EP3758569B1 - Portable hard-surface cleaning appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a portable hard surface cleaning device for removing and sucking off a liquid from a hard surface, in particular from a window pane, with a suction nozzle that has a suction opening on which at least one squeegee lip is arranged, and with an electrical device that is in flow connection with the suction nozzle stationary suction turbine for sucking off a liquid-air mixture from the suction opening, an electric motor, control electronics and at least one rechargeable battery, and with a separating device which is arranged in the flow path between the suction nozzle and the suction turbine for separating liquid from the sucked-off liquid-air mixture , and a liquid tank for receiving the separated liquid.

Such a hard surface cleaning device is for example from the publications EP 2 237 711 B1 , EP 2 230 980 B1 and EP 2 227 126 B1 famous. With its help, a hard surface, especially a window pane, can be cleaned. The portable hard surface cleaning device can be moved with the at least one squeegee along the hard surface in the manner of a manual window squeegee, so that liquid can be drawn off the hard surface. The liquid collects at the suction port of the suction nozzle of the portable hard surface cleaner, and a mixture of liquid and air can be sucked from the suction port. The hard surface cleaning device has a separating device, with the help of which the liquid can be separated from the suctioned liquid-air mixture. The separated liquid can be collected in a liquid tank. In addition, the hard surface cleaning device has an electrical device. The electrical device includes a suction turbine and an electric motor that drives the suction turbine, as well as control electronics for controlling the electric motor and at least one rechargeable battery for the energy supply of the electric motor. A suction flow can be achieved by means of the suction turbine, which flow extends from the suction opening via the separating device to the suction turbine. Under the effect of the suction flow, the mixture of liquid and air can be sucked out of the suction opening and fed to the separating device. As already mentioned, the liquid can be separated from the extracted liquid-air mixture and collected in the liquid tank, which can then be emptied from time to time. The extracted air can be discharged from the suction turbine to the surroundings of the hard surface cleaning device.

Portable hard surface cleaning devices of the type mentioned have proven themselves in practice. However, increasingly higher demands are being placed on the external appearance of such hard-surface cleaning devices. The hard surface cleaning devices should make a high-quality impression and be able to be gripped well by the user with one hand and guided along the hard surface to be cleaned. In addition, the hard surface cleaning devices should also meet high technical requirements. For example, a good separating effect should be ensured, so that the liquid sucked off is collected in the liquid tank and not unintentionally released into the environment. In particular, liquid should not escape to the outside when the hard surface cleaning device is operated upside down or lying down and is subject to strong acceleration forces when moving back and forth along the hard surface to be cleaned. The liquid should also not come into contact with live electrical components. The technical requirements can often not be adequately reconciled with the requirements for the external appearance. Conventional hard-surface cleaning devices often have a housing that is formed by two housing half-shells that are essentially mirror-symmetrical to one another and are screwed together, which have a complex design to meet the technical requirements for hard-surface cleaning devices and of which a high level of dimensional accuracy and flow tightness is required. The technical requirements for the hard surface cleaning device narrow in many cases the scope for the external design of the hard surface cleaning device.

The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a portable hard surface cleaning device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the external shape of the hard surface cleaning device can be optimized without the technical function of the hard surface cleaning device being impaired as a result.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a portable hard surface cleaning device of the generic type in that the hard surface cleaning device has an inner housing arrangement and an outer housing arrangement, the inner housing arrangement accommodating the separating device and the electrical device and the outer housing arrangement surrounding the inner housing arrangement.

According to the invention, the portable hard surface cleaning device has an inner housing assembly and an outer housing assembly. The inner housing arrangement accommodates the separating device and the electrical device and can have a complex design that can be optimized independently of the external shape of the hard surface cleaning device such that the technical function of the hard surface cleaning device is reliably ensured. The inner housing arrangement, together with the separating device positioned therein and the electrical device positioned therein, forms an assembly that meets all the technical requirements and functions of the portable hard surface cleaning device and can be tested for compliance with these requirements and functions during assembly of the hard surface cleaning device, for example the flow tightness.

The inner housing arrangement is surrounded by the outer housing arrangement, which can be optimized largely independently of the technical requirements and functions of the hard surface cleaning device in such a way that that the hard surface cleaning device has an attractive shape and can be easily grasped by the user with one hand and guided along the hard surface to be cleaned.

The design of the outer housing arrangement is largely independent of the design of the inner housing arrangement and the two housing arrangements can be optimized for their respective functions. The inner housing arrangement, together with the components positioned therein, can be inexpensively manufactured and preassembled in large numbers. Depending on the requirements placed on the external shape of the hard surface cleaning device, different outer housing arrangements can then be used, which surround the inner housing arrangement.

It is advantageous if the inner housing arrangement comprises a separating housing in which the separating device is arranged and which has a first separating housing part and a second separating housing part which can be connected to one another in a liquid-tight manner.

The separating housing can form a separating chamber in which at least one separating element, for example a baffle plate, is arranged. The aspirated liquid-air mixture can be fed to the separating chamber, the liquid hitting the separating element and thereby being separated from the aspirated liquid-air mixture.

It is advantageous if the two separator housing parts can be connected to one another in a first joining direction, with a first sealing element being arranged on one of the two separator housing parts, which can be pressed perpendicularly to the joining direction against at least one first sealing surface, which is arranged on the other of the two separator housing parts. The two separating housing parts can thus be joined together in the first joining direction and the sealing of the connecting region of the two separating housing parts is achieved by means of the first sealing element, which occurs when they are joined together of the two separating housing parts is pressed against at least one first sealing surface in a pressing direction aligned perpendicular to the first joining direction. The pressing of the first sealing element against the at least one first sealing surface perpendicular to the joining direction has the advantage that the separating housing parts can be joined together in the first joining direction with considerable tolerances and a reliable sealing effect is nevertheless achieved. The two separating housing parts can, for example, be screwed or latched together, although they do not necessarily have to assume an exact relative position in relation to the first joining direction after assembly, since the sealing effect of the first sealing element takes place by pressing perpendicularly to the first joining direction and not in the first joining direction . With such a design, a high level of tightness can be achieved in the connection area between the two separating housing parts, also taking into account dimensional tolerances and assembly tolerances.

It can be provided that one of the two separator housing parts has an annular groove with a groove bottom and with two groove walls arranged at a distance from one another, with at least one groove wall forming a first sealing surface, and that the first sealing element is arranged on the other of the two separator housings and when the both separating housing parts immersed in the annular groove and against which at least one first sealing surface can be pressed.

The sealing element is advantageously fixed to a separating housing part, in particular formed onto a separating housing part. For example, the first sealing element can be fixed to the second separating housing part, in particular formed onto the second separating housing part.

It is advantageous if the first sealing element and a separating housing part, in particular the second separating housing part, jointly form an injection molded part with two components. The sealing element can form a soft component of the injection molded part and the separating housing part can Form the hard component of the injection molded part. In such a configuration, the first sealing element is produced in combination with a separating housing part in a two-component injection molding process. The first sealing element can be made in particular from a rubber-like plastic material and an ABS material can be used in particular for the separating housing part.

The first separating housing part is preferably made of the same material as the second separating housing part. In particular, both separating housing parts can consist of an ABS material.

The first sealing element is preferably designed as a first sealing ring which is closed in itself and which surrounds a first flat surface area which is oriented perpendicular to the first joining direction. The first sealing element thus forms the circumference of a flat first surface area. This facilitates the production of the first sealing element and also the assembly of the two separating housing parts.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, first fastening elements for fastening the first separating housing part to the second separating housing part are arranged outside the first surface area. By positioning the first fastening elements outside of the first surface area, additional measures for sealing the first fastening elements can be omitted. In particular, it is not necessary for additional sealing means to be used for the first fastening elements in order to ensure the tightness of the separator housing.

The first fastening elements preferably have latching elements and/or screw elements. For example, it can be provided that the two separating housing parts can be latched and/or screwed together. In particular, provision can be made for locking elements to be arranged on one of the two separating housing parts, which can be connected to complementary locking elements of the other separating housing part Cooperate sense of a locking connection. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the two separating housing parts are connected to one another by means of connecting screws.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a separating housing part, in particular the first separating housing part, can be detachably connected to the suction nozzle, for example can be connected in a plug-in manner.

In particular, it can be provided that the suction nozzle has a suction line and a separating housing part, preferably the first separating housing part, can be plugged into an end section of the suction line.

A separating housing part, in particular the first separating housing part, favorably has an inlet channel into which an end section of a suction line of the suction nozzle can be inserted.

The mixture of liquid and air can be supplied to the separator housing via the suction line, so that the liquid can be separated from the liquid-air mixture sucked in within the separator housing. As already mentioned, for this purpose the separating housing can form a separating chamber in which at least one separating element is arranged.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a separating housing part, in particular the second separating housing part, has an air outlet via which the separating housing is flow-connected to the suction turbine. The suction flow caused by the suction turbine passes through the separating housing and the sucked-in air can flow via the air outlet to the suction turbine and be discharged from the latter via at least one opening to the surroundings of the hard-surface cleaning device.

It is advantageous if a separator housing part, in particular the second separator housing part, has a liquid outlet via which the Separator housing is connected to the liquid tank. The liquid separated from the liquid-air mixture sucked in in the separator housing can reach the liquid tank via the liquid outlet.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the hard surface cleaning device according to the invention, the inner housing arrangement comprises an electrical housing in which the electrical device is arranged and which has a first electrical housing part and a second electrical housing part which can be connected to one another in a liquid-tight manner. The suction turbine, the electric motor, the control electronics and the at least one rechargeable battery are positioned in the electrical housing, and the liquid-tight connection of the two electrical housing parts reduces the risk of liquid penetrating the electrical housing via the connection area of the two electrical housing parts.

The two electrical housing parts can preferably be connected to one another in a second joining direction, with a second sealing element being arranged on one of the two electrical housing parts, which can be pressed perpendicularly to the second joining direction against at least one second sealing surface, which is arranged on the other of the two electrical housing parts. To assemble the electrical housing, the two electrical housing parts can be joined together in the second joining direction and when they are joined, the connection area between the two electrical housing parts is sealed by the second sealing element, with the second sealing element being pressed against the second sealing surface in a pressing direction perpendicular to the second joining direction. The two electrical housing parts can, for example, be screwed or latched together, although they do not necessarily have to assume an exact relative position in relation to the first joining direction after they have been joined, since the sealing effect of the second sealing element takes place by pressing perpendicularly to the second joining direction and not in the second joining direction . Such a configuration can thus also be taken into account in the connection area between the two electrical housing parts of dimensional tolerances and assembly tolerances, a high degree of tightness can be achieved.

One of the two electrical housing parts preferably has an annular groove with a groove bottom and with two groove walls arranged at a distance from one another, with at least one groove wall forming a second sealing surface, and the second sealing element is arranged on the other of the two electrical housing parts and dips into the An annular groove and can be pressed perpendicularly to the second joining direction against at least one second sealing surface.

The second sealing element is advantageously fixed to an electrical housing part, in particular formed onto an electrical housing part.

In particular, it can be provided that the second sealing element and an electrical housing part together form an injection molded part with two components. The second sealing element can form a soft component of the injection molded part and the electrical housing part can form a hard component of the injection molded part. In such a configuration, the second sealing element is produced in combination with an electrical housing part in a two-component injection molding process, with different plastics being able to be used. The second sealing element can be made of a rubber-like plastic material and the electrical housing part can be made of an ABS material, for example.

The first electrical housing part is preferably made of the same material as the second electrical housing part. In particular, both electrical housing parts can be made of an ABS material.

It is of particular advantage if the second sealing element is designed as a self-contained second sealing ring which surrounds a second flat surface area oriented perpendicularly to the second joining direction. In such a configuration, the second sealing element extends along the perimeter of the second planar area. This facilitates the production of the second sealing element and also the assembly of the electrical housing.

Second fastening elements for fastening the first electrical housing part to the second electrical housing part are preferably arranged outside of the second surface area. The positioning of the second fastening elements outside of the second surface area has the advantage that no additional sealing means have to be used for the second fastening elements in order to ensure the liquid-tight connection of the two electrical housing parts. Rather, the liquid-tight connection of the two electrical housings is ensured by the self-contained second sealing ring, the sealing effect of which is not impaired by the provision of the second retaining elements.

The second fastening elements preferably have latching elements and/or screw elements. For example, it can be provided that the two electrical housing parts can be latched and/or screwed together. Thus, latching elements can be arranged on the two electrical housing parts, which interact with one another in the sense of a latching connection. For example, latching projections can be arranged on one of the two electrical housing parts, which engage behind associated latching elements of the other electrical housing part. Alternatively or additionally, connecting screws can be used, for example, so that the two electrical housing parts can be screwed together.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an electrical housing part, in particular the first electrical housing part, has a motor mount into which the electric motor can be inserted. The motor mount can form a sleeve, for example, which surrounds the electric motor in the circumferential direction.

The electric motor preferably has a motor housing which encloses a stator and a rotor.

In order to position the suction turbine, an electrical housing part, in particular the first electrical housing part, has a turbine receptacle in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, into which the suction turbine can be inserted.

It is of particular advantage if the turbine receptacle can be covered by the separator housing. For example, it can be provided that the first separating housing part or the second separating housing part forms a cover for the turbine receptacle.

In order to position the at least one rechargeable battery, an electrical housing part, in particular the first electrical housing part, has a battery receptacle in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, into which the at least one rechargeable battery can be inserted.

It is of particular advantage if the hard surface cleaning device according to the invention has two rechargeable batteries which extend along a longitudinal axis of the battery holder.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control electronics of the hard-surface cleaning device can be inserted into an electrical housing part, in particular into the second electrical housing part, and has at least one printed circuit board on which electrical components are arranged.

The control electronics are preferably designed as control, switching and charging electronics.

The electronic control system preferably has at least one light-emitting element which is arranged on a circuit board, and an electrical housing part, in particular the second electrical housing part, has a housing section which covers the at least one light-emitting element and is translucent. The at least one light-emitting element can be formed, for example, as a light-emitting diode and in particular serve the display the state of charge of the at least one battery to the user. The light emitted by the at least one light-emitting element can pass through the translucent housing section of the electrical housing part in order to indicate the charge status to the user, for example.

The at least one light-emitting element preferably forms a display device on which plain text can be displayed, for example at least one number and/or at least one letter. The user can thus read plain text on the display device, which explains to him, for example, an operating state of the hard surface cleaning device, in particular the state of charge and/or the remaining running time of the at least one battery.

It is advantageous if the separating housing can be releasably connected to the electrical housing. In particular, it can be provided that the separating housing can be screwed and/or latched to the electrical housing.

No further details have so far been given on the design of the outer housing arrangement. Provision can be made, for example, for the outer housing arrangement to have an outer housing jacket which is formed by a first outer housing part and a second outer housing part and surrounds the inner housing arrangement in the circumferential direction.

The outer housing arrangement preferably has a third outer housing part which covers an underside of the inner housing arrangement which is remote from the suction nozzle. The third outer housing part can, for example, form a standing surface for the hard surface cleaning device, so that the hard surface cleaning device can be set up in an upright position on a floor space.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first outer housing part and the second outer housing part together form a handle of the hard surface cleaning device, which the user can grip with his hand.

It is favorable if an outer housing part forms a gripping opening through which the user can reach with his fingers.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines tragbaren Hartflächenreinigungsgeräts;

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Hartflächenreinigungsgeräts aus Figur 1, wobei eine Saugdüse und ein Flüssigkeitstank von einem Grundkörper des Hartflächenreinigungsgeräts getrennt sind;

Figur 3:

eine Seitenansicht des Hartflächenreinigungsgeräts in Richtung von Pfeil A aus Figur 1, wobei der Flüssigkeitstank ausgeblendet wurde;

Figur 4:

eine Schnittansicht des Hartflächenreinigungsgeräts längs der Linie 4-4 in Figur 3;

Figur 5:

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Grundkörpers des Hartflächenreinigungsgeräts nach Art einer Explosionszeichnung;

Figur 6:

eine Seitenansicht einer Innengehäuseanordnung des Hartflächenreinigungsgeräts aus Figur 1;

Figur 7:

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Innengehäuseanordnung nach Art einer Explosionszeichnung;

Figur 8:

eine Schnittansicht der Innengehäuseanordnung längs der Linie 8-8 aus Figur 6;

Figur 9:

eine vergrößerte Darstellung von Detail X aus Figur 8;

Figur 10:

eine Schnittansicht der Innengehäuseanordnung längs der Linie 10-10 aus Figur 6;

Figur 11:

eine vergrößerte Darstellung von Detail Y aus Figur 10.

The following description of an advantageous embodiment of the hard surface cleaning device according to the invention is used in connection with the drawing for more detailed explanation. Show it:

Figure 1:

a perspective view of a portable hard surface cleaning device;

Figure 2:

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the hard surface cleaning device figure 1 wherein a suction nozzle and a liquid tank are separated from a main body of the hard surface cleaning apparatus;

Figure 3:

12 is a side view of the hard surface cleaning device in the direction of arrow A figure 1 , with the liquid tank hidden;

Figure 4:

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the hard surface cleaning device taken along line 4-4 in figure 3 ;

Figure 5:

a perspective view of the main body of the hard surface cleaning device in the manner of an exploded view;

Figure 6:

Figure 12 shows a side view of an inner housing assembly of the hard surface cleaning device figure 1 ;

Figure 7:

a perspective view of the inner housing assembly in the manner of an exploded drawing;

Figure 8:

Figure 14 is a sectional view of the inner housing assembly taken along line 8-8 figure 6 ;

Figure 9:

an enlarged view of detail X figure 8 ;

Figure 10:

Figure 12 shows a sectional view of the inner housing assembly taken along line 10-10 figure 6 ;

Figure 11:

an enlarged view of Detail Y figure 10 .

In the drawing, an advantageous embodiment of a portable hard surface cleaning device according to the invention is shown schematically, which is assigned the reference numeral 10 in its entirety. With the aid of the portable hard surface cleaning device 10, liquid can be drawn off and sucked off from a hard surface, in particular from a window pane. Mirrored surfaces or tiled walls or, for example, a smooth table surface can also be cleaned using the portable hard surface cleaning device 10 .

The hard surface cleaning device 10 can be moved along the hard surface by the user in the manner of a manual window squeegee. The hard surface cleaning device 10 forms in particular a portable window cleaning device.

The hard surface cleaning device 10 has a base body 12 . The base body 12 has a bottom surface 14, so that the hard surface cleaning device 10 in an upright position, as is particularly the case in FIGS figures 1 and 4 is shown, can be parked on a footprint.

In addition to the base body 12, the hard surface cleaning device 10 has a suction nozzle 16 and a liquid tank 18, which can be detachably connected to the base body 12.

At its free end facing away from the base body 12 , the suction nozzle 16 has a flexible pull-off lip 20 which is held at a suction opening 22 . This is made out in particular figure 4 clear. To the suction opening 22 This is followed by a suction line 24 which extends through a suction nozzle housing 26 and protrudes from the suction nozzle housing 26 with its end section 28 facing away from the stripping lip 20 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the base body 12 has a three-part outer housing arrangement 30 in which an inner housing arrangement 32 is arranged. The outer housing arrangement 30 is formed by a first outer housing part 34 , a second outer housing part 36 and a third outer housing part 38 . In combination with the second outer housing part 36, the first outer housing part 34 forms an outer housing jacket 40 which completely surrounds the inner housing arrangement 32 in the circumferential direction. The third outer housing part 38 forms an outer housing base 42 which forms the standing surface 14 and covers the underside of the inner housing arrangement 32 .

The first outer housing part 34 forms a gripping opening 44 and, together with the second outer housing part 36, the first outer housing part 34 forms a handle 46 which the user can grip with one hand, whereby he can reach through the gripping opening 44 with his fingers.

The inner housing assembly 32 includes a separator housing 48 and an electrical housing 50 which are releasably connected together. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the separating housing 48 is screwed to the electrical housing 50 . This is explained in more detail below.

The separating housing 48 is formed by a first separating housing part 52 and a second separating housing part 54 . A separating device 56 is arranged inside the separating housing 48, which has a separating chamber 58 surrounded by the first separating housing part 52 and the second separating housing part 54, as well as a separating element 60 arranged inside the separating chamber 58, which is designed as a baffle plate 62 in the exemplary embodiment shown.

The first separating housing part 52 is designed in the manner of a hood and the second separating housing part 54 is designed essentially in the form of a plate. The first separating housing part 52 has, on its upper side 64 facing the suction nozzle 16 , an inlet channel 66 into which the end section 28 of the suction line 24 dips.

The second separating housing part 54 has an air outlet duct 68 which protrudes into the separating chamber 58 and which carries the separating element 60 at its free end arranged inside the separating chamber 58, which can be latched to the air outlet duct 68 in the exemplary embodiment shown. Between the separating element 60 and the air outlet duct 68 there is an air inlet opening 70 covered by the separating element 60 and through which suction air can flow from the separating chamber 58 into the air outlet duct 68 .

The second separating housing part 54 also forms a liquid outlet channel 72 which protrudes into a tank receptacle 74 which is delimited by the first outer housing part 34 and the third outer housing part 38 . The liquid tank 18 can be inserted into the tank receptacle 74 and the liquid tank 18 can be removed from the tank receptacle 74 for emptying, for example.

The first separator housing part 52 is connected to the second separator housing part 54 in a liquid-tight manner. The first separating housing part 52 can be joined in a first direction, which is in figure 7 illustrated by the arrow B, can be placed on the second separator housing part 54 . On an annular edge section 76 facing the second separator housing part 54, the first separator housing part 52 has an annular groove 78 with a U-shaped cross section and a groove bottom 80, from which a first groove wall 82 and a second groove wall 84 protrude in the direction of the second separator housing part 54.

The second separating housing part 54 carries the annular groove 78 of the first separating housing part 52 facing an annular collar 86 on which a first sealing element 88 is arranged. The first sealing element 88 surrounds the annular collar 86 and dips into the annular groove 78 when the two separator housing parts 52, 54 are joined together, with the first sealing element 88 being pressed perpendicularly to the first joining direction B against the first groove wall 82 and against the second groove wall 84. The two groove walls 82, 84 each form a first sealing surface and when the two separating housing parts 52, 54 are joined together, the first sealing element 88 comes into liquid-tight contact with the first sealing surfaces of the two groove walls 82, 84.

The first sealing element 88, in combination with the second separator housing part 54, forms a one-piece injection molded part that has two components, namely a soft component in the form of the first sealing element 88 and a hard component in the form of the second separator housing part 54. The second separator housing part 54 can be made of ABS, for example -Material can be made and the first sealing element 88 can be made of a rubber-like plastic material, for example. The first separator housing part 52 is preferably made of the same material as the second separator housing part 54.

By pressing in the first sealing element 88 between the two groove walls 82, 84, a liquid-tight connection is reliably produced when the two separator housing parts 52, 54 are joined together, without having to make excessive demands on the dimensional accuracy of the two separator housing parts 52, 54.

The first sealing element 88 is designed as a self-contained sealing ring, which extends along a circumference of a first flat surface area 90 oriented perpendicularly to the first joining direction B. This is made out in particular figure 7 clearly, in which the first surface area 90 is shown hatched.

Outside the first surface area 90, a plurality of first latching projections 91, 92 are arranged along the outer circumference of the edge section 76, which interact with complementary second latching projections 93, 94 in the sense of a latching connection, the first latching projections 91, 92 when the two separating housing parts 52, 54 engage behind a second locking projection 93 or 94 respectively.

Outside of the first surface area 90 on the second separating housing part 54 there is also a latching hook 100 which, when the two separating housing parts 52, 54 are joined together, dips into a latching receptacle of the first separating housing part 52 which is assigned to the latching hook 100 and is not shown in the drawing.

The electrical housing 50 is formed by a first electrical housing part 102 and a second electrical housing part 104 and surrounds an electrical device 106. The electrical device 106 has a suction turbine 108 and an electric motor 110 as well as control electronics 112 and two rechargeable batteries 114, 116.

The first electrical housing part 102 has on its upper side facing the separating housing part 52 a trough-shaped turbine receptacle 118 into which the suction turbine 108 can be inserted. In addition, the first electrical housing part 102 has a motor mount 120 into which the electric motor 110 can be inserted, the motor shaft 121 of which can be connected to the suction turbine 108 in a torque-proof manner. The electric motor 110 has a motor housing 122 which surrounds a stator and a rotor of the electric motor 110 in the usual way.

The first electrical housing part 102 also has a battery holder 124 into which the two rechargeable batteries 114, 116 can be inserted.

The second electrical housing part 104 accommodates the control electronics 112 with a printed circuit board 126 on which a plurality of electrical components 128 are arranged.

The control electronics 112 are designed as control, switching and charging electronics and have a display device 130 arranged on the printed circuit board 126 and formed by a multiplicity of light-emitting elements 134 . In addition, a charging socket 136 is arranged on the printed circuit board 126, to which the user can connect a charging cable in order to connect the batteries 114, 116 to an external charging device.

The second electrical housing part 104 has an opening 138 into which the charging socket 136 dips with the interposition of a sealing ring 140 .

Level with the display device 130 , the second electrical housing part 104 has a translucent housing section 142 through which the light emitted by the display device 130 can pass through the second electrical housing part 104 .

The second electrical housing part 104 can be joined in a second direction, which is in figure 7 illustrated by the arrow C, to be placed on the first electrical housing part 102 . The first electrical housing part 102 has a peripheral edge section 144 facing the second electrical housing part 104, which has an annular groove 146 with a U-shaped cross section and a groove bottom 148, from which a first groove wall 150 and a second groove wall 152 arranged at a distance from the first groove wall 150 protrude in the direction of the second electrical housing part 104. The second electrical housing part 104 has a circumferential annular collar 154 on which a second sealing element 156 is arranged. When the two electrical housing parts 102, 104 are joined together, the second sealing element 156 enters the annular groove 146, being pressed against the two groove walls 150, 152 perpendicular to the second joining direction C. The second sealing element 156 is designed as a self-contained second sealing ring, which extends along the circumference of a flat second surface area 158 extends. This is made out in particular figure 7 clearly, in which the second surface area 158 is shown hatched. The second surface area 158 is oriented at an angle to the first surface area 90 .

Outside the second surface area 158 along the outer circumference of the edge section 144 there are a large number of third latching projections 160 which, when the two electrical housing parts 102, 104 are joined together, each engage with a fourth latching projection 162 arranged outside the second annular surface 158 on the outside of the second electrical housing part 104 interact with a locking connection. In relation to the second joining direction C, the third latching projections 160 are each engaged behind by a fourth latching projection 162 .

In addition to the third latching projections 160, a plurality of first screw receptacles 164 are arranged on the outside of the edge section 144 of the first electrical housing part 102, and the second electrical housing part 104 has a plurality of second screw receptacles 166 on its outer side, each of which is aligned with a first screw receptacle 164 in relation to the second joining direction C are aligned and can each be penetrated by a connecting screw, so that the two electrical housing parts 102, 104 not only latched together but also can also be screwed together.

The separating housing 48 can be detachably connected to the electrical housing 50 . For this purpose, a plurality of third screw receptacles 168 distributed over the circumference of edge section 76 are arranged on the outside of first separator housing part 52 and thus outside first surface area 90, each of which is assigned a fourth screw receptacle 170 arranged outside turbine receptacle 118 on first electrical housing part 102. A connecting screw, which is not shown in the drawing, can reach through a third screw socket 168 in each case and can be screwed into a fourth screw socket 170 . The connecting screws extend outside of the first surface area 90 and the second separator housing part 54 occupies a position between the first separator housing part 52 and the first electrical housing part 102 and is clamped between these two housing parts.

The inner housing arrangement 32, together with the separating device 56 and the electrical device 106, forms an assembly of the hard-surface cleaning device 10, which can be prefabricated in large numbers. The prefabricated assembly can then be encased by the outer housing arrangement 30, the shape of which can be optimized largely independently of the technical requirements that are placed on the inner housing arrangement 32.

In order to enable access to the charging socket 136, the first outer housing part 34 has a first opening 174 and the third outer housing part 38 has a second opening 176. When hard-surface cleaning device 10 is assembled, openings 174 and 176 are aligned with opening 138 in second electrical housing part 104, with first opening 174 in first outer housing part 34 being in a position between second opening 176 in third outer housing part 38 and opening 138 in second electrical housing part 104 takes.

In order to be able to recognize the letters and numbers displayed on the display device 130, the first outer housing part 34 has a third opening 178 at the level of the display device 130, which is covered by a translucent cover 180, which is inserted into the third opening 178 when the hard-surface cleaning device 10 is installed can be used.

To clean a hard surface, in particular a window pane, the portable hard surface cleaning device 10 can be moved along the hard surface to be cleaned in the manner of a manual window squeegee, liquid located on the hard surface collecting at the suction opening 22 . Under the effect of the suction flow caused by the suction turbine 108 the liquid can be sucked off the hard surface together with suction air. The mixture of liquid and suction air can flow through the suction line 24 in order to get into the separation chamber 58 . Inside the separating chamber 58, the liquid hits the separating element 60 and is thereby separated from the mixture of liquid and air that is sucked off. The separated liquid can then reach the liquid tank 18 via the liquid outlet channel 72 . The suction air can reach the suction turbine 108 via the air inlet opening 70 and the air outlet duct 68 and can be discharged from the latter to the environment via exhaust air openings (not shown in the drawing).

The suction turbine 108 is driven by means of the electric motor 110 which can be controlled by the control electronics 112 .

As already mentioned, the separated liquid collects in the liquid tank 18, which has to be emptied from time to time. For this purpose, the user can remove the liquid tank 18 from the tank receptacle 74 . The emptied liquid tank 18 can then be reinserted into the tank receptacle 74 .

Claims (15)

1. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance for squeegeeing and suctioning a liquid from a hard surface, in particular from a window pane, comprising a suction nozzle (16), which has a suction opening (22) at which at least one squeegee lip (20) is arranged, an electrical device (106), which has a suction turbine (108) in flow connection with the suction nozzle (16) for suctioning a liquid air mixture from the suction opening (22), an electric motor (110), an electronic control system (112), and at least one rechargeable battery (114, 116), and comprising a separating device (56), which is arranged in the flow path between the suction nozzle (16) and the suction turbine (108) for separating liquid from the suctioned liquid air mixture, and comprising a liquid tank (18) for receiving the separated liquid, characterized in that the hard surface cleaning appliance (10) comprises an inner housing arrangement (32) and an outer housing arrangement (30), wherein the inner housing arrangement (32) accommodates the separating device (56) and the electrical device (106), and the outer housing arrangement (30) surrounds the inner housing arrangement (32).
2. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the inner housing arrangement (32) comprises a separating housing (48), in which the separating device (56) is arranged and which comprises a first separating housing part (52) and a second separating housing part (54), which are connectible to each other in a liquid-tight manner.
3. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with Claim 2, characterized in that the two separating housing parts (52, 54) are connectible to each other in a first joining direction (B), wherein arranged on one of the two separating housing parts (52, 54) is a first sealing element (88) which is pressable perpendicularly to the first joining direction (B) against at least one first sealing face that is arranged on the other of the two separating housing parts (52, 54).
4. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with Claim 3, characterized in that one of the two separating housing parts (52, 54) comprises an annular groove (78) with a groove base (80) and with two groove walls (82, 84) arranged at a distance from each other, wherein at least one groove wall (82, 84) forms a first sealing face, and in that the first sealing element (88) is arranged on the other of the two separating housing parts (52, 54) and, upon joining the two separating housing parts (52, 54), dips into the annular groove (78) and is pressable against the at least one first sealing face, preferably

   in that the first sealing element (88) is molded onto a separating housing part (54), in particular

   in that the first sealing element (88) and a separating housing part (54) together form an injection molded part with two components.
5. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the first sealing element (88) is configured as a first sealing ring closed in itself, which surrounds a first planar surface region (90) oriented perpendicularly to the first joining direction (B), preferably

   in that arranged outside of the first surface region (90) are first fixing elements for fixing the first separating housing part (52) to the second separating housing part (54), in particular

   in that the first fixing elements comprise latching elements (91, 92, 93, 94) and/or screw elements.
6. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with any one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the following applies:

   - a separating housing part (52) is releasably connectible to the suction nozzle (16);

   - a separating housing part (52) comprises an inlet channel (66) into which an end portion (28) of a suction conduit (24) of the suction nozzle (16) dips;

   - a separating housing part (54) comprises an air outlet (68), by way of which the separating housing (48) is in flow connection with the suction turbine (108);

   - a separating housing part (54) comprises a liquid outlet (72), by way of which the separating housing (48) is in flow connection with the liquid tank (18).
7. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the inner housing arrangement (32) comprises an electrical housing (50) in which the electrical device (106) is arranged and which comprises a first electrical housing part (102) and a second electrical housing part (104) that are connectible to each other in a liquid-tight manner.
8. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with Claim 7, characterized in that the two electrical housing parts (102, 104) are connectible to each other in a second joining direction (C), wherein arranged on one of the two electrical housing parts (102, 104) is a second sealing element (156) which is pressable perpendicularly to the second joining direction (C) against at least one second sealing face that is arranged on the other of the two electrical housing parts (102, 104).
9. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with Claim 8, characterized in that one of the two electrical housing parts (102, 104) comprises an annular groove (146) with a groove base (148) and with two groove walls (150, 152) arranged at a distance from each other, wherein at least one groove wall (150, 152) forms a second sealing face, and in that the second sealing element (156) is arranged on the other of the two electrical housing parts (102, 104) and, upon joining the two electrical housing parts (102, 104), dips into the annular groove (146) and is pressable against the at least one second sealing face, preferably

   in that the second sealing element (156) is molded onto an electrical housing part (104), in particular

   in that the second sealing element (156) and an electrical housing part (104) together form an injection molded part with two components.
10. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the second sealing element (156) is configured as a second sealing ring closed in itself, which surrounds a second planar surface region (158) oriented perpendicularly to the second joining direction (C), preferably

    in that arranged outside of the second surface region (158) are second fixing elements for fixing the first electrical housing part (102) to the second electrical housing part (104), in particular

    in that the second fixing elements comprise latching elements (160, 162) and/or screw elements.
11. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with any one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that at least one of the following applies:

    - an electrical housing part (102) comprises a motor receptacle (120) into which the electric motor (110) is insertable;

    - an electrical housing part (102) comprises a turbine receptacle (118) into which the suction turbine (108) is insertable;

    - an electrical housing part (102) comprises a battery receptacle (124) into which the at least one rechargeable battery (114, 116) is insertable.
12. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with any one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the electronic control system (112) is insertable into an electrical housing part (104) and comprises at least one circuit board (126) on which electrical components (128) are arranged, preferably
    in that the electronic control system (112) comprises at least one light-emitting element (134) which is arranged on a circuit board (126), and in that an electrical housing part (104) comprises a housing portion (142) which covers the at least one light-emitting element (134) and is light-transmissive.
13. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with Claim 12, characterized in that the at least one light-emitting element (134) forms a display device (130) on which plain text is displayable.
14. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with any one of Claims 7 to 13 in connection with any one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the separating housing (48) is releasably connectible to the electrical housing (50).
15. Portable hard surface cleaning appliance in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the outer housing arrangement (30) comprises an outer housing jacket (40), which is formed by a first outer housing part (34) and a second outer housing part (36) and surrounds the inner housing arrangement (32) in the circumferential direction, preferably
    in that the outer housing arrangement (30) comprises a third outer housing part (38) which covers an underside of the inner housing arrangement (32) that is remote from the suction nozzle (16).

Images