WO2002069774A1 - Floor cleaning device - Google Patents

Floor cleaning device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002069774A1
WO2002069774A1 PCT/EP2002/002127 EP0202127W WO02069774A1 WO 2002069774 A1 WO2002069774 A1 WO 2002069774A1 EP 0202127 W EP0202127 W EP 0202127W WO 02069774 A1 WO02069774 A1 WO 02069774A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
suction
turbine
cleaning device
floor cleaning
channel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2002/002127
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Ralph Diehl
Jacob Janzen
Joachim Keppler
Original Assignee
Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg filed Critical Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority to DE50213166T priority Critical patent/DE50213166D1/en
Priority to EP02703606A priority patent/EP1365674B1/en
Publication of WO2002069774A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002069774A1/en
Priority to US10/641,734 priority patent/US20040074044A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
    • A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
    • A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/02—Floor surfacing or polishing machines
    • A47L11/20—Floor surfacing or polishing machines combined with vacuum cleaning devices
    • A47L11/202—Floor surfacing or polishing machines combined with vacuum cleaning devices having separate drive for the cleaning brushes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/24—Floor-sweeping machines, motor-driven
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4027—Filtering or separating contaminants or debris
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
    • A47L11/4041—Roll shaped surface treating tools
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
    • A47L11/4044—Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/22—Mountings for motor fan assemblies

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a floor cleaning device comprising a suction turbine with a turbine wheel that can be driven to rotate about a turbine axis, and an essentially horizontally oriented suction channel, via which the suction turbine is in flow connection with a suction opening facing the floor surface to be cleaned, the suction channel forming a dirt holding container and a dirt filter receives.
  • Such a floor cleaning device is known from international laid-open specification WO 99/28800.
  • a suction flow can be generated by means of the suction turbine, with the aid of which the floor surface to be cleaned can be suctioned off.
  • the suction turbine with the turbine axis oriented vertically is attached to the suction channel running essentially in the horizontal direction. This enables the use of a relatively large turbine wheel, but has the disadvantage that the floor cleaning device has a not inconsiderable overall height.
  • the object of the present invention is to design a floor cleaning device of the type mentioned at the beginning with the smallest possible height, wherein the strongest possible suction flow should be achievable in the area of the suction opening.
  • a floor cleaning device of the generic type in that the suction turbine with is attached to the suction channel at an angle to the vertical aligned turbine axis.
  • the suction turbine By aligning the suction turbine in this way, the overall height of the floor cleaning device can be kept low even when using a relatively large turbine wheel.
  • such an arrangement has the advantage that the suction flow caused by the suction turbine suffers only relatively small losses due to changes in direction occurring in the connection area between the suction duct and the suction turbine. As a result, a relatively strong suction flow can be generated in the area of the suction opening.
  • the floor cleaning device according to the invention is thus characterized by a compact design and a particularly effective mode of operation.
  • the turbine axis is oriented at an angle of approximately 15 ° to approximately 75 ° to the vertical.
  • an angle of approximately 20 ° to approximately 40 ° has proven to be particularly favorable, on the one hand to keep flow losses occurring in the transition area between the horizontally oriented suction duct and the suction turbine low, and on the other hand, the use of the largest possible height taking into account the smallest possible height To enable turbine wheel.
  • the floor cleaning device has a brush roller which can be driven in rotation and is arranged in the region of the suction opening. Using the brush roller, the floor surface to be cleaned can not only be vacuumed off, but also brushed.
  • the suction turbine is designed as an axial-radial fan, with the aid of which the working air can be drawn in in the axial direction with respect to the turbine axis and can be discharged in the radial direction. The use of an axial-radial fan enables a high pressure difference to be built up, so that a particularly strong suction flow can be achieved.
  • the floor cleaning device according to the invention is characterized by a relatively low overall height. This makes it possible to use the floor cleaning device to reach areas of the floor area to be cleaned below radiators, pieces of furniture and the like.
  • the working air sucked in by the suction turbine is released into the environment again after flowing through the dirt receptacle and the suction turbine.
  • the suction turbine comprises an outlet duct opening into at least one air outlet opening, the mouth region of which is oriented obliquely to the vertical.
  • the exhaust air can be emitted by means of the mouth region which is oriented obliquely to the vertical with a correspondingly obliquely oriented exhaust air flow, so that the risk is reduced that dirt is caught by the exhaust air flow which has deposited, for example, on radiators when the floor cleaning device is positioned under the radiators.
  • the mouth region of the outlet channel is oriented at an angle of approximately 60 ° to approximately 80 ° to the vertical.
  • the outlet duct surrounds the turbine wheel in the circumferential direction. This makes it possible to use a relatively long outlet channel despite the compact floor cleaning device, which can reduce the noise of the suction turbine.
  • the use of a long outlet duct also results in an increase in the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the suction turbine, which improves the efficiency of the suction turbine.
  • a particularly low level of noise can be achieved in that the outlet channel is spiral-shaped and is continuously expanded in the direction of flow. With such a configuration, the exhaust air can expand continuously, so that an abrupt expansion of air with a corresponding noise development is avoided.
  • the suction turbine comprises an electric external rotor motor with a stator held on a support element and a rotor which can be rotated about the turbine axis and on which the turbine wheel is held in a rotationally fixed manner.
  • the use of the external rotor motor makes it possible to position the motor on the side of the turbine wheel facing away from the suction duct, without this resulting in a considerable increase in the overall height of the floor cleaning device.
  • This in turn has the advantage that the suction channel has no significant cross-sectional constrictions and is therefore characterized by the lowest possible flow resistance.
  • the floor cleaning device is preferably designed to be self-propelled. For this purpose, it can have a chassis on which two drive wheels driven by an electric motor are mounted.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a floor cleaning device
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of the floor cleaning device.
  • a self-propelled floor cleaning device designated as a whole by reference number 10
  • a chassis 12 designed as a plastic injection-molded part, on which two drive wheels 13, 14 are rotatably mounted, each of which can be rotatably driven by means of an electric drive motor 15 or 16.
  • a cover can be placed on the undercarriage 12, which forms dust protection and is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for better clarity.
  • the undercarriage 12 forms a support plate 21, which is aligned essentially parallel to a floor surface 19 to be cleaned, and which is also parallel to the support plate 21 in the direction of travel 22 of the floor cleaning device 10 via a step 23 Connect the bottom surface 19 of the support plate 24 and an end wall 25 oriented in the direction of the bottom surface 19.
  • a base plate 26 is held detachably on the chassis 12 by means of locking elements known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing, on the front end region 27 of which in the direction of travel 22 support rollers 29 are freely rotatably mounted.
  • the bottom plate 26 carries in its front region a threshold 31 which plunges into a suction opening 33 which extends through the bottom plate 26 and into which a substantially horizontally oriented suction channel 35 opens, which between the support plate 21, the step 23 and the support plate 24 on the one hand and the Bottom plate 26 on the other hand.
  • a dirt filter 37 is held within the suction channel 35 at an angle to its longitudinal direction.
  • the undercarriage 12 carries a suction turbine 40 with an upper turbine housing part 41 and a lower turbine housing part 42, which accommodate a turbine wheel 44 and an electric turbine drive 46 between them.
  • the turbine drive 46 is designed as an external rotor motor and comprises a stator 48 held non-rotatably on the upper part 46 of the turbine housing and a rotor 49 rotatably held on the stator 48 in the form of a hood 50 which overlaps the stator 48, on the inside of which faces the stator 48, permanent magnets 51 are fixed and on the latter the turbine wall 44 is held in a rotationally fixed manner.
  • the turbine wheel 44 can be driven to rotate about a turbine axis 54 by means of the turbine drive 46.
  • the turbine axis 54 is oriented obliquely to the vertical and thus also obliquely to the longitudinal extent of the suction channel 35.
  • An air inlet opening 56 of the suction turbine 40 is assigned to the turbine wheel 44.
  • the air inlet opening 56 is formed by an intake connection 58 which is integrally connected to the lower part 42 of the turbine housing and which establishes a flow connection between the suction duct 35 and the interior of the suction turbine 40.
  • the turbine wheel 44 is surrounded in the circumferential direction by an outlet duct 60, which is designed in a spiral shape and widens continuously in the direction of flow and opens into an air outlet opening 62, the mouth region 64 of the outlet duct 60 adjacent to the air outlet opening 62 also being inclined is aligned to the vertical.
  • a suction flow symbolized by the arrows 66 can be generated within the suction channel 35, with the aid of which dirt can be transferred from the floor surface 19 to be cleaned via the suction opening 33 into the suction channel 35.
  • the region of the suction channel 35 arranged upstream of the dirt filter 37 in this case forms a dirt holding container 67.
  • a brush roller 68 is rotatably held on the chassis 12 in the area of the suction opening 33 with an axis of rotation oriented transversely to the direction of travel 22 and parallel to the floor surface 19.
  • the brush roller 68 is driven by means of a Electrical brush drive 69 positioned on the support plate 24, which is coupled to the brush roller 68 via a drive belt known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing.
  • suction flow 66 suffers only slight flow losses in the area of the suction channel 35 and of the suction nozzle 58 oriented obliquely to the vertical, a strong suction flow can be achieved in the area of the suction opening 33, which in combination with the brush roller 68 brings about effective floor cleaning.
  • the dirt whirled up by the brush roller 68 is detected by the suction flow and transferred into the dirt holding container 67.
  • the alignment of the suction turbine 40 with the turbine axis 54 running obliquely to the vertical enables the use of a relatively large turbine wheel 44, but the overall height of the floor cleaning device 10 can be kept low.

Abstract

The invention relates to a floor cleaning device (10), comprising a suction turbine (40) with a driven turbine wheel (44) that rotates about a turbine axis (54), and a substantially horizontal suction channel (35) via which the suction turbine (40) is fluidically linked with a suction opening (33) facing the floor area to be cleaned. The suction channel forms a dirt collector (67) and houses a dirt filter (37). In order to provide a floor cleaning device (10) with an overall height that is as small as possible while still ensuring a potent suction flow in the area of the suction opening (33), the suction turbine (40) is mounted on the suction channel (35) with its turbine axis (54) being aligned at an angle to the vertical.

Description

Bodenreinigungsgerät Floor cleaning device
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Bodenreinigungsgerät umfassend eine Saugturbine mit einem um eine Turbinenachse drehend antreibbaren Turbinenrad, sowie einen im wesentlichen horizontal ausgerichteten Saugkanal, über den die Saugturbine mit einer der zu reinigenden Bodenfläche zugewandten Saugöffnung in Strömungsverbindung steht, wobei der Saugkanal einen Schmutzaufnahmebehälter ausbildet und ein Schmutzfilter aufnimmt.The invention relates to a floor cleaning device comprising a suction turbine with a turbine wheel that can be driven to rotate about a turbine axis, and an essentially horizontally oriented suction channel, via which the suction turbine is in flow connection with a suction opening facing the floor surface to be cleaned, the suction channel forming a dirt holding container and a dirt filter receives.
Ein derartiges Bodenreinigungsgerät ist aus der internationalen Offen- legungsschrift WO 99/28800 bekannt. Mittels der Saugturbine kann eine Saugströmung erzeugt werden, mit deren Hilfe die zu reinigende Bodenfläche abgesaugt werden kann. Bei dem bekannten Bodenreinigungsgerät ist die Saugturbine mit vertikal ausgerichteter Turbinenachse an den im wesentlichen in horizontaler Richtung verlaufenden Saugkanal angesetzt. Dies ermöglicht den Einsatz eines verhältnismäßig großen Turbinenrades, hat allerdings den Nachteil, daß das Bodenreinigungsgerät eine nicht unerhebliche Bauhöhe aufweist.Such a floor cleaning device is known from international laid-open specification WO 99/28800. A suction flow can be generated by means of the suction turbine, with the aid of which the floor surface to be cleaned can be suctioned off. In the known floor cleaning device, the suction turbine with the turbine axis oriented vertically is attached to the suction channel running essentially in the horizontal direction. This enables the use of a relatively large turbine wheel, but has the disadvantage that the floor cleaning device has a not inconsiderable overall height.
Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, ein Bodenreinigungsgerät der eingangs genannten Art mit möglichst geringer Bauhöhe auszugestalten, wobei im Bereich der Saugöffnung eine möglichst starke Saugströmung erzielbar sein soll.The object of the present invention is to design a floor cleaning device of the type mentioned at the beginning with the smallest possible height, wherein the strongest possible suction flow should be achievable in the area of the suction opening.
Diese Aufgabe wird bei einem Bodenreinigungsgerät der gattungsgemäßen Art erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, daß die Saugturbine mit schräg zur Vertikalen ausgerichteter Turbinenachse an den Saugkanal angesetzt ist. Durch eine derartige Ausrichtung der Saugturbine kann die Bauhöhe des Bodenreinigungsgerätes auch bei Einsatz eines verhältnismäßig großen Turbinenrades gering gehalten werden. Außerdem hat eine derartige Anordnung den Vorteil, daß die von der Saugturbine hervorgerufene Saugströmung nur verhältnismäßig geringe Verluste durch im Verbindungsbereich zwischen Saugkanal und Saugturbine erfolgende Richtungsänderungen erleidet. Dies hat zur Folge, daß im Bereich der Saugöffnung eine verhältnismäßig starke Saugströmung erzeugt werden kann. Das erfindungsgemäße Bodenreinigungsgerät zeichnet sich somit durch eine kompakte Ausgestaltung und eine besonders effektive Betriebsweise aus.This object is achieved according to the invention in a floor cleaning device of the generic type in that the suction turbine with is attached to the suction channel at an angle to the vertical aligned turbine axis. By aligning the suction turbine in this way, the overall height of the floor cleaning device can be kept low even when using a relatively large turbine wheel. In addition, such an arrangement has the advantage that the suction flow caused by the suction turbine suffers only relatively small losses due to changes in direction occurring in the connection area between the suction duct and the suction turbine. As a result, a relatively strong suction flow can be generated in the area of the suction opening. The floor cleaning device according to the invention is thus characterized by a compact design and a particularly effective mode of operation.
Von Vorteil ist es, wenn die Turbinenachse in einem Winkel von ca. 15° bis etwa 75° zur Vertikalen ausgerichtet ist. Hierbei hat sich insbesondere ein Winkel von ca. 20° bis etwa 40° als besonders günstig erwiesen, um einerseits auftretende Strömungsverluste im Übergangsbereich zwischen dem horizontal ausgerichteten Saugkanal und der Saugturbine gering zu halten und andererseits unter Beachtung einer möglichst geringen Bauhöhe den Einsatz eines möglichst großen Turbinenrades zu ermöglichen.It is advantageous if the turbine axis is oriented at an angle of approximately 15 ° to approximately 75 ° to the vertical. Here, in particular, an angle of approximately 20 ° to approximately 40 ° has proven to be particularly favorable, on the one hand to keep flow losses occurring in the transition area between the horizontally oriented suction duct and the suction turbine low, and on the other hand, the use of the largest possible height taking into account the smallest possible height To enable turbine wheel.
Zur Erzielung einer besonders effektiven Reinigungswirkung ist es von Vorteil, wenn das Bodenreinigungsgerät eine im Bereich der Saugöffnung angeordnete, rotierend antreibbare Bürstenwalze aufweist. Mittels der Bürstenwalze kann die zu reinigende Bodenfläche nicht nur abgesaugt, sondern zusätzlich gebürstet werden. Von Vorteil ist es, wenn die Saugturbine als Axial-Radiallüfter ausgebildet ist, mit dessen Hilfe die Arbeitsluft bezogen auf die Turbinenachse in axialer Richtung ansaugbar und in radialer Richtung abgebbar ist. Der Einsatz eines Axial-Radiallüfters ermöglicht den Aufbau einer hohen Druckdifferenz, so daß eine besonders starke Saugströmung erzielbar ist.To achieve a particularly effective cleaning effect, it is advantageous if the floor cleaning device has a brush roller which can be driven in rotation and is arranged in the region of the suction opening. Using the brush roller, the floor surface to be cleaned can not only be vacuumed off, but also brushed. It is advantageous if the suction turbine is designed as an axial-radial fan, with the aid of which the working air can be drawn in in the axial direction with respect to the turbine axis and can be discharged in the radial direction. The use of an axial-radial fan enables a high pressure difference to be built up, so that a particularly strong suction flow can be achieved.
Wie bereits erläutert, zeigt sich das erfindungsgemäße Bodenreinigungsgerät durch eine verhältnismäßig geringe Bauhöhe aus. Dies ermöglicht es, mittels des Bodenreinigungsgerätes auch Bereiche der zu reinigenden Bodenfläche unterhalb von Heizkörpern, Möbelstücken und dergleichen zu erreichen. Die von der Saugturbine angesaugte Arbeitsluft wird nach Durchströmen des Schmutzaufnahmebehälters und der Saugturbine wieder an die Umgebung abgegeben. Um zu vermeiden, daß die abgegebene Arbeitsluft Schmutz aufwirbelt, der sich beispielsweise auf Heizkörpern niedergeschlagen hat, ist es von Vorteil, wenn die Saugturbine einen in mindestens eine Luftauslaßöffnung einmündenden Auslaßkanal umfaßt, dessen Mündungsbereich schräg zur Vertikalen ausgerichtet ist. Die Abluft kann mittels des schräg zur Vertikalen ausgerichteten Mündungsbereiches mit entsprechend schräg ausgerichteter Abluftströmung abgegeben werden, so daß die Gefahr vermindert wird, daß von der Abluftströmung Schmutz erfaßt wird, der sich beispielsweise auf Heizkörpern niedergeschlagen hat, wenn das Bodenreinigungsgerät unter den Heizkörpern positioniert wird.As already explained, the floor cleaning device according to the invention is characterized by a relatively low overall height. This makes it possible to use the floor cleaning device to reach areas of the floor area to be cleaned below radiators, pieces of furniture and the like. The working air sucked in by the suction turbine is released into the environment again after flowing through the dirt receptacle and the suction turbine. In order to avoid that the emitted working air swirls up dirt, which has deposited, for example, on radiators, it is advantageous if the suction turbine comprises an outlet duct opening into at least one air outlet opening, the mouth region of which is oriented obliquely to the vertical. The exhaust air can be emitted by means of the mouth region which is oriented obliquely to the vertical with a correspondingly obliquely oriented exhaust air flow, so that the risk is reduced that dirt is caught by the exhaust air flow which has deposited, for example, on radiators when the floor cleaning device is positioned under the radiators.
Als vorteilhaft hat es sich hierbei erwiesen, wenn der Mündungsbereich des Auslaßkanales in einem Winkel von etwa 60° bis ungefähr 80° zur Vertikalen ausgerichtet ist. Um die Geräuschentwicklung des Bodenreinigungsgerätes gering zu halten, hat es sich als günstig erwiesen, wenn der Auslaßkanal das Turbinenrad in Umfangsrichtung umgibt. Dies ermöglicht es, trotz möglichst kompakt bauendem Bodenreinigungsgerät einen verhältnismäßig langen Auslaßkanal zu verwenden, wodurch die Geräuschentwicklung der Saugturbine reduziert werden kann. Der Einsatz eines langen Auslaßkanals hat außerdem eine Erhöhung der Druckdifferenz zwischen Einlaß und Auslaß der Saugturbine zur Folge, wodurch der Wirkungsgrad der Saugturbine verbessert wird.It has proven to be advantageous here if the mouth region of the outlet channel is oriented at an angle of approximately 60 ° to approximately 80 ° to the vertical. In order to keep the noise level of the floor cleaning device low, it has proven to be advantageous if the outlet duct surrounds the turbine wheel in the circumferential direction. This makes it possible to use a relatively long outlet channel despite the compact floor cleaning device, which can reduce the noise of the suction turbine. The use of a long outlet duct also results in an increase in the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the suction turbine, which improves the efficiency of the suction turbine.
Eine besonders geringe Geräuschentwicklung kann dadurch erzielt werden, daß der Auslaßkanal spiralförmig ausgebildet ist und sich in Strömungsrichtung kontinuierlich erweitert. Bei einer derartigen Ausgestaltung kann sich die Abluft kontinuierlich ausdehnen, so daß eine schlagartige Luftausdehnung mit einer entsprechenden Geräuschentwicklung vermieden wird.A particularly low level of noise can be achieved in that the outlet channel is spiral-shaped and is continuously expanded in the direction of flow. With such a configuration, the exhaust air can expand continuously, so that an abrupt expansion of air with a corresponding noise development is avoided.
Bei einer besonders bevorzugten Ausgestaltung des erfindungsgemäßen Bodenreinigungsgerätes ist vorgesehen, daß die Saugturbine einen elektrischen Außenläufermotor umfaßt mit einem an einem Tragelement gehaltenen Stator und einem um die Turbineachse drehbaren Rotor, an dem das Turbinenrad drehfest gehalten ist. Der Einsatz des Außenläufermotors ermöglicht es, den Motor auf der dem Saugkanal abgewandten Seite des Turbinenrades zu positionieren, ohne daß dies eine erhebliche Vergrößerung der Bauhöhe des Bodenreinigungsgerätes zur Folge hätte. Dies wiederum hat den Vorteil, daß der Saugkanal keine wesentlichen Querschnittsverengungen aufweist und sich somit durch einen möglichst geringen Strömungswiderstand auszeichnet. Das Bodenreinigungsgerät ist vorzugsweise selbstfahrend ausgestaltet. Es kann hierzu ein Fahrwerk aufweisen, an dem zwei elektromotorisch angetriebene Antriebsräder gelagert sind.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the invention it is provided that the suction turbine comprises an electric external rotor motor with a stator held on a support element and a rotor which can be rotated about the turbine axis and on which the turbine wheel is held in a rotationally fixed manner. The use of the external rotor motor makes it possible to position the motor on the side of the turbine wheel facing away from the suction duct, without this resulting in a considerable increase in the overall height of the floor cleaning device. This in turn has the advantage that the suction channel has no significant cross-sectional constrictions and is therefore characterized by the lowest possible flow resistance. The floor cleaning device is preferably designed to be self-propelled. For this purpose, it can have a chassis on which two drive wheels driven by an electric motor are mounted.
Die nachfolgende Beschreibung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung dient im Zusammenhang mit der Zeichnung der näheren Erläuterung. Es zeigen:The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves in conjunction with the drawing for a more detailed explanation. Show it:
Figur 1: eine schematische Schnittansicht eines Bodenreinigungsgerätes undFigure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a floor cleaning device and
Figur 2: eine Draufsicht auf das Bodenreinigungsgerät.Figure 2 is a plan view of the floor cleaning device.
In der Zeichnung ist ein insgesamt mit dem Bezugszeichen 10 belegtes selbstfahrendes Bodenreinigungsgerät dargestellt mit einem als Kunststoff-Spritzgußteil ausgebildeten Fahrwerk 12, an dem zwei Antriebsräder 13, 14 drehbar gelagert sind, die jeweils mittels eines elektrischen Antriebsmotors 15 bzw. 16 drehend antreibbar sind.In the drawing, a self-propelled floor cleaning device, designated as a whole by reference number 10, is shown with a chassis 12 designed as a plastic injection-molded part, on which two drive wheels 13, 14 are rotatably mounted, each of which can be rotatably driven by means of an electric drive motor 15 or 16.
Auf das Fahrwerk 12 kann ein Deckel aufgesetzt werden, der einen Staubschutz ausbildet und zur Erzielung einer besseren Übersichtlichkeit in den Figuren 1 und 2 nicht dargestellt ist.A cover can be placed on the undercarriage 12, which forms dust protection and is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for better clarity.
Zwischen den beiden Antriebsrädern 13, 14 bildet das Fahrwerk 12 eine im wesentlichen parallel zu einer zu reinigenden Bodenfläche 19 ausgerichtete Tragplatte 21, an die sich in Fahrtrichtung 22 des Bodenreinigungsgerätes 10 über eine Stufe 23 eine ebenfalls parallel zur Bodenfläche 19 ausgerichtete Stützplatte 24 sowie eine in Richtung auf die Bodenfläche 19 ausgerichtete Stirnwand 25 anschließen.Between the two drive wheels 13, 14, the undercarriage 12 forms a support plate 21, which is aligned essentially parallel to a floor surface 19 to be cleaned, and which is also parallel to the support plate 21 in the direction of travel 22 of the floor cleaning device 10 via a step 23 Connect the bottom surface 19 of the support plate 24 and an end wall 25 oriented in the direction of the bottom surface 19.
Im Abstand zur Tragplatte 21 ist am Fahrwerk 12 mittels an sich bekannter und deshalb in der Zeichnung nicht dargestellter Rastelemente eine Bodenplatte 26 lösbar verbindbar gehalten, an deren in Fahrtrichtung 22 vorderem Endbereich 27 Stützrollen 29 frei drehbar gelagert sind.At a distance from the support plate 21, a base plate 26 is held detachably on the chassis 12 by means of locking elements known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing, on the front end region 27 of which in the direction of travel 22 support rollers 29 are freely rotatably mounted.
Die Bodenplatte 26 trägt in ihrem vorderen Bereich eine Kehrschwelle 31, die in eine die Bodenplatte 26 durchgreifende Saugöffnung 33 eintaucht, in die ein im wesentlichen horizontal ausgerichteter Saugkanal 35 einmündet, der zwischen der Tragplatte 21, der Stufe 23 und der Stützplatte 24 einerseits und der Bodenplatte 26 andererseits verläuft. Innerhalb des Saugkanales 35 ist schräg zu dessen Längsrichtung ausgerichtet ein Schmutzfilter 37 gehalten.The bottom plate 26 carries in its front region a threshold 31 which plunges into a suction opening 33 which extends through the bottom plate 26 and into which a substantially horizontally oriented suction channel 35 opens, which between the support plate 21, the step 23 and the support plate 24 on the one hand and the Bottom plate 26 on the other hand. A dirt filter 37 is held within the suction channel 35 at an angle to its longitudinal direction.
An seinem rückwärtigen Endbereich trägt das Fahrwerk 12 einen Saugturbine 40 mit einem Turbinengehäuseoberteil 41 und einem Tur- binengehäuseunterteil 42, die zwischen sich ein Turbinenrad 44 sowie einen elektrischen Turbinenantrieb 46 aufnehmen.At its rear end region, the undercarriage 12 carries a suction turbine 40 with an upper turbine housing part 41 and a lower turbine housing part 42, which accommodate a turbine wheel 44 and an electric turbine drive 46 between them.
Der Turbinenantrieb 46 ist als Außenläufermotor ausgestaltet und umfaßt einen drehfest am Turbinengehäuseoberteil 46 gehaltenen Stator 48 sowie einen drehbar am Stator 48 gehaltenen Rotor 49 in Form einer den Stator 48 übergreifenden Haube 50, an deren dem Stator 48 zugewandter Innenseite Permanentmagnete 51 fixiert sind und an deren dem Turbinengehäuseoberteil 41 abgewandter Bodenwand das Turbinenrad 44 drehfest gehalten ist. Das Turbinenrad 44 ist mittels des Turbinenantriebes 46 zu einer Drehbewegung um eine Turbinenachse 54 antreibbar. Die Turbinenachse 54 ist schräg zur Vertikalen und somit auch schräg zur Längserstreckung des Saugkanales 35 ausgerichtet. Dem Turbinenrad 44 ist eine Lufteintrittsöffnung 56 der Saugturbine 40 zugeordnet. Die Lüfte intrittsöff- nung 56 wird von einem einstückig mit dem Turbinengehäuseunterteil 42 verbundenen Ansaugstutzen 58 ausgebildet, der eine Strömungsverbindung herstellt zwischen dem Saugkanal 35 und dem Inneren der Saugturbine 40.The turbine drive 46 is designed as an external rotor motor and comprises a stator 48 held non-rotatably on the upper part 46 of the turbine housing and a rotor 49 rotatably held on the stator 48 in the form of a hood 50 which overlaps the stator 48, on the inside of which faces the stator 48, permanent magnets 51 are fixed and on the latter the turbine wall 44 is held in a rotationally fixed manner. The turbine wheel 44 can be driven to rotate about a turbine axis 54 by means of the turbine drive 46. The turbine axis 54 is oriented obliquely to the vertical and thus also obliquely to the longitudinal extent of the suction channel 35. An air inlet opening 56 of the suction turbine 40 is assigned to the turbine wheel 44. The air inlet opening 56 is formed by an intake connection 58 which is integrally connected to the lower part 42 of the turbine housing and which establishes a flow connection between the suction duct 35 and the interior of the suction turbine 40.
Wie insbesondere aus Figur 2 deutlich wird, ist das Turbinenrad 44 in Umfangsrichtung von einem Auslaßkanal 60 umgeben, der spiralförmig ausgestaltet ist und sich in Strömungsrichtung kontinuierlich erweitert und in eine Luftaustrittsöffnung 62 einmündet, wobei der der Luftaustrittsöffnung 62 benachbarte Mündungsbereich 64 des Auslaßkanales 60 ebenfalls schräg zur Vertikalen ausgerichtet ist.As is particularly clear from FIG. 2, the turbine wheel 44 is surrounded in the circumferential direction by an outlet duct 60, which is designed in a spiral shape and widens continuously in the direction of flow and opens into an air outlet opening 62, the mouth region 64 of the outlet duct 60 adjacent to the air outlet opening 62 also being inclined is aligned to the vertical.
Mittels der Saugturbine 40 kann innerhalb des Saugkanales 35 eine durch die Pfeile 66 symbolisierte Saugströmung erzeugt werden, mit deren Hilfe von der zu reinigenden Bodenfläche 19 Schmutz über die Saugöffnung 33 in den Saugkanal 35 überführt werden kann. Der stromaufwärts des Schmutzfilters 37 angeordnete Bereich des Saugkanales 35 bildet hierbei einen Schmutzaufnahmebehälter 67.By means of the suction turbine 40, a suction flow symbolized by the arrows 66 can be generated within the suction channel 35, with the aid of which dirt can be transferred from the floor surface 19 to be cleaned via the suction opening 33 into the suction channel 35. The region of the suction channel 35 arranged upstream of the dirt filter 37 in this case forms a dirt holding container 67.
Um die Schmutzaufnahme zu verstärken, ist im Bereich der Saugöffnung 33 eine Bürstenwalze 68 mit quer zur Fahrtrichtung 22 und parallel zur Bodenfläche 19 ausgerichteter Drehachse drehbar am Fahrwerk 12 gehalten. Der Antrieb der Bürstenwalze 68 erfolgt mittels ei- nes auf der Stützplatte 24 positionierten elektrischen Bürstenantriebes 69, der über einen an sich bekannten und deshalb in der Zeichnung nicht dargestellten Antriebsriemen mit der Bürstenwalze 68 gekoppelt ist.In order to intensify the dirt absorption, a brush roller 68 is rotatably held on the chassis 12 in the area of the suction opening 33 with an axis of rotation oriented transversely to the direction of travel 22 and parallel to the floor surface 19. The brush roller 68 is driven by means of a Electrical brush drive 69 positioned on the support plate 24, which is coupled to the brush roller 68 via a drive belt known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing.
Da die Saugströmung 66 im Bereich des Saugkanales 35 sowie des schräg zur Vertikalen ausgerichteten Ansaugstutzens 58 nur geringe Strömungsverluste erleidet, kann im Bereich der Saugöffnung 33 eine starke Saugströmung erzielt werden, die in Kombination mit der Bürstenwalze 68 eine wirksame Bodenreinigung bewirkt. Durch die Saugströmung wird der von der Bürstenwalze 68 aufgewirbelte Schmutz erfaßt und in den Schmutzaufnahmebehälter 67 überführt. Die Ausrichtung der Saugturbine 40 mit schräg zur Vertikalen verlaufender Turbinenachse 54 ermöglicht hierbei den Einsatz eines verhältnismäßig großen Turbinenrades 44, wobei jedoch die Bauhöhe des Bodenreinigungsgerätes 10 gering gehalten werden kann. Since the suction flow 66 suffers only slight flow losses in the area of the suction channel 35 and of the suction nozzle 58 oriented obliquely to the vertical, a strong suction flow can be achieved in the area of the suction opening 33, which in combination with the brush roller 68 brings about effective floor cleaning. The dirt whirled up by the brush roller 68 is detected by the suction flow and transferred into the dirt holding container 67. The alignment of the suction turbine 40 with the turbine axis 54 running obliquely to the vertical enables the use of a relatively large turbine wheel 44, but the overall height of the floor cleaning device 10 can be kept low.

Claims

P A T E N T A N S P R U C H E PATENT CLAIMS
1. Bodenreinigungsgerät umfassend eine Saugturbine mit einem um eine Turbinenachse drehend antreibbaren Turbinenrad, sowie einen im wesentlichen horizontal ausgerichteten Saugkanal, über den die Saugturbine mit einer der zu reinigenden Bodenfläche zugewandten Saugöffnung in Strömungsverbindung steht, wobei der Saugkanal einen Schmutzaufnahmebehälter ausbildet und ein Schmutzfilter aufnimmt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Saugturbine (40) mit schräg zur Vertikalen ausgerichteter Turbinenachse (54) an den Saugkanal (35) angesetzt ist.1. Floor cleaning device comprising a suction turbine with a turbine wheel which can be driven to rotate about a turbine axis, and an essentially horizontally oriented suction channel, via which the suction turbine is in flow connection with a suction opening facing the floor surface to be cleaned, the suction channel forming a dirt holding container and holding a dirt filter, characterized in that the suction turbine (40) is attached to the suction channel (35) with the turbine axis (54) oriented obliquely to the vertical.
2. Bodenreinigungsgerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Turbinenachse (54) in einem Winkel von ca. 15° bis etwa 75° zur Vertikalen ausgerichtet ist.2. Floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the turbine axis (54) is oriented at an angle of approximately 15 ° to approximately 75 ° to the vertical.
3. Bodenreinigungsgerät nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Bodenreinigungsgerät (10) eine im Bereich der Saugöffnung (33) angeordnete, rotierend antreibbare Bürstenwalze (68) aufweist.3. Floor cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (10) has a rotatingly drivable brush roller (68) arranged in the region of the suction opening (33).
4. Bodenreinigungsgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Saugturbine als Axial-Radiallüfter (40) ausgebildet ist.4. Floor cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the suction turbine is designed as an axial-radial fan (40).
5. Bodenreinigungsgerät nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Saugturbine (40) einen in mindestens eine Luftauslaßöffnung (62) einmündenden Auslaß- kanal (60) umfaßt, dessen Mündungsbereich (64) schräg zur Vertikalen ausgerichtet ist.5. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction turbine (40) has an outlet opening into at least one air outlet opening (62). includes channel (60), the mouth region (64) is oriented obliquely to the vertical.
6. Bodenreinigungsgerät nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Auslaßkanal (60) das Turbinenrad (44) in Umfangsrichtung umgibt.6. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet channel (60) surrounds the turbine wheel (44) in the circumferential direction.
7. Bodenreinigungsgerät nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Auslaßkanal (60) sprialförmig ausgebildet ist und sich in Strömungsrichtung kontinuierlich erweitert.7. Floor cleaning device according to claim 6, characterized in that the outlet channel (60) is formed in a spiral shape and expands continuously in the direction of flow.
8. Bodenreinigungsgerät nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Saugturbine (40) einen elektrischen Außenläufermotor (46) umfaßt mit einem an einem Tragelement (41) gehaltenen Stator (48) und einem um die Turbinenachse (54) drehbaren Rotor (49), an dem das Turbinenrad (44) drehfest gehalten ist.8. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction turbine (40) comprises an electric external rotor motor (46) with a stator (48) held on a support element (41) and a rotor (49) rotatable about the turbine axis (54) ), on which the turbine wheel (44) is held in a rotationally fixed manner.
9. Bodenreinigungsgerät nach einem der voranstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Bodenreinigungsgerät (10) selbstfahrend ausgestaltet ist. 9. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (10) is designed to be self-propelled.
PCT/EP2002/002127 2001-03-07 2002-02-28 Floor cleaning device WO2002069774A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

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DE50213166T DE50213166D1 (en) 2001-03-07 2002-02-28 FLOOR CLEANER WITH LOW HEIGHT
EP02703606A EP1365674B1 (en) 2001-03-07 2002-02-28 Floor cleaning device of small height
US10/641,734 US20040074044A1 (en) 2001-03-07 2003-08-15 Floor cleaning appliance

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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DE10110907A DE10110907A1 (en) 2001-03-07 2001-03-07 Floor cleaning device
DE10110907.5 2001-03-07

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AT (1) ATE418902T1 (en)
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EP1365674B1 (en) 2008-12-31
DE50213166D1 (en) 2009-02-12
US20040074044A1 (en) 2004-04-22
CN1239119C (en) 2006-02-01
CN1494392A (en) 2004-05-05
EP1365674A1 (en) 2003-12-03
DE10110907A1 (en) 2002-09-19
ATE418902T1 (en) 2009-01-15

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