CN214506979U

CN214506979U - Surface cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN214506979U
Application number: CN201990000450.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 亚尼尔·阿卢什; 亨利·欧瑞·阿卢什
Original assignee: Air Touch Solar Co ltd
Current assignee: Air Touch Solar Co ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-08
Filing date: 2019-02-06
Publication date: 2021-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-06
Also published as: IL276471B2; IL276471A; IL276471B1; WO2019155375A8; WO2019155375A1

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface of a solar panel, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise: a first dust bearing member; a second dust carrying member; a motor; and a motion delay component. The first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member are coupled to the motor; wherein the motor is configured to cyclically move the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member along a path. The motion delay assembly is configured to cyclically introduce a temporary delay in the travel of the first dust carrying member along the path while the second dust carrying member contacts the surface, thereby reducing a gap between the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member, and to direct air out of the gap and along the surface and remove dust in front of the second dust carrying member.

Description

Surface cleaning apparatus

Cross-referencing

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application serial No. 16/237680 filed on 1/2019 and U.S. provisional patent No. 62/627,781 filed on 8/2/2018.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of surface cleaning devices.

Background

Dust can collect on different types of surfaces and can adversely affect the operation of equipment associated with dust covered surfaces. One example of a surface that may be negatively affected by dust accumulation is the surface of a photovoltaic ("PV") panel (also referred to as a solar panel).

PV panels are most effectively used in sunny areas.

Many sunny areas of the world are affected primarily by dust. Dust collected on the (typically glass) surface of the PV panel can reduce the radiation impinging on the silicon layer (of the PV panel) by up to 20%.

Most sunny places are located between the north and south returnable lines where trackers and rooftop net metering configurations are most popular.

In a Photovoltaic (PV) array, a plurality of solar panels are mounted adjacent to one another and may be mounted on a large and long table.

Single axis PV trackers and roof-top tables are typically small in both width and length. For example, fixed tilt solar power stations typically include 100-150 panels (a total of 400-1000 panels per station) in sequence per row between 4-7 rows of solar panels, while in tracker and rooftop installations, the stations may be as small as 1 row of 40 panels (40 panels each).

These small tables are still greatly affected by the dust cover, which affects the effective radiation (photons) reaching the panel.

Areas with high radiation, such as deserts, are often affected by dust and their solar panels often require more frequent cleaning procedures, which is very labor intensive.

A robotic cleaning device must be used. Nevertheless, using a single robot per solar panel (which includes only 40 panel stations (per station) rather than 1000 panel stations), the cost-effective economics are different and may harm the investor's interests.

Another factor affecting PV ecosystems is that the cost of the system decreases due to the reduced cost of KWh (from about $ 0.4/KWh in 2009 to less than $ 0.07/KWh in 2016).

This new ecosystem facilitates cleaning devices that can be operated autonomously.

Preferably, the cleaning system should consume less material and less energy while still cleaning effectively.

Some examples of cleaning devices according to the present disclosure may support dry, waterless, environmentally friendly operations, which may be beneficial in deserts and dry areas where portable water is lacking.

Dust can cause up to 20% reduction in efficiency. PV farms in desert climates also suffer from a lack of water and access to water pipes.

Therefore, frequent cleaning is required, which is significant in the new world, where the gain in value from cleaning is low (due to tariffs) and the size of the station can be orders of magnitude smaller.

Some places suffer from dew at night or evening in one or two seasons of the year. Cleaning using a dry method turns dust into mud when dew occurs, and cleaning using a drying device is impossible.

In this case, it is necessary to support quick cleaning so that cleaning can be completed in the afternoon in a quick manner.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

A surface cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface of a solar panel may be provided, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a first dust carrying member; a second dust carrying member; a motor; at least one displacing element (displacing element), and a motion delaying component; wherein the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member may be coupled to the motor; wherein the motor may be configured to cyclically move the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member along the path; wherein the motion delay assembly may be configured to cyclically introduce a temporary delay in the travel of the first dust carrying member along the path while the second dust carrying member contacts the surface, thereby reducing a gap between the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member and directing air out of the gap and along the surface and removing dust in front of the second dust carrying member; wherein the at least one displacement element precedes the first and second dust carrying members and may be configured to contact the surface and separate debris from the surface (disconnect); and wherein the surface cleaning apparatus may be further configured to direct air out of the gap and along the surface, and also to remove debris.

The at least one displacement element may be neither parallel nor perpendicular to the rotational axis of the motor.

The at least one displacement element may comprise a plurality of plates.

The at least one displacement element may be made of a rigid material.

The at least one displacement element may comprise a plurality of plates which may be shaped and positioned to divert the travel of air.

The motion delay assembly may include an air concentrator (air concentrator).

The air collector may be configured to increase a speed at which air is discharged from the air collector.

The distance between the surface and the lower end of the air collector may be a fraction of the height difference between the surface and the contact point between the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member.

The air collector may comprise a tooth, which may be positioned at an area of the air collector that may be in contact with the dust carrying member.

The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a plurality of spaced apart sets of dust carrying members, wherein the sets of dust carrying members may comprise first and second dust carrying members.

The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a plurality of staggered sets of dust carrying members, wherein a set of dust carrying members may comprise first and second dust carrying members.

A surface cleaning apparatus in which each cleaning element may be flexible.

A surface cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface of a solar panel may be provided, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a first dust carrying member; a second dust carrying member; a motor; at least one displacement element; and a rocking member; wherein the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member may be coupled to the motor; wherein the motor may be configured to cyclically move the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member along the path; wherein the first dust carrying member may be configured to (a) contact the surface while traveling in the first direction and, after contacting the surface, (b) collide with the shaking member, thereby removing dust from the first dust carrying member; wherein the surface cleaning apparatus may be configured to at least partially block dust removed from the first dust carrying member from travelling in a direction which may be opposite to the first direction; and wherein the at least one displacement element precedes the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member and may be configured to contact the surface and separate debris from the surface; and wherein the surface cleaning apparatus may be further configured to direct air out of the gap and along the surface, and also to remove debris.

A surface cleaning apparatus for dry cleaning a surface of a solar panel may be provided, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a set of cleaning elements; at least one displacement element; a power unit configurable to perform a plurality of cleaning cycles; wherein the at least one displacement element precedes the set of cleaning elements and may be configured to contact the surface and separate debris from the surface; wherein during each cleaning cycle, the power unit may be configured to move the cleaning elements in the set relative to the surface; a motion delay assembly that can be configured to introduce a temporary delay in the travel of the cleaning element along the path as a subsequent cleaning element contacts the surface during each cleaning cycle, thereby reducing the gap between the cleaning element and the subsequent cleaning element, and to direct air out of the gap and along the surface and remove debris and dust in front of the cleaning element.

A surface cleaning apparatus may be provided that may include a first dust carrying member and a second dust carrying member; at least one displacement element located in front of the first and second dust carrying members and configurable to contact the surface and separate debris from the surface; a motor configured to cyclically move the first and second dust carrying members over a surface, wherein the first and second dust carrying members may be mechanically coupled to the motor such that when the motor may be activated, movement of the first and second dust carrying members performs at least one of collecting dust, removing debris, and pushing dust primarily in a first direction; and a movement delay assembly configured to temporarily delay movement of the first dust carrying member approximately at a point where the first dust carrying member is lifted above the surface, and the second dust carrying member may be at a point where it at least partially obstructs the air duct in a second direction substantially opposite to its current direction of movement relative to the surface, whereas the air duct in the general direction of the first dust carrying member may be less obstructed.

A method of cleaning a surface may be provided, which may include separating debris from the surface by at least one displacement element; moving the first and second dust carrying members over a surface using a motor, wherein the first and second dust carrying members may be mechanically coupled to the motor such that when the motor may be activated, movement of the first and second dust carrying members may be configured to perform at least one of collecting dust, removing debris, and pushing dust primarily in a first direction; the movement of the first dust carrying member is temporarily delayed at about the point at which the first dust carrying member is lifted above the surface, and the second dust carrying member may be at a point at which the second dust carrying member may be configured to at least partially block the air passage in a second direction substantially opposite to its current direction of movement relative to the surface, whereas the air passage in the direction of the first dust carrying member may be less obstructed.

A surface cleaning apparatus may be provided which may comprise at least one dust carrying member; at least one displacement element located in front of the at least one dust carrying member and configurable to contact a surface and separate debris from the surface; a motor configured to cyclically move the at least one dust carrying member such that when the motor can be activated, the dust carrying member moves generally in a first direction and then turns around and moves in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction; a shaking member positionable at a point along the path of the dust carrying member such that when the motor can be activated and the at least one dust carrying member can be in motion, the at least one dust carrying member is in contact with the shaking member, thereby shaking off dust on the at least one dust carrying member and preventing at least a portion of dust carried by the at least one dust carrying member from being carried in the second direction.

A method for cleaning a surface may be provided, which may include separating debris from the surface by at least one displacement element; cyclically moving at least one dust carrying member such that the dust carrying member moves generally in a first direction and then turns and moves in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction; and shaking off dust on the dust carrying member by contacting the dust carrying member with the dust shaking member when the at least one dust carrying member may be in motion, the dust shaking member may be located at a point along a path of the dust carrying member, thereby preventing at least a portion of the dust carried by the at least one dust carrying member from being carried in the second direction.

A method for cleaning a surface of a solar panel may be provided, which may include separating debris from the surface by at least one displacement element; moving the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member over the surface using a motor to perform at least one of collecting dust and pushing dust mainly in a first direction; the movement of the first dust carrying member is temporarily delayed at about the point at which the first dust carrying member is lifted above the surface, and the second dust carrying member may be at a point at which the second dust carrying member may be configured to at least partially block the air passage in a second direction substantially opposite to its current direction of movement relative to the surface, whereas the air passage in the direction of the first dust carrying member may be less obstructed.

Drawings

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example of a surface cleaner when moving in a diagonal, crossing manner from the right side of the surface to the left side of the surface;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a surface cleaner when the cleaning apparatus encounters the end of a table stop located at the table end;

FIG. 3 shows an example of the surface cleaner at the end of a diagonal change of direction turning motion (which is also the starting position of the surface cleaner when moving to the right);

FIG. 4 shows an example of a surface cleaner when the surface cleaner is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a surface;

FIG. 5 shows an example of a surface cleaner at two different points in time;

6A-6D illustrate examples of surface cleaners at different stages during the same cleaning cycle;

FIG. 7 shows an example of a surface cleaner moved between surfaces by a drone;

FIG. 8 shows an example of a surface cleaner moved between surfaces by a robotic arm;

FIG. 9 shows an example of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 10 shows an example of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 11 shows an example of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 12 shows an example of an interface element;

FIG. 13 shows an example of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 14 shows an example of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 15 shows an example of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 16 shows an example of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 17 shows an example of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 18 shows an example of a surface cleaning apparatus;

figure 19 shows an example of at least part of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 20 shows an example of at least a portion of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 21 shows an example of a table and an example of at least a portion of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 22 shows an example of a method;

figure 23 shows an example of at least part of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 24 shows an example of at least a portion of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 25 shows an example of at least a portion of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 26 shows an example of at least a portion of a surface cleaning apparatus;

figure 27 shows an example of at least part of a surface cleaning apparatus; and

figure 28 shows an example of at least a portion of a surface cleaning apparatus.

FIG. 29 shows an example of at least a portion of a surface cleaning apparatus;

figure 30 shows an example of at least part of a surface cleaning apparatus; and

figure 31 shows an example of at least a portion of a surface cleaning apparatus.

Detailed Description

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

Because the illustrated embodiments of the present invention may be implemented, to a great extent, using electronic components and circuits known to those skilled in the art, the details will not be explained in any greater extent than that described above, for the understanding and appreciation of the underlying concepts of the present invention and in order not to obfuscate or distract from the teachings of the present invention.

Any reference in the specification to a method shall, mutatis mutandis, be applicable to a system or apparatus, unit, mechanism, circuit or device capable of performing the method.

Any reference in the specification to a system, device, unit, mechanism, circuit or apparatus should be construed as appropriate, including modifications to the system, device, unit, mechanism, circuit or apparatus as may be required to perform the method.

The terms system, device, unit, mechanism, circuit and apparatus are used interchangeably.

The three terms rod (rod), tube (pipe) and shaft may be used interchangeably.

Two directions are generally the same (or belong to the same general direction) when they are the same or deviate from each other by no more than 90 degrees.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term "substantially" may refer to a deviation of a few percent (e.g., a deviation of less than 10% or less than 20%).

The terms "cleaning element", "wiper" and "dust carrying member" are used interchangeably. A dust carrying member is a physical element that is capable of moving dust when in contact with the dust during movement (and/or when stationary). The dust carrying member may or may not collect or absorb dust.

Any combination of any system, device, unit, mechanism, circuit, module or component listed in any figure, any part of the specification and/or any claim may be provided. In particular, any combination of any claimed features may be provided.

Any of the surface cleaning apparatuses mentioned in the specification and/or the drawings may perform dry cleaning-without using any fluid to clean dust or substantially without using fluid to clean dust. In this sense, it essentially means that most of the cleaning process (e.g., more than 80% or 90%) is performed by dry cleaning techniques.

The surface cleaning apparatus may employ a single tube rotary wiper which is movable relative to the surface by a movement mechanism which may comprise two carts travelling along a table, with or without special rails (optionally travelling directly over the panel).

The surface cleaning apparatus can simplify the handling of the dry cleaning device to a minimum of parts, which enables the surface cleaning apparatus to accommodate new low-income and low-benefit ecosystems created by cleaning panels and smaller sized panel decks on roofs and single-axis trackers.

The surface cleaning apparatus 100 of fig. 1 may include: (a) a moving mechanism, which may comprise an upper car 3 with wheels, a lower car 9, (b) a pivot rod 5 (also called a rotating shaft), which may be mechanically coupled to the wheels by means of bearings 2, (c) a motor 13 for moving the lower car, (d) a motor 1 for moving the wipers, e.g. by rotating the pivot rod, (d) four wipers 4 (which may be four rows of wipers), which are mechanically coupled to the pivot rod 5, (e) a battery 14, and (f) a left rocker tube 6 and a right rocker tube 6' on different sides of the pivot rod 5.

The surface cleaning apparatus 100 is lightweight and represents an order of magnitude weight reduction, from tens of kg (25-90kg) to less than 5-8 kg. These weights are merely non-limiting examples of the weight of the surface cleaning apparatus.

Reducing the weight of the surface cleaning apparatus allows for a reduction in the cost of the components of the surface cleaning apparatus (e.g. steel) and allows for the reduction of any support mechanism (e.g. rail 11) and consumes less energy, thus requiring a lighter energy source.

Alternatively, the energy unit for operating the surface cleaning apparatus may be based on charging the battery all day through the solar panel and starting the engine with energy provided by the battery when a cleaning program is required.

The low weight surface cleaning apparatus can be easily transported from one station to another by a drone or lightweight robotic arm (see fig. 7 and 8).

The surface cleaning apparatus may be moved at any angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the panel. The angle may change over time, may remain constant, may change according to the tilt angle of the panel (relative to horizontal), may change relative to the direction of movement of the surface cleaning apparatus, may change based on environmental conditions, and so forth.

1-3 illustrate surface cleaning apparatus 100 moving at an oblique angle (which is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the panel) when traveling toward the left end of the panel, and then moving at another oblique angle when traveling toward the right end of the panel.

This movement is called a cross-type diagonal cross movement.

In fig. 1-3, the upper end of the surface cleaning apparatus is located in front of the lower end of the surface cleaning apparatus, thereby allowing the removed dust to move away from the panel. When tilted at such an angle of inclination, dust should not fall back onto the surface cleaning apparatus.

Thus, dust removal may benefit from dust removal operations performed by the surface cleaning apparatus, and also from gravity.

In fig. 1, the surface cleaning apparatus is moved towards the left end of the panel (arrow 12 represents such movement) and at least a major part of the dust removed by the surface cleaning apparatus is directed in a general direction perpendicular to the angle of inclination and does not return to the surface cleaning apparatus.

Assuming that the table is tilted (in a plane perpendicular to the plane of fig. 1), the surface cleaning apparatus removes dust which will fall downwards and will not be carried by the surface cleaning apparatus during the entire process from one end of the table to the other end of the table.

Alternatively, the tilt angle may be in the range of between 20-40 degrees from the latitudinal axis of the table. For example, when the tilt angle is 30 degrees with respect to the latitudinal axis of the table and the width of the table is 2 meters, dust particles will be carried less than 2.5 meters (on average). If it is considered that the inclination of the table is larger than zero, the blowing and gravity will carry the dust particles along a shorter path. Other parameters and configurations may be used.

Alternatively, the surface cleaning apparatus may increase the air blowing effect, which may help to reduce the scoring impact and reduce the amount of time the surface cleaning apparatus needs to travel to achieve a dust removal efficiency of ninety-nine percent, due to the backward ejection of dust (which is picked up by the microfibers and sent back due to the centrifuge action, and again strikes the panel surface with dust particles).

The diagonal movement of the surface cleaning apparatus may be optimised when the power means comprises only one motor and is configured to propel the surface cleaning apparatus for travel from one end of the panel to the other.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the upper rail 11 and the lower rail 11' extend beyond the left end of the table and beyond the right end of the table.

The left end of the table is preceded by a left pivot 10 and the right end of the table is preceded by a right pivot 10'.

The upper track 11 may include three sections — a left section, a middle section, and a right section. These sections are actually separated by a left pivot 10 and a right pivot 10 ', the left section being to the left of the left pivot 10, the middle section being between the left and right pivots, and the right section being to the right of the right pivot 10'. The left section can be rotated relative to the middle section using a left pivot 10. The right section can be rotated relative to the middle section using a right pivot 10'. Rotation is required during the course of changing direction, during which the surface cleaning apparatus changes direction of movement (and cleaning) -left to right or right to left.

When the surface cleaning apparatus has to change its movement from a left direction to a right direction, the rotation of the left section succeeds in the change of movement. When the total length of the surface cleaning apparatus exceeds the distance between the upper and lower rails, rotation of the left section is required, and therefore when changing direction, the distance between the lower and left sections should change. The same applies to the right section.

The motor of the lower wagon 9 pushes the lower wagon to the left 12. Even after the upper portion of the left stopper 7 contacts the left rocking tube 6 and prevents the upper cart 3 from traveling leftward.

The left stop 7 may act as a pivot and as the motor of the lower cart 9 continues to move to the left (arrow 16), the left stop 7 causes the upper cart 3 and the upper portion of the surface cleaning apparatus to travel to the right.

When the lower wagon reaches a certain position, for example when the lower end of the rotating shaft 5 reaches the left end of the panel, the motor of the lower wagon 9 reverses its direction of rotation (or any other mechanical means changes the direction of travel of the lower wagon) and the lower wagon and the entire surface cleaning apparatus start to move to the right (see arrow 18 of fig. 3).

Arrow 15 indicates the reversal of direction and arrow 17 points to the left section of the upper track when in the uppermost position.

When the steering movement is completed, the left section of the upper track returns to its lower position.

Table-the same process takes place near the right end of the table when changing the movement of the surface cleaning apparatus from right to left.

When cleaning a surface, the surface cleaning apparatus may produce a dust blowing effect.

Figure 4 shows the surface cleaning apparatus 100 moving at a non-oblique angle (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the panel) when travelling towards the left end of the panel.

Fig. 1-3 and 5 show a left shaker tube 6 and a right shaker tube 6'.

When the general cleaning direction is left (and the surface cleaning apparatus cleans a surface while moving to the left), then (a) the left shaker tube 6 should be "activated" (within the reach or path of the dust carrying member) and the right shaker tube 6 'should be "deactivated" (outside the reach or path of the right shaker tube 6').

When the overall cleaning direction is to the right (and the surface cleaning apparatus cleans a surface whilst moving to the right), then (a) the right shaker tube 6' should be "activated" (within the reach or path of the dust carrying member) and the left shaker tube 6 should be "deactivated" (outside the reach or path of the left shaker tube 6).

Such selective activation and deactivation may be facilitated in various ways. For example, the right and left shaker tubes 6', 6 may be moved into and out of reach of the dust carrying member by a manipulator.

There may be a separate manipulator for each of the right and left shaker tubes 6', 6. Manipulation may include any type of motion-rotation, linearity, etc.

In fig. 5, the manipulator comprises a right frame 21 connected to the right shaker tube 6' and a left frame 18 connected to the left shaker tube 6. The frames are rotated by pivots 20 (rotation is indicated by arrow 24). Fig. 5 also shows four dust carrying members, such as dust carrying member 19, which are rotated clockwise (the direction of rotation being indicated by arrow 23).

The left part of fig. 5 shows the state where the frame is rotated to the left-the right shaker tube 6' is activated and the left shaker tube 6 is deactivated.

The right part of fig. 5 shows the state where the frame is rotated to the right (arrow 25) -the left shaker tube 6 is activated and the right shaker tube 6' is deactivated.

The dust-carrying member is arranged to direct dust away from the dust-carrying member and prevent (or at least substantially prevent) dust it removes from returning backwards.

Thus, when a portion of the surface has recently been cleaned by the dust carrying member, then the dust carrying member will prevent or substantially prevent dust from returning to that portion.

The dust carrying member may prevent the dust from moving backward by performing at least one of: blowing dust away from the dust carrying member (especially using air expelled from the momentarily compressed gap between the wipers), (in front of the dust carrying member) self-cleaning of the dust carrying member and at least partially blocking back flow of dust by the wipers which may contact the surface thereby at least partially blocking back flow of dust.

Fig. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D may illustrate different stages of a cleaning cycle.

In fig. 6A, the first wiper and the second wiper (marked with dashed lines) are fully extended. The first wiper strikes the surface of the panel and picks up dust 28.

When the wiper contacts the table surface 29, it cleans the surface and can pick up dust in its fibers.

In fig. 6B, the wiper continues its rotation and the first wiper moves to the right shaking tube 6'.

The first wiper strikes the right rocker tube 6' removing dust 30 from the first wiper. Furthermore, since the right rocker tube 6 'is circular (compared to the flat surface of the panel 29), the first wiper encircles the right rocker tube 6' and prevents it from continuing to rotate while the subsequent wiper continues to move.

The travel of the first wiper is delayed with respect to the travel of the subsequent wiper. This results in compression of the gap (in the general direction of cleaning) between the first wiper and the subsequent wiper. When comparing the gap shown in fig. 6B and the gap (compression gap) shown in fig. 6C, the compression of the gap can be evaluated. The compression ratio may exceed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.

In fig. 6B and 6C, the subsequent wiper contacts the surface and provides a seal (or substantial seal) that prevents (or substantially prevents) air flow behind the subsequent wiper.

As in fig. 6C, the subsequent wipers contact the surface and seal the rearward air path, and the gaps (air pockets) 33 between the wipers are compressed, causing relatively significant air to be blown away from the surface cleaning apparatus.

It should be noted that the first wiper wound on the right rocker tube 6' (or otherwise contacted by the right rocker tube) also substantially prevents air from escaping upwards, and can direct air escaping from the gap not only forwards but also towards the surface (and dust on the surface).

This air also directs dust 30 removed from the first wiper (by shaking the tube to the right) forwardly away from the surface cleaning apparatus, while preventing (or substantially preventing) the dust from flowing rearwardly.

In fig. 6D, the rotation of the wiper continues. The first wiper is disengaged from the right rocker tube 6 '(it is pushed out from a surrounding position on the right rocker tube 6'), the distance between its position and the following wiper being very small.

Due to the centrifuge action, along its cycle, the first wiper stretches and the gap between the first wiper and the previous wiper increases again, allowing the gap to expand and form an air pocket for the next blowing routine.

The right swinging pipe is located in the moving direction of the surface cleaning apparatus, and since the dust removed from the wiper is blown forward by the powerful dust blower without a large amount of dust moving backward, the efficiency of the surface cleaning apparatus is significantly improved.

The principle of the device detailed design is based on the preferred wiper material, the type of sand in a particular area, the length of the table, but in all cases the device design may or may not be based on a few principles, which may or may not be implemented.

The height of the shaker tube from the table, which may be positioned at an angle up to 125 degrees (zero point down from pivot toward panel surface), to create a dust cloud low enough not to spray dust backwards. This restriction also allowed the wiper to move 235 degrees more until it again hit the panel to be stretched using centrifugal force. However, the angle of departure (125 degrees) is a non-limiting example, and the angle may vary from 125 degrees.

Wiper length-it may be beneficial to have the wiper wrap around the rocker tube, and the resistance of the wiper (to the rear wind) when moving along the surface of the panel is much lower than the resistance of the wiper wrap around the rocker tube (the amount of force that will release the wiper). This allows the air pockets between any adjacent wipers to contract and create a significant blowing effect.

Subsequent wipers are positioned to contact the surface during the winding of the previous wiper on the rocker tube. This will provide a rearward seal to prevent air in the gap from flowing rearward.

Spreading process-the ends of the wiper may or may not be heavier to smooth and accelerate the spreading movement of the wiper along the path to maximize the centrifugal force acting on the wiper during the cycle.

The material of the wiper may vary, but the design should be linked to the flexibility and weight of the material.

When at least some of the above requirements are met, the surface cleaning apparatus may benefit from:

a. the wind speed in the direction of the panel increases (e.g., by a factor of four compared to a rotating wiper without a rocking tube).

b. Preventing the dust from being directed backwards.

c. Facilitating a simple and compact system.

In proof of concept (as described in the figures below, measurements in cm depicted in grey), the surface cleaning apparatus processes 25 grams per square meter of dust (representing a heavy dust layer generated under extreme sandstorms), with a wiper made of 4200gsm (grams per square meter) microfibers, which are folded in half, and a rotating shaft that rotates at 280 revolutions per minute. Such a surface cleaning apparatus achieves a 99% reduction in dust in one round of cleaning (cleaning when moving in a single direction). In this proof of concept, the vehicle speed is 5 meters per minute.

In this proof of concept, the wiper width (distance from the rotating tube) is 4.5cm (20cm) longer than the distance between the rotating tube and the surface of the solar panel (15.5 cm).

Due to the high speed of rotation, only the last 2 cm of wiper actually contacts the glass, in which case the effective wiping surface of each wiper is 5cm of glass. If the rotating tube performs 4.5 rounds per second, a total of 18 wiping operations (4 wipers per round) are performed per second, and the cart moves 10 centimeters per second.

This concept demonstrates complete cleaning (over 99% dust removal) of 25 grams of dust per square meter of surface in a round (representing a moderate storm).

Another important device for reducing costs and maintenance is the ability to move the robot between stations.

Figure 7 depicts the use of rails and/or drones and/or robotic arms to move the surface cleaning apparatus from one station to another.

Any system or device that can carry a surface cleaning device can move the surface cleaning device. Due to the light weight of the surface cleaning apparatus, the carrying of the surface cleaning apparatus is simplified and less expensive compared to other apparatuses.

The left side of figure 7 shows an array of stations 35 aligned with adjacent stations 36 and each station and adjacent station are close enough together to enable the track 37 to connect to a different station of one row, so that the drone and/or robotic arm moves the surface cleaning apparatus between one row to another.

The right hand portion of figure 7 shows the

stations

39 and 40 aligned but spaced from each other and may require a drone or robotic arm to move the surface cleaning apparatus between the different stations.

Figure 8 shows a robotic arm 41 which moves the surface cleaning apparatus between stations of the same row (also spaced apart from each other) and between stations of different rows. A road or a sufficiently wide path may be formed between the tables, and the robot arm may move along the road.

Fig. 9 is a front view of surface cleaning apparatus 100 showing lower cart 9, pivot rod 5 rotated by motor 1, frame 117 supporting pivot rod 5, left and right rocker tubes 6, 6 ', pivot 20, motor 13, lower track 11', and wheels 118 of the lower cart positioned on either side of the lower track.

Fig. 10 is a side view of surface cleaning apparatus 100 showing lower cart 9, pivot rod 5 rotated by motor 1, frame 117 supporting pivot rod 5, left and right rocker tubes 6, 6 ', pivot 20, motor 13, left frame 18, right frame 21, lower track 11', and wheels 118 of the lower cart positioned on either side of the lower track.

The pivot rod 5 has a holder 161 for holding a rod 162, the rod 162 being attached to a wiper 163.

Fig. 11 is a top view showing the bearing 2 allowing the pivot rod 5 to rotate relative to the lower rail, the motor 1, the left and right rocker tubes 6, 6', and the lower car 9.

Figure 12 illustrates various wiper interfaces that are not circular. The previous figures show a rotating lever defining a circular path which forces the wipers (at least the inner ends of the wipers) to follow the circular path. Figure 12 shows a wiper interface that is non-circular.

Wiper interface 130 is oval, wiper interface 140 is approximately rectangular, but with rounded corners, and wiper interface 150 is polygonal. The wiper interface may be a track or any other interface element that may be moved (directly or indirectly) by one or more motors.

Fig. 13 shows a surface cleaning apparatus 100 powered by

solar panels

61 and 62 located on the left and right sides of the pivot rod 5. The solar panel can be located anywhere, and in particular outside the reach of the wiper. Alternatively, a solar panel may be used as the motion delay element. The solar panel may be located above the pivot rod 5.

Fig. 13 also shows the pivot rod 5, the left and right rocking tubes 6 and 6', and two moving

mechanism units

71 and 72 for moving the surface cleaning apparatus 100. The moving

mechanism units

71 and 72 may be a vehicle or may be different from a vehicle.

The number of solar panels may be one, two or more than two.

Fig. 14 shows a surface cleaning apparatus 100 having a controller 80. The controller 80 may be a hardware controller that may include one or more integrated circuits. Controller 80 may be located anywhere and may be included in any of the other figures of surface cleaning apparatus 100.

Surface cleaning device 100 may include one or more sensors, such as, but not limited to, (a) at least one environmental sensor configured to sense at least one environmental condition, and/or (b) at least one status sensor configured to sense a status parameter of the surface cleaning device.

The at least one environmental sensor may be a humidity sensor, a raindrop sensor, a temperature sensor, a wind sensor, and a solar radiation sensor.

The at least one status sensor may sense the functionality of various components of the surface cleaning apparatus 100, the energy status of the surface cleaning apparatus 100, and in particular whether the surface cleaning apparatus 100 has sufficient power to accomplish a predetermined cleaning task.

The wind sensor may sense wind speed and/or wind direction. When the wind speed is too high, the controller 80 may decide not to perform any cleaning operation for safety reasons.

When the wind sensor detects the wind direction, the controller may determine not to perform any cleaning operation that attempts to remove dust in the direction of the general direction of the wind direction.

When (a) the wind speed is above a certain threshold (significant wind) and (b) the wind direction is in a general direction of a certain direction, the controller may determine not to perform any cleaning operation that attempts to remove dust in the certain direction.

Fig. 15 and 16 show

various sensors

84 and 86. The number of sensors per surface cleaning apparatus 100 may range between 0 and at least 5.

Sensors

84 and 86 may represent any type of sensor-a status sensor and/or an environmental sensor.

Fig. 16 shows the surface cleaning apparatus 100 without a solar panel but with a battery, but the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may include one or more solar panels and one or more batteries.

Fig. 17 shows left and right rocking tubes 6 and 6 'that can be reciprocated by motors (or any other manipulators) 210 and 210' in one or more different ways (horizontally, vertically, in linear and non-linear ways), or otherwise moved cyclically to contact the wipers when moving.

Fig. 18 illustrates a method 300 for dry cleaning.

Method 300 may begin at

steps

310 and 320.

Step 310 may include moving the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member over the surface using a motor. The first and second dust carrying members are fixed to the motor, and step 310 includes moving the first and second dust carrying members to perform at least one of collecting dust and pushing dust primarily in a first direction.

Step 320 includes temporarily delaying movement of the first dust carrying member at about a point at which the first dust carrying member is lifted above the surface, and the second dust carrying member being at a point at which the second dust carrying member is configured to at least partially obstruct the air passage in a second direction substantially opposite to its current direction of movement relative to the surface, while the air passage in the direction of the first dust carrying member is less obstructed.

Steps

310 and 320 may be repeated multiple times during multiple cleaning cycles.

The method 300 may also include the step 330 of moving the surface cleaning apparatus relative to the surface.

Step 330 may be performed in parallel with

steps

310 and 320.

It should be noted that the cart is merely a non-limiting example of a movement mechanism unit that can move the surface cleaning apparatus.

The surface cleaning apparatus may be moved on the panel rather than on a track, and/or the surface cleaning apparatus may be docked with the panel in any other manner.

The pivot rod and/or the rocker tube are merely non-limiting examples of the rocker element and/or the motion delay element. The rocking and/or motion delaying elements may be distinct from the tubes, may be smooth or have a rough (rugger) exterior, may have a non-circular cross-section, and so on.

It should be noted that although the various figures illustrate side-to-side movement of surface cleaning apparatus 100 in any pattern and in any direction. For example, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may be moved vertically (up and down), perform a polygonal pattern, and the like. Different patterns may be required to hold the surface cleaning apparatus 100 at the solar panel in a different manner than described above.

The surface cleaning apparatus 100 can operate without a frame above the panel and is therefore lower than a frame-based solution. This reduces the shadowing effect of the surface cleaning apparatus 100.

Fig. 19 shows a pivot rod comprising two sections 5 (1) and 5(2) each rotated by

different motors

91 and 92, respectively. The moving mechanism unit 71 includes (or is close to) the motor 91. The moving mechanism unit 72 includes (or is close to) the motor 92. It should be noted that the rocker tube is not a limiting example of a motion delay element. The motion delay element may have a different shape than the tube. The motion delay element may actively grab the wiper (e.g., by using a clip or any grabbing element that performs a motion toward the wiper) and then release the wiper. Non-limiting examples of grasping elements can be found in almost any robotic arm. Figure 20 shows that the motion delay elements are robotic arms 406 and 406 ', with robotic arm 406' shown in the closed position and robotic arm 406 in the open position.

The surface cleaning apparatus may include interface elements, such as rings, rails, protrusions, openings, which may facilitate holding of the surface cleaning apparatus by a drone and/or robotic arm, and the like. Figure 21 is a side view of the surface cleaning apparatus 100, table 101 and tracker or fixed support 102 of the support table. Figure 21 shows the upper car 3 moving along the upper end of the table (hence the "upper" car) and the lower car 10 moving along the lower end of the table (hence the "lower" car). Fig. 22 illustrates a method 500. Method 500 may include steps 510 and 530. Step 510 may include moving the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member on a path using a motor.

Step 510 may include contacting the surface with a first dust bearing member while traveling in a first direction; after contacting the surface, the first dust carrier collides with the shaking member, thereby removing the dust from the first dust carrying member; while traveling in the first direction, contacting the surface by a second dust bearing member; partially blocking, by the surface cleaning apparatus, dust removed from the first dust carrying member from traveling in a direction opposite to the first direction; while traveling in the first direction, contacting the surface by a second dust bearing member; after contacting the surface, the second dust carrier collides with the shaking member, thereby removing dust from the second dust carrying member; the dust removed from the second dust carrying member is partially blocked by the surface cleaning apparatus from travelling in a direction opposite to the first direction.

The method 500 may also include the step 530 of moving the surface cleaning apparatus relative to the surface. Step 530 may be performed in parallel with step 510 (with some overlap or in an interleaved fashion with no overlap even).

Each wiper may extend along at least a majority of the length of the pivot rod. Alternatively, the plurality of wipers may be much shorter than the pivot rod. The plurality of wipers may be arranged in a row, in a staggered manner, or in any ordered or unordered manner to cover at least a majority of the pivot rod (or any other interface element that contacts the wipers).

In fig. 23, multiple sets of wipers are arranged in a staggered manner — multiple (e.g., three or any other number) different sets of wipers "cover" the length of the pivot rod, but are positioned at different angles such that a wiper in one set (connected to the same segment of the pivot rod) impacts the surface at a different point in time than a wiper in another set (connected to another segment of the pivot rod). For example, there may be a time difference between the time of impact of each wiper of the first set and the corresponding wiper of the second set. In this sense, the respective wipers from different groups may be wipers with minimal timing difference between their collision times. The respective wipers may be, for example, wipers 603(3), 602(3), and 601 (3).

Three groups include four wipers per group: 601(1) -601(4), 602(1) -602(4) and 603(1) -603 (4).

In fig. 23, the wipers of different sets are phase shifted (oriented) 30 degrees from each other.

Fig. 23 and 24 show multiple sets (e.g., 12 sets, but any number may be provided) of wiper holders 610(1) -610(12) arranged in a symmetrical fashion about the pivot rod at 30 degrees angular displacement from each other.

This allows the wipers in different sets of wipers to be aligned at angular product displacements that differ from each other by 30 degrees.

Note that the wiper holders may be evenly distributed or unevenly distributed.

The staggered arrangement may reduce the force applied to the surface.

Note that any arrangement of wipers (and groups of wipers) may be provided. The angular displacement between different wiper holders may be the same or may be different from each other. The widths of the different wipers may be the same or different from each other.

One or more wipers in different groups may be aligned with each other while one or more other wipers in different groups may be misaligned with each other.

The angular displacement between the wipers in different sets of wipers can follow any pattern-staggered, non-staggered, ordered, non-ordered, random, pseudo-random, etc.

The shaker tube may be replaced by an air collector which may restrict and direct the distribution of air/dust, thereby increasing the speed at which air passes over a surface. In the previous figures, the space between the surface and the shaker tube was completely open. The concentrator reduces the exit aperture to a portion of the space between the shaker tube and the surface.

The concentrator may have any shape or size. The cross-section of the inner portion of the concentrator (which faces the dust when the wiper strikes) can be curved, convex, concave, linear, non-linear, or can be any combination of linear and/or non-linear sections. In fig. 26, the inner part is a combination of linear and non-linear parts.

Fig. 25

shows wipers

721, 722, 723, and 724, where wiper 721 impacts concentrator 700. The wiper is rotated by the pivot lever 5. The concentrator 700 and the surface 790 define an output aperture 781 that is much smaller than the input aperture 782 defined between the point of impact (with the wiper) and the surface 790.

FIG. 26 shows a cross-section of the concentrator 700, the concentrator 700 comprising

support tubes

701, 702, 703 and 704 and a housing 710, the housing 710 comprising

sections

711 and 718, the inner portion comprising horizontal sections 712, concave sections 713 and inclined sections 714.

Fig. 27 and 28 include cross-sectional and perspective views of an air concentrator that differs from the air concentrator of fig. 26 by including teeth 719, which teeth 719 engage with the wiper and better shake off dust from the wiper. There may be any number of teeth. These teeth may be replaced by any other protrusion/rigid surface or the like.

There may be a displacement element before the wiper that is configured to contact the surface (before the surface is contacted by the wiper) and attempt to separate debris (e.g., bird droppings or dirt) that may then be carried away from the wiper by the air. The displacement element may be a wiper, which may be rigid or partly elastic. The displacement elements may not be parallel to the pivot rod so that they do not substantially block air from the wiper. The displacement element may also be shaped and/or sized to direct air in one or more desired directions. The combination of the displacement element and the wiper provides a two-stage cleaning process that effectively cleans debris and dust or other components that may be associated with the surface. This is more efficient than using a wiper alone.

In fig. 29 to 31, the wiper is not shown for the sake of simplicity of explanation. The displacement element 810 is oriented at 45 degrees from the pivot rod 830, although any other angle of deviation may be provided. In fig. 29-31, the displacement element is connected to an air concentrator 840, but any mechanical coupling of the displacement element to the system may be provided. The displacement elements of fig. 29-31 have a rectangular shape, but may have other shapes. They may be formed with a porous shape, but this is not essential.

The system may be moved in both directions, but the displacement elements may be located on only one side of the system, or on both sides of the system. The shape, size and number of the displacement elements may be different from that shown in fig. 29-31.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples of embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Furthermore, the terms "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "over," "under," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the boundaries between blocks are merely illustrative and that alternative embodiments may merge blocks or circuit elements or impose an alternate decomposition of functionality upon various logic blocks or circuit elements. Thus, it is to be understood that the architectures depicted herein are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality.

Any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

Further, those skilled in the art will recognize that the boundaries between the above described operations merely illustrative. Multiple operations may be combined into a single operation, single operations may be distributed in additional operations, and operations may be performed at least partially overlapping in time. Moreover, alternative embodiments may include multiple instances of a particular operation, and the order of operations may be altered in various other embodiments.

However, other modifications, variations, and alternatives are also possible. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the terms "a" or "an," as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. Furthermore, the use of introductory phrases such as "at least one" and "one or more" in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an". The same holds true for the use of definite articles. Unless otherwise specified, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface of a solar panel, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus comprises: a first dust bearing member; a second dust carrying member; a motor; at least one displacement element, and a motion delay assembly; wherein the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member are coupled to the motor; wherein the motor is configured to cyclically move the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member along a path; wherein the motion delay assembly is configured to cyclically introduce a temporary delay in the travel of the first dust carrying member along the path while the second dust carrying member contacts the surface, thereby reducing a gap between the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member, and to direct air out of the gap and along the surface and remove dust ahead of the second dust carrying member; wherein the at least one displacement element is before the first and second dust carrying members and is configured to contact the surface and separate debris from the surface; and wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is further configured to direct air out of the gap and along the surface, and also to remove debris.

2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one displacement element is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the rotational axis of the motor.

3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one displacement element comprises a plurality of plates.

4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one displacement element is made of a rigid material.

5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one displacement element comprises a plurality of plates shaped and positioned to divert the travel of air.

6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the motion delay assembly comprises an air concentrator.

7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the air collector is configured to increase a velocity of air discharged from the air collector.

8. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 6 in which the distance between the surface and the lower end of the air collector is a fraction of the difference in height between the surface and the point of contact between the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member.

9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the air collector includes teeth located at areas of the air collector that contact the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member.

10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of spaced apart sets of dust bearing members, wherein the sets of dust bearing members include the first dust bearing member and the second dust bearing member.

11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of staggered sets of dust bearing members, wherein the sets of dust bearing members comprise the first dust bearing member and the second dust bearing member.

12. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein each cleaning element is flexible.

13. A surface cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface of a solar panel, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus comprises: a first dust bearing member; a second dust carrying member; a motor; at least one displacement element; and a rocking member; wherein the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member are coupled to the motor; wherein the motor is configured to cyclically move the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member along a path; wherein the first dust carrying member is configured to (a) contact the surface while traveling in a first direction and, after contacting the surface, (b) collide with the shaking member, thereby removing dust from the first dust carrying member; wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is configured to at least partially block dust removed from the first dust carrying member from travelling in a direction opposite to the first direction; and wherein the at least one displacement element is before the first and second dust carrying members and is configured to contact the surface and separate debris from the surface; and wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is further configured to direct air out of a gap between the first and second dust carrying members and along the surface, and also to remove debris.

14. A surface cleaning apparatus for dry cleaning a surface of a solar panel, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus comprises: a set of cleaning elements; at least one displacement element; a power unit configured to perform a plurality of cleaning cycles; wherein the at least one displacement element is prior to the set of cleaning elements and is configured to contact the surface and separate debris from the surface; wherein during each cleaning cycle, the power unit is configured to move a cleaning element of the set of cleaning elements relative to the surface; a motion delay assembly configured to introduce a temporary delay in the travel of a cleaning element along a path as a subsequent cleaning element contacts the surface during each cleaning cycle, thereby reducing a gap between the cleaning element and the subsequent cleaning element, and to direct air out of the gap and along the surface and remove debris and dust in front of the cleaning element.

15. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a first dust carrying member and a second dust carrying member; at least one displacement element located before the first and second dust carrying members and configured to contact the surface and separate debris from the surface; a motor configured to cyclically move the first and second dust carrying members across the surface, wherein the first and second dust carrying members are mechanically coupled to the motor such that when the motor is activated, movement of the first and second dust carrying members performs at least one of collecting dust, removing debris, and pushing dust primarily in a first direction; and a motion delaying assembly configured to temporarily delay movement of the first dust carrying member approximately at a point where the first dust carrying member is lifted above the surface, and the second dust carrying member is at a point where the second dust carrying member at least partially obstructs the air passage in a second direction substantially opposite to its current direction of movement relative to the surface, with the air passage in the general direction of the first dust carrying member being less obstructed.

16. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising at least one dust carrying member; at least one displacement element located in front of the at least one dust carrying member and configured to contact a surface and separate debris from the surface; a motor configured to cyclically move the at least one dust carrying member such that when the motor is activated, the at least one dust carrying member moves generally in a first direction and then turns and moves generally in a second direction opposite the first direction; a shaking member located at a point along the path of the at least one dust carrying member such that when the motor is activated and the at least one dust carrying member is in motion, the at least one dust carrying member is in contact with the shaking member, thereby shaking dust off the at least one dust carrying member and preventing at least a portion of the dust carried by the at least one dust carrying member from being carried in the second direction.