EP4447769A1

EP4447769A1 - Cleaning station for active mop

Info

Publication number: EP4447769A1
Application number: EP21840496.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Filip AUSTAD
Original assignee: Electrolux AB
Current assignee: Electrolux AB
Priority date: 2021-12-15
Filing date: 2021-12-15
Publication date: 2024-10-23
Also published as: WO2023110092A1; CN118401157A

Abstract

The disclosure concerns a cleaning station (2) for an active mop. The cleaning station (2) comprises: a container (20) for holding a cleaning liquid, a cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) for supporting a cleaning pad (6) of the active mop, and a roller (24) configured upon rotation to transport cleaning liquid from the container (20) to the surface member (22). The roller (24) is configured to be rotated by the cleaning pad (6). The cleaning station (2) is configured to provide a pad cleaning setting and a pad liquid content reducing setting while the rotatable cleaning pad (6) rotates in one direction. In the pad cleaning setting, the roller (24) is rotatable by the rotatable cleaning pad (6) of the active mop (4) and in the pad liquid content reducing setting, the roller (24) is prevented from being rotated while the cleaning pad (6) rotates.

Description

Cleaning Station for Active Mop

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a cleaning station for an active mop.

BACKGROUND

Electrically driven floor cleaning devices are known. One kind of such floor cleaning devices comprises e.g., two discs rotatable about separate vertical axes. The discs are wetted with a cleaning liquid, such as water, and the floor cleaning device is operated by a user by moving the floor cleaning device with the discs in contact with the floor surface to be cleaned and with the discs rotating.

The floor cleaning device may be a dedicated floor wet cleaning device comprising the discs as a permanently installed feature of the floor cleaning device. Alternatively, the floor cleaning device may be a multipurpose floor cleaning device including for instance a vacuum cleaning function and a floor wet cleaning function. Different cleaning tools are interfaced with a body portion including at least a handle portion and an electric power connection of the multipurpose floor cleaning device. One cleaning tool to interface with the body portion may be a vacuum cleaner nozzle. A different cleaning toll to interface with the body portion may be a housing including the rotatable discs.

CN 111195111 A discloses a rotary dewatering and cleaning tool for an electric mop. The mop comprises an electric mop body and a mop bucket. The electric mop body comprises a mop rod and a mop head, a wiping object is arranged on the mop head. A washing component used for cleaning a wiping object and a supporting part used for supporting the electric mop body are arranged in the mop bucket. The electric mop body abuts against the supporting part and has a high position and a low position. When the electric mop is located at the low position, the wiping object makes contact with the washing component and is cleaned through rotation of the electric mop. When the electric mop is located at the high position, the wiping object is away from the washing component and is spin-dried and dewatered through rotation of the electric mop.

US 2020/397205 A1 discloses a cleaning assembly including a floor scrubber and a selfcleaning device matched with the floor scrubber. The floor scrubber includes a housing connected to a handle. A motor is arranged in the housing. A scrubbing disc is arranged below the housing and is driven by the motor to rotate. The self-cleaning device includes a barrel connected to a support member used for supporting the floor scrubber. A wiper member is arranged in the barrel. The scrubbing disc is either wetted outside the barrel or wetted by pumping water to the scrubbing disc in the barrel. When the scrubbing disc is placed in the barrel to be dried, the wiper member abuts against the scrubbing disc and when the scrubbing disc rotates water and/or dirt on the scrubbing disc are/is wiped off by the wiper member. According to one embodiment, the wiper member comprises rollers. By adoption of a ratchet mechanism, the rollers can rotate in only one direction. When the rollers rotate, water is supplied to clean the scrubbing disc. The ratchet mechanism can lock the rollers to prevent the rollers from rotating reversely. Thus, the scrubbing disc can be cleaned with water when rotating forward and can be dried when rotating reversely.

SUMMARY

Reducing the cleaning liquid content of a cleaning pad of an active mop is an important step in the cleaning of a cleaning pad before being put to use again for cleaning a floor surface. In order to avoid large puddles of cleaning liquid on the floor surface, the cleaning pad has to have a suitable liquid content.

It has been realised that spin-drying a cleaning pad takes considerable time and can also lead to an uneven liquid content within the cleaning pad. Specifically, at the periphery of the cleaning pad the liquid content may be higher than radially inwardly on the cleaning pad.

Further, a reversal of the rotational direction of the cleaning pad is not possible in all active mops. Accordingly, rotating the cleaning pad in opposite directions during cleaning of the pad and during liquid content reduction in the pad is not possible in all instances.

Accordingly, the prior art cleaning devices as discussed above in CN 111195111 and US 2020/397205 have certain drawbacks.

It would be advantageous to achieve an efficient cleaning station for an active mop. In particular, it would be desirable to enable efficient cleaning of, and liquid reduction in, a cleaning pad of an active mop. To better address one or more of these concerns, a cleaning station having the features defined in the independent claim is provided.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a cleaning station for an active mop, the cleaning station being configured for the active mop having at least one about a vertical axis rotatable cleaning pad. The cleaning station comprises: a container for holding a cleaning liquid, a cleaning pad supporting surface member arranged above a bottom of the container, the cleaning pad supporting surface member being configured to support the cleaning pad, and a roller arranged centrally in the cleaning pad supporting surface member and configured upon rotation to transport cleaning liquid from the container to the surface member. The roller is rotatable about a horizontal axis and configured to be rotated by the rotatable cleaning pad of the active mop. The cleaning station is configured to provide a pad cleaning setting and a pad liquid content reducing setting while the rotatable cleaning pad rotates in one direction. In the pad cleaning setting, the roller is rotatable by the rotatable cleaning pad of the active mop and in the pad liquid content reducing setting, the roller is prevented from being rotated while the cleaning pad rotates.

Since the roller is configured, upon rotation, to transport cleaning liquid from the container to the surface member and to be rotated by the rotatable cleaning pad of the active mop, since the cleaning station is configured to provide a pad cleaning setting and a pad liquid content reducing setting while the rotatable cleaning pad rotates in one direction, and since in the pad cleaning setting, the roller is rotatable by the rotatable cleaning pad of the active mop and in the pad liquid content reducing setting, the roller is prevented from being rotated while the cleaning pad rotates - an efficient cleaning station is provided.

The cleaning station provides both cleaning of the cleaning pad of an active mop and reduction of the liquid content of the cleaning pad without requiring change of rotational direction.

The cleaning station is provided for interaction with an active mop.

As used herein, terms such as upwardly, downwardly, top, etc. relate to the cleaning station and its components when the cleaning station is positioned for intended use one a horizontal surface.

The active mop is a handheld device configured for wet cleaning of a floor surface. The active mop comprises the at least one rotatable cleaning pad. The at least one cleaning pad comprises a floor engaging surface configured to engage with the floor surface to be cleaned. The floor engaging surface may extend generally in a substantially radial direction in relation to the vertical axis, about which the at least one cleaning pad is rotatable.

The active mop may be a dedicated floor wet cleaning device. As such the active mop is only devised for wet cleaning of floor surfaces. The at least one rotatable cleaning pad is installed in the active mop in a manner that permits exchange of the rotatable cleaning pad as such or exchange of a portion thereof, such as a member comprising the floor engaging surface of the cleaning pad. However, the active mop is not devised for carrying other active cleaning tools than the at least one rotatable cleaning pad.

Alternatively, the active mop may be implemented in a multipurpose floor cleaning device configured to alternate between floor wet cleaning function and one or more further cleaning functions. An active mop cleaning tool may be configured to interfaced with a body portion the multipurpose floor cleaning device. The active mop cleaning tool may comprise the at least one rotatable cleaning pad.

The active mop may comprise e.g., two or more cleaning pads, each cleaning pad being rotatable about its respective vertical axis, the axes of the cleaning pads extending substantially in parallel with each other.

The cleaning pad supporting surface member provides a surface, which is configured to support the cleaning pad, at least partially, in both the pad cleaning setting and the pad liquid content reducing setting.

During use of the active mop for cleaning a floor surface, the cleaning pad is moist or wet but only to such a degree that large puddles of cleaning liquid on the floor surface are avoided. The actual liquid content of a cleaning pad may vary between different types of cleaning pads. A voluminous and porous cleaning pad may hold more cleaning liquid than a more compact cleaning pad. In the end, a user of the active mop may have to decide how long the cleaning pad is to be subjected to the pad cleaning setting to clean the cleaning pad and the pad liquid content reducing setting to provide a suitable liquid content in the cleaning pad for floor cleaning. User preferences may vary.

The cleaning station may be configured for receiving two or more cleaning pads of an active mop.

The cleaning station is provided for cleaning the at least one cleaning pad of an active mop. The cleaning station may also be used for wetting the at least one cleaning pad at the beginning of a floor cleaning process with the active mop.

For one or both of these purposes, the roller arranged centrally in the cleaning pad supporting surface member transports cleaning liquid from the container to the cleaning pad supporting surface member while the roller is rotate about its horizontal axis by the cleaning pad of the active mop. Accordingly, during use of the cleaning station, a cleaning liquid, such as water or water with a detergent, is held in the container. The cleaning pad supporting surface member is provided above a liquid surface of the cleaning liquid in the container. The roller is arranged to extend from the cleaning pad supporting surface member to below the liquid surface level of the cleaning liquid. Thus, the cleaning liquid can be transported by the roller to the cleaning pad supporting surface member in the pad cleaning setting of the cleaning station.

In the pad cleaning setting it is intended that the at least one cleaning pad is to be cleaned at least to a certain degree, such that the cleaning pad is cleaner after having be cleaned during the pad cleaning setting than before.

In the pad cleaning setting, the roller rotates continuously in order to continuously or intermittently supply cleaning liquid from the container to a top of the cleaning pad supporting surface member and the cleaning pad by the rotating cleaning pad driving the roller to rotate about its axis.

In the pad liquid content reducing setting, the roller is prevented from being rotated. Accordingly, no liquid is supplied from the container to the cleaning pad supporting surface member. Thus, the amount of cleaning liquid in the cleaning pad is gradually decreased in the pad liquid content reducing setting.

In the pad liquid content reducing setting, the at least one cleaning pad may be relieved of part of the cleaning liquid that has been supplied to the cleaning pad during the pad cleaning setting. In the pad liquid content reducing setting the cleaning pad may be relieved of part of the cleaning liquid therein by pressing against at least part of the cleaning pad supporting surface member. The cleaning pad supporting surface member may be devised to improve such relieving of cleaning liquid. The cleaning pad supporting surface member may for instance comprise ridges and/or grooves to improve the relieving of cleaning liquid.

The term liquid content as used herein with reference to the liquid content of a cleaning pad relates to the liquid volume contained in the cleaning pad or the amount of cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning pad. If measured, the liquid content may be expressed e.g., in liquid volume / cleaning pad volume. The container has an opening facing upwardly when the container is standing on a horizontal surface, such as e.g. a floor surface to be cleaned. During use of the cleaning station, the rotatable cleaning pad is lowered through the opening into the container to be supported by the cleaning pad supporting surface member.

The cleaning pad supporting surface member may support the at least one cleaning pad by the cleaning pad abutting at least partially against the top of the cleaning pad supporting surface member.

The cleaning pad supporting surface member may be provided below an upper rim of the container. Thus, while the cleaning pad is positioned on the cleaning pad supporting surface member, it is avoid that cleaning liquid spills out of the container as the cleaning pad rotates. The upper rim may extend around the opening of the container.

During use of the cleaning station, at least part of the container may be filed with cleaning liquid to a level just below the cleaning pad supporting surface member. The roller may be at least partially submerged in the cleaning liquid.

The roller may extend partially underneath the cleaning pad, such as in a radial direction of the cleaning pad from a periphery of the cleaning pad to maximum the rotational axis of the cleaning pad. Thus, the roller can be rotated about its horizontal axis by the rotating cleaning pad engaging with the roller.

The preventing of the rotation of the roller during the pad liquid content reducing setting may be achieved in various ways in accordance with different embodiments of the invention.

According to embodiments, the cleaning station may be configured to provide engagement between the cleaning pad of the active mop and the cleaning pad supporting surface member, both during the pad cleaning setting and the pad liquid content reducing setting. In this manner, the cleaning station may be configured to provide rubbing between the cleaning pad supporting surface member and the cleaning pad as it rotates. During the pad cleaning setting, such rubbing engagement may contribute to the cleaning of the cleaning pad. During the pad liquid content reducing setting, such rubbing engagement may contribute to the reduction of liquid in the cleaning pad.

According to embodiments, the cleaning station may comprise a mechanism to provide the pad liquid content reducing setting, wherein the mechanism is configured to stop the roller while the cleaning pad of the active mop rotates. In this manner, the roller may be prevented from supplying cleaning liquid from the container to the cleaning pad supporting surface member during the pad liquid content reducing setting.

Consequently, the mechanism may also be configured to permit the roller to rotate during the pad cleaning setting.

According to embodiments, the mechanism may be configured to stop the roller upon a vertical motion of at least a portion of the active mop. In this manner, the pad liquid content reducing setting may be initiated by a vertical motion of the active mop, such a vertical motion of the cleaning pad and/or a portion of the active mop close to the cleaning pad.

For instance, an upwardly directed vertical motion of the cleaning pad may stop the roller thus, initiating the pad liquid content reducing setting. Conversely, a downwardly directed vertical motion of the cleaning pad, releases the roller and initiates the pad cleaning setting.

According to embodiments, the mechanism may comprise a lifting member for lifting a side portion of the active mop from the cleaning pad supporting surface member to disengage the cleaning pad of the active mop from the roller. In this manner, the pad liquid content reducing setting may be initiated by a vertical motion of the active mop.

Since a side portion of the active mop is lifted, an opposite side portion thereof may still be engaged with the cleaning pad supporting surface member, such as a portion of the cleaning pad at the opposite side portion. Since the cleaning pad rotates, this kind of partial engagement with the cleaning pad supporting surface member during the pad liquid content reducing setting still causes liquid content in the entire cleaning pad to be reduced.

For instance, the lifting member may for instance engage with the side portion of the active mop and be biased in an upwardly direction. Thus, a user may push the active mop downwardly against the lifting member in order to engage the cleaning pad with the roller and to initiate the pad cleaning setting. By decreasing the downward force, the pad liquid content reducing setting is initiated by the lifting member lifting the side portion of the active mop until the cleaning pad no longer engages with the roller.

According to embodiments, the mechanism may comprise a blocking member configured to engage with the roller to prevent the roller from rotating. In this manner, the vertical motion of the active mop may cause the mechanism to block the roller in order to initiate the pad liquid content reducing setting.

For instance, a downwardly directed vertical motion of a portion of the active mop may cause the blocking member of the mechanism to release the roller thus, initiating the pad cleaning setting. Conversely, by an upwardly directed vertical motion of a portion of the active mop, the blocking member may block the roller and initiate the pad liquid content reducing setting.

According to embodiments, the cleaning pad supporting surface member may comprise at least one protrusion configured to engage with the cleaning pad. In this manner, a deeper penetration into the cleaning pad during engagement of the cleaning pad with the cleaning pad supporting surface member may be ensured than if the cleaning pad supporting surface member only provided a flat surface for engagement with the cleaning pad. Thus, during the pad cleaning setting, the rubbing engagement between the cleaning pad supporting surface member and the at least one protrusion with the cleaning pad may contribute to a more thorough cleaning of the cleaning pad. During the pad liquid content reducing setting, the rubbing engagement between the cleaning pad supporting surface member and the at least one protrusion with the cleaning pad may contribute to more efficient reduction of liquid in the cleaning pad.

The protrusion may protrude upwardly form the cleaning pad supporting surface member.

According to embodiments, the cleaning pad supporting surface member may comprise through openings fluidly connecting a top of the cleaning pad supporting surface member with the container. In this manner, cleaning liquid on top of the cleaning pad supporting surface member may flow through the through openings back into the container.

More specifically, since during the pad cleaning setting, cleaning liquid is transported by the roller from the container to the cleaning pad supporting surface member and the cleaning pad in order to clean the cleaning pad, more cleaning liquid than what is being soaked up by the cleaning pad may be transported to the cleaning pad supporting surface member. The cleaning liquid is thus, returned to the container via the through openings. Further, during the pad liquid content reducing setting, cleaning liquid is pressed out of the cleaning pad. Such cleaning liquid is also returned to the container via the through openings.

According to embodiments, the cleaning station may be configured for the active mop having at least two rotatable cleaning pads. The cleaning pad supporting surface member may be configured to support the at least two cleaning pads, and the roller may be arranged to extend substantially between centres of two cleaning pads of the active mop. In this manner, a cleaning station for an active mop comprising two cleaning pads may be provided. Moreover, only one roller may be required to supply cleaning liquid to the at least two cleaning pads.

Suitably, the two cleaning pads of the active mop are counterrotating cleaning pads. Thus, the rotation of each of the two cleaning pads will contribute to rotating the roller.

Further features of, and advantages with, the invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects and/or embodiments of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the example embodiments discussed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a cleanings station according to embodiments and an active mop,

Figs. 2a and 2b illustrate a cleaning station according to embodiments

Figs. 3a and 3b schematically illustrate embodiments of a cleaning pad supporting surface member, and

Figs. 4a - 4d schematically illustrate embodiments of mechanisms of a cleaning station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and/or embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a cleanings station 2 according to embodiments and an active mop 4. The cleaning station 2 may be a cleaning station as discussed herein e.g., with reference to Figs. 2 - 4d below.

The active mop 4 comprises at least one about a vertical axis rotatable cleaning pad 6. In the illustrated embodiments, the active mop 4 comprises two counterrotating cleaning pads 6, as indicated by two arrows. The at least one cleaning pad 6 is rotatable about a vertical axis when the active mop 4 is arranged in a use position. In the illustrated embodiments, the respective vertical axes of the two cleaning pads 6 are arranged in parallel.

The at least one cleaning pad 6 comprises a floor engaging surface 8 configured to engage with a floor surface 10 to be cleaned. The floor engaging surface 8 extends generally in a substantially radial direction in relation to the vertical axis.

The at least one cleaning pad 6 comprises one or more porous materials configured to soak up cleaning liquid. Examples of such porous materials are a micro fibre material, a synthetic or naturel sponge, a textile material, a nonwoven material, etc.

The cleaning pads 6 are rotated by one or more electric motors arranged in a housing 12 at an end portion of the active mop 4. A handle 14 is connected to the housing 12 and configured for grasping by a user of the active mop 4. The one or more electric motors may be supplied with electrical energy by a rechargeable battery or from power mains via an electric power cord.

The active mop 4 is configured for cleaning a floor surface 10. A user of the active mop 4 will manually move the active mop 4 along the floor surface 10 to be cleaned with the at least one cleaning pad 6 engaging with the floor surface 10.

Active mops as such are known and do not require any further explanation.

The cleaning station 2 is configured for cleaning the at least one cleaning pad 6 in a pad cleaning setting and for reducing the liquid content of the at least one cleaning pad 6 in a pad liquid content reducing setting.

Figs. 2a and 2b illustrate a cleaning station 2 according to embodiments for an active mop. Fig. 2a shows a perspective view of the cleaning station 2 and Fig. 2b shows an exploded view of the cleaning station 2.

The cleaning station 2 comprises a container 20 for holding a cleaning liquid, a cleaning pad supporting surface member 22, and a roller 24 arranged centrally in the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22. During use of the cleaning station 2, the cleaning liquid is transferred by the roller 24 from the container 20 to the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22.

The roller 24 is rotatable about a horizontal axis 26. The roller 24 is configured to be rotated about the horizontal axis 26 by the rotatable cleaning pad of the active mop. In these embodiments, the roller 24 is configured to be rotated by two counterrotating cleaning pads.

The roller 24 is configured upon rotation to transport cleaning liquid from the container 20 to the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22.

Accordingly, the roller 24 extends through the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 into the container 20, with the rotational axis 26 arranged such that one portion of the roller 24 is arranged at, or slightly above, a top or an upper surface 51 of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 and one portion of roller 24 is arranged below the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22.

An outer surface of the roller 24 may be formed to enhance entraining cleaning liquid from the container 20 to the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22. For instance, the outer surface of the roller 24 may include protrusions 28 and/or grooves 30 that act as liquid transporting members, dragging the cleaning liquid from the container 20 onto the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22.

A size of the roller 24 may depend on a size of the cleaning pads 6. Mentioned purely as an example, one cleaning pad 6 may have a diameter within a range of 10 - 20 cm. The roller 24 may have a length along the rotational axis 26 within a range of 10 - 20 cm. The roller may have a diameter within a range of 5 - 15 cm. Peripherally, along the surface of the roller 24, the protrusions 28 may be provided with a partition within a range of 5 - 20 mm.

The cleaning station 2 may comprise one roller 24 only.

According to some embodiments, the roller 24 may be of an open construction to admit cleaning liquid into an inside of the roller 24. In this manner, the cleaning liquid in the container 20 is not displaced by the roller 24. Accordingly, a maximum amount of cleaning liquid may be contained in the container 20 and no lifting force from the cleaning liquid acts on the roller 24, ensuring secure positioning of the roller 24 and/or the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 in the container 20. In the illustrated embodiments, the open construction of the roller 24 includes a hollow cylinder 32 provided with a number of through holes 34.

The roller 24 comprises two end wall members 36, one at each axial end of the cylinder 32. The end wall members 36 are provided with centrally arranged protrusions 38, which are journaled in respective seats 40 in the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22.

The cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 is configured to support a cleaning pad of the active mop. In the illustrated embodiments, the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 is configured to support two cleaning pads 6 of the active mop, one cleaning pad 6 on each side of a centre of the roller 24. In Fig. 2a, the cleaning pads 6 are indicated with broken line circles and their rotational directions are indicated with arrows.

Accordingly, the cleaning station 2 is configured for the active mop to have two rotatable cleaning pads and the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 is configured to support the two cleaning pads.

The roller 24 is arranged to extend substantially between centres of two cleaning pads 6 of the active mop. Thus, the roller 24 is rotatable by two counterrotating cleaning pads 6 of the active mop.

The cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 is arranged above a bottom of the container 20. Thus, the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 is arranged above a surface level of the cleaning liquid in the container 20. Accordingly, suitably, during use of the cleaning station 2, the container 20 is only filled with cleaning liquid to a level just below the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22.

According to some embodiments, the container 20 comprises an inner container 20’ and an outer container 20”. The roller 24 extends into the inner container 20’. In this manner, two compartments are provided on the cleaning station 2.

The two containers 20’, 20” may be arranged for containing two liquids, such as unused cleaning liquid and used cleaning liquid. Thus, cleaning of the cleaning pads 6 may be performed with clean cleaning liquid since the cleaning liquid is not contaminated with cleaning liquid that has been used for cleaning the cleaning pads 6. The inner container 20’ may be arranged radially inside the outer container 20” as shown in Fig. 2b. Alternatively, the inner container may be arranged centrally below the roller between two outer containers arranged outside the inner container seen along the rotational axis of the roller.

According to alternative embodiments, the container 20 may comprise only one container. In such embodiments, used cleaning liquid is mixed with clean cleaning liquid. When cleaning some floor surfaces, such as e.g. floor surfaces that are soiled to a lesser degree, this may be a viable option.

According to some embodiments, the roller 24 extends to a bottom of the inner container 20’. In this manner, it may be ensured during use of the cleaning station 2 that substantially all cleaning liquid within the inner container 20’ may be transported to the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22.

Similarly, in embodiments of the cleaning station comprising only one container 20, the roller 24 may extend to a bottom of the one container 20.

As mentioned above, the cleaning station 2 is configured to provide a pad cleaning setting and a pad liquid content reducing setting. These two settings are provided with the rotatable cleaning pad rotating in one direction.

In the pad cleaning setting, the roller 24 is rotatable by the rotatable cleaning pad 6 of the active mop and in the pad liquid content reducing setting, the roller 24 is prevented from being rotated while the cleaning pad 6 rotates.

During the pad cleaning setting, the cleaning pad 6 engages with the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 and the roller 24. The latter is rotated by the cleaning pad 6 and thus, cleaning liquid is transported by the roller 24 from the container 20, such as the inner container 20’, to the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 where the cleaning liquid is soaked up by the cleaning pad and optionally squeezed out again - comparable to a manual rinsing of the cleaning pad.

During the pad liquid content reducing setting, the roller 24 stands still and accordingly, no cleaning liquid is supplied to the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22. However, since the cleaning pad 6 is rotating, the engagement between the cleaning pad 6 and the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 reduces the liquid content of the cleaning pad 6. The cleaning station 2 comprises a mechanism 60 to provide the pad liquid content reducing setting. The mechanism 60 is configured to stop the roller 24 while the cleaning pad 6 of the active mop rotates.

The mechanism 60 is activated by a user of the cleaning station 2. For instance, the user may activate the mechanism 60 with the active mop.

The mechanism 60 may also enable the pad cleaning setting. That is, the mechanism 60 may have two positions, one enabling the pad liquid content reducing setting and the other enabling the pad cleaning setting.

The mechanism 60 is only partially shown in Figs. 2a and 2b, see further below with reference to Figs. 4a - 4d.

The cleaning station 2 is configured to provide engagement between the cleaning pad 6 and the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22, both during the pad cleaning setting and the pad liquid content reducing setting. Such engagement is beneficial in both settings for cleaning the cleaning pad as well as reducing liquid content therein.

The container 20 may comprise a foldable handle 42 configured for a user to carry the cleaning station 2.

The container 20 may comprise a plug 44 for emptying cleaning liquid from the container 20. The cleaning liquid may be used cleaning liquid which has been collected while cleaning the cleaning pads. The pug 44 may suitably be arranged at a lower end of the container 20.

The cleaning station 2 may comprise a positioning member 46 for positioning the active mop laterally on the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22. In this manner, it may be ensured that the active mop and its cleaning pads 6may be correctly positioned in relation to the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22.

For instance, the positioning member 46 may include a recess and/or a protrusion configured to mate with a corresponding protrusion and/or recess of the active mop. The protrusion of the active mop may for instance be a wheel configured to support the active mop against the floor surface to be cleaned. In the illustrated embodiments, the positioning member 46 comprises a recess configured for receiving a wheel of the active mop.

The cleaning station 2 may be provided with other kinds of positionings members and/(or further positioning members e.g., positioning members interacting with the cleaning pads of the active mop.

Figs. 3a and 3b schematically illustrate embodiments of a cleaning pad supporting surface member 22. Fig. 3a shows a perspective view of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22. Fig. 3b shows a cross section along line B-B in Fig. 3a including a cross section through a portion of a container 20.

The cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 may be a cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 comprised in one of the cleaning stations 2 discussed above with reference to Figs. 1 - 2b.

The cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 comprises at least one protrusion 48 configured to engage with the cleaning pad of the active mop. The at least one protrusion 48 may at least partially penetrate into the soft cleaning pad as it is rotated in engagement with the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22.

In the illustrated embodiments, there are provided five protrusions 48 for engagement with respective of two cleaning pads of the active mop.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the at least one protrusion 48 extends in the form of at least one ridge along the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22. In this manner, the at least one ridge provides an engagement with the cleaning pad along a line corresponding to an extension of the at least one ridge. Such an engagement along a line may squeeze cleaning liquid out of the cleaning pad in an efficient manner. Moreover, the at least one ridge may guide cleaning liquid towards a desired portion of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22, such as towards through openings 50 of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22.

The cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 comprises through openings 50 fluidly connecting a top 51 of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 20 with the container 2. Cleaning liquid on the top 51 of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 may thus, flow through the through openings 50 back into the container 20. Clean cleaning liquid may be provided in an inner container 20’ and transported with the roller (not shown) to the top 51 of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 for being soaked up by the cleaning pads and squeezed out of the cleaning pads.

As shown in Fig. 3b, the through openings 50 may communicate with an outer container 20”. In this manner, used/dirty cleaning liquid squeezed out of the cleaning pad may be directed to the outer container 20” for later disposal of the used cleaning liquid.

According to embodiments, tube portions 52 may extend from the through openings 50 into the container 20. In this manner, the risk of cleaning liquid spilling from the container 20 via the through openings 50 may be reduced e.g., when a user carries the cleaning station.

According to embodiments, the top 51 of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 may be inclined towards the through openings 50. In this manner, cleaning liquid on the top 51 of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 may be guided towards the through openings 50.

A risk of the cleaning liquid from the top 51 of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 flowing back into the inner container 20’ may thus be reduced.

According to some embodiments, indicated with broken lines 54 in Fig. 3b, the at least one protrusion 48 may extend farther from the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 at a peripheral portion of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 than at a more central portion thereof. In this manner, the protrusion 48 may penetrate deeper into the cleaning pad at a periphery of the cleaning pad than at a central portion thereof. Thus, more cleaning liquid may be squeezed out of the cleaning pad at its periphery than at its central portion.

Accordingly, a substantially even distribution of cleaning liquid may be achieved within the cleaning pad. Namely, due to the rotation of the cleaning pad, cleaning liquid is transferred by the centrifugal force towards the periphery of the cleaning pad. The farther extension of the protrusion from the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 at the peripheral portion thus, presses out the cleaning liquid to contribute to the equalisation of the distribution of cleaning liquid within the cleaning pad.

Figs. 4a - 4d schematically illustrate embodiments of mechanisms of a cleaning station. The cleaning station may be a cleaning station 2 as discussed above with reference to Figs. 1 - 3b. As mentioned above, the cleaning station comprises a mechanism 60 configured to provide the pad liquid content reducing setting. In the pad liquid content reducing setting, the mechanism 60 is configured to stop the roller 24 while the cleaning pad 6 of the active mop rotates.

The roller 24 may be actively stopped by the mechanism 60, as in the embodiments of Figs. 4a and 4b. Alternatively, the mechanism 60 may passively stop the roller 24 by disengaging the rotating cleaning pad 6 form the roller 24, as in the embodiments of Figs. 4c and 4d.

Conversely, the mechanism 60 may permit the roller 24 to rotate during the pad cleaning setting.

The mechanism 60 is configured to stop the roller 24 upon a vertical motion of at least a portion of the active mop. In this manner, the pad liquid content reducing setting may be initiated by a vertical motion of the active mop, such a vertical motion of a portion of a housing 12 of the active mop. The housing 12 may house the cleaning pad 6 of the active mop as discussed above with reference to Fig. 1.

The mechanism 60 may be actuated by, or via, the active mop. Alternatively, the mechanism 60 may be actuated directly by a user of the cleaning station and the active mop e.g., the mechanism may be actuated by a foot of the user.

As indicated by upwardly pointing arrows in the Figs. 4b and 4d, an upwardly directed vertical motion of a portion of the active mop stops the roller 24 and initiates the pad liquid content reducing setting.

As indicated by downwardly pointing arrows in the Figs. 4a and 4c, a downwardly directed vertical motion of the active mop, releases the roller 24 and initiates the pad cleaning setting.

According to the embodiments of Figs. 4a and 4b, the mechanism 60 comprises a blocking member 62 configured to engage with the roller 24 to prevent the roller 24 from rotating in the pad liquid content reducing setting.

For instance, as illustrated, the mechanism 60 may comprise a linkage including the blocking member 62 and e.g., an actuating member 64 and a linkage member 66. The blocking member 62 is guided to be slidable along a horizontal direction. The actuating member 64 is biased in an upward direction by a biasing member 68 e.g., in the form of a spring. The actuating member 64 is actuatable in the vertical direction and the linkage member 66 is pivotably connected at its ends to the ends of the actuating member 64 and the blocking member 62, respectively.

In Fig. 4a, the blocking member 62 has been released from the roller 24 by the actuating member 64 having been pushed downwardly against the force provided by the biasing member 68 thus, initiating the pad cleaning setting of the cleaning station, in which the rotation of the cleaning pad 6 rotates the roller 24. In Fig. 4b, the actuating member 64 has been biased upwardly by the biasing member 68 and the blocking member 62 has been moved via the linkage member 64 to block the roller 24, preventing it from being rotated by the rotating cleaning pad 6. In this manner the cleaning station is in the pad liquid content reducing setting with the rotating cleaning pad 6 engaging with the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22. The cleaning pad 6 may also engage with the blocked roller 24 in the pad liquid content reducing setting.

Accordingly, in these embodiments, the blocking member 62 is disengaged from roller 24 by a downwardly directed vertical movement of a portion of the active mop.

According to alternative embodiments, the blocking member may be disengaged from roller by an upwardly directed vertical movement of a portion of the active mop.

In the embodiments of Figs. 4c and 4d, the mechanism 60 comprises a lifting member 70 for lifting a side portion of the active mop from the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 to disengage the cleaning pad 6 of the active mop from the roller 24.

As can be seen in Fig. 4d, a portion of the cleaning pad 6 opposite to the mechanism 60 is still engaged with the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22. In this pad liquid content reducing setting, the engagement of the rotating cleaning pad 6 with the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 will cause the liquid content of the cleaning pad 6 to be reduced.

For instance, as illustrated, the mechanism 60 may comprise the lifting member 70 and a biasing member 72 e.g., in the form of a spring. The lifting member 70 is biased in an upwardly direction by the biasing member 72.

In Fig. 4c, the lifting member 70 has been pressed downwardly against the force of the biasing member 72 thus, initiating the pad cleaning setting of the cleaning station, in which the rotation of the cleaning pad 6 rotates the roller 24. In Fig. 4d, the lifting member 70 has been biased upwardly by the biasing member 68 and the cleaning pad 6 has been lifted from the roller 24 preventing it from being rotated by the rotating cleaning pad 6. In this manner the cleaning station is in the pad liquid content reducing setting with the rotating cleaning pad 6 engaging with a portion of the cleaning pad supporting surface member 22 opposite to the mechanism 60.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and that the invention is defined only by the appended claims. A person skilled in the art will realize that the example embodiments may be modified, and that different features of the example embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein, without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning station (2) for an active mop (4), the cleaning station (2) being configured for the active mop (4) having at least one about a vertical axis rotatable cleaning pad (6), wherein the cleaning station (2) comprises: a container (20) for holding a cleaning liquid, a cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) arranged above a bottom of the container (20), the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) being configured to support the cleaning pad (6), and a roller (24) arranged centrally in the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) and configured upon rotation to transport cleaning liquid from the container (20) to the surface member (22), wherein the roller (24) is rotatable about a horizontal axis (26) and configured to be rotated by the rotatable cleaning pad (6) of the active mop (4), wherein the cleaning station (2) is configured to provide a pad cleaning setting and a pad liquid content reducing setting while the rotatable cleaning pad (6) rotates in one direction, wherein in the pad cleaning setting, the roller (24) is rotatable by the rotatable cleaning pad (6) of the active mop (4) and wherein in the pad liquid content reducing setting, the roller (24) is prevented from being rotated while the cleaning pad (6) rotates.

2. The cleaning station (2) according to claim 1, being configured to provide engagement between the cleaning pad (6) of the active mop (4) and the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22), both during the pad cleaning setting and the pad liquid content reducing setting.

3. The cleaning station (2) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a mechanism (60) to provide the pad liquid content reducing setting, wherein the mechanism (60) is configured to stop the roller (24) while the cleaning pad (6) of the active mop (4) rotates.

4. The cleaning station (2) according to claim 3, wherein the mechanism (60) is configured to stop the roller (24) upon a vertical motion of at least a portion of the active mop (4).

5. The cleaning station (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the mechanism (60) comprises a lifting member (70) for lifting a side portion of the active mop (4) from the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) to disengage the cleaning pad (6) of the active mop (4) from the roller (24).

6. The cleaning station (2) according to claim 3, wherein the mechanism (60) comprises a blocking member (62) configured to engage with the roller (24) to prevent the roller (24) from rotating.

7. The cleaning station (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) comprises at least one protrusion (48) configured to engage with the cleaning pad (6).

8. The cleaning station (2) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one protrusion (48) extends in the form of at least one ridge along the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22).

9. The cleaning station (2) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the at least one protrusion (48) extends farther from the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) at a peripheral portion of the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) than at a more central portion thereof.

10. The cleaning station (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) comprises through openings (50) fluidly connecting a top (51) of the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) with the container (20).

11. The cleaning station (2) according to claim 10, wherein tube portions (52) extend from the through openings (50) into the container (20).

12. The cleaning station (2) according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the top (51) of the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) is inclined towards the through openings (50).

13. The cleaning station (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (20) comprises an inner container (20’) and an outer container (20”), and wherein the roller (24) extends into the inner container (20’).

14. The cleaning station (2) according to claim 13, wherein the roller (24) extends to a bottom of the inner container (20’).

15. The cleaning station (2) according to any one of claims 10 - 12 and any one of claims 13 - 14, wherein the through openings (50) communicate with the outer container (20”).

16. The cleaning station (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller (24) is of an open construction to admit cleaning liquid into an inside of the roller (24).

17. The cleaning station (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, being configured for the active mop (4) having at least two rotatable cleaning pads (6), wherein the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22) is configured to support the at least two cleaning pads (6), and wherein the roller (24) is arranged to extend substantially between centres of two cleaning pads (6) of the active mop (4).

18. The cleaning station (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a positioning member (46) for positioning the active mop (4) laterally on the cleaning pad supporting surface member (22).