JP2006110070A - Bathtub cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bathtub cleaner capable of clearing stains sticking to a bathtub. <P>SOLUTION: The bathtub cleaner has a rotary brush 11 to clean the bathtub S, an X-axis movement mechanism 20 and a Y-axis movement mechanism 30 to move the rotary brush 11 in the bathtub S and a motor M1 to rotate the rotary brush 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning device that rotates a rotating brush to clean a bathtub.

  Conventionally, a bathtub cleaning device for cleaning a bathtub is known (see Patent Document 1).

The bathtub cleaning device is provided with a nozzle on the side wall of the bathtub, and the cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle to clean the inside of the bathtub.
JP 2003-61851 A

  However, in such a bathtub cleaning apparatus, since the cleaning liquid is only ejected from the nozzle, there is a problem that the dirt stuck in the bathtub cannot be removed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub cleaning device capable of removing dirt stuck in a bathtub.

  The invention of claim 1 includes a rotating brush for cleaning the bathtub, a moving means for moving the rotating brush in the bathtub, and a brush rotating means for rotating the rotating brush.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the rotating brush includes a rotating shaft that extends in the vertical direction and is rotated by the brush rotating means,
A support member for rotatably supporting the rotation shaft is provided,
The support member is moved by the moving means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the rotating brush includes a rotating shaft that is rotated along the bottom of the bathtub and rotated by the brush rotating means.
A support member for rotatably supporting the rotation shaft is provided,
The said moving means moves the said supporting member along the inside of a bathtub by a link mechanism, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the moving means is a float that floats on water in the bathtub, and is provided rotatably on the float and extends in a direction along one side of the bathtub and is movable in the X-axis direction with respect to the float. An X-axis shaft, a Y-axis shaft that is rotatably provided on the float, extends in a direction perpendicular to the one side surface and is movable in the Y-axis direction with respect to the float, and moves the float along the X-axis shaft An X-axis motor to be moved, and a Y-axis motor to move the float along the Y-axis shaft,
The rotary brush has an X-axis rotary brush attached to both ends of the X-axis, and a Y-axis rotary brush attached to both ends of the Y-axis,
The brush rotation means includes an X-axis rotation motor that rotates the X-axis about the axis, and a Y-axis rotation motor that rotates the Y-axis about the axis.

  According to this invention, since the inside of the bathtub is washed by rotating the rotating brush, the dirt stuck in the bathtub can be removed.

  Embodiments of a bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
1 to 3 show a bathtub cleaning apparatus 10 according to the present invention. The bathtub cleaning device 10 is stored in a hangar K provided on one end side of the bathtub S when not in use. A guide rail G extending in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) and extending into the hangar K is provided on the upper surface Sa of one side of the bathtub S.

  The bathtub cleaning device 10 includes a rotating brush 11 that cleans the bathtub S, an X-axis moving mechanism 20 that moves the rotating brush 11 in the X-axis direction, a Y-axis moving mechanism 30 that moves the rotating brush 11 in the Y-axis direction, A motor (brush rotating means) M1 for rotating the rotating brush 11 is provided. The X axis moving mechanism 20 and the Y axis moving mechanism 30 constitute moving means for moving the rotating brush 11.

  The rotating brush 11 includes a rotating shaft 12 as shown in FIG. The rotary shaft 12 is rotatably supported by a substantially U-shaped support member 13.

  The support member 13 includes a column portion 13A extending vertically (in FIG. 4) and support plate portions 13B and 13C provided at both ends of the column portion 13A. The support plate portions 13B and 13C are provided with bearings (not shown). The both ends of the rotating shaft 12 are rotatably supported.

  A brush B1 is attached to the side surface of the support column portion 13A, and a brush B2 is attached to the bottom surface of the support plate portion 13C.

  A motor M1 is attached to the support plate portion 13B, and a flange 14 is formed at one end of the support plate portion 13B. A rotation switching member 40 is attached to the flange 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotation switching member 40 has an inner cylinder 41 and an outer peripheral wall 42 </ b> A surrounding the peripheral wall 41 </ b> A of the inner cylinder 41 and is rotatable with respect to the inner cylinder 41. An attached outer cylinder 42 and a fixing member 43 that fixes the outer cylinder 42 to the inner cylinder 41 are provided.

  One side surface 41B of the inner cylinder 41 is fixed to a moving body 33 described later, and one side 42B of the outer cylinder 42 is fixed to the flange 14 of the support member 13.

  The fixing member 43 includes a cylindrical portion 44 provided on the outer peripheral wall 42A of the outer cylindrical body 42, and a plunger 45 that is movably inserted into the cylindrical portion. The plunger 45 is urged toward the center of the outer cylinder 42 by a spring (not shown), the tip 45A of the pin 45 is a hole 42A provided in the outer peripheral wall 42A of the outer cylinder 42 and the peripheral wall 41A of the inner cylinder 41. The hole 41Aa is inserted. Thereby, the outer cylinder 42 is fixed so as not to rotate with respect to the inner cylinder 41.

  Then, the plunger 45 is pulled upward (in FIG. 6) against the spring, the tip 45A of the plunger 45 is pulled out from the hole 41Aa of the peripheral wall 41A of the inner cylinder 41, and the outer cylinder 42 is removed from the inner cylinder 41. 90 ° (90 ° clockwise in FIG. 5) and release the plunger 45, the tip 45A is inserted into the hole 41Ab of the peripheral wall 41A of the inner cylinder 41 by the biasing force of the spring. The outer cylinder 42 is fixed at a position rotated 90 degrees with respect to the inner cylinder 41.

  By rotating the outer cylinder 42 with respect to the inner cylinder 41, the direction of the rotating brush 11 is changed. When the outer cylinder 42 is in the position shown in FIG. 5, the rotary brush 11 faces in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 4, and the outer cylinder 42 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the inner cylinder 41. When rotated 90 degrees, the rotating brush 11 faces in the left-right direction as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the Y-axis moving mechanism 30 includes two guide rails 31, 31 provided on the carriage 21 that moves in the X-axis direction, and the carriage 21 in parallel with the guide rails 31, 31. A rack 32 provided, a moving body 33 that moves along the guide rails 31, 31, a pinion 34 (see FIG. 4) that is provided on the moving body 33 and meshes with the rack 32, and this pinion 34 is rotated. In addition, a motor M2 provided on the moving body 33 is provided.

  When the pinion 34 is rotated by driving the motor M2, the moving body 33 moves along the guide rails 31 and 31 because the pinion 34 meshes with the rack 32. Move in the axial direction.

  The carriage 21 straddles the upper surface opening Sc of the bathtub S in the width direction (Y-axis direction). One end of the carriage 21 is provided with a pair of wheels 22 and 22 that run on the guide rail G (see FIG. 3). The other end of the carriage 21 has an upper surface Sb on the other side of the bathtub S. A pair of running rollers 23, 23 are provided.

  The carriage 21 is moved in the X-axis direction by the X-axis moving mechanism 20.

  The X-axis moving mechanism 20 includes a link mechanism 25 that expands and contracts in the X-axis direction and a drive mechanism 60 that causes the link mechanism 25 to expand and contract.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the link mechanism 25 includes a pair of first arm members 26 and 26 that are pivotally supported on the carriage 21 with their front ends overlapped, and the first arm member as shown in FIG. A pair of second arm members 27 and 27 that are pivotally supported at the rear portions of 26 and 26, intersect with each other and are pivotally supported at the intersections, and pivot to the rear portions of the second arm members 27 and 27 It is composed of a pair of third arm members 28 and 28 that are freely pivoted and intersect each other and are pivotally supported at the intersection.

  The drive mechanism 60 is movable along the screw shaft 61 by screwing the screw shaft 61 having screw portions 61A and 61B having different directions, a motor M3 that rotates the screw shaft 61, and the screw portions 61A and 61B. It is comprised from the cylindrical members 63 and 64. FIG.

  Both ends of the screw shaft 62 are rotatably held by brackets 65 and 65 provided in the hangar K.

The rear portions of the third arm members 28 and 28 are pivotally supported by the cylindrical members 63 and 64. When the cylindrical members 63 and 64 move in opposite directions, the third arm members 28 and 28 are centered on the shaft 28a. It is designed to expand and close. The carriage 21 moves in the X-axis direction when the third arm members 28 and 28 are expanded or closed.
[Operation]
Next, operation | movement of the bathtub cleaning apparatus 10 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. The rotating brush 11 is stored in the storage K (see FIG. 1) so as to be directed in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. 2, and the distal end portion 45 </ b> A of the plunger 45 of the rotation switching member 40 is It is assumed that it is inserted into the hole 41Ab of 41A.

  First, the lid Ka of the hangar K shown in FIG. 1 is opened, the motor M3 is driven, and the carriage 21 is moved forward to a position where the rotating brush 11 enters the bathtub S as shown in FIG.

  When the carriage 21 moves forward to a predetermined position, the motor M3 is stopped. Then, the plunger 45 of the rotation switching member 40 is pulled against the urging force of a spring (not shown), and the tip 45A of the plunger 45 is removed from the hole 41Ab of the peripheral wall 41A of the inner cylindrical body 41, so that the rotation switching member 40 The outer cylinder 42 is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the inner cylinder 41.

  If the hand is released from the plunger 45, the tip 45 </ b> A of the plunger 45 is inserted into the hole 41 </ b> Aa of the peripheral wall 41 </ b> A of the inner cylinder 41 by the urging force of a spring (not shown), It is fixed at a position rotated 90 degrees (position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). Further, when the outer cylinder 42 is rotated to the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotating brush 11 is placed in the bathtub S in the vertical direction as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

  When a start switch (not shown) is pressed, the motor M1 is driven and the rotating brush 11 rotates.

  12, the motor M2 is driven, the moving body 33 is moved in the Y axis direction, and the rotary brush 11 is moved in the Y axis direction from the point a shown in FIG. When the rotating brush 11 moves to the point b shown in FIG. 13, the driving of the motor M2 is stopped and the motor M3 is driven. By driving the motor M3, the carriage 21 moves forward, that is, moves in the X-axis direction, and the rotary brush 11 moves from the point b to the point c.

  When the rotating brush 11 moves to the point c, the driving of the motor M3 is stopped and the motor M2 is driven in reverse. By the reverse drive of the motor M2, the moving body 33 is moved in the (−Y) axis direction, and the rotary brush 11 moves from the point c shown in FIG.

  When the rotating brush 11 moves to the point d, the motor M3 is driven while the driving of the motor M2 is stopped. By driving the motor M3, the carriage 21 is advanced, and the rotary brush 11 moves from the point d to the point e.

  By repeating the same operation, the rotary brush 11 moves to the point f. Then, the rotating brush 11 is moved to the point f, g, h, i, j. By these movements, the bottom surface and the inner surface of the bathtub S are cleaned. And since it wash | cleans by rotation of the rotating brush 11, the stain | pollution | contamination adhering to the bottom face and inner surface in the bathtub S can be removed reliably.

  The moving path of the rotating brush 11 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 13, and any moving path may be used as long as the bottom surface and the inner surface of the bathtub S can be cleaned.

  The determination as to whether or not the rotating brush 11 has arrived at each of the points a to j is performed by, for example, providing a microswitch along the screw shaft 61 to detect the movement position in the Y-axis direction, and providing an encoder on the wheel 22 This is performed by obtaining the movement distance in the axial direction, and may be performed by another method.

Further, when cleaning the inner surface of the bathtub S, the rotary brush 11 is moved forward by a predetermined distance L, then moved backward by L / 2, and this operation is repeated. The inner surface of the tub S is rubbed back and forth for cleaning, so that the dirt adhering to the inner surface of the bathtub S can be more reliably removed.
[Second Embodiment]
14 and 15 show the bathtub cleaning device 110 of the second embodiment. The bathtub cleaning device 110 includes a rotary brush 111 having a rotary shaft 112 having a length substantially the same as the length of the bathtub S1, a motor M4 that rotates the rotary brush 111, and a width of the rotary brush 111 within the bathtub S1. And a link mechanism 120 that moves in the direction.

  The link mechanism 120 includes a holding arm 121 whose tip portion rotatably holds the rotating shaft 112 of the rotating brush 111, a holding arm 122 whose tip portion is attached to the motor case Mk of the motor M4, and holding arms 121 and 122. A first connecting arm 123 that connects the upper ends, a second connecting arm 124 that is provided below the first connecting arm 123 and connects the upper parts of the holding arms 121 and 122, and the upper part rotates to the second connecting arm 124. A pair of support arms 125, 125 that are movably connected and whose lower part is pivotally supported at the position of the hangar K1, and a driving arm whose upper part is pivotally supported by the upper ends of the holding arms 121, 122 126, 126, circular cam plates 127, 127 that pivotally support the rear ends of the drive arms 126, 126, a motor M5 that rotates the cam plate 127, and the like. It consists of and.

  The cam plates 127 and 127 are rotatably supported by brackets 128 and 128 provided in the storage case K1. The rear ends of the drive arms 126 and 126 are pivotally supported at positions eccentric from the central axes of the cam plates 127 and 127.

The hangar K1 includes four plate members 130 to 133 that cover the link mechanism 120. The lower portion of the plate member 130 is pivotally supported on a wall (not shown) and the plate members 130 to 133 rotate with each other. It is pivotally supported.
[Operation]
Next, operation | movement of the bathtub cleaning apparatus 110 of 2nd Example comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.

  First, as shown in FIG. 16, the plate members 130 to 133 are expanded to cover the top of the bathtub S <b> 1, and the support arms 125, 125 and the drive arms 126, 126 are tilted to rotate the rotating brush as shown in FIG. 17. 111 is put in bathtub S1.

  Then, when the motor M4 is driven to rotate the rotating brush 111, the motor M5 is driven to rotate the cam plate 127. The drive arm 126 reciprocates in the left-right direction in FIG. 16 by the rotation of the cam plate 127, and the holding arms 121 and 122 reciprocate around the connecting arm 124.

As a result, the rotating brush 111 reciprocates as indicated by the arrow Q while rotating, and the bath S1 is cleaned. Thus, since the inside of bathtub S1 is wash | cleaned by rotation of the rotating brush 111, the effect similar to 1st Example can be acquired.
[Third embodiment]
18 to 21 show a bathtub cleaning device 210 according to the third embodiment. The bathtub cleaning device 210 includes a float 211 made of, for example, styrofoam that floats on the water in the bathtub S2, an X and Y axis shafts 212 and 213 provided so as to penetrate the float 211, and the X and Y axis shafts 212, Rotating brushes (X and Y axis rotating brushes) 214 and 215 provided at both ends of 213 are provided.

  The X and Y axis shafts 212 and 213 are orthogonal to each other, are movable in the X and Y axis directions with respect to the float 211, and are rotatable about the axis.

  A pair of rollers R1 and R2 sandwiching the X-axis shaft 212, a motor M6 that rotates the roller R1 to move the float 211 along the X-axis shaft 212, and a Y-axis shaft 213 are sandwiched in the float 211. A pair of rollers R3, R4, a motor M7 that rotates the roller R4 to move the float 211 along the Y-axis shaft 213, a motor (X-axis rotation motor) M8 that rotates the rotating brush 214, and a rotation A motor (Y-axis rotation motor) M9 for rotating the brush 215 is provided. The motors M6 to M9 are waterproofed so that water does not enter.

  A gear (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the X-axis shaft 212 over its entire length, and a reduction gear 220 is engaged with this gear, and a gear (not shown) provided on the drive shaft of the motor M8 is connected to the reduction gear 220. Z). The X-axis shaft 212 is rotated about the axis by driving the motor M8.

  Similarly, a gear (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the Y-axis shaft 213 over the entire length, and a reduction gear (not shown) is engaged with this gear, and this reduction gear is connected to the drive shaft of the motor M9. A provided gear (not shown) is meshed. The Y-axis shaft 213 is rotated about the axis by driving the motor M9.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the rotating shaft 214 </ b> A of the rotating brush 214 is inserted into one end of the X-axis shaft 212 so as to be movable in the thrust direction, and rotates together with the X-axis shaft 212. A spring 221 is disposed in the X-axis shaft 212, and the rotating shaft 214A is biased outward.

  The rotating shaft 214A of the other rotating brush 214 is also attached to the other end of the X-axis shaft 212 in the same manner as described above, and the rotating shafts 215A and 215A of the rotating brushes 215 and 215 are also the Y-axis shaft 213 as described above. Since these are attached to both ends, the description of their configuration is omitted.

[Operation]
Next, operation | movement of the bathtub cleaning apparatus 210 of 3rd Example comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the rotary brushes 214 to 215 of the bathtub cleaning device 210 are brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the bathtub, and the float 211 is floated on the water of the bathtub S2.

  When a start switch (not shown) is pressed, the motors M8 and M9 are driven and the rotating brushes 214 and 215 are rotated. Further, the motor M6 is driven to rotate the roller R1, and the float 211 moves together with the Y-axis shaft 213 along the X-axis shaft 212 to the right as shown in FIG.

  When the float 211 moves to a predetermined right end position (a preset stop position) of the bathtub S2, the drive of the motor M6 is stopped and the motor M7 is driven. By driving the motor M7, the roller R3 rotates, and the rotation of the roller R3 causes the float 211 to move upward along the Y-axis shaft 213 along with the X-axis shaft 212, for example, in FIG.

  When the float 211 moves a predetermined distance along the Y-axis shaft 213, the driving of the motor M7 is stopped and the motor M6 is driven in reverse. By the reverse rotation driving of the motor M6, the float 211 is moved to the left along the X-axis shaft 212 together with the Y-axis shaft 213. When the float 211 moves to the predetermined left end position of the bathtub S2, the driving of the motor M6 is stopped, the motor M7 is driven, and the float 211 is moved along the Y-axis shaft 213 together with the X-axis shaft 212 by a predetermined distance.

  On the other hand, if the water in the bathtub S2 is drained, the float 211 gradually moves downward together with the X and Y axis shafts 212 and 213. Therefore, by repeating the above operation, the float of the inner wall in the bathtub S2 The whole can be cleaned, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  For detection of the preset stop position in the X-axis direction, for example, the movement distance of the float 211 is obtained using an encoder or the like, and it is determined whether or not the float 211 has reached the stop position from this movement distance. Similarly, the movement of the predetermined distance in the Y-axis direction is determined by determining the movement distance of the float 211 using an encoder, for example, and may be performed by another method.

It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed roughly the bathtub cleaning apparatus and bathtub which concern on this invention. It is the cross-sectional view which showed schematically the bathtub cleaning apparatus and bathtub shown in FIG. It is the top view which showed the state which advanced the rotary brush of the bathtub cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. It is the side view which showed the rotating brush and the moving body. It is the front view which showed the rotation switching member. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the rotation switching member shown in FIG. It is the top view which showed the rotating brush, the moving body, and the carriage. It is the rear view which showed the carriage and the moving body. It is explanatory drawing which showed the 1st arm member of the link mechanism attached to the carriage. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed the state which put the rotating brush in the bathtub. It is the cross-sectional view which showed the state which put the rotating brush in the bathtub. It is a time chart which showed operation of each motor. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the movement path | route of a rotating brush. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed the bathtub cleaning apparatus and bathtub of 2nd Example. It is the cross-sectional view which showed the bathtub cleaning apparatus and bathtub of FIG. It is the cross-sectional view which showed the state which put the rotating brush in the bathtub. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed the state which put the rotating brush in the bathtub. It is the top view which showed roughly the bathtub washing | cleaning apparatus and bathtub of 3rd Example. It is sectional drawing which showed the bathtub cleaning apparatus and bathtub of FIG. 18 schematically. It is the top view which showed the structure of the bathtub cleaning apparatus schematically. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the bathtub cleaning apparatus roughly. It is explanatory drawing which showed the state which moved the float of the bathtub cleaning apparatus along the X-axis direction. It is explanatory drawing which showed the state which drained the water of the bathtub and the float moved below.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Bath washing apparatus 11 Rotating brush 20 X-axis moving mechanism 30 Y-axis moving mechanism S Bathtub M1 motor

Claims (4)

  A bathtub cleaning apparatus comprising: a rotating brush for cleaning a bathtub; a moving means for moving the rotating brush in the bathtub; and a brush rotating means for rotating the rotating brush. The rotating brush includes a rotating shaft that extends in the vertical direction and is rotated by the brush rotating means,
A support member for rotatably supporting the rotation shaft is provided,
The bathtub cleaning means according to claim 1, wherein the supporting member is moved by the moving means. The rotating brush includes a rotating shaft along the bottom of the bathtub and rotated by the brush rotating means,
A support member for rotatably supporting the rotation shaft is provided,
The said washing | cleaning means moves the said supporting member along the inside of a bathtub with a link mechanism, The bathtub cleaning apparatus of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The moving means includes a float that floats on water in the bathtub, an X-axis shaft that is rotatably provided on the float, extends in a direction along one side of the bathtub, and is movable in the X-axis direction with respect to the float. A Y-axis shaft that is rotatably provided on the float and extends in a direction perpendicular to the one side surface and is movable in the Y-axis direction with respect to the float; an X-axis motor that moves the float along the X-axis shaft; A Y-axis motor that moves the float along the shaft,
The rotary brush has an X-axis rotary brush attached to both ends of the X-axis, and a Y-axis rotary brush attached to both ends of the Y-axis,
2. The brush rotation means includes an X-axis rotation motor that rotates an X-axis about an axis, and a Y-axis rotation motor that rotates a Y-axis about an axis. Bathtub cleaning equipment.

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