JP7506117B2 - High-pressure washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a high-pressure cleaner comprising an appliance housing in which an electric motor and a pump driven by said electric motor are arranged, and at least one rechargeable battery for supplying energy to said electric motor.

By means of the high pressure washer, a cleaning liquid, preferably water, can be placed under pressure and directed towards the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning liquid can be supplied to a pump via a liquid supply duct, e.g. a suction hose. The cleaning liquid can be placed under pressure by the pump and dispensed via a liquid dispensing duct, e.g. a pressure hose. The high pressure washer can include a first connection element for connecting the liquid supply duct and can include a second connection element for connecting the liquid dispensing duct. The pressurized cleaning liquid can be supplied via the liquid dispensing duct to an exhaust part, e.g. a spray lance or a spray gun. The pressurized cleaning liquid can be directed towards the surface to be cleaned by the exhaust part.

In many cases, energy is supplied to the electric motor by an external voltage source, for example the public power supply. For this purpose, the high-pressure cleaner may include a power cable which is connected to the external voltage source. However, the external voltage source is not always available. Furthermore, the connection to an external power source often makes the handling of the high-pressure cleaner more difficult. Thus, for example, a high-pressure cleaner known from DE 10 2008 019 524 A1 includes at least one rechargeable battery for supplying energy to the electric motor and therefore does not necessarily have to be connected to an external voltage source. Although the provision of at least one rechargeable battery improves the handling of the high-pressure cleaner, battery-powered high-pressure cleaners often have a weak power and cannot put the cleaning liquid under very high pressure. This has a negative effect on the cleaning results that can be achieved with a battery-powered high-pressure cleaner.

DE 10 2008 019 524 A1

The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a battery-powered high-pressure cleaner of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that better cleaning results can be achieved.

This object is achieved by the present invention in a typical high pressure washer in that said high pressure washer includes at least two rechargeable batteries connected in series with each other.

By connecting at least two rechargeable batteries in series with each other, the electric motor can be provided with a supply voltage resulting from the sum of the output voltages of the individual batteries. This allows the use of electric motors with a rated voltage of more than 36 V, which in turn allows the cleaning liquid to be under high pressure, thereby achieving better cleaning results. For example, the pressure of the cleaning liquid can be at least 70 bar, preferably at least 100 bar. The series connection doubles the power, since the use of two rechargeable batteries doubles the output voltage of the batteries due to the series connection while the current remains the same.

In particular, the maximum power of the high pressure cleaner may be at least 1 kW.

It is preferable that the high-pressure cleaner includes a battery receiving device with a battery housing, into which the battery can be inserted, and from which the battery can be removed. This facilitates battery replacement.

Preferably, the battery can be inserted into the battery compartment without tools and can also be removed from the battery compartment without tools.

The battery discharges during operation of the pressure washer. An internal or external charging device can be used to recharge the battery.

The battery can be removed from the battery compartment when connected to an external charging device and reinserted into the battery compartment after charging.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the battery receiving device is located on the outside of the appliance housing. This facilitates assembly of the pressure washer and has the further advantage that the battery receiving device is easily accessible to a user for the purpose of replacing the battery.

It is particularly advantageous if an electric control device with a splash-proof control housing and an electronic control system positioned in the control housing is arranged in the appliance housing of the high-pressure cleaner, the electronic control system including a voltage supply circuit, and the batteries are connected to the voltage supply circuit via respective individual electrical connection lines and are connected in series with each other by the voltage supply circuit. In that type of embodiment of the high-pressure cleaner according to the invention, a splash-proof control housing is arranged inside the appliance housing. Advantageously, the control housing is constructed as a separate part from the appliance housing. The control housing houses an electronic control system including a voltage supply circuit. The batteries arranged outside the control housing are connected to the voltage supply circuit positioned inside the control housing via respective individual electrical connection lines. The batteries are connected in series with each other by the voltage supply circuit, and the output voltages of the batteries are summed to form the supply voltage of the electric motor. The summation of the output voltages takes place inside the splash-proof control housing surrounded by the appliance housing. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of a user coming into contact with the relatively high supply voltage of the electric motor in case of damage to the appliance housing, in particular in case of damage to the battery receiving device. Furthermore, the requirements for splash protection of the battery receiving device are relatively low, since the sum of the output voltages of the batteries is not formed inside the battery receiving device. The output voltages of the batteries are transmitted via individual connection lines to the voltage supply circuit, which is arranged in the splash-proof control housing, and the sum of the output voltages is only formed inside the control housing by the voltage supply circuit.

Preferably, the pressure washer operates in a standing use position in which the longitudinal axis of the appliance housing is aligned substantially vertically. In that type of use position, the pressure washer requires only a relatively small standing surface for standing.

In the use position of the high pressure cleaner, the pump is preferably arranged below the electric motor and the control device is positioned next to the pump. In that type of embodiment of the invention, the control device in the upright use position of the high pressure cleaner is at a relatively small distance from the upright surface of the high pressure cleaner. This reduces the risk of damage to the control device, in particular to the splash-proof control housing. Even if the high pressure cleaner is tipped from its upright use position into a lying position in which the longitudinal axis of the appliance housing is aligned approximately horizontally, there is practically no risk of damage to the splash-proof control housing.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the high-pressure cleaner comprises two wheels that are rotatable about a common axis of rotation. This allows the high-pressure cleaner to be rolled along a floor surface in a simple manner. For this purpose, from its upright use position, the high-pressure cleaner can be tilted like a trolley about the common axis of rotation of the wheels and then rolled along the floor surface by means of the wheels.

It is preferred that the control device is arranged near the common axis of rotation of the wheels. In particular, the control device may be positioned at least partially between the two wheels. In that type of embodiment, the control device adopts a relatively small distance from the floor surface even when the high-pressure cleaner rolls, so that there is a low risk of damage to the control device, in particular the splash-proof control housing, in the event of an unintentional tipping over of the high-pressure cleaner.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control housing is configured to allow a forced guided cooling air flow to pass through, thereby effectively cooling the electronic control system disposed within the control housing.

It is particularly advantageous if the control housing is in flow connection with the motor housing of the electric motor via at least one air guide duct, and cooling air drawn into the motor housing can be supplied to the control housing via the at least one air guide duct. In that type of embodiment of the invention, preferably an intake assembly for drawing cooling air from the surroundings of the high-pressure cleaner is arranged inside the motor housing. The drawn cooling air can flow along the electric motor for cooling purposes and reach the control housing via the at least one air guide duct, so that the electronic control system positioned in the control housing can also be cooled by the cooling air. The cooling air can escape from the control housing via at least one air outlet opening.

Preferably, the at least one air outlet opening is located in a bottom wall of the control housing, which bottom wall is located below the electronic control system positioned within the control housing in a vertical use position of the high pressure cleaner.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the battery of the high-pressure cleaner is releasably and lockably held within the battery housing. This prevents the position of the battery within the battery housing from being unintentionally changed.

Advantageously, the battery receiving device comprises a number of locking elements, each movable back and forth between a locked position and an released position, to which a battery and an actuating element are respectively associated, and which are movable from the locked position to the released position by actuating the respectively associated actuating element. In that type of embodiment of the invention, each of the batteries can be individually locked in the battery housing. For this purpose, a respective locking element is used. Associated with each locking element is a separate actuating element, which, when actuated, can move the locking element from the locked position to the released position, so that the batteries can then be removed from the battery housing in a simple manner. Thus, the batteries can be removed from the housing one after the other, and for removal, the respective actuating element must be actuated.

By providing the locking element as movable, the battery does not need to have movable parts to secure the battery within the battery housing. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the battery and also reduces the susceptibility of the battery to failure.

The locking elements in the locked position may protrude from a wall of the battery housing. In the locked position of the locking elements, the locking elements can extend into the receptacles of the respective associated batteries to secure the batteries. In the released position of the locking elements, the locking elements can disengage from the receptacles of the respective batteries so that the batteries can be removed from the battery housing without being impeded by the associated locking elements.

The locking elements are preferably resiliently biased towards their locked position. The locking elements automatically adopt their locked position under the influence of a bias acting on them, and by actuating the respectively associated actuating element, the locking elements can be moved towards their released position against the bias acting on them.

The locking elements are preferably movable from the locked position to the released position by inserting the battery into the battery housing against an elastic restoring force. This facilitates the insertion and fixing of the battery in the battery housing. When the battery is inserted into the battery housing, the locking elements, which initially adopt their locked position, are moved by the respective associated battery against an elastic restoring force to their released position. When the battery reaches its end position in the battery housing, the locking elements return to their locked position under the influence of an elastic restoring force, and each of the locking elements locks the battery in the battery housing.

The locking elements may each include a hook. The hook may extend into a respective receptacle of the battery to secure the battery within the battery housing. Alternatively or additionally, the hook may engage behind a hook projection of the battery.

Preferably, the actuation element includes a push button, which facilitates actuation of the actuation element.

It is particularly advantageous if the push button in the vertical use position of the high-pressure cleaner can be pressed in the direction of the standing surface of the high-pressure cleaner, i.e. approximately vertically downwards. This has the advantage that the stability of the high-pressure cleaner is not adversely affected by the operation of the actuating element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuating elements each cooperate with a locking element via a catch, e.g. a ramp.

For example, the actuating elements can be displaced linearly in a pressing direction, preferably substantially vertically downward in the upright use position of the high-pressure cleaner, and each actuating element contacts a catch that transmits the movement of the actuating element to a locking element, causing the locking element to move from the locked position to the released position.

It is advantageous if each catch is rigidly connected to the locking element.

For example, each catch may form an integral plastic moulding together with the locking element.

As already mentioned, it is preferred that each of the locking elements includes a hook.

The hook can be connected to the catch as a single unit.

In an advantageous embodiment, particularly simple handling is achieved when replacing the batteries in that the battery receiving device comprises a plurality of removal elements, each associated with a battery, and when the locking elements respectively associated with the batteries adopt their release position, the batteries inserted in the battery housing can be moved in the direction opposite to the insertion direction by the respectively associated removal elements. To remove a battery from the battery housing in this type of embodiment of the invention, the user must activate the actuation element associated with the battery. This causes the locking element associated with the battery to be moved from its locked position to its released position, and thus the battery is moved in the direction opposite to the insertion direction by the associated removal element. After activation of the actuation element, the user can grasp the battery moved by the removal element in a simple manner and completely remove this battery from the battery housing. Providing the removal element, in combination with providing the actuation element and the locking element, allows for one-handed operation, so that a user can grasp a battery with one hand and insert it into the battery housing, the battery is secured in the battery housing at its end position, and the user can remove the inserted battery from the battery housing with one hand by first activating the actuation element associated with the battery and then grasping and removing the battery from the battery housing.

Advantageously, when the batteries reach their end positions in the battery housing, the batteries can be subjected to a spring force directed against the insertion direction by the respective associated ejection element. In the end position, the batteries are fixed by the respective associated locking element. Thus, when the locking element is moved from its locked position to its released position by actuating the associated actuation element, the batteries are moved in the direction opposite to the insertion direction under the effect of the spring force exerted by the ejection element.

The ejection element may, for example, include an ejection spring that is under tension when the battery is inserted and exerts a spring force on the battery, and under the influence of this spring force, the battery is moved in a direction opposite to the insertion direction after activation of an actuation element.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the battery receiving device in the upright use position of the high pressure cleaner is arranged on the appliance housing. In that type of embodiment, in the upright use position of the high pressure cleaner, the battery receiving device is easily accessible to the user. This makes it easier for the user to replace the battery.

Preferably, the battery in the upright use position of the high pressure washer can be inserted into the battery compartment in the direction of the upright surface of the high pressure washer. When inserting the battery into the battery compartment, the high pressure washer is thus only subjected to forces directed towards the upright surface, so that the stability of the high pressure washer is not adversely affected by the insertion of the battery. The battery can be inserted into the battery compartment in a generally vertical direction from top to bottom.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the battery receiving device includes a storage well that surrounds the battery compartment and is closable by a lid.

Preferably, the lid is pivotally mounted on the containing well.

Preferably, the pivot axis of the lid in the upright use position of the high pressure cleaner is oriented horizontally.

It is particularly advantageous if the lid is biased towards its closed position. This simplifies handling of the high pressure cleaner when changing batteries, since if the lid is not being held by the user, the lid will automatically adopt its closed position due to the bias acting on it.

Advantageously, the equipment housing includes an air inlet opening and an air inlet duct arranged between the air inlet opening and the battery receiving device. Cooling air can flow into the equipment housing via the air inlet duct and the air inlet opening arranged on the equipment housing, and as the cooling air flows through the air inlet duct, it also cools the battery receiving device. Because the air inlet duct extends between the equipment housing and the battery receiving device, the battery receiving device reduces the risk that splash water can enter the equipment housing through the air inlet opening.

Preferably, the air inlet opening is located in the top wall of the equipment housing.

Preferably, a suction assembly for drawing cooling air through the air inlet duct and the air inlet opening is disposed within the equipment housing.

It is particularly preferred if the suction assembly is arranged in the motor housing of the electric motor, the motor housing including at least one air inlet. The cooling air sucked in through the air inlet duct of the equipment housing, the air inlet opening and the at least one air inlet of the motor housing can flow along the electric motor to cool it. As already mentioned, it is particularly advantageous if the sucked in cooling air subsequently reaches the control housing via an air guide duct, and the electronic control system positioned in the control housing can also be cooled by the cooling air.

Preferably, the high pressure cleaner includes a first connection element for connecting a liquid supply duct and a second connection element for connecting a liquid dispensing duct, the two connection elements being arranged at the front side of the high pressure cleaner.

Preferably, the air inlet duct is positioned at the rear of the high-pressure cleaner. This makes it possible to particularly reduce the risk of splash water entering the equipment housing through the air inlet duct and the air inlet opening.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the high pressure washer includes a U-shaped push handle with two push rods and a grip connecting the push rods to each other, the push handle being mounted on the appliance housing so as to be displaceable back and forth between a parking position and an operating position. In the parking position, the grip adopts a smaller distance from the appliance housing than in the operating position. In the operating position, the grip can be easily grasped by a user to move the high pressure washer. When operated in the upright use position of the high pressure washer, for this purpose the push handle can be displaced to the parking position, so as not to impede further handling of the high pressure washer.

It is particularly advantageous if, in the parking position of the push handle, the grip and, preferably, the end region of the push rod facing the grip are arranged next to the battery receiving device. This has the advantage that, in the event of the high-pressure cleaner tipping over, the grip, and in particular the end portion of the push rod, prevents damage to the battery device.

For further explanation, an advantageous embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a high-pressure cleaner in an upright use position placed on a standing surface, with the push-in handle in the operative position; FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the high pressure washer of FIG. 1 with the push handle in a parked position; FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the high pressure washer of FIG. 1 with the push-in handle hidden; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a motor pump unit and a control device of the high-pressure washer of FIG. 1 . FIG. 5 is a side view of the motor pump unit and the control device of FIG. 4 . 2 is a front view of the battery receiving device of the high-pressure cleaner of FIG. 1, with the lid of the battery receiving device adopting an open position; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the battery receiving device of FIG. 6 . FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of detail X of FIG. 7 . 2 is a schematic diagram of the electronic control system of the high pressure washer of FIG. 1 .

Schematically shown in Figures 1 to 3 is an advantageous embodiment of a high-pressure cleaner 10 according to the invention in a standing use position, in which the high-pressure cleaner 10 is placed on a standing surface 12. The high-pressure cleaner 10 comprises an appliance housing 14 which encloses a motor-pump unit 16 and a control device 18 and on which a first wheel 20 and a second wheel 22 are mounted. The two wheels 20, 22 are rotatable about a common axis of rotation 24 to roll the high-pressure cleaner 10. From the appliance housing 14 protrude a first connecting element 26 as well as a second connecting element 28. A liquid supply duct, in particular a suction hose, can be connected to the first connecting element 26, and a liquid dispensing duct, in particular a pressure hose, can be connected to the second connecting element 28.

The appliance housing 14 includes a front side 30 and a rear side 32, and includes a bottom wall 34 and a top wall 36, and a first side wall 38 and a second side wall 40. Centrally located on the front side 30 is a carrying handle 42 that is generally vertically aligned when the pressure washer 10 is in the upright use position and is adjacent in a direction toward the top wall 36 to a master switch 44 of the pressure washer 10, which is configured as a rotary switch.

The top wall 36 includes an air inlet opening 46 through which cooling air can flow into the equipment housing 14. This is particularly evident in FIG. 2.

A battery receiving device 48 is disposed on the equipment housing 14. The battery receiving device 48 includes a receiving housing 50 formed by a receiving well 52 and a lid 54. The lid 54 is pivotally mounted on the receiving well 52 and can pivot about a pivot axis 56 that is aligned horizontally and generally perpendicular to the side walls 38, 40 when the pressure washer 10 is in the upright use position. The lid 54 adopts a closed position covering the receiving well 52 in Figures 1-3 and an open position not covering the receiving well 52 in Figures 6 and 7.

The containment well 52 includes a well base 58 adjacent to a circumferential outer wall 60 that is generally vertically aligned when the pressure washer 10 is in the upright use position.

As is particularly evident in FIG. 2, the well base 58 adopts a distance from the top wall 36 of the equipment housing 14. Between the well base 58 and the top wall 36 extends an air inlet duct 62 through which the cooling air can reach the air inlet opening 46 of the top wall 36. The two connection elements 26, 28 are arranged on the front side of the equipment housing 14, and the air inlet duct 62 opens out on the rear side of the equipment housing 14.

The motor pump unit 16 includes an electric motor 64 enclosed by a motor housing 66. The motor pump unit 16 further includes a pump 68 that is disposed below the electric motor 64 when the high pressure washer 10 is in the vertical use position and is driven by a transmission 70 of the electric motor 64, the transmission 70 being disposed between the electric motor 64 and the pump 68.

The control device 18 is located inside the equipment housing 14 between the pump 68 and the rear side 32 of the equipment housing 14. The control device 18 includes a splash-proof control housing 72 in which an electronic control system 74 for controlling the electric motor 64 is located. The control housing 72 is constructed as a separate part enclosed by the equipment housing 14. The control device is located near the axis of rotation 24 and is mostly located between the two wheels 20, 22.

The control housing 72 is flow-connected to the motor housing 66 via an air guide duct 76. The motor housing 66 includes two air inlets 78, 79 below the air inlet opening 46 of the equipment housing 14. Adjacent to the air inlets 78, 79 inside the motor housing 66 is a suction assembly 82 that is non-rotatably connected to the motor shaft 80, and by means of the air inlets 78, 79 cooling air can be drawn into the motor housing 66. The air inlet 78 faces the front side 30 of the equipment housing 14, and the air inlet 79 faces the rear side 32 of the equipment housing 14. The air inlet duct 62 thus forms a kind of flow labyrinth for the cooling air in combination with the air inlet opening 46 and the air inlets 78, 79.

Arranged inside the motor housing 66 on the side of the electric motor 64 remote from the suction assembly 82 is a fan wheel 84 by means of which the cooling air drawn by the suction assembly 82 can be blown through the air guide duct 76 to the control housing 72. The air guide duct 76 covers an upper housing opening 86 of the control housing 72 through which the cooling air can flow into the control housing 72. Arranged on the base 88 of the control housing 72 is a lower housing opening 90 through which the cooling air can flow from the control housing 72. The cooling air flow is depicted diagrammatically in FIG. 4 by arrows 77.

As is particularly evident in FIG. 9 , the electronic control system 74 includes a motor adjustment unit 92 connected to the electric motor 64 via an output line 94. The electronic control system 74 also includes a control unit 96 connected to the motor adjustment unit 92 via a first voltage supply line 98 and a second voltage supply line 100 and via a control line 102 and including a voltage supply circuit 104. The control unit 96 is also electrically connected to a pressure switch 108 via a pressure signal line 106, which provides the control unit 96 with a control signal that is dependent on the pressure prevailing in the area of the second connection element 28. As already mentioned, the second connection element 28 can be connected to a liquid dispensing duct. The liquid dispensing duct can support at its free end an exhaust part for the cleaning liquid, for example a spray gun, which exhaust part can be manually closed by the user. When the exhaust part is closed by the user, the pressure of the cleaning liquid thus rises in the area of the second connection element. A corresponding control signal can then trigger the control unit 96 to switch off the electric motor. Thus, when the discharge part is opened again by the user, the pressure of the cleaning liquid drops in the area of the second connecting element, whereupon a corresponding control signal can trigger the control unit 96 to switch the electric motor on again. Furthermore, a display device 110 is connected to the control unit 96.

The electric motor 64 is supplied with energy via a first rechargeable battery 112 and a second rechargeable battery 114 that can be inserted into a battery compartment 116 formed by the receiving well 52 of the battery receiving device 48. The first battery 112 is electrically connected to the voltage supply circuit 104 via a first connection line 118, 120, and the second battery 114 is electrically connected to the voltage supply circuit 104 via another second connection line 122, 124. The output voltage of the first battery 112 is provided to the voltage supply circuit 104 via the first connection line 118, 120, and the output voltage of the second battery 114 is provided to the voltage supply circuit 104 via the second connection line 122, 124. The batteries 112, 114 are connected in series with each other by the voltage supply circuit 104, and the sum of the output voltages of the two batteries 112, 114 resulting from the series connection is provided by the voltage supply circuit 104 to the motor adjustment unit 92 via the voltage supply lines 98, 100.

An inner wall 126 is positioned between a rear wall portion 125 of the outer wall 60 of the containment well 52 and the battery housing 116. Disposed between the inner wall 126 and the outer wall 60 is a gap 128 defined by a connecting wall 130 that connects the inner wall 126 to the outer wall 60 at its upper surface remote from the well base 58.

To lock the two batteries 112, 114, arranged in the gap 128 are two identically constructed locking elements, each associated with a battery 112 and 114, respectively. Only one locking element 132 is depicted diagrammatically in the drawings. The locking element 132 includes a hook 134 that engages through a through hole 136 in the inner wall 126 and is integrally connected to a catch 138 that forms an inclined surface 140. The hook 134 is fixed to the inner side 144 of the inner wall 126 facing the gap 128 via a restoring spring 142 configured as a leaf spring.

Two identically constructed actuating elements 146, 148 are movably mounted on the connecting wall 130, each associated with a battery 112 and 114, respectively, and each forming a push button 150. The push button 150 includes a guide shaft 152 that passes through a guide opening 154 in the connecting wall 130 and slides into the gap 128 with its end in sliding contact with the inclined surface 140.

When the pressure washer 10 is in the upright use position, the actuating elements 146, 148 can each be subjected to an actuating force directed generally vertically, i.e., directed towards the upright surface 12. This causes the push buttons 150 of the actuating elements 146, 148 to be depressed, so that the respective guide shafts 152 move into the gaps 128. This results in the catch 138 and, with it, the latch hook 134 moving from its locked position to its released position, as depicted in Figures 7 and 8. Said movement is made against the spring force exerted on the latch hook 134 by the restoring spring 142. In the locked position, the latch hook 134 projects into the battery compartment 166, and in the released position, the latch hook 134 completely unlocks the battery compartment 116.

Each of the identically configured batteries 112, 114 includes a latch receiver 156 into which the latch hook 134 in its locked position is inserted, and each battery 112 and 114 is secured within the battery housing. To remove the battery, the user can actuate the associated actuating element 146, 148 such that the latch hook 134, which is inserted into the latch receiver 156, is moved against the spring force of the return spring 142 to its released position out of the latch receiver 156.

To facilitate removal of the batteries 112, 114 after actuation of the respective actuating elements 146, 148, disposed on the well base 58 of the receiving housing 50 are extraction elements, each associated with a respective battery 112 and 114. These extraction elements are identical in construction and each form an extraction spring 158 that is tightened between the well base 58 and the respective battery 112, 114 when the respective associated battery 112 and 114 is inserted. Thus, when inserted, the batteries 112, 114 are each subjected to an extraction force that is directed generally vertically upward when the pressure washer 10 is in the upright use position. When a user wishes to remove a battery 112, 114 from the battery housing 116, for this purpose the user actuates the actuating elements 146, 148 associated with the battery, such that the locking elements 132 cooperating with the actuating elements 146, 148 release the desired battery 112, 114, after which the battery 112, 114 is displaced in a direction opposite to the insertion direction, i.e. approximately vertically upwards, under the influence of the extraction spring 158. The battery is thus lifted, after which it can be easily grasped by the user with one hand.

In the illustrated embodiment, the output voltage of the two batteries 112, 114 in the charged state is in each case 36 V. Due to the series connection of the batteries 112, 114, the electric motor 64 can therefore be provided with a supply voltage of 72 V. This allows the cleaning liquid to be placed under a pressure of at least 70 bar, preferably at least 100 bar, by the pump 68 driven by the electric motor 64.

Because the output voltages of the two batteries 112, 114 are connected in series with each other only within the control housing 72 and not within the battery receiving device 48, there is a low risk of the user coming into contact with the full voltage resulting from the series connection if the battery receiving device 48 or the equipment housing 14 is damaged.

The control housing 72 is located near the common axis of rotation 24 while adopting a position between the pump 68 and the rear side 32, so that the risk of damage to the control housing 72 is low. If the pressure washer 10 is tipped over from its upright use position, there is virtually no risk of damage to the control housing 72.

As already mentioned, the high pressure washer 10 can roll by means of the two wheels 20, 22. To facilitate rolling, the high pressure washer 10 includes a U-shaped push handle 160 including a first push rod 162 and a second push rod 164 displaceably mounted on the appliance housing 14 and rigidly connected to each other via a grip 166. The push handle 160 can be displaced back and forth between an operating position depicted in FIG. 1 and a parking position depicted in FIG. 2. The distance between the grip 166 and the appliance housing 14 is greater in the operating position than in the parking position. In the parking position, the grip 166 and the end regions of the two push rods 162, 164 facing the grip 166 are arranged side by side to the side of the battery receiving device 48. If the high pressure cleaner 10 tips backward from its upright use position, the grip 166 and the end areas of the push rods 162, 164 facing the grip 166 protect the battery receiving device 48, and in particular the receiving housing 50, from damage.

Claims (23)

A high pressure washer comprising an appliance housing (14) in which an electric motor (64) and a pump (68) driven by said electric motor (64) are arranged, and at least one rechargeable battery (112, 114) for supplying energy to said electric motor (64),
The high pressure cleaner (10) includes at least two rechargeable batteries (112, 114) connected in series with each other;
The high-pressure cleaner (10) includes a battery receiving device (48) having a battery housing (116), the battery (112, 114) can be inserted into the battery housing (116), and the battery (112, 114) can be removed from the battery housing (116);
the battery receiving device (48) being disposed outside the equipment housing (14);
When the high pressure cleaner (10) is in an upright use position, the battery receiving device (48) is disposed on the equipment housing (14);
the equipment housing (14) includes an air inlet opening (46), and an air inlet duct (62) is disposed between the air inlet opening (46) and the battery receiving device (48);
the air inlet opening (46) being located in a top wall (36) of the equipment housing (14);
a suction assembly (82) for drawing cooling air through the air inlet duct (62) and the air inlet opening (46) is disposed within the equipment housing (14); and the suction assembly (82) is disposed within a motor housing (66) including at least one air inlet (78);
A high pressure washer that features: The high pressure cleaner according to claim 1,
an electrical control device (18) having a splash-proof control housing (72) and an electronic control system (74) positioned within the control housing (72) is disposed within the equipment housing (14);
the electronic control system (74) includes a voltage supply circuit (104);
the batteries (112, 114) are connected to the voltage supply circuit (104) via respective electrical connections (118, 120; 122, 124) and are connected in series with each other by the voltage supply circuit (104);
A high pressure washer that features: The high-pressure cleaner according to claim 2,
In an upright use position of the high pressure cleaner (10), the pump (68) is disposed below the electric motor (64), and the control device (18) is disposed next to the pump (68);
A high pressure washer that features: The high-pressure cleaner according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the high-pressure cleaner (10) includes two wheels (20, 22) rotatable around a common axis of rotation (24), and the control device (18) is disposed in the vicinity of the common axis of rotation (24). The high-pressure cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the control housing (72) is configured to allow a forced guided cooling air flow to flow through it. The high-pressure cleaner according to claim 5,
the electric motor (64) is enclosed by the motor housing (66), the control housing (72) is in flow connection with the motor housing (66) via at least one air guide duct (76);
the cooling air drawn into the motor housing (66) can be supplied to the control housing (72) via the at least one air guide duct (76);
A high pressure washer that features: The high-pressure washer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the batteries (112, 114) are releasably and lockably held within the battery housing (116). The high pressure cleaner according to claim 7,
the battery receiving device (48) includes a plurality of locking elements (132) movable back and forth between a locked position and an unlocked position;
a battery (112; 114) and an actuation element (146; 148) associated with each of the locking elements (132), the locking elements (132) being movable from the locked position to the released position by actuating the associated actuation element (146; 148);
A high pressure washer that features: The high pressure washer according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking element (132) in the locked position protrudes from the wall (126) of the battery housing (116). The high pressure washer according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the locking element (132) is elastically biased into the locking position. The high pressure washer according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the locking element (132) is movable from the locked position to the released position by inserting the associated battery (112, 114) into the battery housing (116) against an elastic restoring force. The high pressure washer according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that each of the locking elements (132) includes a latching projection (134). The high pressure washer according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the actuating elements (146, 148) each include a push button (150). The high pressure washer according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the actuating elements (146, 148) each cooperate with a locking element (132) via a catch. A high-pressure cleaner according to any one of claims 8 to 14,
the battery receiving device (48) includes a plurality of removal elements (158) each associated with a battery;
after actuation of an actuation element (146, 148), the batteries (112, 114) inserted in the battery housing (116) are movable in a direction opposite to the insertion direction by the associated removal element (158);
A high pressure washer that features: The high pressure washer according to claim 15, characterized in that when the batteries (112, 114) reach an end position in the battery housing (116), the associated ejection element (158) applies a spring force directed opposite to the insertion direction. The high pressure washer according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that each of the ejection elements includes an ejection spring (158). The high-pressure washer according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the upright use position of the high-pressure washer (10), the battery (112, 114) can be inserted into the battery compartment (116) in the direction of the upright surface (12) of the high-pressure washer (10). The high-pressure washer according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the battery receiving device (48) includes a storage well (52) that surrounds the battery storage compartment (116) and can be closed by a lid (54). The high pressure washer according to claim 19, characterized in that the lid (54) is pivotally mounted on the containing well (52). The high pressure washer according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the lid (54) is biased toward a closed position. The high pressure cleaner according to claim 1,
said high pressure cleaner comprising a first connecting element (26) for connecting a liquid supply duct and a second connecting element (28) for connecting a liquid dispensing duct,
The two connecting elements (26, 28) are arranged on the front side (30) of the high pressure cleaner (10);
The air inlet duct (62) is disposed at the rear side of the high pressure cleaner (10);
A high pressure washer that features: A high-pressure cleaner according to claim 1, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22,
The high pressure washer (10) includes a U-shaped push handle (160) with two push rods (162, 164) and a grip (166) connecting the push rods (162, 164) to each other;
The push handle (160) is mounted on the equipment housing (14) so as to be displaceable back and forth between a parked position and an operating position;
the handgrip (166) in the parked position is disposed next to the battery receiving device (48);
A high pressure washer that features:

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