FR2879978A1 - Cleaning vehicle e.g. small sized commercial motor vehicle, for urban environment, has hydrocuring unit including transmission chain to transmit power from driving engine to high pressure pump, and another chain to transmit power to wheels - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle has a hydrocuring unit (10) comprising a mechanical power transmission chain (52) transmitting power from a driving engine (14) e.g. electrical engine, to a high pressure pump (12). A transmission chain (54) transmits power from the engine to wheels (56). The chains are independent from each other. The engine rotates a shaft (60) at its end (61) to which a pulley (62) is fixed, where the pulley is made of titanium alloy.

Description

The invention relates to a cleaning vehicle occupying a floor space.

less than 7 m2 and comprising at least one high pressure pump and a motor for driving said high pressure pump.

Cleaning consists of spraying a pressurized cleaning fluid onto a surface in order to exert a mainly mechanical action on this surface. The objective can be to clean or strip the surface, but also to remove material, in particular in the event of obstruction of a duct. Hydrocurage uses water as the cleaning fluid. It is commonly used in real estate hygiene to unclog or clean used water drainage pipes in urban areas. In particular, it requires high pressures and flow rates in order in particular to be able to unblock vertical pipes. Typically, the operating pressure should be over 50 bars and the water flow rate at least 10 liters per minute.

As shown schematically in FIG. 1, a hydrocleaning unit 10 conventionally comprises at least one high pressure pump 12 in direct or indirect drive relation with a drive motor 14.

The drive motor 14 can be an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.

The characteristics of the high pressure pump 12 are determined as a function of the intended application. An operating pressure of more than 50 bars and a water flow rate of at least 10 liters per minute are however necessary.

The water cleaning unit 10 further comprises a supply pipe 16 connecting an inlet 18 of the high pressure pump 12 and a source of water, and a flexible pipe 22 connected to an outlet 24 of the high pressure pump 12 and of which a free end 26 can be equipped with a nozzle, head or gun 28.

The water source can be a water distribution network R and / or a reservoir 30 so as to have a certain autonomy in water.

The length of the flexible pipe 22 is variable, but often exceeds 10 meters in order to be able to access places remote from the high pressure pump 12. A reel 32 is then provided to facilitate the storage of the flexible pipe 22 after use.

The drive of the high pressure pump 12 by the motor 14 can be direct, that is to say by the only intermediary of mechanical drive members such as pulleys, gears or belts. Conventionally, a clutch is then inserted between the motor 14 and the high pressure pump 12.

As shown in Figure 1, the drive of the high pressure pump 12 by the motor 14 can also be performed by means of a hydraulic unit 34, which improves the precision of the adjustment of the operation of the high pressure pump 12. .

The hydraulic unit 34 conventionally comprises a hydraulic circuit 36 into which are inserted in series at least one hydraulic pump 38, a hydraulic fluid reservoir 40 and a hydraulic motor 42. The starting of the hydraulic pump 38 causes circulation, in the hydraulic circuit 36, hydraulic liquid, for example oil. This oil is pumped from the reservoir 40 and returns there after passing through the hydraulic motor 42. The shaft of the hydraulic motor is driven by the circulating oil.

In the hydro-cleaning unit 10 shown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic pump 38 is driven by the motor 14 via a first belt 44, and the shaft of the hydraulic motor drives the high pressure pump via the intermediary a second double belt 46.

The hydrocleaning units are conventionally mounted on heavy-duty vehicles to benefit from a large reserve of water and / or high cleaning pressures. Heavy goods vehicles are, however, ill-suited to urban environments, in particular due to parking difficulties and the weight limits imposed in particular by the resistance of the pavements and pavements.

Hydro-cleaning units have therefore been installed in vans and even on light vehicles of the Kangoo type marketed by the Renault company. Such a vehicle has a length of more than 4 meters and an overall width with the exterior mirrors of more than 2 meters. The floor area occupied by such a vehicle therefore fits into a rectangle with an area of at least 8 m2. A hydro-cleaning vehicle of this type is therefore still very bulky.

To solve this problem, autonomous hydrocurage units have therefore been mounted on trailers. However, the use of trailers does not perfectly solve the problem of parking and traffic in the city. Indeed, a towing vehicle must drop the trailer at the place of intervention, which can hinder the movement of other vehicles. The vehicle must then itself find a place to park.

The towing vehicle can also park at a distance from the place of intervention without having previously placed the trailer there. The trailer must then be pulled by the operators to the place of intervention, which is tedious. 11 therefore there is a permanent need for a cleaning vehicle that is compact, easy and quick to install at the place of intervention, in particular. in an urban environment.

The aim of the present invention is to satisfy this need.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a cleaning vehicle occupying a floor area of less than 7 m2 and comprising at least one high pressure pump and a drive motor of said high pressure pump, remarkable in that 'it further comprises rolling means capable of being driven by said drive motor.

The term “rolling means” is understood to mean a set of members making it possible to make the vehicle roll by means of the power supplied by the drive motor. The rolling means thus comprise the wheels and a chain for transmitting movement between the drive motor and at least one of the wheels of the vehicle.

The pump drive motor can therefore be used, preferably selectively, to move the vehicle or drive the high pressure pump. The movement of the vehicle is facilitated.

In addition, the small footprint of the vehicle according to the invention allows parking in cramped places. In particular, the vehicle according to the invention can sometimes park between two motor vehicles parked in a street, in a location too narrow to be used for parking a third conventional motor vehicle.

The cleaning vehicle according to the invention, which takes up little space, is therefore easy and quick to install on the site of intervention, in particular in an urban environment.

According to other preferred characteristics of the vehicle according to the invention, said vehicle is a motor vehicle, preferably comprising a single seat for a driver. Preferably, this vehicle is of the van type within the meaning of the French Highway Code (article R311-1), that is to say a motor vehicle having at least four wheels, excluding motor quadricycles, intended for the transport of goods and the authorized total weight of which does not exceed 3.5 tonnes.

- Said vehicle occupies a floor area of less than 6 m2, preferably 5 m2, more preferably less than 4.5 m2.

- Said vehicle has a width less than 1.8 meters and / or a length less than or equal to 3 meters, preferably less than or equal to 2.5 meters.

- Said vehicle comprises a reservoir intended to receive a cleaning liquid, the reservoir preferably being next to the seat intended for the driver.

- Said vehicle comprises a hydraulic unit comprising a hydraulic circuit in which circulates a hydraulic liquid and in which are inserted in series at least one hydraulic pump, a hydraulic fluid reservoir and a hydraulic motor, said hydraulic pump being driven by said motor. drive and said hydraulic motor driving the high pressure pump.

Said hydraulic circuit comprises a bypass branch of said hydraulic motor connected to said hydraulic circuit by means of at least one distributor capable of selectively opening or closing the access of said hydraulic motor to said hydraulic liquid.

- Said vehicle comprises an adapter shaped to secure said hydraulic pump to said drive motor.

Said vehicle comprises a first power transmission chain from said drive motor to said high pressure pump, a second power transmission chain from said drive motor to at least one wheel of said vehicle, and activation means selective of said first and second transmission chains, said first and second transmission chains preferably being independent of one another.

Said first transmission chain comprises a pulley fixed to one end of a shaft of said drive motor and in drive relation with a shaft of said hydraulic pump, said pulley preferably being made of a titanium alloy and flanged on a Alternator belt drive pulley.

- A storage box with a length of at least 1 meter is preferably attached to the tank.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows and on examining the appended drawing in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents the architecture of an on-board hydrocurage unit, according to prior art; - Figure 2 schematically shows a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 represents, seen from above, a preferred architecture of a vehicle according to the invention of the Smart type, the front of the vehicle being situated to the right of the figure.

In the various figures, identical references are used to designate identical or similar members.

Figure 1 having been described in the preamble, reference is now made to Figure 2.

A water cleaning unit 10 is on board a vehicle 50. As described in the preamble, the water cleaning unit 10 comprises a first transmission chain 52 of mechanical power from the drive motor 14 to the high pressure pump 12. .

Preferably, the drive motor 14 is capable of developing sufficient power to drive the vehicle 50 to at least 130 km / hour. Advantageously, the vehicle 50 according to the invention can thus travel on a motorway.

According to the invention, the vehicle 50 also comprises a second chain 54 for transmitting mechanical power from the drive motor 14 to the wheels 56.

In the particular case of commercial motor vehicles, a third transmission chain, not shown, conventionally allows the drive motor 14 to transmit power to an alternator and to a water pump inserted in an engine cooling circuit.

As will be seen in more detail in the remainder of the description, the vehicle 50 according to the invention also comprises means for selecting the operating mode of the drive motor 14, that is to say allowing an operator to select whether the drive motor 14 is to be used for moving the vehicle or for driving the high pressure pump.

The drive motor 14 can be electric or internal combustion.

It is preferable that the vehicle 50 is authorized to travel on the public highway. The vehicles marketed for this purpose comprise a propulsion motor, which, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, is used as the drive motor 14 of the high pressure pump 12.

Preferably, the vehicle 50 is a commercial vehicle of small dimensions. Preferably, the vehicle occupies a floor area of less than 7 m2, preferably 5 m2, more preferably less than 4.5 m2. Still preferably, the vehicle 50 has a width less than 1.8 meters and a length less than or equal to 3 meters, preferably less than or equal to 2.5 m.

It is considered that the ground surface occupied by a vehicle is the surface of the smallest rectangle in which the ground projection of this vehicle is inscribed. In the case of a motor vehicle, this rectangle is the product of the width of the vehicle, mirrors included, by its length. Unless otherwise stated, width refers to the overall width, including the mirrors.

A length less than or equal to 2.5 meters is particularly advantageous because it allows the vehicle 50 to park perpendicular to the sidewalk. The vehicle 50 then advantageously extends over a length of sidewalk equal to the width of the vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle is a Smart marketed by the company Daimler Chrysler, with a length of 2.5 meters and a width of 1.72 meters. A Smart therefore occupies an area of 4.3 m2 on the ground.

The motor 14 rotates a shaft 60 at one end 61 of which is fixed a first pulley 62, preferably made of titanium alloy. The use of titanium alloy offers an advantageous compromise between weight, size and mechanical strength. The lightness of the first pulley 62 also limits the counterweight at the end 61 of the shaft 60, which reduces the risks of the latter failing.

Preferably, the first pulley 62 has a V-shaped groove, of the SPA type. Advantageously, such a profile promotes efficient power transmission.

More preferably, the first pulley 62 is fixed to the location provided for receiving a pulley of an air conditioning system. Advantageously, no modification of the shaft 60 is therefore necessary.

Preferably the first pulley 62 is flanged on a second pulley 64 intended for driving the belt of an alternator. By flanged is meant that the first pulley 62 is fixed coaxially and flat on the drive pulley of the alternator belt 64, for example by means of screws not shown. It is therefore driven in rotation by means of the second pulley 64, itself firmly fixed to the shaft 60. Advantageously, the first pulley 62 is thus made perfectly integral with the shaft 60, without it being necessary. to impose strict manufacturing tolerances. The assembly of the first pulley 62 is also advantageously simple and rapid.

A third pulley 66 is attached to a shaft 68 of the hydraulic pump 38 and the first belt 44 is stretched around the first and third pulleys.

The power take-off at the end 61 of the shaft 60 to drive, directly or indirectly, the high pressure pump 12 is particularly effective. In addition, it requires only few and light members, such as pulleys 62 and 66 and belt 44, which can be arranged very compactly.

Preferably, the first and second transmission chains 52 and 54 are independent of one another so that a failure of one of these transmission chains 52 and 54 has no consequence for the operation of the other.

Preferably, the first pulley 62 belongs only to the first transmission chain 52, that is to say is only used to transmit mechanical power from the drive motor 14 to the high pressure pump. 12. A rupture of the first belt 44 is thus advantageously without consequence on the other functions of the vehicle 50. In particular it does not prevent the use of the drive motor 14 to move the vehicle 50.

Preferably according to the invention, the hydraulic pump 38 is fixed to the drive motor 14. Such an assembly is particularly compact and reliable.

According to the invention, an adapter 69 is provided in order to be able to use fixing means, in particular bores or threads, formed on the hydraulic pump 38 and / or on the drive motor 14 at the time of their manufacture. Advantageously, no modification of the hydraulic pump 38 or of the drive motor 14 is therefore necessary. The assembly is therefore faster. It also makes it possible to overcome the constraints of vibration of the engine and of deformation of the vehicle, thus making the power transmission more reliable and avoiding any weakening of the hydraulic pump 38 and / or of the drive motor 14.

The hydraulic pump 42 is inserted into a hydraulic circuit 36 as described in the preamble. According to the invention, the hydraulic circuit 36 further comprises a bypass branch 67 of the hydraulic motor 42, or bypass branch, and, at a connection point of the bypass branch 67, a three-way distributor 71.

The distributor 71 is selectively configurable in active and passive modes in which it puts in fluid communication the hydraulic pump 38 on the one hand and the hydraulic motor 42 or the bypass branch 67, respectively, on the other hand. When the drive motor 14 is in operation, the distributor 71 thus makes it possible to activate and deactivate the first transmission chain 52.

A safety device, not shown, is preferably provided to prevent the distributor 71 from going into active mode while the vehicle 50 is moving, and, conversely, to prevent the vehicle from being able to start driving while the distributor 71 is in mode. active. An appropriate known safety device only authorizes a passage of the distributor 71 in active mode if the handbrake of the vehicle 50 is applied and forces a passage of the distributor 71 in inactive mode in the event of the handbrake being released. No switching on of the high pressure pump can thus be carried out while the vehicle 50 is moving. Conversely, the vehicle 50 cannot be driven if the handbrake is applied and the distributor 71 is liable to go into active mode. Selective activation of the first and second transmission chains therefore advantageously reduces the risk of accident.

As described in the preamble, the hydraulic motor 42 drives the high pressure pump 12, for example by means of fourth and fifth pulleys, 70 and 72, respectively, fixed on shafts 74 and 76 of the hydraulic motor 42 and of the high pump. pressure 12, respectively, and the second belt 46 wound around the fourth and fifth pulleys, 70 and 72 respectively.

A pump is considered to be at high pressure when it is capable of delivering a fluid at a pressure greater than 50 bars.

The high pressure pump 12 is preferably able to deliver water at an operating pressure of more than 50 bars, preferably more than 100 bars, more preferably more than 200 bars, with a flow rate of at least 10 liters per minute. Most preferred is a pump capable of delivering a pressure of at least 300 bar and a water flow rate of at least 15 liters per minute.

The tank 30 for supplying the high pressure pump 12 with cleaning liquid has a capacity of at least 30 liters, preferably about 80 liters.

A storage box 80 with a length of at least 1 meter is preferably attached to the tank 30.

The outlet 24 of the high pressure pump 12 is connected to a first end 82 of a flexible pipe 22. The second end 26 of the flexible pipe 22 is shaped to receive a cleaning tool 28. Preferably, the cleaning tool 28 is removable in order to adapt the type of projection to the application.

A reel 32 is provided for the flexible pipe 22. Advantageously, the storage of the flexible pipe 22 is quick and safe.

Finally, a control panel 83 allows the operator to control the various members of the cleaning group 10. A remote control, not shown, can also be provided to allow the operator to remotely control the cleaning group 10.

As shown in Figure 3, the water tank 30 is preferably disposed next to the driver's seat 82 of the vehicle 50, at the location generally occupied by the front passenger seat.

Preferably, the reel 32 and the control panel 83 are arranged at the rear of the vehicle 50, in the boot, so as to be immediately accessible after opening the boot.

The other organs occupy the trunk. A vehicle of the Smart type according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 thus has only one seat for the driver.

The architecture represented in FIG. 3 and the combination of the characteristics of the preferred embodiment of the invention described above have made it possible to mount, in a Smart type vehicle, a hydrocurage unit comprising a high pressure pump capable of deliver water at a pressure of 300 bars with a flow rate of 15 liters per minute, a hydraulic unit and an 80-liter water tank.

The operation of the vehicle according to the invention is as follows.

If no water source is available at the place of intervention, the operator fills the reservoir 30 from a source to which he has access. He then goes to the place of intervention and searches for a parking space.

While the vehicle is moving, the hydraulic pump 38 is continuously driven by the motor 14, which is then used exclusively for propelling the vehicle 50. The distributor 71 is in the passive configuration, so that the hydraulic fluid circulates in a closed circuit. through the hydraulic pump 38, the distributor 71 and the hydraulic fluid reservoir 40. Preferably, no device for disengaging the hydraulic pump 38 is provided, which advantageously limits the weight and size of the group of hydrocurage 10, as well as maintenance operations.

The very small dimensions of the vehicle 50 according to the invention make it possible to park it in places generally unusable by other vehicles. The risk of not immediately finding a parking space is therefore greatly reduced.

After parking, the operator pulls the handbrake, which unlocks the distributor 71.

If water could not be loaded into the tank 30 on board the vehicle 50, the operator fills the tank 30. As a variant, he can also connect the supply line 16 of the high pressure pump 12 to a local source of water, for example from the public water network.

The operator mounts a cleaning tool 28 adapted to the free end 26 of the flexible pipe 22 and unwinds the latter from the reel 32, as much as necessary so that the head 28 can reach the place where the water is to be projected.

After having correctly positioned the cleaning tool 28, the operator commands a switch to the active configuration of the distributor 71. The hydraulic liquid then stops circulating in the bypass branch 67 and is diverted so as to pass through the hydraulic motor 42. L The shaft 74 of the hydraulic motor, driven by the hydraulic liquid, rotates the fourth pulley 70, the second belt 46 and the fifth pulley 72 for driving the shaft 76 of the high pressure pump 12. The high pressure pump 12 then sucks in water from the reservoir 30 and compresses it for example to 300 bars, for a flow rate of 15 liters per minute. The water exits under pressure from the high pressure pump 12 through the flexible pipe 22 from where it is projected, via the cleaning tool 28, onto the surface to be cleaned.

As is now clearly apparent, the drive motor 14 which, directly or indirectly, can drive the high pressure pump 12, can also be used to move the vehicle 50. Unlike a trailer, the vehicle according to the invention can thus advantageously be easily moved. Access to intervention sites, particularly in urban areas, is facilitated.

In addition, like a trailer, the vehicle according to the invention is compact, which makes it easier to park on the public highway.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown.

In particular, the vehicle is not limited to a commercial motor vehicle authorized to travel on public roads.

The invention thus relates, for example, to a motor vehicle which has only limited autonomy or which is not able to drive on public roads. Such a vehicle must then be driven and deposited near the place of intervention, for example by means of a flatbed truck. An operator can then drive it to the place of intervention, for example by driving on the sidewalk at reduced speed.

The vehicle can also be a self-propelled trailer, that is to say with autonomous traction. Such a trailer according to the invention can be towed by a motor vehicle up to the proximity of the place of intervention. It is then detached, then towed by an operator to the place of intervention. The drive motor of the high pressure pump can advantageously drive the wheels of the trailer during this last movement.

The water autonomy and / or the power of the high pressure pump on board a trailer are however limited. The use of a commercial motor vehicle is therefore preferred.

The vehicle can be towed or propelled.

The dimensions of the vehicle are not restrictive, provided that the floor area is less than 7 m2.

The cleaning liquid is preferably water, widely available, but any other cleaning liquid can be used. As a variant, a gas laden with solid particles could be used instead of the cleaning liquid.

Hydraulic fluid can be any, but hydraulic oil is preferred.

The figures are schematic. In particular, in a conventional motor vehicle, the transmission chain 54 receives power from the motor 14 from the end of the shaft 60 opposite the end where the pulley 64 of the belt drive is fixed. 'alternator. In addition, this power is conventionally transmitted to it by means of a clutch.

Finally, the hydraulic unit is optional, direct drive of the high pressure pump by the vehicle engine being possible.

Claims (13)

1. Cleaning vehicle occupying a floor area of less than 7 m2 and comprising at least one high pressure pump (1: 2) and a drive motor (14) of said high pressure pump (12), characterized in that it further comprises rolling means (54, 56) of said vehicle (50) capable of being driven by said drive motor (14). 2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a motor vehicle and comprises a single seat for a driver. 3. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it occupies a floor area of less than 6 m2. 4. Vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that it occupies a floor area of less than 4.5 m2. 5. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a width less than 1.8 meters and / or a length less than or equal to 2.5 meters. 6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a reservoir (30) intended to receive a cleaning liquid and arranged next to said seat. 7. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a hydraulic unit (34) comprising a hydraulic circuit (36) in which a hydraulic liquid circulates and in which at least one hydraulic pump is inserted in series. (38), a hydraulic fluid reservoir (40) and a hydraulic motor (42), said hydraulic pump (38) being driven by said drive motor (14) and said hydraulic motor (42) driving said high pressure pump ( 12), said hydraulic circuit (36) comprising a bypass branch (67) of said hydraulic motor (42) connected to said hydraulic circuit (36) via at least one distributor (71) able to selectively open or close the access from said hydraulic motor (42) to said hydraulic fluid. 8. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an adapter (69) shaped to secure said hydraulic pump (38) on said drive motor (14). 9. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first transmission chain (52) of power from said drive motor (14) to Iladite high pressure pump (12), a second chain transmission (54) of power from said drive motor (14) to at least one wheel (56) of said vehicle (50), and means for selectively activating said first and second transmission chains. 10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that said first (52) and second (54) transmission chains are independent of one another. 11.Vehicle according to any one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that said first transmission chain comprises a pulley (62) made of a titanium alloy and fixed to one end (61) of a shaft (60) of said drive motor (14) 12. Vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that said pulley (62) is flanged on the drive pulley of the alternator belt (64). 13.Vehicle according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a storage box (80) with a length of at least 1 meter fixed on said tank of cleaning liquid (30).