Sweeping Machine and Compensation Method for Uneven Patches

Abstract

A sweeping machine includes a housing, at least one circular broom disposed on the housing so as to be rotatable about an essentially vertical axis of rotation, and at least one roller supported on a ground. The roller is disposed in the housing of the sweeping machine by way of an axle bracket concentric with respect to the circular broom so that the roller may be rotated about the essentially vertical axis of rotation. A rolling movement of the roller along the ground is transmitted to the circular broom so that the circular broom rotates about the essentially vertical axis of rotation. Devices, which convert a rotating movement of the roller about the essentially vertical axis of rotation to an axial relative movement between the roller and the housing, are provided. The method and machine improve the running smoothness of the sweeping machine.

1 . A sweeping machine, comprising: 
 a housing;    at least one circular broom rotatable about an essentially vertical axis of rotation and disposed on the housing;    at least one roller disposed in the housing by way of an axle bracket concentric with respect to the circular broom so that the roller is rotatable about the essentially vertical axis of rotation, and a rolling movement of the roller along a ground surface being transmissible to the circular broom so that the circular broom rotates about the essentially vertical axis of rotation; and    a mechanical coupling device which converts a rotating movement of the roller about the essentially vertical axis of rotation to an axial relative movement between the roller and the housing.    
     
     
         2 . The sweeping machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical coupling device comprises a part, which is non-rotatably arranged on the axle bracket and has a groove with continuously rising flanks, and a stop non-rotatably arranged on the housing, the stop being complementary at least partially with respect to the groove and at least partially engaging in the groove.  
     
     
         3 . The sweeping machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the groove has a V-shape.  
     
     
         4 . The sweeping machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the part and the axle bracket have a multi-piece construction.  
     
     
         5 . The sweeping machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the part and the axle bracket have a multi-piece construction.  
     
     
         6 . The sweeping machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the stop is constructed as a slide with a sloping stop face facing the axle bracket, the stop being slidable transversely to the axle bracket, so that a distance of the circular broom to the ground is adjustable.  
     
     
         7 . The sweeping machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the stop is constructed as a slide with a sloping stop face facing the axle bracket, the stop being slidable transversely to the axle bracket, so that a distance of the circular brooms to the ground is adjustable.  
     
     
         8 . The sweeping machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the groove is sloped with respect to the axis of rotation.  
     
     
         9 . The sweeping machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the groove is sloped with respect to the axis of rotation.  
     
     
         10 . The sweeping machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the groove is sloped with respect to the axis of rotation.  
     
     
         11 . The sweeping machine according to  claim 1 , wherein two circular brooms are provided, which are each driven in opposite directions by the at least one roller, which is arranged interiorly thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The sweeping machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a motor drive operatively coupled to rotate the circular broom.  
     
     
         13 . A method for operating a sweeping machine to improve a running smoothness, the sweeping machine including a housing, at least one circular broom rotatable about an essentially vertical axis of rotation and disposed on the housing, and at least one roller disposed in the housing by way of an axle bracket concentric with respect to the circular broom so that the roller is rotatable about the essentially vertical axis of rotation, the method comprising the acts of: 
 transmitting a rolling movement of the roller along a ground surface to the circular broom so that the circular broom rotates about the essentially vertical axis of rotation; and    converting a rotating movement of the roller about the essentially vertical axis of rotation to an axial relative movement between the roller and the housing.    
     
     
         14 . A sweeping machine, comprising: 
 a housing;    at least one circular broom rotatable about an essentially vertical axis of rotation and disposed on the housing;    at least one roller disposed in the housing by way of an axle bracket concentric with respect to the circular broom so that the roller is rotatable about the essentially vertical axis of rotation, and a rolling movement of the roller along a ground surface being transmissible to the circular broom so that the circular broom rotates about the essentially vertical axis of rotation; and means for converting a rotating movement of the roller about the essentially vertical axis of rotation to an axial relative movement between the roller and the housing.