DE202016004878U1 - Apparatus for metering and conveying water or a water / detergent mixture for scrubber-driers - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for metering and delivering water or a water / detergent mixture to a distributor device of a scrubber-dryer, the apparatus comprising: a housing (2) comprising: - attachment means (19) for attaching the device to a scrubber-dryer; - A first cavity (9) which is open on an outer side of the housing (2); and - a water channel (31) which comprises an inlet opening (32) on an outer side of the housing (2) and opens into the first cavity (9); and - an outlet channel (14) having an outlet opening (33) open on an outside of the housing (2) for discharge of water or a water / cleaning mixture from the housing (2); and a first valve (17) which is arranged in the first cavity (9) and through which the water flow between the water channel (31) and the outlet channel (14) can be shut off, wherein (i) in the event that the device (1 ) is configured to convey water as a cleaning agent to a distributor device of a scrubber-dryer, the first cavity (9) opens into the outlet channel (14), or (ii) in the case where the device (1) for mixing and conveying a water / Detergent mixture is configured to a distributor device of a scrubber-dryer, the device (1) additionally comprises: a detergent channel (34) integrated in the housing (2) with an inlet opening (35) for a detergent supply open on an outside of the housing (2); and a mixing chamber (13) arranged in the housing (2), the first cavity (9) opening into a connecting channel (15) integrated in the housing (2), which is connected to the mixing chamber (13), the mixing chamber (13) the output channel (14) opens and the detergent channel (34) from the input port (35) leads to the mixing chamber (13), characterized in that the device (1) in a second cavity (20) of the housing (2) arranged pump ( 22), wherein the water channel (31) leads from the inlet opening (32) to the second cavity (20) and from the second cavity (20) to the first cavity (9).

Description

The invention relates to a device for metering and conveying water or a water / detergent mixture to a distributor device of a scrubber-drier according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Today's scrubber-driers are used for wet cleaning of hard floors. The machines have one or more scrubbing brushes, which scrub the adhering dirt on the floor by adding water or water and cleaning agents. During the movement of the machine over the dirt, the soiled by the brushes and therefore solubilized by water, or water and cleaning agents soiling are sucked with a lying in the direction of travel behind the scrubbing brushes squeegee.

• – einen Anschluss für die Wasserzufuhr vom Frischwassertank;
• – einen Anschluss für die Zufuhr von Reinigungsmittel aus einem in der Scheuersaugmaschine angeordneten Reinigungsmittelbehälter;
• – einen Anschluss für den Austritt des Wassers bzw. Wasser-Reinigungsmittel-Gemisches an eine Verteilervorrichtung zu Abgabe an die Bürsten;
• – eine Wasserpumpe;
• – ein Magnetventil zur Unterbrechung der Wasserzufuhr an die Verteilervorrichtung;
• – ein Magnetventil zur Unterbrechung der Zufuhr des Reinigungsmittels;
• – ein Durchflussmesser; und
• – diverse Schläuche oder Rohrleitungen und Kupplungen zur Verbindung der oben genannten Komponenten.

In such automatic scrubber usually so-called water batteries are installed, which essentially comprise the following components:

• - a connection for the water supply from the fresh water tank;
• A connection for the supply of cleaning agent from a detergent container arranged in the scrubber-dryer;
• A connection for the discharge of the water or water-cleaning agent mixture to a distributor device for delivery to the brushes;
• - a water pump;
• A solenoid valve for interrupting the supply of water to the distributor device;
• - A solenoid valve for interrupting the supply of the cleaning agent;
• - a flowmeter; and
• - Various hoses or piping and couplings to connect the above components.

The task of such water batteries is to supply the water or the mixture of water and detergent from the fresh water tank to the brushes or cleaning pads of the machine. The water pump is controlled by the machine electronics and allows a variation of the flow. The flow meter measures the amount of water that flows through the hoses or pipes and sends a signal to the detergent pump not belonging to the water battery. The metering pump pumps the set amount of detergent into the water battery and mixes them with the water. The solenoid valves are switched on and off by the machine electronics and open and interrupt the water supply or the detergent supply.

In addition, scrubber-driers are also commercially available which have no automatic mixing of the water / detergent mixture. It is also possible that no dosing system is installed and the brushes are supplied only with water. For other machine types, a premixed, dissolved chemicals containing water / detergent mixture can be filled into the tank. In the machine types described above, therefore, the water battery is simpler and does not include all of the above-mentioned components.

The installation of such water batteries designed as very time consuming and is therefore associated with high costs. The individual components must be manually connected to various connections and hoses and the connections must be provided manually with sealant (sealing tape or sealing paste). For assembly, a precise workflow must be adhered to. The assembly process is error-prone and can lead to leaks, among other things. It is difficult for the service technician on site to replace defective components or to remove the entire water battery. Furthermore, the space requirement of such water batteries is large.

From the document US-A 2013/111693 KRONDORFER ET AL. a device is known, which has a storage tank with a first tank for receiving a first liquid, for. As water and a second tank for receiving a cleaning agent, wherein the first and second tank form a unit. Also arranged in the storage tank is a mixing chamber, which is arranged in the bottom of the storage tank and is connected to the first and second tanks via two channels. Further, the mixing chamber is in fluid communication with the manifold nozzles via an outlet port with an outlet valve. A valve unit disposed in the storage tank allows the user to adjust the amount of detergent supplied from the second tank into the mixing chamber. The distributor with the distributor nozzles may comprise a pump, a valve and channels, so that detergent can be pumped from the storage tank to the distributor nozzles. The interchangeability of this known device as a modular unit is directed to a use of different detergents and the associated tank configuration (one tank or two integrated tanks with mixing chamber).

A disadvantage of this known device is that the pump and the valve for flow control is arranged on a arranged on the machine distributor device for the additions of the cleaning agent to the brush, ie that the most maintenance-intensive components, which basically greater wear subject and must therefore be serviced more often and replaced in case of failure, are not arranged on a device designed as an exchangeable modular unit but on the cleaning machine itself and fixed.

The invention aims to remedy this situation. The invention has for its object to provide a device for metering and delivery of water or a water / detergent mixture to a distributor device of a scrubber, such that frequently occurring maintenance, especially in case of failure of a component quickly and efficiently executed and longer interruptions in maintenance can be avoided.

The invention achieves the stated object with a device for metering and conveying water or a water / cleaning agent mixture to a distributor device of a scrubber-drier, which has the features of patent claim 1.

• – durch die im Gehäuse integrierten Kanäle die aufwendige Montage und Verbindung der einzelnen Komponenten enftällt;
• – die gesamte Baugruppe einfacher, schneller und somit kostengünstiger vormontiert werden kann;
• – die Anzahl der Komponenten verringert wird und somit eine Kosteneinsparung erzielt werden kann;
• – die Vorrichtung kann als modulare Einheit an unterschiedlichen Scheuersaugmaschinen montiert werden kann und somit universell einsetzbar ist. Die Vorrichtung kann im Wesentlichen an jeden Frischwassertank und Reinigungsmitteltank angeschlossen werden und der Wasserausgang kann im Wesentlichen mit jedem Bürstengehäuse via Adapter verbunden werden;
• – die Vorrichtung sehr kompakt ausgeführt ist und die Grösse auf ein Minimum beschränkt werden kann;
• – bestehende Scheuersaugmaschinen einfach nachgerüstet werden können;
• – durch die deutliche Vereinfachung der Montage das Risiko von Montagefehlern (wie z. B. Undichtheiten der einzelnen Komponenten) deutlich reduziert wird; und
• – im Rahmen der Maschinenwartung und bei Serviceeinsätzen kann der Techniker die integrierte Wasserbatterie mit wenigen Handgriffen von der Maschine abkoppeln kann. Die Servicezeiten und die damit verbundenen Kosten werden reduziert, und die Maschine deutlich wartungsfreundlicher, wodurch ein Mehrwert für den Kunden entsteht.

The advantages achieved by the invention are essentially to be seen in the fact that thanks to the device according to the invention:

• - By the integrated channels in the housing the complex assembly and connection of the individual components enftällt;
• - The entire assembly easier, faster and thus can be preassembled cheaper;
• - The number of components is reduced and thus a cost savings can be achieved;
• - The device can be mounted as a modular unit on different scrubber driers and thus can be used universally. The device may be connected substantially to any fresh water tank and detergent tank, and the water outlet may be substantially connected to each brush housing via an adapter;
• - The device is designed very compact and the size can be kept to a minimum;
• - Existing scrubber dryers can be easily retrofitted;
• - the risk of assembly errors (such as leaks in the individual components) is significantly reduced by significantly simplifying assembly; and
• - As part of the machine maintenance and service operations, the technician can disconnect the integrated water battery from the machine with a few simple steps. The service times and the associated costs are reduced, and the machine is much more maintenance-friendly, creating added value for the customer.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be commented on as follows:
In a special embodiment, the device comprises a water filter arranged in a third cavity of the housing, wherein the water channel first opens into the third cavity and subsequently leads from the third cavity to the second cavity. Thus, the advantage is achieved that can be avoided by the integrated water filter clogging of the pump and the valves.

In another embodiment, the housing is in one piece. As a result, it can be achieved that all channel sections between the individual components (eg pump, valves, water filter) can be formed as integral elements of the housing, so that the assembly of the entire device is considerably simplified. The connections between the channel sections and the individual components are eliminated.

In a further embodiment, the housing is designed as a plastic component, preferably as an injection molded part. The housing can thus be produced inexpensively and efficiently.

In a further embodiment, the water channel, the exit channel and the detergent channel are integrated in the housing, so that the device forms a modular unit.

In yet another embodiment, the housing additionally comprises a fourth cavity, which is open on one outer side of the housing, and a second valve, which is arranged in the fourth cavity, wherein the detergent channel opens into the fourth cavity and then leads from the fourth cavity to the mixing chamber ,

In another embodiment, the device comprises a flow meter arranged in a fifth cavity of the housing, wherein the water channel leads from the second cavity to the fifth cavity and subsequently leads from the fifth cavity to the first cavity.

In another embodiment, the water channel and the output channel comprise outside of the housing arranged connection elements for connection to external pipe or hose lines.

Preferably, the detergent channel comprises an external connection element arranged on the housing for connection to an external pipe or hose line.

In yet another embodiment, the connection elements are integral with the housing.

In a further embodiment, the housing is made of a thermoplastic, preferably of polyethylene (PE), a polyamide (PA) or acetal copolymer, wherein the thermoplastic is preferably fiber-reinforced.

In a further embodiment, the first and second valves are solenoid valves.

In a further embodiment, the pump has a flow in a range between 0.2 liters / minute and 10 liters / minute.

In yet another embodiment, the water filter is designed as a sieve filter, preferably as a steel sieve with a mesh size between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.

In another embodiment, the flow meter comprises a calibrated impeller.

The invention and further developments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the partially schematic representations of an embodiment.

Show it:

1 a perspective view of the housing of an embodiment of the inventive device; and

2 a perspective view of the in 1 illustrated embodiment of the inventive device.

In the 1 and 2 an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown by way of non-limiting example 1 for dosing and conveying one in a mixing chamber 13 the device 1 mixed water / detergent mixture to a distributor device of a scrubber-drier. Such distributor devices on scrubber-driers usually comprise nozzles, which are arranged on a brush housing and through which the brushes of a scrubber-drier are sprayed with the water / detergent mixture. The device 1 essentially comprises a housing 2 with a water channel 31 for a water supply, a detergent channel 34 for a detergent supply, a mixing chamber 13 and an output channel 14 for the exit of the water / cleaning mixture. In the flow direction of the water one after the other in the housing 2 arranged are a water filter 27 , a pump 22 , a flow meter 23 and a first valve 17 by means of which the water flow between the water channel 31 and the mixing chamber 13 and thus also with respect to the output channel 14 can be locked. Furthermore, the device comprises 1 one in the case 2 arranged second valve 18 by which the cleaning agent flow between the inlet opening 35 for the detergent supply and the mixing chamber 13 can be locked. In other embodiments, the device may 1 also without water filter 27 be educated.

In alternative embodiments, the device may also be designed without detergent feed, so that water or a premixed water / detergent mixture is dispensed as a cleaning agent to a distributor device of a scrubber-drier. In this case, the detergent channel fall 34 , the mixing chamber 13 , the second valve 18 to shut off the detergent flow and the flow meter 23 path.

The housing 2 is integrally formed and has a front 3 , a back 4 , a top 5 , a bottom 6 , a first lateral end 7 and a second lateral end 8th , Furthermore, on the housing 2 fastener 19 arranged for attachment of the device to a scrubber, which are exemplified as three eyelets for performing screws. For holding the water filter 27 , the pump 22 , the flow meter 23 and the valves 17 . 18 includes the housing 2 a first cavity 9 in which the first valve 17 is arranged, a second cavity 20 in which the pump 22 is arranged, a third cavity 26 in which the water filter 27 is arranged, a fourth cavity 10 in which the second valve 18 is arranged, and a fifth cavity 21 in which the flow meter 23 is arranged. Here are the first, second, fourth and fifth cavity 9 . 20 . 10 . 21 each at the front 3 open, leaving the first valve 17 , the pump 22 , the second valve 18 and the flow meter 23 from the front 3 in the respective cavity 9 . 20 . 10 . 21 can be inserted and mounted. The third cavity 26 is in a detached section 30 of the housing 2 arranged and on the first lateral side 7 open, leaving the water filter 27 can be inserted and mounted from there. The first and second valve 17 . 18 are exemplified as solenoid valves.

The water flow takes place from the inlet opening 32 the water channel 31 through a first channel section 24 in the third cavity 26 in which the water filter 27 is arranged, then through a second channel section 28 from the third cavity 26 with the water filter 27 to the second cavity 20 arranged pump 22 , then through a third channel section 25 from the second cavity 20 with the pump 22 to the fifth cavity 21 arranged flow meter 23 through a fourth channel section 11 from the fifth cavity 21 with the flow meter 23 to that in the first cavity 9 arranged first valve 17 and last through the connection channel 15 from the first cavity 9 with the first valve 17 to the mixing chamber 13 ,

The cleaning agent flow takes place from the inlet opening 35 of the detergent channel 34 through an opening-side channel section 12 in the fourth cavity 10 to which the second valve 18 is arranged, and thereafter by a mixing chamber side channel section 16 from the fourth cavity 10 with the second valve 18 to the mixing chamber 13 ,

Between the first cavity 9 with the first valve 17 and second cavity 10 with the second valve 18 is the mixing chamber 13 arranged, as described above, the first cavity 9 by means of the connection channel 15 and the second cavity 10 by means of a mixing chamber side channel section 16 of the detergent channel 34 with the mixing chamber 13 are connected.

The output channel 14 serves for the exit of the in the mixing chamber 13 mixed water / cleaning mixture from the housing 2 , where the output channel 14 from the mixing chamber 13 to the exit opening 33 leads.

The water channel 31 includes at the rear 29 of the remote section 30 opposite the first lateral side 7 a connecting piece, while the detergent channel 34 and the output channel 14 at the second lateral end 8th of the housing 2 each include a connection piece.

The water channel 31 , the detergent channel 34 and the output channel 14 are in the case 2 integrated, so that the device 1 forms a modular unit. The first to fifth cavities 9 . 20 . 26 . 10 . 21 are formed and dimensioned such that between first to fourth channel sections 24 . 28 . 25 . 11 the water channel 31 , the connection channel 15 and the opening and mixing chamber side channel sections 12 . 16 of the detergent channel 34 on the one hand and the water filter on the other 27 , the pump 22 , the flow meter 23 and the first and second valves 17 . 18 On the other hand, no connection or coupling elements are necessary.

The housing 2 is made as an injection molded part of a plastic, preferably a thermoplastic, wherein the connecting piece for the water channel 31 , the output channel 14 and the detergent channel 34 with the housing 2 are integrally formed. Particularly suitable are chemically resistant thermoplastics such as polyethylene (PE), polyamides (PA) or acetal copolymer, which may ever be optionally fiber-reinforced.

The pump 22 is controlled by the machine electronics of the scrubber-drier and allows a variation of the flow. The flow meter 23 measures the amount of water flowing through the water channel 31 flows and gives a signal to a not to the device 1 counting dosing pump (not shown) for the detergent. The dosing pump pumps the set amount of cleaning agent through the detergent channel 34 into the mixing chamber 13 and mix this with the water. The valves 17 . 18 are switched on and off by the machine electronics and open or interrupt the water supply or the detergent supply. In addition to a dosing pump comprising a detergent dosing (not shown) may be arranged on the scrubber a container (not shown) for a detergent for adding detergent to the water, so that on the device 1 and a dispenser device disposed on the scrubber-drier dispensing a water / detergent mixture to the brushes.

The pump 22 is for example and not limiting as a centrifugal pump and provides a flow between 0.2 liter / minute and 10 liters / minute. Suitable water filters 27 are sieve filters with integrated water stop, preferably steel sieves are used with a mesh size of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. As a flow meter 23 calibrated impellers can be used.

Alternatively, for scrubber-driers having no automatic mixing of the water / detergent mixture, a premixed water / detergent mixture containing dissolved chemicals may be charged to the tank, or water is used as a detergent without cleaning addition. Such an alternative embodiment of the device 1 Therefore, as described above, essentially comprises only one water filter 27 , a pump 22 , a first valve 17 , Preferably solenoid valve, which in a manner analogous to the embodiment described above in a first, second and third cavity 9 . 20 . 26 of the housing 2 are arranged. The housing 2 also includes a water channel 31 and an output channel 14 and may also each include a connection piece. In addition, in an analogous manner to the embodiment according to the 1 and 2 the first channel section 24 the water channel 31 between the inlet 32 and the third cavity 26 with the water filter 27 and the second channel section 28 the water channel 31 between the third cavity 26 with the water filter 27 and the second cavity 20 with the pump 22 be arranged while the third channel section 25 the water channel 31 from the second cavity 20 with the pump 22 to the first cavity 9 with the first valve 17 extends and the first cavity 9 in the output channel 14 empties.

While various embodiments of the present invention are described above, it should be understood that the various features may be used both individually and in any combination. This invention is therefore not limited to the above-mentioned, particularly preferred embodiments.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2013/111693 A [0007]

Claims (15)

Contraption ( 1 ) for metering and delivering water or a water / detergent mixture to a distributor device of a scrubber-dryer, the device comprising: a housing ( 2 ) comprising: - fixing means ( 19 ) for attaching the device to a scrubber-drier; A first cavity ( 9 ), which on an outside of the housing ( 2 ) is open; and - a water channel ( 31 ), which has an entrance opening ( 32 ) on an outside of the housing ( 2 ) and into the first cavity ( 9 ) opens; and an output channel ( 14 ) with one on an outside of the housing ( 2 ) open output port ( 33 ) for a discharge of water or a water / cleaning mixture from the housing ( 2 ); and a first valve ( 17 ), which in the first cavity ( 9 ) and through which the water flow between the water channel ( 31 ) and the output channel ( 14 ) (i) in the event that the device ( 1 ) is configured to convey water as a cleaning agent to a distributor device of a scrubber-dryer, the first cavity ( 9 ) in the output channel ( 14 ) or (ii) in the event that the device ( 1 ) is configured for mixing and conveying a water / detergent mixture to a distributor device of a scrubber-dryer, the device ( 1 ) additionally comprises: one in the housing ( 2 ) integrated detergent channel ( 34 ) with one on an outside of the housing ( 2 ) open entrance opening ( 35 ) for a detergent supply; and one in the housing ( 2 ) arranged mixing chamber ( 13 ), wherein the first cavity ( 9 ) in a housing ( 2 ) integrated connection channel ( 15 ), which communicates with the mixing chamber ( 13 ), the mixing chamber ( 13 ) in the output channel ( 14 ) and the detergent channel ( 34 ) from the entrance opening ( 35 ) to the mixing chamber ( 13 ), characterized in that the device ( 1 ) one in a second cavity ( 20 ) of the housing ( 2 ) arranged pump ( 22 ), whereby the water channel ( 31 ) from the entrance opening ( 32 ) to the second cavity ( 20 ) and from the second cavity ( 20 ) to the first cavity ( 9 ) leads. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) one in a third cavity ( 26 ) of the housing ( 2 ) arranged water filter ( 27 ), whereby the water channel ( 31 ) first into the third cavity ( 26 ) and then from the third cavity ( 26 ) to the second cavity ( 20 ) leads. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing ( 2 ) is integral. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing ( 2 ) is formed as a plastic component, preferably as an injection molded part. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the water channel ( 31 ), the output channel ( 14 ) and the detergent channel ( 34 ) in the housing ( 2 ) are integrated so that the device ( 1 ) forms a modular unit. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing ( 2 ) additionally comprises: a fourth cavity ( 10 ), which on an outside of the housing ( 2 ) is open; and a second valve ( 18 ), which in the fourth cavity ( 10 ), wherein the detergent channel ( 34 ) in the fourth cavity ( 10 ) and then from the fourth cavity ( 10 ) to the mixing chamber ( 13 ) leads. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) one in a fifth cavity ( 21 ) of the housing ( 2 ) arranged flow meter ( 23 ), whereby the water channel ( 31 ) from the second cavity ( 20 ) to the fifth cavity ( 21 ) and then from the fifth cavity ( 21 ) to the first cavity ( 9 ) leads. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the water channel ( 31 ) and the output channel ( 14 ) outside the case ( 2 ) arranged connection elements for connection to external pipe or hose lines. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the detergent channel ( 34 ) on the outside of the housing ( 2 ) arranged connecting element for connection to external pipe or hose lines. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the connection elements with the housing ( 2 ) are integral. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the housing ( 2 ) is made of a thermoplastic, preferably of polyethylene (PE), a polyamide (PA) or acetal copolymer, wherein the thermoplastic is preferably fiber-reinforced. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first and second valves ( 17 . 18 ) Solenoid valves are. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the pump ( 22 ) has a flow in a range between 0.2 liters / minute and 10 liters / minute. Device according to one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the water filter ( 27 ) is designed as a sieve filter, preferably as a steel sieve with a mesh size between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. Device according to one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the flow meter ( 23 ) comprises a calibrated impeller.

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