Cleaning device

• US 6,243,913 B1
• Filed: 04/26/2000
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alfred Kã¤Rcher GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Ernst, Eugen, Losansky, Alfred, Frank, Juergen
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US09/557,843
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 153/20, 153/21, 153/39
• US Class Current: 15/320
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices

Abstract

In order to further develop a cleaning device comprising a cleaning liquid tank and a dirty liquid tank as well as a pump in flow communication with the cleaning liquid tank for spraying a surface to be cleaned and a suction unit for receiving the sprayed cleaning liquid and transferring it into the dirty liquid tank in such a manner that it is more service-friendly and less noisy it is suggested that the pump and the suction unit be held in a separate housing which can be introduced into a frame of the cleaning device in the form of an insert.

Claims

1. A cleaning device comprising:

a cleaning liquid tank and a dirty liquid tank;

a pump in flow communication with the cleaning liquid tank for spraying a surface to be cleaned; and

a suction unit for receiving the sprayed cleaning liquid and transferring it into the dirty liquid tank;

wherein;

the pump and the suction unit are held in a separate housing adapted to be introduced into a frame of the cleaning device in the form of an insert,

said frame has a respective access opening on one side for the cleaning liquid tank and the dirty liquid tank, and

the housing accommodating the pump and the suction unit is adapted to be introduced into the frame on the underside of the frame facing away from the access openings.

2. A cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing forms a flame-resistant plastic casing for the pump and the suction unit.

3. A cleaning device as defined in claim 2, wherein the housing accommodating the pump and the suction unit is releasably connectable to the frame.

4. A cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing accommodating the pump and the suction unit is releasably connectable to the frame.

5. A cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing forms a non-inflammable plastic casing for the pump and the suction unit.

6. A cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a suction chamber for accommodating the suction unit as well as a pump chamber for accommodating the pump.

7. A cleaning device as defined in claim 6, wherein the pump chamber is accessible independently of the suction chamber.

8. A cleaning device as defined claim 6, wherein the suction unit is in flow communication with the dirty liquid tank via a suction opening and with the surroundings via an outlet opening arranged on the underside of the frame.

9. A cleaning device as defined claim 1, wherein the suction unit is in flow communication with the dirty liquid tank via a suction opening and with the surroundings via an outlet opening arranged on the underside of the frame.

10. A cleaning device as defined in claim 9, wherein the flow communication between the suction unit and the outlet opening has a deflection for a flow of air blown out from the suction unit.

11. A cleaning device as defined in claim 9, wherein the flow communication between suction unit and outlet opening is brought about via a sound-insulating space.

12. A cleaning device as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the suction unit comprises a ventilating fan for cooling a drive motor of the suction unit, and

the fan is in flow communication with a cooling air opening arranged on the underside of the frame via a cooling air channel.