EP3315666B1 - Device and method for holding swept items - Google Patents

Description

The invention first relates to a device according to claim 1.

Devices for receiving debris from a bottom surface comprising a brush which is rotatable about an axis directed transversely to the direction of travel, and with which the debris is conveyed to a collecting container, have been developed and manufactured for some time by the applicant.

Known devices of the generic type serve to receive debris from a bottom surface. The debris can have completely different configurations: If the floor space z. B. is designed as a paved floor, or z. For example, as the surface of an agricultural yard, are often in addition to sand, soil and foliage and straw, hay, clippings, and stones to take.

With the known device a floor surface is to be cleaned, in particular an asphalt surface or a tar surface or a concrete surface or a paved floor surface or another smooth or substantially smooth surface.

In a device of the prior art, which has become known by a non-assignable device of the applicant, is to a device for processing Reitbahnflächen, as in DE 101 37 802 A1 is described, instead of the smoothing tool described therein a disc brush, arranged approximately centrally between the front and rear axle of the device. This plate brush causes that when moving the device in the direction of travel, the debris is first transported approximately in the middle of the device, towards a region below the device.

To the aforementioned device beyond a trailer equipment is attached, which includes a rotating about an axis aligned transversely to the direction of rotation brush. With the brush, the debris can be picked up, lifted and transported in a direction of travel in front of the brush collection container.

The collection container is detachably removable from the device, and can be manually relocated and emptied.

The operation of the collecting container for the purpose of its emptying appears to be in need of improvement.

Out DE 20 2013 105 493 U1 is a device for receiving debris from a bottom surface, with a brush that rotates, and with the debris of a provided by two straps lifting device can be fed. The two straps can clamp the debris along a distance directly between them, and feed the debris to a collection container. Here two counter-rotating conveyor belts are provided. Two in the same direction revolving conveyor belts are not disclosed in the document.

Also the pamphlets CN 201 089 886 Y . US 4,754,521 A and FR 2 663 056 A1 each disclose no device for receiving debris with a lifting device which shows two conveyor belts rotating in the same direction.

Based on the prior art described above, the object of the invention is to further develop the known device such that improved handling is possible.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the lifting device comprises two conveyor belts running in the same direction, between which the debris can be clamped.

According to the invention, the two conveyor belts running in the same direction can clamp the debris directly between them. For this purpose, the two conveyor belts may be formed at least slightly flexible and / or elastic and / or yielding. As a result of a corresponding deformation, they can absorb smaller and larger or coarser dirt particles by deformation directly between them and lift them in particular along a vertical or substantially vertical path.

In particular, such a lifting device has a merging point and a branching point.

The route is the section between the merging point and the branching point. By merging the debris between the two conveyor belts is clamped and trapped along the route transported and lifted.

At the latest in the area of the branching point, the debris is released again. Here can now preferably z. B. a stripping or the like may be provided to supply the debris from the delivery point either directly to the collecting container or indirectly, for example by means of a transport device to supply the collecting container.

The principle of an embodiment of the invention consists essentially in the fact that the debris from the brush is not - as in the prior art - is performed directly in the collecting container, but only a lifting device is supplied. The lifting device can pick up the debris and - at least slightly - lift in the vertical direction. This can be supplied in this way to a discharge point, which is located above the brush. From the delivery point, the debris can be supplied to the collecting container.

The formulation according to which the delivery point is arranged above the brush comprises variants in which the delivery point is arranged above the axis of the brush and in particular variants in which the delivery point is arranged above the uppermost edge of the brush.

The principle of an embodiment of the invention thus consists essentially in providing a lifting device with which the debris can be conveyed over a high loading edge of a collecting container. In the prior art, it was necessary that the sill, or the collection container was very deep, namely located very close to the ground. This meant that the collecting container could be formed on the one hand only very small volume, and therefore often had to be emptied. The loading edge of the collecting container, over which the debris was thrown away from the brush, namely had to be arranged in the device of the prior art always below the axis of the brush, or at least be arranged near this axis.

On the other hand, the deep arrangement of the collecting container was disadvantageous insofar as the handling of the collecting container, ie the release of the collecting container of the device and its Removal and its emptying due to the deep arrangement and concomitant Bückbewegungen by the operators was cumbersome or at least cumbersome.

In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is possible to arrange the collecting container in contrast, much higher, and so make it easier to remove. The collecting container can in particular also be made tiltable, which is particularly advantageous for a convenient emptying.

Finally, the positioning of the collecting container with respect to the brush in the invention is almost arbitrary. The collecting container can be arranged in the direction of travel in front of or behind the brush, or also directly above the brush.

Finally, according to the invention, the collecting container also have a considerably larger volume than in the prior art, and for example several hundred liters, z. B. up to 300 liters or up to 500 liters, or have an even larger volume.

The device according to the invention serves to receive debris of completely different consistency. In particular, sweeping material in the form of dust, stones, soil, sand, straws, grass, horse manure, leaves or the like can be received with the device according to the invention.

The device according to the invention reverses completely different types of floor surfaces, in particular pavement surfaces, road surfaces, yard surfaces, paved areas, asphalted surfaces, concrete surfaces or other surfaces with a smooth or substantially smooth surface. Also conceivable and also encompassed by the invention is the sweeping of cut lawns in the manner of a lawn sweeper.

The embodiment of the device according to the invention preferably comprises a brush which is rotatable about an axis directed transversely to the direction of travel. This formulation includes brushes that are rotatable about an axis perpendicular to or inclined to the direction of travel. Advantageously, the brush is rotatable in opposite directions to the wheels of the device.

The device may be self-propelled, or be designed as a trailer device.

The device may - so it is self-propelled - have two, three, four or more wheels, and one or more driven axles.

If the device is designed as a trailer, the brush - as known per se in the art - for example, also be equipped with wheels to be set in rotation.

By the rotation of the brush, the debris is conveyed to a collecting container. By the rotation of the brush, this conveying movement is initiated anyway.

According to a special feature of the invention, a lifting device is arranged in the conveying path of the sweeping material, namely downstream of the brush. The term downstream refers to the conveying path of the sweeping material.

The lifting device is in particular designed to lift the debris in a vertical or substantially vertical direction. It is crucial that the debris after lifting in one position which is located above the position in which the debris was before it was raised.

The lifting by the lifting device takes place to a delivery point. The delivery point is located above the brush.

From the delivery point, the debris is the collection container fed, either directly or indirectly.

The lifting device is a device separate from the brush, which according to the invention comprises two conveyor belts running in the same direction. A conveyor belt may be formed endlessly circulating, and be guided by a plurality of rollers or rollers, of which further advantageously at least one roller is driven. The direction of rotation of the conveyor belt can advantageously be aligned transversely to the direction of travel. This includes obliquely oriented to the direction of travel arrangements.

The lifting device may have its own drive for the plurality of conveyor belts. In the case of multiple conveyor belts, each conveyor belt can also be assigned its own drive.

The brush can also be driven by a separate drive.

However, it is also conceivable and encompassed by the invention if the movement of the conveyor belt and the movement of the brush are coupled to one another, for example also positively coupled.

Finally, as an alternative, the invention also includes when the movement of the brush and the movement of the conveyor belt or the Conveyor belts from a common drive can be derived or initiated.

Also, in the case of a self-propelled device, the drive of the conveyor belt or the drive of the conveyor belts and / or the drive of the brush can also coincide.

The conveyor belt can pick up and transport the sweeping material supplied by the brush. In this way, a suitable device is provided, which causes the debris on the conveyor belt, at least along a path, in particular along a distance in the vertical direction of movement, adheres, abuts, is clamped or held in some other way. The conveyor belt may for example comprise rib or blade elements.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the debris in the conveying path downstream of the discharge point forms a stream of material. The material flow is a free flow of material that either falls directly into the collection container, or alternatively falls on a (further) transport device. In the latter case, the further transport device can deliver the debris to the collection container.

Further advantageously, it is provided that the conveyor belt orbits an area whose normal vector corresponds to the direction of travel. This allows a particularly compact, compact construction of the device. In other words, the conveyor belt is moved in a circulation direction that is substantially transverse to the direction of travel.

Further advantageously, it is provided that the bottom surface of a road or a walkway or a sports floor, or a stable floor, or in particular a traffic route in a stable area, is formed. As a result, a particularly efficient sweeper is provided.

Further advantageously, it is provided that the device is designed to be self-propelled. In this case, the device may have a drive for driving the wheels of the device. This drive can also be used to drive the brush, and / or to drive the conveyor belts.

The device may further comprise in particular a disc brush. This can be arranged between two axles of the vehicle. But it is in any case upstream of the brush.

The brush may be formed in this embodiment of the invention as part of a hitch for the device.

The collecting container can be assigned in this variant either the trailer equipment or the device itself.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the device is designed as a total trailer equipment. Here it can be provided that the brush, and possibly also the collecting container, with the aid of a coupling device, such as a conventional trailer hitch, can be attached to a towing vehicle. The towing vehicle can be formed, for example, by a Reitbahnplaner or a light or a heavy tractor or a quad or other towing vehicle, including a two-wheeler.

In this variant, it is also possible that on the trailer equipment - in addition to the brush - also an upstream disc brush is provided.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the collecting container is arranged in the direction of travel in front of the brush. This allows a particularly compact design of the device, and for example a recourse to a construction, as described in the German patent application DE 10 2012 013 272 is described. Thus, it is possible in principle to fall back on the tiltably configured collecting container described there.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the collecting container is formed tiltable. This allows a particularly simple emptying of the collecting container and a particularly simple construction and construction.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the brush is driven by a motor. For this example, a separate brush drive are provided on the device. Alternatively, the required drive power to drive the brush of another drive, for. B. from a motor drive of the device that drives the drive axles of the device derived.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the collecting container has a loading edge, which is arranged above the brush. This allows the provision of a large-volume collection container.

The invention further relates to a method according to claim 15.

The object of the invention is to provide a method, with the most comfortable sweeping material from a bottom surface, in particular from a bottom surface with a smooth surface, can be added.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 15.

According to the invention, the device is moved on a floor surface. Along with this, the brush is moved along the bottom surface. The brush is rotated while rotating, in particular driven by a motor. As a result, the debris can be lifted from the bottom surface first.

According to step c) of claim 15, the brush can throw the debris onto a conveyor belt of a lifting device. The lifting device can then transport the recorded debris and raise, to a delivery point. The delivery point is arranged in particular above the brush.

From the delivery point then the debris can be fed directly or indirectly to a collection container.

This method allows positioning and formation of a collection container in a manner that it must be emptied less frequently and / or that the collection container is easier to remove, emptying or manageable.

According to a variant it is provided that the step of transporting and lifting the sweeping up to a delivery point comprises the step of pinching the sweeping material between the conveyor belt and a second, co-rotating conveyor belt along a path.

Fig. 1

Eine Vorrichtung des Standes der Technik In einer schematischen, teilgeschnittenen Seitenansicht,

Fig.2

in einer Darstellung gemäß Figur 1 ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer Hebeeinrichtung,

Fig. 3

in einer teilgeschnittenen, schematischen Ansicht die Hebeeinrichtung der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 2, etwa entlang Schnittlinie III-III In Figur 2,

Fig. 4

in einer tellgeschnittenen, schematischen Ansicht die Hebeeinrichtung, eine Abstreifvorrichtung und das Sammelbehältnis, etwa In einer Darstellung entlang der Schnittlinie IV-IV in Figur 2,

Fig. 5

in einer teilgeschnittenen, schematischen Ansicht ein alternatives Ausführungsbeispiel einer Hebeeinrichtung mit einer Transporteinrichtung,

Fig. 6

die Vorrichtung der Figur 5 in einer teilgeschnittenen, schematischen Ansicht, etwa entlang Schnittlinie VI-VI in Figur 5,

Fig.7

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, bei dem die Vorrichtung als Anhängegerätschaft ausgebildet ist, wobei ein Sammelbehältnis für das Kehrgut oberhalb der Bürste angeordnet ist,

Fig. 8

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer Hebeeinrichtung, die zwei berippte Förderbänder umfasst, mit einer gegenüber Figur 3 stark vergrößerten Detaildarstellung, etwa entlang Teilkreis VIII in Figur 3,

Fig. 9

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer Darstellung gemäß Figur 2, in einer schematischen Ansicht, wobei dieses Ausführungsbeispiel zwei gegenläufig rotierende Bürsten aufweist, zwischen denen die Hebevorrichtung angeordnet ist,

Fig. 10

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Darstellung gemäß Figur 9, wobei das Sammelbehältnis kastenförmig ausgebildet ist und sich durch eine lichte Öffnung der von zwei Förderbändern gebildeten Hebeeinrichtung hindurch erstreckt,

Fig. 11

in einer teilgeschnittenen schematischen Darstellung, in Analogie zu der Darstellung der Figur 3, das Ausführungsbeispiel der Figur 10, etwa entlang der Schnittlinie XI-XI in Figur 10,

Fig. 12

in einer Darstellung gemäß Figur 10 das Ausführungsbeispiel der Figur 10 mit einem in einer angehobenen Kippstellung befindlichen Sammelbehältnis, und

Fig. 13

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel in einer - teilweise abgebrochenen - Darstellung gemäß Figur 10 mit einem schubladenartig ausziehbaren Sammelbehältnis.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the non-cited subclaims, and with reference to the following description of the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show:

Fig. 1

A device of the prior art In a schematic, partially sectioned side view,

Fig.2

in a representation according to FIG. 1 A first embodiment of a device according to the invention with a lifting device,

Fig. 3

in a partially sectioned, schematic view of the lifting device of the device according to FIG. 2 , approximately along section line III-III In FIG. 2 .

Fig. 4

in a tellgeschnittenen, schematic view of the lifting device, a stripping device and the collecting container, approximately In a representation along the section line IV-IV in FIG. 2 .

Fig. 5

in a partially sectioned, schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a lifting device with a transport device,

Fig. 6

the device of FIG. 5 in a partially sectioned, schematic view, approximately along section line VI-VI in FIG. 5 .

Figure 7

a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, in which the device is designed as a trailer device, wherein a collecting container for the debris is arranged above the brush,

Fig. 8

a further embodiment of a device according to the invention with a lifting device comprising two ribbed conveyor belts, with one opposite FIG. 3 greatly enlarged detail, approximately along pitch circle VIII in FIG. 3 .

Fig. 9

a further embodiment of a device according to the invention in a representation according to FIG. 2 in a schematic view, this embodiment having two counter-rotating brushes, between which the lifting device is arranged,

Fig. 10

a further embodiment in a representation according to FIG. 9 wherein the collecting container is box-shaped and extends through a clear opening of the lifting device formed by two conveyor belts,

Fig. 11

in a partially sectioned schematic representation, in analogy to the representation of FIG. 3 , the embodiment of FIG. 10 , approximately along the section line XI-XI in FIG. 10 .

Fig. 12

in a representation according to FIG. 10 the embodiment of FIG. 10 with a collecting container located in a raised tilted position, and

Fig. 13

a further embodiment in a - partially broken - representation according to FIG. 10 with a drawer-like pull-out collection container.

Before in synopsis of Figures 2ff an embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention will be explained, will be based on the FIG. 1 an apparatus 10 'of the prior art will be explained.

In describing the prior art apparatus 10 'and related components, the same reference numerals will be used as later in the description of the embodiments of the invention, wherein FIG. 1 additionally one apostrophe is added.

The prior art device 10 'includes a chassis 31' on which two rear wheels 32 'are disposed on a driven axle 33' and a front wheel 34 'is provided. The device 10 'is designed in this respect as a tricycle.

A seat 35 'is located approximately in the middle between the front wheel 34' and rear wheels 32 'and allows an operator, not shown, a convenient access to a steering wheel 36' and not shown controls, with which, for example, the later described kines, especially the brush and the well visible disc brooms, can be operated or controlled.

The prior art device 10 'comprises a disc brush 37' which, in the course of operation of the prior art device 10 'in the direction of travel 14', the In FIG. 1 not shown sweeping approximately in the middle of the device back.

The prior art device 10 'has a hitch 38' which connects to the device 10 'via non-illustrated coupling means 39'.

The hitch device 38 'comprises a brush 13', with which from the bottom surface 11 'Kehrgut 12' can be added, and a collecting container 40 'can be supplied.

The collection container 40 'is a loading edge 27' associated, over which the debris 12 'is thrown from the brush. The loading edge 27 'is disposed below the axis of rotation 15' of the brush 13 '.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which a certain volume of debris 12 'in the container 40' is accumulated.

The container 40 'can be detached from the towing device 38' in the prior art device 10 ', for example first rotated about a vertical axis (approximately at 41'), and then lifted or released,

It should be noted that the prior art device 10 'also includes a wiper 42' which wipes debris adhering to the individual brush hairs 43 'in the return direction and feeds it to a second receptacle 44'. Also, the second receptacle 44 'may be from the hitch 38 'are taken to its emptying.

As already described above, the container 40 'in the device 10' of the prior art is designed very small volume, z. B. only 10 liters, and must therefore be emptied frequently. Because the container 40 'is very deep, so close to the ground, the handling, especially a manual lifting and transporting is very cumbersome.

Based on FIG. 2 Now, a first embodiment of the invention will be described.

Embodiments of the invention are described by way of example in the following description of the figures, also with reference to the drawings. For reasons of clarity, identical or comparable parts or elements or regions with the same reference numerals, sometimes with the addition of small letters, are also referred to - even if different embodiments are involved.

Features which are described only in relation to an embodiment can be provided in the context of the invention in any other embodiment of the invention. Such modified embodiments are - even if they are not shown in the drawings -, as far as covered by the claims, of the invention with included.

In contrast to the device 10 'according to the prior art FIG. 1 the device 10 of the FIG. 2 a hitch device 38, which is formed differently: Here, a brush 13 is provided which rotates about a rotation axis 15 in the direction of rotation of the arrow D ₁ . The brush 13 is driven by a drive, not shown.

From the brush 13, the debris 12 is thrown onto a first conveyor belt 21. The first conveyor 21 is best in FIG. 3 to see: This is an outer conveyor belt 21, which in the direction of Arrow P _{1 is formed} endlessly encircling. Specifically, it is guided by the rollers 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d and 45e.

Advantageously, at least one of said six rollers is driven, for example, by a motor 46, as he z. B. in the embodiment of FIG. 5 is indicated. It is also conceivable that several of the rollers 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d, 45e are driven.

The first conveyor belt 21 is part of a lifting device 18. This lifting device 18 also includes a second, endlessly circulating conveyor belt 22, which also in FIG. 3 is shown. The first conveyor belt 21 surrounds the second conveyor belt 22 in the circumferential direction completely. The second conveyor belt 22 runs endlessly in the direction P ₂ , and is guided over four rollers 45 b, 45 c, 45 f and 45 g.

Again, it is advantageously further provided that at least one of the four rollers 45b, 45c, 45f, 45g is driven,

It is conceivable that only the roller 45b or only the roller 45c is driven. and in this way both conveyor belts 21 and 22 are driven together.

It is advantageous, however, if each of the two conveyor belts 21, 22 is driven by its own driven roller.

The conveyor belts 21, 22 are configured such that the in FIG. 3 Total designated 47 accumulation of the sweeping material 12, which is located on the first conveyor belt 21 - and there straight from the brush 13 according to FIG. 2 was thrown - is now transported in a direction Q transverse to the direction of travel 14 of the device 10.

In the area of a merging point 29, the two conveyor belts 21, 22 are brought together, and now clamp between them subsets of the sweepings 12 - in portions - a. Then the jammed debris along a in FIG. 3 transported by 28 substantially vertically upward, up to a branch point 30, in which the trajectories of the first conveyor belt 21 and the second conveyor belt 22 again diverge.

At the latest in the area of the branching point 30, the debris is transferred from the first conveyor belt 21 to the second conveyor belt 22, is released at this moment of a clamping. It is now, downstream of the branch point 30, transported in a direction GQ, ie opposite to the transverse direction Q.

As best shown FIG. 4 it can be seen, the accumulated debris designated there 48, meets there on a deflection 49, the - like FIG. 4 shows - is oriented obliquely to the opposite direction GQ, and stripped the accumulated debris 49 from the conveyor belt 22 in the direction of travel 14 and a collecting container 18 feeds. The deflection device 49 may be formed, for example, by a guide plate or a comparable device. The deflection device 49 can also be designed as a type of stripping device.

The collection container 16 is located as in FIG. 2 shown, based on the direction of travel 14, immediately behind the seat 35 of the device 10. It may be formed trough-like, and be designed, for example, like an essay of a conventional wheelbarrow.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which there is already an accumulated amount of debris within the collecting container 16.

It should be noted that in particular the FIG. 4 only to be understood schematically.

The lifting device 18 makes it possible to transport the sweeping material 12 lifted by the brush 13 from the bottom surface 11 to a discharge point 20 of the device 10, which is arranged above the brush 13. It can be achieved in particular that the collecting container 16 is designed or arranged such that it with its loading edge 27, so the edge over which the debris 12 is to be transported away, very far above the brush 13, in particular far above the axis 15th the brush or above the uppermost portion of the brush 13, is arranged.

This allows a particularly advantageous arrangement of a collecting container 16, and its very large-volume design.

Decisive for achieving this success is that the lifting device 18 allows a transport of the sweeping material 12 along a generally designated 17 conveying path, with at least along a route 28 a transport substantially along a vertical direction 19 is made possible, or along a direction obliquely thereto , The aim is a lifting movement of the sweeping material 12 from the brush 13 to a discharge point 20 above the brush thirteenth

From the delivery point 20, a freely falling stream of material 23 can be formed (compare schematic illustration of FIG. 2 ), which falls directly into the collecting container 16.

The lifting device 28 has a first conveyor belt 21, which surrounds a surface 24, to which a normal vector 25 can be assigned, which essentially corresponds to the direction of travel 14.

The container 16 may - as shown in the figures - have a volume of any size, for example, up to 300 liters or 500 liters.

The container 16 can also - similar to the aforementioned patent application DE 10 2012 013 272 shown - for example, about a tilt axis 26 (see. FIG. 4 ) can be tilted to allow easy emptying.

It must of course - in contrast to the merely schematic representation of FIG. 4 - Be ensured that in the course of such tilting the collecting container 16 can move with its loading edge 27 on the lifting device 18 and possibly the deflection 49 past.

This can be achieved, for example, by a correspondingly skilful construction, so that the loading edge 27 of the collecting container 16 can always be freely moved during a tilting movement or a differently configured movement of the collecting container 16 without elements such as components of a deflecting device 49 being in its trajectory. protrude. On the other hand, it can also be provided that components of the deflection device 49 or the transport device or the lifting device 18 can be moved out of the movement path of the collection container 16 if necessary.

In an alternative embodiment according to the FIGS. 5 and 6 is provided that the second conveyor belt 22 - without that there a deflection device 49 would be provided - directly generates a free stream of material 23, which is guided on a transport device 51. The transport device 51 is - as from the synopsis of FIGS. 5 and 6 results - again designed as endless circulating conveyor belt, and transported the debris 12 in the direction of travel 14 towards the collecting container 16 of FIG. 6 , There, in turn, approximately in the region of the loading edge 27, a further free material flow 23 forms, which allows the debris 12 to fall directly into the collecting container 16.

This allows other configurations and arrangements of the collection containers.

As evidenced by the embodiment of FIG. 7 As a whole, the device 10 is designed as a trailer device 38. Here, for example via a coupling device 39 coupling the hitch 38 to a self-propelled towing vehicle 52 can be ensured.

A circular brush 37 can be arranged on a tractor 52 in this embodiment. However, encompassed by the invention is also when such a disc brush 37 is arranged directly on the hitch 38.

In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 2 is the collecting container 16 of the embodiment of FIG. 7 not in the direction of travel 14 of the brush 13, but arranged directly above the brush 13. The deflection device 49 brushes in the embodiment of FIG. 7 the debris 12 from the second conveyor belt 22 against the direction of travel 14 and leads this to the collecting container 16th

It should be noted that in all embodiments of the invention - without this being described in detail - the in FIG. 1 shown in the apparatus 10 'of the prior art, second container 44 may be provided, and may be emptied, or may be designed removable. This indicates, for example, the FIG. 2 at.

As evidenced by the embodiment of FIG. 8 an alternative lifting device 18 will be explained: Here are the first conveyor belt 21 and the second conveyor belt 22 - alike as in the embodiment of FIG. 3 - Equally formed circumferentially. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 3 Both conveyor belts 21, 22 are ribbed, ie they have ribs 53.

The ribs are advantageously designed such that they engage in the region of the merging point 29 with the formation of compartments 54, and receive the debris 12 within these compartments by clamping and can lift in the vertical direction 19 over the distance 28.

In the embodiment of the FIG. 3 are the conveyor belts 21, 22 sufficiently elastic and deformable to record completely different types of debris, especially stones, and to be able to pinch between them flexibly.

Based on the direction of travel 14, the conveyor belts, for example, a width between 2cm and 150cm, preferably a width in a range between 15cm and 50cm.

Advantageously, the self-propelled device 10 according to the Figures 2ff formed by a tricycle, ie equipped with two rear wheels and a front wheel. This allows a particularly advantageous arrangement of a plate plate 37 between Front wheels and rear wheels, and thus a sweeping of floor surfaces, especially in hard to reach corners.

In the context of the invention, different stripping elements and deflection devices can be used. In particular, for cooperation with the brush 13 stripping elements can be used, which ensure that in the rearward movement debris 12 is fed to a separate container 44.

Furthermore, deflection devices of different types can be arranged in the region of the conveyor belts 21, 22 in order to ensure cleaning and cleaning of the conveyor belts.

By the invention, for example, that downstream of the deflection device 49 of the FIG. 4 a stripping device, for example in the manner of a brush hair arrangement, is provided, which ensures that a cleaning of the conveyor belt 22 takes place.

Also, downstream of the branching point 30, for example in the region of a in FIG. 3 designated 55 position, a further stripping means may be provided which strips off of the conveyor belt 21 still adhering sweeping debris.

The device 10 according to the invention is designed to be very energy-efficient and allows the use of drives with low power. In particular, both the brush 13, as well as the lifting device 18 are driven completely electrically, with only a very small electrical power, z. B. a battery. It is also conceivable to derive the power required for driving the conveyor belts 21, 22 and the brush 13 from the drive of a self-propelled device 10.

The embodiments of the Figures 2ff the device according to the invention, which use a lifting device 18, and which cooperate with two conveyor belts 21, 22 may include variants, in which not shown in the figures, further pulleys and / or pressure rollers or tension rollers or other tensioning means for tensioning one of the two conveyor belts or Provide for both conveyor belts.

In particular, such arrangements of tension rollers, pressure rollers, or other pressing or clamping devices can ensure that along the path 28 a sufficient clamping force is achieved. In particular, such pressing or clamping devices can also be designed to be adjustable or readjustable. Also for a review of the required clamping force corresponding detectors and sensors may be provided.

If one or more conveyor belts 21, 22 have ribs 53 or the like, it can be provided that the ribs are designed to be elastic and flexible or yielding, or are dimensionally stable.

It can further be provided that the ribs 53 are arranged regularly or irregularly along the surface of the respective conveyor belt 21, 22. The ribs 53 may also be formed into bulges or protrusions.

The surface of the conveyor belt 21, 22 may alternatively or additionally to achieve an optimized clamping effect for clamping the sweeping material 12 also be provided with a texturing, possibly also with recesses.

According to the figures, the lifting device 18 in the device 10 according to the invention, in particular along the lower portions of the conveyor belts 21, 22, be arranged within a housing, as z. B. In FIG. 2 is indicated.

However, it is also encompassed by the invention that the lower conveyor belt 21 is not covered by a housing at the bottom, and possibly also not covered in the direction of travel to the front by a housing, as shown in the figures.

In this way it can be achieved that the debris thrown by the brush 13 on the conveyor belt 21, if it should not reach the conveyor belt 21, for example, if it is thrown too far (ie in the direction of travel 14 on the conveyor belt addition), not down Falls a housing bottom, and here provides pollution, but simply falls to the bottom surface 11, and subsequently can be moved up again by the brush. As a result, the lifting device 18 can be designed to be maintenance-free overall.

It should be noted that is not shown in the figures, but is well covered by the invention, when the rotational speed of the brush 13 and / or the conveying speed of the conveyor belts 21, 22 and / or the drive power can be changed or controlled, Also can be provided in that, for example, the brush 13 comprises a height adjustment. The height adjustment, for example, manually, but also be designed electronically or electrically.

Further, on the conveyor belts 21, 22 attack devices with which adjusted the tension of the conveyor belts and / or with the aid of, for example, deflection rollers or pressure rollers and the pressing force or clamping force of the conveyor belts, adjusted or mechanically, electrically or electronically controlled.

As evidenced by the embodiments of the FIGS. 9 to 14 Devices of the type according to the invention will now be described on the basis of exemplary embodiments which operate with two brushes 13, 56 rotating in opposite directions.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in a representation according to FIG. 2 , The trailer equipment is connected in a similar or identical manner to the self-propelled device, as in the embodiment of FIG. 2 , The lifting device 18 and the collecting container 16 are made similar to the embodiment of the FIGS. 2 to 4 ,

In contrast to the embodiment described above, a first in the direction of travel 14 rear brush 13 is provided. This rotates counterclockwise driven about its central longitudinal axis 15th

A second brush 56 rotates clockwise about its axis of rotation 57. The two axes of rotation 15, 57 are aligned parallel to each other.

The front in the direction of travel 14 brush 56 can initially gröbere dirt particles 58, 58 a, 58 b record and perform on the indicated ramps or plates of the lifting device 18. Subsequently, then the counter-rotating, namely counterclockwise rotating brush 13 even finer dirt particles 59, 59a, 59b the same lifting device 18 perform.

The coarser dirt particles can be, for example, leaves, straw or stalks or large or heavy dirt particles include. The rear in the direction of travel 14 brush 13 can subsequently capture finer, lighter and smaller dirt particles.

The two brushes 13, 56 can be made with the same or different bristles, z. B. the same or different material and be equipped with the same or different lengths. The two brushes 13, 56 can act on the ground with the same or different pressure forces. The brushes 13, 66 may be driven by a common drive or different drives, with the same or different rotational speeds and with the same or different contact pressures. The two brushes 13, 56 may be adjustable in height together or in a variant and independently.

In the embodiment of the FIG. 9 is a like in FIG. 2 described collecting container 16 is provided.

In the embodiment of the FIGS. 10 to 14 the arrangement, function and operation of the brush 13, 56 met equally as in the embodiment of FIG. 9 , Here, however, a collecting container 16 in the form of a box-shaped body 61 is provided, which extends through the inside width of the lifting device 18 formed by the two conveyor belts 21, 22. From a synopsis of Figures 10 and 11 shows that here the two conveyor belts are guided completely outside the contour of the box 61 to the collecting container 16.

The corresponding pulleys and rollers 45f and 45g in the embodiment of the FIG. 11 are related to the representation of the FIG. 3 shifted to the left.

A free-falling material stream, which is in accordance with FIG. 11 extends from the delivery point in the box 61 is in FIG. 11 denoted by the reference M.

As evidenced by the embodiment of FIG. 12 For example, the collecting container 16, 61 can be tilted about an inclination axis 62 and thus enable simple unloading via a chute or ramp along the arrow direction of the arrow PE. The raising of the container 61 in the tilting position 63 according to FIG. 12 can be done manually or motor driven.

As evidenced by the embodiment of FIG. 13 a discharge of the collecting container 16 and the box 61 can be effected as a result of a pull-out in the manner of a drawer. Here, first, the box 61 against the direction of travel, based on the vehicle - manually or by motor - are pulled backwards and then pivoted about the tilt axis 62 counterclockwise, to a position according to FIG. 13 , Again, the debris contained in the box 61 now slide down the slide. This allows a very simple and convenient discharge.

In a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, a transport device is provided in the box 61. This may comprise an endless circulating conveyor belt which forms the bottom of the box 61. Again, a discharge by actuation of the conveyor belt of the transport container and by promoting the sweeping emptying of the container 61 done.

In the embodiments in the FIGS. 9 to 13 each wheel 60 is shown on the trailer equipment. In other embodiments, the hitch comes without wheels or has two or more wheels arranged on one or more axes.

Claims (14)

1. Device (10) for picking up debris (12) from a floor surface (11), comprising a lifting mechanism (18) and a rotatable brush (13) by means of which the debris can be directed to the lifting mechanism (18), characterised in that the lifting mechanism (18) comprises two conveyor belts (21, 22) circulating in the same direction which clamp the debris (12) directly between them across a distance (28) and which direct the debris directly or indirectly to a container (16) for the debris.
2. Device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brush (13) is rotatable about a shaft (15) oriented transversely to a driving direction (14) of the device, wherein the debris can be conveyed to a container (16) by means of the brush, wherein the lifting mechanism (18) is disposed in the conveying path (17) of the debris downstream of the brush, and wherein the lifting mechanism lifts the debris in the vertical direction (19) and transports it to a delivery point (20) located above the brush from which the debris can be directed to the container.
3. Device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that in addition to the brush (13), a second brush (56) rotating in the opposite direction is provided and the lifting mechanism is disposed between the two brushes.
4. Device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the debris (12) forms a material flow (23) dropping into the container (16) or onto a transport device (51) in the conveying path downstream of the delivery point (20).
5. Device as claimed in one of claims 1-4, characterised in that a conveyor belt is moved in a circulating direction located substantially transversely to the driving direction.
6. Device as claimed in one of claims 3-5, characterised in that a front brush (56) in a driving direction (14) of the device is designed to direct coarse or larger dirt particles (58) to the lifting mechanism and a rear brush (13) of the two brushes in the driving direction is designed to direct smaller or finer dirt particles (59) than the former to the lifting mechanism.
7. Device as claimed in one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the device (10) is self-propelled.
8. Device as claimed in one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the device (10) is a trailer unit (38).
9. Device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container (16) is disposed in front of or above the at least one brush (13, 56) in the driving direction (14) .
10. Device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container (16) is tiltable.
11. Device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one brush (13, 56) is motor driven.
12. Device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container (16) has a loading sill (27) which is disposed above the at least one brush (13, 56).
13. Device as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the device comprises two brushes (13, 56) rotatable in opposite directions by means of which the debris can be directed to the lifting mechanism and the lifting mechanism is disposed between the two brushes.
14. Method for picking up debris (12), comprising the following steps:

    a) moving a brush (13) along a floor surface (11),

    b) whilst rotating the brush (13) in order to lift the debris off the floor surface,

    c) throwing the debris onto a conveyor belt (21) of a lifting mechanism,

    d) transporting and lifting the debris to a delivery point (20),

    e) directly or indirectly directing the debris from the delivery point (20) to a container (16), characterised by

    f) clamping the debris directly between the conveyor belt (21) and a second conveyor belt (22) circulating in the same direction across a distance (28).

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