FR3087174A1 - DEVICE FOR CLEANING THE EXTERNAL WINDOWS OF A TRANSPORT VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cleaning (10) an external window (40) of a transport vehicle (41), in particular rail, comprising a frame (20); reversible fixing means (24) of said chassis on the vehicle in the vicinity of the external window to be cleaned; at least one cleaning head (30) connected to said chassis by connection means (31); displacement means (32) of at least one cleaning head with respect to said frame so as to allow said external window to be cleaned by this cleaning head (30).

Description

DEVICE FOR CLEANING THE EXTERNAL WINDOWS OF A TRANSPORT VEHICLE

1. Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a device for cleaning external windows, in particular windscreens, of transport vehicles, in particular of rail transport vehicles, such as a train or a tram.

2. Technological background

A transport vehicle, such as a rail transport vehicle or an air transport vehicle, comprises in known manner a plurality of external panes forming a portion of the wall of the vehicle. The term “external panes” means the panes situated on the outer lateral sides of the transport vehicle, but also those situated at the front or at the rear of the vehicle, and in particular a windscreen situated at the front of the transport vehicle, for example at the front of a locomotive on a train.

The external windows and in particular the windshields provide visibility to the outside environment. Therefore, the cleaning of the windows is necessary and must be done daily for the safe use of the transport vehicle. Windscreen cleaning is all the more important as it is the only window through which the driver of the transport vehicle can become aware of the environment to which he is directing the vehicle. Also, the windshield is required to be clean for each use of the transport vehicle to ensure optimal visibility for the driver to work in safe conditions. In addition, the external panes, and in particular the windshield, are liable to be contaminated on each journey by insects, animal droppings, various projections, encountered by the vehicle during its movement.

To ensure this cleaning of the external windows of a transport vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, it is known practice to use either manual cleaning solutions or automated cleaning solutions.

A manual cleaning solution is to assign an operator to the cleaning operation. Thus, each windshield is cleaned manually by an operator using equipment of the brush type. To do this, the vehicle must be immobilized in a station or a maintenance workshop. This type of cleaning therefore leads to immobilization of the vehicle and mobilization of human resources. In addition, manual cleaning implies that certain safety conditions are met, in particular when the operator must access a window in height, near the catenary. Therefore, it is not uncommon for the cleaning cycle of the external windows to be postponed, as long as these safety conditions are reached (deactivation of the catenary, etc.). If necessary, it causes a delay in cleaning vehicle windshields and thereby causes traffic disruption.

An automated cleaning solution is to use a robotic cleaner equipped with one or more cleaning rollers. The implementation of such a cleaning device on a windshield is difficult because of the fragility of the window to be cleaned and the inclination of the windshield along the curvature of the external structure of the transport vehicle.

It is also known to use an automated cleaning device comprising a fixed gantry on which a cleaning head is mounted. The drawback of such a device is that it is difficult to move, so that means must be provided for moving the transport vehicle towards the cleaning gantry and not vice versa. Moving a transport vehicle to such a gantry generates additional costs, in terms of time, infrastructure, traffic management and energy. In particular, as soon as a vehicle is immobilized at the cleaning gantry, it is unavailable for transport, and can therefore disrupt the traffic management of transport vehicles.

The inventors therefore sought a new solution making it possible to clean the external panes, in particular of windscreens, of transport vehicles, in particular rail, which overcomes the drawbacks of known solutions.

3.

Objectives of the invention

The invention aims to provide a device for cleaning external windows, in particular the windshields of a transport vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of known devices for cleaning external windows.

The invention aims in particular to provide a cleaning device adaptable to different types of transport vehicle, in particular rail.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a cleaning device which can be used in any type of environment.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a cleaning device which makes it possible to clean a windshield in a secure manner without requiring a movement of the transport vehicle.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a cleaning device which does not require the implementation of specific safety measures for operators.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a mobile and portable cleaning device.

4. Statement of the invention

To do this, the invention relates to a device for cleaning an external window of a transport vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, characterized in that it comprises:

a chassis ;

means for reversibly fixing said chassis to the vehicle in the vicinity of the external window to be cleaned;

at least one cleaning head connected to said chassis by connection means;

means for moving at least one cleaning head relative to said frame so as to allow said external window to be cleaned by this cleaning head.

A cleaning device according to the invention allows cleaning of the external windows without having to move the transport vehicle. In particular, a cleaning device according to the invention comprises a frame associated with reversible fixing means of the frame in the vicinity of the external window to be cleaned. An operator can therefore transport the chassis to the window to be cleaned, which eliminates the need to move the transport vehicle to a specific cleaning installation.

In addition, a cleaning device according to the invention is intended to be temporarily fixed in the vicinity of the external window by reversible fixing means. These means allow a reversible fixing of the frame in the vicinity of the external window to be cleaned, that is to say that the means allow the frame to be fixed on the external window for cleaning the window, or to remove the frame from the external window when the cleaning is finished. The attachment can also be described as removable and the means are adapted to allow this removable attachment of the frame to the external window.

A cleaning device according to the invention can therefore be easily installed and removed from said transport vehicle. A cleaning device can therefore be used to clean a windshield, then be moved to a side window of the vehicle without requiring a movement of the vehicle or of specific equipment for cleaning a side window.

Throughout the text, the expression "in the vicinity" means that the cleaning device or the components of the cleaning device are arranged at the level of the external window, that is to say located at the height of the external window. The device or the elements of said device are therefore positioned close to the external window or in direct contact with the external window or else close to the external structure of the vehicle surrounding the external window or in direct contact with said external structure.

Preferably, the reversible fixing means are configured to be able to be fixed around the external window or directly on the external window, at the periphery of the external window.

A cleaning device according to the invention further comprises displacement means which make it possible to move the head on the window to be cleaned.

Preferably, the displacement means act directly on the means for connecting the head to the chassis of the cleaning device.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said connecting means comprise a plurality of cables connecting at least one cleaning head to said chassis.

According to this variant, said cables maintain at least one cleaning head facing the external window. To do this, each cable has a first end connected to the cleaning head and a second end connected to said chassis. The cleaning head is preferably connected to said chassis by means of at least three cables so as to be able to control and control said cleaning head over the entire surface of the glass to be cleaned.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said displacement means comprise a plurality of actuators configured to be able to act on said connecting means to exert a tension which modifies the length of said cables and thus allows movement of the head.

According to this variant, said displacement means comprise a plurality of actuators positioned on said chassis and configured to move at least one cleaning head in the vicinity of the external window by an action on the connecting cables. The coordinated control of the various actuators makes it possible to define the lengths of connecting cables and therefore to move the cleaning head. Preferably, each cable is associated with an actuator.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said chassis is configured to allow the device to pass from a first position, called the retracted position, in which the device has minimal bulk, to a second position, known as the deployed position, in which the device can 'extend parallel to the external window, and vice versa.

According to this variant, said device can be deployed manually by an operator or spontaneously. When in use, the frame is in the deployed position, the cleaning device can therefore extend parallel to the external window. On the contrary, when the cleaning device is not in operation, the chassis is preferably in the retracted position, the cleaning device is therefore retracted in order to limit its size and allow easy transport of the device, for example to move it to another window to be cleaned from the vehicle or from another vehicle.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said chassis comprises an articulated structure configured to allow the device to pass from said retracted position to said deployed position and vice versa.

According to this variant, the chassis has an articulated and foldable structure. The articulated structure comprises at least one articulation allowing the deployment of said chassis from the retracted position to the deployed position and vice versa.

To do this, said chassis can for example be formed of two lower and upper horizontal arms and two vertical arms. These arms can be telescopic arms so as to be able to adapt the height and / or the width of the frame to different external windows having different dimensions. The horizontal arms comprise a first articulation situated, for example, in the middle of said arm and forming a bent arm. They also have two joints located at the two ends of the bent arm so as to be movable relative to the vertical arms. The angled configuration of the horizontal arms of the chassis thus increases the stability of the latter.

According to this variant, the chassis joints allow the movement of the arms and therefore the folding or deployment of the chassis according to the state of use of the cleaning device.

Advantageously and according to the invention, at least one articulation of said chassis is motorized.

A cleaning device according to this variant of the invention has a motorized articulation which allows the automated deployment of said chassis from the retracted position to the deployed position and vice versa.

The chassis comprises for example at least one motor located at at least one articulation of said chassis. Preferably, said chassis comprises two motors located at the bent joints of the horizontal arms of the chassis.

When the motors are started, they allow the chassis to be deployed from the retracted position to the deployed position and vice versa.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said chassis comprises an inflatable structure associated with an inflation valve configured to allow passage of the device from said retracted position to said deployed position and vice versa.

According to this variant, the inflatable structure is in said deployed position when the structure is inflated by means of the inflation valve and the inflatable structure is in said retracted position when said inflatable structure is deflated.

According to this variant, the chassis comprises an inflatable structure having at least one inflation valve. Said inflation valve supplies the inflatable structure with pressurized air so as to deploy the structure in said deployed position which allows the device to extend parallel to the external window.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said reversible fixing means comprise suction cups adapted to fix the frame in the vicinity of the window to be cleaned.

According to this variant, the fixing of the frame in the vicinity of the external window is obtained by suction cups, for example made of rubber or silicone, which make it possible to create a vacuum between the suction cup and the fixing surface (the vicinity of the window or the glass itself as indicated above), by a pressure force exerted on the suction cup. In addition, detachment of the suction cup can be achieved simply by letting some air enter under the suction cup, between the suction cup and the fixing surface. This action of detaching the suction cup is for example performed by the operator who handles the device according to the invention.

Preferably, the suction cups are regularly distributed over the vertical and horizontal arms of the chassis.

The suction cups can be glued to the chassis or fixed to the chassis by screwing or any equivalent means.

According to another variant, the suction cups are only distributed over the vertical arms.

Advantageously and according to the invention, at least one cleaning head comprises a cleaning effector having a contact surface intended to come into contact with said external window to allow its cleaning by direct mechanical contact between the effector and the external window.

According to this variant, the cleaning head has an effector having a contact surface allowing the cleaning of the external pane on contact.

Alternatively, the effector is removable so that an operator can change the effector during cleaning depending on the cleaning steps involved (washing, drying, scraping, etc.).

According to a variant, the cleaning head has several effectors in order to be able to associate each effector with a cleaning step (a cloth with a squeegee for example).

Advantageously and according to the invention, at least one cleaning head comprises pressure means adapted to act on said effector so as to be able to keep it in contact against the external window.

According to this variant, the pressure means make it possible to create a pressing force to maintain the surface of an effector in contact with the external window.

In addition, the pressure means are configured to keep the cleaning head in contact with the external window or, on the contrary, raise said head if necessary.

This advantageous variant allows when an obstacle such as a wiper is encountered by the cleaning head to raise the cleaning head near said wiper in order to bypass the obstacle and resume cleaning once the obstacle has passed.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said pressure means comprise a cylinder and a force sensor, said force sensor being configured to control the pressure exerted by said cylinder.

According to this variant, the pressure means are formed by at least one cylinder making it possible to maintain a cleaning head in contact with the external window by exerting pressure and by at least one force sensor making it possible to control the pressure exerted by said cylinder. .

The sensor according to this variant has the advantage of controlling the pressure exerted on a fragile support such as the external pane and thus makes it possible to apply a controlled pressure on the pane.

Preferably, the jacks forming the pressure means are pneumatic jacks and the force sensors have a pressure gauge.

When the actuator is actuated, it exerts pressure on the external pane and thus keeps the constrained effector on said pane. The pressure operated by the cylinder is controlled by a force sensor positioned near the cylinder on the periphery of the effector. The sensor also verifies that the pressure in the cylinder is constant when the cleaning head moves.

According to this variant, the cleaning head has detection sensors with contact or without contact with the object.

This advantageous variant makes it possible to detect the presence of an obstacle such as a wiper. When said wiper is detected by the object detection sensor, the displacement means will act so that the cleaning head is moved to bypass the wiper.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the cleaning device comprises a mobile cart equipped with an arm carrying said chassis.

According to this variant of the invention, the mobile cart makes it possible to make the cleaning device easily transportable. The cleaning device according to this variant is formed by an arm having a first end connected to the chassis and a second end connected to a mobile cart.

Advantageously and according to this variant, said arm is adapted to be articulated and / or telescopic in order to facilitate the positioning of the frame in the vicinity of the external window to be cleaned.

Said cart is defined as being mobile because it has the possibility of being moved manually or automatically. Such a carriage can thus include rolling means allowing its movement, for example along a platform in the vicinity of which the train for which the windows are to be parked is parked. An operator can manually guide and position the cleaning device near the transport vehicle whose external window is to be cleaned. The cleaning device can also be automated and thus guided remotely by an operator.

Advantageously and according to this variant, the cleaning device has a remote control unit.

This advantageous variant makes it possible to control the cart so that the cleaning device is positioned in the vicinity of the vehicle without requiring the movement of an operator.

The invention also relates to a cleaning device characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above or below.

5. List of figures

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example and which refers to the appended figures in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the invention, in the deployed position, ready to be fixed in the vicinity of a window to be cleaned, Figure 2 is a schematic view of profile of an arm of the frame of the cleaning device of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a schematic profile view of a cleaning head and an arm of the frame of the cleaning device of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the cleaning device of Figures 1 to 3 during cleaning of a windshield of a railway vehicle.

6. Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly observed, for the purposes of illustration and clarity. In all the detailed description which follows with reference to the figures, unless otherwise indicated, each element of the cleaning device is described as it is arranged when the cleaning device is in the deployed position, fixed in the vicinity of a window to be cleaned. This configuration is notably represented in FIGS. 1 and 4.

The terms “vertical” and “horizontal” are used with reference to the vertical direction defined by gravity and by the horizontal direction defined by the preferred travel plane of the transport vehicle considered.

In addition, identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all the figures.

The cleaning device shown in the figures and described hereinafter is a cleaning device 10 in the deployed position, that is to say deployed and extending parallel to an external window to be cleaned. Said device is intended to be fixed to a windshield 40 of a rail transport vehicle 41 for cleaning said windshield.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning device comprises a chassis 20, reversible fixing means 24 for the chassis 20 on the vehicle 41 in the vicinity of the windshield 40 to be cleaned, a cleaning head 30 connected to the chassis 20 by cables connecting 31 and displacement means 32 of the cleaning head 30 relative to the chassis 20.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, the connection means are illustrated by cables 31. The cables are compatible with the foldable structure of the chassis thanks to their flexibility and malleability. The displacement means are illustrated by actuators 32, the fixing means by suction cups 24, the pressure means by a jack 34a and force sensors 34b.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, a vertical arm of the chassis 20 can designate the vertical arm 21a as well as the vertical arm 21b.

In addition, the cleaning device comprises a cleaning head 30.

However, a cleaning device according to the invention can also be used for cleaning all types of external windows of an air or rail transport vehicle and can also include several cleaning heads.

The cleaning device 10 comprises a chassis 20 comprising an articulated structure formed by two vertical arms 21a and 21b and two horizontal bent arms 21c. The horizontal arms 21c have in their center a first articulation 22a and two articulations 22b at their ends allowing them to be movable relative to the vertical arms in order to form a foldable frame on itself.

The chassis can adopt different configurations by being deployed or retracted. The motorized opening is provided by two motors 23 shown in Figure 1. The motors 23 are positioned at the joints 22a forming the elbow of the horizontal arms 21c and allow the motorized deployment of the chassis. These motors are preferably electric motors.

Said chassis enables it to be fixed in the vicinity of the windshield by suction cups 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a vertical arm 21a or 21b of the frame 20 comprises four suction cups 24 spaced regularly along said arm. Of course, according to other embodiments, the number of suction cups and their distribution may be different.

The fixing of the device 10 in the vicinity of the windshield can be carried out in different ways. The arms 21 of the chassis can be fixed directly in the deployed position in the vicinity of the windshield, for example by means of an operator. Also, the cleaning device can be positioned in the vicinity of the windshield in the retracted position so that a vertical arm 21a of the chassis can be fixed by the suction cups 24 carried by this vertical arm on the windshield or in the immediate vicinity of the latter. Once the vertical arm 21a is fixed, the frame can be deployed to allow the second vertical arm 21b to be fixed to the windshield or in the immediate vicinity of the latter by means of the suction cups carried by this second vertical arm 21b.

Cables 31 shown in FIG. 1 connect on the one hand the actuators 32 positioned on the vertical arms 21a and 21b of said chassis and on the other hand the cleaning head 30. When said actuators 32 are activated, they tension said cables 31, making it possible to modify their length, which makes it possible to move the cleaning head 30 on the windshield. The actuators 32 can be electrical or mechanical actuators.

The use of actuators as means of movement is not limiting. Other types of displacement means can be used, such as for example rails movable relative to the chassis which by sliding on the chassis allow the displacement of the cleaning head carried by at least one rail.

According to FIG. 1, the cleaning head 30 has force sensors 34b at the periphery of the cleaning head 30 which make it possible to control a jack 34a. In FIG. 3, the cleaning head seen in profile makes it possible to view a cylinder 34a and an effector 33 for cleaning. The effector 33 has a surface which allows cleaning in contact with the windshield when the cylinder 34a is actuated.

The cleaning head 30 has an effector 33 which can be of different shapes, such as a rectangular, square, circular shape, etc. This effector 33 can also be rotary; the rotation being controlled by a motor or by a movable threaded rod when the cleaning head moves. Such an effector is for example chosen from the group comprising a sponge, a cloth, a cloth, a mop, a microfiber cloth, a chamois, a brush, a roller, a squeegee, a bar with rubber or any combination of those. Said surface of the effector is optionally moistened before cleaning the glass.

Preferably, the surface of the effector 33 comprises a microfiber fabric or a damp chamois in order to avoid a possible risk of scratches.

The cleaning head 30 controlled by actuators 32b performs translational or rotational or oscillating movements on the surface of the windshield.

The cleaning head 30 also makes it possible to carry out mechanical cleaning and / or chemical cleaning. Mechanical cleaning is carried out with or without water, while chemical cleaning is carried out with chemicals such as detergent, soap, windshield washer fluid or any type of product allowing the glass to be cleaned.

The cleaning head 30 and more particularly the effector 33 of the cleaning head can be supplied by a liquid supply system 35. The feed system allows at least to moisten the surface of the cleaning effector. A conduit 35b of the supply system 35 distributes a liquid (only water or a mixture of water and chemicals) and connects on the one hand a liquid distributor and on the other hand the cleaning head 30. Said conduit 35b is disposed along a vertical arm of the chassis 21a and passes through a hanging system 35a. Said attachment system 35a allows passage of the conduit 35b in an interlaced mode with pulleys 35c positioned on the upper horizontal arm 21c of the chassis.

Figure 4 illustrates a mobile cleaning device, transportable and can be deployed parallel to the vehicle windshield.

Such a device comprises a mobile carriage 51 and an arm 50 having a first end connected to the chassis 20 and a second end connected to the mobile carriage 51. The mobile cart 51 can be controlled by a remote control unit in order to control the various stages of installation and use of the cleaning device.

The cleaning device can be automated and controlled by a control unit located near the cleaning device or remotely. Indeed, many elements of the cleaning device can be controlled by a control unit connected to said elements of the cleaning device by wired means or wireless communication means. Said elements which can be controlled by the control unit are the following: the mobile carriage 51, the arm 50, the suction cups 24, the motors 23 of the chassis, the actuators 32, the jacks 34a, the force sensors 34b and the liquid supply system 35.

The control unit located near the cleaning device is connected to said elements of the cleaning device by wires. In this case, the control unit is housed inside or on a mobile cart 51.

The control unit can also be located at a distance from the device and use wireless control. For example, an operator is positioned at a distance from the cleaning device and controls from the control unit the positioning of the cleaning device in the vicinity of the vehicle, the movement of the arm 50 to position the chassis 20, the deployment and the fixing of the chassis, the activation of the actuators 32 allowing the cleaning head 30 to move on the glass to be cleaned, or the control of the pressure means 34 and the adaptation of the pressure of the jack 34a as a function of the pressure indicated by the force sensors 34b.

Remote control of the control unit also makes it possible to limit electrical risks, reduce the movement of transport vehicles and also limit the human resources mobilized for cleaning. Therefore, an operator could simultaneously manage the cleaning of several transport vehicles with several cleaning devices according to the invention.

In particular, said carriage 51 has wheels for moving and also has stabilizing jacks allowing it to be fixedly anchored to the ground. This configuration thus allows the carriage 51 to improve its stability when the chassis 20 is deployed.

The frame is preferably designed with a sufficiently light material so that it can be placed at the level of the external window. In addition, the chassis being deployed and folded multiple times, it must be strong enough to ensure the many opening and closing stresses. Preferably, the chassis is designed with a material such as, for example, a plastic material, a composite material, aluminum, in order to be sufficiently resistant and to lighten the weight of the structure of the cleaning device.

In addition, the chassis may include support means making it possible to distribute the load of the chassis on the external structure of the vehicle. This has the particular advantage of facilitating the deployment of the chassis. To do this, the horizontal lower arm 21c of the chassis may include support means which rest on the external structure of the vehicle, for example a lower wall of the external window. The support means can for example be constituted by rollers or any other element making it possible to distribute the load on the external structure of the vehicle.

In particular, the cleaning device according to FIG. 4 has a supply system 35, the liquid distributor of which is arranged inside the movable carriage 51 allowing the supply of the supply system 35 with liquid.

According to a particular embodiment, the steps of setting up a cleaning device for cleaning a windshield are as follows:

transport of the cleaning device 10 around the locomotive of the railway vehicle 41 by means of a cart 51 mounted on wheels; the cleaning device comprises an arm 50 connected to the carriage 51 and carrying a chassis 20 in the retracted position in order to facilitate transport by limiting the size; setting in motion of the articulated arm 50 and positioning of the chassis 20 at the level of the windscreen 40 of the rail vehicle 41;

fixing the vertical arm 21a of said chassis by means of the fixing means 24 giving rise to a first attachment to the transport vehicle; said fixing means being suction cups 24, supported by the vertical arm 21a of the chassis located closest to the carriage, and being fixed on the external surface lateral to the windshield;

actuation of the motors 23 located at the joints 22a of the chassis and deployment of the chassis 20 via the motors 23 in order to deploy the chassis from a retracted position to a deployed position for use of the cleaning device;

fixing the second vertical arm 21b by means of the suction cups 24, located on the second vertical arm 21b, which are fixed on the external surface lateral to the windshield so that the chassis is kept fixed on the external structure around the windshield 40 of the rail vehicle 41;

actuation of the actuators 32 located at the four ends of the chassis;

tensioning of the cables 31 connecting on the one hand the cleaning head 30 and on the other hand said actuators 32;

contacting the effector 33 of the cleaning head 30 constrained on the windshield 40 by the tension of the cables 31;

pressurizing said effector 33 executed by a jack 34a and controlling the pressure exerted by the jack, by means of a force sensor 34b located at the level of the cleaning head;

switching on the liquid supply system 35, the distributor of which is located in the carriage 51 and the conduit 35b connects the said carriage to the cleaning head;

setting in motion of the cleaning head by the actuators 32 and washing of the windshield by contacting the surface of the effector 33 with the glass.

The invention is not limited to the single embodiments described in connection with the figures. For example, according to other embodiments not shown, the cleaning device may comprise a cart having two articulated arms each carrying a frame for cleaning two external windows simultaneously from the same vehicle or from two separate vehicles.

According to another embodiment, the device can comprise several cleaning heads, each one being connected to the chassis by a plurality of cables.

According to this embodiment, the plurality of cleaning heads has the advantage of faster cleaning which covers a larger cleaning surface than with the use of a single cleaning head.

According to another embodiment, the cleaning device comprises several cleaning heads and each cleaning head has a different type of effector making it possible to carry out the different stages of cleaning the glass. For example, the cleaning device has three cleaning heads each comprising respectively a different effector such as a sponge for rubbing the glass, a squeegee to remove the impurities and a chamois to dry the glass without leaving a trace.

Claims (10)

1. Cleaning device (10) for an external window (40) of a transport vehicle (41), in particular rail, characterized in that it comprises: a frame (20); reversible fixing means (24) of said chassis on the vehicle in the vicinity of the external window to be cleaned; at least one cleaning head (30) connected to said chassis by connection means (31); displacement means (32) of at least one cleaning head relative to said frame so as to allow said external window to be cleaned by this cleaning head (30). 2. Cleaning device according to claim 1 characterized in that said connecting means (31) comprise a plurality of cables (31) connecting at least one cleaning head (30) to said chassis. 3. Cleaning device according to claim 2 characterized in that said displacement means (32) comprise a plurality of actuators (32) configured to be able to act on said connecting means to exert a tension which modifies the length of said cables and allows thus moving the head. 4. Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said chassis is configured to allow the passage of the device from a first position, called the retracted position, in which the device has a minimal bulk in a second position , called the deployed position, in which the device can extend parallel to the external window and vice versa. 5. Cleaning device according to claim 4 characterized in that said chassis comprises an articulated structure configured to allow the passage of the device from said retracted position to said deployed position and vice versa. 6. Cleaning device according to claim 4 characterized in that said chassis comprises an inflatable structure associated with an inflation valve configured to allow the passage of the device from said retracted position to said deployed position and vice versa. 7. Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the reversible fixing means (24) comprise suction cups (24) adapted to fix the frame in the vicinity of the window to be cleaned. 8. Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that at least one cleaning head (30) comprises an effector (33) for cleaning having a contact surface intended to come into contact with said external window to allow cleaning by direct mechanical contact between the effector and the external window. 9. A cleaning device according to claim 8 characterized in that at least one cleaning head comprises pressure means (34) adapted to act on said effector so as to be able to keep it in contact against the external window. 10. Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that it comprises a mobile carriage (51) equipped with an arm (50) carrying said chassis.