A WATER SUCTION DEVICE FOR SCRUBBING MACHINES AND THE LIKE

Abstract: A water suction device for scrubbing machines and the like having a non-rotatable frame, a rotatable scrubbing disc or brush (1a) and a rotatably driven holder (1) therefor, a number of nozzles (2) and a number of lips (5) which move dirty scrubbing water to the nozzles, said nozzles and lips being mounted on said brush, disc or holder at the periphery thereof with their lower ends in contact with or at a short distance from the floor, the outlets of the nozzles discharging in a rotating first ring-shaped channel (8) sealingly connected to a non-rotating second ring-shaped channel (4) on said frame, the second channel being connected to a water separator or the like. Said channels form a common channel located radially inside the periphery of the brush (1a) or disc and preferably close to the rotation axis thereof.

Description: ϋ* A WATER SUCTION DEVICE FOR SCRUBBING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Technical Field 10 The present invention refers to a water suction device for scrubbing, shampooing and polishing machines as described in the introductory portion of claim 1 . Description of Prior Art 15 Water suction devices of the kind mentioned above are previously known, see WO 92/16139. The device disclosed in that document is efficient and simple but has some disadvantages. One disadvantage is that elements protrude radially from the brush or scrubbing disc so that the accessibility to narrow spaces and areas close to the walls enclosing the floor to be cleaned will be limited. Another 20 disadvantage is that said elements, which i.e. consist of sealing rings, are large and must have different diameters for different brush or disc dimensions. Description of the Invention. It is an object of the present invention to simplify and improve known water 25 suctions devices for scrubbing machines and the like. This object is achieved by the invention having the features described in the characterizing portion of the claims. Description of Figures. 30 Fig. 1 is a vertical section along line l-l in Fig. 2 of a water suction device according to the invention for a scrubbing machine, % Fig. 2 is a view from below of the water suction device in Fig. 1 , and 35 Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a modification of details in Figs. 1 and 2. Description of Preferred Embodiment. Numeral 1 designates a circular holder for a circular scrubbing brush 1 a. Instead of the brush 1 a the holder may be provided with a scrubbing disc. The brush 1 a rotates in the same direction and at the same speed as the holder 1 . Around the circumference of the holder 1 are attached a number of nozzles 2 which rotate together with the brush holder when the machine is in use. All the nozzles 2 are attached on and pass through a ring 7 which is formed or mounted on the circumference of the holder 1 . The nozzles 2, which are formed as pipes, tubes or hoses, consists of durable elastic or flexible material, such as plastics or rubber. The nozzles are obliquely oriented in relation to the floor, which can be seen in Fig. 2, and the lower ends thereof are positioned just above or in contact with the floor. The lower openings of the nozzles are flush with the floor and glide on or move just above the floor when the machine is in use. On the underside of the ring 7 there are attached a number of obliquely angled, flexible flaps or lips 5 which are in contact with the floor. In order to regulate or adjust the pressure of the lips 5 towards the floor and/or the distance between the lower ends of the lips and the brush 1 a, respectively, each lip 5 is mounted on a member 12 which is axially movable in a recess 13 in the ring 7 and can be locked in different positions by a screw 14. A modification of the regulation means for the lips 5 is shown in Fig. 3, wherein all lips are mounted on the ring 7 which is provided with threads 15 around its inner circumference. These threads engage with threads 16 on the outer circumference of the brush 1 a. When it is desired to regulate the distance between the holder 1 and the brush 1 a , and thus the distance between the lower ends of the lips 5 or nozzles 2 and the lower ends of the brush 1 a, the brush is turned on the ring 7. The ring 7 and the brush 1 a is provided with means, such as a bolt 17, locking these details to each other in a desired position. The nozzles 2 and the lips 5 are alternately located so that all dirty water collected and moved by the lips will be sucked in through the nozzles. Since the ring 7 rotates at the same speed and in the same direction as the brush 1 a and its holder 1 , the nozzles 2 and the lips 5 as well will rotate at this speed and in this direction. The rotation is achieved by a motor (not shown) coupled to the central upper portion of the holder 1 . it- 5 A U-shaped first ring 8 is fixedly mounted on the holder 1 close to the rotation axis thereof. The ring 8 forms a channel which is open upwards. The nozzles 2 are connected to the ring 8 by means of tubes or hoses 10 as can be seen to the left in Fig. 1 or by means of holes or passages 1 1 within the holder 1 as can 10 be seen to the right in Fig. 1. The hoses 10 or passages 1 1 each has a non- radial orientation as can be seen in Fig. 2. The angle between a hose 10 or a passage 1 1 and the tangent to the periphery of the brush 1 a is less than 90°, and the hose or passage is so angled in the rotation direction A of the brush 1 a that the centrifugal force, to which the water in the hose or passage is 15 subjected, will be so weak that tbe-water flow from the nozzle 2 to the ring 8 will not be prevented. A U-shaped second ring 4 is fixedly mounted on the non-rotatable frame (not shown) of the machine and is arranged above and partly encloses the ring 8. 20 The ring 4 forms a channel which is open downwards. The channels of the first and second rings 8 and 4 together form a common channel. The second ring 4 does not rotate and has one opening in its periphery which is connected to a hose 6. The second ring 4 is mounted very close to the first ring 8 as shown in Fig. 1. 25 The rings 4 and 8 are provided with sealing means 9 which prevent water from leaving the channel between said rings. The sealing means consist of rubber or plastic rings mounted on one of or on both rings 4 and 8. When the machine is ' in operation the means 9 provide a good glide seal between the rings 4 and 8, r 30 the sealing effect being increased by the suction effect in the channel. Clean water containing detergent is fed through a hose (not shown) to a tube 3 located in the centre of the brush holder 1 . This water is spread over the floor by the brush 1 a when the machine is in use. The lips 5 will move dirty water to the nozzles 2 which divert the dirty water to the channel between the rings 8 and 4. Via said opening in the ring 4 and via the hose 6 dirty scrub water will be fed by suction, accomplished by a pump (not shown) on the machine, to a water separator (not shown) where the water is collected. Even if only one embodiment of the invention has been described above and shown on the drawing, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this embodiment but only to that which is stated in the claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . A water suction device for scrubbing machines and the like having a non- rotatable frame, a rotatable scrubbing disc or brush (1 a) and a rotatably driven 5 holder (1 ) therefor, a number of nozzles (2) and a number of lips (5) which move 4 dirty scrubbing water to the nozzles, said nozzles and lips being mounted on said brush, disc or holder at the periphery thereof with their lower ends in contact with or at a short distance from the floor, the outlets of the nozzles discharging in a rotating first ring-shaped channel (8) sealingly connected to a non-rotating 10 " second ring-shaped channel (4) on said frame, the second channel being connected to a water separator or the like, characterized in that said channels (4,8) form a common channel located radially inside the periphery of the brush ( 1 a) or disc and preferably close to the rotation axis thereof. 2. A water suction device accords ~ to claim 1 , characterized in that tubes 15 (10) located on the holder (1 ) or p is .ages (1 1 ) in the holder connect the nozzles (2) to the first channel (8), said tυoes or passages each forming an angle with the tangent to the periphery of the holder which is less than 90° so that the dirty scrubbing water will be discharged to the channel with a reduced centrifugal force acting on the water during rotation of the machine. 20 3. A water suction device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by means (12,13; 15,16) adjusting the axial distance between the brush (1 a) or disc and the lips (5). 4. A water suction device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lips (5) are mounted on a ring (7) which is movable in relation to the brush or disc by 25 said adjusting means (15, 16). 5. A water suction device according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjusting means comprises threads (15,16) on the ring (7) and on the brush (1 a) or disc. 7 6. A water suction device according to claim 3, characterized in that each lip <- ■ 30 (5) is mounted on a member (12) which is movable on the holder (1 ) and lockable thereto in different positions. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 5 July 1993 ( 05.07.93 ) ; original claims 1-6 replaced by amended claims 1-6 ( 1 page ) ] 1 . A water suction device for scrubbing machines and the like having a non- rotatable frame, a rotatable scrubbing disc or brush (1 a) and a rotatably driven holder (1 ) therefor, a number of individual nozzles (2) and a number of lips (5) which each forms an angle to the tangent to the periphery of the holder (1 ) and which move dirty scrubbing water to the nozzles, said nozzles and lips being mounted on sa'd brush, disc or holder at the periphery thereof with their lower ends in contact with or at a short distance from the floor, the outlets of the nozzles discharging in a rotating first ring-shaped channel (4) on said frame, the second channel being connected to a water separator or the like, characterized in that said channels (4,8) form a common channel located radially inside the periphery of the brush (1 a) or disc and preferably close to the rotation axis thereof and in that tubes (10) located on the holder (1 ) or passages (1 1 ) in the holder connect each nozzle (2) to the first channel (8). 2. A water suction device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said tubes (10) or passages (11 ) each forms an angle with the tangent to the periphery of the holder which is less than 90° so that the dirty scrubbing water will be discharged to the channel with a reduced centrifugal force acting on the water during rotation of the machine. 3. A water suction device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by means (12, 13; 15, 16) adjusting the axial distance between the brush (1 a) or disc and the lips (5). 4. A water suction device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lips (5) are mounted on a ring (7) which is movable in relation to the brush or disc by said adjusting means (15, 16). 5. A water suction device according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjusting means comprises threads (15, 16) on the ring (7) and on the brush (1 a) disc. 6. A water suction device according to claim 3, characaterized in that each li (5) is mounted on a member (12) which is movable on the holder (1 ) and lockable thereto in different positions.

Inventors: TANASESCU OVIDIU, TANASESCU, OVIDIU
Applicants: TANASESCU OVIDIU, TANASESCU, OVIDIU
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A47L11
IPC codes: A47L11, B08B7