DRYING DEVICE FOR DRYING A WIPER COVER OF A CLEANING DEVICE, CLEANING STATION, AND CLEANING SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH A DRYING DEVICE

[0001] This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2023/071543, filed on Aug. 3, 2023, and claims benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2022 124 759.7, filed on Sep. 27, 2022. The International Application was published in German on Apr. 4, 2024 as WO 2024/068105 A1 under PCT Article 21(2).

[0002] The invention relates to a moisture removing apparatus for removing moisture from a wiper cover on a carrier plate of a cleaning device and to a cleaning station and a cleaning system with such a moisture removing system.

[0003] A moisture removing apparatus is known from EP 3 620 096 A1. EP 3 620 096 A1 relates to a cleaning system comprising a cleaning device and a bucket with a cleaning and moisture removing apparatus for the cleaning device. The cleaning device is a flat mop with a carrier plate, a wiper cover pulled over it, and a handle connected to the carrier plate via a cardan joint. The cleaning and moisture removing apparatus is configured as separate units. The moisture removing apparatus is mounted on the bucket and has a wringing gap in which a wiper is pivotably mounted. For wringing, the flat mop with the cleaning cover is rotated into a vertical position parallel to the handle and inserted into the wringing gap with the narrow side first. Thereby the pivotably mounted scraper is pressed downwards into the horizontal wringing position by the wiper cover and narrows the wringing gap. The wiper cover is thereby guided along the scraper in the gap and the moisture is removed by scraping off the moisture. When pulling it back out of the gap, the scraper is guided upwards by the wiper cover and pivots into a position above the wringing position, widening the wringing gap. This facilitates the pulling out of the flat mop and prevents the bucket from being pulled upwards and lifting off. When the flat mop is inserted again, the scraper is pressed downward towards the wringing position. Alternatively, according to the patent document, an elastic element is provided which rotates the scraper into the wringing position.

[0004] The disadvantage of the known moisture removing apparatus is that it requires an additional element, which results in logistical effort and additional costs. In addition, such an element is subject to manufacturing fluctuations during production, which means that the properties have to be monitored at great expense.

[0005] In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a moisture removing apparatus for removing moisture from a wiper cover on a carrier plate of a cleaning device, comprising a wringing gap into which the carrier plate with the wiper cover is insertable and at least one pivotably mounted scraper in the wringing gap configured to scrape off the moisture from the wiper cover. The at least one scraper is configured to be pivoted back and forth between a wringing position narrowing the wringing gap and a position widening the wringing gap. The moisture removing apparatus further comprises means for automatically returning the at least one scraper to the wringing position after deflection into a position widening the wringing gap, wherein the means comprise at least one lever arm that engages on the at least one scraper and exerts a restoring torque on the at least one scraper driven by gravitational force.

[0013] An embodiment of the present disclosure further develops a moisture removing apparatus in such a way that it can be manufactured simply and inexpensively and at the same time ensures that the scraper returns reliably to the wringing position narrowing the wringing gap after the carrier plate with the wiper cover has been pulled out, without the need for an elastic element. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a cleaning station and a cleaning system with such a moisture removing apparatus.

[0014] According to an embodiment, in a moisture removing apparatus for removing moisture from a wiper cover on a carrier plate of a cleaning device, which comprises a wringing gap into which the carrier plate with the wiper cover is insertable, and at least one pivotably mounted scraper in the wringing gap for scraping off the moisture from the wiper cover, wherein the at least one scraper is pivotable between a wringing position that narrows the wringing gap and a position that widens the wringing gap, and means are provided that automatically return the at least one scraper to the wringing position after the deflection to a position that widens the wringing gap, wherein the means comprise at least one lever arm which engages with the at least one scraper and exerts a restoring torque on the scraper driven by gravitational force.

[0015] Surprisingly, it has been shown that a lever arm acting on the scraper can exert a torque on the scraper with its own weight alone that is large enough to reliably return the scraper to the wringing position with a narrowed gap after the cleaning device is pulled out of the wringing gap.

[0016] This is particularly also the case if the carrier plate with the wiper cover is moved downwards again after an upward movement, without leaving the wringing gap. In this case as well, the scraper should rotate from the upper position that widens the wringing gap back to the narrowing wringing position. However, at the moment of direction reversal, the raised scraper is in a position in which the light contact of the wiper cover on the scraper has an opening effect. Since it is desirable that the friction between the wiper cover and the scraper is low during the upward movement in order to prevent the moisture removing apparatus from lifting off when the carrier plate with the wiper cover is pulled out, the frictional force acting on the scraper by the wiper cover alone during the downward movement is also too low to bring it into the wringing position that narrows the wringing gap, i.e. to rotate it back. Surprisingly, it has been shown that even in this case, the torque exerted on the scraper by the lever arm is large enough to reliably rotate the scraper into the desired position despite the contact with a slightly opening effect with the wiper cover.

[0017] The construction according to an embodiment is simple, reliable and robust. The use of additional error-prone components, such as a spring, is not required.

[0018] The lever arm can be assigned to the wringing gap or a holder provided for this purpose. According to an embodiment, however, it is arranged on the scraper itself and protrudes from it.

[0019] The magnitude of torque can be easily adjusted via the dead weight and the distance of the lever arm from the pivot axis.

[0020] A suitable dead weight and the configuration of the lever arm can be determined through calculation or by trial and error.

[0021] Thus, according to an embodiment, the lever arm can be equipped with further weights, advantageously at the end opposite to the scraper, to increase the torque in addition to its own weight.

[0022] A particularly large torque is achieved when the lever arm is as long as possible and/or when additional weights, if present, are as far away as possible from the axis of rotation of the scraper and also from the contact line between the scraper and the wiper cloth.

[0023] The easiest way to achieve this in the given installation space of a bucket with a moisture removing apparatus having a wringing gap is that, according to an embodiment, the lever arm extends around the wringing gap and protrudes into the area of the bucket on the other side of the wringing gap opposite the scraper.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the scraper has lever arms on both sides, which also extend around the wringing gap on both sides. This allows the weight to be distributed across two lever arms, and due to the symmetry of the arrangement, a torque is exerted evenly over the entire length of the scraper. This reliably prevents the wiper from tilting, which could potentially occur if one lever arm were to engage on one side.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the scraper, the at least one lever arm and/or the weights, if present, are formed of a uniform material and are formed in one piece. This results in a particularly simple, robust and cost-effective structure. The weights can advantageously be formed by thickenings and/or protrusions on the at least one lever arm.

[0026] The scraper is preferably made of a thermoplastic, preferably of ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer). Thermoplastics can be produced cost-effectively in a suitable form. ABS remains dimensionally stable even under permanent stress, as occurs in this application.

[0027] According to an embodiment, exactly one scraper can be provided in the wringing gap. The counter-pressure on the wiper cover on the carrier plate is exerted via the carrier plate from the wall of the wringing gap opposite the wiper.

[0028] The scraper can be configured in one or more parts. It can have ribs, nubs, brush elements or the like to reinforce the scraping effect.

[0029] The scraper is preferably pivotably mounted near the wringing gap to keep the installation space requirements low. The pivotal mounting can be achieved by means of short lateral axles that are located in designated bearings in the wringing gap. The bearings are preferably configured as simple eyelets, as these are particularly cost-effective.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the scraper can be stopped by a suitable stopping element when pivoting downwards. A rail formed along the entire length, which can absorb the force well and relieve the scraper, has proven to be advantageous as a stopping element. On the side facing away from the wiper cover, for example, the scraper can be guided in supports that can absorb the force generated by the pressing of the wiper cover.

[0031] Also when pivoting upwards, the deflection of the scraper can be limited in accordance with an embodiment so that its center of gravity remains on the side of the pivot axis facing the wiper cover and thus always generates a moment that has a closing effect.

[0032] A cleaning station according to an embodiment comprises a bucket with a cleaning area for washing out the wiper cover and a wringing area for removing the moisture from the wiper cover, whereby both the cleaning area and the wringing area can be provided with a previously described moisture removing apparatus. The strength of the scraping effect can be configured in a different manner in the two areas.

[0033] According to an embodiment, a holder can be provided by means of which the moisture removing apparatus and/or apparatuses can be fixed to the bucket. Thereby the attachment to the holder should be strong enough so that the moisture removing apparatus is not removed from the holder when an inserted cleaning device with carrier plate and wiper cover is moved upwards again. At the same time, it can be helpful for cleaning the interior of the bucket if the moisture removing apparatus can be easily removed. It is therefore advisable, for example, to configure the attachment of the moisture removing apparatus to the holder to be closable and/or easily openable via a simple mechanism. This can be done using openable snap locks, for example.

[0034] Cladding elements can be assigned to the holder or the bucket, which partially cover the bucket upwards and thereby limit insertion openings for the carrier plate with the wiper cover in the cleaning area and/or wringing area. This facilitates the insertion of a cleaning device.

[0035] The cleaning area can comprise any arrangement known per se for washing out a wiper cover. Preferably, the cleaning area comprises an insertion opening into which the wiper device with the wiper cover is insertable, as well as a tank with cleaning fluid which is connected to outlet nozzles in a fluid-conducting manner and means which cause the wiper cover in the cleaning area to be sprayed with cleaning fluid from the tank through the nozzles. The means can include, for example, a pump that can be activated by an actuating element that can be triggered by the inserted carrier plate with wiper cover.

[0036] A cleaning system according to an embodiment comprises a cleaning station as described above and a cleaning device with a carrier plate and a wiper cover. Preferably, the cleaning system is configured as a vertical cleaning system, in which the carrier plate with the wiper cover is insertable in a vertical position from above into the cleaning and wringing area.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the cleaning device is configured in such a way that the carrier plate and the handle are connected to one another via a joint, preferably a cardan joint, whereby the carrier plate with the wiper cover is pivotable via the joint into a vertical position with its longitudinal axis parallel to the handle. It can then be inserted with the wiper cover with the narrow side first from top to bottom into the corresponding insertion openings of the cleaning and/or wringing area, particularly into the wringing gap of the moisture removing apparatus. It is obvious that the dimensions of the cleaning system, especially of the wringing gap with scraper, and the dimensions of the cleaning device must be coordinated with each other.

[0038] The width of the wringing gap with the scraper is advantageously dimensioned so that the scraper in the wringing position scrapes off excess liquid from the wiper cover when the wiper cover is inserted on the carrier plate, but when it is pulled out, it at most still grazes the previously scraped surface without a scraping effect or no longer touches it. This ensures that the bucket is not pulled up or tipped over when the carrier plate with the wiper cover is pulled out.

[0039] For removing moisture, it can be advantageous if the carrier plate with the wiper cover is repeatedly moved up and down in the wringing gap.

[0040] A good lateral guidance of the carrier plate with the wiper cover in the wringing gap is ensured if the length of the wringing gap corresponds approximately to the width of the carrier plate.

[0041] Advantageously, the length of the scraper corresponds to the width of the wiper cloth ensuring that the liquid is scraped off over the entire width of the wiper cloth when inserted into the wringing gap. A particularly simple structure for a scraper is obtained if the scraper is configured as an essentially rectangular element, the length of which corresponds to the length of the wringing gap and which is pivotably fixed on one of its longitudinal sides to the wringing gap or the holder in the area of the wringing gap and features a scraping edge on the opposite longitudinal side. The scraping edge can include a scraping lip.

[0042] However, the wringing gap can also be provided with a scraper on both sides, whereby the second scraper is intended to exert additional pressure on the back side of the carrier plate.

[0043] When introducing the carrier plate with the wiper cover into the cleaning gap with a horizontally positioned scraper, i.e., in the wringing position, it can be advantageous to provide means that guide the carrier plate with the wiper cover into the narrowed gap. In this context, for example, guiding elements on the scraper itself, which move along with the scraper out of the cleaning gap when the scraper is moved to an open position, can be suitable. FIG. 1 shows a cleaning system 1 according to an embodiment. The cleaning system 1 shown has a cleaning station 1.1 with a bucket 3. A wringing area 2 and a cleaning area 4 are exemplarily arranged in the bucket 3. The cleaning area 4 comprises a tank 4.1 for cleaning fluid, a pump 4.2 and an actuating device 4.3 for the pump 4.2 as well as nozzles that spray cleaning fluid from the tank 4.1 onto the wiper cover 6.3 of a cleaning device 6 when the pump 4.2 is actuated.

[0044] The wringing area 2 comprises a moisture removing apparatus 2.1 with a wringing gap 2.2, in which a scraper 10 is arranged (the wringing gap 2.2 is concealed in FIG. 1 by an inserted carrier plate 6.2 with wiper cover 6.3).

[0045] In an embodiment, the moisture removing apparatus 2.1 and the insertion opening 5.2 into the cleaning area 4 are fixed to the bucket 3 by means of a holder 5. Cladding elements 5.1 are arranged on the holder 5, which partially cover the bucket 3 towards the top and thereby delimit insertion openings 5.2 into the cleaning area 4 or the wringing area 2 with the moisture removing apparatus 2.1.

[0046] The cleaning system 1 according to an embodiment also comprises a cleaning device 6 with a handle 6.1 and a carrier plate 6.2 with a wiper cover 6.3 arranged thereon. The handle 6.1 and the carrier plate 6.2 are connected to one another via a cardan joint 6.4 without limiting generality. In an embodiment, the cleaning device 6 with its carrier plate 6.2 rotated parallel to the handle 6.1 and equipped with the wiper cover 6.3, is partially inserted into the moisture removing apparatus 2.1 through the insertion opening 5.2 in a vertical position. The cardan joint 6.4 is only partially visible.

[0047] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a sectional top view at an angle from above of a cleaning station 1.1 according to an embodiment in the area of the insertion openings 5.2 (for better clarity, without cladding elements 5.1) for the moisture removing apparatus 2.1 and/or the cleaning area 4. The wringing gap 2.2 with the scraper 10 is visible. In FIG. 2a, the scraper is in the wringing position that narrows the gap 2.2, in FIG. 2b in a second position that widens the wringing gap 2.2.

[0048] At its two opposite ends, the scraper 10 has lever arms 11 protruding from these ends, which extend around the wringing ring gap 2.2 on both sides. At the ends of the lever arms, flat weights 12 can be seen, which serve to increase the restoring torque. In FIG. 2b, the lever arms with the weights are clearly folded upwards. In an embodiment, the scraper 10, the lever arms 11 and the weights 12 are formed in one piece and uniformly from the same material according to an embodiment.

[0049] In an embodiment, the scraper 10 has exemplary limiting elements 13 on the side facing away from the wringing gap 2.2, which, together with stop elements on the wringing gap that form an abutment, limit the upward pivoting movement of the scraper 10.

[0050] Furthermore, guide elements 14 are visible, which facilitate the threading of the carrier plate 6.2 with the wiper cover 6.3 when the scraper 10 is aligned horizontally.

[0051] FIGS. 3a and 3b show the scraper 10 from FIGS. 2a and 2b in a top view and in a side view. In addition to the lever arms 11 and weights 12, short lateral axles 13 for mounting in corresponding, eyelets in the wringing gap and the pivot axis 16 are visible. The scraper edge is marked as 17.

[0052] A scraper was manufactured as shown in FIG. 3 with the dimensions visible in FIG. 4. The length L was 106.19 mm and the width b 10.65 mm (without lever arms). The scraper was pivotably mounted in a wringing gap. The scraper was made of ABS. The lever arms extended beyond the scraper at both ends by a length a of 13.32 mm in its longitudinal direction. At their ends, the lever arms were equipped with flat additional weights. The distance A between the outer contour of the additional weights and the pivot axis of the scraper was 40.43 mm. The lever arms, the scraper, and the additional weights were formed in one piece and uniformly from the same material. The self weight of the scraper without the lever arms and the weights was 3.4 g, while each of the additional weights weighed 1.35 g. The distance between the additional weights and the pivot axis was 30 mm. Thus, an additional torque of 0.00008 Nm was exerted on the scraper by additional weights. This torque is sufficient to return the scraper to the wringing position.

[0053] While subject matter of the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. Any statement made herein characterizing the invention is also to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive as the invention is defined by the claims. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made, by those of ordinary skill in the art, within the scope of the following claims, which may include any combination of features from different embodiments described above.

[0054] The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.