Floor cleaning machine
View Patent ↗A floor cleaning machine includes a cleaning system, a drive mechanism, and at least one steerable front wheel driven by the drive mechanism. The floor cleaning machine also includes two independently suspended rear wheels. A platform is located along a geometrical center axis between the two rear wheels. The platform is configured to support an operator of the floor cleaning machine in a standing position. A maximum vertical distance between the platform and the floor is 200 millimeters.
1. A floor cleaning machine comprising:
a cleaning system;
a drive mechanism;
at least one steerable front wheel driven by the drive mechanism;
two independently suspended rear wheels; and
a platform located along a geometrical center axis between the two rear wheels,
wherein the platform is configured to support an operator of the floor cleaning machine in a standing position, and
wherein a maximum vertical distance between the platform and the floor is 200 millimeters.
2. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1 , wherein the two rear wheels are rotatable in response to the front wheel being driven.
3. A method of operating a floor cleaning machine, the method comprising:
supporting the floor cleaning machine on at least one front wheel and two independently suspended rear wheels;
positioning an operator of the floor cleaning machine in a standing position on a platform located along a geometrical center axis between the two rear wheels and at a height no greater than 200 millimeters above the floor; and
driving the two rear wheels with a drive mechanism.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the two rear wheels are independently driven by two drive motors.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the platform is located at a center point of the geometrical center axis between the two rear wheels to minimize a centrifugal force experienced by the operator during operation of the floor cleaning machine.
6. A floor cleaning machine comprising:
a cleaning system comprising at least one squeegee;
an electric drive mechanism;
at least one steerable front wheel driven by the electric drive mechanism;
two rear wheels; and
a platform located along a geometrical center axis between the two rear wheels,
wherein the platform is configured to support an operator of the floor cleaning machine in a standing position, and
wherein a maximum vertical distance between the platform and the floor is 200 millimeters.
7. The floor cleaning machine of claim 6 , wherein the cleaning system further comprises a brush unit.
8. The floor cleaning machine of claim 7 , wherein the brush unit is located in front of the at least one steerable front wheel.
9. The floor cleaning machine of claim 7 , wherein the at least one squeegee is located behind the brush unit.
10. The floor cleaning machine of claim 6 , wherein the at least one squeegee is located behind the two rear wheels.
11. The floor cleaning machine of claim 6 , wherein the at least one squeegee is located in front of the two rear wheels.
12. The floor cleaning machine of claim 6 , wherein the two rear wheels are independently suspended.
13. The floor cleaning machine of claim 6 , wherein the platform is located above the geometrical center axis between the two rear wheels.
14. The floor cleaning machine of claim 6 , wherein the platform is positioned to support a user in a standing position between the two rear wheels.
15. The floor cleaning machine of claim 6 , wherein the electric drive mechanism is reversible.
16. The floor cleaning machine of claim 15 , wherein the electric drive mechanism comprises an electric mono wheel drive.
17. The floor cleaning machine of claim 6 , wherein the electric drive mechanism comprises an electric mono wheel drive.
18. The floor cleaning machine of claim 6 , wherein the two rear wheels are unpowered.
19. The floor cleaning machine of claim 18 , wherein the two rear wheels are independently suspended.
20. The floor cleaning machine of claim 6 , wherein a minimum vertical distance between the platform and the floor is 40 mm.