Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
  • E01H1/00—Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface
  • E01H1/08—Pneumatically dislodging or taking-up undesirable matter or small objects; Drying by heat only or by streams of gas; Cleaning by projecting abrasive particles
  • E01H1/0827—Dislodging by suction; Mechanical dislodging-cleaning apparatus with independent or dependent exhaust, e.g. dislodging-sweeping machines with independent suction nozzles ; Mechanical loosening devices working under vacuum
  • E01H1/0836—Apparatus dislodging all of the dirt by suction ; Suction nozzles
  • E01H1/0845—Apparatus dislodging all of the dirt by suction ; Suction nozzles with mechanical loosening or feeding instruments for the dirt to be sucked- up, e.g. brushes, scrapers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
  • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
  • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
  • A47L11/4044—Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
  • E01H1/00—Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface
  • E01H1/08—Pneumatically dislodging or taking-up undesirable matter or small objects; Drying by heat only or by streams of gas; Cleaning by projecting abrasive particles
  • E01H1/0827—Dislodging by suction; Mechanical dislodging-cleaning apparatus with independent or dependent exhaust, e.g. dislodging-sweeping machines with independent suction nozzles ; Mechanical loosening devices working under vacuum
  • E01H1/0836—Apparatus dislodging all of the dirt by suction ; Suction nozzles

Definitions

• the present invention relates to street surface cleaning vehicles, sidewalk surface cleaning vehicles, and factory floor surface cleaning vehicles, and more particularly to street surface cleaning vehicles, sidewalk surface cleaning vehicles, and factory floor surface cleaning vehicles that can selectively regulate the airflow in the pickup head.
• the air-flow controlling pick-up head for use with a surface cleaning vehicle.
• the air-flow controlling pick-up head comprises a main shroud extending between a left end and a right end.
• the main shroud has dust and debris outlet disposed between the left end and the right end, a substantially hollow interior and a bottom opening.
• a first baffle is disposed within the substantially hollow interior of the main shroud.
• the first baffle is movable to any selected one of a plurality of flow positions, including a full flow position and a minimized flow position.
• a first control mechanism is connected to the first baffle for permitting selective control of the flow position of the first baffle.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention
• Figure 2 is a sectional front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 1, taken along section line 2-2 of Figure 1, with both the left baffle and the right baffle in a full flow position;
• Figure 3 is a top plan view partly cut away of the first preferred embodiment airflow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 1, with both the left baffle and the right baffle in a full flow position;
• Figure 4 is a sectional front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 1 , taken along section line 2-2 of Figure 1 , with the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a reduced flow position and the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position;
• Figure 5 is a top plan view partly cut away of the first preferred embodiment airflow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 1, with the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a reduced flow position and the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position;
• Figure 6 is a sectional front elevational view similar to Figure 2, taken along section line 2-2 of Figure 1, and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head;
• Figure 7 is a sectional front elevational view similar to Figure 4, and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head;
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention.
• Figure 9 is a sectional front elevational view of the second preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention, taken along section line 9-9 of Figure 8, with the lone baffle in a full flow position;
• Figure 10 is a sectional front elevational view partly cut away of the second preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 9, with the lone baffle in a reduced flow position and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head;
• Figure 11 is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention.
• Figure 12 is a perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the airflow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention.
• Figure 13 is a sectional front elevational view partly cut away of the fourth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 12, with the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head;
• Figure 14 is a sectional front elevational view partly cut away of the fourth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 12, with the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a reduced flow position and the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head;
• Figure 15 is a perspective view of the fifth preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus according to the present invention.
• Figure 16 is a sectional front elevational view partly cut away of the fifth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 15, with the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head; and,
• Figure 17 is a sectional front elevational view partly cut away of the fifth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of Figure 15, with the right baffle (from an operator's reference) in a reduced flow position and the left baffle (from an operator's reference) in a full flow position and additionally showing arrows representing the amount of suctioning air flow in both the left half and the right half of the pick-up head.
• Figures 1 through 17 of the drawings illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention
• Figures 8 through 10 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention
• Figure 11 illustrates a third preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention
• Figures 12 through 14 illustrate a fourth preferred embodiment of the airflow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention
• Figures 15 through 17 illustrate a fifth preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention.
• FIGS 1 through 7 show a first preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20.
• the air-flow controlling pick-up head 20 is for use with a surface cleaning vehicle 22.
• the air-flow controlling pick-up head 20 comprises a main shroud 30 extending between a left end 32 and a right end 34.
• the main shroud 30 has a ceiling 36 and perimeter walls 38 depending from the ceiling 36, a substantially hollow interior 40, a bottom opening 42, and is closed off at the left end 32 and a right end 34.
• the bottom opening 42 is defined by the bottom edge of the perimeter walls.
• the main shroud 30 also has a dust and debris outlet 44 disposed between the left end 32 and the right end 34.
• the dust and debris outlet 44 is generally centrally disposed between the left end 32 and the right end 34 of the main shroud 30 in order to minimize the maximum distance from each of the left end 32 of the shroud and the right end 34 of the shroud 30 to the dust and debris outlet 44.
• a first baffle 51 is disposed within the substantially hollow interior 40 of the main shroud 30.
• the first baffle 51 is disposed between the dust and debris outlet 44 and one of the left end 32 and the right end 34 of the main shroud 30.
• the first baffle 51 is disposed between the dust and debris outlet 44 and the left end 32 of the main shroud 30.
• the first baffle 51 is mounted on the main shroud 30, specifically on the ceiling 36 of the main shroud 30, by means of a hinge 53 for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis "HI", as indicated by arrow "F".
• the first baffle 51 extends from the hinge 53 toward the dust and debris outlet 44. Accordingly, any debris being suctioned from the left side of the main shroud 30 will not get caught in the first baffle 51 , but instead can deflect off or flow past the first baffle 51.
• the first baffle 51 is movable to any selected one of a plurality of flow positions, including a full flow position, as is best seen in Figures 1 through 3 and 6, and a minimized flow position, as is best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 7.
• a full flow position as is best seen in Figures 1 through 3 and 6, and a minimized flow position, as is best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 7.
• the air flow path from left side of the shroud to the dust and debris outlet 44 is fully open. Accordingly, maximum amount of dust and debris laden air 50 can flow from the left side of the main shroud 30.
• the first baffle 51 is in the minimized flow position, the air flow path from left side of the main shroud 30 to the dust and debris outlet 44 is largely blocked. Accordingly, a minimum amount of dust and debris laden air 50 can flow from the left side of the main shroud 30 to the dust and debris outlet 44.
• the first control mechanism 60 connected to the first baffle 51 for permitting selective control of the flow position of the first baffle 51.
• the first control mechanism 60 comprises a hydraulic pump 62, a hydraulic valve 64, and a manually operable hydraulic solenoid 66.
• the hydraulic pump 62 and the hydraulic valve 64 can be mounted within the surface cleaning vehicle 22,or on the main shroud 30 or can be mounted in any suitable location on the surface cleaning vehicle that the airflow controlling pick-up head 20 is mounted to.
• the manually operable hydraulic solenoid 66 is mounted adjacent the first baffle 51 and is controlled by the operator of the surface cleaning vehicle via a manually operable proportional control in cab of the surface cleaning vehicle.
• the second baffle 52 is disposed within the substantially hollow interior 40 of the main shroud 30.
• the second baffle 52 is disposed between the dust and debris outlet 44 and the other of the left end 32 and the right end 34 of the main shroud 30, as compared to the first baffle 51.
• the second baffle 52 is disposed between the dust and debris outlet 44 and the right end 34 of the main shroud 30.
• the second baffle 52 is mounted on the main shroud 30, specifically on the ceiling 36 of the main shroud 30, by means of a hinge 54 for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis "H2", as indicated by arrow "S".
• the second baffle 52 extends from the hinge 54 toward the dust and debris outlet 44. Accordingly, any debris being suctioned from the right side of the main shroud 30 will not get caught in the second baffle 52, but instead can deflect off or flow past the second baffle 52.
• the second baffle 52 is movable to any selected one of a plurality of flow positions, including a full flow position, as is best seen in Figures 1 through 3 and 6, and a minimized flow position, which is not shown for the second baffle 52, but is the same as for the first baffle 51 as is best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 7.
• a full flow position as is best seen in Figures 1 through 3 and 6, and a minimized flow position, which is not shown for the second baffle 52, but is the same as for the first baffle 51 as is best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 7.
• the second control mechanism 68 connected to the second baffle 52 for permitting selective control of the flow position of the second baffle 52.
• the second control mechanism 68 comprises a hydraulic pump, specifically the hydraulic pump 62 that is part of the first control mechanism 60, a hydraulic valve 65 and a manually operable hydraulic solenoid 69.
• the manually operable hydraulic solenoid 69 is mounted adjacent the second baffle 52 and is controlled by the operator via a manually operable proportional control in cab of the surface cleaning vehicle.
• the first baffle 51 and the second baffle 52 are in their respective full flow positions, as indicated by the size of the arrow "A", in order to maximize the overall suctioning of dust and debris into the shroud and then into the dust and debris outlet 44.
• the first baffle 51 is in the reduced flow position. Accordingly, the flow of dust and debris laden air 50 is significantly reduced, as indicated by the size of the arrow "B”.
• the flow of debris laden air past the second baffle 52 is significantly increased, as indicated by the size of the arrow "C”.
• FIGS 8 through 10 show a second preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 220.
• the second preferred embodiment airflow controlling pick-up head 220 is similar to the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus 20 except that the second preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 220 has a covered gutter broom 229 built into the main shroud 230 of the air-flow controlling pick-up head 220. Further, the second preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 220 has a first baffle 251, but does not have a second baffle.
• the first baffle 251 is disposed between the generally centrally disposed dust and debris outlet 244, and therefore is used to control the flow of dust and debris laden air 250 from the left side of the main shroud 230 to the dust and debris outlet 244.
• the second preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 220 is used in situations where curbs will be encountered on the right side of the surface cleaning vehicle 222 and the operator is concerned with encountering heavy debris on the right side of the surface cleaning vehicle 222 only. Accordingly, a maximized flow of air will be required on the right side of main shroud 230 only.
• FIG. 11 shows a third preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 320.
• the third preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 320 is similar to the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus 20 except that the third preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pickup head 320 has a left air-blast nozzle 326 and a right air-blast nozzle 325, which are part of the recirculating air system of the third preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 320.
• the first baffle 351 and the second baffle 352 are structured in the same manner and operate in the same manner as the first baffle 51 and the second baffle 52 in the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus 20.
• FIGS 12 through 14 show a fourth preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 420.
• the fourth preferred embodiment airflow controlling pick-up head 420 is similar to the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus 20 except that in the fourth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 420 the first baffle 451 is mounted within a first upwardly extending encasing portion 431 on the main shroud 430, specifically on the ceiling 436 of the main shroud 430, for vertical linear movement as indicated by arrow "D".
• first control mechanism 460 connected to the first baffle 451 for permitting selective control of the flow position of the first baffle 451.
• the first control mechanism 460 comprises a hydraulic pump 462, a manually operable hydraulic valve 464, and a hydraulic solenoid 466.
• the hydraulic pump 462 and the hydraulic valve 464 can be mounted within the surface cleaning vehicle, or on the main shroud 430 or can be mounted in any suitable location on the surface cleaning vehicle that the air-flow controlling pick-up head 420 is mounted to.
• the manually operable hydraulic valve 466 is mounted on top of the first upwardly extending encasing portion 431 and is controlled by the operator of the surface cleaning vehicle 422 via a manually operable proportional control in cab of the surface cleaning vehicle 422.
• a second baffle 452 is mounted within a second upwardly extending encasing portion 432 on the main shroud 430, and a second control mechanism 468 comprising a specifically the hydraulic pump 462 that is part of the first control mechanism 460, a hydraulic valve 465 that is part of the first control mechanism 460, and a manually operable hydraulic solenoid 469 mounted on the second upwardly extending encasing portion 432.
• the second baffle 452 operates in the same manner as the first baffle 451 and the second control mechanism 468 operates in the same manner as the first control mechanism 460.
• the first baffle 451 is movable to any selected one of a plurality of flow positions, including a full flow position, as is best seen in Figure 13, and a minimized flow position, as is best seen in Figure 14.
• the second baffle 452 is similar.
• the air flow path from right side of the shroud to the dust and debris outlet 444 is fully open. Accordingly, a split amount of dust and debris laden air 450 can flow from the right side of the main shroud 430, as shown in Figure 13.
• the second baffle 451 is in the full flow position, the air flow path from left side of the shroud to the dust and debris outlet 444 is fully open. Accordingly, a split amount of dust and debris laden air 450 can flow from the right side of the main shroud 430, as shown in Figure 13.
• FIGS 15 through 17 show a fifth preferred embodiment of the air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 520.
• the fifth preferred embodiment air- flow controlling pick-up head 520 is similar to the first preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head apparatus 20 except that in the fifth preferred embodiment air-flow controlling pick-up head 520, the left end 532 and a right end 534 of the shroud 530 are each open to permit the entry of air, dust and debris therein. Further, the first baffle 551 is mounted adjacent the right end 534 of the shroud 530, and the second baffle 552 is mounted adjacent the left end 532 the shroud 530.
• the present invention provides a surface cleaning vehicle having a p+ickup head that has controlled use of suction of air flow used for debris and dust suctioning, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris on one side of the pick-up head, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle can maintain a faster travelling speed during the sweeping of heavy debris on one side of the pick-up head, wherein the airflow in the pick-up head may be controlled to be greater on one side of the pick-up head and lesser on the other side of the pick-up head, and wherein there is no significantly "untapped" source of airflow suctioning in the pick-up head during unbalanced debris suctioning, wherein the surface cleaning vehicle is superior at cleaning debris at curbs at higher travel speeds than prior art surface cleaning vehicles

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
• Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)

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Publications (1)

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• 2011
  • 2011-07-06 EP EP11803039.4A patent/EP2591172A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-07-06 WO PCT/CA2011/000761 patent/WO2012003572A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2011-07-06 WO PCT/CA2011/000762 patent/WO2012003573A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2011-07-06 US US13/808,474 patent/US20140338147A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-07-06 EP EP11803040.2A patent/EP2591173A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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