EP3425138B1 - Catching device for facade cleaning liquid - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a collecting device for cleaning liquid obtained when cleaning facades and a system with such a collecting device.

From the DE 40 29 757 A1 a collecting device is known for cleaning fluid which arises during the cleaning of building facades. Foils are placed between the building wall and horizontal scaffolding poles to form a sump.

Furthermore, a collecting mat used by the applicant is known, one longitudinal edge of which is bent up and placed on the building facade, and the opposite longitudinal edge of which is bent up to form a guide surface by brackets which are applied externally. Furthermore, a flat suction mat is used in this device for suctioning off the resulting liquid. A description of this collecting mat can be found in the utility model AT 15 000 U2 , which is fully incorporated by reference into the present application. The document DE 3440461 also discloses a catcher.

Against this background, it was an object of the present invention to provide a collecting device for facade cleaning fluid with improved application properties.

This object is achieved by a collecting device with the features of claim 1 and by a system according to claims 8 and 9. Advantageous refinements are contained in the subclaims.

The collecting device according to the invention for collecting cleaning liquid resulting from the cleaning of facades contains a collecting mat as an essential element. The term "mat" indicated that the collecting mat is typically a flat, flexible, web-like or strip-shaped element with two opposite longitudinal edges, the mat being impermeable to the cleaning liquid to be collected. One longitudinal edge of the collecting mat is bent or bendable for contact with a facade, while the other longitudinal edge is bent or bendable to form a guide surface for collected cleaning liquid. When in use, the collecting mat thus forms a gutter that collects the cleaning fluid flowing down from the wall at the foot of a building wall.

The invention defines a collecting device with a traction means, which can exert an inward force (ie pointing towards the center of the mat) on the guide surface. The second longitudinal edge of the collecting mat can thus be bent up to the guide surface by this tensile force. Opposite that from the AT 15 000 U2 Known bending of the guide surface with the aid of clips to be attached from the outside, the use of the traction means has various advantages. This eliminates the need for protruding elements (clips) and a strong kink load on the collecting mat. Furthermore, the traction means can be constructed from corrosion-resistant materials, while clamps usually have to contain steel springs, which rust over time.

Typically, several traction means are attached at suitable intervals along the longitudinal extent of the collecting mat in order to bend the guide surface evenly and reliably.

There are various options for the specific training of the traction devices. In particular, the traction means can comprise a flexible rope, a flexible band, a rod and / or a chain.

There are also various options for connecting the traction means to the collecting mat. For example, a traction device as an annular band or rope can wrap around the entire collecting mat and thus bend into a gutter without being firmly connected to the collecting mat at a certain point.

According to another embodiment, at least one end of the traction means is connected to the collecting mat or a point of the collecting mat (tensile-resistant). This connection can be permanent, e.g. by gluing, by welding, by knots, by sewing or the like. Alternatively, the connection can also be reversible, so that the traction means can be connected to the collecting mat in a simple manner (typically without a tool) or can be detached therefrom again. By releasing the traction device from the collecting mat, relaxation can be ensured, so that the collecting mat takes on a flat shape and can be easily transported. Only when the detachable end of the traction device is connected to the point of the collecting mat provided for this purpose does the tractive force exert and thus the guide surface bend open.

The traction means is typically connected to the collecting mat (detachable or fixed) at both ends. One end is attached to the guide surface and the other end is attached to it, with a central part of the collecting mat.

In an optional embodiment of the invention, both ends of the traction means are detachably connected to the collecting mat. In another embodiment, one end of the traction means is detachable and the other is permanently connected to the collecting mat. The advantage of the second embodiment is that the traction device cannot be accidentally lost.

In a further embodiment, both ends of the traction means can also be firmly connected to the collecting mat. In the simplest case, the collecting mat will then be permanently in a bent state of the guide surface. As an alternative, however, such a traction means can also be variable in length, for example in the manner of a belt and / or with the formation of a loop, so that by setting a corresponding length the collecting mat can be changed between a more or less flat and a bent state. Furthermore, the traction means can also consist of at least two parts which can be connected to one another, the non-free ends of these parts being firmly connected to the collecting mat. The free ends can then be connected to one another, for example by means of Velcro connectors, hooks and eyes, a knot or the like, so that the guide surface can be easily bent open by making this connection.

The releasable connection of one end of the traction means to the collecting mat can be produced, for example, by means of a Velcro fastener, corresponding complementary components of the Velcro fastener being arranged on the one hand at the associated end of the traction means and on the intended fastening point of the trapping mat on the other hand.

In another embodiment of the releasable connection, the traction means can be connected to the collecting mat via a button. This can be, for example, a push button of the type known from the prior art. Furthermore, the button can also be formed by a (e.g. spherical, disc or rod-shaped) thickening at the end of the traction means, which has to be passed through an associated slot or hole in the collecting mat. Conversely, of course, a button on the collecting mat and the slot or hole on the traction means can also be provided.

The collecting device is also optionally characterized in that the collecting mat has an abrasion-resistant surface at least in places. In particular, the outer surface when in use can be resistant to abrasion or the entire surface of the collecting mat. Furthermore Not only the surface, but the entire collecting mat can be resistant to abrasion throughout.

Known collecting mats consist of a black rubber material, which in practice proves not to be resistant to fetching. Therefore, it can happen that after using the collecting mat on the surface or on a facade, soiling from abraded material occurs. These problems are avoided in that, as described above, the collecting mat has an abrasion-resistant surface, at least in places.

In the abrasion-resistant area, the surface of the collecting mat can consist in particular of or contain one of the following materials: styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), chloroprene rubber (CR), nitrile rubber (NBR), and / or materials with at least as high abrasion resistance as the examples mentioned .

Furthermore, the abrasion resistance can also be achieved by packing a conventional mat in a covering, e.g. a plastic bag.

• Eine Auffangeinrichtung zum Auffangen der Reinigungsflüssigkeit, mit einer Auffangmatte, deren einer Längsrand zur Anlage an einer Fassade aufgebogen oder aufbiegbar ist und deren anderer Längsrand zu einer Leitfläche für Reinigungsflüssigkeit aufgebogen oder aufbiegbar ist. Insbesondere kann es sich hierbei um eine Auffangeinrichtung gemäß einer der oben beschriebenen Ausführungsformen handeln.
• Ein Absaugelement zum Absaugen von sich in der Auffangmatte sammelnder Reinigungsflüssigkeit, welches einen auf der Auffangmatte abstellbaren Ansaugkörper und einen Anschlussstutzen für einen Schlauch aufweist, wobei der Anschlussstutzen im Betriebszustand der Anlage vertikal oberhalb der Leitfläche der Auffangmatte liegt.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a system for collecting cleaning liquid which arises during the cleaning of facades and which contains the following components:

• A collecting device for collecting the cleaning liquid, with a collecting mat, one longitudinal edge of which is bent or bendable for contact with a facade and the other longitudinal edge of which is bent or bendable to form a guide surface for cleaning liquid. In particular, this can be a collecting device according to one of the embodiments described above.
• A suction element for sucking off cleaning fluid collecting in the collecting mat, which has a suction body which can be placed on the collecting mat and a connecting piece for a hose has, the connection piece is in the operating state of the system vertically above the guide surface of the collecting mat.

The system described has the advantage that the hose for draining cleaning liquid is connected or fixed at a point above the guide surface. In contrast to known devices, in which a flat suction mat is used to suck off cleaning liquid, the hose does not therefore burden the guide surface and does not press it down.

Suction element

• Einen während des Betriebs an der Unterseite bzw. Bodenseite des Absaugelementes angeordneten Leerraum bzw. Hohlraum, welcher eine Ansaugkammer bildet, in die die abzupumpende Flüssigkeit aus der Umgebung eintreten kann. Mit anderen Worten wird sich die Ansaugkammer mit der abzupumpenden Flüssigkeit füllen, wenn das Absaugelement in einem Flüssigkeitsvolumen ausreichender Höhe abgestellt wird.
• Einen Flüssigkeitsauslass, durch welchen abgeleitete Flüssigkeit abgegeben wird. In der Regel ist der Flüssigkeitsauslass dazu eingerichtet, dass hieran ein Schlauch oder Rohr angeschlossen werden kann, worüber die Flüssigkeit an einen Zielort geführt werden kann.
• Eine funktional zwischen der Ansaugkammer und dem Flüssigkeitsauslass angeordnete Übergangsleitung, durch welche Flüssigkeit von der Ansaugkammer zum Flüssigkeitsauslass gefördert werden kann.
• Eine Füllstandsonde, welche dazu eingerichtet ist, den Flüssigkeitsfüllstand in der Ansaugkammer zu messen. Eine solche Messung kann im einfachsten Fall aus der Detektion einer einzelnen, vorgegebenen Füllstandhöhe bestehen. Bei weiterentwickelten Ausführungsformen kann auch ein Signal ausgegeben werden, welches die Füllstandhöhe kontinuierlich in einem bestimmten Messintervall widerspiegelt.

A suction element that can be used as part of the system described above is described below. Said suction element can be used in particular for draining facade cleaning fluid from a collecting mat, but without being restricted to this purpose. It contains the following components:

• An empty space or cavity arranged on the underside or bottom side of the suction element during operation, which forms a suction chamber into which the liquid to be pumped out can enter from the environment. In other words, the suction chamber will fill with the liquid to be pumped out if the suction element is placed in a liquid volume of sufficient height.
• A liquid outlet through which discharged liquid is dispensed. As a rule, the liquid outlet is set up so that a hose or pipe can be connected to it, via which the liquid can be guided to a destination.
• A functionally arranged transition line between the suction chamber and the liquid outlet, through which liquid can be conveyed from the suction chamber to the liquid outlet.
• A level probe, which is set up to measure the liquid level in the suction chamber. In the simplest case, such a measurement can consist of the detection of a single, predetermined fill level. In further developed embodiments, a signal can also be output that continuously reflects the fill level in a specific measurement interval.

By using a suction element that detects the fill level, the idling of a connected pump can be prevented, which repeatedly leads to a malfunction in the devices used in practice. In this way, higher operational reliability is achieved.

The problem arises in particular when pumping out facade cleaning liquid that the liquid contains numerous foreign bodies such as, for example, leaves, paint residues, plaster residues and the like, which can block conduit paths and / or a pump. In order to prevent this, the suction chamber is preferably surrounded to the surroundings by a retaining device which prevents larger solid foreign objects from entering. The retention device can in particular be in the form of a sieve or a filter. The hole size of the sieve or filter should be selected according to the size of the foreign bodies to be retained. Typically, the hole size is less than about 10 mm, or less than about 5 mm, or less than about 1 mm, or less than about 500 µm, or less than about 400 µm, or less than about 300 µm , approx. 200 µm. Furthermore, the hole size is preferably larger than approximately 100 μm or as one of the numerical values mentioned above for preferred maximum hole sizes.

The retention device prevents problematic foreign bodies from getting into the suction chamber and thus into components of the suction element located behind it. To protect narrow lines and / or a pump, it may also be sufficient to prevent the passage of foreign bodies from the suction chamber into the transition line. In this case, a restraint can additionally or alternatively at any point in Transition line may be provided, preferably at its connection to the suction chamber.

The suction chamber can preferably be formed in the volume between the legs of the suction element. The suction element will usually have a compact shape such as that of a cuboid and / or circular cylinder, with three or more legs being distributed along the periphery of the underside of the suction element in order to support the body of the suction element at a predetermined distance from the ground. The distance between the base and the body of the suction element generated by the supporting legs then forms at least part of the suction chamber into which liquid to be pumped out can enter from the environment.

In the operating state, the liquid outlet of the suction element is preferably arranged at a distance above the suction chamber, this distance optionally being more than 10 cm, or more than 20 cm, or more than 30 cm, or more than 50 cm. This has the advantage that hoses or pipes, which are usually attached to the liquid outlet, are spaced from the floor, so that they do not lie in the liquid to be pumped out and, above all, cannot press down the edges of a collecting mat located there.

The fill level probe of the suction element can be set up to detect when a first fill level is exceeded. This can be used to control an assigned pump depending on the fill level.

According to a further development of this embodiment, the fill level probe is additionally set up to detect a second fill level which is lower than the first fill level. A pump can then be switched on when the first fill level is exceeded and switched off again when the second fill level is undershot, which prevents the pump from running unintentionally.

According to a development of the embodiment described above, the fill level probe is set up to detect a third fill level, which is preferably lower than the second fill level. The third level can For example, correspond to a level at which a pump should not be switched on, even manually, if possible. The fact that the level falls below the third level can be displayed to the user, so that the user is warned before the pump is switched on, or the pump can even be actively switched off by a controller.

• Eine Auffangeinrichtung zum Auffangen der Reinigungsflüssigkeit, mit einer Auffangmatte, deren einer Längsrand zur Anlage an einer Fassade aufgebogen oder aufbiegbar ist und deren anderer Längsrand zu einer Leitfläche für Reinigungsflüssigkeit aufgebogen oder aufbiegbar ist.
• Ein Absaugelement gemäß einer der oben beschriebenen Ausführungsformen.

The invention further relates to a system for draining off cleaning liquid resulting from the cleaning of facades, which contains the following components specified in claims 8 and 9:

• A collecting device for collecting the cleaning liquid, with a collecting mat, one longitudinal edge of which is bent or bendable for contact with a facade and the other longitudinal edge of which is bent or bendable to form a guide surface for cleaning liquid.
• A suction element according to one of the embodiments described above.

The collecting device and the suction element advantageously complement one another to form a system for collecting and subsequently discharging cleaning fluid.

The system described typically comprises at least one pump for pumping liquid out of the suction element. This can optionally be integrated in the suction element or be located at an external location in the lines connected to the suction element.

According to a development of the above embodiment, the system can comprise a controller for controlling the pump as a function of the signal from the level probe. The controller can be constructed in various ways, for example in the form of a mechanism. Typically, however, the controller will be implemented electrically or electronically using analog hardware and / or digital hardware with suitable control software.

According to a development of the invention, the controller is preferably set up to switch the pump when a first predetermined fill level is exceeded switch on and switch off when the level falls below a second predetermined level, the second level being lower than the first level. In this way, it is possible to regulate the fill level in the vicinity of the suction element within a predetermined fill level interval. Switching off the pump when the level falls below a second level ensures that the pump does not run dry, which would lead to malfunctions.

A collecting device in accordance with the DE10 2017 115 151 are used, which was explained in more detail in the first part of the application.

Figur 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Anlage;

Figur 2

die lösbare Verbindung eines Zugmittels mit der Auffangmatte in Form eines Knopfverschlusses;

Figur 3

die lösbare Verbindung eines Zugmittels mit der Auffangmatte in Form eines Klettverschlusses;

Figur 4

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Absaugelementes;

Figur 5

eine erfindungsgemäße Anlage mit einer Auffangmatte und einem Querschnitt durch das Absaugelement von Figur 4.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of the figures. It shows:

Figure 1

a schematic side view of a system according to the invention;

Figure 2

the detachable connection of a traction device to the collecting mat in the form of a button closure;

Figure 3

the detachable connection of a traction device to the collecting mat in the form of a Velcro fastener;

Figure 4

a schematic perspective view of a suction element;

Figure 5

a system according to the invention with a collecting mat and a cross section through the suction element of Figure 4 .

In Figure 1 is shown in a schematic side view or a cross section of a system for collecting facade cleaning liquid, which contains a collecting device 1 with a collecting mat 10 and a suction element 20.

The collecting mat 10 consists of a web or strip-shaped flexible material with a first longitudinal edge 11, a central strip 12, and one second longitudinal edge 13. In the illustrated state of use, the collecting mat 10 is positioned such that the first longitudinal edge 11 is bent upwards and thus lies against the facade or the base of a wall W to be cleaned. Optionally, the transition between the wall and the longitudinal edge 11 can be sealed by a joint compound (not shown) which is released by the cleaning agent with a time delay during operation.

In order to form a longitudinal channel for collecting cleaning liquid running down the wall W, the outer longitudinal edge 13 of the collecting mat 10 must also be bent upwards to form a guide surface. This bending is done by one or more traction means 15 which are distributed along the longitudinal direction and through which one inward (ie to the right in Figure 1 ) directed tensile force F can be exerted on the guide surface 13.

In the example shown, the traction means is a flexible band or rope 15, which on the one hand has a first end at a first coupling point 16 on the guide surface 13 and on the other hand has a second end at a second coupling point 17 on the first longitudinal edge 11 or - preferably - on the median strip 12 attached. Instead of a flexible traction means, a rigid element such as a rod could also be used.

The traction means 15 can optionally be permanently connected to the collecting mat 10 with its two ends in coupling points 16 and 17. In order to be able to undo the bending of the guide surface 13, the traction means in this case can be variable in length and / or consist of two parts which can be connected to one another (e.g. hooked).

The traction means 15 is preferably detachably connected to the collecting mat 10 at at least one end, for example at the coupling point 16 towards the guide surface 13.

Figure 1 also shows as a second component of the system a suction element 20, via which the cleaning liquid collecting in the collecting mat 10 can be pumped out. Suction element 20 may itself contain an active pump, or such a pump may be remote at the other end of the Suction hose 23 may be arranged. The suction element 20 shown also has a suction body 21, which is located at the lowest point and provides for absorption of the cleaning liquid through openings there. This is then guided within the suction element 20 to a connecting piece 22 to which the hose 23 already mentioned is connected. The connecting piece 22 is advantageously arranged at a vertical height above the upper edge of the guide surface 13, so that the hose 23 connected there does not touch the guide surface as far as possible or at least does not load and depress it with a high weight.

Figure 2 schematically shows a cross section through a first embodiment of a releasable coupling point 16a between the traction means 15 and the guide surface 13. The traction means is formed by a rope 15, at the end of which there is a button or toggle 15a. Furthermore, the guide surface 13 has a slot 13a (or a hole) through which the toggle 15a can be inserted by a user, the toggle 15a lying transversely on the back of the slot 13a and thus not simply sliding back again. An inward force F can then be exerted on the guide surface 13 via the traction means 15 in order to bend it up as desired.

Optionally, the toggle 15a can also be attached to the traction means 15 in a variable position, for example in the form of a clamp. In this case, the traction means 15 can be pulled out more or less through the hole 13a as required and then fixed.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a coupling point 16b, in which the complementary components 13b, 15b of a Velcro fastener are located at the end of the traction means 15 and at the upper outer edge of the guide surface 13. The end of the traction device 15 can therefore be fixed in a simple manner to the Velcro 13b of the collecting mat.

The Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of a system according to the invention, wherein the collecting device 1 with the Collection mat 10 is substantially similar to the first embodiment ( Figures 1 to 3 ) and is therefore not explained in more detail below.

Rather, the difference between the second embodiment lies in the suction element 20, via which cleaning liquid to be pumped out is transferred from the collecting mat 10 into a suction hose 23. The suction element 20 preferably has a compact, stable shape, such as the shape of a cuboid or block shown. For example, its body can be made in one piece from a waterproof material. In particular, it can be produced from a plastic block by milling.

On the underside of the suction element 20 there are three, four or more legs 21 which hold the body of the suction element at a certain distance (typically 1 to 5 cm) from the ground. A suction chamber 24 is thus formed between the legs 21. As from the sectional view of Figure 5 is recognizable, this typically extends a little further into the interior of the suction element. There, it generally narrows to a transition line 27, which leads to a liquid outlet 22 on the upper side of the suction element 20. As in the first embodiment, a hose 23 can be connected to this outlet, which in turn leads to an external pump P. As already explained, the liquid outlet 22 is located at a distance from the substrate above the edges of the collecting mat 10, so that the connected hose 23 does not rest on these edges and cannot press them down.

In order to prevent disturbing solid particles from being sucked in (for example leaves, paint or plaster residues), the suction chamber 24 is preferably surrounded by a sieve 25. The screen 25 can extend as shown along the underside of the suction element 20 and a bit along the vertical height around its side walls. Such an arrangement of the screen has the advantage that it can be easily cleaned and / or removed. Additionally or alternatively, for example, could also be at the beginning or at the end a suitable restraint device can be provided for the internal transition line 27. The hole size of the sieve 25 can be, for example, in a range of approximately 400 μm. Furthermore, the sieve 25 can preferably consist of stainless steel or another corrosion-resistant material.

The suction element 20 is also equipped with a level probe 26, by means of which the liquid level in the suction chamber can be detected. Such detection can be carried out in any known manner, for example by means of an electrical conductivity measurement. In the simplest case, the fill level probe 26 can contain a single sensor, with which the exceeding of a single fill level can be detected. Preferably, the level probe 26 contains two or three (or more) individual sensors, which are arranged at different heights for the detection of different liquid levels. In the example shown, it is e.g. a three-point probe with which a first, highest level a, a second, middle level b, and a third, lowest level c can be detected. The signals emitted by the level probe 26 indicate whether the fluid level is above the level of sensors c, b and / or a, so that a total of four fluid levels can be distinguished (from "lower than c" to "higher than a").

The signals emitted by the level probe 26 can be passed on to an external (alternatively also internal) controller R, which uses them to control the pump P. In particular, the pump P can be switched on when an excess of the first, highest fill level a is detected, and can be switched off again when a subsequent drop below the second, medium fill level b is detected. This prevents the pump P from running dry.

Claims (9)

1. Catching device (1) for collecting cleaning liquid occurring during the cleaning of facades, with a flexible collecting mat (10), one longitudinal edge (11) of which is bent or bendable up for contact with a facade (W) and the other longitudinal edge of which is bent or bendable up to form a guide surface (13) for cleaning liquid,
   characterized in that
   it has a pulling device (15) by which an inwardly directed pulling force (F) can be exerted on the guide surface (13) in order to bend it open while forming a channel between the longitudinal edges (11, 13), wherein one end of the pulling device is detachably connected or firmly attached to the guide surface and the other end remote therefrom to a central part of the collecting mat.
2. Catching device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the pulling device (15) comprises a flexible rope or tape.
3. Catching device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the pulling device (15) is detachably connected to the collecting mat (10) at at least one end (16).
4. Catching device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the pulling device (15) is connected to the collecting mat (10) by a hook and loop fastener (16b) and/or by a button (15a).
5. Catching device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the pulling device (15) is permanently connected to the collecting mat (10) at at least one end (17).
6. Catching device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the collecting mat (10) has an abrasion-resistant surface, at least in places.
7. Catching device (1) according to claim 6,
   characterized in that the surface contains or consists of at least one of the following materials: styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), chloroprene rubber (CR) or nitrile rubber (NBR).
8. Installation for collecting cleaning liquid occurring during the cleaning of facades, comprising:

   - a catching device (1) for collecting cleaning liquid occurring during the cleaning of facades according to at least one of the claims 1 to 7, with a collecting mat (10), one longitudinal edge (11) of which is bent or bendable up for contact with a facade (W) and the other longitudinal edge of which is bent or bendable up to form a guide surface (13) for cleaning liquid,

   - a suction element (20) with a suction body (21) which can be placed on the collecting mat (10) and with a connecting piece (22) for a hose (23), wherein the connecting piece (22) is located above the guide surface (13) in the operating state.
9. Installation for collecting cleaning liquid occurring during the cleaning of facades, with a catching device (1) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 7 and with a suction element (20) comprising:

   - a suction chamber (24) at the bottom side;

   - a liquid outlet (22);

   - a transition pipeline (27) arranged between the suction chamber (24) and the liquid outlet (22);

   - a fill-level probe (26) for measuring the liquid level in the suction chamber (24).

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