FR2751568A1 - Surface cleaning unit e.g. for mounting on vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit comprises a frame which can be mounted on the chassis of a motor vehicle. It has one or more nozzles (1) to deliver a cleaning fluid and a suction unit (10) for picking up the used fluid and the impurities or pollutants contained in it. The spray nozzles are able to move to and fro along a curve contained in a plane lying parallel to the surface being cleaned, and the suction unit (10) is situated opposite a receiving channel (11) over an intake (12) for the used fluid. The system incorporates a filter unit for removing the impurities from the cleaning fluid to allow it to be recycled.

Description

 The invention relates to a surface cleaning device, intended to be mounted on a mobile base, for example a chassis of a motor vehicle.

 Street cleaning devices of the scanning type are already known.

 Reference may be made, for example, to the following documents: ES-B-269 632, ES-B-285 289, ES-B-291 844, ES-B315 669, ES-B-318 854, ES-B-372 258, ES-B-435 978, ES-B-437 466, ES-B-448 824, ES-B-462 076, ES-B-470 560 and ES-B-535 075.

 Such devices have a number of drawbacks.

 If the hardness of the materials making up the brushes is high, the surface of the ground may be altered, for example scratches and streaks may appear on the ground surface during sweeping.

 Conversely, if the hardness of the materials constituting the brushes, they wear out quickly, resulting in high maintenance costs.

 Furthermore, such devices prove to be ineffective when it comes to unhooking certain dry impurities strongly adhering to the surface of the floor to be cleaned.

 There are also known cleaning devices by projection and suction of cleaning liquid. Reference may be made, for example, to the following documents: ES-B-279 729, ES-B-292 900, ES-B-333 849, ES-B359 000, ES-B-380 524, ES-B-404 278, and ES-B-404 612.

 Such devices include a reservoir of cleaning liquid such as detergent or hot water, a device for spraying this cleaning liquid under pressure onto the surface to be cleaned, a device for sucking up the projected liquid and impurities moistened towards a second tank.

Such devices have the following disadvantages, among others
- a large amount of water or detergent is used during the operation of this device
- the projection of the cleaning liquid through a large number of projection means such as nozzles requires a powerful distribution group
- the suction of humidified impurities mixed with a large amount of cleaning liquid requires a large power group to produce the necessary vacuum.

 The invention aims to provide a surface cleaning device intended to be mounted on a mobile base, for example a chassis of a motor vehicle, which does not have the drawbacks of the devices mentioned above.

 A device according to the invention comprises at least one means for spraying a cleaning fluid towards the surface to be cleaned, and at least one means for aspirating a mixture containing impurities coming from the surface being cleaned and from the cleaning fluid having led to the displacement relative to the surface of these impurities, characterized in that at least one projection means is movable along a curve contained in a plane substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned, the displacement of this means of projection taking place in two opposite alternative directions along said curve.

 According to a first aspect, at least one first suction means is disposed opposite a channel for receiving the impurity-cleaning fluid mixture, this receiving channel being in communication with an inlet conduit of said mixture, the channel reception being located above the inlet duct.

 According to a second aspect, sealing means are provided such that the flow of the cleaning fluid takes place essentially by spraying means towards the surface of the ground and then towards the inlet duct.

 At least one movable projection means is capable of projecting a cleaning fluid towards the surface to be cleaned according to a spray cone, the axis of which defines an angle of a few degrees to 900 with respect to the surface of the floor being cleaned.

 In one embodiment, the receiving channel and the inlet duct are two parts of a first piece of vertical spiral section formed by a strip of material folded back on itself, the free ends of this strip being arranged according to two curves contained in two planes substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned, the inlet duct being formed by two parts of the strip of material arranged opposite one another.

 The opening of the inlet duct defines an opening surface such that its normal at any point forms an angle of a few degrees to 90 "relative to the surface of the floor being cleaned, preferably about 450.

 In one embodiment, the angle of the axis of the spray cone with the surface of the ground and the angle of the normal to the opening surface with the surface of the ground are substantially equal in absolute value.

 The mobile projection means are arranged in a casing comprising an upper wall and three lateral walls impermeable to the cleaning fluid, the surface defined by the free ends of said walls being substantially planar, arranged above parallel and at a certain distance from the ground, from a few millimeters to a few centimeters.

 An upper strip of flexible material is rigidly associated on one of its edges with the first part of vertical spiral section, the dimensions of this strip being such that it partially covers and overlaps the upper wall of the casing.

 In one embodiment, the casing and the spraying means move synchronously, the casing being for example rigidly associated with the spraying means.

 A lower strip of flexible material is rigidly associated with the lower free edge of the first part of vertical spiral section, the dimension of this lower strip being such that it comes into contact with the surface of the ground.

 The casing, the upper and lower strips of flexible material are arranged in such a way that the flow of the cleaning fluid takes place essentially from the spraying means towards the ground surface and then towards the inlet duct of the first section piece. vertical spiral.

 Relative to a direction of front / rear movement of the device, in one embodiment of the invention, the first suction means are located towards the front, the spraying means towards the rear, the circulation of the cleaning from the spraying means up to the reception channel taking place from the rear towards the front of the device.

 In another embodiment, with respect to a forward / backward direction of movement of the device, the first suction means is located towards the rear, the spraying means towards the front, the circulation of the cleaning fluid from the spraying means towards the reception channel taking place from the front to the rear of the device.

 According to one embodiment, the device further comprises a second suction device towards the rear.

 In one embodiment, the second suction device is arranged opposite a channel for receiving an impurity-cleaning fluid mixture which may not have been aspirated by the first suction means, this receiving channel being in communication with an inlet conduit of said mixture, the receiving channel being located above the inlet conduit.

 In one embodiment, the receiving channel and the inlet duct of the second suction device are two parts of a second piece of vertical spiral section formed of a strip of material folded back on itself, the free ends of this strip being arranged in two curves contained in two planes substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned, the inlet duct being formed by two parts of the strip of material arranged opposite one another.

 The opening of the inlet duct of the second suction device defines an opening surface such that its normal at all points forms an angle of a few degrees to 900 with respect to the surface of the floor being cleaned, preferably 450 about.

 In one embodiment, the angle between the normal to the opening surfaces of the two parts of vertical spiral section and the surface of the floor being cleaned are substantially equal in absolute value.

 Two strips of flexible material, one at the front and the other at the rear, are rigidly associated on one of their edges with the second piece of vertical spiral section, the dimensions of these front and rear strips being such that they come into contact with the surface of the ground, all along their edge parallel to their edge of attachment to the second part of vertical spiral section.

 In one embodiment, with respect to a longitudinal direction of front / rear movement of the device, the projection means are movable transversely, the first and second parts of vertical spiral section being formed from profiles arranged substantially parallel to the transverse direction of movement said projection means.

In one embodiment, a device according to the invention further comprises
means capable of supplying, under pressure by means of spraying, cleaning fluid stored in a tank
means capable of creating a depression in the center of the first and second parts of vertical spiral section, in particular immediately above the impurity-cleaning fluid mixture contained in the reception channels
means suitable for filtering the impurity-cleaning fluid mixture and capable of regenerating said cleaning fluid
- Means capable of recycling the cleaning fluid from the filtering to said tank.

The device may further comprise
- Means for adjusting the distance between the spraying means and the housing on the one hand, and the soil to be cleaned on the other hand
- Means for adjusting the distance between the first and second parts of vertical spiral section relative to the surface of the floor to be cleaned
- a moistening device and a friction brush located towards the front of the device.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear during the following description of an embodiment, which description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
- Figure 1 is a schematic view in vertical section of a device according to the invention
- Figure 2 is a top view corresponding to Figure 1
- Figure 3 is a detail view of a device according to the invention.

 The invention relates to a surface cleaning device, intended to be mounted on a mobile base, for example a chassis of a motor vehicle.

 The surfaces to be cleaned can be made of synthetic material, concrete, asphalt, bitumen, bituminous concrete, composite material, rock, and in general, any material which withstands without deteriorating momentary contact with a liquid such as 'water.

 The device comprises at least one means 1 for spraying a cleaning fluid towards the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning fluid can for example be cold or hot water, optionally mixed with a liquid or particulate detergent, suitable for the surface to be cleaned. If necessary, other products such as disinfectants, deodorants, surface treatment products can be used.

 The projection means (s) 1 are located in a casing 2, possibly rigidly associated with this casing. The casing 2 comprises an upper wall 3 and three side walls 4, 5 and 6, impermeable to the cleaning fluid.

 At least one projection means 1 is capable of projecting a cleaning fluid towards the surface 7 to be cleaned according to a spray cone 8 whose axis 9 defines an angle A of a few degrees to 900 relative to the surface of the floor 7 in cleaning course.

 The spray cone (s) 8 are contained in the casing 2. The device further comprises at least a first suction means 10 disposed opposite a channel 11 for receiving the impurity-cleaning fluid mixture, this channel 11 of reception being in communication with an inlet conduit 12 of said mixture, the reception channel 11 being located above the inlet conduit 12.

 In one embodiment, the receiving channel 11 and the inlet duct 12 are two parts of a first part 13 of vertical spiral section, formed of a strip of material folded back on itself, the free ends 14, 15 of this strip being arranged in two curves contained in two planes substantially parallel to the surface 7 to be cleaned, the inlet duct 12 being formed by two parts of the strip of material arranged opposite one another.

 In another embodiment, not shown, the inlet duct 12 communicates with a hollow vertical part of increasing section from its lower end close to the surface to be cleaned to its upper end, the suction being carried out directly at the 'upper end of this hollow part, the device comprising no channel for receiving a fluid mixture of cleaning impurities off the ground.

 The opening 16 of the inlet duct 12 defines an opening surface 17, such that its normal at any point forms an angle B of a few degrees to 900 with respect to the surface of the floor 7 during cleaning, preferably 450 about.

 In the embodiment shown, the angle A of the axis of the spray cone 8 with the surface of the ground 7 and the angle B of the normal to the opening surface 17 with the surface of the ground 7 are substantially equal in ultimate value.

 In the embodiment shown, relative to a front / rear direction of movement of the device, the first suction means 10 are located towards the front, the spraying means 1 towards the rear, the circulation of the cleaning fluid from the spraying means 1 up to the reception channel 11 taking place from the rear towards the front of the device.

 In another embodiment, not shown, relative to a front / rear direction of movement of the device, the first suction means is located towards the rear, the spraying means towards the front, the circulation of the cleaning from the spraying means to the reception channel taking place from the front to the rear of the device.

 In the embodiment shown, the device further comprises a second suction device towards the rear.

 This second suction device 18 is arranged opposite a reception channel 19 of a dirt-cleaning fluid mixture which may not have been sucked by the first suction means 10 during movement of the cleaning device, this reception channel 19 being in communication with an inlet conduit 20 of said mixture, the reception channel 19 being situated above the inlet conduit 20.

 In one embodiment, the reception channel 19 and the inlet duct 20 are two parts of a second part 21 of spiral vertical section, formed of a strip of material folded back on itself, the free ends 22, 23 of this strip being arranged in two curves contained in two planes substantially parallel to the surface 7 to be cleaned, the inlet duct 20 being formed by two parts of the strip of material arranged opposite one another.

 In another embodiment, shown, the inlet duct 12 communicates with a hollow vertical part of increasing section from its lower end close to the surface to be cleaned to its upper end, the suction being carried out directly at the 'upper end of this hollow part, the device comprising no channel for receiving the cleaning fluid / impurities loose from the ground.

 The opening of the inlet duct 20 defines an opening surface 24 such that its normal at any point forms an angle C of a few degrees to 900 relative to the surface of the floor 7 during cleaning, preferably about 45 " .

 In the embodiment shown, the angles between the normal to the opening surfaces 17, 24 of the two parts of vertical spiral section 13, 21 and the surface of the floor 7 during cleaning are substantially equal in absolute value.

 An upper strip of flexible materials 25 is rigidly associated on one of its edges 26 with the first piece of vertical spiral section 13, the dimensions of this strip 25 being such that it overlaps and partially overlaps the upper wall 3 of the casing. 2.

 A lower strip 27 of flexible material is rigidly associated with the lower free edge of the first part of vertical section 13, the dimension of this lower strip 27 being such that it comes into contact with the ground surface 7, when the cleaning device is in the operating position.

 The casing 2, the upper and lower strips 25, 27 of flexible material are arranged in such a way that the flow of the cleaning fluid takes place essentially from the spraying means 1 towards the surface of the ground 7, then towards the conduit of inlet 12 of the first piece of vertical spiral section 13.

 Two bands 29, 30, one front, the other rear, of flexible material are rigidly associated on one of their edges 31, 32 respectively with the second piece of vertical spiral section 21, the dimensions of these front bands 29 and rear 30 being such that they come into contact with the surface of the ground 7, all along their edges 33, 34 respectively, parallel to their fixing edges 31, 32 to the second part of vertical spiral section 21.

 In the embodiment shown, with respect to a longitudinal direction of front / rear movement of the cleaning device, the projection means 1 are movable transversely in a direction D, the first and second parts of vertical spiral section 13, 21 being formed profiles 35, 36, arranged substantially parallel to the transverse direction D of movement of said projection means 1.

 The projection means 1 can also rotate on themselves, so that the angle of the spray cone relative to the ground varies continuously over time.

 We will now describe the means for moving the projection means 1.

 In the embodiment shown, the projection means 1 are integral with the casing 2. In another embodiment, not shown, the casing 2 is fixed, and the projection means 1 are movable inside this casing 2 .

 The projection means 1 are rigidly associated with a profile 37 by means of two uprights 38 and 39, fixed to the upper wall 3 of the casing 2.

 Profile 37 is part of an articulated parallelogram comprising profiles 37 and 40, and bars 41 and 42.

 In the embodiment shown, the profile has a vertical U-shaped section, like the profile 40, the openings of the profiles 37 and 40 being arranged opposite, and the profiles 37 and 40 being substantially parallel.

 The bars 41, 42 have rectangular vertical sections and are substantially parallel.

 The articulated parallelogram comprising the sections 37 and 40, the bars 41 and 42 is arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the floor 7 during cleaning, and the sections 37 and 40 are arranged substantially in the direction D.

 The bar 41 is inserted at one of its ends in the opening of the profile 37. The bar 41 is inserted at its other end in the opening of the profile 40. The bar 41 is movable relative to the profile 37 in rotation about a substantially vertical axis 43. Similarly, the bar 41 is movable relative to the profile 40 in rotation about a substantially vertical axis 45.

 The bar 42 is inserted at one of its ends in the opening of the profile 37. The bar 42 is inserted at its other end in the opening of the profile 40. The bar 42 is movable relative to the profile 37 in rotation along a substantially vertical axis 44. Similarly, the bar 42 is movable relative to the profile 40, in rotation along a substantially vertical axis 46.

 In the embodiment shown, the profile 40 is rigidly assembled to the chassis of the cleaning device. The profile 40 being fixed, the displacement of the bars 41, 42 and of the profile 37, and consequently of the casing 2 and the projection means 1 in the direction D, is obtained in the following manner.

 A part 48 is rotated at one of its ends by a motor 47 along a substantially vertical axis of rotation 49. A part 51 is associated with one of its ends with the bar 42 along an axis 52 and is associated to the part 48 at its other end along an axis 50. The arrangement of the parts 48, 51 and 42 is such that the drive by the motor 47 of the part 48 leads to the displacement of the substantially vertical axis 50 in rotation by relative to the axis 49, and to the displacement of the axis 52 in a direction substantially parallel to D alternately from left to right and from right to left according to FIG. 2.

 The part 51 thus acts as a connecting rod, transforming a rotational movement provided by the motor 47 into a translational movement for the bar 42 and consequently, for the assembly formed by the bars 41, 42 and the profile 37.

 Performing an alternating movement for the projection means 1 makes it possible to reduce the amount of water or detergent used during the operation of a cleaning device, as well as the number of projection means such as nozzles, and by As a consequence, it also makes it possible to reduce the power of the cleaning fluid distribution group.

 Furthermore, the reciprocating movement of the spraying means makes it possible to obtain a jet sweeping effect, increasing the efficiency of the cleaning device compared to the devices known in the prior art.

 Furthermore, the amount of water or cleaning fluid used by a device according to the invention being lower than in conventional devices, and a double suction being carried out at the front and at the rear through suction means 10 and 18, the cleaned surface is practically free of any trace of moisture.

 The cleaning device just described can be mounted on a mobile base, for example a chassis of a motor vehicle.

 Temporary or permanent attachment of the device to the chassis of the vehicle can be obtained by riveting, bolting, gluing, keying or the like between the parts 53a, 53b, 53c and 53d of the device and the side members or plates of the chassis.

 The cleaning device may further comprise means able to supply the spray means 1 with pressure for cleaning fluid stored in a tank carried by the motor vehicle or a trailer towed by said vehicle. A pipe, not shown, conveys the cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the spraying means, via an intake pipe 54.

 The cleaning device can also include means capable of creating a depression in the center of the first and second parts of vertical spiral section. A power unit, not shown, is connected to the suction means 10, 18 of which only the ends of the substantially vertical conduits are shown.

 If necessary, the cleaning fluid can flow from the storage tank to the suction means and then to the suction means to return to the storage tank, after passing through filters.

 In one embodiment, the spent cleaning fluid can pass through a series of filters contained in the central housing of a tank with a double concentric compartment. A first stage of filtration can be a simple stage of settling by gravity. This central housing is separated from the peripheral annular housing containing the recycled and filtered cleaning fluid. Such a tank allows a good load distribution for the cleaning vehicle.

 In another embodiment, the spent cleaning fluid can be stored in a spent fluid storage tank, without communication with the unused fluid storage tank.

 Several cleaning devices as described above can be mounted on a mobile base such as a vehicle chassis, the directions of movement of the spraying means of each of the devices being parallel or not.

Claims (23)

 1. Surface cleaning device having impurities, intended to be mounted on a mobile base, for example a chassis of a motor vehicle, of the type comprising at least one means (1) for spraying a cleaning fluid towards the surface to be cleaning (7) and at least one suction means (10) of a mixture containing impurities coming from the surface being cleaned and the cleaning fluid which has led to the displacement with respect to the surface of these impurities, characterized in that at least one projection means (1) is movable along a curve contained in a plane substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned (7), the displacement of this projection means (1) being effected in two opposite alternative directions along said curve.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a first suction means (10) is disposed opposite a receiving channel (11) of the impurity-cleaning fluid mixture, this receiving channel ( 11) being in communication with an inlet conduit (12) of said mixture, the receiving channel (11) being located above the inlet conduit (12).  3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that sealing means are provided such that the flow of the cleaning fluid is essentially carried out by spraying means (1) towards the ground surface (7) then towards the inlet duct (11).  4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one mobile projection means (1) is capable of projecting a cleaning fluid towards the surface to be cleaned (7) according to a spray cone (8) whose axis (9) defines an angle (A) of a few degrees to 90 "relative to the surface of the floor (7) during cleaning.  5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the receiving channel (11) and the inlet duct (12) are two parts of a first part (13) of vertical spiral section formed a strip of material folded back on itself, the free ends (14, 15) of this strip being arranged in two curves contained in two planes substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned (7), the inlet duct (12) being formed by two parts of the strip of material arranged opposite one another.  6. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the opening (16) of the inlet duct (12) defines an opening surface (17) such that its normal at all points forms a angle (B) of a few degrees to 90 "with respect to the surface of the floor (7) being cleaned, preferably about 450.  7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the angle (A) of the axis (9) of the spray cone (8) with the ground surface (7) and the angle (B) of the normal the opening surface (17) with the floor surface (7) are substantially equal in absolute value.  8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the mobile projection means (1) are arranged in a casing (2) comprising an upper wall (3) and three side walls (4, 5, 6) impermeable to the cleaning fluid, the surface defined by the free ends of said walls (4, 5, 6) being substantially flat and disposed above in parallel and at a certain distance from the ground (7), from a few millimeters to a few centimeters .  9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that an upper strip (25) of flexible material is rigidly associated on one of its edges (26) with the first part (13) of vertical spiral section, the dimensions of this strip (25) being such that it partially covers and overlaps the upper wall (3) of the casing (2).  10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the casing (2) and the spraying means (1) move synchronously, the casing (2) being for example rigidly associated with the spraying means (1) .  11. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that a lower strip (27) of flexible material is rigidly associated with the lower free edge of the first part (13) of vertical spiral section, the dimension of this lower strip being such that it comes into contact with the surface of the ground (7).  12. Device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the casing (2), the upper (25) and lower (27) strips of flexible material are arranged in such a way that the flow of the fluid cleaning is essentially carried out from the spraying means (1) towards the surface of the ground (7) then towards the inlet duct (12) of the first part (13) of vertical spiral section.  13. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that with respect to a direction of forward / backward movement of the device, the first suction means (10) are located towards the front, the means for spraying (1) towards the rear, the circulation of the cleaning fluid from the spraying means (1) as far as the reception channel (12) taking place from the rear towards the front of the device.  14. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that with respect to a direction of movement front / rear of the device, the first suction means (10) is located towards the rear, the means of spraying (1) towards the front, the circulation of the cleaning fluid from the spraying means (1) towards the reception channel (12) taking place from the front towards the rear of the device.  15. Device according to any one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that it further comprises towards the rear, a second suction device (18).  16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the second suction device (18) is disposed opposite a receiving channel (19) of an impurity-cleaning fluid mixture which may not have been aspirated by the first suction means (10), this receiving channel (19) being in communication with an inlet conduit (20) of said mixture, the receiving channel (19) being located above the inlet conduit (20).  17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the receiving channel (19) and the inlet conduit (20) are two parts of a second part (21) of vertical spiral section formed of a strip of material folded back on itself, the free ends of this strip being arranged in two curves contained in two planes substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned (7), the inlet duct (20) being formed by two parts of the strip of material arranged opposite one another.  18. Device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the opening of the inlet duct (24) defines an opening surface such that its normal at any point forms an angle (C) of a few degrees to 900 by relative to the surface of the ground (7) being cleaned, preferably about 450.  19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the angles (B, C) between the normal to the opening surfaces of the two parts of vertical spiral section (13, 21) and the ground surface (7) during cleaning are substantially equal in absolute value.  20. Device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that two strips of flexible material, one front (29), the other rear (30), are rigidly associated on one of their edges with the second part of vertical spiral section (21), the dimensions of these front (29), rear (30) strips being such that they come into contact with the ground surface (7), all along their edge parallel to their fixing edge to the second piece of vertical spiral section (21).  21. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that, with respect to a longitudinal direction of front / rear movement of the device, the projection means (1) are transversely movable, the first (13) and second parts (21) of vertical spiral section being formed of profiles arranged substantially parallel to the transverse direction (D) of movement of said projection means (1).  22. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that it further comprises  means capable of supplying, under pressure by means of spraying (1), cleaning fluid stored in a tank  - Means able to create a depression in the center of the first and second parts of vertical spiral section (13, 21), in particular immediately above the impurity-cleaning fluid mixture contained in the reception channels (11, 19)  means suitable for filtering the impurity-cleaning fluid mixture and capable of regenerating said cleaning fluid  means capable of recycling the cleaning fluid from the filtering to said tank.  23. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that it further comprises  - means for adjusting the distance between the spraying means (1) and the housing (2) on the one hand, and the soil to be cleaned (7) on the other hand  - Means for adjusting the distance between the first and second pieces of vertical section (13, 21) spiral relative to the surface of the floor to be cleaned (7)  - a moistening device and a friction brush located towards the front of the device.