function in this regard. The dirty fluid tank device 32 is movably mounted (floating) transversely and in particular perpendicularly to the installation surface 14 .

0260For example, if a roller diameter of the cleaning roller unit 18 varies (due to manufacturing tolerances or wear), the sweeping element 62 is still in its optimal position relative to the floor 16 to be cleaned.

0261As a result of the pivot joint 84, the holding rod device 36 has a pivot angle range of pivot mobility relative to the cleaning head 12 which lies between a lower limit and an upper limit.

0262A swivel angle 182 (cf<figref idref="f0017">Figure 19(a)</figref>) is in particular quantitative as an angle between the second longitudinal axis 42 of the support rod device 36 and a plane 184 parallel to the installation surface 14.

0263A minimum swivel angle 182, ie the lower limit, is 0° or greater than 0°. In particular, the lower limit is less than 50° and preferably less than 40° and particularly preferably less than 30°.

0264The lower limit is defined by the support rod device 36 resting against an underside which encloses the free space 102 (cf<figref idref="f0009">figure 9</figref>) limited, predetermined.

0265Due to the design of the swivel joint 84 as an orbital joint and due to the free space 102, the lower limit can be approximately 0° and can in particular be less than 10° and preferably less than 5°.

0266The smaller the lower limit of the swivel angle 182, the smaller the total height of the floor cleaning machine 10 (the height of the cleaning head 12 and the support rod device 36) in the height axis 92 perpendicular to the installation surface 14. The smaller the total height, in turn, the better the ability to drive underneath for example on furniture by the floor cleaning machine 10. If, for example, the lower limit of the swivel angle 182 is very small, then the ground clearance is essentially determined by the height of the cleaning head 12 in the height axis 92 including the corresponding height of the swivel angle 182.

0267Furthermore, the swivel angle range has an upper limit (<figref idref="f0017">Figure 19(b)</figref>).

0268The upper limit of the swivel angle 182 is specified as the detent position (<figref idref="f0017">figure 19</figref>). In particular, it is in the range between 80° and 120° of the pivot angle 182. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, it is approximately 90° (<figref idref="f0017">Figure 19(b)</figref>).

0269The upper limit is such that a parking position with a latching position relative to the cleaning head 12 is provided for the retaining rod device 36, in which case pivoting relative to the cleaning head 12 is blocked in the sense that greater effort is required to pivot the retaining rod device 36 to allow the pivot joint 84 to rotate about the pivot axis 40 again.

0270The holder-receptacle combination 162 has been described as having a holder 154 which is fixedly connected to the base 30 and a receptacle 160 which is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device 32 . The holder 154 is rod-shaped and the receptacle 160 is an opening. A kinematic reversal is also possible, in which a rod-shaped element is arranged on the dirty fluid tank device 32 and a corresponding receptacle in the form of an opening on the base 30.

0271To create a parking position 185 (<figref idref="f0017">Figure 19(b)</figref>) is a locking device 186 (<figref idref="f0010">figures 10</figref>, <figref idref="f0011">12</figref>) intended.

0272The locking device 186 comprises one and in particular at least two and preferably exactly two (<figref idref="f0010">figures 10</figref>, <figref idref="f0011">12</figref>). The pin-plunger combinations 188 are located in the area of ​​the pivot joint 84 .

0273In<figref idref="f0009">figure 9</figref> a first location 190 and a second location 192 are shown at which respective pin-plunger combinations 188 are positioned. The first point 190 and the second point 192 are mirror-symmetrical to the center plane 94.

0274The pin-immersion opening combination 188 each includes an immersion opening 194 which is arranged on the cleaning head 12 and in particular on the base 30 in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the web guide device 86 .

0275A pin 196 is provided as a counter-element to the corresponding immersion opening 194 , which is non-rotatably connected to the holding rod device 36 and can be pivoted with it about the pivot axis 40 relative to the cleaning head 12 .

0276The pin 196 is seated on a guide 198 and is linearly translatable along a translation axis 200. The translation axis 200 is movable with the pivotal movement of the support rod assembly 36 relative to the cleaning head 12. It is oriented transversely to a circumference of circular path section 88 .

0277The pin 196 is spring-loaded via a spring device 202, with a spring force of the spring device 202 tending to press the pin 196 in the direction of the circumference of the circular path section 88. The spring force of the spring device 202 acts on the cleaning head 12 .

0278The pin 196 has a ridge 204 (<figref idref="f0010">figure 10</figref>), which is arranged in a ring. The guide 198 has an annular stop 206 for the bead 204 . A stop for the linear displaceability of the pin 196 on the guide 198 is formed by the bead 204 resting against the stop 206 (<figref idref="f0010">figure 10</figref>). A basic position of the pin 196 is such that the spring device 202 presses the pin 196 to the circumference of the circular path section 88 until the bead 204 rests against the stop 206 (<figref idref="f0010">figure 10</figref>). This basic position is present when the pin 196 has not entered the immersion opening 194 . The basic position is in turn present when the parking position 185 of the holding rod device 36 and the cleaning head 12 has not been reached, ie when the upper limit of the pivoting angle 182 has not been reached. See<figref idref="f0010">figure 10</figref>, wherein the pin 196 is not immersed in the immersion hole 194.

0279In this basic position of the pin 196 outside the immersion opening 194, the free pivoting of the holding rod device 36 relative to the cleaning head 12 about the pivot axis 40 is ensured.

0280The respective immersion opening 194 is formed on a block element 208 . The block element 208 includes the immersion opening 194 as a recess or bore. A first inclined plane 210 is arranged or formed on the block element 208 outside the immersion opening 194 . This rises from the circular path section 88 . It is located at the end of the circular path section 88 and at the first inclined plane 210 the distance to the pivot axis 40 increases.

0281The first inclined plane 210 is used to insert the pin 196 into the immersion opening 194 while displacing the pin 196 away from the stop 206 with a corresponding exertion of force against the spring force of the spring device 202 . This effort must be applied by an operator.

0282The pin 196 has a first contact surface 212 which is formed on a front end of the pin 196 . The first contact surface 212 is adapted to the first inclined plane 210 . When the pin 196 is inserted into the immersion opening 194, the first contact surface 212 is guided along the first inclined plane 210 while touching the first inclined plane 210.

0283The immersion opening 194 formed in the block element 208 has a wall formed as a second inclined plane 214 .

0284Starting from the lower limit, the pin 196 is guided along the circular path section 88 while increasing the pivoting angle 182 and then over the first inclined plane 210 into the immersion opening 194.

0285The second inclined plane 214 serves to guide the pin 196 out of the immersion opening 194 by reducing the pivoting angle 182 starting from the upper limit.

0286The pin 196 has a second contact surface 216 which is adapted to the second inclined plane 214 .

0287To guide the pin 196 out of the immersion opening 194, the second contact surface 216 is guided in contact with the second inclined plane 214 along the second inclined plane 214 (with the pivoting angle 182 being reduced). To do this, the spring force of the spring device 202 must be overcome.

0288In one embodiment, the first incline 210 has a smaller angle than the second incline 214. As a result, the force required to release the latch by extending the pin 196 out of the plunger hole 194 is greater than the force required , in order to bring the pin 196 into the immersion opening 194 via the second inclined plane 214 and to establish the locking and thereby to reach the parking position 185.

0289An alternate embodiment of a pin 196' (<figref idref="f0012">figure 14</figref>) has a contact surface 197 at a tip, which is conical. In another alternative embodiment, the pin is spherically shaped at the tip (in<figref idref="f0012">figure 14</figref> indicated in broken lines). The pin 196 or the pin 196' is made in particular from a metallic material.

0290When the pin 196 is guided on the corresponding circular path section 88 outside of the block element 208 , a tip 218 preferably rests on this circular path section 88 between the first contact surface 212 and the second contact surface 216 .

0291An embodiment was described above in which the corresponding pin 196 of the pin-immersion opening combination 188 is guided on the same circular path section 88 as the counter device 90.

0292It is also possible for a circular path section 88 to be provided which is separate from this circular path section 88 for the counter-device 90 but is concentric with the pivot axis 40 .

0293If the locking position according to<figref idref="f0011">figure 12</figref> is reached, an operator can, by exerting a correspondingly large amount of force by exerting a torque on the holding rod device 36 in the direction of the floor 16 to be cleaned, on which the floor cleaning machine 10 is properly positioned via the cleaning head 12, cancel the locking and remove the corresponding pin 196 from the Immersion opening 194 lead. It is then possible to pivot freely up to the lower limit.

0294In order to reach the park position 185 with the lock by inserting the pin 196 into the immersion opening 194, an operator pivots the holding rod device 36 about the pivot axis 40 towards the park position 185 until the park position 185 is reached by locking the pin 196 into the associated immersion opening 194 is. In<figref idref="f0010">figure 10</figref> an intermediate position is shown shortly before reaching the locked position.

0295In the<figref idref="f0017">Figures 19(a) to (e)</figref> different pivot positions of the holding rod device 36 to the cleaning head 12 are shown.

0296In<figref idref="f0017">Figure 19(a)</figref> a "work" pivot position is shown. The pivot angle 182 is between the lower limit and the upper limit. The floor 16 to be cleaned can be worked on by the floor cleaning machine 10 in order to carry out a cleaning process. An operator adapts the swivel angle 182 to his height. If a piece of furniture or the like is to be driven under, the pivoting angle 182 is reduced.

0297The operator guides the cleaning head 12 over the floor 16 to be cleaned using the holding rod device 36 with the adjusted swivel angle 182. The cleaning roller unit 18 rotates about the axis of rotation 46. Due to the direction of rotation 52, the cleaning head 12 and thus the floor cleaning machine 10 experience a propulsion.

0298The support rod device 36 is connected directly to the roller mount 106 and thus to the cleaning roller unit 18 . With a pivoting movement of the holding rod device 36 about the pivot axis 40, the cleaning roller unit 18 is also pivoted. If this is supported on the floor 16 to be cleaned, then it rolls off on the floor 16 . This movement is superimposed on the rotation of the cleaning roller unit 18 about the axis of rotation 46 and has no negative effect on the cleaning result or the like. Due to the rotation of the cleaning roller unit 18, the angular range through which the cleaning roller unit 18 runs in the same time unit as during a pivoting movement is very much larger.

0299The support rod device 36 is directly connected to the cleaning roller unit 18 and its weight acts directly on the cleaning roller unit 18. The weight of the support rod device 36 presses the cleaning roller unit 18 with the roller parts 116, 118 against the floor 16 to be cleaned. The support rod device 36 acts by its own weight a pressing force of the cleaning roller unit 18 on the floor 16 to be cleaned. This improves the cleaning effect; the mechanical action of the cleaning roller unit 18 on the floor 16 to be cleaned is improved. The ability of the floor cleaning machine 10 to remove dirt is improved.

0300The described design of the swivel joint 84 as an orbital swivel joint results in a large swivel range between the lower limit and the upper limit.

0301To turn off the floor cleaning machine 10, the operator increases the swivel angle 182 until the parking position 185 is reached (<figref idref="f0017">Figure 19(b)</figref>) and the retaining rod device 36 is locked to the cleaning head 12 via the locking device 186 . In the parking position 185, the support rod device 36 cannot “fall down” of its own accord (because of its own weight), with the pivoting angle 182 decreasing in the direction of the lower limit.

0302In the parking position 185, the floor cleaning machine 10 is parked, for example for storage. In particular, provision is also made for an automated cleaning process of the cleaning roller unit 18 and possibly other parts of the cleaning head 12 to be carried out in the parking position 185 via a corresponding cleaning station or parking station (not shown in the figures). For example, it is also possible to charge a battery device at the corresponding ground station, to refill cleaning liquid at the tank device 50 for cleaning liquid. If necessary, the dirty fluid tank device 32 can also be emptied in the ground station.

0303Starting from the parking position 185, the dirty fluid tank device 32 can also be easily removed from the cleaning head 12 (<figref idref="f0017">figure 19(c),(d)</figref>).

0304When the cleaning head 12 is properly positioned on the floor 16 to be cleaned, the operator exerts a force on the foot strap 34 in the direction of the floor 16, in particular via one foot. This power is in<figref idref="f0017">figure 19</figref> indicated with the reference number 220 . He then applies a torque to the support rod assembly 36 which exceeds the upper limit and continues to tend to increase the pivot angle 182 . This torque is applied in a manner that is intended to pivot the support rod assembly 36 toward the floor 16 but away from the rear end 22 of the cleaning head 12 toward the front end 20 .

0305This torque application occurs in the park position 185 where the support rod assembly 36 is locked to the base 30 by the latch assembly 186 . If necessary, the pivoting angle 182 can be increased somewhat by providing play in the play/immersion opening combinations 188 . When this play is exhausted, the cleaning head 12, which is then in particular still supported on the floor 16 via the cleaning roller unit 18, rotates relative to the dirty fluid tank device 32.

0306The base 30 is raised relative to the dirty fluid tank device 32.

0307As a result, the holders 154 emerge from the corresponding receptacles 160. The locking position is released and the cleaning head 12 can then be removed from the dirty fluid tank device 32 (cf<figref idref="f0017">Figure 19(d)</figref>).

0308The dirty fluid tank device 32 remains on the floor 16 as a result of the operator intervention on the foot strap 34 . An operator has fixed the dirty fluid tank device 32 on the floor 16 via the force 220 .

0309This minimizes the movement of the dirty fluid tank device 32 when removing the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the cleaning head 12, and sloshing of liquid dirty fluid in the dirty fluid tank device 32 is largely prevented.

0310The removal of the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the cleaning head 12 was described above in connection with exerting a torque, in particular pivoting the cleaning head 12 with respect to the floor 16 .

0311In principle, it is also possible for the cleaning head 12 to be removed from the dirty fluid tank device 32 by pulling it upwards, with an operator fixing the dirty fluid tank device 32 to the floor 16 by exerting force on the foot strap 34 .

0312In<figref idref="f0017">Figure 19(d)</figref> Figure 1 shows a situation which arises after the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 has been detached from the cleaning head 12, either by pivotal lifting or by pulling straight up. The cleaning head 12 in the support rod assembly 36 is finally removed from the dirty fluid tank assembly 32 .

0313In<figref idref="f0017">Figure 19(e)</figref> a situation is shown in which the cleaning head 12 is placed back onto the dirty fluid tank device 32, that is to say in which the dirty fluid tank device 32 is fixed to the cleaning head 12. For this purpose, the dirty fluid tank device 32 is placed on the floor 16 . If necessary, an operator fixes the dirty fluid tank device 32 to the floor 16 by exerting force on the foot strap 34.

0314The cleaning head 12 is then placed from above onto the dirty fluid tank device 32 in such a way that the corresponding holder 154 is immersed in the associated receptacle 60 on the dirty fluid tank device 32 until it latches (and then correspondingly the respective second element 166 in the associated receiving area 168 of the first element 164).

0315The cleaning head 12 is preferably set down with the holding rod device 36 in a parking position 185 relative to the cleaning head 12, i.e. with the holding rod device 36 being locked on the cleaning head 12 by the locking device 186.

0316Due to the corresponding design of the first surface area 172 and the second surface area 14, a greater force is preferably required to remove the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the cleaning head 12 (<figref idref="f0017">Figures 19(c) and (d)</figref>) necessary than for fixing (<figref idref="f0017">Figure 19(e)</figref>).

0317In principle, an operator can remove the dirty fluid tank device 32 from the cleaning head 12 and insert the dirty fluid tank device 32 in the cleaning head 12 hands-free, i.e. he does not have to touch the dirty fluid tank device 32 for this purpose. In particular, he can carry out the corresponding processes by grasping and holding the holding rod device 36 . He doesn't have to bend down or bend his knees.

0318The stripping element 70 is movably arranged on the cleaning head 12 and on the base 30 via the holder 72 . In the<figref idref="f0025 f0026 f0027">Figures 28 to 30</figref> an exemplary embodiment of a holder 72 is shown. The holder 72 has a base 222 . The base 222 has a rear end 224 and a front end 226. The base 222 is wider toward the front end 226 than at the rear end 224; the base 222 has a first portion 228 and a second portion 230, with the first portion 228 having the rear end 224 and the second portion 230 having the front end 226.

0319The holder 72 is held pivotably on the base 30 of the cleaning head 2 via the first area 228 . The second area 230 carries the stripping element 70 and a comb element 232.

0320Arranged on the first region 228 are stub shafts 234 which protrude laterally outwards. Shaft stubs 234 are provided opposite one another and are aligned in alignment. A pivot axis 236 is defined by the stub shafts 234 . When the holder 72 is fixed to the base 30, the pivot axis 236 is parallel to the pivot axis 40 or parallel to the axis of rotation 46. It is parallel to the installation surface 14.

0321In one embodiment, there is provision for the cleaning roller unit 18 to have a continuous stripping element 70 which acts both on the first roller part 116 and on the second roller part 118 (<figref idref="f0022">Figure 25(a)</figref>). In particular, no recess or the like is provided for the central part 114 . The stripping element 70 extends continuously between a first front end 238 and an opposite second front end 240.

0322In one embodiment, the stripping element 70 is arranged or formed as a web on the second region 230 . In particular, this web is integrally connected to the second region 230, that is, integrally connected to the holder 72.

0323The comb element 232 is also seated on the holder 72. It acts on the cleaning roller unit 18 and serves to collect hair; the comb element 232 is a hair comb.

0324The comb element 232 includes at least one row 242 and in particular a plurality of rows 242 of pins 244. Adjacent pins 244 are spaced apart from one another. A pin dips into a trimming 246 (compare, for example<figref idref="f0018">figure 20</figref>) of the cleaning roller unit 18 to a certain extent "filter out" hair from the cleaning roller unit 18.

0325In<figref idref="f0018">figure 20</figref> the dipping into the trimming 246 over a length 248 of the pin 244 is shown.

0326It is also provided that the stripping element 70 dips into the trimming 246 .

0327In relation to the direction of rotation 52 (cf<figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref>) the comb element 232 is arranged downstream of the stripping element 70 . A portion of the cleaning roller unit 18 which rotates in the direction of rotation 52 starting from the base 16 first passes the stripping element 70 and then the comb element 232 . This results in a space-optimized arrangement.

0328The comb element 232 (rows 242) are arranged on the second region 230 between the front end 226 and the stripping element 70 (cf<figref idref="f0027">figure 30</figref>).

0329In the embodiment shown according to the<figref idref="f0025 f0026 f0027">Figures 28 to 30</figref> the comb element 232 extends over a smaller transverse length than the stripping element 70, i.e. a distance between the outer ends of the comb element 232 is smaller than a distance between the front ends 238 and 240 of the stripping element 70 (<figref idref="f0027">figure 30</figref>).

0330The holder 72 is pivotally supported on the base 30 . It is spring-loaded in order to press the stripping element 70 and the comb element 232 into the trimming 246 . A corresponding spring device is provided, which is arranged, for example, in the area of ​​the shaft stub 234 on the corresponding pivot bearing 250 . this is in<figref idref="f0018">figure 20</figref> indicated by reference numeral 252.

0331It is alternatively or additionally possible that, for example, a corresponding spiral spring of the spring device is supported on the base 30 and on the second area of ​​the holder 72 in order to press it against the cleaning roller unit 18 .

0332As mentioned above, the stripping element 70 is arranged as a web 254 on the second area 30 . This web 254 has a first flank 256 which faces the mouth opening 56 . It has an opposite second flank 258 which faces away from the mouth opening 56 (<figref idref="f0018">figure 20</figref>). The second flank 258 faces the comb element 232 . An edge 260 lies between the first flank 256 and the second flank 258. A contact line 262 (<figref idref="f0022 f0023">figure 25</figref>) educated. This corresponds to the course of the edge and can be described by a mathematical curve.

0333The web 254 of the stripping element 70 has a triangular shape across the first flank 256 and the second flank 258 (cf<figref idref="f0018">figure 20</figref>). The contact line 262 has a finite width.

0334The contact line 262 is in the stocking 246 (compare<figref idref="f0018">figure 20</figref>) or at least rests against the trimming 246. Via the contact line 262, the stripping element 70 rests on or dips into the trimming 246.

0335The stripping element 70 is designed as a guide element for dirty fluid on the cleaning roller unit 18 . The training is in one embodiment (<figref idref="f0022">Figure 25(a)</figref>) in such a way that dirty fluid is not only detached from the cleaning roller unit 18 (from the covering 246) via the wiping element 70, but is also guided in a defined manner to a central area 264. This middle area 264 lies on the cleaning roller unit 18 and on the scraper element 70 . Starting from the middle area 264 , dirt fluid (to a large extent) is coupled into the orifice opening 56 . The central area 264 lies at the central plane 94.

0336The stripping element 70 is curved. The contact line 262 has a first length L₁ (arc length) between the first front end 238 and the second front end 240 .

0337A distance D between the first front end 238 and the second front end 240, a distance direction for the distance D being parallel to the pivot axis 236 or parallel to the pivot axis 40 or parallel to the rotation axis 46, is smaller than this length L₁.

0338In one exemplary embodiment, the cleaning roller unit 18 (as a combination of the first cleaning roller 116 and the second cleaning roller 118 with spacing in between) has a second length in the spacing direction (i.e. parallel to the axis of rotation 46). L₂ on (compare<figref idref="f0004">figure 4</figref>), which is smaller than the length L₁.

0339The curvature of the stripping element 70 at the contact line 262 can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional in the sense that a mathematical curve that describes the course of the contact line 262 and is a curved curve can be a flat curve (two-dimensional curvature) or a space curve (three-dimensional curvature) can be.

0340In particular, then mathematically the corresponding curve, which mathematically describes the course of the contact line 262, has a first curvature (in the sense of a differential geometric curvature), or has a first curvature and a second curvature.

0341In particular, the first curvature is negative, ie the corresponding mathematical curve describing the course of the contact line 262 is concave, or the first curvature and the second curvature are both negative and the corresponding curve is a concave curve.

0342A discharge area for dirty fluid from the cleaning roller unit 18 into the dirty fluid tank device 32 is formed by the mouth device 54 . The contact line 262 is concave towards this dispensing area, ie towards the mouth opening 56 . This concave formation is on the first flank 256.

0343A convex configuration is present on the second flank 258, ie facing away from the dispensing area (the orifice opening 56). A corresponding concave area 266 and a convex area 268 are shown in FIG<figref idref="f0022 f0023">figure 25</figref> shown.

0344In one embodiment, the line of contact 262 has the shape of a segment of a circular arc. The corresponding mathematical curve, which describes the course of the contact line 262, has a constant curvature. In particular, a first curvature can be provided, which is constant, and if the contact line 262 can be described by a space curve, a constant second curvature can be present.

0345In particular, it is provided that a radius of curvature R is in the range between 2L₂ and 6L₂ lies (2L₂ &lt; R &lt; 6L₂).

0346The stripping element 70 has an apex 270 across the contact line 262, which in one embodiment (cf.<figref idref="f0022">Figure 25(a)</figref>) is located at the center plane 94. The course of the mathematical curve, which describes the course of the contact line 262, can be described in cylindrical coordinates. A projection of the contact line 262 onto an (imaginary) cylinder 272 (<figref idref="f0022">Figure 25(a)</figref>) with a cylinder axis 274 can be considered. The contact line 262 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the apex 270 or the center plane 94 (<figref idref="f0022">Figure 25(a)</figref>). A polar angle<i>ϕ</i> varies along the curve. At the apex 270 (point B according to<figref idref="f0022">Figure 25(a)</figref>) is a maximum polar angle<i>ϕ</i>_s and from this vertex 270 the polar angle increases<i>ϕ</i>_s away. It decreases in the same way towards the front ends 238, 240 and in particular continuously. In particular, there is also a monotonic decrease.

0347It can also be provided that the distance between this curve and the cylinder axis 274 decreases.

0348In<figref idref="f0019">figure 21</figref> 12 is a section through the cleaning head 12 at point A according to FIG<figref idref="f0022 f0023">figure 25</figref> shown, and in<figref idref="f0019">figure 22</figref> a cut at point B (i.e., at vertex 270).

0349There is an angle between the first flank 256 and a plane 276 which is parallel to the installation surface 14 . At the point A according to<figref idref="f0019">figure 21</figref> is this angle α. At the apex 270 according to<figref idref="f0019">figure 22</figref> this angle is β, where β is greater than α. At point B, the stripping element 70 protrudes less far into the covering 246 than at point A (cf<figref idref="f0015">figures 17</figref> and<figref idref="f0014">16</figref>). This is caused by the corresponding curvature at the contact line 262.

0350In particular, it is provided that the orifice opening 56 along the stripping element 70 has a third length L₃ has, which is smaller than the first length L₁. Due to the guiding function of the stripping element 70, dirty fluid is also transported to the cleaning roller unit 18 in the discharge area (towards the orifice opening 56). A smaller mouth opening 56 is then sufficient. This in turn reduces the area of ​​soiling on the floor cleaning machine 10 .

0351On the cleaning roller unit 18, on the surface of the cleaning roller unit 18 and also in a penetration area of ​​the wiper element 70, due to the curvature of the wiper element 70, there is a guide area for dirty fluid, via which dirty fluid on the cleaning roller unit 18 is guided to the central area 264 by means of the wiper element 70. As a result, the dispensing area can be made smaller in relation to the distance direction parallel to the axis of rotation 46, i.e. the orifice opening 56 can be made with a smaller length L₃ form than, for example, with a straight stripping element 70. A smaller transfer area for dirty fluid to the dirty fluid tank device 32 can thereby be implemented. Dirty fluid delivery is simplified and device contamination is reduced.

0352Furthermore, any foam that occurs on the cleaning roller unit 18 is guided to the middle region 264 by the scraper element 70 . As a result, the emergence of foam at the front ends of the cleaning roller unit 18 is reduced or at least greatly reduced.

0353In the embodiment according to<figref idref="f0022">Figure 25(a)</figref> a stripping element 70 was described, which is assigned to the cleaning roller unit 18 with the first roller part 116 and the second roller part 118 and in which the apex 270 is arranged on a central plane.

0354In<figref idref="f0023">Figure 25(b)</figref> an alternative exemplary embodiment is shown with a stripping element which is not designed to be continuous. Each roller part 116 or 118 is assigned its own stripping element, with these stripping elements in particular being arranged on a single holder (the holder 72).

0355In<figref idref="f0022 f0023">figure 25</figref> a contact line 262' for the exemplary case of the first roller part 116 is shown.

0356The first roller part has a length L₂^∗ on.

0357This length L₂^∗ lies between the corresponding end faces of the first roller part 116 (or the second roller part 118).

0358The corresponding edge element has edge progression 262' which is symmetrical. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the corresponding stripping element, which is associated with the first roller part 116 (or the second roller part 118), is curved in a circular manner, with a radius of curvature R* in particular in the range between 2L₂^∗ and 6L₂^∗ lies (2L₂^∗ &lt; R* &lt; 6L₂^∗).

0359In this way, in particular, a discharge of dirty fluid from the corresponding roller part 116 or 118 is achieved.

0360In relation to the cleaning roller unit 18, the combination of scraping elements has a "double hump" shape, in which combination the respective scraping elements can then be spaced or continuous.

0361In principle, it is also possible that the corresponding curved profile of the stripping element 70, as shown in FIGS<figref idref="f0024">Figures 26 and 27</figref> indicated, is asymmetrical and has no apex or no apex at a midplane. For this purpose, in particular, a targeted drainage of dirty fluid to one side 310 (<figref idref="f0024">figure 26</figref>) or to a page 312 (<figref idref="f0024">figure 27</figref>) take place.

0362It is in principle possible that the course of the stripping element 70, as in the<figref idref="f0024">Figures 26 and 27</figref> indicated, to the cleaning roller unit 18 as a whole with a combination of the first roller part 116 and the second roller part 118, or in relation to only one roller part 116 or 118.

0363In relation to the cleaning roller unit 18 with the first roller part 116 and the second roller part 118, the course is as shown in FIG<figref idref="f0024">Figures 26 or 27</figref> asymmetrical. If, for example, for the first roller part 116 according to the course<figref idref="f0024">figure 26</figref> is present and for the second roller part 118 the course according to<figref idref="f0024">figure 27</figref>, the overall profile is symmetrical in relation to the cleaning roller unit 18 with the first roller part 116 and the second roller part 118 . In this embodiment, in particular, there is a derivation to the outside.

0364Conversely, it can also be provided that the diversion takes place inwards and the roles of the roller parts 116 and 118 are reversed.

0365In principle, the embodiment of the curved stripping element is also possible if the cleaning roller unit has only one roller part.

0366The configuration of the stripping element 70 with a curvature has been described with reference to the floor cleaning machine 10 . This solution of the curved design can also be used on other types of surface cleaning machines, such as on a self-propelled and self-steering cleaning machine (cleaning robot).

0367The floor cleaning machine 10 according to the invention works as follows: For a cleaning operation, the cleaning head 12 is set up on the floor 16 to be cleaned. An operator guides the cleaning head 12 over the holding bar device 36 over the floor 16 to be cleaned.

0368During a wiping operation (wet cleaning operation), cleaning fluid is supplied from the tank device 50 for cleaning fluid, in particular to the cleaning roller unit 18.

0369The floor 16 to be cleaned is thereby moistened for better dirt removal. Dirt is taken along and transported to the stripping element 70 via the cleaning roller unit 18 . Dirty fluid, which is then in particular liquid with dirt particles, is detached from the cleaning roller unit 18 and conveyed into the dirty fluid tank device 32 .

0370The guiding element function of the stripping element 70 due to the corresponding curvature results in a simplified discharge of dirty fluid.

0371Coarse dirt can also be picked up. The sweeping element 62 ensures that coarse dirt is fed to the cleaning roller unit 18. This transports the coarse dirt directly into the dirt fluid tank device 32 and/or it is detached via the stripping element 70.

0372Hair is removed from the cleaning roller unit 18 via the comb element 232 .

0373In principle, pure sweeping operation without moistening with cleaning fluid is also possible. In particular, an operator can then set on a control panel that no humidification should take place.

0374The cleaning roller unit 18, in which the covering 246 is a textile material, is used in particular for a wet cleaning operation. The cleaning roller unit 18 can also be used for a sweeping operation.

0375It is also possible, for example for a sweeping process, for the cleaning roller unit 18 to be exchanged and a cleaning roller unit to be used in which the trimmings are bristles.

0376The floor cleaning machine 10 can be used for dry cleaning or wet cleaning as required.

0377The holding rod device 36 is supported on the cleaning roller unit 18 by the orbital joint 84 and a corresponding pressing force is exerted on the floor 16 to be cleaned. As a result, the mechanical action of the cleaning roller unit 18 on the floor 16 to be cleaned is intensified, and the ability of the floor cleaning machine 10 to detach and absorb dirt is improved.

0378As a result of this mentioned design of the swivel joint 84, the cleaning roller unit 18 experiences a maximum contact pressure via the holding rod device 36 via the floor cleaning machine 10 itself.

0379The dirty fluid tank device 32 always remains in the same position relative to the floor 16 to be cleaned. As a result, the sweeping element 62 can also be kept in the same position relative to the floor 16. This results in improved pick-up of coarse dirt and improved cleaning overall.

0380This results in simplified operability due to the pivotability of the holding rod device 36 on the cleaning head 12. It is possible to easily drive underneath furniture and the like.

0381The provision of the foot strap 34 and the parking position 185 allow the dirty fluid tank device 32 to be easily removed from the cleaning head 12 or the cleaning head 12 to be easily placed on the dirty fluid tank device 32 . In particular, an operator does not have to touch the dirty fluid tank device 32 with his hands in order to remove it or to insert it.

0382The design of the pivot joint 84 as an orbital joint ensures that in every pivoting position of the holding rod device 36 relative to the cleaning head 12 about the pivot axis 40 within the pivoting angle range, the dirty fluid tank device 32 always assumes the same position relative to the floor 16 and is parallel to the floor 16 remains.

0383In the parking position 185, locking is achieved and the floor cleaning machine 10 is in a stable position, ie the holding rod device 36 is locked and the floor cleaning machine 10 "does not fall over by itself".

0384The at least one support element 120, which is arranged on the base 30 (and not on the dirty fluid tank device 32), results in optimized support for the weight of the cleaning head 12 with the dirty fluid tank device 32 on the floor 16 to be cleaned. A dirty fluid tank device 32 Realize with a relatively large capacity for dirty fluid.

0385In one embodiment (<figref idref="f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016">Figures 15 to 18</figref>) Rotatability about the axis of rotation 41 is provided on the holding rod device 36, in particular in relation to the handle 38.

0386For this purpose, the holding rod device 36 comprises a first part 278 and a second part 280 , the second part 280 being rotatable about the axis of rotation 41 relative to the first part 278 .

0387In one embodiment, the first portion 278 is coincident with the first portion 76 and the second portion 280 is coincident with the second portion 78 of the support rod assembly 36 .

0388In one exemplary embodiment, the pivot 41 is coaxial with the first longitudinal axis 80. In principle, however, it is also possible for the pivot axis 41 to be parallel to the second longitudinal axis 42, for example. An exemplary embodiment is described below in which the axis of rotation 41 is parallel to the first longitudinal axis 80 .

0389During the rotation about the axis of rotation 41, the drive motor 98 and the transmission device 104 in particular do not rotate. These are arranged on the first part 278 .

0390A locking device 282 is provided (<figref idref="f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016">Figures 15 to 18</figref>), which on the one hand releases the rotatability of the second part 280 to the first part 278 (of the second area 78 to the first area 76) outside of a locking position 284 (<figref idref="f0013">figures 15</figref>, <figref idref="f0014">16</figref>) and in the locking position 284 the rotatability of the second part 280 of the support rod device 36 to the first part 278 of the support rod device 36 about the axis of rotation 41 blocks (<figref idref="f0015">figures 17</figref>, <figref idref="f0016">18</figref>).

0391In the representations according to the<figref idref="f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016">Figures 15 to 18</figref> is a fairing 386 (compare<figref idref="f0004">figure 4</figref>) removed to explain the mode of operation of the locking device 284.

0392The locking device 284 comprises a slide 288 which is arranged to be movable and in particular linearly movable on the first part 278 (on the first area 76). A displacement axis 289 is in particular parallel to the axis of rotation 41.

0393The slide 288 has a nose 290 in the area of ​​a first end (cf<figref idref="f0014">figure 16</figref>) on. The slide 288 can be supported on the cleaning head 12 and there on a corresponding mating surface 292 via this nose 290 . Outside of the parking position 185, the lug 290 is at a distance from the mating surface 292. When the parking position 185 is reached, the lug 290 acts on the counter surface 292 and this causes a displacement of the slide 288 in the displacement direction 289. The slider 288 is spring-supported and is mounted on the first part 278 via a spring device 294 . The spring device is arranged and designed in such a way that it presses the slide 288 with the lug 290 in the direction of the cleaning head 12 . For a movement of the slide 288 in the opposite direction (away from the cleaning head 12), the spring force of the spring device 294 must be overcome. This overcoming of the spring force of the spring device 294 occurs when the parking position 185 is reached. By supporting the lug 290 on the counter surface 292, the slide 288 is displaced as a whole in the direction of the second part 280.

0394At an end opposite the end at which the lug 290 sits, the slide 288 has an immersion element 296 . The immersion element 296 can dip into a corresponding immersion opening 298 of the second part 280 in the parking position 185 . This achieves a positive fit with regard to the ability to rotate about the axis of rotation 41 and the second part 280 of the support rod device 36 (the second area 78) can no longer rotate about the axis of rotation 41 relative to the first part 278 (the first area 76).

0395When the support rod device 36 is brought into the parking position 185, the slider 288 is pushed as a whole in the direction of the second part 280 and the immersion element 296 immerses in the immersion opening 298 (with a corresponding alignment of the second part 280 to the first part 278) and in the corresponding locking position 284, the ability of the second part 280 to rotate relative to the first part 278 about the axis of rotation 41 is blocked.

0396Outside of the parking position 185, the spring device 294 acts on the slide 288 in such a way that it moves it in the direction of the cleaning head 12 or holds it there. The immersion element 296 is then immersed out of the immersion opening 298 and outside the locking position 284 the second part 280 can be rotated relative to the first part 278 about the axis of rotation 41 .

0397The locking device 284 has an overload protection 300 . This overload protection 300 essentially serves to prevent damage in the event of twisting in the parking position 185 about the axis of rotation 41 .

0398In one embodiment, the slide 288 is formed in (at least) two parts with a first part 302 and a second part 304. The nose 290 is seated on the first part 302. The immersion element 296 is seated on the second part 304.

0399The second part 304 is slidably mounted on the first part 302 , with support being provided by a spring device 306 .

0400In particular, spring device 306 is "hard" in comparison to spring device 294 and in particular significantly harder than spring device 294.

0401In a "normal state" the spring force of the spring device 306 acts in such a way that it pushes the second part 304 away from the first part 302 until a stop 308 (cf<figref idref="f0014">figure 16</figref>) of the second part 304 at the first part 302 is reached. In this state, the slide 288 can be moved as a whole with the first part 302 and the second part 304 in the direction of displacement 289 . The slider 288 with the first part 302 and the second part 304 can accordingly reach the locking position 284 in the parking position 185 and can lie outside of the parking position 185 outside of the locking position 284 and enable the rotation of the second part 280 to the first part 278 about the axis of rotation 41 .

0402In the locking position 284, the slide 288 cannot deviate in relation to the direction of displacement 289 or at most deviate with a certain amount of play. A movement blockage towards the cleaning head 12 is effected by the nose 290 . In relation to the second part 280 , this blocking of movement is achieved by the immersion element 296 immersed in the immersion opening 298 .

0403If a large force and in particular a corresponding torque is exerted on the second part 280 in relation to the first part 278, then the slider 288 cannot deviate as a whole in the displacement direction 289. Due to the multi-part design of the slide 288, however, the second part 304 can move relative to the first part 302 by overcoming the spring force of the spring device 306 and can move away from the stop 308. As a result, the immersion element 296 in particular can move out of the immersion opening 298 . This reduces the risk of damage, since evasion is made possible.

Reference List

0404<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>10</dt><dd>floor cleaning machine</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>cleaning head</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>footprint</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>floor to be cleaned</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>cleaning roller unit</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>front end</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>rear end</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>longitudinal axis</dd><dt>26</dt><dd>first lateral side</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>second lateral side</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>Base</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>dirty fluid tank facility</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>kick tab</dd><dt>36</dt><dd>support rod device</dd><dt>38</dt><dd>handle</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>pivot axis</dd><dt>41</dt><dd>axis of rotation</dd><dt>42</dt><dd>second longitudinal axis</dd><dt>44</dt><dd>rotatability</dd><dt>46</dt><dd>axis of rotation</dd><dt>48, 48'</dt><dd>battery holder</dd><dt>50</dt><dd>Tank device for cleaning fluid</dd><dt>52</dt><dd>direction of rotation</dd><dt>54</dt><dd>muzzle device</dd><dt>56</dt><dd>muzzle opening</dd><dt>58</dt><dd>Floor</dd><dt>60</dt><dd>wall</dd><dt>62</dt><dd>sweep element</dd><dt>64</dt><dd>coarse dirt</dd><dt>66</dt><dd>feeder</dd><dt>68</dt><dd>humidification</dd><dt>70</dt><dd>scraper element</dd><dt>72</dt><dd>holder</dd><dt>74</dt><dd>dirt fluid</dd><dt>76</dt><dd>first area</dd><dt>78</dt><dd>second area</dd><dt>80</dt><dd>first longitudinal axis</dd><dt>82</dt><dd>obtuse angle</dd><dt>84</dt><dd>swivel joint</dd><dt>86</dt><dd>web guiding device</dd><dt>88</dt><dd>circular path section</dd><dt>90</dt><dd>counter device</dd><dt>92</dt><dd>elevation axis</dd><dt>94</dt><dd>midplane</dd><dt>98</dt><dd>drive motor</dd><dt>100</dt><dd>Housing</dd><dt>102</dt><dd>free space</dd><dt>104</dt><dd>gear mechanism</dd><dt>106</dt><dd>roller pickup</dd><dt>108</dt><dd>Wave</dd><dt>110</dt><dd>first wave part</dd><dt>112</dt><dd>second wave part</dd><dt>114</dt><dd>center part</dd><dt>116</dt><dd>first roller part</dd><dt>118</dt><dd>second roller part</dd><dt>120</dt><dd>support element</dd><dt>122</dt><dd>post</dd><dt>124</dt><dd>roll, glider</dd><dt>126</dt><dd>underside [of the base]</dd><dt>127</dt><dd>Underside [of the dirty fluid tank device]</dd><dt>128</dt><dd>top</dd><dt>130</dt><dd>wall</dd><dt>132</dt><dd>cutout</dd><dt>134</dt><dd>first opening part</dd><dt>136</dt><dd>second opening part</dd><dt>138</dt><dd>first chamber</dd><dt>140</dt><dd>second chamber</dd><dt>142</dt><dd>Lid</dd><dt>144</dt><dd>plate</dd><dt>146</dt><dd>edge wall</dd><dt>148</dt><dd>removal direction</dd><dt>150</dt><dd>Space</dd><dt>152</dt><dd>continuous recess</dd><dt>154</dt><dd>holder</dd><dt>156</dt><dd>first place</dd><dt>158</dt><dd>second place</dd><dt>160</dt><dd>Recording</dd><dt>162</dt><dd>Holder-mount combination</dd><dt>164</dt><dd>first item</dd><dt>166</dt><dd>second item</dd><dt>168</dt><dd>recording area</dd><dt>170</dt><dd>bead</dd><dt>172</dt><dd>first area</dd><dt>174</dt><dd>second area</dd><dt>176</dt><dd>first cone angle</dd><dt>178</dt><dd>second cone angle</dd><dt>180</dt><dd>extension</dd><dt>182</dt><dd>swivel angle</dd><dt>184</dt><dd>bottom</dd><dt>185</dt><dd>parking position</dd><dt>186</dt><dd>locking device</dd><dt>188</dt><dd>Pin-Plunge Combination</dd><dt>190</dt><dd>first place</dd><dt>192</dt><dd>second place</dd><dt>194</dt><dd>immersion opening</dd><dt>196, 196'</dt><dd>Pen</dd><dt>197</dt><dd>contact surface</dd><dt>198</dt><dd>guide</dd><dt>200</dt><dd>shift axis</dd><dt>202</dt><dd>spring device</dd><dt>204</dt><dd>bead</dd><dt>206</dt><dd>attack</dd><dt>208</dt><dd>block element</dd><dt>210</dt><dd>first inclined plane</dd><dt>212</dt><dd>first contact surface</dd><dt>214</dt><dd>second inclined plane</dd><dt>216</dt><dd>second contact surface</dd><dt>218</dt><dd>Top</dd><dt>220</dt><dd>Power</dd><dt>222</dt><dd>Base</dd><dt>224</dt><dd>rear end</dd><dt>226</dt><dd>front end</dd><dt>228</dt><dd>first area</dd><dt>230</dt><dd>second area</dd><dt>232</dt><dd>comb element</dd><dt>234</dt><dd>stub shaft</dd><dt>236</dt><dd>pivot axis</dd><dt>238</dt><dd>first frontal end</dd><dt>240</dt><dd>second front end</dd><dt>242</dt><dd>Row</dd><dt>244</dt><dd>Pin code</dd><dt>246</dt><dd>trimming</dd><dt>248</dt><dd>length</dd><dt>250</dt><dd>swivel bearing</dd><dt>252</dt><dd>spring device</dd><dt>254</dt><dd>web</dd><dt>256</dt><dd>first flank</dd><dt>258</dt><dd>second flank</dd><dt>260</dt><dd>edge</dd><dt>262, 262'</dt><dd>contact line</dd><dt>264</dt><dd>middle area</dd><dt>266</dt><dd>concave area</dd><dt>268</dt><dd>convex area</dd><dt>270</dt><dd>vertex</dd><dt>272</dt><dd>cylinder</dd><dt>274</dt><dd>cylinder axis</dd><dt>276</dt><dd>level</dd><dt>278</dt><dd>first part</dd><dt>280</dt><dd>second part</dd><dt>282</dt><dd>locking device</dd><dt>284</dt><dd>locked position</dd><dt>286</dt><dd>disguise</dd><dt>288</dt><dd>slider</dd><dt>289</dt><dd>shift direction</dd><dt>290</dt><dd>Nose</dd><dt>292</dt><dd>counter surface</dd><dt>294</dt><dd>spring device</dd><dt>296</dt><dd>immersion element</dd><dt>298</dt><dd>immersion opening</dd><dt>300</dt><dd>overload protection</dd><dt>302</dt><dd>First part</dd><dt>304</dt><dd>Second part</dd><dt>306</dt><dd>spring device</dd><dt>308</dt><dd>attack</dd><dt>310</dt><dd>Page</dd><dt>312</dt><dd>Page</dd><dt>L₁</dt><dd>first length</dd><dt>L₂, L₂^∗</dt><dd>second length</dd><dt>L₃</dt><dd>third length</dd><dt>D</dt><dd>Distance</dd></dl>