Patents Assigned to Alfred Karcher GmbH
  • Patent number: 9464640
    Abstract: A motor-pump unit includes an electric motor and a pump. The electric motor has a motor housing, on the outside of which a cooling channel is arranged. The pump has a suction inlet and a pressure outlet. Liquid to be pressurized can be fed by way of the cooling channel to the suction inlet. In order that the motor-pump unit can be produced and assembled more cost-effectively, the motor housing includes a first housing part and a second housing part, which are connectable to each other in a liquid-tight manner and between them form the cooling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Robert Nathan, Bernhard Gruber
  • Patent number: 9456727
    Abstract: A drivable floor cleaning machine is provided, including a chassis, at least one cleaning head, and a holding device capable of holding the cleaning head on the chassis and lifting it relative to the chassis, the holding device including a first rod device rotatably held by a first bearing device on the chassis, a second rod device rotatably held on the chassis by means of a second bearing device, a third bearing device rotatably holding the cleaning head on the first rod device, and including a fourth bearing device rotatably holding the cleaning head on the second rod device, wherein the cleaning head is supported on a stop when a specific lifting position of the cleaning head relative to the chassis is reached, and on which stop the cleaning head can be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Merz, Frank Nonnenmann
  • Patent number: 9420929
    Abstract: A vacuum appliance is provided including a dirt collection container for sucked-in vacuumed material, a suction unit for subjecting the dirt collection container to the action of negative pressure via a suction chamber, at least one filter element between the dirt collection container and the suction chamber in the flow direction of the air sucked in by the suction unit, at least one rechargeable battery for providing electrical energy for the suction unit, and at least one battery receptacle for holding the battery on the vacuum appliance. The vacuum appliance includes a filter cover transferrable from a closed position in which the filter element is covered, to a removal position in which the filter element is removable from and insertable into the vacuum appliance on the clean space side, and vice versa, and which filter cover includes the battery receptacle for the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Steffen Layer
  • Patent number: 9420930
    Abstract: A manually guided floor cleaning machine is provided, including a chassis with a front end and a rear end in relation to a straight ahead forward travel direction, a wheel arrangement, which is arranged on the chassis in the region of the rear end, and a cleaning head, which is pivotably arranged on the chassis in the region of the front end, at least one brush being arranged on the cleaning head and a drive device being arranged for the driven rotation of the at least one brush, a rotational axis of the at least one brush being parallel to a wheel axis of the wheel arrangement in the straight ahead forward travel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Melanie Ritscher, Frank Nonnenmann
  • Patent number: 9414732
    Abstract: A heatable high-pressure cleaning device (10) is provided with a fuel-operated heat exchanger (19) and a fuel tank (34) which has a tank upper section (38) with a closable filling opening (34) and a tank lower section (36) forming the base (48) of the fuel tank (34). In order to develop the heatable high-pressure cleaning device (10) further in such a manner that it can be produced more inexpensively and have a longer service life, the tank upper section (38) can be connected to the tank lower section (36) in a materially joined manner via a join area (60) and the fuel tank (34) can be fillable with liquid fuel only up to beneath the join area (60) in a horizontal position of use of the high-pressure cleaning device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Kelle, Ralph Seitter
  • Publication number: 20160229243
    Abstract: An articulated joint (1) for an implement carrier vehicle (10), said articulated joint (1) being adapted to connect a front vehicle body (2) and a rear vehicle body (3). The articulated joint (1) comprises a socket (4) arranged in a first articulation link portion (5), said first articulation link portion being adapted to be connected to one of said front or said rear vehicle body (2, 3). The articulation joint (1) further comprises a stud (6) arranged in a second articulation link portion (7), and extending along an axis A, said second articulation portion (7) being adapted to be connected to another one of said front or rear vehicle body (2, 3), said stud being pivotally arranged in said socket (4), and at least one annular sealing device (8) at least partly enclosing said stud and socket, and wherein said annular sealing device (8) comprises a sealing flange (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ronny Wagner
  • Publication number: 20160230787
    Abstract: An implement carrier comprises an implement hydraulic system (44) adapted to supply hydraulic fluid to an implement (12). The implement hydraulic system (44) comprises an implement circuit (106) via which hydraulic fluid may be pumped to the implement (12) to power the same, and at least one of: a recirculation circuit (110) via which hydraulic fluid may bypass the implement (12), and a controllable variable flow implement hydraulic pump (38). A temperature control system (100) is arranged to compare a measured hydraulic fluid temperature to a minimum temperature of the hydraulic fluid. The temperature control system (100) is arranged to control, when the measured temperature is below the minimum temperature, a recirculation valve (60) to direct the hydraulic fluid pumped by the hydraulic pump (38) through the recirculation circuit (110) and/or the controllable variable flow implement hydraulic pump (38) to reduce the flow of hydraulic fluid pumped thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Alfred-Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ronny Wagner
  • Publication number: 20160229468
    Abstract: The inventions relates to an attachment device (1) for an implement (2) for an implement carrier vehicle (3), wherein the attachment device (1) is adapted to be fixedly attached to a vehicle, said attachment device (1) comprising: a main body (4) adapted to attach the implement (2) to, at least two elongated openings (5) in said main body (4) adapted to receive fastening bolts (6) for fastening the implement (2) to the attachment device (1), which bolts can move in the elongated openings (5), the at least two elongated openings being placed so that rotation of the implement (2) around an axis of rotation (x) is limited to the movement of the received bolts in the elongated openings, said axis of rotation (x) is located at a height from the bottom side of said main body of less than 40% of the total height of the main body (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ronny Wagner
  • Patent number: 9380919
    Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning at least one filter of a vacuum cleaner, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a suction inlet and a dirt collection container, which can be subjected to negative pressure by a suction unit via the at least one filter and a suction extraction line, and wherein for cleaning purposes the at least one filter can be acted upon by external air on the clean side via at least one external air valve, which moves from a closed valve position via an open valve position back into the closed valve position for cleaning the at least one filter. So that the at least one filter can be cleaned particularly effectively, the suction power of the suction unit can be increased before transfer of the external air valve to the open valve position and reduced again later. A vacuum cleaner for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maic Hensel, Julien Scholl, Frank Fuchs, Ulrich Engenhardt, Britt Wirbel, Steffen Kunz
  • Patent number: 9367044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning appliance, wherein in order to access same, an access authorization stored on an authorization carrier is required, the appliance including two or more authorization carriers with access authorizations stored thereon which are linked to different authorization profiles, and a detection unit for detecting the access authorization of an authorization carrier, wherein a range of functions dependent on the authorization profile linked to the access authorization can be provided to an operator by the cleaning appliance. In order to provide such a cleaning appliance which is more user-friendly in operation, it is proposed that each authorization carrier comprises an identification device for providing an identifier which is associated with the particular authorization profile of the authorization carrier and which is perceivable by the operator using a sensory organ, wherein identifiers associated with different authorization profiles are different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gilles Troff, Frank Stadelmann, Bernd Noller, Rainer Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9351620
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a dirt collection container and a suction head which can be placed on the dirt collection container, wherein the suction head has at least one suction unit which is in flow communication with the dirt collection container via a suction duct and a filter device and with at least one exhaust air opening via at least one exhaust air duct. To provide high suction capacity, a compact construction, and relatively little generation of noise during operation, the suction head has two suction units arranged next to one another, positioned in a vertical direction at the same level as the filter device and surrounded by a common exhaust air chamber, wherein the exhaust air chamber is in flow communication with exhaust air openings via a first and a second exhaust air duct and the filter device is arranged between the two exhaust air ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Frank, Kai Thorsten Langen, Maic Hensel
  • Patent number: 9265393
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided, including a dirt collection container, a suction unit for acting on the dirt collection container with negative pressure via a suction chamber, at least one filter element arranged between the dirt collection container and the suction chamber in the flow direction of the air sucked in by the suction unit, a filter cover covering the filter element on the clean space side, at least one rechargeable battery for providing electrical energy for the suction unit, and at least one battery receptacle. The vacuum cleaner can further include a battery lid, which includes the at least one battery receptacle, and which is arranged above the filter cover, the battery lid being transferable from a closed position in which it covers the filter cover to an open position in which a user has access on the clean space side to the filter cover, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Frank, Maic Hensel
  • Patent number: 9249547
    Abstract: A sweeping vehicle is provided including a disc brush and a holding device for the disc brush, the holding device having a holding part and a holding arm pivotably connected to the holding part, the holding device held on the vehicle by the holding part, and the disc brush held on the holding arm. The vehicle includes an adjusting device having an adjustment member of variable length engaging the holding arm, the holding arm being pivotable relative to the holding part upon change in length of the adjustment member. The holding device includes a brush carrier pivotably mounted on the holding arm and a coupling device coupling the brush carrier to the adjusting device, the brush carrier being pivotable relative to the holding arm upon change in length of the adjustment member for pivoting the disc brush about a pivot axis aligned at a slant to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bastian Du Maire, Dietmar Kull, Uwe Weller, Martin Sickinger
  • Patent number: 9220387
    Abstract: A sweeping machine includes a sweeping brush capable of being driven in rotation, a debris container, a suction fan and at least one filter arranged in the flow path between the sweeping brush and the suction fan, in flow communication with the suction fan via a suction conduit, in flow communication with a pressure vessel via an external air conduit and at least one external air valve and, for filter cleaning, is capable of having external air stored in the pressure vessel applied thereto. In order for the filter to be capable of being cleaned effectively with as little external air as possible and with the external air being at as low a positive pressure as possible, the external air conduit includes a hood which covers the filter on a clean side thereof and forms a first section of the suction conduit which adjoins the clean side of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Nonnenmann, Erik Hoernlen, Florian Abt
  • Patent number: 8991004
    Abstract: A cyclone separator for a suction cleaning appliance is provided, including a separating container for separating cleaning liquid drawn in by suction, with an inlet through which suction air and cleaning liquid can be drawn by suction into an interior of the separating container, thereby forming a cyclone, a suction extraction line extending into the interior and connectable to a suction unit, with an outlet through which suction air can be drawn out of the interior, and a partition wall shielding the outlet from cleaning liquid, a space being provided between an inner wall of the separating container and the partition wall. The cyclone separator can include at least one transfer element arranged between the partition wall and the inner wall for transferring cleaning liquid from the partition wall to the inner wall, the transfer element bridging the space except for a maximum remaining space of 2 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Yunus Demirtas, Juergen Gassmann, Ronald Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8957758
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance is provided including at least one authorization carrier with an access authorization which is provided thereon and is required for accessing the cleaning appliance, just one receptacle in which the at least one authorization carrier is positionable, and a detection unit, situated at the receptacle, for contact-based detection of the access authorization of an authorization carrier positioned in the receptacle, the detection unit having at least one detection contact element which contacts the access authorization. To provide a cleaning appliance of this type which is usable with greater versatility, it is proposed that the cleaning appliance include two or more authorization carriers with access authorizations provided thereon which are linked to different authorization profiles, wherein a range of functions dependent on the authorization profile linked to an access authorization can be provided to an operator by the cleaning appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Nonnenmann, Michael Schuetz, Rainer Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8905489
    Abstract: A washing element for a washing system is provided, in particular an automatic motor vehicle washing system, wherein the washing element is formed by a foam material. To provide a washing element of this kind wherein the risk of damage to the article to be washed can be reduced, the washing element is a foam sheet which has at least on one side a skin, wherein the skin is provided, at least in certain sections, with a surface texturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Yunus Demirtas, Alfred Losansky
  • Patent number: 8856998
    Abstract: A mobile floor cleaning machine is provided, having a chassis on which running wheels are rotatably mounted, and having at least one cleaning unit which has at least one cleaning tool and is coupled to the chassis via a guide member. To improve the floor cleaning machine in such a way that the risk of damage to the floor cleaning machine or to an obstacle in the event of a frontal collision with the obstacle may be minimized, it is proposed that the guide member is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction of the floor cleaning machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Schäfer, Frank Nonnenmann
  • Patent number: 8826491
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaning appliance having a moveable stand. A suction device mounted on the stand has a device upper part mounted on the stand and a dirt collection container situated beneath the device upper part. The stand has a lifting device and an actuating element pivotable about a horizontal axis for raising and lowering the dirt collection container, which in its raised position abuts against the device upper part in a flow-tight manner, and in its lowered position rests on a floor surface. The actuating element is configured as a push bar having a handle part which, in the raised position of the dirt collection container, may be gripped by the user in a standing posture in order to move the vacuum cleaning appliance, and is upwardly pivotable about the pivot axis by at most 135° in order to lower the dirt collection container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gabor Peflof, Roland Jeutter, Wolfgang Richter
  • Publication number: 20140230183
    Abstract: A manually guided floor cleaning machine is provided, including a chassis with a front end and a rear end in relation to a straight ahead forward travel direction, a wheel arrangement, which is arranged on the chassis in the region of the rear end, and a cleaning head, which is pivotably arranged on the chassis in the region of the front end, wherein there is provided a steering rod device, which is articulated on the cleaning head, which is supported on the chassis and which extends upwardly in a direction away from the chassis toward the rear end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Nonnenmann, Melanie Ritscher