DE102022111605A1 - Method for operating a floor cleaning machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for operating a floor cleaning machine (1) is shown and described, wherein the floor cleaning machine (1) has a cleaning liquid container (17), a dirty liquid container (33) and a chassis (5) for moving the floor cleaning machine (1) over a floor surface to be cleaned ( 7), wherein the floor cleaning machine (1) has a cleaning device (9) with cleaning elements (11) which are designed to engage with the floor surface (7) to be cleaned, the method having the following steps: - Moving the floor cleaning machine (1 ) over a floor surface (7) to be cleaned, - while moving, detecting the amount of cleaning liquid that is supplied to the cleaning device (11) from the cleaning liquid tank (17) within a first time interval, - while moving, detecting the amount of dirty liquid within a second time interval from the dirty liquid receiving device (47) to the dirty liquid container (33), - comparing the detected amount of cleaning liquid with a first threshold value, - comparing the detected amount of dirty liquid with a second threshold value, - outputting a first error signal, if the detected amount of cleaning liquid is greater than the first threshold value and the detected amount of dirty liquid is smaller than the second threshold value.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for operating a floor cleaning machine, wherein the floor cleaning machine has a cleaning liquid container, a dirty liquid container and a chassis for moving the floor cleaning machine over a floor surface to be cleaned. In addition, the floor cleaning machine has a cleaning device with cleaning elements which are designed to engage with the floor surface to be cleaned, as well as a dirty liquid receiving device which is connected and designed to remove dirty liquid from the dirty liquid receiving device to the dirty liquid container and dirty liquid from the floor surface to be cleaned to record. The present invention also relates to a floor cleaning machine which is designed to carry out such a method.

Such floor cleaning machines are known from the prior art. During operation of such machines, cleaning liquid such as fresh water from the cleaning liquid container is applied to the floor surface to be cleaned by means of the cleaning device, the cleaning elements engaging with the floor surface in order to remove dirt from it in cooperation with the cleaning liquid. With the help of the dirty liquid receiving device, which can be designed, for example, as a suction cup, the previously applied cleaning liquid, which is contaminated with dirt after the cleaning elements engage with the floor surface, so that it is dirty liquid, is picked up again and placed in the dirty liquid container.

Such so-called scrubber dryers can be designed as hand-held or ride-on machines. It is also possible for such machines to be designed as autonomously driving so-called cleaning robots, so that no operator directly monitors the operation.

However, the following problems may occur when operating such machines.

If cleaning liquid is applied to the floor surface to be cleaned, but the dirty liquid receiving device does not work reliably, cleaning liquid laden with dirt, i.e. dirty liquid, remains on the floor surface to be cleaned. On the one hand, this represents a safety risk, as there is then an increased risk of slipping on the floor surface. On the other hand, the desired cleaning result is not achieved.

In addition, such floor cleaning machines often have a suction device such as a suction turbine that is driven by an electric motor. This creates an air flow from the dirty liquid receiving device, which can then be designed, for example, as a suction cup, to the dirty liquid container, with dirty liquid being carried along by this air flow in the receiving device and conveyed into the dirty liquid container. If the motor current of the electric motor drops while the voltage remains the same, this can usually have two causes. First of all, it is possible that the connection between the dirty liquid receiving device and the dirty liquid container is blocked, so that there is no longer any air flow from the dirty liquid receiving device into the dirty liquid container, which means that the suction device has to pump less air, so that the motor current is reduced. So there is an error.

Alternatively, however, there can also be so much liquid in the dirty liquid receiving device that ambient air is prevented from entering the device, which also prevents an air flow from occurring. However, this is not an error case, but rather this state is ended when the liquid in the receiving device has been drawn off into the dirty liquid container due to the negative pressure. However, the two cases described above cannot be distinguished from the measurement of the motor current alone. In particular, it is not possible to determine based on this whether there is an error or not.

Based on the prior art, the present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method for operating a floor cleaning machine and such a machine with which errors can be reliably detected during operation.

• - Bewegen der Bodenreinigungsmaschine über eine zu reinigende Bodenfläche,
• - während des Bewegens Erfassen der Menge von Reinigungsflüssigkeit, die innerhalb eines ersten Zeitintervalls der Reinigungseinrichtung aus dem Reinigungsflüssigkeitstank zugeführt wird,
• - während des Bewegens Erfassen der Menge von Schmutzflüssigkeit, die innerhalb eines zweiten Zeitintervalls von der Schmutzflüssigkeitsaufnahmeeinrichtung hin zu dem Schmutzflüssigkeitstank abgeführt wird,
• - Vergleichen der erfassten Menge von Reinigungsflüssigkeit mit einem ersten Schwellwert,
• - Vergleichen der erfassten Menge von Schmutzflüssigkeit mit einem zweiten Schwellwert,
• - Ausgeben eines ersten Fehlersignals, wenn die erfasste Menge von Reinigungsflüssigkeit größer als der erste Schwellwert und die erfasste Menge von Schmutzflüssigkeit kleiner als der zweite Schwellwert ist.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a method for operating a floor cleaning machine, wherein the floor cleaning machine has a cleaning liquid container, a dirty liquid container and a chassis for moving the floor cleaning machine over a floor surface to be cleaned, the floor cleaning machine having a cleaning device with cleaning elements, which are designed to engage with the floor surface to be cleaned, the cleaning device being connected to the cleaning supply liquid container for supplying cleaning liquid to the cleaning device is connected and designed to apply cleaning liquid to the floor surface to be cleaned, the floor cleaning machine having a dirty liquid receiving device which is connected to the dirty liquid container for discharging dirty liquid from the dirty liquid receiving device to the dirty liquid container and is designed to remove dirty liquid from the to to be cleaned, the method comprising the following steps:

• - moving the floor cleaning machine over a floor surface to be cleaned,
• - during movement, detecting the amount of cleaning liquid that is supplied to the cleaning device from the cleaning liquid tank within a first time interval,
• - during the movement, detecting the amount of dirty liquid that is removed from the dirty liquid receiving device to the dirty liquid tank within a second time interval,
• - Comparing the recorded amount of cleaning liquid with a first threshold value,
• - Comparing the recorded amount of dirty liquid with a second threshold value,
• - Outputting a first error signal if the detected amount of cleaning liquid is greater than the first threshold value and the detected amount of dirty liquid is smaller than the second threshold value.

In the method according to the invention, during operation, i.e. while the machine is moving over a floor surface to be cleaned, it is recorded, on the one hand, whether cleaning liquid is applied to the floor surface to be cleaned using the cleaning device. This is done in such a way that, with the help of a suitably designed device, the amount of cleaning liquid applied is recorded in a first time interval and compared with a threshold value. The threshold value can be chosen to be very low or equal to zero. However, the comparison with a threshold value other than zero ensures that low measured values of the device do not automatically lead to the result that cleaning fluid is actually applied to the floor surface via the cleaning device.

Furthermore, the amount of dirty liquid that is removed from the dirty liquid receiving device during a second time interval and placed into the dirty liquid container is recorded using a further device.

The first and second time intervals can be congruent, i.e. the detection can take place at the same time, or the second time interval can be later than the first time interval in order to take into account that cleaning liquid that is applied to the floor surface to be cleaned only comes from the dirty liquid receiving device at a different time can be resumed.

The recorded amount of dirty liquid absorbed is compared with a second threshold value, which can also be chosen to be very low or equal to zero. But here too, the threshold comparison ensures that the artifacts already described do not occur.

Finally, in the method according to the invention, an error signal is output if, on the one hand, the amount of cleaning liquid dispensed recorded during the first time interval is above the threshold value and the amount of dirty liquid discharged recorded during the second time interval is below the threshold value. It is thus detected that the dirty liquid receiving device is not working reliably.

This is either displayed to a user based on the error signal, or the error signal is used to switch off a possibly existing drive of the floor cleaning machine, via which the chassis is driven and moved over the floor surface to be cleaned.

The method according to the invention is particularly advantageous when used together with an autonomously driving floor cleaning machine, since a user cannot immediately detect that dirty liquid remains on the floor surface to be cleaned, and the user can then actively stop the cleaning journey. In contrast to the prior art, a malfunction of the dirty liquid receiving device is reliably detected during operation.

In a preferred embodiment, the floor cleaning machine has a suction device which applies negative pressure to the dirty liquid tank and which has an electric drive motor which is supplied with a voltage of a predetermined strength during operation, so that a supply current flows through the drive motor, the strength of the supply current is detected in a third time interval, the detected strength of the supply current being compared with a third threshold value, wherein the detected amount of dirty liquid is compared with a fourth threshold and a second error signal is output if the detected strength of the supply current is less than the third threshold and the detected amount of dirty liquid is smaller than the fourth threshold.

In this preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, in addition to the motor current of the suction device, it is also recorded whether dirty liquid is brought into the dirty liquid container. Only if the latter is not the case is the second error signal output. Because then there is obviously a malfunction that is due to a blockage in the line between the dirty liquid receiving device and the dirty liquid container.

However, if dirty liquid is still conveyed into the dirty liquid container when the motor current is too low, the condition for the second error signal is not met, since there is obviously no malfunction, but rather the dirty liquid itself causes only a small or even no air flow to be conveyed by the suction device must be adjusted, which also leads to a reduction in the motor current.

In this preferred embodiment, not only the motor current of the suction device is used alone to detect a malfunction, but this is done in combination with the detection of the amount of dirty liquid conveyed into the dirty liquid container.

At this point it should be noted that it is an independently inventive concept to record both the motor current of the suction device and the amount of dirty liquid put into the dirty liquid container in a time interval and then to output an error signal when both the amount of dirty liquid delivered and the motor current is below a predetermined threshold.

In particular, the floor cleaning machine can have a device that is designed to detect the amount of cleaning liquid that is supplied to the cleaning device from the cleaning liquid tank within a first time interval, as well as a device that is designed to detect the amount of dirty liquid that is within a Second time interval is discharged from the dirty liquid receiving device to the dirty liquid tank. In addition, a device can preferably also be provided which is designed to detect the strength of the supply current in a third time interval.

In a further preferred embodiment, the cleaning liquid container and the cleaning device are connected by a cleaning liquid line for supplying cleaning liquid, a flow sensor being provided in the cleaning liquid line as a device for detecting the amount of cleaning liquid that is supplied in the first time interval. Using an in-line flow sensor is a reliable way to detect the amount of cleaning fluid in question.

As an alternative to the flow sensor or in addition to this, it is also possible for a cleaning liquid pump to be provided in the cleaning liquid line, which is designed to detect the amount of cleaning liquid in the first time interval that is supplied to the cleaning device, so that the pump acts as a device for detecting the Amount of cleaning liquid acts, which is supplied to the cleaning device from the cleaning liquid tank within a first time interval. In this case, there is no need to provide another sensor in addition to the pump. If a sensor is also provided, a redundant system is provided that remains functional even if one of the two devices for recording the flow rate fails.

In a further preferred embodiment, a first device for detecting the level in the cleaning liquid container is provided, wherein by detecting a change in the level in the cleaning liquid container in the first time interval by the first device, the amount of cleaning liquid that is supplied in the first time interval is detected. In this case, the amount of cleaning liquid supplied to the cleaning device is determined by a change in the level in the cleaning liquid container. This can be easily implemented in terms of device technology. In particular, this can be realized in that the first device for detecting the level in the cleaning liquid container has a float, the change in its position being detected in the first time interval in order to thereby detect the amount of cleaning liquid that is supplied in the first time interval.

Furthermore, it is preferred if a second device for detecting the level in the dirty liquid container is provided, wherein by detecting a change in the level in the dirty liquid container in the second time interval by the second device, the amount of cleaning liquid that is supplied in the first time interval is detected. Thus, in this preferred embodiment, the amount of dirty liquid discharged into the dirty liquid container is also determined a change in the level therein. In this case, it is particularly preferred if the second device for detecting the level in the dirty liquid container is designed as a pressure sensor.

Finally, in a further aspect of the present invention, the above object is achieved by a floor cleaning machine which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention as described above.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Bodenreinigungsmaschine zeigt.

The present invention is described below with reference to a drawing, which merely represents a preferred exemplary embodiment, where:

• 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine according to the invention.

1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 according to the invention, which is designed to carry out an embodiment of a method according to the invention for operating such a machine.

How 1 As can be seen, the floor cleaning machine 1 has a chassis 5 comprising several wheels 3, with which the floor cleaning machine 1 can be moved over a floor surface 7 to be cleaned. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the floor cleaning machine 1 has a drive 8, not shown, with which the rear wheels 3 of the chassis 5 are driven, so that the floor cleaning machine 1 can move automatically over the floor surface 7 to be cleaned. In addition, the floor cleaning machine 1 shown here is designed as a so-called robot, ie it can move autonomously over the floor surface 7 to be cleaned without being guided by a user and automatically detects obstacles and determines its course based on this.

However, the present invention is not limited to such robots, but can be used in any type of floor cleaning machine 1, i.e. H. also with so-called ride-on machines or machines where the user walks behind the machine.

How next? 1 As can be seen, the floor cleaning machine 1 has a cleaning device 9, which comprises a cleaning element 11, designed here as a rotating brush, which engages with the floor surface 7 to be cleaned during operation. The cleaning device 9 is also designed in such a way that the cleaning element 11 can be raised relative to the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, so that the cleaning element 11 then does not engage with the floor surface 7 to be cleaned.

How further in 1 can be seen, the cleaning device 9 has an outlet 13, which is connected via a cleaning liquid line 15 to a cleaning liquid container 17, which is accommodated in a housing 19 of the floor cleaning machine 1. A flow sensor 21 is provided in the cleaning liquid line 15, which forms a device with which the amount of cleaning liquid flowing through the cleaning liquid line 15 in a time interval and which is supplied to the cleaning device 9 can be detected.

In addition, a pump 23 is provided in the cleaning liquid line, which is designed to convey cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid container 17 to the outlet 13 and thus to the cleaning device 9. The pump 23 can preferably be designed in such a way that it also records the amount of cleaning liquid conveyed from the cleaning liquid container 17 to the outlet 13 in a time interval. This can be the case in addition to flow sensor 21 or as an alternative thereto. If both the pump 23 and the flow sensor 21 can record the quantity delivered per time interval, a redundant system is achieved.

In addition or in addition to the flow sensor 21 and the pump 23, a first device can be provided in the liquid container 17, which is designed to detect the height of the level 25 of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid container 17. This device has a guide element 27 which extends essentially in the vertical direction in the cleaning liquid container 17 when the floor cleaning machine 1 is arranged on a horizontally extending floor surface 7 to be cleaned. A float 29 is guided on the guide element 27 and its position can be detected. Based on the change in the position of the float 29 of this float device 27, 29 within a time interval, the amount of cleaning liquid that has been supplied to the cleaning device 9 during this time interval can then also be determined.

Finally, as an alternative to the flow sensor 21, the pump 23 or the float device 27, 29 or in addition to this, a first pressure sensor 31 can be provided in the bottom area of the cleaning liquid tank 17, the signal of which is a measure of the gravity pressure of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid container 17. This makes it possible to use this first pressure sensor 31 to determine the cleaning device at a time interval To determine or record the cleaning liquid supplied to device 9.

Next is in 1 It can be seen that the floor cleaning machine 1 in the housing 19 also has a dirty liquid container 33, the upper region of which is connected to the inlet of a suction device 35, which is driven by an electric motor 37, which in a preferred embodiment is a so-called suction turbine in which the electric motor 37 rotates a fan wheel. The suction device is designed to apply a negative pressure to the dirty liquid container 33 relative to the environment of the floor cleaning machine 1. Finally, the electric motor 37 is designed or provided with a corresponding device so that a signal can be generated which is a measure of the current drawn by the electric motor 37. A signal can therefore be generated that reflects the amount of motor current that the electric motor 37 absorbs in a time interval.

Furthermore, in 1 It can be seen that a second and a third pressure sensor 39, 41 are provided in the dirty liquid container 33. The second pressure sensor 39 is designed to detect the gravity pressure of the dirty liquid in the bottom area of the dirty liquid container 33 and to generate a corresponding signal. The third pressure sensor detects the pressure above the level 43 of the dirty liquid in the dirty liquid container 33, since this pressure is reduced compared to the ambient pressure due to the suction device 35. The level 43 in the dirty liquid container 33 can then be determined in a manner known per se from the signals from the second and third pressure sensors 39, 41. In addition, the change in the level 43 and thus the amount of dirty liquid supplied to the dirty liquid container 33 in a time interval can also be determined.

It should be noted at this point that the present invention is not limited to the fact that the level 43 in the dirty liquid container 33 and thus the amount of dirty liquid supplied in a time interval is determined by means of pressure sensors.

Alternative solutions are also conceivable here, such as the use of a float.

How next? 1 As can be seen, the upper region of the dirty liquid container 33 is connected via a dirty liquid line 45 to a dirty liquid receiving device 47, which in the preferred exemplary embodiment shown here is designed as a so-called suction cup. The suction cup has a front sealing lip 49, which has slots extending away from it in the area in which it rests on the floor surface 7 to be cleaned, and a rear sealing lip 51, which is not slotted. The sealing lips 49, 51 and the suction base extend essentially across the width of the floor cleaning machine 1, and the area between the sealing lips 49, 51 is connected to the dirty liquid container 33 via the dirty liquid line 45 and is therefore subjected to a negative pressure when the suction device 35 is in operation. This negative pressure ensures that dirty liquid located on the floor surface 7 to be cleaned is sucked into the dirty liquid container 33.

If the dirty liquid line 45 is clogged or if the space between the sealing lips 49, 51 of the dirty liquid suction device 47 is completely filled with dirty liquid so that no ambient air can penetrate into this gap, the suction device 35 only has to deliver a small amount of air in order to reduce the negative pressure in the dirty liquid container 33 to maintain. This means that in these situations the motor current of the electric motor 37, which drives the suction device 35, is reduced compared to normal operation.

Finally, it can be seen that the floor cleaning machine 1 has a control 53, which is connected via lines to the electric motor 37, the float device 27, 29, the pump 23, the flow sensor 21, the drive 7 and the pressure sensors 31, 39, 41, so that the previously mentioned components can transmit their signals to the controller 53.

This signal connection makes it possible for the flow sensor 21, the pump 23, the float device 27, 29 and the first pressure sensor 31 to each transmit a signal to the controller 53, which is a measure of the amount of cleaning liquid in a first time interval is fed from the cleaning liquid container 17 to the outlet 13 and thus to the cleaning device 9. Similarly, the second pressure sensor 39 and the third pressure sensor 41 can also transmit a signal to the controller 53, which is a measure of the amount of dirty liquid that is picked up by the dirty liquid receiving device 47 in a second time interval and discharged into the dirty liquid container 33.

The previously described exemplary embodiment of a floor cleaning machine 1 can be operated in the manner described below.

The floor cleaning machine 1 is moved over the floor surface 7 to be cleaned using the chassis 5 and the drive 8, in which case this occurs automatically and the controller 53 also uses sensors (not shown) to determine a route along which the floor cleaning machine 1 moves the floor surface 7 to be cleaned cleans. In this case, cleaning liquid is continuously supplied from the cleaning liquid container 17 through the cleaning liquid line 15 into the area of the cleaning device 9 using the pump 23. With the help of the driven cleaning element 11, dirt is then removed from the floor surface to be cleaned, while the floor cleaning machine 1 is in 1 Seen further to the right, so that the cleaning liquid loaded with dirt and thus the dirty liquid then reaches the area of the dirt receiving device 47. Parallel to the supply of cleaning liquid, the suction device 35 with the electric motor 37 connected to it is also in operation, so that a negative pressure is generated in the dirty liquid container 33. Due to this negative pressure, dirty liquid that gets into the area of the dirty liquid receiving device 47 and thus between the sealing lips 49, 51 is sucked out through the dirty liquid line 45 and discharged into the dirty liquid container 33, provided that the dirty liquid line 45 is not blocked or the dirt receiving device 47 is otherwise malfunctioning .

While the floor cleaning machine 1 is moving over the floor surface 7 and the application of cleaning liquid and the removal of dirty liquid, the following steps are always carried out repeatedly.

During a first time interval, the amount of cleaning liquid applied to the floor surface 7 to be cleaned is recorded using the flow sensor 21. As an alternative to the flow sensor 21, this can also be done using the pump 23, using the float device 27, 29 or the first pressure sensor 31 in the manner already described. This quantity is recorded during the first time interval on the basis of the signal transmitted to the controller 53. The signal from the flow sensor 21, the pump 23, the float device 27, 29 and/or the first pressure sensor 31 can be integrated in the controller 53 during the first time interval, so that the integrated signal then becomes a measure of the during the first time interval Floor surface 7 to be cleaned is cleaning liquid applied.

Analogously, the amount of dirty liquid that is discharged into the dirty liquid container 33 during this second time interval is recorded using the second and third pressure sensors 39, 41 and the signals generated by them during a second time interval. In this case too, this quantity can be determined by integrating the respective signals. In particular, the signal of the third pressure sensor 41 is subtracted from that of the second pressure sensor 39 in order to take into account the effect of the negative pressure prevailing above the level 43 in the dirty liquid container 33.

The first time interval and the second time interval are preferably offset from one another in time in such a way that the second time interval starts slightly later than the first time interval. However, it is also possible for the time intervals to run in parallel. However, if the first alternative is used, this takes into account that due to the movement of the floor cleaning machine 1, there must always be a certain period of time between the application of a certain amount of cleaning liquid and the removal of exactly this amount.

Finally, during the second time interval, the signal of the motor current of the electric motor 37 of the suction device 35 is also recorded, and this can also be done by integrating the current signal in the controller 53.

If the signal that reflects the amount of cleaning liquid applied is greater than a first threshold value, this indicates that cleaning liquid is actually being applied to the floor surface 7 to be cleaned. If the amount of dirty liquid removed during the second time interval falls below a second threshold value, a sufficient amount of dirty liquid is not removed, although cleaning liquid is applied. So if the amount of cleaning liquid applied during the first time interval exceeds the first threshold value and during the test the amount of dirty liquid removed during the second time interval falls below the second threshold value, there is a malfunction and the controller outputs a first error signal . Such a malfunction can be caused, for example, by the fact that the sealing lips 49, 51 of the dirty liquid receiving device 47 designed as a suction base are worn, so that sufficient negative pressure is not generated in the suction foot, or that the dirty liquid line 45 between the dirty liquid receiving device 47 and the dirty liquid container 33 is torn or leaking is. The error signal can be used, for example, to stop the drive 8 so that the floor cleaning machine 1 stops. This prevents larger areas of the floor surface to be cleaned from being cleaned supply liquid is applied, but the dirty liquid is not drained away again. In addition, the first error signal can be used to switch off the pump 23.

It is also checked whether the amount of dirty liquid removed during the second time interval or the signal generated based on it falls below a third threshold value. If at the same time the motor current of the electric motor 37 or the signal based on it falls below a fourth threshold value, this indicates that either the dirty liquid line 45 or the dirty liquid receiving device 47 are clogged, so that no dirty liquid can get into the dirty liquid container 33. This is also a malfunction, and in this case the controller 53 generates a second error signal, which in turn can be used to stop the drive 8 and/or the pump 23.

However, if the motor current signal falls below the fourth threshold value, but at the same time the signal for the amount of dirty liquid removed during the second time interval is above the third threshold value, this indicates that the dirty liquid receiving device 47 is completely filled with dirty liquid, so that there is no air flow through the dirty liquid line 45 can be done. In this case, the low motor current is not associated with a malfunction, and no error signal is generated by the controller 53.

The exemplary embodiment of the operating method according to the invention for the floor cleaning machine 1 therefore enables malfunctions in which dirty liquid would remain on the floor surface 7 to be cleaned to be reliably detected. In addition, the parallel detection of the motor current and the amount of dirty liquid discharged also makes it possible that the signal of the motor current of the electric motor 37 can also be used to determine errors.

List of reference symbols:

1

Floor cleaning machine

3

wheel

5

landing gear

7

floor surface to be cleaned

8th

drive

9

Cleaning facility

11

Cleaning element

13

outlet

15

Cleaning fluid line

17

Cleaning fluid container

19

Housing

21

Flow sensor

23

pump

25

Cleaning fluid level

27

Leadership element

29

swimmer

31

first pressure sensor

33

Dirty liquid container

35

Suction device

37

Electric motor

39

second pressure sensor

41

third pressure sensor

43

Dirty liquid level

45

Dirty fluid line

47

Dirty liquid collection device

49

front sealing lip

51

rear sealing lip

53

steering

Claims (13)

Method for operating a floor cleaning machine (1), wherein the floor cleaning machine (1) has a cleaning liquid container (17), a dirty liquid container (33) and a chassis (5) for moving the floor cleaning machine (1) over a floor surface (7) to be cleaned, wherein the floor cleaning machine (1) has a cleaning device (9) with cleaning elements (11) which are designed to engage with the floor surface (7) to be cleaned, the cleaning device (11) having the cleaning liquid container (17) for supplying cleaning liquid to the cleaning device (11) is connected and designed to apply cleaning liquid to the floor surface (7) to be cleaned, the floor cleaning machine (1) having a dirty liquid receiving device (47) which is used to remove dirty liquid from the dirty liquid receiving device (47) to the dirty liquid container (33). this is connected and designed to absorb dirty liquid from the floor surface (7) to be cleaned, the method having the following steps: - Moving the floor cleaning machine (1) over a floor surface (7) to be cleaned, - while moving, detecting the amount of cleaning liquid that is supplied to the cleaning device (11) from the cleaning liquid tank (17) within a first time interval, - while moving, detecting the amount of dirty liquid that is within a second time interval from the dirty liquid receiving device (47) to the dirty liquid container (33), - comparing the detected amount of cleaning liquid with a first threshold value, - comparing the detected amount of dirty liquid with a second threshold value, - outputting a first error signal if the detected amount of cleaning liquid is greater than the first threshold value and the detected amount of dirty liquid is smaller than the second threshold value. Procedure according to Claim 1 , wherein the floor cleaning machine (1) has a suction device (35) which applies negative pressure to the dirty liquid container (33) and which has an electric drive motor (37) which is supplied with a voltage of a predetermined strength during operation, so that a supply current flows through flows through the drive motor (37), the strength of the supply current being detected in a third time interval, the detected strength of the supply current being compared with a third threshold value, the detected amount of dirty liquid being compared with a fourth threshold value, and a second error signal being output if the detected strength of the supply current is smaller than the third threshold value and the detected amount of dirty liquid is smaller than the fourth threshold value. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the floor cleaning machine (1) has a device which is designed to detect the amount of cleaning liquid that is supplied to the cleaning device (11) from the cleaning liquid tank (17) within a first time interval, and wherein the floor cleaning machine (1) has a device which is designed to detect the amount of dirty liquid that is discharged from the dirty liquid receiving device (47) to the dirty liquid container (33) within a second time interval. Procedure according to Claim 2 or 3 , wherein the floor cleaning machine (1) has a device which is designed to detect the strength of the supply current in a third time interval. Method according to one or more of the Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the chassis (5) of the floor cleaning machine (1) has a drive (8) which is designed to drive the chassis in order to move the floor cleaning machine (1) over the floor surface (7) to be cleaned and wherein the drive (8) is switched off when the first or second error signal is present. Method according to one or more of the Claims 1 until 5 , wherein the floor cleaning machine (1) is designed as an autonomously driving floor cleaning machine (1). Method according to one or more of the Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the cleaning liquid container (17) and the cleaning device (9) are connected by a cleaning liquid line (15) for supplying cleaning liquid and wherein a flow sensor (21) is provided in the cleaning liquid line (15) as a device for detecting the amount of cleaning liquid is supplied in the first time interval. Method according to one or more of the Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the cleaning liquid container (17) and the cleaning device (11) are connected by a cleaning liquid line (15) for supplying cleaning liquid and wherein a cleaning liquid pump (23) is provided in the cleaning liquid line (15), which is designed to control the amount of cleaning liquid in to detect the first time interval that is supplied to the cleaning device (11), so that the pump (23) acts as a device for detecting the amount of cleaning liquid that is supplied to the cleaning device (11) from the cleaning liquid container (17) within a first time interval. Method according to one or more of the Claims 1 until 8th , wherein a first device (27, 29) is provided for detecting the level (25) in the cleaning liquid container and wherein the amount of cleaning liquid is detected by the first device by detecting a change in the level (25) in the cleaning liquid container (17) in the first time interval , which is supplied in the first time interval. Procedure according to Claim 9 , wherein the first device (27, 29) for detecting the level (25) in the cleaning liquid container (17) has a float (29), the change in its position being detected in the first time interval in order to thereby detect the amount of cleaning liquid, which is supplied in the first time interval. Method according to one or more of the Claims 1 until 10 , wherein a second device for detecting the level (43) in the dirty liquid container (33) is provided and by detecting a change in the level (43) in the dirty liquid container (33) in the second time interval by the second device, the amount of cleaning liquid is detected is supplied in the first time interval. Procedure according to Claim 11 , wherein the second device for detecting the level (43) in the dirty liquid container is designed as a pressure sensor (39, 41). Floor cleaning machine, which is designed to use the method according to one or more of the Claims 1 until 12 to carry out.

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