Patent Publication Number: US-2018028034-A1

Title: Floor-cleaning machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of international application number PCT/EP2016/057517, filed Apr. 6, 2016, which claims priority to German application number 10 2015 105 587.2, filed Apr. 13, 2015, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a floor-cleaning machine, comprising a chassis, a suction bar apparatus, which is arranged on the chassis, a dirt-holding container, and a retaining apparatus, which retains the dirt-holding container movably in relation to the chassis, wherein the dirt-holding container has a dirt-holding position and a dirt-discharging position by means of the retaining apparatus, and, in the dirt-discharging position, the dirt-holding container is positioned at a height spacing transverse to a chassis longitudinal axis and at a spacing parallel to the chassis longitudinal axis in relation to the dirt-holding position. 
     Document WO 2006/121783 A1 discloses a floor-cleaning machine which has a dirt container, which is positioned on a rear side of a cleaning head. A container lift is provided, by means of which the dirt container can be brought from an operating position into an emptying position. The floor-cleaning machine also has a suction bar apparatus. 
     A lift dump suction apparatus is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,653. 
     Document DE 25 39 496 A1 discloses a sweeper with a sweeper roller which throws dirt forward in the direction of travel into a dirt-collecting container which is connected by means of a filter to a suction fan. The dirt container is mounted in a fork of a lifting arm, wherein the lifting arm is mounted at the upper end of a fixed support frame of the sweeper in such a way that the arm is pivotable upwards while the dirt container is maintained in a position parallel to the ground. The dirt container can be tipped to empty it when the lifting arm is in any pivoted position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a floor-cleaning machine is provided which has an advantageous emptying process alongside a compact design. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the retaining apparatus comprises a parallelogram guide having a first link, which is respectively articulated to the dirt-holding container and to the chassis or an element connected to the chassis, and having a second link, which is respectively articulated to the dirt-holding container and to the chassis or an element connected to the chassis, wherein the first link and the second link are oriented parallel to each other and the retaining apparatus is configured in such a way that, in a transition from the dirt-holding position to the dirt-discharging position, a pivoting orientation of the dirt-holding container in relation to the chassis is maintained, and wherein a tipping drive is associated with the dirt-holding container, by means of which tipping drive the dirt-holding container, while in the dirt-discharging position, is configured to be brought into an emptying position for dirt collected in the dirt-holding container by means of tipping. 
     By means of the arrangement of the suction bar apparatus on the chassis, the suction bar apparatus does not have to be moved with the dirt-holding container. The suction bar apparatus can thus be rigidly attached to the chassis. 
     Furthermore, the mass to be lifted can be held lower, since the suction bar apparatus now does not also have to be lifted. Corresponding drives for the lifting can thus be made smaller, or with the same dimensioning a greater mass can be lifted. 
     When transitioning from the dirt-holding position to the dirt-discharging position, the orientation of the dirt-holding container in relation to the chassis (and therefore in relation to the direction of the force of gravity) is maintained. Dirt is thus prevented from escaping from the dirt-holding container. In principle, a relatively large amount of dirt material can thus also be held in the dirt-holding container. 
     By maintaining the orientation of the dirt-holding container in relation to the chassis or the direction of gravity when transferring from the dirt-holding position to the dirt-discharging position, an opening or a plurality of openings on the container can be used both for the introduction of dirt and for the discharge of dirt in the emptying position. The opening or openings can be arranged here in particular on the dirt-holding container on a side which is an upper side in relation to the direction of gravity. A high filling level of the dirt-holding container can be achieved as a result. 
     Flange faces can be better sealed by a corresponding defined orientation which is maintained when transferring from the dirt-holding position to the dirt-discharging position, in particular so as to reduce the aspiration of false air during a floor-cleaning operation. 
     The retaining apparatus comprises a parallelogram guide having a first link, which is respectively articulated to the chassis or an element connected to the chassis, and having a second link, which is respectively articulated to the dirt-holding container and to the chassis or an element connected to the chassis, wherein the first link and the second link are oriented parallel to each other. By means of a parallelogram guide, the orientation of the dirt-holding container relative to the chassis or the direction of gravity can be easily maintained in the event that the links are pivoted (with the parallelism being maintained). The movement of a parallelogram guide can be driven in a simple manner. 
     It is favorable if, in the dirt-holding position, the dirt-holding container is positioned transverse to the chassis longitudinal axis above the suction bar apparatus in relation to a height direction. A space is thus provided on the floor-cleaning machine, which space can be used and in particular can be used as installation space. For example, a rear drive can be arranged in this space at least in part, or a brake unit can be arranged in said space, etc. In principle, the suction bar apparatus can also be moved closer to a brush apparatus. 
     It is very particularly advantageous if a free space is provided in which the dirt-holding container is positioned in the dirt-holding position, wherein the free space has a side which is open or is openable towards a rear side of the chassis, and wherein the dirt-holding container is movable from the dirt-holding position to the dirt-discharging position by being moved out from the free space and towards the open side. The dirt-holding container, in the dirt-holding position, is positioned in the free space in the manner of a drawer. In order to be transferred into the dirt-discharging position, the dirt-holding container is passed through the open side. A tail-end high dumping is thus possible in a simple way. Since the orientation of an upper side and in particular of one or more openings of the dirt-holding container is maintained as the dirt-holding container is transferred from the dirt-holding position to the dirt-discharging position, the dirt-holding container can be easily guided out from the free space by a pivoting motion or by a combination of a pivoting motion and a linear motion of the dirt-holding container and can be returned to the free space following an emptying operation. 
     In particular, the first link and the second link are articulated to the dirt-holding container and to the chassis, or an element connected to the chassis, at different height positions transverse to the vehicle longitudinal axis. A tail-end high dumping with the orientation of the dirt-holding container being maintained as said container is transferred from the dirt-holding position to the dirt-discharging position can thus be achieved in a simple way. 
     It is favorable if a drive apparatus for moving the dirt-holding container between the dirt-holding position and the dirt-discharging position is associated with the retaining apparatus. The drive apparatus serves in particular to perform a tail-end high dumping. By means of a corresponding drive of the retaining apparatus, the dirt-holding container can be guided from the dirt-holding position, which is a position during the cleaning operation, into the dirt-discharging position, wherein the emptying position can then be reached in turn from the dirt-discharging position by a tipping movement. 
     It is favorable if the drive apparatus comprises an electric motor. The corresponding mechanism for moving the dirt-holding container can thus be formed in a hydraulic-free manner by means of the retaining apparatus. 
     In particular, the drive apparatus drives a pivoting movement of a link of the retaining apparatus. The dirt-discharging position can thus be reached in a simple manner starting from the dirt-holding position of the dirt-holding container. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the drive apparatus comprises a chain, which transfers a torque of the drive motor (in particular by means of a gearing apparatus) to the link. A simple structural design is thus provided. Other elements, such as a hydraulic cylinder, can also be provided. 
     The tipping drive serves to change the orientation of the dirt-holding container in relation to the chassis or the direction of gravity, if the dirt-discharging position is reached, in order to reach the emptying position. 
     It is favorable if the tipping drive comprises an electric motor. The tipping drive can thus be formed in a hydraulic-free manner. 
     A tipping axis of the dirt-holding container is favorably parallel to a pivot axis of the dirt-holding container for the movement by the retaining apparatus. An orientation of the dirt-holding container in relation to the direction of the force of gravity can thus be achieved in a simple way. In particular, an opening by means of which the dirt is couplable into the dirt-holding container in the dirt-holding position can then also be used for emptying in the emptying position. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the tipping drive acts effectively with torque on a tipping element of the dirt-holding container, which tipping element is connected to the tipping drive for conjoint rotation, wherein in particular a gearing apparatus is provided. A tipping movement for reaching the emptying position and for resetting from the emptying position can thus be performed in a simple way. By providing a gearing apparatus and in particular a reduction gearing apparatus, a suitably proportioned tipping movement can be achieved. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the suction bar apparatus is covered at least in part by the dirt-holding container in the dirt-holding position in relation to a height direction transverse to the chassis longitudinal axis and is positioned in particular beneath the dirt-holding container. A compact design is thus provided, wherein the suction bar apparatus is also configured to be protected accordingly. 
     It is very particularly advantageous if a space is formed between a floor, on which the floor-cleaning machine is stood, the suction bar apparatus, and the dirt-holding container in the dirt-holding position. This space can be used as installation space for components of the floor-cleaning machine, such as a rear drive, a brake unit, or the like. In principle, by providing this space, the suction bar apparatus can also be positioned closer to a brush apparatus. A compact design can thus be achieved. It is thus also possible, for example, to position the suction bar apparatus completely beneath the dirt-holding container in the dirt-holding position thereof. 
     A brush apparatus having at least one brush and in particular a scrubbing brush and/or sweeping brush is arranged advantageously on the chassis, by means of which brush apparatus dirt is suppliable directly and/or indirectly to the dirt-holding container. With a direct feed, dirt held by the brush apparatus is “thrown” towards the dirt-holding container to a certain extent. This can be supported by a suction flow. In an advantageous embodiment the brush apparatus is designed so that both a wet cleaning and a dry cleaning of a floor to be cleaned can be performed by said brush apparatus. In particular, the wet cleaning and the dry cleaning are alternative operating modes of the floor-cleaning machine. In the case of dry cleaning, dirt is transported into the dirt-holding container. In the case of wet cleaning, liquid is applied to the floor to be cleaned in order to loosen dirt. Excess liquid on the floor (which liquid is laden with dirt) is aspirated by means of the suction bar apparatus and is held in a wastewater tank. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the brush apparatus is configured so that it can be used to perform both a scrubbing operation and a sweeping operation. In the case of scrubbing, a floor is cleaned with the aid of the application of a cleaning liquid. Larger particles can be conveyed directly into the dirt-holding container during the scrubbing operation, that is to say they can be flung into said container. The applied and excess cleaning liquid is taken up in a suction bar apparatus and is sucked into a wastewater tank. In the case of a sweeping operation, dirt is whirled up by the brush apparatus and is thrown into the dirt-holding container. In order to prevent dust from forming, an airflow is generated by means of a sweeper fan, which airflow draws the air through a filter and “binds” dust. In the case of a scrubbing operation, the sweeper fan is not operated. No cleaning liquid is applied to the floor in the case of a sweeping operation. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, at least one further brush is arranged on the chassis. The at least one further brush is formed for example as a side broom. For example, cleaning close to a wall can thus be performed at the floor to be cleaned. 
     A suction assembly is favorably arranged on the chassis (directly or indirectly) and is in effective fluid connection with the suction bar apparatus. The suction assembly ensures a corresponding suction flow, in particular so as to aspirate excess liquid in a rear region of the floor-cleaning machine. Corresponding dirt-laden liquid is then fed directly or indirectly to the dirt-holding container. 
     It is favorable if a liquid-applying apparatus for a floor to be cleaned is arranged on the chassis. Liquid is applied directly to the floor and/or to a brush apparatus. Dirt can thus be loosened. Excess liquid can be sucked away from the floor to be cleaned by the suction bar apparatus. 
     It is very particularly advantageous if the dirt-holding container has at least one opening, which, in the dirt-holding position of the dirt-holding container, is arranged in an upper region of the dirt-holding container in relation to a height direction transverse to the chassis longitudinal axis, and in particular is arranged on a top side of the dirt-holding container. By means of the corresponding configuration of the retaining apparatus, the orientation of this at least one opening is maintained as the dirt-holding container is transferred from the dirt-holding position to the dirt-discharging position. This opening can thus be positioned on the top side. It can be used accordingly as a receiving opening for dirt and as a discharge position in the emptying position. A high filling level for the dirt-holding container can then be achieved. It can be ensured that no dirt escapes from the dirt-holding container as said container is transferred from the dirt-holding position to the dirt-discharging position. The dirt-holding container can be formed in a barrel-like manner with the at least one opening on the top side. 
     The following description of preferred embodiments serves, in conjunction with the drawings, to explain the invention in greater detail. In the drawings: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a floor-cleaning machine according to the invention in a side view, wherein a dirt-holding container is disposed in a dirt-holding position (basic position); 
         FIG. 2  shows the floor-cleaning machine according to  FIG. 1  in a partial section; 
         FIG. 3  shows the floor-cleaning machine according to  FIG. 1  in a schematic illustration for explaining the types of movement of a dirt-holding container; 
         FIG. 4  shows the same view as  FIG. 3 , wherein the dirt-holding container has been moved out from the dirt-holding position; 
         FIG. 5  shows the same view as  FIG. 3 , wherein the dirt-holding container is disposed in a tail-end dirt-discharging position (prior to tipping); 
         FIG. 6  shows a partial illustration of the floor-cleaning machine according to  FIG. 1  with a retaining apparatus and a dirt-holding container, which is retained by the retaining apparatus, wherein the dirt-holding container is in its basic position (dirt-holding position) as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows an enlarged partial illustration of the dirt-holding container according to  FIG. 6  with a tipping drive; 
         FIG. 8  shows the same view as in  FIG. 6 , wherein the dirt-holding container is now in its dirt-discharging position (prior to tipping); 
         FIG. 9  shows a view in the direction A according to  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  shows a view in the direction B according to  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 11  shows a view similar to  FIG. 8 , wherein the dirt-holding container has now been brought into a tipping position for emptying (emptying position). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An exemplary embodiment of a floor-cleaning machine which is shown schematically in  FIGS. 1 to 11  and which is denoted as a whole by  10  serves to clean a floor  12  and in particular a floor surface. The floor-cleaning machine  10  comprises a chassis  14 . A wheel apparatus  16  is arranged on the chassis  14 . The floor-cleaning machine  10  is supported movably by means of the wheel apparatus  16  on the floor  12  to be cleaned. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the wheel apparatus  16  comprises a front wheel apparatus  18  and a rear wheel apparatus  20 . 
     The chassis  14  extends in a chassis longitudinal axis  22  between a front end  24  and a rear end  26 . The front wheel apparatus  18  is arranged in the vicinity of the front end  24 , and the rear wheel apparatus  20  is arranged in the vicinity of the rear end  26 . 
     A suction assembly  28  is arranged on the chassis  14 , connected directly or indirectly to the chassis ( FIG. 2 ). The suction assembly  28  comprises a fan with a corresponding drive, for example an electric motor. 
     A suction bar apparatus  30  is arranged on the chassis  14  in the region of the rear end  26 . The suction bar apparatus  30  comprises one or more suction bars  32 . The suction bar apparatus  30  is in effective fluid connection with the suction assembly  28 , for example by one or more tubes  34 . 
     The suction bar apparatus  30  is lockably adjustable in particular in a height direction above the floor  12 . For a cleaning operation, the suction bar  32  sits on the floor  12  in such a way that dirt (and in particular dirt fluid) is configured to be aspirated. A lowered position of this type is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     In a non-cleaning operation, the suction bar  34  is raised from the floor  12  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     A wastewater tank  35  is arranged on the chassis  14 , into which tank the one or more tubes  34  leads/lead, and which tank holds liquid aspirated at the suction bar apparatus  30 . 
     A brush apparatus having one or more brushes  36   a ,  36   b  is arranged on the chassis  14 . 
     In the shown exemplary embodiment, a first brush  36   a  and a second brush  36   b  are provided. 
     The brushes  36   a ,  36   b  are driven in rotation and each have an axis of rotation  38 , which lies transverse and in particular perpendicular to the chassis longitudinal axis  22  and in particular lies parallel to an axis of rotation of the wheel apparatus  16 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the brushes  36   a ,  36   b  are arranged between the front wheel apparatus  18  and the rear wheel apparatus  20 . 
     The rear wheel apparatus  20  is positioned between the brush  36   b  and the suction bar apparatus  30 . 
     The brushes  36   a ,  36   b  are in particular formed as scrubbing brushes or sweeping brushes. 
     A liquid-applying apparatus  40  is associated with the brushes  36   a ,  36   b . By means of this liquid-applying apparatus  40 , which is arranged on the chassis  14 , cleaning liquid (in particular water, possibly with a cleaning additive) can be applied to the floor  12  in the region of the brushes  36   a ,  36   b  and/or cleaning liquid can be applied directly to the brush or brushes  36   a ,  36   b.    
     The brush apparatus with the brushes  36   a ,  36   b  is configured, in one exemplary embodiment, so that cleaning by scrubbing and alternatively cleaning by sweeping of a floor  12  to be cleaned can be performed by means of said brush apparatus. 
     A freshwater tank  37  is arranged on the chassis  14  and provides fresh water to the liquid-applying apparatus  40 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the floor-cleaning machine  10  has one or more brushes  42  ( FIG. 3 ). A brush  42  of this kind is arranged for example on the chassis  14  in the region of the front end  24 . A corresponding brush  42  in particular forms a side broom. 
     A brush  42  is driven in rotation and in particular has an axis of rotation  44  which is oriented transverse, and in particular at an acute angle of for example 45°, to the floor  12 , on which the floor-cleaning machine  10  stands by means of the wheel apparatus  16 . 
     The floor-cleaning machine  10  has a dirt-holding container  46 . This dirt-holding container  46  can be emptied by means of a high-dumping operation, as will be described in greater detail further below. 
     The floor-cleaning machine  10  has a free space  48 , which lies above the suction bar apparatus  30  in a height direction  50 , which is oriented perpendicular to the chassis longitudinal axis  22 . (If the floor-cleaning machine  10  is stood on a floor  12  that is horizontal in relation to the direction of the force of gravity g, the height direction  50  is parallel to the direction of the force of gravity g). 
     In a dirt-holding position  52  of the dirt-holding container  46  ( FIGS. 1 to 3 ), the dirt-holding container  46  is positioned in the free space  48 . 
     In particular, the dirt-holding container  46  is positioned above the suction bar apparatus  30  in the dirt-holding position  52 . The dirt-holding container preferably does not protrude beyond a rear end  54  of the floor-cleaning machine  10 . 
     The suction bar apparatus  30  is covered at least in part by the dirt-holding container  46  in the dirt-holding position  52  in relation to the height direction  50 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the dirt-holding container  46  completely covers the suction bar apparatus  30  in the dirt-holding position  52 , that is to say an outer end of the suction bar apparatus  30  lies within a corresponding rear end of the dirt-holding container  46  in the height direction  50 . 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 3 , an exemplary embodiment is shown in which the dirt-holding container  46  only partially covers the suction bar apparatus  30  in the dirt-holding position  52 , that is to say the suction bar apparatus  30  has a region which protrudes beyond the rear end  54  of the floor-cleaning machine  10  in the chassis longitudinal axis  22 . 
     In the dirt-holding position  52 , the dirt-holding container  46  serves to receive dirt. The dirt-holding position  52  of the dirt-holding container  46  is the position in which the dirt-holding container  46  is disposed when a cleaning operation is performed on the floor  12 . 
     In the dirt-holding position  52 , the dirt-holding container  46  is positioned so that dirt entrained by the brushes  36   a ,  36   b  passes directly into the dirt-holding container  46  through a corresponding opening  56  (see also  FIG. 9 ). In the dirt-holding position  52 , the dirt-holding container  46  is positioned so that dirt is “thrown” into the opening  56  by the brushes  36   a ,  36   b , wherein the dirt has been entrained from the floor  12  by the brushes  36   a ,  36   b . Accordingly, the free space  48  is configured so that the direction in which dirt entrained by the brushes  36   a ,  36   b  is thrown leads to the opening  56 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the floor-cleaning machine  10  has a further suction assembly  57 , which is associated with the brushes  36   a ,  36   b  and the dirt-holding container  46  ( FIG. 2 ). This further suction assembly  57  is arranged above the dirt-holding container  46  and acts thereon and also on the brushes  36   a ,  36   b  by means of the dirt-holding container  46  with a suction flow. It forms a sweeper fan for “dry dirt”. 
     A dust filter apparatus  59  is arranged between the further suction assembly  57  and the dirt-holding container  46 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a further freshwater tank  61  is arranged above the dirt-holding container  46  in relation to the dirt-holding position  52  and is in effective fluid connection with the liquid-applying apparatus  46 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the free space  48  is delimited upwardly (in the height direction  50 ) by a wall  58 , which for example is curved. The wall  58  is shaped such that dirt particles which contact the wall  58  are reflected with sufficient likelihood so that they can pass into the dirt-holding container  46 . 
     In a liquid-applying operation of the floor-cleaning machine  10 , liquid, which in particular serves to loosen dirt on the floor  12 , is dispensed by the liquid-applying apparatus  40 . During operation of the floor-cleaning machine  10 , said machine is moved in a direction of forward travel  60 . By means of the suction bar apparatus  30 , excess liquid (which can be laden with dirt) can be received from the floor  12  in the region of the rear end  54  of the floor-cleaning machine  10 . The excess liquid is aspirated by means of a suction flow, which is provided by the suction assembly  28 , and is transported into the wastewater tank  35 . 
     In a sweeping operation of the floor-cleaning machine  10 , no liquid is dispensed. The floor-cleaning machine  10  is moved in the direction of forward travel  60 . The brushes  36   a ,  36   b  “throw” particles of dirt into the dirt-holding container  46 . The suction flow of the further suction assembly  57  supports this operation; particles of dirt are transported into the dirt-holding container  46  in a supported manner by means of the corresponding suction flow. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a power supply apparatus  63 , which in particular comprises one or more rechargeable batteries, is arranged on the chassis  14  between a region above the dirt-holding container in the dirt-holding position of said container, in which region the further suction assembly  57  and the further freshwater tank  61  are arranged, and the wastewater tank  35 . 
     The dirt-holding container  46  is retained movably on the floor-cleaning machine  10  by means of a retaining apparatus  64 , so as to be able to perform a tail-end high dumping starting from the dirt-holding position  52 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the floor-cleaning machine  10  comprises a frame  66  (see also  FIGS. 6 and 8 to 11 ), which is fixed to the chassis  14 . For example, the frame  66  has a first frame support  68   a  and a spaced second frame support  68   b . The free space  48  is formed between the first frame support  68   a  and the second frame support  68   b.    
     The retaining apparatus  64  is formed as a parallelogram guide  70 . The retaining apparatus comprises a first guide with a first link  72  and a second link  74 , wherein the first link  72  and the second link  74  are oriented parallel to one another. The first link  72  is articulated to the first frame support  68   a . The second link  74  is also likewise articulated to the first frame support  68   a , wherein the points of articulation are spaced from one another in the chassis longitudinal axis  22  and the height direction  50 . 
     The first link  72  and the second link  74  are also each articulated to the dirt-holding container  46 . 
     The first link  72  and the second link  74  each have the same length between their points of articulation to the frame  66  and the dirt-holding container  46 . Accordingly, the points of articulation of the first link  72  and of the second link  74  to the dirt-holding container  46  (in relation to the dirt-holding position  52 ) are spaced from one another in the chassis longitudinal axis  22  and the height direction  50 . 
     Likewise, a first link  72  and a second link  74  of a second guide are articulated to the second frame support  68   b , and are then likewise articulated to the dirt-holding container  46 . The dirt-holding container  46  is positioned between the first frame support  68   a  and the second frame support  68   b  and are held on the frame  66  laterally on either side by means of first links  72  and second links  74  of the first guide and of the identically formed second guide. 
     A drive apparatus  76  is associated with the retaining apparatus  64  for a driven movement of the dirt-holding container  46  relative to the chassis  14  and in particular the chassis longitudinal axis  22 . The drive apparatus  76  for example comprises a drive motor  78 , such as an electric motor, or comprises a hydraulic lifting cylinder apparatus. 
     The drive motor  78  is arranged in one exemplary embodiment on the frame, and for example on the frame support  68   a , and is associated with the first guide. 
     A gearing apparatus  80  is associated with the drive motor  70  and serves to guide torque. 
     The gearing apparatus  80  is arranged on the frame  66 . 
     The gearing apparatus  80  for example comprises a worm gear. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a coupling element  82  is connected to the second link  74 , for conjoint rotation, in the region of the point of articulation of the second link  74  to the frame  66 . The coupling element  82  is formed for example as a gearwheel. 
     A chain  84  is provided for torque transfer from the gearing apparatus  80  to the coupling element  82 . A torque then can be transferred to the coupling element  82  by means of the drive motor  78 , and a pivoting movement of the second link  74  relative to the frame  66  is thus drivable. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the drive apparatus  76  is arranged on the frame  66  on one side, in other words, in relation to a transverse direction relative to the chassis longitudinal axis  22 , the drive for the dirt-holding container  46  acts directly only on one guide and is asymmetrical in relation to a movement out from the dirt-holding position  52 . It is also possible in principle that the drive apparatus is formed symmetrically, wherein in particular two opposite drive motors are provided in particular, so as to directly drive the corresponding second links  74  of the two guides (which are articulated to the first frame support  68   a  and the second frame support  68   b ) in a pivoting movement. 
     By means of a corresponding pivoting movement, the dirt-holding container  46  can be moved out of its dirt-holding position  52  in the free space  48  in order to perform a high-dumping operation. 
     By forming the retaining apparatus  64  as a parallelogram guide  70 , a tipping orientation of the dirt-holding container  46  assumed by said dirt-holding container in the dirt-holding position  52  in relation to the chassis  14  and the direction of the force of gravity g is maintained during the aforesaid pivoting movement. 
     The dirt-holding container  46  has a top side  86  (see  FIG. 6  for example). The orientation of this top side  86  relative to the chassis  14  (and in particular relative to the chassis longitudinal axis  22 ) is maintained in the event of a pivoting movement of the retaining apparatus  64  relative to the frame  66 . 
     The free space  48  is open towards the rear end  54  of the floor-cleaning machine  10 . A corresponding open side  88  is provided. The dirt-holding container  46  can be passed through the open side  88  as it is being moved out from the dirt-holding position  52 . 
     It is possible here that the open side  88  is constantly open or that an openable closure is arranged on the open side  88 , which closure has to be automatically or manually opened prior to the dirt-holding container being moved out from the dirt-holding position. 
     By means of a drive by means of the drive apparatus  76 , the dirt-holding container  46  is movable out from the dirt-holding position  52  and back into said position. An intermediate position is shown in  FIG. 4 . The dirt-holding container  46  is moved out from the free space  48  by a corresponding pivoting movement of the retaining apparatus  64  relative to the frame  66 . In the case of the intermediate position shown in  FIG. 2 , the dirt-holding container is passed partially through the open side  88 . 
     Here, the top side  86  of the dirt-holding container  46  has the same orientation in relation to the chassis longitudinal axis  22  as in the dirt-holding position  52 . 
     The dirt-holding container  46  has a dirt-discharging position  90  ( FIG. 5 ), into which the dirt-holding container  46  is brought prior to emptying. In the dirt-discharging position  90 , the dirt-holding container  46  is spaced from the rear end  54  of the floor-cleaning machine  10 . In relation to the dirt-holding position  52 , the dirt-holding container  46  in the dirt-discharging position is spaced both in the chassis longitudinal axis  22  and in the height direction  50 . 
     In particular, the dirt-discharging position  90  is such that an underside  92  of the dirt-holding container  46  is spaced from a top side  94  of a housing  96  of the floor-cleaning machine  10 . 
     There is a sufficient spacing between the dirt-holding container  46  and the housing  96 , in particular in the chassis longitudinal axis  22 , to enable a high-dumping operation. 
     By means of the parallelogram guide  70  of the retaining apparatus  64 , the relative orientation of the top side  86  of the dirt-holding container  46  is the same in the dirt-discharging position  90  as in the dirt-holding position  52 . 
     A tipping drive  98  (see  FIG. 6  for example) is associated with the dirt-holding container  46 . The dirt-holding container  46  can be tipped by means of this tipping drive  98 . A tipping movement can thus be performed in the dirt-discharging position  90 , by means of which tipping movement the orientation of the top side  86  of the dirt-holding container  46  relative to the chassis  14  can be changed. In particular, tipping is possible such that the opening  56  is oriented with an opening surface normal at least approximately parallel to the direction of the force of gravity g, so that dirt contained in the dirt-holding container  46  can fall out through the opening  56  on account of the force of gravity. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the tipping drive  98  comprises a tipping motor  100 . This tipping motor  100  is in particular an electric motor. 
     A tipping element  102  is arranged on the dirt-holding container  46  for conjoint rotation. The tipping element  102  is for example a gearwheel. The dirt-holding container  46  can be tipped about a tipping axis  104  passing through the tipping element  102 . 
     The tipping motor  100  acts on the tipping element  102  and thus on the dirt-holding container  46  by means of a gearing apparatus  106 . 
     The gearing apparatus  106  comprises in particular a reduction gearing. 
     When the tipping drive  98  is actuated, the dirt-holding container  46  can be tipped relative to the retaining apparatus  64  in order to change the position of the top side  86  of the dirt-holding container  46  relative to the chassis  14 , so as to in turn reach an emptying position, in which dirt can fall out from the dirt-holding container  46  through the opening  62  on account of the force of gravity. 
     In principle, a shaking movement can also be performed by the tipping drive in order to improve the emptying in the emptying position. 
     In  FIG. 8  the dirt-holding container  46  is shown in the dirt-discharging position  90 , in which the top side  86  of the dirt-holding container  46  still has the same orientation in relation to the chassis  14  as in the dirt-holding position  52 . 
     The container  46  can then be tipped from this dirt-discharging position  90  into an emptying position  108 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . In the emptying position  108 , dirt can fall out through the opening  62  on account of the force of gravity. The orientation of the top side  86  has changed. 
     In the case of the emptying position  108  according to  FIG. 11 , the underside  92  of the dirt-holding container  46  is higher in the height direction  50  (in relation to the direction of gravity g) than the top side  86 . 
     In the dirt-holding position  52  of the dirt-holding container  46 , said container lies above the suction bar apparatus  30  in the height direction  50 . A space  110  is formed between the brush  36   b , the suction bar apparatus  30 , and the dirt-holding container  46  (see  FIGS. 1 to 5 ). This space can be used in principle for components of the floor-cleaning machine  10 . This space  110  can serve as installation space for components of the floor-cleaning machine  10 , such as a rear drive or a brake. 
     A usable installation space of this kind is created by the arrangement of the suction bar apparatus  30  on the chassis  14  beneath the dirt-holding container  46  in the dirt-holding position  52 , wherein the suction bar apparatus  30  is not moved with the dirt-holding container  46 . 
     Furthermore, it is also possible to move the suction bar apparatus  30  closer to the brush  36   b  and for example to completely cover the suction bar apparatus  30  upwardly by the dirt-holding container  46  in the dirt-holding position  52 . 
     The floor-cleaning machine  10  according to the invention functions as follows: 
     The floor-cleaning machine  10  is in particular self-propelled, that is to say it has a drive for a movement over the floor  12  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     The floor-cleaning machine  10  is formed for example as a ride-on machine, wherein an operator sits on the machine. A seating installation is arranged accordingly on the chassis  14 . 
     It is also possible that the floor-cleaning machine  10  is formed for example as a walk-behind machine, wherein an operator follows on behind the machine (behind the rear end  54 ) and operates the machine from there. 
     In the case of a cleaning operation for the floor  12 , the dirt-holding container  46  is disposed in the free space  48  in the dirt-holding position  52 . 
     In the case of a sweeping cleaning operation, dirt is entrained by means of the brushes  36   a ,  36   b  and is thrown into the dirt-holding container  46  through the opening (or openings)  56 ; this is supported by the suction flow of the further suction assembly  57 . 
     Dirt thus passes directly through the opening  56  as inlet opening into the dirt-holding container  46 . 
     In the dirt-holding position  52 , the dirt-holding container  46  is positioned so that the opening  56  on the top side  86  is higher in relation to the height direction  50  than the underside  92  of the dirt-holding container  46 . 
     Following completion of a cleaning operation or if the dirt-holding container  46  is full, said container is transferred from the dirt-holding position  52  to the dirt-discharging position  90  for emptying. To this end, the drive apparatus  76  is actuated and performs a pivoting movement of the retaining apparatus  64  and accordingly then guides the dirt-holding container  46  out from the free space  48 , and, compared to the dirt-holding position  52 , increases the spacing in the chassis longitudinal axis  22  and in the height direction  50  until the tail-end dirt-discharging position  90  is reached. 
     By forming the retaining apparatus  64  as a parallelogram guide  70 , the orientation of the opening  56  relative to the direction of gravity g (or relative to the chassis  14 ) is maintained during the above process, that is to say this orientation remains the same as it was in the dirt-holding position  52 . 
     Once the dirt-discharging position  90  has been reached, the transfer into the emptying position  108  is performed by a tipping driven by the tipping drive  98 . The opening  56  is then a discharge opening for dirt contained in the dirt-holding container  46 . 
     By means of the tipping drive  98 , the orientation of the opening  56  (or of the top side  86 ) of the dirt-holding container  46  relative to the direction of gravity g is changed in order to enable an emptying operation. 
     In the dirt-discharging position  90  of the dirt-holding container  46 , a high-dumping of the dirt-holding container  46  is possible. This high-dumping is performed at the tail end in this case; in the dirt-discharging position  90 , the dirt-holding container  46  protrudes beyond the rear end  54  of the floor-cleaning machine  10  (in relation to the dirt-holding position  52 ). 
     The dirt-holding container  46  can be formed as a dirt tank and for example can comprise a barrel-like container. Emptying, starting from the dirt-discharging position  90 , is possible in a simple manner by means of a tipping movement (pivoting movement). Liquid is prevented from leaking from the dirt-holding container  46  as said container is transferred from the dirt-holding position  52  to the dirt-discharging position  90 . 
     The space  110  can be used as installation space for components of the floor-cleaning machine  10 , for example a rear drive or brakes, or the suction bar apparatus  30  can be positioned closer to the brushes  36   a ,  36   b.    
     In principle, in order to transfer into the dirt-discharging position  90 , only the dirt-holding container  46  must be raised. The suction bar apparatus  30  is fixedly mounted on the chassis  14  (with a possible lifting function for an out-of-operation state). A smaller mass therefore has to be moved than if the suction bar apparatus  30  is lifted with the dirt-holding container  46 . 
     A rigid mechanical attachment of the suction bar apparatus to the chassis  14  can thus be achieved. In particular, a “disappearing” positioning of the suction bar apparatus  30  beneath the dirt-holding container  46  in the dirt-holding position  52  is also possible. 
     A good sealability of flange faces can be achieved, so as to prevent the aspiration of false air. 
     The dirt-holding container  46  can be easily formed with the opening  56  on the top side  86 , which can remain continuously open. A closure does not have to be provided for this opening  56 . 
     The positioning of the dirt-holding container  46  in the dirt-holding position  52  above the suction bar apparatus  30  results in a large floor clearance, wherein the above-mentioned additional components can be positioned in the space  110 . 
     The floor-cleaning machine  10  also has a scrubbing function. In the case of a scrubbing cleaning operation, the further suction assembly  57  is not switched on. The suction assembly  28  is operated. 
     In the case of a scrubbing cleaning operation, water is applied to the floor  12  to be cleaned by means of the liquid-applying apparatus  40 . Loosened dirt is removed by the brush apparatus. 
     Excess liquid on the floor  12  is sucked away by means of the suction bar apparatus  30  and is transported into the wastewater tank  35 . 
     Here, it is possible that in the case of a scrubbing cleaning operation larger particles will be thrown into the dirt-holding container  46  by means of the brush apparatus. (Such particles would be pushed by the suction bar  32  ahead thereof.) 
     In the case of a sweeping cleaning operation, no cleaning liquid is applied to the floor  12  to be cleaned by means of the liquid-applying apparatus  40 . “Dry operation” is provided. Dirt on the floor  12  is whirled up by the brushes  36   a ,  36   b  and in so doing is thrown into the dirt-holding container  46 , which is then a dirt hopper. In order to minimize the formation of dust, an airflow is produced by means of the further suction assembly  57  and draws the corresponding air through the dust filter apparatus  59 , with dust being bound during this process. 
     The floor-cleaning machine  10 , with a brush apparatus  36   a ,  36   b , thus has two alternative cleaning modes, specifically scrubbing and sweeping. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
           10  floor-cleaning machine 
           12  floor 
           14  chassis 
           16  wheel apparatus 
           18  front wheel apparatus 
           20  rear wheel apparatus 
           22  chassis longitudinal axis 
           24  front end 
           26  rear end 
           28  suction assembly 
           30  suction bar apparatus 
           32  suction bar 
           34  tube 
           35  wastewater tank 
           36   a  brush 
           36   b  brush 
           37  freshwater tank 
           38  axis of rotation 
           40  liquid-applying apparatus 
           42  brush 
           44  axis of rotation 
           46  dirt-holding container 
           48  free space 
           50  height direction 
           52  dirt-holding position 
           54  rear end 
           56  opening 
           57  further suction assembly 
           58  wall 
           59  dust filter apparatus 
           60  direction of forward travel 
           61  further freshwater tank 
           62  opening 
           63  power supply apparatus 
           64  retaining apparatus 
           66  frame 
           68   a  first frame support 
           68   b  second frame support 
           70  parallelogram guide 
           72  first link 
           74  second link 
           76  drive apparatus 
           78  drive motor 
           80  gearing apparatus 
           82  coupling element 
           84  chain 
           86  top side 
           88  open side 
           90  dirt-discharging position 
           92  underside 
           94  top side 
           96  housing 
           98  tipping drive 
           100  tipping motor 
           102  tipping element 
           104  tipping axis 
           106  gearing apparatus 
           108  emptying position 
           110  space