FLOOR TREATMENT FACILITY

The invention relates to a floor treatment facility. In particular the invention relates to a facility for treatment of a floor by means a pneumatic vacuum.

A robot vacuum cleaner is designed to travel over a floor and to clean said floor by means of a suction mechanism. The suction mechanism comprises a suction mouth that lies in the region of the floor and into which the air laden with dirt can enter. In this situation a distance between the suction mouth and the floor usually only amounts to a few millimeters. Should the suction mouth be raised too far from the floor then the air flow can be disrupted in such a way that dirt particles in the area concerned cannot reliably be removed from the floor.

The suction mouth can be lifted away from the floor when said floor comprises a larger uneven part, such a step or a threshold. Some robot vacuum cleaners therefore have difficulties for example in reliably cleaning a transition between a parquet floor and a carpet lying on top of it or an area at a door threshold.

It has been proposed that a flexible seal be attached in the region of the suction mouth, in the form of a sealing lip for example, in order to ensure a desired flow of air into the suction mouth. Such a seal can however be subjected to frequent or intensive contact with the floor, so that it can rapidly wear out. Moreover the seal can push dirt particles over the floor, so that the cleaning result can be adversely affected. Normal seals can also only compensate for small vertical heights, so that their effect can frequently not be convincing.

US 2012/0 096 656 A1 describes a blade arrangement for an autonomous cleaning facility. DE 37 32 483 A1 discloses a mouth section for a vacuum cleaner. Known from DE 10 2010 000 577 A1 is a brush device, especially for a vacuum cleaner. JP 2015-000 210 A describes a vacuum cleaner with a suction inlet. KR 10 2014 008 2218 A discusses a holder facility for an air intake of a robot cleaner

An object underlying the present invention consists of specifying an improved treatment facility for a floor. One aspect of the invention achieves the object by means of the subject matter of the independent claim. Dependent claims reflect preferred forms of embodiment.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention a floor treatment facility is disclosed, which comprises: a chassis; a running gear for guiding the chassis over a floor; a treatment facility for treating the floor; a guide for applying the treatment facility movably along a predefined path in relation to the chassis, wherein the path extends in a vertical direction in relation to the floor.

According to a subordinate aspect a floor treatment facility comprises a chassis; a running gear for guiding the chassis over a floor; a treatment facility for treating the floor and a guide for applying at least one end of the treatment facility close to the floor along a predefined path in relation to the chassis. In this case the path extends in a vertical direction in relation to the floor.

If the chassis is moved over an uneven floor, it can be ensured by the guide that a predefined distance of the treatment facility from the floor is maintained. Should the chassis be moved upwards for example, so that the distance threatens to become too large, then the treatment facility can be moved downwards in relation to the chassis. Conversely, should the chassis be moved in such a way that the distance threatens to become too small, then the treatment facility can be moved upwards in relation to the chassis. Overall a minimum and maximum vertical distance of the treatment facility from the floor can be maintained in an improved manner.

It is preferred that the path encloses a predefined angle with a plane parallel to the floor when the floor treatment facility is standing on a level floor. By suitable selection of the angle a mechanical resistance that is to be overcome in order to move the treatment facility in a vertical direction as a result of a horizontal movement of the floor treatment facility can be varied. In this way a predefined movement behavior of the treatment facility can be achieved by choosing an appropriate angle.

The floor treatment facility can be configured to travel in a predefined direction of travel over the floor. In this case the path can be inclined against the direction of travel. To determine the inclination it can be assumed that the floor treatment facility is standing on a level floor. The inclination enables the treatment facility to be deflected in relation to the chassis in a direction that runs against the direction of travel and runs from the floor upwards. Expressed in another way, the treatment facility is able, while the floor treatment facility is moving in a predefined direction of travel over a floor, to move in a direction that runs upwards and backwards. In particular this enables a movement of the treatment facility upwards in relation to the chassis to be established more easily from the horizontal movement of the floor treatment facility. In particular when the facility encounters a fixed obstacle on the floor, for example a threshold or a step, then the treatment facility can be kept closer to the floor in an improved manner.

It is further preferred for the said angle to amount to a maximum of around 45°. The smaller the angle is, the more easily a vertical movement of the treatment facility can be brought about from the horizontal movement of the floor treatment facility. However the angle should be greater than around 20° in order to make possible a sufficient vertical movement of the treatment facility. The said angle is to be understood under the peripheral conditions given above when the floor treatment facility is standing on a level floor.

The treatment facility can be supported by means of a support element in relation to the floor.

The support element can especially comprise a wheel, a roller or a slide element. The support element can be held on the floor in an improved manner by the path-controlled guidance of the treatment facility, even when the floor treatment facility is traveling over an uneven part of the floor.

The treatment facility can essentially be held on the floor by the force of its weight. To establish a predefined system behavior the treatment facility can have a mass element added to it in order to increase its weight force.

In a further variant an elastic element is provided in order to press the treatment facility against the floor in relation to the chassis. The elastic element can especially comprise a spring, a rubber or a plastic element. Optionally a damping element is provided. In this way a pressure force of the treatment facility on the floor can be controlled in an improved manner. By suitable choice of a force-distance characteristic of the elastic element the pressure behavior over the route of the treatment facility along the path can be suitably chosen. In this case a non-linear force curve along the path is also possible.

In a first variant the guide comprises a linear guide and the path runs straight. The linear guide can be realized for example by means of a slot nut guided in a straight slot, by means of a linear roller bearing or by means of a linear friction bearing. The linear guide enables a space for the treatment facility to be moved in the floor treatment facility to be reduced or shaped more advantageously, so that the floor treatment facility can be constructed in a more compact way.

In a second variant the guide comprises a swing arm, wherein the path follows the arc of a circle. To this end a pulled arm or a pushed arm can be used. An axis of rotation of the swing arm preferably runs horizontally and at right angles to a direction of travel, when the floor treatment facility is moving over the floor. By means of the swing arm the treatment facility can be precisely guided in an improved way. In particular when the treatment facility is long along the axis of rotation of the swing arm, its ends can be guided such that they are coupled to one another in an improved manner by means of the swing arm.

In a third variant the path runs along a general curve, wherein the guide is realized in particular by means of a slot nut guided in a slot. The path can for example follow a section of a spiral, an involute or a sigmoid function. To this end the guide can especially be embodied as a guide rail.

In a further variant the treatment facility comprises a rotating brush. The rotating brush can rotate about an axis of rotation, which runs horizontally and preferably at right angles to a direction of travel when the floor treatment facility is traveling in the direction of travel over the floor. An autonomous floor treatment machine that comprises such a treatment facility can also be referred to as a robot sweeper. A rotating brush rotating about a vertical axis of rotation is likewise possible. In further variants the treatment facility can also comprise a cutting mechanism, wherein the floor treatment machine can be referred to as an automatic lawn mower, or a washing facility, wherein the floor treatment machine can be referred to as a robot washer.

It is especially preferred that the treatment facility comprises a suction mouth. The suction mouth can be part of a suction facility, which is configured to draw in air in the region between the treatment facility and the floor. An autonomous floor treatment machine that comprises such a treatment facility can also be referred to as a suction robot. Further preferably the suction mouth is attached movably in relation to the chassis, while further elements of the treatment facility can also be attached immovably to the chassis. It is generally preferred for the floor treatment facility to comprise a household appliance, i.e. to be configured for use within a household. Depending on the variant, an inner area or an outer area of the household can be treated in such cases.

The floor treatment facility can be configured to travel in a predefined direction of travel over the floor, wherein the running gear comprises a first wheel on a first axle and a second wheel on a second axle. The axles and the treatment facility can be attached to the treatment facility spaced apart from one another in the direction of travel. Thus, in the direction of travel, the treatment facility can be ahead of both wheels, be located between the two axles or be behind both axles. The arrangement of the treatment facility in relation to the axles can determine the way in which the treatment facility is guided along the path when the floor treatment facility travels over a step, a threshold or an uneven part of the floor. For increasing lateral stability, a number of wheels can also be attached to an axle.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a floor treatment machine comprises a floor treatment facility described herein. The floor treatment machine can especially be configured for autonomous treatment of a floor in a household and be embodied for example as a robot vacuum cleaner or sweeping robot.

According to another further aspect of the present invention a vacuum cleaner comprises a floor treatment facility described herein. The vacuum cleaner can be realized conventionally as a device with a cable or as a cordless device and is configured for treatment of a floor in a household by a person.

The invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the enclosed figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows floor treatment facility;

FIG. 2 shows a floor treatment facility when negotiating an obstacle; and

FIG. 3 shows a floor treatment facility in a further variant.

FIG. 1 shows a floor treatment facility 100, which is configured to treat a floor 105. To this end the floor treatment facility 100 comprises a treatment facility 110, which in the present example is configured to clean the floor 105 by means of a pneumatic vacuum. The floor treatment facility 100 shown in FIG. 1 is for example a suction robot, in particular a robot vacuum cleaner. In other variants however other floor treatment machines can also be realized on the basis of the floor treatment facility 100, of which the treatment facilities 110 can be configured to act on the floor 105 in a different way. In particular the floor treatment facility 100 can also be part of a conventional vacuum cleaner or of a cordless vacuum. The cordless vacuum can be equipped with different fittings and/or accessories and can also be referred to as a Multi-Use Handstick (MUH).

The floor treatment facility 100 comprises a chassis 115, which can also be referred to as its subframe, which can comprise a floor plate or a housing of the floor treatment facility 100. The floor treatment facility 100 further comprises running gear 120, which establishes a connection between the chassis 115 and the floor 105. In the present example the running gear 120 comprises a first wheel 125 and at least one second wheel 130. In relation to an assumed direction of travel 135 of the floor treatment facility 100 over the floor 105, the wheels 125, 130 or their axles are offset longitudinally. The first wheel 125 is not steered in the present example and can for example comprise a trailing wheel or a shaft and usually has a small diameter in the region of around 15 millimeters. In a further variant the first wheel 125 can also be replaced by a sliding element.

The second wheel 130 is embodied as a drive wheel for example. Usually a number of second wheels 130 are attached to the floor treatment facility 100 offset to the side and connected to individually controllable motors. Axles of the second wheels 130 can be flush with one another. Through suitable activation of the motors the wheels 125, 130 can each be made to rotate at different speeds in order to accelerate, brake, steer or turn the floor treatment facility 100. A diameter of the second wheels 130 can lie in the region of around 70 millimeters.

Usually the floor treatment facility 100, above and beyond the elements shown, also has a control facility for controlling a movement of the floor treatment facility 100 over the floor 105 and/or a function of the treatment facility 110. An energy store and proximity sensors can also be provided. These and further possible elements are not shown in FIG. 1.

The treatment facility 110 is embodied in the present example as a suction facility, of which only a section close to the floor 105 is shown, which can be referred to as the suction mouth 140. In addition the suction facility usually comprises a fan, a dirt container und a filter, which are not shown in FIG. 1. The suction facility is configured to bring about a flow of air 145 through the suction mouth 140, so that air is drawn in from the area between the suction mouth 140 und the floor 105. In this case particles of dirt can be picked up from the floor 105. The air can be directed into the dirt container. Air emerging from the dirt container can be filtered in order to keep the dirt in the container.

The suction mouth 140 can be sealed with regard to the floor 105 on a preferably circumferential curve by means of a sealing element, for example by means a rubber lip, a brush strip or a strip of felt. Preferably the sealing element, on a hard, level subbase, has a predefined permeability for a horizontal airflow. The sealing element can be complete or can have one or more interruptions. In one form of embodiment the sealing element can be adjusted vertically in relation to the chassis 115. The sealing element can be adjusted between different predefined heights, for example between a first, in which it is configured to rest on the floor 105, and a second, in which it is raised upwards, so that the suction mouth 140 can rest directly on the floor 105 or be guided over the floor 105 by means of another element. In a further form of embodiment a corresponding sealing element can be attached to the chassis 115.

It is proposed to apply the suction mouth 140 by means of a guide 150 along a predefined path 155 movably in relation to the chassis 115. If the path 155 runs straight, this can be termed a linear guide. The guide 150 can for example be designed as a curtain guide with a slot nut accommodated in a slot. The guide 150 can also be designed telescopically for example or a sleeve can run along the path 155 on a rail.

For movable and airtight connection of the suction mouth 140 to the chassis 115 or the dirt container a bellows 160 can be provided. The suction mouth 140, by virtue of the force of its weight, or by means an elastic element 165, can be pressed against the floor 105 along the path 155. Preferably the suction mouth is supported by means a support element 170 in relation to the floor 105. The support element 170 can for example comprise a wheel, a roller or a shaft. A diameter of a rotatable support element can be around 5 millimeters. In a further variant the support element 170 can also be arranged non-rotatably and be configured to slide over the floor 105. In the preferred variant shown a rotating brush 175, which can be rotated about a horizontal axis, is additionally attached to the suction mouth 140. Particles of dirt in the region of the floor 105 can be dislodged by means of the rotating brush 175, in order to be transported away with the flow of air 145.

In the variant shown the path 155 runs straight for example. The guide 150 can be configured to move the suction mouth 140 from the position of floor treatment facility 100 shown on a level floor 105 in a direction along the path 155. This mobility can allow the suction mouth 140 to be kept on the floor 105 when the floor treatment facility 100 is traveling over an uneven surface. As regards the direction of travel 135, the path 155 runs backwards and upwards, so that it encloses an angle 180 with the floor 105 or with a plane parallel thereto. There can also be provision for a movement in the opposite direction, for which the path 155 can be correspondingly lengthened. The angle 180 is usually selected as fixed and preferably amounts to greater than around 20° and further preferably to less than around 45°.

The angle 180 preferably lies in a longitudinal plane of the floor treatment facility and can also assume larger values in other variants. In one variant the path 155 can be at right angles on the floor 105, so that the angle 180 is a right angle and amounts to 90°. In yet another variant the angle 180 indicated can also be greater than 90°, so that the path 155 is inclined forwards in the longitudinal plane of the floor treatment facility 100. In this case the angle 180 should be less than around 160°.

FIG. 2 shows a floor treatment facility 100 when it is negotiating an obstacle 205. Phases of the negotiation following on from one another are shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. Purely by way of example it assumed that the obstacle 205 is present as a threshold and must be climbed over by the floor treatment facility 100. In another variant for example a step can be comprised, which the floor treatment facility 100 must go down. Further possible obstacles 205 comprise a trench, which can be interpreted as a combination of a step and a threshold, or a general unevenness in the floor. For the observations made here it is assumed that the first wheel 125 lies at the front with regard to the direction of travel 135, is followed by the support element 170 and that this is followed by the second wheel 130. Size and distance relationships in FIG. 2 are to be considered as being by way of example.

If the floor treatment facility 100 is traveling over a level floor 105, then the image shown in FIG. 1 is produced. The obstacle 205 is first negotiated by the first wheel 125, so that the constellation shown in FIG. 2A is produced. The guide 150 has allowed a downwards movement of the suction mouth 140 in relation to the chassis 115, so that the suction mouth 140 protrudes further downwards than in FIG. 1 from the floor treatment facility 100. The support element 170 is still located before the obstacle 205 and the suction mouth 140 is guided at a height above the floor that ensures that said floor can be cleaned by the flow of air 145.

If the floor treatment facility 100 travels further along the direction of travel 135, the support element 170 is displaced at the obstacle 205 along the path 155, so that it protrudes less far from the underside of the floor treatment facility 100 than it does in FIG. 1.

This situation is shown in FIG. 2B. A distance between the suction mouth 140 and the floor 105 here has become so large that particles of dirt can no longer be picked up from the floor 105. The air not directly entering the suction mouth 140 from close to the floor is referred to as wrong air, ancillary air or false air. The raising of the suction mouth 140 is unavoidable in order to lift it over the obstacle 205. The mouth is lifted from a section of the floor 105 that has already been cleaned, so that the result of the cleaning is not adversely affected at this point.

As soon as the support element 170 has negotiated the obstacle 205 the suction mouth 140 can again be brought to its working distance in relation to the floor 105 after surmounting the obstacle 205. This situation is shown in FIG. 2C. It can be seen that the suction mouth 140 is almost flush with the floor 105, so that said floor can be cleaned as intended. Advantageously the floor 105 can be treated on both sides up to the obstacle 205, so that a strip of dirt cannot form at the obstacle 205. In the constellation shown the suction mouth 140 is pressed by the guide 150 on the path 155 further into the underside of the floor treatment facility 100 than it is in the position shown in FIG. 1. After the second wheel 130 has negotiated the obstacle 205, the constellation shown in FIG. 1 can once again be produced.

FIG. 3 shows a floor treatment facility 100 in a further variant. By contrast with the variant shown in FIG. 1 the guide 150 is embodied here not as a linear guide but as a swing arm 305. The suction mouth 140 is attached, optional pivotably, to one end of an arm 305, of which the other end is supported on an axis of rotation 310 that runs transversely to the direction of travel 135. The path 155 along which the suction mouth 140 is able to be moved in relation to the chassis 115 follows the arc of a circle in this case. In the position shown, on a level floor 105, the angle 180 can correspond to that arc of the path 155 in the form of embodiment shown in FIG. 1, as is indicated by a dashed line, which forms a tangent to the arc 155 and corresponds to the path 155 from FIG. 1. If the axis of rotation 310 in relation to the direction of travel 135 lies as shown before the suction mouth 140, this is referred to as a pulled swing arm 305; if the axis of rotation 310 lies after the suction mouth 140, a pushed swing arm 305 is involved. The elastic element 165 in this form of embodiment can be embodied as a spiral spring instead of the cylindrical spring shown in FIG. 1.

In general different variants and aspects of a floor treatment facility are described. In particular, according to a variant A, a floor treatment facility is disclosed that comprises: a chassis; a running gear for guiding the chassis over a floor; a treatment facility for treating the floor; a guide for applying the treatment facility movably along a predefined path in relation to the chassis, wherein the path extends in a vertical direction in relation to the floor.

In variant B the floor treatment facility according to variant A can be embodied in such a way that the path encloses a predefined angle with a plane parallel to the floor when the floor treatment facility is standing on a level floor.

In variant C the floor treatment facility according to variant B can be configured to travel over the floor in a predefined direction of travel, wherein the path can be inclined against the direction of travel.

In variant D, with the floor treatment facility according to one of the variants B or C, the angle can amount to a maximum of around 45°.

In variant E, with the floor treatment facility according to one of the preceding variants, the treatment facility can be supported in relation to the floor by means a support element.

In variant F the floor treatment facility according to one of the preceding variants can further comprise an elastic element for pressing the treatment facility onto the floor in relation to the chassis on the floor.

In variant G, with the floor treatment facility according to one of the preceding variants, the guide can comprise a linear guide and the path can run straight.

In variant H, with the floor treatment facility according to one of the variants A to G, the guide can comprise a swing arm and the path can follow the arc of a circle.

In variant I the floor treatment facility according to one of the preceding variants can comprise a rotating brush.

In variant J the floor treatment facility according to one of the preceding variants can comprise a suction mouth.

In variant K the floor treatment facility according to one of the preceding variants can be configured to travel in a predefined direction of travel (135) over the floor (105), wherein the running gear (120) comprises a first (125) and a second wheel (130) and the wheels (125, 130) and the treatment facility (110) are attached spaced apart from one another on the chassis (115) along the direction of travel (135).

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

- 100 Floor treatment facility
- 105 Floor
- 110 Treatment facility
- 115 Chassis/subframe
- 120 Running gear
- 125 First wheel
- 130 Second wheel
- 135 Direction of travel
- 140 Suction mouth
- 145 Flow of air
- 150 Guide
- 155 Path
- 160 Bellows
- 165 Elastic element
- 170 Support element
- 175 Rotating brush
- 180 Angle
- 205 Obstacle (threshold)
- 305 Swing arm
- 310 Axis of rotation

FLOOR TREATMENT FACILITY

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