EP4049577A1 - Tool for the cleaning of surfaces - Google Patents

Tool for the cleaning of surfaces Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4049577A1
EP4049577A1 EP22157602.8A EP22157602A EP4049577A1 EP 4049577 A1 EP4049577 A1 EP 4049577A1 EP 22157602 A EP22157602 A EP 22157602A EP 4049577 A1 EP4049577 A1 EP 4049577A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
datum
cleaning
tool
work surface
cleaning device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22157602.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Renato Santinon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hygenia Srl
Original Assignee
Hygenia Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hygenia Srl filed Critical Hygenia Srl
Publication of EP4049577A1 publication Critical patent/EP4049577A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/20—Mops
    • A47L13/24—Frames for mops; Mop heads
    • A47L13/254—Plate frames
    • A47L13/256—Plate frames for mops made of cloth
    • 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
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/22—Mountings for motor fan assemblies

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tool for the cleaning of surfaces.
  • the present invention is intended for the cleaning of flat surfaces such as e.g. a floor.
  • the cleaning systems of known type provide for the use of a tool comprising a handle, which is adapted to move the tool itself onto the surface to be cleaned by an operator, a base, associated with one end of the handle, and a cleaning element, associable with the base and adapted to clean the surface as a result of the movement of the tool.
  • the cleaning element is of the type of a cloth and can possibly be moistened with a cleaning liquid.
  • the cleaning element is removable from its base so it can be replaced or to restore the cleaning liquid.
  • the cleaning process provides for the movement of the tool by an operator in an area of use as well as the interaction of the cleaning element with the surface.
  • reporting by the operator does not allow for a continuous and steady update of the activities carried out, unless there are continuous interruptions in the cleaning operations.
  • the main aim of the present invention is to devise a tool for the cleaning of surfaces which allows detecting and reporting the degree of surface cleaning in an accurate and precise manner.
  • Another object of the present invention is to devise a tool for the cleaning of surfaces which allows objective detection of predefined cleaning parameters.
  • An additional object of the present invention is to devise a tool for the cleaning of surfaces which allows planning and real-time updating of the cleaning operations to be carried out.
  • Still one object of the present invention is to devise a tool for the cleaning of surfaces which allows effectively monitoring the performance carried out.
  • Another object of the present invention is to devise a tool for the cleaning of surfaces which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within the scope of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.
  • reference numeral 1 globally indicates a tool for the cleaning of surfaces.
  • the tool 1 comprises at least one cleaning device 20 movable on a work surface F to be cleaned by an operator in at least one area of use.
  • the expression “work surface” means a substantially flat, horizontal surface, such as e.g. a floor.
  • the expression “area of use” means a room, a premise or otherwise an enclosed place having a work surface F to be cleaned and wherein the tool 1 is intended to be used.
  • the cleaning device 20 comprises at least one handle 2 which is adapted to move the cleaning device 20 by an operator.
  • the cleaning device 20 comprises at least one base 3 associated with one end of the handle 2. Specifically, during use, the base 3 is arranged in the proximity of the work surface F.
  • the cleaning device 20 comprises articulated linking means 21 positioned between the handle 2 and the base 3 and adapted to allow a rotation of the base itself by an angle substantially equal to 360°.
  • the cleaning device 20 also comprises at least one cleaning element 4 associable with the base 3 and adapted to clean the work surface F as a result of the movement of the tool itself.
  • the cleaning element 4 is of the type of a cloth, made of natural and/or synthetic fibers.
  • the cleaning element 4 can be wetted with a cleaning liquid soaked in the fibers of the cloth and adapted to clean the work surface F.
  • the cleaning element 4 may be dry.
  • the cleaning element 4 is associated with the base 3 in a removable manner.
  • the cleaning device 20 comprises removable fastening means 31 positioned between the base 3 and the cleaning element 4.
  • the cleaning element 4 may be easily removed from the base 3 to restore the content of cleaning liquid or to be replaced when worn.
  • the removable fastening means 31 may be of the type of hooks, Velcro, stickers or the like.
  • the tool 1 comprises at least one electronic detection device 5 associated with the cleaning device 20 and configured to generate at least one datum representative of the cleaning of the work surface F.
  • the at least one representative datum comprises at least one of: a datum of position of the cleaning device 20 in the area of use, a datum of space covered, a datum of work surface F covered, a datum of distance of the cleaning device 20 from the work surface F, a datum of working time, a datum of dwelling time in the area of use and a datum of cleaning efficiency.
  • the tool 1 allows automatically detecting the parameters representative of the cleaning of the work surface F freeing itself from the need of the operator's intervention.
  • the tool 1 allows, therefore, obtaining a quick and objective indication of the degree of cleaning of the work surface F.
  • the electronic detection device 5 comprises detecting sensors 6 configured to detect at least one of: a motion signal of the cleaning device 20 on said work surface F, at least one position signal of the cleaning device 20 in the area of use, a speed signal of the movement of said cleaning device 20 and a distance signal of the electronic detection device 5 with respect to said work surface F.
  • the electronic detection device 5 is associated with the cleaning device 20 in a removable manner.
  • Such an embodiment allows the electronic detection device 5 to be easily removed and replaced from the cleaning device 20, e.g. in case of maintenance jobs or in case of failure of the cleaning device itself.
  • such solution allows the electronic detection device 5 to be used on different cleaning devices 20.
  • such solution allows the electronic detection device 5 to be used on cleaning devices 20 already existing on the market.
  • the tool 1 comprises removable attachment means positioned between the electronic detection device 5 and the cleaning device 20, of a type known to the person skilled in the art and not shown in detail in the figures.
  • the electronic detection device 5 is associated with the base 3.
  • the detecting sensors 6 are able to detect signals as representative as possible related to the movement of the base 3 on the work surface F.
  • the electronic detection device 5 is locked together with the cleaning device 20 and, specifically, with the base 3.
  • the electronic detection device 5 also comprises at least one electronic unit 7 operationally connected to the detecting sensors 6 and configured to process at least one of the aforementioned signals and to generate at least one of the representative data.
  • the electronic unit 7 comprises a processing unit 7a responsible for processing the signals received and for controlling the set of sensors connected to the electronic unit itself.
  • the electronic unit 7 comprises at least one memory unit 8 configured to store at least one of the representative data.
  • the memory unit 8 receives and stores the data processed by the processing unit 7a.
  • the memory unit 8 is also configured to store the signals detected by the detecting sensors 6.
  • the detecting sensors 6 comprise at least one motion sensor 15 configured to detect the movement of the cleaning device 20 on the work surface F and to generate a corresponding motion signal.
  • the motion sensor 15 comprises at least one optical sensor.
  • the motion sensor 15 allows detecting the position of the cleaning device 20 with respect to a plane X-Z.
  • the detecting sensors 6 also comprise at least one position sensor 9 configured to detect the position of the cleaning device 20 and to generate a corresponding position signal.
  • the position sensor 9 comprises at least one of either an accelerometer device or a gyroscope device.
  • the position sensor 9 is used to determine the orientation and direction along which the cleaning device 20 is moved.
  • the location of the cleaning device 20 may be determined at any time.
  • the electronic unit 7 is also configured to process the position signal and the motion signal to obtain the datum of surface covered.
  • the detecting sensors 6 also comprise at least one Real Time Clock (RTC) module configured to determine the time of use.
  • RTC Real Time Clock
  • the detecting sensors 6 comprise at least one speed sensor 10 configured to detect the speed of movement of the cleaning device 20 on the work surface F and to generate a corresponding speed signal.
  • the speed sensor 10 comprises at least one IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) device.
  • IMU Inertial Measurement Unit
  • the electronic detection device 5 also allows the acquisition of a datum of speed traveled by the cleaning device 20 during the operation so as to establish a degree of accuracy in the cleaning of the work surface F.
  • the electronic unit 7 is also configured to process the speed signal and the time of use to obtain the datum of working time and the datum of dwelling time in the area of use.
  • the detecting sensors 6 also comprise at least one distance sensor 16 configured to detect the distance of the electronic detection device 5 from the work surface F and to generate a corresponding distance signal.
  • the distance sensor 16 comprises at least one Time Of Flight (TOF) sensor.
  • TOF Time Of Flight
  • the electronic unit 7 is configured to operate/deactivate at least one of the motion sensor 15, the position sensor 9 or the speed sensor 10 depending on the distance signal.
  • the electronic unit 7 is configured to detect the signals by the detecting sensors 6 only when the cleaning device 20 is actually in contact with the work surface F.
  • the tool 1 allows, therefore, an effective processing of the signals and allows providing extremely representative and reliable data of the degree of cleaning, thus avoiding possible human errors.
  • the electronic unit 7 is usefully configured to process at least the speed signal, the motion signal and the distance signal to generate the datum of cleaning efficiency.
  • the detecting sensors 6 comprise at least one presence sensor 11 configured to detect the presence of the cleaning element 4 associated with the base 3 and to generate a corresponding presence signal.
  • the presence sensor 11 comprises at least one of either a contact sensor or an optical sensor.
  • the electronic unit 7 comprises transfer means 12 of the data which are configured to transfer at least one of the data to a remote device R.
  • the transfer means 12 are operationally connected to the memory unit 8.
  • the remote device R may be, e.g., a PC, a smart-phone or the like.
  • the transfer means 12 are configured to also transmit the signals detected by the detecting sensors 6 and stored in the memory unit 8 to be processed by the remote device R.
  • the transfer means 12 comprise at least one of either a serial transmission device or a radio wave transmission device.
  • the serial transmission device is e.g. of the type of a USB port.
  • the radio wave transmission device is selected out of a Bluetooth device and a Wi-Fi device.
  • the data may be transferred at the end of operations by means of a connection to remote computers or in real time.
  • the electronic detection device 5 comprises energy storage means 13 of the type of a battery, adapted to power all the electronic user points of the electronic detection device itself.
  • the energy storage means 13 allow for convenient use of the tool 1 without the need for a mains connection.
  • the energy storage means 13 are of the rechargeable type.
  • the electronic detection device 5 comprises charging means 14 operationally connected to the energy storage means 13.
  • the charging means 14 are of the type of, e.g., a USB port.
  • the tool 1 is positioned on the work surface F.
  • the electronic detection device 5 detects the grounding of the tool 1 and the signal acquisition is triggered by the electronic unit 7.
  • the tool 1 is moved over the work surface F by means of the handle 2.
  • the position sensor 9 and the motion sensor 15 constantly detect a position signal of the cleaning device 20 in the area of use.
  • the speed sensor 10 detects a movement speed signal of the tool 1 on the work surface F and allows acquiring the datum of speed and of surface covered.
  • the aforementioned data and/or signals are stored in the memory unit 8.
  • the tool 1 is lifted from the work surface F, the distance sensor 16 determines the change in position and the data acquisition is interrupted.
  • the data and/or signals stored in the memory unit 8 are transferred to the remote device R by means of the transfer means 12.
  • the present invention also relates to an electronic detection device 5 for cleaning devices.
  • the electronic detection device 5 is associable with a cleaning device 20 movable by an operator on a work surface F to be cleaned in an area of use.
  • the electronic detection device 5 is associable with the cleaning device 20 in a removable manner.
  • the electronic detection device 5 is configured to generate at least one representative datum of the cleanliness of the work surface F.
  • the at least one representative datum comprises at least one of: a datum of position of the cleaning device 20 in the area of use, a datum of space covered, a datum of work surface F covered, a datum of distance of the cleaning device 20 from the work surface F, a datum of working time, a datum of dwelling time in the area of use and a datum of cleaning efficiency.
  • the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, the fact is emphasized that the tool for the cleaning of surfaces according to the present invention enables the degree of cleaning of the surfaces to be precisely and accurately detected and reported. Thanks to the electronic detection device, the tool allows objective detection of predefined cleaning parameters, planning and real-time updating of the cleaning jobs to be carried out and enables effective monitoring of the performance carried out.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)
  • Mechanical Treatment Of Semiconductor (AREA)
  • Gyroscopes (AREA)
  • Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)
EP22157602.8A 2021-02-18 2022-02-18 Tool for the cleaning of surfaces Pending EP4049577A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102021000003785A IT202100003785A1 (it) 2021-02-18 2021-02-18 Attrezzo per la pulitura di superfici

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4049577A1 true EP4049577A1 (en) 2022-08-31

Family

ID=75769817

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22157602.8A Pending EP4049577A1 (en) 2021-02-18 2022-02-18 Tool for the cleaning of surfaces

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4049577A1 (it)
IT (1) IT202100003785A1 (it)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050186015A1 (en) * 2004-02-24 2005-08-25 Roland Sacks Advanced Data Controlled Cleaning System
US20060048800A1 (en) * 2004-09-09 2006-03-09 Rast Rodger H Automated building exterior cleaning apparatus
EP3095370B1 (de) * 2015-05-18 2017-10-11 VERMOP Salmon GmbH Reinigungssystem mit bewegungs- und/oder positionsbestimmung
US20180353999A1 (en) * 2017-06-09 2018-12-13 American International Group, Inc. System and method for monitoring cleaning conditions of facility using cleaning apparatus with tracking feature
EP3466310A1 (en) * 2017-10-03 2019-04-10 Black & Decker Inc. Proximity detection

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29501258U1 (de) * 1995-01-27 1995-03-09 Breest Ernst Juergen Reinigungsgerät, insbesondere Wisch- bzw. Schrubbmop
DE20016620U1 (de) * 2000-09-22 2000-12-14 Adsorb Med Gmbh Reinigungsmop
GB201509668D0 (en) * 2012-11-29 2015-07-22 Euro Pro Operating Llc Steam cleaning appliance
US9526394B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2016-12-27 Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. Surface cleaning apparatus
CN203366133U (zh) * 2013-05-23 2013-12-25 深迪半导体(上海)有限公司 一种方向可调的拖把
US10499785B2 (en) * 2016-07-27 2019-12-10 Spot You More, Inc. Cleanliness monitoring

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050186015A1 (en) * 2004-02-24 2005-08-25 Roland Sacks Advanced Data Controlled Cleaning System
US20060048800A1 (en) * 2004-09-09 2006-03-09 Rast Rodger H Automated building exterior cleaning apparatus
EP3095370B1 (de) * 2015-05-18 2017-10-11 VERMOP Salmon GmbH Reinigungssystem mit bewegungs- und/oder positionsbestimmung
US20180353999A1 (en) * 2017-06-09 2018-12-13 American International Group, Inc. System and method for monitoring cleaning conditions of facility using cleaning apparatus with tracking feature
EP3466310A1 (en) * 2017-10-03 2019-04-10 Black & Decker Inc. Proximity detection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT202100003785A1 (it) 2022-08-18

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